Summer Essentials

Post Memorial Day Weekend, it's officially summer! At the beginning of each summer, I reevaluate what my list of essentials will contain. It stays pretty much the same from year to year; regardless of the actual styles I choose, the core is always the same. I'm still working on rounding out my collection, but for the most part it's complete! Without further ado, here's what I'll be living in for the next three months.

1. Bright Bikini I spend the majority of my time in the summer at the beach or the pool, so my swimsuit collection is full of fun, bright suits. While I usually stick to my usual bandeau or triangle top styles, I'm really loving this asymmetrical take from Becca. {top + bottom}

2. Reusable Tumbler I constantly have a big cup with me for any drink from water to iced tea to Diet Coke...even iced coffee! (Did you know Starbucks gives a discount for orders filled in a reusable cup?) Not only are you keeping hydrated during the hottest months of the year, but you're also being eco-friendly! {tumbler}

3. Sleeveless Tops Who needs sleeves during the summer? Tops like this one are a polished departure from your worn out tees and tanks, and they transition seamlessly from poolside to the dinner table. {top}

4. Chino Shorts You need shorts. These are perfect. And all the bright colors just make them so much better. {shorts}

5. Shift Dress It's a safe bet that when I'm not in a bikini I'm in a sundress. Shift dresses are my favorite because they are so flattering and so versatile! Of course, I'm a Lilly girl through and through–after all, she basically invented the shift dress as we know it. {shift}

6. Tote Since I'm always on the run in the summer, I try to keep everything I might need throughout the day with me at all times. Naturally, not everything will fit in a little crossbody bag. But it does fit in a tote, and you can bet that more often than not, it'll be riding shotgun in my car for easy access. {tote}

7. Sunglasses It's a known fact amongst my friends and family that I cannot drive without sunglasses. I also am not the biggest fan of my eyes, so I definitely think I photograph better with sunglasses on. I'm a Wayfarer girl, but lately the Clubmasters have been calling my name. Is it time for a switch-up? {sunglasses}

8. Croakies And with sunglasses you must have sunglass straps. It's a match made in heaven. {croakies}

9. Sandals Much like with the shorts, I don't really feel a need to explain the benefits of sandals. It's summer. AKA sandal season. Don't get me wrong, I love a good wedge just as much as the next girl for a night out, but I swear by my Jack Rogers Navajos three times out of four. {sandals}

10. Maxi Dress Last, but certainly not least, maxi dresses are super underrated in my opinion. I feel like they're so much less worn than short dresses, even though it really only makes sense to wear maxis in the spring and summer. A good black maxi dress will serve as a perfect backdrop for all your different statement jewelry, and the printed ones are strong enough to stand on their own. {maxi}

What are your summer essentials?

XO

Finals Week Essentials

For many of us, finals week is fast approaching, or already here!! Unfortunately, I don't take my final exams until after Christmas (which is super annoying) but I'm already starting to have longer study sessions to start chipping away at my studying bit by bit. Here are my essentials for finals week:

1. Planner I can't survive a normal week without my planner, let alone finals week. This is where I write down the times of my exams and schedule study time for each exam. It's so helpful for keeping everything straight!

2. Scarves Scarves are my crutch during finals week. The rest of my outfit is so simple, that throwing on a fun scarf makes me feel like I put some thought into my outfit with minimal effort needed.

3. Cozy Sweaters Part 1 to my finals week super-outfit. I usually go for thinner crewnecks or v-necks because they're better for layering with scarves and jackets.

4. Leggings Super-Outfit Part 2. I appreciate leggings so much more when I'm super busy because I'm always comfy!

5. Tote Necessary for carrying study materials to and from the library. It's so easy to just throw everything you need in a tote and go.

6. Tumbler Mine is always filled with water or sweet tea. Staying hydrated is key during long study sessions!

7. Gum It increases the flow of oxygen to your brain, so I try to chew gum as much as possible while studying and taking exams.

8. Nuts The perfect study snack. They're so good for you that you don't have to worry about eating too many. Plus almonds are great for your skin, combatting stress breakouts while you study!

9. Diet Coke It's a necessity. Enough said.

What are your finals week essentials?

XO

My Study Essentials

Raise your hand if you can't stand studying. Me either! It's dull and uninteresting and so monotonous sometimes, even when you like the subject you're studying. However, there are definitely a few things that are foolproof ways to help me through a long study session.

leggings | sweatshirt | hair ties | tumbler

It's so much easier to study when you're comfy! I'm always wearing leggings or Norts and a sweatshirt when I study because I can concentrate so much better when I'm not preoccupied with how my clothes feel. I also always have my hair up when I study. It helps me so much to have it all out of the way and keep the distraction of it out of the way. And so I don't have to keep going down to the kitchen all the time, I keep a big glass of water on my desk at all times to stay hydrated and alert!

Another study must-have for me is music. I always, always, always have music playing when I study. Lately, I've had Garth Brooks, Michael Bublé, Jimmy Buffett, and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers in my daily rotation. Don't y'all worry, a study playlist is definitely in the works!!

What are your study essentials?

XO

Summer Essentials

My favorite season is in full swing, and I'm just finishing stocking up on my essentials.

Chino Shorts

I basically live in these during the summer! My favorites are from J.Crew, of course, and they literally have every color under the sun.

Sundresses

Perfect for grad parties, barbecues, going out to brunch, lunch, or dinner...Every occasion could use an adorable sundress! I love Lilly, Vineyard Vines, and J.Crew for their sundresses.

Sandals

There are two ways you can go here: flat or wedge (I love high heels, but I'm not really a fan of regular heels in the summer because I'm always outside). For flat sandals, I love Jack Rogers and Tory Burch.

As far as wedges go, I'm a huge fan of Sperry Top-Sider and Jack Rogers.

Flip Flops

I know what you're thinking...she just talked about shoes! But hear me out on this y'all. Flip flops and sandals are completely different. You wear sandals everywhere, and with pretty much everything. Flip flops, on the other hand, should only appear when you are going to, coming from, or at the beach or pool. For this reason, I refuse to buy really expensive flip flops (anything over $50 is an automatic no). My favorites are from Tory Burch (the only moderately expensive ones that I tolerate) and Vineyard Vines.

Tote

Your tote needs to be cute, versatile, and (most importantly) big enough to throw everything in! I recommend the L.L. Bean Boat &Tote for basically everything. Get a medium or a large at the biggest and thank me later. I carry an extra large for school, and it's bigger than me! You'll have plenty of space in a large, trust me.

 I also have a straw tote from San Diego Hat Company that I'm in love with, and I love VV and Lilly, natch.

Sun Hat

I love hats! They're perfect for keeping a little sun off your face and out of your eyes. The monogrammed floppy straw hats from Marley Lilly are my absolute favorite, and I also really love straw fedoras!

What are you're summer essentials?

XO

North Shore Prep

Spring Staples

I honestly cannot tell y'all how happy I am about this weather. The winter was super mild (no complaints!) and I've been so happy to pull out all of my favorite spring items early! Each year, I have a list of things that I consider must-haves for that Spring (that post coming soon!), but I definitely have my favorite things that I always fall back on.


Chino Shorts
I've been wearing chino shorts forever. Now I'll admit, I definitely rocked the Abercrombie & Fitch ones in middle school with pride. Yikes. (But really, didn't we all??) Nowadays, I prefer to choose from J.Crew's wide array of offerings.


I'm totally loyal to the 3" chino short. Basically, I live in these shorts from the minute the thermometer hits 75 degrees all the way through mid-October.

I have them in a bunch of different colors already, and just ordered them in purple!


J.Crew also makes these shorts in a 4", 5", 7", and 9" inseam.


Drapey Tanks
 With the temperatures rising constantly, the first thing on my mind is staying cool. That's why my go-to top is a floaty tank like these (more often than not with a bit of a racerback) when it really heats up!

J.Crew Vintage Cotton Tank

Frenchi Silky Sleeveless Top

Lush Sleeveless Chiffon Blouse

Lilly Pulitzer Allison Top

Sunglasses
Every year, I tell myself, "This is the year I will get good sunglasses." It never happens and I end up getting at least three pairs of cheap sunglasses because they break, I lose track of them, etc. So for real this year, I will be getting quality sunglasses. I've decided on Ray-Ban Wayfarers in black. Classic.

But it was definitely a tough choice to make between Wayfarers and Aviators!

I think I'll get the Wayfarers as my "good" pair of sunglasses and get some inexpensive aviators to wear on the side.

KW 'Fame' Sunglasses


The juniors' department at Nordstrom has some really cute and inexpensive sunglasses in a variety of different styles. I've relied on them as my official cheap and cute sunglass shop.

I grabbed a pair of these for my friend as part of her birthday gift. They were perfect as part of a larger present and she loved them!


What I really like about Nordstrom's juniors' department, is that they usually have a great promotion going on with the sunglasses this time of year. When I was in there the other day, all the sunglasses were 2 for $20! Perfect for stocking up in different colors and styles!


Sperry Top-Siders
Sperrys are my go-to shoe in the spring. If it's not quite warm enough for sandals, or I'm too lazy to paint my toenails, or, in my case right now, I just haven't bought new sandals yet, Sperrys are the answer.


Right now, I have A/O's in classic brown and metallic gold. I'm thinking white for my next pair!

The only thing I don't like about Sperrys is breaking them in when they're brand new. Hello, ankle blisters! Make sure you've got band-aids on hand for those first two weeks or so. Ouch! After a while though, they fit to your feet perfectly and are definitely the comfiest shoes in my closet.


What are your spring must-haves?


XO

North Shore Prep