On this post, my June inspiration board, a comfy strapless bra, some great coverups and more..
I hope your week has been good. June is going fast and we are still enjoying pretty mild weather which is nice.. This is going to be a bit of a short post today as I am getting ready to leave on a short trip to Hawaii, just Max and I.
Our kids are all together this weekend as my oldest Jackson and his girlfriend flew to Salt Lake City to see our youngest Griffin who is staying at school and working there this summer. It makes me so happy to know they are spending time just the three of them having fun!
My dad and I did a trip to a garden center this week and a lunch at a Mexican restaurant, his favorite- for an early Father’s Day, as I won’t be with him.
Summer Inspiration Boards
I finally got my summer inspiration board done. I try and make one seasonally. The summer one is sort of wishful and I love looking at it in my office.. I used pictures from all the catalogs that come and a few magazines.. a leaf from Hawaii and a vintage necklace that was my grandmother’s.
My pinboard is from Ballard and I have this size. It was pricey, but this is my second one from them and honestly, I can’t find an equivalent quality one anywhere even on EBay, custom made they cost the same.
It’s a very creative thing to do! I love collage and I think as adults we stop doing fun things like this. It’s great to make for summer. I’ve done them with postcards, and also with family photos as well. A good project to do as a family! Everyone can make one with their summer wishes and dreams. You can use poster board and glue sticks and put them on display.
Tomato Progress
My tomatoes are already growing and I am following dad’s advice and only watering when they have a wilted look. I just caged them today and one already has a tiny tomatoes! By July we should be harvesting. If you missed my post with my dad’s tips on how to grow your own it’s here.
Strapless Bra Talk
Packing for our trip I knew one thing I needed was a strapless bra… Firsts let me just say, I abhor them and have had a few incidents where I thought I may be suffering a cardiac episode while wearing one…. Seriously, I actually had to leave my dinner and go to the restaurant bathroom and remove it.. Not a great look as you can imagine!
With my recent purchases of one shoulder tops and a dress, they are essential, but what are the options? I don’t want another restaurant episode! LOL. I won’t go back to the traditional tourniquet with a wire. Nor do I wish to be pushed up, but I realize that’s not everyone..I just want comfort.. Does anyone else feel this way?
I had been seeing new ‘bandeau bras’ with all the new shapewear lines. Could that be a solution I wondered- and what about for larger sizes?
In the name of research I made my way to Nordstrom where they sell Skims brand. Skims has one that’s very basic, no wires, etc and in VERY soft material, and in many skin tones. I tried a large. I pulled it on, feet first..and it was all I hoped for. It holds you in, minimizes a bit, and feels comfy not tight. This brand has a wide range of sizes and skin tones too.
I can see wearing this with tank tops as it feels great. I was so thrilled I bought two, the Mica color and the black. If you are loving the new one shoulder looks- this is just the thing. It’s called the Fits Everyone Bandeau Bralette and they go up to a size 4X.
This is a pic I snapped with it on in my bath with an Anthropologie top I’m bringing on my trip. I think the bra is pretty invisible- and I can breathe!
On My Radar
I don’t really need outdoor plates, but these are really darling and if I was going to consider adding a new set, this would be it and good price too.
I am excited to get the yard looking pretty and I really want some cute lanterns. These Coastal Lanterns West Elm caught my eye. I would love to get two for around the pool or two by the front door.
I ran into our local Pottery Barn and saw these cute napkins on sale. I just loved the blue and thought ‘alfresco dinner.’ Right now I have them on the island with a stack of plates and a rattan utensil holder for a quick serving.
Echo Design Group
Echo Design group makes more than beautiful scarves. They have pretty summer essentials and their short gauze butterfly caftan is a perfect coverup. I like this Rosewater color, but it comes in 7 other options. They also have this simple coverup dress in lavender I like and this in a charming seersucker in two shades…See their Beach & Resort Collection here.
If you missed it, on Thursday I joined my blog friends for a summer home refresh collaboration and you can find what I did to bring a summer vibe to the home- and links to the others.
Thanks for stopping by and Happy Father’s Day to all the dads!
Kim
Please visit my pals Elizabeth and Juliet’s blogs..
MAKE MINE A SPRITZER
PINECONES AND ACORNS
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Kim! How fun your kids are all together! Love your dad’s tomato tips … I need to follow his advice about the watering. I’m with you on strapless bras. Before we went to Mexico I did a try on session at Nordstrom and the bra all the big influencers were recommending was awful. Dreadful. I ended up buying another recommended by the Nordie’s bra specialist … better but not great. After we spoke yesterday I ordered two of the bandeau style, picked them up today and they work! What a relief. Love those Echo dresses. It’s a little warmer here today … maybe a glimmer of summer. Have an amazing week! xo
Note.. For anyone who left comments on Saturday until the afternoon.. I accidentally misconfigured my comment spam filter and lost all comments from this morning.
I’m so sorry!
Kim
Hi Kim
Great post and I loved seeing your inspiration board for Summer! What a great idea – I will have to try it. We are trying to grow tomatoes again this year. We failed last year so hoping this time we learned from our mistakes. We have a few different varieties that are looking good so far. I will share your Dads watering tips with Dave since he is in charge of the veggie garden :-).
I had to laugh at your strapless bra story! I know exactly what you mean – they can feel like torture devices!!! I would resist buying anything that has to do with one of the Kardashians but I might just have to give the bandeau style a try at Nordies. How wonderful that you will be visiting Hawaii – sounds wonderful. I need a beach fix in a bad way which I plan on getting in Southern California soon – but the warm Hawaii waters sound heavenly. Enjoy!
I know I am not a Kardashian fan, but I think she did a great job with this shape wear! The only thing that comes close is one by Cosabella and none of the shops carry them.
I know hoping we get warm weather soon! So Cal will be so nice I hope for you!
I hope those bras work for you!
I have tired in the past and they fell down but not this BRAND!
I have had a hard time with them over the last three years bras in general and I’m not that big!
Rib cage and just plain uncomfortable.
Enjoy your island vacay!
Xxx
Agree bras become more and more uncomfortable as I get older.. I feel the same. These feel good – not restricting and stay up! You may want to give these a try and for $28 worth it. Xo
Oh shucks Kim, you did not get my message to you?
Katherine I feel so badly! I lost all comments made before 3:30 today.. I had a spam issue. Hopefully it’s resolved now. Thank you!❤️😘 I’m so sorry.
I LOVE the seasonal inspiration board, or wish board, idea. I must incorporate this into my life!
It’s a good thing for summer Cathy! Kind of fun.
Hi Kim! It is always such a great feeling when the “kids” get together just on their own. It makes me so happy that they enjoy spending time together! Love your inspiration board! I hope it makes for a great summer for you! Have a wonderful trip to Hawaii!
Molly isn’t it? Just makes me so happy they enjoy each other. Thank you so much. Hope you have a great summer too.
My goodness, that Echo swim cover dress is adorable! I have a personal affinity for that type of neckline. I do need a better fitting swim cover as things in the hip area have changed for this gal after kids! I took the inspiration at least and found an older blue geometric print dress from the same company via Google shopping search & ordered ASAP! #influenced
Currently on our own vacation, but with little kids in a big city. All the walking has us collapsing in bed at the end of each day. Tired, but in a good way! I hope our kids enjoy each other’s company as adults when the time comes too. Hope Hawaii is a blast!
Hi Nicole, I thought that was really cute too! Good for you for looking out the other options from Echo they seem like they have great quality and unique pieces.
Have a great time with your kiddos. You’ve done a lot of those trips so fun, but boy do you put the miles on your feet, right ?
Thank you Hawaii has been a nice escape.