#summerstyle Archives - Northern California Style

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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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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