6 Summer Basics

Stay Cool:

Here are 6 Ethically-Made Summer Basics To Love

Summer.

My summer wardrobe has always been whittled down to the simplest tried-and-true basics. It’s just hot, so so hot, far too blazing to preoccupy oneself with accessories. Save for the occasional purse and statement earrings, the barer the skin, the better. Bonus points if layered over a swimsuit. It’s comfort first around here, is what I’m saying. Linen dresses by the handful, sandals on repeat. Easy does it.

DUFFEL BAG

For the road trip enthusiast, my weekender is 5+ years old and going strong. (After my first trip to California, I mindlessly threw it into the washing machine and it’s still miraculously kickin’, albeit faded.) Plus, it’s entirely foldable for under-the-bed-stashing between adventures. Given to me by Olivia.

ROMPER

A playsuit is my ultimate one-and-done. This romper (on sale!) is the loveliest shade of grey, and long enough in the legs to actually romp around town in. 45+ feels too old to spend another minute adjusting certain undergarments, know what I mean? Perfect for our trip to California, with my beloved friends.

DENIM

When the temps dance toward the lower 90s, this jean (last photo below) is the only denim Kelli can really get behind. It’s cropped to perfection with plenty of room to breathe. Plus, it plays wonderfully with that vintage shirt you’ve stolen from your grandmother’s closet. Happily worn in Newport Beach.

SUMMER DRESS

Marvelously gauzy with a surprisingly substantial weight, this dress is the go-to I reach for on the bleariest of days. I’ve worn it to farmers markets with sneakers and outdoor weddings with fancy earrings, and every single time, the compliments roll in. Highly recommend! Perfect in L.A.

FOR THE GIRLS

For day-to-day adventuring, we dress head-to-toe in French terry cotton, and this pastel stripe t-shirt wins for ease. Paired with cut-offs, it’s sized to go with the flow (and quality enough to withstand the years!). Plus, it’s towel-soft and ever-cozy. Bought in Fashion Island Loft.

SWIMSUIT

It’s not every day a forty-something raves about how well her swimsuit fits, but truth be told, this one-piece suit is endlessly flattering on a wide array of bodies. (For the two-piece fanatics, these are just as lovely and have held up well for the past three years.) Plenty of coverage with nary a wedgie in sight, can I get an Amen? Made by Nicole.

What’re you wearing this summer? Tell me everything.

 

California Girls

 

Ride Up The Canyon

 

Divy Do

 

Emigration Canyon

 

High Wind

 

Best Moment Ever 💛 2020

Ours was a week that was both glorious and terrible. Bikes and bistros, disagreements and road rash. For every moment of beauty, it seemed, a futile moment trailed. Laughter around a bonfire, the bite of a mosquito. Mountain trail hunts, a bloody fall on the rocks. Trust gained. Small and ill-timed furies shouldered until not.

In the end, the glorious won out: apologies doled out like gumdrops, a flash of a red cardinal on the trees, the height of a balloon. Brightness returning, eventually. Forgiveness again.

I’m often asked how one can train themselves to become a morning person, and I suppose the answer is that you can’t. There is a morning offered inside every new day, and it’s not necessarily the hour of the tradition. Markus has a brain that switches into overdrive no sooner than 6am, the sunrise a jolt of caffeine to his system. And well? I’d call that a good morning if ever there was one.

For the rest of us, our sunrise is this: good news searches, coffee, The Flying Classroom on the sofa. A backyard swing, a front yard chase. Porch sweeping. High praise for a new day. (High hopes for a solid afternoon nap.)

Thank you for your kind words — and for so many birthday wishes already! I hope each of you find this Labor Day off so, so helpful in your many mornings ahead.

Then: salmon sandwich, a dash of chipotle. Fielding questions about the life of radiation, setting afternoon schemes into motion.

Tell me: what’s your morning routine? I’d love to hear!

Martin planned a birthday surprise that was simple and sweet and just what I needed. (If you’d like to jump start your own biking rhythm, I’ve bundled our plans into a printable version for you here, along with a few other surprises. Enjoy!)

And so, Max offered input, suggesting each day of my 48th year offer space for a particular song (today: Watermelon Sugar) and time spent outdoors. I added the non-negotiable habits of two chores, one hot meal (at home, instead of fridge-foraging at dinnertime), water intake. There’s space to track the book I'm reading, the prayer we’re whispering, the dreams we’re dreaming. Room for memorization of the day – a quote, a poem, a verse.

It’s the best ritual I’ve got.

Jacob's Ladder

 

2020-2021 Senior Year

Twelfth Grade

Senior Year