Mint and Limoncello

Shorts: Vineyard Vines    Top: J. Crew    Scarf: Francesca's    

Bag: Longchamp    Shoes: Rampage (similar)   Sunglasses: Jimmy Choo

I had the pleasure of stopping by the Vineyard Vines location in Newport Beach to say hi to the crew and browse the amazing VV summer collection!  I had so much fun looking through the brightly colored and vibrantly printed pieces.   Shop my picks:

 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6

I wore my favorite pair of Vineyard Vines shorts with what I'll just call the comfiest navy and white striped top I've ever owned.   And because I'm me, I couldn't resist doing a little print mixing ;-).  What goes well with mint?  Lemonade!  Seriously, have you ever had lemonade with fresh mint?  SO refreshing.  

I had so much fun visiting the Vineyard Vines store and shopping their gorgeous summer collection!  I can't wait to wear my whales all throughout summer.  

Special thank you to the Vineyard Vines Newport Team!

Vineyard Vines Dayboat Shorts in Capri Blue + J. Crew Collection Featherweight Cashmere Long Sleeve Striped Tee + Francesca's Lemon Print Scarf + Longchamp Le Pliage Large Tote in Bilberry + Rampage Cork Striped Wedges + Jimmy Choo Tortoiseshell Cat Eye Sunglasses

The Wardrobe Classics

Back to basics.  I believe there are a handful of items that EVERYONE needs in their wardrobes.  These are the classics.  Find your perfect version and stick with it!

Blue Skinny Jeans

Arguably the most flattering style of jeans, you will wear a blue pair of classic skinny jeans all the time.  Get a versatile dark wash with a good fit, a bit of stretch, and a perfect length for your height.  

My Favorites: Hudson, Ralph Lauren, 7 for all Mankind

Classy Shirtdress

You can wear it on the weekends, out to dinners, to work, on dates, on vacation, pretty much anywhere.  A perfectly fitted shirtdress in a classic color will be your go-to dress.

My Favorites: Ralph Lauren, Madewell, Diane von Furstenburg

Cozy Sweater

I have built up a collection of solid colored cable knit sweaters that I love and wear frequently.  When shopping for a sweater, look for a great quality fabric like wool or cashmere.  Always worth investing!

My Favorites: J. Crew, Uniqlo, Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers

Black Heels

First, make sure that you can walk in them without feeling like your feet are dying.  A classic pair of black pumps can elevate an outfit from relaxed to polished in a snap.

My Favorites: Christian Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik, Vince Camuto

Oxford Button Down

Light blue and white oxfords are the essentials, but if you want to build an oxford collection, do it!  They are definitely something that you will get your money's worth out of.

My Favorites: Ralph Lauren, J. Crew, Brooks Brothers, Gap

Pearls

I could go maybe two days without wearing my pearls.  But that's unlikely.  Truth be told, I wear my pearls pretty much every day and I can't wait to pass them on.  Mine are vintage, but here's a few.

My Favorites: J. Crew, Brooks Brothers, Tiffany

Striped Shirt

Stripes pair well with everything and a good striped bateau top is perfect for nailing the ease of Parisian style.  I love Boden's breton tops!

My Favorites: Boden, J. Crew, Joe Fresh

Tall Boots

A perfect pair of riding boots are essentials for me.  I listed my favorites below!  Other great pairs of tall boots I have include Sperry Hingham boots and Hunter boots.

My Favorites: Tory Burch, Frye, Ferragamo

Classic Coat

A coat always makes you look polished, elegant and chic.  Who knows, you could be wearing your pajama top under it and you still look awesome.  :-)

My Favorites: Burberry, London Fog, Ann Taylor

A Beautiful Bag

A bag that you will carry FOREVER and it will never go out of style.  See my post on the classic handbags here.

My Favorites: Louis Vuitton, Mulberry, Coach

Summer Tory Greenery

Top: Tory Burch    Jeans: Paige     Shoes: Tory Burch     Bag: Louis Vuitton    

Bracelet: Kiel James Patrick    Necklace: Max and Chloe

Party Panthers on Prowl

How to be the Perfect Party Hostess

Invitations-  I love receiving a pretty invitation!  Send out invitations in advance (preferably online to save paper!), asking guests to RSVP so you can get an accurate count of who will be there.  Also, make sure you know everyone's dietary restrictions beforehand!  

Venue and Decor-  The setting can give the entire event a tone and elevate a simple dinner party into a magical soiree!  If it's at home, decking out your backyard with paper lanterns or your living room with candles/other decorations will invite your guests into a wonderful night.  Peruse Pinterest for decor inspirations!

Music-  Carefully curate a playlist for your get-together!  Make sure it's not too loud to interfere with conversations, but just loud enough to fill/prevent awkward silences.

Cocktails and Hors D'oeuvres-  Unless it's a cocktail party, don't go too crazy with the drink options!  Just stick to wine and one special cocktail.  Appetizers are essentials as well!  Try to stick with things that are small, easy to eat, and delicious!  A few great options include crudite, bruschetta, a cheese plate, stuffed mushrooms, and more.  

Seating-  Not a must at all parties, but it can be fun to play matchmaker or just ensure that the night goes seamlessly and the conversations flow!  Make little place cards for your guest and put them on the table settings.

Dinner and Dessert-  As mentioned above, make sure you know all your guest's dietary restrictions so you can accommodate them!  Check if you will have anyone who is vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, low-sodium, lactose-intolerant, etc.  As a vegetarian, I know that there's nothing more awkward than accidentally making a host feel bad because they didn't have an option you could eat!

If you will be cooking, don't experiment with new things, just stick to the tried-and-true recipes that you know are great.  Dessert is the perfect way to end the night- on a sweet note!  I'd recommend picking up desserts at a bakery or patisserie, unless you really want to bake them yourself!

City Classics

Sweater: J. Crew Factory    Jeans: Paige     Coat: Uniqlo     Bag: Louis Vuitton

Shoes: Coach     Necklace: Max and Chloe

This has been my go-to outfit lately for many reasons.  The layers make it great for pretty much any weather: when it's chilly in the morning I have the coat on, and the sweater is just light enough to wear on its own in the sun.  I've also swapped this J. Crew dot sweater for a striped breton tee.  Also, it's versatile enough to pair with my brightest, most wildly printed umbrellas! (Kate Spade and Lilly, I'm looking at you.)  

I believe that a perfect trench coat is a must in everyone's wardrobe.  Even though it is totally worth it to invest a little on the classic pieces, this one was an amazing and inexpensive find that has been getting a ton of use lately.  The one I linked above is the women's trench, but I'm actually wearing the girls version: it's perfect for petites!  Trenches in navy and tan definitely will get the most use in your closet, but once you've got your classic coat, it can be fun to experiment with some printed and colorful coats! Gingham, anyone?

What's your favorite easy-yet-chic outfit?

Flamingo Fields

 Dress: Lilly Pulitzer     Bag: Tory Burch     Shoes: Rampage (similar)

Lilly Pulitzer "Britton" Short Sleeve Henley Dress in Resort White Hot Wings + Tory Burch Mini Kira in Indian Rose/Champagne Gold

The Great Outdoors

I believe that life is enriched through exploration.  A life lived indoors is a sheltered and unadventurous life.  So when I want to do something great, there's no where better to go than outdoors.

Nature's beauty never ceases to amaze me.  It's wonderful how the most amazing things are created naturally by the earth.  Taking time to appreciate nature is one of the best ways to spend a day, whether you're going on a nature hike, taking a trip somewhere scenic, or just taking a walk outside.  Here's a few essentials for a foray into nature!

Julia's Outdoor Essentials {featuring Fjallräven Canada}

1~ A Great Jacket

No matter the weather, a jacket is a must.  Pack one that keeps you warm and dry (and stylish as an added bonus!)  

My Picks: Barbour, Fjällräven Canada, J. Crew

2~ Durable Boots

Good footwear can be the difference between a sore, aching hike and an awesome trek through the outdoors.  Make sure you pick a good pair of boots or shoes that protect your feet, support them, and fit you well.  

My Picks: Hunter, LL Bean, Sperry

3~ A Baseball Cap

Baseball caps are essential for protecting your head, shading your eyes, and even hiding messy hair!  I love my pink Vineyard Vines one that I'm wearing here, and these options too!  They all include adorable motifs on the front.

My Picks: Fjallräven Canada, Southern Proper, Vineyard Vines

4~ A Roomy Backpack

Nature is no place for a handbag.  But you can still tote around a cute backpack!  Make sure your pick has room for your supplies, and anything you pick up along the way!  Trust me: one time I came back from a hike with ten different pinecones that I picked up off the trail.  

My Picks: Longchamp, Patagonia, Lululemon

5~ A Warm Coat

If you need heavier layers, a really warm and durable coat is definitely a great thing to buy.  Fleece or fur lined parkas and anoraks are great! 

My Picks: Canada Goose, Penfield, Fjallräven Canada

6~ Good (Healthy!) Snacks

Healthy and delicious snacks will fuel your hike and keep you strong.  Pre-packaged is easier to carry, but you can whip something up too!  

My Picks: Spinach Chips, Quest Bars, Lärabars

7~ A Cozy Sweater

A warm and soft pullover is great for me because I can get cold as it gets later or the weather shifts.  This is especially good to have it you are climbing in altitude.  When I hiked up Corno Bianco in Italy, I started in a tank top and finished in a sweater and a fleece jacket!

  

My Picks:  J.G. Glover and Co, Ralph Lauren, J. Crew

8~ Lots of Socks

Easily the most forgotten essential on a hike.  What if your socks get dirty?  Or wet?  Or cold?  Or (ew) smelly?  Always bring along extra socks for any occasion.  You won't regret it at all!  And the best part is, they take up minimal space.

 

My Picks: Kate Spade, Madewell, J. Crew

Thank you to Fjällräven Canada for sponsoring this post!