#sundresses Archives - Northern California Style

Well hello. Sorry I’ve been absent from the blog and social media in general. I’ll blame it on the dog days of August or just lethargy. It’s not even the pandemic so much as I usually get this feeling about this time of year. I start to recognize summer is fast closing and I worry I haven’t gotten the most out of it, yet still feel lazy and unmotivated a bit. I blame the heat too and I’m a little in shock my youngest is heading to college in a week or so. Is anyone else feeling this way?

Griffin will begin his first year of college in Utah. That in itself is another whole post! We decided to spend a few days in Lake Tahoe next week so we could actually have some kind of vacation before Grif goes away. I’m looking forward to having an old school kind of vacation like we did as kids with some lazy days by the lake, hikes, biking to get ice cream, kayaking, boating, and hopefully games at night. When I grew up that was summer and the week we stayed in Tahoe was everything to us. Though I’m missing travel farther abroad, this is the time to appreciate the shorter trips and small pleasures like an ice cream cones, watching the stars and the scenery of a car trip.

I am a procrastinator by nature, and had been mulling over a few things to pull the yard together too. When confronted with August nearing, I started to realize it’s now or never so I ordered this outdoor rug from Griege. I’m so happy with my rug and it was my first time purchasing from this pretty site. The rug is super soft, from Belgium and really making the small deck we have feel like an extension of the house even more!

I was also debating about this outdoor rug from Pottery Barn which looks fluffy and soft..

And this outdoor Bianca rug from Anthro.

Speaking of Anthropologie they are having 40% off all dresses and some select shoes. I may get one more dress before summer is over. Casual dresses are all we need now for the foreseeable future right? I cannot see when we will get back to dressy occasions anytime soon sadly.

I have my eye on this Corey Lynn Calter Midi Dress which I think will transition to fall nicely with a denim jacket.

Another sweet dress is this cute tiered tunic..

This tunic dress also comes in three colors with pockets is a fun one that will wear through fall and for future vacations. (We can dream!)

For that home leisure that we are all getting now, (cry/laugh here), is this cute cotton maxi- also in four colors and petite and plus sizes. I like to read the reviews before I buy at Anthro and what others say about how the fit runs. This one runs a size big, so size down.

This Ambra tunic dress is made in California and also comes in a pretty blue. It looks like the perfect lightweight piece- just add a summer woven bag.

In my obsessions with woven handbags, I discovered this darling site Mer/Sea which is cute and beachy and they have this beautifully made tote. I have been using my woven bags so much. They are the new IT bag and the best part is everyone can afford some kind of woven tote and they look chic.

How is your mask wearing going? Are you finding ones that feel comfortable and easy? I recognized this week we need to have multiples and also carry extra with you, when mine broke in a store. I tried to pay, hold it down without touching my face and proceeded to have about 5 hot flashes at the same time! Talk about feeling stupid. Now I don’t leave the house without at least a few on me. I took my son to Nordstrom Rack this week for some college clothes and they have masks handed to you with tongs if needed and ask you to clean hands as they pump out sanitizer as you walk in. So smart. I wish everyone would do this.

I love that Kate Middleton wore a Liberty print mask this week. Photo via Vogue article. You can buy them on Liberty’s site. Maybe a fun idea to share them with friends as they have to be shipped from London.

My current favorite mask is comfy and feels thick enough, but still breathable and adjustable -from my local Anthro by The Odells .

The Sanctuary 5 pack is another good one. My guys each took one of these and like the fit and breathability.

Also in Vogue this week- Angelina Jolie looking chic with her dress and mask…This is the look of our summer 2020 isn’t it?

This looks a lot like the black Anthro dress I linked to above.

I hope you ar getting that summer feeling whether it be a Slurpee, caprese salads, picnics, road trips or counting the stars at night. We have to make it special with those little rituals now. I’ll give you all a full report on Tahoe which I hope will not be too crowded. Many friends and neighbors are going to Oregon, but if you are looking for a great California road trip where there are less people, I can recommend beautiful Humboldt county. So many Californians haven’t done this trip beyond the Redwood Curtain!! Fall is also a great time to go too. It is a gorgeous drive and there are many charming towns, especially the beach town of Trinidad where my husband Max grew up. This is my guide I wrote a few years back if you are considering it.. See some of California’s beautiful spots that are in farther corners!