I think of all the summer whites, linen is my favorite. Linen is not a year-round fabric like silk or cotton. Linen is the definitive summer staple. It breathes well and you can even blame the creases (which will inevitably show up) on the material instead of not wanting to iron it. Of course it doesn’t travel well unless you pack your trusty steam iron. However it just looks crisp.
Derived from the flax plant, linen is a highly sustainable material that doesn’t need any pesticides or fertilizers to grow plus very little water compared to thirsty cottons. One of the oldest fabrics in the world, the ancient Egyptians used it to wrap mummies, whilst in the 1930s, wedding gowns combined linen with lace.
Look of Linen Today
Theory’s Good Linen collection CREDIT: THEORY
Goodbye purported frumpy fabric of long ago…
More men are starting to wear linen suits. Image: D’Marge
What makes Summer so special besides sunshine, picnics at the beach & BBQ?
A beautiful white lace cover up which can go everywhere and looks super chic on everyone. The pom-pom detail all along the front is kinda special and fun.
A chic straw bag. This black and white is timeless and roomy enough to carry all essentials. Very St. Tropez. Bonus: it’s also collapsable which makes it a perfect travel companion.
Little Extras: Playful and Glamorous fringe earrings. A multi-purpose beach, picnic, pool blanket – a travel must have. Something you can roll up in your beach bag for a quick getaway.
All in the Rachel Zoe Summer Box of Style. Once again; it’s always fresh, fashionable and never disappointing.
Style is something each of us already has, all we need to do is find it – Diane Von Furstenberg
Can you find it in a box?
Sometimes you can find it in a BOX! But it’s what you do with what’s inside that counts.
Wow…I just received my second seasonal box of style from the people over at *the Zoe Report. They’ve curated a carefully selected arsenal of fashion and beauty products, with amazing summer staples every style girl loves. All neatly wrapped and packaged in a nice box. Talk about chic in the heat!
*For those who are not already familiar, The Zoe Report is an online style destination curated by stylist to the stars and fashion designerRachel Zoe. The website gives tips on how to be glamorous every day with fashion, beauty & lifestyle articles from the best in the biz.
A peek inside:
A delicate lariat necklace is a jewelry box staple. The versatile piece can play nice with everything from a plunging neckline to a high-collar blouse—making it an accessory that works for the office, cocktail hour and beyond.
Michael Stars Caftan – to channel your inner Liz Taylor
This eye-catching lariat necklace with delicate pave Swarovski crystals and adjustable open crescent ring will look incredibly chic worn together or alone.
Luv AJ Pavé Tusk Lariat & Open Crescent Ring Exclusive Set.
Michael Stars Pastel Gardens Caftan. Every sun-loving girl needs a colourful caftan (cover up) in her summer wardrobe. To be simply layered over a sleek swimsuit for poolside lunch or dressed up for dinner by wearing it over a slip dress, cinched with a belt and adding earrings – a complete summer look.
YHF Los Angeles Cashton Brown Sunglasses
Flattering Sunglasses
Sunglasses that are as versatile as they are timeless This style was tested by every member of Team Zoe to ensure it flatters every face shape.
Beach in a Bottle – Quai haircare wave spray.
The only thing more alluring than textured beach waves is the knowledge that your textured beach wave spray isn’t ravaging your hair. This formula boasts rice protein instead of salt to provide the fresh-from-the-surf texture you’re craving, minus the crunchiness. I blogged about it recently. See link below.
The Dream Turban – DreamDry (great syling tool towel)
Hair Turban to keep frizz at bay –yay
Treat your tresses with care by using this super absorbent turban (instead of a coarse towel) to speed the drying process without frizz. Thanks to a button-fastening you can easily go about your routine without it slipping out of place and the lightweight fabric won’t take up precious space in your carry on.
THE HEALTHY GLOW
Juice Beauty Green Apple SPF 15 Brightening Moisturizer
Juice Beauty SPF 15
Multi-tasking products are wonderful. This organic brightening moisturizer with SPF 15 will help reverse existing skin damage and infuse your skin with hydration and protection so light you can wear it under your makeup.
It’s like getting styled by Rachel Zoe all year long. Order your summer Box of Style now.
Each seasonal box promises to include $300 favorite fashion, beauty and lifestyle items hand-curated by Rachel and The Zoe Report Team. The necklace/ring combo alone is retail value $190 usd. And remember to tell them I sent you. If you want to be really surprised just ignore the spoiler alerts leading up to mailout.
Because unfortunately your personality isn’t the first thing people see.
Rings: Samantha Wills Bandwagon Sunglasses, Le Specs $60
Embracing Summer. For me summer is all about simplicity and taking it easy which translates to being more lazy. Hair lighter, toenails brighter, breezy dresses, no makeup, sitting on patios until the sun goes down, eating lots more fruit, plenty of barbeques and at least one beach picnic. It’s a breeze embracing summer.
beachy bracelets
Wearing fun jewellery that never sees the light of day when summer ends, ankle bracelets (I have a crazy collection), straw hats & bags, flip-flops (or go barefoot whenever possible), roller blading (after retiring my blades) & bike riding.
Gold Ring on Left: TomTom Jewelry Wild Child Sunglasses in Black, Le Specs $80 Sunset Multistrand Necklace, Holst+Lee $255 Wild Child Sunglasses in Pink, Le Specs $80 Turquoise Capri Amulet, BaubleBar $68
I may have grown up on what is referred to as ‘the island of Montreal’ but I also lived in Jamaica which is my idea of a ‘true blue’ Island and adapted to being there like a bee to honey. It was a dream waking up every morning to blue skies and a never ending beach outside my door, walking barefoot along that beach to outdoor yoga classes, continuous scuba diving, reading a lot more books, delightful doctor birds and live music at night. Yes, I adapted extremely well.
beach necessity
Double Selfie
Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to live in perpetual summer. Maybe we need the Fall/Winter break to keep from becoming too lazy. And to get things done. Well that’s the excuse I give…to appreciate the sunshine when we get it.
Photographer (first 4 photos): Andrew Stiles at Grid Agency
Hair and Makeup: Alexis Swain at Celestine Agency.
I love beach cover-ups even if I’m not going to the beach. In honour of the first official week of SUMMER here are some lovely ones to consider.
hunky dory beach companion
I like having a light little something to wear over my bathing suit. Kind of like wearing a négligée to bed – not nearly naked. A little something to take off and put on again if there’s a breeze. These remind me of St-Tropez when I was in St. Tropez…that one time in my life….but still they remind me of there. I’ve been wearing a lot of neutrals this summer with a sprinkling of floral and more skirts and dresses so these all-white covers are so fresh looking, very pretty, flowy and romantic. Perfect for a beachy picnic. Careful not to spill the berries.
Elegant long white lace summer beach dress 2015 with long wide sleeves, open back and side slits. This is your dress, if you are looking for a fancy beach cover up.
Gorgeous white lace long sleeve summer beach cover up 2015 with deep v-neck.
Casual short white lace beach summer dress 2015 with three quarter sleeves and wide neck.
Funny, as I’m posting these I’ve come to realize that I’ve been wearing more black this summer and more white this past winter. Proves there is no right or wrong anymore in fashion as long as the weight of the clothes fit the season. Still working on the beach bod. By the end of this summer I’ll be perfect really good!
is where the girls go barefoot and their hearts are just as free as their toesFeminine, flattering, and a far more conservative way to rock animal prints by the pool, this leopard one piece is the epitome of a necessary summer investment. For added va-va-voom appeal, don’t forget your red lipstick.
We can’t wait to soak up the sun in our swimsuits and bikinis either at the beach or poolside, but there are times in these settings when we probably want to partially cover up our bod and suit. Times like when we’re walking to and from the car, visiting the restroom, grabbing a bite to eat, strolling along the beach, when it feels a little breezy, or when we’ve just had enough of exposing lots of skin.
Swimsuit coverups are all about looking chic on the sand, whether you opt for beach cover up dresses, a cover up tunic, shorts or a sarong. And if you happen to be in a seaside town, a fashionable womens beach cover up is a must for pre-beach brunches and post-beach cocktails. Depending on the kind of day and my mood, these are several that I like.
I really love the little white crocheted shirts and dresses.
Another one I think is just great is the Saress. I have two – one short and one long that I pack in my travel bag.
INSPIRATION
