#summerstyle

Signature Style- Summer Wish List

May 4, 2023 By kimwheeler 37 Comments

On this month’s Signature Style, Cindy and I share our Summer Wish Lists! These are some of the pieces I’ve been coveting, trends to consider, and possible options for your warm weather capsule wardrobe..

Wow has this year flown by fast? I can hardly believe it’s May! love these sort of posts I’ve been keeping a running inventory in my head of the things I want to add to the closet for the warmer months. Doing these posts has actually helped me shop better. Finding things I really love online for the blog, has helped find items I truly love- versus just shopping what is available in the stores..

This year I am really into small jackets, longer skirts and dresses, one shoulder looks, metallic pieces, woven bags, and lots of green tones and blue.

Before you make your own wish list, pull out all your summer and warm weather items and try them on, evaluate and see what is missing, what you no longer love or looks good, and what you might add to make what you already have work!

Start with beautiful basics and to begin, everyone needs some lightweight jackets ..

Let’s talk small jackets

I’m mad for these small jackets ( i.e short jean jacket size), for warmer months and they could not be more flattering. I did a little Instagram PSA on them here. I have a linen color, one in khaki, a white and also denim versions… I like cardigans, but a lightweight shorter jacket is going to be more flattering and more chic. Here’s why they look so good…

They give a sharper line than a cardigan.
They help give a more defined figure i.e. waist.
They hide bumps, back bulges and all of that and give a smoother look.
They are great to make your dresses daytime casual and less bare..
They are perfect for travel- and day to night wear.

You need a few of these in your warm weather closet so let’s look at a few options and some ways to style them. I love them with a longer skirt and t-shirt like I am wearing here with my Tommy Bahama Two Palms linen jacket that looks great after so may years and wears… and a new short jacket from Anthro..

Some current options to consider…Photos are linked.

Longer skirts

No matter your height or age, the longer casual skirt is another piece that’s going to be a workhorse in your closet. If you find a few that are comfy with elastic waists, (and even better with pockets), you are going to want to wear these all the time. You can pair them with just a nice t-shirt or tank and a jacket like above, or with a white cotton or denim button down- tied at the waist. I adore the feeling of a light long skirt on a summery day with pretty sandals and a straw bag..

A few to consider..some longer and some mid-length.. I like this denim one as it looks relaxed..Links on photos.

Love this new one by Faherty.. Also a pull on.

Fun tops

I love the one shoulder trend .. fun options like this one in three colors..

More elegance and layering options with this one shoulder top – and these Target camisole matte satin tanks are great pieces .. color options here and here.

Woven Bags

I love the Zara white one, this fun Tory Burch tote in multiple colors, and the classic H&M woven bag looks good with everything for $25.

A few cute dresses..

I love to get a new dress or two for the summer and when you see cute ones grab them as they tend to go fast.. This one shoulder dress by Madewell is a great look for $69. If you’re concerned about wearing a strapless bra with these.. You needn’t! I wear a regular bra and tuck the exposed shoulder strap in the side of the bra.. So much more comfy.

A few other fun ones..like this green floral in two styles…Maxi and a spaghetti strap version- and this pink SZ Blockprint dress… ( All cute under the mini- jackets!)

I’ve also had my eye on the Two Palms linen dress by Tommy Bahama that is a perennial best seller like my jacket. I just can’t decide which color – so many good ones. I love the raw edges and cute neckline- and pockets. This is the perfect vacation dress and no you won’t need to iron this.. It looks great natural.

If I had somewhere special to go, I would consider this dress from J Crew Collection..

Swim

I love this Tory tank suit with the clips.. and the original tunic coverups she made when she started are back and this green would be a dream with it..

This J Crew stamp print coverup and matching suit are adorbs…

I also adore this one shoulder ruched suit from J.Crew. I have the safari green which is on sale with a few others now for $59, and all these one shoulders would be darling with a pair of white beach pants or beach skirt.. I want another color and thinking the yellow or stripe is fun.

I also am finally going to order myself a pair of these Birkenstocks...

Loving these sunglasses in the olive and the buff colors…

I hope this gave you some ideas for 2023 warm weather trends and ways to work some of these pieces into what you already have..I’ll try and add more items as we move through into summer- if it ever gets here!

If you want to save this for later you can pin this image on Pinterest…

If you missed last month’s Signature Style I shared casual chic dresses you need for spring and summer and my favorite brands.

Now stop by Cindy’s blog to see what she is sharing…. always some gorgeous things and great ideas…

Cindy Hattersley Design

Thanks for being here!

Kim

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Summer Lists and Things

July 9, 2021 By kimwheeler 16 Comments

Hello I haven’t written a weekend post for a while and I thought I’d share some fun things with you all. I hope you’re enjoying summer and the small pleasures that come with it. We just got back from spending a couple days at our little cabin in Tahoe and I really enjoyed the simplest things there like biking to the lake and making dinner and eating on our deck each evening.

Now that we are back home I’ve got a little list of things I want to do before summer is over.

My Summer List:

Bring a picnic to the beach

Badminton and ping-pong and night tennis!

Books..at least get through my stack on my bedside and preferably while lounging outdoors

Make ice cream,

Go fruit picking,

Watch the stars and make s’mores,

Camping

A road trip somewhere in California

Hike and lunch in Carmel

Museum visit and lunch in San Francisco..

I could add more, but those are on the top of my summer list! What is on yours?

One summer thing I’ve been enjoying is Wimbledon, after not having it last year. It really doesn’t feel like summer without Wimbledon. It’s been a different year with most of the big names out, but I’ve loved watching all the young kids coming up. In honor of the finals this weekend, I think we’ll make Pimm’s Cups. We have fresh cucumbers and berries, so why not? I haven’t made it for a while, but the best recipe and most authentic is from California girl, Gaby Dalkin of What’s Gaby Cooking.. It’s delicious refreshing and simple and you can make it light with less Pimm’s and more fruit and ginger ale for lightweights like me. ..

By the way, if you aren’t familiar with Gaby, I love her straightforward and delicious California cooking. I have this cookbook and have made so many recipes out of it- and the family are fans too. Right now, her house summer salad with peaches and avocados from her Instagram is my next one to try!

Back to Wimbledon, I honestly miss overseas travel and hope to get back to the U.K. next summer. Seeing everyone enjoying their drinks and the tennis, made me want to go even more. One of my favorite things about Wimbledon is seeing the audience and what everyone is wearing. Some of my favorites..

Gingham seems to popular still! I love the butterfly dress on Eddie Redmayne’s wife. And I didn’t know Pete Davidson is with the lead of Bridgerton, Phoebe Dynevor?? Interesting. More of the people and looks here on Bazaar.

Tennis has been making a comeback in popularity and especially last year it had a surge as it was one sanctioned sport that could be played pretty safely. I have noticed so many more retro tennis clothes and regular clothes with a tennis flavor. I love this terry set by Sundry..

And Free People has all kind of cute tennis/workout looks like this dress..

And I love this look for any sport with the black cap and sneakers.

While we are shopping, Anthropologie has a new promotion that’s a tribute to my all time favorite, Audrey Hepburn, with a lot of cute things that have a nod to Audrey’s iconic style.

I once sat next to her as a 20 year old getting a manicure at Elizabeth Arden in Beverly Hills. I was there on a vacation and decided it might be fun to get my nails done. I had no idea who was next to me until she began talking and her voice and mannerisms were unmistakable. She was sweet and kind to everyone and I wish I had the guts to say something to her, but I was young and very shy. She smiled at me and I was privy to her whole conversation about starting a film with Richard Wagner at the time.I thought she was wonderful and as she was my mother’s favorite, I can’t help thinking of my mom with anything Audrey!

Also reminding me of Audrey was this look from Frances Valentine..

If you missed my Instagram post about Darcy Miller, she is a great one to follow. I love her account, and she used to be Martha Stewart’s right hand. She is a genius at celebrations and right now is having a cute Camp Darcy, that has summer projects to try if you have kiddos at home, like these cute family herb pots.

And if you read my post last week on Serena & Lilly, you may be interested in their Summer Tent Sale which just began and is a great time to get some very cute things for the home at a discount! There are beach towels, outdoor pillows, cute napkins and trays and much more!

Right now I am trying to get through my stack of books and I am really enjoying Clothes.. and Other things That Matter by Alexandra Shulman about her life in fashion and being the editor of British Vogue for 25 years. If you’re close to my age you will enjoy the eras of fashion we lived through and how they correlate to her stories in the book.

And if you are missing travel as my husband and I are, we are binging the series, Travel Man on Prime. It’s a lot of fun as he does world cities in 48 hours. It’s a few seasons past, but there is a lot to watch and I think he’s goofy and hilarious. He teams up with a different comedian each episode to explore a city. So fun.

Have a great weekend and start knocking those books and things off your summer bucket list!

Kim

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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

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My Summer Essentials

June 24, 2020 By kimwheeler 9 Comments

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.

…..

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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