6 BEACH BAG ESSENTIALS

via Maison Gray

who else is ready for a vacation? these summer-like temperatures here in tampa are such a tease. i can't wait for summer - long days at the beach, cookouts with friends, cool{-ish} walks with the pup after dark. it doesn't get much better. and of course - i've just packed away my winter clothes - allowing me to focus on summer thoughts and trends.

since i plan on spending all weekend next to the pool or on the beach, i've started putting together my go-to summer beach bag. here are a few essential items that you'll be oh-so-happy you have.

JOUER SPF 15 SHEER LIPSTICK
call me a girly-girl, but being at the beach doesn't make me want to forgo my makeup entirely. this lipstick is sheer, SPF 15, and best of all, isn't sticky. you'd be amazed at how attractive sticky lip gloss is to windy beach hair.

NINE SPACE STRIPE FOUTA TOWEL
i absolutely love these towels. not only are they beautiful, but they're made from 100% turkish cotton, which means they're more absorbent and get softer with each wash. win, win, win.

OLD NAVY FLOPPY HAT
who needs a beach umbrella when you have this hat? it never goes out of style and you can actually read books and magazines without squinting. and in this neutral color, you can wear it with any swimsuit you have.

BUMBLE & BUMBLE SURF SPRAY
if you live in a humid climate, you know surf spray. it turns out-of-control humidity hair into gorgeous beach hair. it's a bit pricey, especially to leave in your beach bag, so i make my own via this diy {and it works!}

DR. BRANDT HIGH PROTECTION FOR FACE
it is so important to protect your face {and the rest of your body} from too much sun. this sunscreen uses flower extract to calm redness and reduce oil, giving your face a matte finish.

WARBY PARKER REILLY
have you ever gone to the beach and forgotten your sunglasses? kinda like going to the gym without headphones. it tends to ruin the experience. keep a pair in your beach bag exclusively. can't get enough of these warby parkers.

{emily}

d'orsay flats

if you're anything like me, you've been dying over the d'orsay flat. i mean, does it get much better? they're classic, modern, and feminine. they look great with a feminine midi-length skirt, or a pair of torn up boyfriend jeans. the d'orsay flat has finally made its comeback!

jenni kayne may be partially to thank for the comeback with her perfectly pointed toe and spectrum of colors {though i'm still not sure what to make of this...}. but, at $450 and up per pair, it's a tad difficult to get too carried away. 

luckily, these flats are available at almost any price point. And for $100 {or less}, you can get a fabulous pair. i'm totally taken by the striped halogen pair right now. hope you find a pair you love!

{emily}

shop the post

ankle strap  |  snakeskin  |  stripe  |  floral  |  two tone  |  why-the-hell-not print

thought of the day | day dream

what's your day dream? after entering adulthood, it seems like day dreams were replaced with "measurable goals" and now we're supposed to constantly "track our progress." and don't get me wrong, goals and action plans are essential, but when was the last time you just let your mind and heart wander? is that not a beautiful thing? i remember being a little girl and having an imagination that had no bounds. there was nothing i couldn't do in my day dreams - and it all seemed so possible and so attainable. i'm challenging myself to get back to that place at least once a week {see, measurable goals are good!} and allowing myself to dream big. if nothing else, it makes my heart happy. and after all, maybe if i dream it, i really can do it.

sweet nashville chic

ya'll. cowgirls aren't what they used to be. 

nashville was absolutely amazing this past weekend. the city has a hipster vibe but it maintains its southern traditions, and i just can't get over it. and though you will see some true cowboys {thank you bluebird cafe}, the newer neighborhoods are far more modern - dotted with local coffee shops and bars and boutiques.

as someone raised in the south, i get giddy when i see the new direction "southern" is going. have you seen garden & gun yet? if you haven't - you must. this isn't your momma's southern living {though i do still adore that mag}. the style in nashville was a eclectic mix of traditional southern styles, feminine pieces, and new, edgier trends. cowboy boots have been transformed into modern booties, worn western shirts look fresh in chambray, especially when tucked into a traditional gingham skirt that looks especially sweet in this feminine shape. oh, and that standard strand of pearls packs a new punch. just throw on some shades, paint your lips pink, and you're the new south.

the south is changing, but staying true to its roots. and what a lovely transformation it is.

here are some snapshots from our weekend, complete with my list of must-not-miss spots:

{pinewood social}

vintage bowling alley meets clean, modern decor. everything about their design is spot on. even the bowling shoes were cool.

{trader joe's + holland house}

our tj's opens in a few weeks {yay!}. there is no better place to indulge in fresh flowers.

holland house is one of the most relaxing, cool bars i've ever visited. and boy, do they know how to shake a cocktail. my fav was the redheaded stranger: fernet + mathilde peche + beet juice.
{fido}

my favorite coffee shop, maybe ever. 

{the gang}
bowling at pinewood social.
{hatch show print shop + edleys}
the letterpress that produced nearly all country star's posters over past 100 years. still making beautiful posters with the press.

if it's not brisket, it's not bar-b-que {spoken like a true texan). and this is bar-b-que.

{st. paul and the broken bones}
we flew in and went directly to the mercy lounge to see this band. and boy, can they wail. found this article about them in my latest garden & gun on the flight home.