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Summer Things

July 9, 2020 By kimwheeler 23 Comments

Just a short post to say hello! Hope your July is going well. With all the home time, I’ve been obsessing on trying to get my den/media room together to show you all. It’s taking more than usual time trying to shop and decorate from mostly home and online. Honestly, it’s not my bag, I’m usually a touchy feely person that has to see things, but I’m adapting. You’ll have to wait until the next post to see how it came together, but in the meantime there’s a some cute summer things I wanted to share with you before they are gone!

Dresses are my jam right now when I am not wearing those white shorts I shared about. This black gauze shift from Target has been THE find of the summer- easy to throw on, adaptable from house dress to going out. I love the lightness and pockets!! I wish it came in more colors- most are out of stock, but honestly I didn’t dig the other offerings them as much as the black.

I love the lightness of it and I think where the waist drops it flatters. Everyone else seems to look good in it also. My friend Elaine came by and surprise.. she also had bought it too and adorably styled it with a hat and sandals. This dress fills the need for something in the heat we can throw on, add cute sandals, a basket purse and go!

E also bought this Target dress ( in easy gauze-love the no ironing plus pockets) and wore it the other day- so, so pretty in the teal color, which is the only tone left.

Ray-Bans have always been my favorite sunglasses and the polarized version is a must here in California. I lost my last pair a year or so ago and ever since, nothing has been as good. I recently ordered myself a pair of the New Wayfarers in from their site as they are on sale and they came in a couple days and I have forgotten how cool they are! A classic that will always look good.

My woven bag at the top of the post was a Zara find from last summer. I just saw a nearly identical version at Nordstrom right now. I love the color and size of this bag.

How is your book reading going? I’m trying to spend at least one hour each afternoon in the yard with a book. I am determined to make it feel like vacation in some way this summer…

So I’m almost finished with this fun read that I wrote about ..recommended by the one and only Contessa of course!

And now today I got two more books I’m excited about in the mail…

The Warmth of Other Suns, chronicles the great migration from the early 1900’s to the 1970’s of black Americans from the south to the western and northern cities. The Mercury News called this the most underreported event of the 20th century. The writing is highly praised as are the stories of real families woven into the narrative.

Another book recommended by an Instagram friend and reader is the Ralph Lauren book, In His Own Fashion, which came out late last year and I finally ordered. It’s part picture book, part biography. So much to enjoy in this book, including its bookshelf appeal!

I’d love to hear what you’re all reading too..

I barely wear any jewelry being at home so much now, but I’ve been throwing elasticized bracelets on as they are easy. I know a few people asked about my bracelet stack from Instagram. I collect them from travels, etc.and mix a few, wear it for a week until I’m sick of that look and change it up again. Right now I am obsessed with this look from the Bauble Bar and am going to preorder this Turquoise Pisa Bracelet to add to my beads.

Right now all the Pisa Bracelets are another 15% off with code PISA15. These with the initials are fun too and inexpensive!

Is your mask game strong? If you need to upgrade or order more, Tory Burch finally got her cute styles back in stock and for $35 you receive 5 and 100% of the money goes to good causes. It’s nice to have multiples so you have choices. The more we make mask wearing what we do, the sooner we can get out of this pandemic!

It’s fig season and I’ve shared my favorite summer fig dish on my Instagram stories. If you’re not already, follow along on my Instagram where I post a little more frequently with recipes, shopping finds and more. I love to share some great finds and don’t always have time to blog about them, but I do there.

I’ll be back soon with my media room reveal and a few other things!

We are almost to the weekend!

Kim

Some links on this post may generate a small commission. Thank you for supporting the blog.

Filed Under: Summer Finds, summer style, Uncategorized Tagged With: #summer, #summerfinds, #summerreading, #summerstyle

ON MY RADAR...

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. LA CONTESSA says

    July 9, 2020 at 3:03 pm

    FIGS with couscous?DID I spell that right?!!
    LOOKS DELICIOUS!
    THE FIRST THING I NOTICED WAS YOUR BASKET BAG!!!
    I ONLY CARRY BASKETS………..what a GOOD FALL ONE THAT WOULD BE!
    I DONOT SHOP ON LINE EITHER ESPECIALLY FOR THE CASA!!!MUST SEE AND TOUCH.I wonder is there a name out there for US LADIES of a CERTAIN AGE WHO REFUSE TO BEND TO THE NEW NORM?There should be and MAYBE WE NEED TO COIN THAT TERM MADAME KIM!
    SOMETHING TO DISCUSS ON OUR NEXT PHONE CALL!
    I LOVED THAT BOOK but of course I have lived in ITALY so It has MORE meaning for me!AT LEAST YOU HAVE A POOL TO PRETEND!
    XX

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      July 9, 2020 at 5:16 pm

      You have to try the fig dish!! It is a summer staple here. Baskets are the cool girl bag right now. Designer bags look silly in summer- and kind of wrong now anyhow… If we have to shop in person then I think we are OLD WORLD girls. I still love to see things in person!! Books absolutely. I am anti-kindle. Going to pretend more vacation soon after chores. Have a great day. xo

      Reply
  2. Linda Fant says

    July 9, 2020 at 3:04 pm

    Another great post!! Loved everything and thanks for continuing to share.

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      July 9, 2020 at 5:13 pm

      Thank you Linda! xo

      Reply
  3. Cathy says

    July 9, 2020 at 3:54 pm

    I love the blue rug. Can you share the source, please? Thank you.

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      July 9, 2020 at 5:12 pm

      Hi Cathy thank you. the rugs are two old cotton rugs I had pulled together until I get a rug in my media room. I’m glad they look okay. They are fast weave cotton and similar one would be a flatware dhurrie in cotton. I can’t find the same, but this has similar tones..https://rstyle.me/+s8DqfNpHUN1Co8HsXJiY9A Hope that helps!!

      Reply
      • Cathy says

        July 16, 2020 at 6:56 am

        Thank you!

        Reply
    • Jane says

      July 10, 2020 at 4:28 pm

      Ditto! I love that rug and was just going to ask you for the source! 🙂 And, Kim, your post is wonderful- as usual.

      Reply
      • kimwheeler says

        July 11, 2020 at 9:52 pm

        Hi Jane thanks so much! xo They are cotton printed rugs that I layered at the entry of my rental to keep the rain out and was still using them in the media room until my rug arrives. I loved the colors too. I cannot find the exact one, but this is similar to my blue one https://rstyle.me/+FWuCDSNfKi8YIFl5fWKgkw and this..https://rstyle.me/+4WJ9IkVPUTLyY-_HA2DJ1w which is poly not cotton, but look like it. Hope that helps! xo

        Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      July 11, 2020 at 10:07 pm

      Hi Cathy I bought the rugs some time ago at Homegoods. They are simple printed cotton rugs. I layered them as they are 4×6 and 5×7, but I needed something to protect the floors in my space until my rug comes. They are good for outside too- and can be hosed down. I cold only find these two that were similar: One cotton : https://rstyle.me/+FWuCDSNfKi8YIFl5fWKgkw and this in poly : https://rstyle.me/+4WJ9IkVPUTLyY-_HA2DJ1w – Neither exactly the same, but similar color and vibe. xo

      Reply
  4. Lorna says

    July 9, 2020 at 7:13 pm

    I loved elasticised bracelets too. They are great for summer. I also do not like to shop online. I’ve been disappointed too many times. Summer is definitely a time for baskets or fabric bags. Leather is too fussy. I’m still working from home as we’re allowed to so I’m not making much use of my clothes. Spend most of my days in shorts.

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      July 11, 2020 at 10:02 pm

      Lorna aren’t the elasticized bracelets so easy? I agree I love th woven basket – or fabric bags too. Hope things are going okay there. Europe seems to have done the right thing.

      Reply
  5. Linda Grubbs says

    July 9, 2020 at 8:52 pm

    Fun post! Excited to read your recommendation “ Mother in law Cure. “ I love the fun Target dresses too. Cute bag!!

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      July 11, 2020 at 10:00 pm

      Thank you Linda! I’m glad you liked that read too. xx

      Reply
  6. Juliet says

    July 9, 2020 at 9:31 pm

    Can’t wait for your media room reveal! Decorating while on lockdown is a challenge but I know you’ve created a great space. Love the Target dress … floaty dresses are my jam this summer. I’ve been looking for a cute woven bag, but everything’s been out of stock. Just ordered this one from your link. Yay! Thanks for the book recommendations. I don’t know a lot about the great migration and need to learn more. Did you see Simply Ralph, the documentary on (maybe) Netflix? So good. I need to order this book as well. Summer always brings a lightness of spirit and I’m enjoying it even as the craziness of our world swirls around us. xo

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      July 11, 2020 at 10:00 pm

      Juliet I am excited and I hope it will look okay. Floaty dresses are so good now I agree. Thank you for ordering and let me know what you think! I haven’t seen Simply Ralph, but sure will look for it. Try and enjoy the lightness now. So much sad happening. xo

      Reply
  7. Heidi says

    July 9, 2020 at 10:12 pm

    Hi. Kim,
    So much good stuff here! I’m ordering the bracelet to replace one I loved and lost years ago. Figs with couscous sounds delicious, will probably use quinoa instead but anything with figs is tempting to me. I’m always looking for another book to add to the pile, will check the library for your recommendations!
    As for on-line shopping, I’m with you about wanting the tactile experience, but what you gonna do when you just NEED (!) something so bad and don’t want to go to the stores? Certain things I would never attempt to buy online but others,, especially if there are free returns, make the days a little more exciting around here! Love when the UPS guy shows up!
    That documentary Juliet mentions above is good, I saw it a few months ago. Ralph- what a life that man leads!
    Enjoy these beautiful Summer days!
    Xo Heidi

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      July 11, 2020 at 9:56 pm

      Heidi so happy you liked the bracelets too. I thought so very cute..Try the figs in couscous! I think you’ll love it. Funny you are so right about adapting to the online shopping.. And there is that fun part about waiting for the UPS guy. I get excited when I hear him come down the street! So many recommendations for the Ralph documentary.. I have to find it. xo

      Reply
  8. classic casual home says

    July 10, 2020 at 10:00 am

    I have that Target dress too…and it makes a good bathing suit cover-up too. I wore it to lunch by the pool when we were in San Diego. Thanks for the book recommendations…I’m always on the lookout!
    Mary Ann

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      July 11, 2020 at 9:53 pm

      Mary Ann what a good idea to use it as a coverup also. It’s the right size and I love that someone could travel and it could be used for both purposes! I thought it looked cute on you also! xx

      Reply
  9. Sheila from the luncheon says

    July 11, 2020 at 3:27 pm

    Hi a good post? I saw the Ralph documentary and it was fascinating. Pretending is a good tool during these times. I just started reading Wabi Sabi about the Japanese philosophy of life. Think I’m going to start using my straw bags before summer ends at least to the grocery store.
    Have a safe good weekend.

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      July 11, 2020 at 9:21 pm

      Hi Sheila thanks I will have to watch the documentary! Get those straw bags out. Can’t believe it’s the middle of July already. xo

      Reply
  10. cindy says

    July 13, 2020 at 4:57 pm

    I can’t believe how Target has upped their fashion game Both of those gauze dresses are adorable! I can’t do ruffles but love that longer look. That Pulitzer prize winning bok sounds fabulous. I need to get back into reading. I have been horrible! Such a great idea to pretend you are on vacation!!

    Reply

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