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

Back to School: Bags

This post is the first in my new back to school series!! I'm actually very excited for this school year! One of my absolute favorite parts of going back to school is getting a new tote. It honestly makes me so excited, almost ridiculously so. I do switch off my totes every so often, but the tote I get at the beginning of the school year is the one I carry for the majority of the year. I haven't picked out this year's tote yet, but here are some fun options for anyone:

Clockwise from Top Left:

LL Bean Boat & Tote (Large with Long Handles)

Longchamp Le Pliage Large

Francesca Joy Palm Beach Pink Anchor Anything Tote
Longchamp Custom Le Pliage

I highly recommend using either a canvas or nylon tote for school. I've used both the LL Bean Boat & Tote and the Longchamp Le Pliage in the past, and they are both super durable and very easy to clean if necessary. I love that the Boat & Tote can be monogrammed, and there are so many color options!! Currently, I'm leaning towards the custom Le Pliage. I customized it in beige with a hot pink stripe and I think it is just too presh!! 

Clockwise from Top Left:
The North Face Women's Isabella Backpack
JanSport Spring Break Backpack
The North Face Women's Surge II Backpack
SwissGear Backpack

Personally, I'm not really one for backpacks. But if you know you're going to be carrying a heavy load with lots of textbooks or need the extra room, definitely go for a backpack. While they may not be as aesthetically cute as a tote, extra stress on your shoulders and back and broken totes aren't super cute either! From what I've seen, The North Face has really sturdy backpacks that come in cute colors (I love the coral!) as well as basic black and other neutrals. SwissGear also seems to be a popular choice at my school, and JanSport is another very popular yet inexpensive option.

What will you be carrying to school?

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

Like TOTEally

In anticipation of the new school year, it's about time for me to start looking for a new tote to add to my collection (it's a bit of a North Shore Prep tradition, I add a new bag each year and then have more to interchange. I like totes. Go ahead, judge me.)

Last year, my new tote was a Longchamp Le Pliage in Bilberry.

Though it doesn't look it, it's super sturdy and always seems to have plenty of room for all of my things. It's also water resistant, and the dark color never appears dirty. When it does get dirty, I can just wipe it off with a wet cloth.

At the top of my Necessary Totes list is the LL Bean Boat and Tote.

My apologies for the tiny picture, it was the best I could find. The original tote bag in every way, LL Bean's creation is incredibly sturdy and pretty much guaranteed to last forever. I like it for school in the Extra Large size with long handles. And obviously the pink one is my favorite, but I also really like the turquoise, navy, and lime green.

Vera Bradley Dockside Canvas Large Tote

Perfectly honest, I'm not a big fan of Vera Bradley when it comes to totes. But this one is so different for them and I'm actually quite impressed by it. Large Yellow, please.

Juicy Couture Gen Y Je T'Aime Tote

A few years ago I purchased a pink and green canvas tote from Juicy. It's so sturdy and roomy and while I don't use it for school anymore, I use it all the time in the summer and out of school for trips to the beach and pool, babysitting, dance, and going to the gym.

Scout Original Deano

Adorable and affordable, though I can't say much about durability, as I've never actually seen one in person. Definitely worth a shot though.

What do you carry for school?

XO

North Shore Prep

SPECIAL DOUBLE POST! Socialite Saturday-Wedding Bells! + Sunday Steal!

This part really should have been written yesterday, but I'm sure y'all will forgive me. Last night, I had the pleasure of attending my second cousin's wedding! The ceremony was held at the beautiful Old Saint Patrick's Church in downtown Chicago, and the fabulous reception took place at the Chicago Marriott in Oak Brook. I had a great time catching up with some family I hadn't seen in a while, as well as meeting some new friends from the bride's side, who are from, you guessed it, the North Shore! My cousin looked very handsome, and his lovely bride was absolutely stunning in a strapless frock with tiny little white on white polka dots! Loved it.

And now, for my first ever Sunday Steal! Bloomingdale's is currently having a HUGE summer sale, and to be perfectly honest, the entire thing is just set up for absolute thievery. The prices are so low, I can hardly stand it. But one of my personal favorite items in the whole thing is this Trina Turk Catalina Towel Tote.

This adorable beach/pool bag is available in pink or white, and that towel you see in the picture? Included. Now if that's not a steal, I don't know what is. Grab yours for just $105 (previously $140).

XO

North Shore Prep