#summerdresses Archives - Northern California Style

Hello! Just a quick post to share some goodies I found this week! Max and I started the weekend by venturing out to a small restaurant in town we love. It was the first time we have gone to outside dinner in our busy town of Los Gatos. The restaurant had tables well spaced, and we wore masks until we were eating, but still there was a lot of foot traffic about. We enjoyed actually being out, but I felt a little stressed about the whole thing. I think we might stick to take out in the backyard for a special nights, and try to support our favorite restaurants that way. What has been your experience with dining out?

I did notice everyone was dressed up! People are clearly making the most of their outings. I felt the same and wore a new top that has been gathering dust.

I have been trying to do more online shopping so I decided to try a new company, Faherty which has very cute summer things. I could use a few summer dresses and I find it difficult to find easy, light things. So many dresses I notice are of heavy fabrics, not something you want in a summer frock! This brand was started by two twin brothers from New Jersey and its growing. Their dresses are made of beautiful light fabrics and they are committed to sustainability and quality!

This dress is the Gemima dress and I bought it in small. It is light and soft and feel great on for a hot day. It has pockets! I may have been able to go down a size, but I like the length and the looser feel. I guess that is a personal preference. I think the quality of this is just tops- sewn beautifully and excellent fabric. So if you need a few more summer dresses – check them out. This is the same Gemima dress in different fabrics and also the sleeveless Isha and the Hana linen shirtdress. All darling! Now that I know Faherty and it’s quality I hope to add another dress this summer to my mix.

Nordstrom is getting ready to have their Anniversary Sale with fall items, but before that happens there are still some great buys on nice summer things. There are some serious discounts this year on account of people shopping so much less – so this is the time to grab any summer items you might want before they trot out all the fall looks.

I’ve been trying to notice the things I wear the most and replace those or get something similar and these Tory Burch sandals are on sale now so I am going to add these to my summer collection. My other pairs from her are 5 and 3 years old and they still look good.

These Roxy Oceanside Linen Beach Pants are also marked down to $29 are and something I’ve been needing in the wardrobe. Many nights I want to get comfy and my sweats and pjs are too warm, plus I think these would be good for the short trip we may take to Tahoe later this summer where I’ll need my legs covered at night. Looks like they run small from reviews, so I am ordering up a size.

I also just bought this light summer lotion that gives a little sheen for bare legs and shoulders…

Also adorable in the summer category is this Tommy Bahama coverup dress. I love the white and the pockets and would probably wear it as a regular dress too. I always like the quality of their things…

If you’re thinking the off the shoulder look isn’t for you, my stylish friend Cindy Hattersley did a post this week on off the shoulder looks. If the question was can you still so this look at a more mature age, the answer is absolutely! Cindy shows how great she looks in a lot of lovely looks- all chic and showing a little shoulder!

Cindy inspired me to pull out some of my own off the shoulder tops this week and I realized I cannot get through another summer with the lame strapless bra I have. I ordered this one from Spanx. It’s highly rated and people claim it actually stays up thanks to some smart grip technology – so I have high expectations! I’ll report back…

On the lingerie, subject the Faherty dress is very light and so I added a slip that I had from under another dress to make it less transparent. I think with the very light linen dresses, you may want to add a slip. You want a slip that isn’t heavy or tight fitting. This adjustable slip from, believe it or not, Amazon, seems to be the perfect size and weight for summer dresses.

Lastly, this film Summerland, opening next week looks appealing.. It’s coming to theaters and on demand. I could use a good British film about now!

I miss the whole theater experience.

Happy weekend!

Kim

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Does it seem crazy we are almost to July? Summer doesn’t feel like summer without the usual things that mean summer to me like travel, camping and watching Wimbledon! Nevertheless, it’s warming up here and though I’ve shopped the closet and cleaned out, I could use a few lighter things to get through the rest of summer. With all the home time, I’m wanting some easy things that feel cool with a bit of style. I’m sick of seeing myself in the same old shorts and Ts! Here’s a few things I am ordering in case someone might actually see me at grocery or we venture out to grab a lunch or dinner to have in the park…

Right now I am loving the shape and feel of tunic dresses. They are finally having a moment here after seeing so many women wear them the past few summers in Europe. This ombre Anthropologie tunic is something easy for at home and for errands out too. Just add some flat sandals, a bun in your hair and a basket as your purse and you have the epitome of summer ease. I also like this simple Sundry ruffled t shirt dress.

This cute oversized tote from Trina Turk would be adorable in an entry for shoes etc, as well as for the mom whose holding everyone’s things for the beach!

As a Californian, I live in shorts during the summer and I need at least one pair of white denim. These J.Crew shorts are very highly rated and have the perfect amount of stretch and roominess. They run slightly large and have a hem you can fold to adjust for length. I’ve already gotten a few people asking where I got mine, they are a flattering length!

One thing I wear all the time is flat sandals during summer and besides my Tory Burch flip-flops, slides are my go-to. I love the mix of textures here and the cork soul and mod look. I can see wearing these J/Slides from Anthro with so much and I like the slight heel.

This Nordstrom exclusive Chanel Paris- Biarritz eau de toilette, is a light crisp scent for summer with notes of mandarin. I’ve been thinking of adding it to my summer fragrances rotation which are all on the light side.

These Lilah B. Tinted lip oils are a little discovery I made after a free sample and they are perfect for summer for keeping my lips from drying out and for long wear color. It’s vegan and free of toxic ingredients too. Lilah B. also makes Marvelous Matte Creme Foundation that is nice for summer. I want to just be able to buff something on and go. I also like the face spray and the whole lovely line.

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I want to say thank you to every one of you who read, commented and supported my last post about the issue of racism in America. Your notes here and on Instagram were so good to hear. I loved your concern and care about the state of this country. Some weren’t pleased with me getting political here, but I look at this as a life matter and not politics. I truly believe if aren’t part of the change, then we are part of the problem. I’ve been amazed at the marches and calls for change in the past few weeks in little towns and big cities and across the wider world about this. It’s 2020 and it is unbelievable we still have to call out racism and hate in the United States and also know what part we may be inadvertently playing by remaining in our bubbles. Read my post and all the thoughtful comments here.

We have keep the momentum going in this country. I’m going to keep adding things to the end of each blog and I welcome your comments as well about how we can bring about change in this country. It’s all about holding up our end as individuals! This is a good post by local PBS station KQED about showing up for racial justice– what we can each do. Another place teaching us about the racism in this nation and trying to change it is the Southern Poverty Law Center ,an excellent place to donate, but also educate ourselves. They teach tolerance, fight hate, seek justice and right now are focused on voting rights -so important before this next election!

And may I suggest one more thing to watch? Black Panthers: Vanguard of The Revolution an Independent Lens documentary was our family viewing last weekend and it was excellent. Growing up in the Bay Area in the 1970’s, all those names and events unfolded on my nightly ABC 7 News that we still watch today. To see the power of these people and what they did together to fight the system of oppression was huge and we are living through something very similar right now.

Have a great week

Kim

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