Summer Style: Managing the Final Vacation Countdown with Eye Candy

1 week to go.

1 week.

1 week until I load up the Beans and hit the road Down Tha Shore. (H will follow one day after us.)

This year, we're only managing a week, really. Something about The Bean being in school and truancy laws. Both Beans have been changing into their bathing suits daily. It's our new end-of-day ritual, eating dinner in our bathing suits. They're a tad bit excited.

So am I.

Truth of the matter is, though, I'm 100% overwhelmed by everything that has to happen between now and then. You see, right after we get back, H's cousins (and the Beans' godmother) arrive from Athens. So I'm making lists, and trying desperately to keep myself focused and in control of the craziness, which includes everything from packing to #OperationPrettyHouse, all on a strict deadline. We have to, in no particular order:

Order (and receive) The Beans' summer togs (swim shoes, suits, rash guards)
Finish painting our bedroom, install our bedroom lamp, hang pictures in our bedroom
Clean our bedroom
Finish painting and putting away our kitchen
Clean the living room and dining room, which is supposed to include buying at least one new rug. Really.
Clean those bathrooms. And I mean scrub.
Clean and prepare our guest room, which is currently a kitchen-renovation-storage-closet
Try and repair our home computer, so I can download my pics from my phone and actually make it work faster than a snail
Pack for the Beans
Pack for H
Pack for me
Do everything under the sun at the #DayJob so I don't have to even peek at email while we're gone. That's a list unto itself.

See? That list doesn't seem quite so crazy, now, when I write it out. But let me tell you, when I walk in the door tonight, and see the cacophony-like mess in our home, I'll feel all overwhelmed again. It's no wonder I haven't bothered with hair or makeup, and barely with presentable ensembles, for weeks now.

My one little joy is still pinterest, and seeing all the pretty suits and waves. I've still not decided if I should get a new suit. The one I stressed over last year doesn't fit (boo, sadmama), but ones I got ages ago and barely wore, do. But I've had them for ages, and there are pretty, pretty suits out there. Here are just a few that caught my clearly retro-inspired eye, along with some other #SeasidePoolside eye candy.

Is it June 19th yet?

Surf mavens, via

Lenny Niemeyer Ruched Halter Maillot

Hermés, via

Rita Hayworth, via

Michael Kors High-Waisted Bikini

Shades, via

Sparkling Peach Sangria, via

Metallic Bikini, via

Style Inspiration: Easy, Effortless Glamour for Summer

Pinterest is a little bit of distraction in an insane life. Pretty pictures to inspire me for projects down the road. Pretty pictures to inspire me through the day.  Pretty pictures, just because.

When I pinned this sleeveless top and palazzo pant ensemble to my Creating a New Closet board, I noted "effortless." This. Is. Easy. Glamour.

The caption on the site where I found this photo read "Giovanna Battaglia is Cannes glamour personified." My thoughts, precisely, when I saw this glorious elegance. That, and I may or may not have a new obsession with maxi dresses and kaftans.

Cheeky scowl. I wouldn't call myself a huge Jennifer Aniston fan, but a girl's got to admire her. Strength, humor, and glamour, all in one shot. Image via

This is what all red carpets should look like. By far my favorite red carpet shot, perhaps ever, Gisele Bundchen has that relaxed spirit of fun that would make so many "stars" shine that much brighter if they used it. And the rest of us, too.

It's not glamorous, but it is easy. Over the Memorial Day weekend, sandwiched in between crazy DayJob late nights, I forced quiet time, and stayed up too late reading. It was an "easy" book, a summer read. And I enjoyed and relished every stinkin' minute of it. As Ms. Rowling says, the power of a good story, well-told, is always transporting. And to get all fashion-y on you for a moment, I suppose that's where the best fashion emerges: out of a good, well-told story. Image via

Remember how I suggested you pin and pin and pin, then step back and see what emerges? Yeah. Just did that. I set out this morning to just show you a few things, no order, no rhyme, no reason. Clearly my psyche has other plans: effortless glamour mixed with a healthy, humorous dose of chutzpah seems to be the order of the day.

My challenge to you - and myself - this week? Meet your obstacles with that same sense of easy glamour I realized I pinned over the past few weeks. Pull out a favorite piece of clothing about which you just don't have to think - and rock it because you feel amazing in it. Then channel that inner Rocker Chic(k), tell yourself a joke in your head, and the world will be your oyster.

At least that's what I'm telling myself right. now.

Summer Style: Summer Picks to Get Through a Slow Spring

You know me, I'm a Winter Girl, capital "W," capital "G." But I can't help hoping, wishing, and dreaming for our annual weeks Down Tha Shore. While I haven't gotten around to actually really thinking about shopping (though I do need a new bikini or three. And maybe a good, old-fashioned maillot, perhaps with a plunging neckline?), I am daydreaming about our relaxed, easy life at the beach (and how wonderful it would be if it were, you know, Our Life All the Time).

Getting there means packing everything under the sun, despite my dreams of traveling light. But maybe this year I'll get some actual, you know, maps for The Beans to follow along and mark places we've been. Photo via.

This is one of the entrances to the Sea Isle City Beach, oh, you know, about 1000 yards from our place. And yes, it is that peaceful. At least in the off season. My own photo, also here.

We have a jumble of haphazard, unmatching beach towels. And random old sheets. How wonderful would this big bright beach blanket be? Boo. Looks like the site no longer carries this gem, but it does mean that I just discovered Ten Over 6. Bad news for my wallet.

Those COLORS. I'm obsessed with the vividness of this shot, and wonder if I could pull it off. It would be perfectly marvelous for dressing up a relaxed summer look. Photo via.

This is the year I buy a vintagey beach bike. And tool around town. Oh, and maybe buy a beach-y print or two from Ms. Cardinalli, who inked this sweet image.

Ripped, torn, painted, frayed, tied, and relaxed. That'll be me, albeit perhaps a tad less sultry. Photo via.

What are your summer dreams for 2013?

Spring Style: Target Style as a Pickup Line

Friend, former colleague, and long-time reader Carrie commented on an earlier post that she almost got a date because of a dress she was holding in a checkout line. So what does this good blogger do? Convince her to tell the story. I mean, really? A date because of a dress? In the Target checkout line? Now that's Target Style at its best.

So here's the story, in her own words.

Usually, Washingtonians can look forward to two or three days of really warm weather in January and February – days with temperatures in at least the high 60s if not 70s. This year – one. And not only were we shorted on our warm days in those months, but March hasn’t offered us anything better than what most February days do – with snow on the 25th, even!

One day I needed to stop by Target during lunch for a few regular items – dish soap, light bulbs, and some shampoo – a few other not so fun things. Nothing exciting but necessary, right? A co-worker who has become a good friend went with me as she needed some baby items. When we got to the store, we went our separate ways and agreed to meet at the checkout in 20 minutes.

As a girl from Minnesota, I should be used to long winters. Well, not so much anymore. My winter wardrobe is seriously lacking in variety and color – and on this day, I was feeling a little like winter had gotten the best of me in both my wardrobe and my demeanor – still dressed in black and wearing my Merrells, not even nice work shoes. I found everything I needed, and decided to take a swing through the clothing, just to see if there was something that caught my eye.

Even though my view on Target clothing has evolved from ‘no way, ever’ to ‘there are some things that are worth it,’ it’s not my favorite. I would much rather be wearing Eileen Fisher or Tracy Reese (I only have one dress of hers, but would still rather be wearing it), but I can only buy their clothing when it’s really on sale, and with thought. For some reason, I have found that Target tends to come up with dresses, in particular, that I like and wear to work - a lot.

So as I swung through the department, noting that I had only a few minutes before I needed to be back at the front of the store, one piece in particular caught my eye, and even though it is black and white (not particularly different from what I was wearing, except more white), the sleeveless number with the flirty skirt and catchy stripe pattern, and particularly the skinny pink belt, still sent the message ‘Spring, Spring, Spring.’ I grabbed one in my size and headed for the counter – I have learned that one never waits for things to go on sale at Target –at $27.99, it was a little splurge that I didn’t have to really think about.

As I got to the front of the store, I saw my friend in line with a guy and woman between us. I lined up. My friend didn’t see me behind her, but I wanted her opinion as to whether or not the dress was worth it. I called to her, and the guy ended up having to get her attention for me. So with these people between us, I asked her what she thought. Hers was a ringing endorsement, as was the woman’s and, as it turned out, the guy’s.

As someone who wasn’t feeling particularly attractive in her black trench and black pants and hair that needed a touch up in cut and color, in addition to someone who is hoping to meet someone special, the guy’s ‘I would like to take you in that dress to a winery on a summer afternoon’ comment was very much appreciated and unexpected. The woman in line behind me said ‘Is that all it takes to get an offer of a date?’ and looked like she was about to head back to pick up a dress for herself.

I’ll admit I didn’t really know what to say to the guy, but if he had stuck around, I would have given him my number.

Just goes to show you - you never know what a little spring pick-me-up might bring!

That's Carrie's story. Do you have one of your own? What's the most unexpected thing that's happened to you because of something you were wearing, or even carrying?

And, if you play your blog reader cards right, and the DayJob gods don't have their way with me, I'm hoping to share how to style this ridiculously on-trend bargain (hel-LO black and white stripes! hel-LO pop of neon! hel-LO skinny belt!) in an upcoming Style Dilemma Solved post!

Style Inspiration: A Winter Girl Sheds Her Wool

I'm a winter girl. 100%. Give me a sweater, scarf, corduroys, tweed, tights, boots, knit hats, leather gloves...you get the picture. The practically no-snow winter we had here in DC? Downright depressing for me.

And yet? I can't wait for summer this year. Just can't wait.

I can't wait for the air to change, for the breezes to blow, for the sandals to come out, and for...hold on to your fair-skinned-hats...for bathing suits.

Those of you who've been following me lately certainly understand my newfound bathing suit enthusiasm. I've been working really hard at my #healthyme goals. I've already lost just over 10lbs by eating better, eating smarter, and getting more active, and am hoping beyond hope that this week's weigh in (Thursday, people, Thursday!) gets me to 15lbs lighter. It's taken a heck of a lot of focus, focus that's difficult to find at times in this crazy, Bean-infested - I mean delightfully busy with joyful Beans - life.

UPDATE! JOYFUL UPDATE: 16+ pounds of Extra Me gone as of this morning at the gym. There are also stats about how many inches and such are gone, but I won't bore you with those. Just trust that there are many.

But I'm doing it. And my long-term goal, or one of them, anyway, is that I want to be "that mom"* down tha shore this June. We spend a couple of weeks every year at our Jersey Shore place. Last year, after a minorly successful attempt to lose weight, I ended up living in the same gym shorts and too-tight Phillies Ts on the hot days, my now beloved beach patrol sweatshirt (yes. I said it. I love a sweatshirt.) on the cool days.

This year, I'm going to be the one they look at and think - or say just too loudly on the beach because they think we can't hear them (preferred, quite frankly) - "She has 2 little kids? Wow."

So in grand anticipation, and as I alluded to in Monday's post, I've been doing a little advance shopping. The full experience, shall we say, is over on my SeasidePoolside pinterest board. Here's a little taste of what's inspiring me - my virtual yellow-polka dot bikini hanging on the refrigerator, so to speak. (I have, by the way, actually hung a bikini in my kitchen as motivation. I was 25, single, and living alone. It was blue. It didn't really work. Yoplait lies.)

There's a little bit of breezy, a little bit of preppy. There's a little bit of sexy practical, and there's just plain sexy (I will always, always lust after the deepest v-necked one-piece suits known to man). There's a little bit of glam, and there's a whole heck of a lot of retro. Let's just say that this girl, who grew up in swim lessons, swim teams, as a swim instructor and a coach, and even dabbled a teensy bit in synchronized swimming, well, this girl loves her some Esther.

SeasidePoolside by dcceline

If you're not already following me on Twitter, please do. @DCCeline. If you want to see where I am on my get-healthy goals, look for #healthyme on Twitter and on this blog. If you happen to be a fellow Weight Watchers devotee, I'm also over there, blogging about getting healthy again.

*I give all due credit to Joyce Neave, the true Be That Mom, for the phrase. She truly is That Mom.

Style Dilemma Solved: Fall to Summer

[yes, yes, yes, this post has technical issues. But I really wanted to get it up today. I will gladly take any suggestions on how to fix. "learn HTML" is not in the cards, however, FWIW.]


No, I didn't type that wrong.

prettyinpink emailed me this morning. It was a welcome distraction from a crazy day.

prettyinpink: Navy tan and cream stripped tunic to short to wear to work with nothing under it. Will totally do colored tights in the fall but not ready for that yet. Could do jeans but want something less bulky feeling... Leggings? What color??

DC Celine: Pencil skirt. Coffee. Just not a legging gal. But could work I suppose. Same color. Could also do bright colored skinny jeans or trousers.

[prettyinpink sends link. DC Celine sees picture]

DC Celine: ah...more navy than anything else. coffee pencil skirt - or chocolate - suggestion still stands...or a khaki one (paler, rather than tanner)

but now really think the bright jeans/trousers - skinny - which you can wear - would be awesome. esp in yellow. red = little predictable, but also good. kelly green would work, too. same colors would work in a skirt, but would be 
better in trousers. will post, definitely.

prettyinpink: i think i need to invest in colored skinny jeans....i'm thinking dark teal.  

we're a jeans office, not that only wear jeans - i'm wearing a dress now (little 
black cotton tank dress belted with a teal skinny belt and wedges) but i'd 

DC Celine: yup, belt. but w/ the skinny pencil, don't think you'd need to belt. you'd have to try it, though.

definitely get more use out of jeans than other especially in the fall/winter.  

how would you pair with a skirt?  belted?  i feel like the proportions would be off...

i say yellow. am really into yellow. and you can wear it better than i ;-)

i'm even going to try a skinny. check out www.caphillstyle.com post today (and follow her on twitter)

prettyinpink: i'm a believer that skinny can be amazing on ALMOST anyone - if it's paired right.  skinny is all about proportion.  find the right pair and do it.

prettyinpink: 

i really want to wear this as a dress with thick colored tights and chunky heels (or cute flats).  it's long enough that i can pull it off at work with something under it - or nothing under it for non-work....i just don't want to wait until fall to wear it. 

So, my dear sister (yes, prettyinpink is my baby sis), I got right on it. As we exchanged emails, I dashed this together.

I still think you could go sans belt or replace the red/orange/pink or yellow with kelly green. And since you're a "jeans office," you could go buy some of those AG skinny jeans in ridiculously saturated colors I'm desperate to try.

So. Of course, once you figure it out, you must send a pic. Promise?

Summer to Fall Tunic by dcceline 

EVERLY Stripe Tunic Dress, $58
Café capri in wool, $118
J Crew knee length pencil skirt, $120
J Crew skinny leg pants, $118
J Crew knee length pencil skirt, $120
Coclico mod shoes, $179
Bettye muller shoes, $328
Vince Camuto Amaze, $149

The Style Blogger and The Jersey Shore (Updated)

We spend a lot of time at the beach. The Jersey Shore, to be exact. (The Bean even says it, unprompted, complete with accent.) And while 30 minutes away there are renovated shops and high-end stores in Atlantic City, our little family beach town doesn't exactly ooze style. Or at least the style that I'd normally tout. There are a bunch of little local shops here, but they're full of t-shirts and sweats (and gak! warm up suits), not fashion-forward dresses or accessories. (Though a girl can find an el-cheapo fun purse, headband, or bangle on occasion.) The one boutique that bucked the poly-cotton blend trend? Between the end of last season and this weekend, it started the transition to pizza place. Another one. On trend garb makes way for I-talian fare.

Says a lot.

So much so that I'm seriously debating (and have been for years, quite frankly) what level of style I really want to maintain while here. We're here a lot of weekends, and plan on spending June here (hoo-ray! for telecommuting). If I know H and I are going to get a night out, I throw in a dress or cute T and good jeans. If I don't, well, the situation (yes, I just wrote that) ain't so pretty. Good jeans, yes, but Tshirts, my low-top chucks, and no makeup.

And today I bought a Big Comfy Sweatshirt.

2015 Update: We all have at least one, if not more, lifeguard sweatshirts. They're my absolute favorite, and love being able to throw it on, mostly unironically, and just go. Sometimes, despite what the Fashun Rules say, it just. doesn't. matter.

My boys on our promenade in 2013.

Yup.

No secret that I've been feeling less than fabulous about my physique lately. I've taken to borrowing H's sweaters, and on the one rare occasion when I was freezing at home, a Big Comfy Sweatshirt. I haven't owned a sweatshirt in years. A decade, maybe. The last one I had was emblazoned "MARYLAND," and bowed out of my wardrobe at some point before it became big and comfy. I was at a point where I wasn't even wearing jeans (couldn't find ones I was comfortable in), and banned everything big and blousy from my wardrobe. I figured that, if I wasn't happy with the way I felt, I could at least pretend by dressing it up a couple of notches. As I learned way back when from my Italian "friend," it worked pretty well.

But with the advent of Really Good Jeans as ubiquitous, and Tshirts making their way out of the college closet, aaaaaand the loss of about 30 pounds (pre-wedding), both made it back into my wardrobe. Now, as a mama to two Beans, they're my go-to. And sometimes it works better than others.


So I'm sitting here typing this, happily unshowered, wearing a Big Comfy Lifeguard Sweatshirt, jeans, and tennis socks. My hair is pulled up in a schlumpy bun, as it was all day. My only consignment to style today was a practical one: I wore contacts so I could wear my Big Sunglasses while we were out and about. And I didn't really care.

Well, I cared a little bit. OK, a lot.

As we shopped the Tshirt store, I shuddered at most of what I saw. But I really wanted a sweatshirt. Somehow it's perfect for cozying up on the couch on a winter beach weekend. It'll be ever so useful when the weather gets just a little bit warmer, and H and I can leave my MIL with the sleeping kids while we stroll on the beach.

That brings me to my dilemma: what will I do this summer? Will I continue my rationalization of no makeup, "giving my skin a break" when we take up residence in June? Will I wear the dreaded flip-flops? (For the uninitiated, as soon as the weather breaks in DC, The Great Flip Flop Debate starts. For all sorts of reasons.) Will I buy shorts? And wear them? And will my T shirts be stylish, fitted ones, or will they bear logos from my favorite teams and towns? Just bringing along a dress "just in case" doesn't seem to count.

Beach time is break time, and I seem to want to take a break from it all - even from the way I normally look in DC. I don't think - at least I hope (ok, please shoot me if you ever catch me) - I'll ever wear neon tiger stripes or 80s-style track suits, but I do need to find a breezy way to make it through our beach time without leaving my hard-fought (as it is for any mama, I think) style somewhere in the EZ Pass backup at the Delaware line.

2015 Update: Since I wrote this originally, I've embraced the "schlump" fully for our time down tha shore. Rarely do I not care what I wear at all, but I take our week and weekends there (gone are the days of our month-long jaunts) seriously: the sweatshirt gets loads of wear in the cooler temps, loose maxi dresses keep me cool on the warmer days, and perhaps most importantly, I look forward to Days Without Makeup. I've gotten much better at taking care of my skin, so do the creams + sunscreen thing daily, but that vacation from my 10 minutes of face artistry? Heaven.

Style Dilemma: Mama Rocker Chic - on the cheap

3120 4ever posted on facebook: looking for ideas for what to wear to a concert at Merriweather in a few weeks. Stone Temple Pilots. I have virtually nothing useful in my closet right now and was hoping to get to the mall soon. Something skirtish but not dressish?

Background: 3120 4ever just happens to be one of my bestest friends - and my college roommate. She's in the same boat I am, with a Bean and not enough time to find style sometimes (though she always manages to look better than I at things).

The rest of the conversation:

DC Celine: funny - i'd go straight for a summery casual dress. why no dress?

3120 4ever: I guess I was trying to bring out my inner rocker and sundress seemed too girly. But since I rarely dress up anymore, maybe it's worth the investment. I have a bridal shower the weekend after, so that's at least two chances to wear it. Plus, if I get something this week, you might see it on Saturday for The Bean's [2-year-old birthday - eek!] party!

DC Celine: you can do rocker chick and dress at the same time! lemme look online tonight!

Of course, it took me longer than a night to get back to her. In my head, I have something slightly flowy, cotton (for the sweat absorbtion factor), and not fussy at all. Jersey would work well. My initial search at target.com (easy to find a location, and not. expensive) yielded:

Fun strapless, a little beachy, and understated cool-chick color. Problem? Wearing it at the concert works, but maybe not anywhere you have a grabby toddler...wardrobe malfunction, anyone? Put on a pair of understated gladiators (ubiquitous though they might be), and you're golden.

Love, love, love the fun color, and seems cool and wearable. A little girlier, but with a bad-ass bangle or cuff, out comes the inner-rocker.

The other place to look? Urban Chic's Baltimore outpost (3120 4ever's up north) - and all locations, for that matter - have just started a summer sale - great time to pick up a few pieces you can still wear for the rest of the summer and not break the bank (as much).

Style Dilemma: Jackie O Does Greek Holiday

Dariaux wrote me, after noticing the shoes in my Windy Day post, "the shoes that you are wearing with the wrap dress (yes, we've all been there on a windy day) - are they blue?"

Yup, they are, and they're a go-to pair in my wardrobe (neutrals with a pop of color on shoes, scarf, or cuff is a uniform for me). They're Joan & David Circa from a few seasons ago, bought to replace my Tiffany-blue d'orsay pumps from Nine West (yes, Nine West - I adored them, and wore them to death - one of the sexiest pairs of shoes I ever had).

"I'm still dying for a good pair of blue shoes to wear during the summer with a black sheath dress and a blue necklace," Dariaux responds. "Sigh." She has been looking for The Right Pair since last summer. I know. She wrote me then. (But then, we often exchange Style Dilemmas - we have eerily similar tastes - in style and single malts.)

Off to zappos.com I go. I'm such a faithful friend. Shoot back a note with four choices. Lots of options in towards the teal end of things, less robin's egg end of the spectrum.

"Oooh, these are some good ones," and she's tempted by the pair with the kitten heel - she's going for a more casual look...Jackie O on Ari's yacht.

Back to the drawing board...and here are the choices.

My first choice? KORS Michael Kors wedge. A little unexpected on a yacht, but if you're an "It" girl, you're not walking around the yacht, you're lounging behind your oversized shades and having drinks brought to your side.

Second choice? An aptly-named Bettye Muller sandal: the St. Tropez. (pooey on Flash sites that don't let you save pictures down...you'll just have to follow the link).

Third choice? Bronx's Fabiana. In flame. Yup, you read that correctly. With a black sheath and blue beads, a flaming red pair of shoes (or yellow, or orange, for that matter) would be gorgeous.

Style Dilemma: What to Wear to an Amusement Park

The original post, from waaaaaay back in 2006, is my "all time" most popular. Given a few of my recommendations have gone out and are back in style, I figured it might be time for an update. While most of my 2006 recommendations stand, my 2015 updates are at the end. I've also updated the links in the original 2006 recommendations for options available today.

Feel free to share how you've gotten through a sweltering day on the rides!

From 2006

Dear DC Celine:

Help! After long, hard, sleepless hours, my boss is rewarding us with a "teambuilding" trip to King's Dominion. I'm actually pretty excited, since I haven't been to an amusement park since the "band trip" to Hershey Park in 8th grade (at least as far as my unscarred pyche will allow me to remember). But what to wear? I'm going to be schlepping around in the mild heat all day, upsidedown & backwards. How do I maintain a modicum of modesty, preserve my feet, and still not channel "soccer mom?"

Amused in Anticipation

Dear Amused:

I hear ya. There are a couple of issues at hand:

• Feet - walking around all day on asphalt gets hot and uncomfortable. Breathing feet is key
• Hair - keeping it cool & not dissheveled
• Skin - too much sun = bad
• Heat - sweaty = bad

My suggestions:

• Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen. There's nothing less stylish than a girl stranded in "lobsterland" because she "forgot" (as H is wont to do) to slather it on. Never mind there's less of a need for the fridge-cooled aloe vera when you get home.
• Ballcap. This would be one of the very few times (the other would be when you're whooping it up at a homecoming game) I'd say: forget hairstyles, pull it back in DC's-best ponytail, toss on a cap, and leave it be. It'll keep you cool & sun-free.
• Cargos or linen gauchos. You can't hurt 'em, and you'll stay cool without putting on (gasp!) casual shorts. Please, please, please, don't put on a pair of cutoff jeans. There is virtually nothing less attractive than a home-styled pair that's waaaaaaaay too short. And a skirt will not work on a roller coaster. Trust me.
• Layered tops. Cami (preferrably sweat-wicking cotton), and a beach-inspired thin cotton button-down. A tunic would work well, here, too. Airy, light, and layered is key. An interesting t-shirt might do, too, but you'll be cooler if you're layered.
• Shoes. This is hard. My comfort inclination is to tell you to screw fashion & go tourist by throwing on the running shoes. But I'm going to pull back from the edge and say: if you don't already have a pair in your closet, get thee to any store worth it's salt (my cheapy fave, Target, will do) and grab a pair of what department stores so eloquently call "fashion sneakers." Puma, Nike, and every other brand known to woman now have fun colors that won't kill your feet.

Anyone else have any suggestions for Amused?

2015 Updates

Nearly 10 years later, enjoying a play day with 100,000 of your closest friends is still a challenge. So here's what I'd do now.

Casual summer togs have come a long way, style-wise, since 2006. Play with prints and textures! Wear your retro...just about anything! Images via Target.com, and linked below.

1) Sunscreen - not long after this original post, the wonders of the then-only-available-in-Europe Mexoryl-based sunscreens came to my attention. I'd buy bottles and bottles on our European trips. As a child, no matter how many times my mommy reapplied, I'd endured blistered burns. So 70+SPF? Yes, please. Now, we can get the originally available La Roche-Posay Anthelios version, but even CVS has the wonder-block.

2) Ballcap - I love the retro versions from my favorite professional and college teams (I'm partial to my plaid Phillies cap, similar to this one), but I have to say that No.2 found my new favorite, this sparkly straw cap. Granted, it won't take on the water park, but sparkly? Yes please.

3) Easy "bottoms" - the gauchos everywhere in 2006 may be "out," but the 2015 version is the culotte. Most versions are dressier, fall options, so we'll go with today's cool jogger pant, if you want full coverage (helpful in the sunscreen department), or the loose, fluttery shorts that are just about everywhere. I've had luck with GAP and Target, but this Lucky Brand Tencel version is such a fantastic color.

4) Layered tops - or a vintage T - this one stands, save for the idea that cotton wicks (what was I thinking?). A cotton tank or cami is still a good option, especially if you want to layer it with a breezy button down (I have a reliable one similar to this Calvin Klein). That being said, the current "vintage T" trend options are cool, lightweight, and have more shoulder coverage. I can't help but steer you to this Schoolhouse Rock flashback.

5) Shoes - when you're walking all day, sandals and flip flops are just asking for blisters. So stick with my 2006 recommendations, and go retro fashion sneaker. To update it them to 2015, go for the slip on. If you grew up in the 80s and early 90s, your grungy skater dreams won't turn down this Vans-inspired leopard print. I have a Target version in my closet that I've been wearing non-stop.

What I Like About the D.C. Heat Wave

Everybody & their mother's brother is whining about the summer heat...yours truly included...but there is something about the sense of style it brings out in people.

Usually I hear guys waxing poetic about the joys of a heat wave - particularly on a college campus. I'm here to say that I'm right there with 'em. Summer brings turquoise strapless dresses made office-ready by a dainty white cardigan. Filmy, flowered blouses show up on the metro (despite what Miranda says about flowers for spring, "how original"). Strappy sandals of every color are galavanting around the streets of Washington. And somehow, there's an air of carefree that belies the oppressive heat. Maybe it's that we just don't - and when we don't care about how we look, we're somehow more confident, and therefore that much more attractive.

Any way you slice it, summer brings freedom in fashion - I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts!

Style Dilemma Solved? Summer-Appropriate Closed Toe Shoes

Scarlet said...

Here is a dilemna I have:So, I work part-time at Barnes and Noble which requires me to be on my feet for 8 hours at a time and we HAVE to wear closed toe shoes. I would be so happy to wear flip flops while there and would never complain again but we're not allowed. Do you have any ideas for summer-appropriate, comfortable, closed-toe shoes? I usually wear knee-length type skirts and a normal top.

Scarlet,

I suppose the closed-toe rule @ B&N must have something to do with them not wanting you to drop a case of books on your pretty painted tootsies? I agree. Smudged polish is so yesterday...

Seriously, I'm a fan of neutral shoes as a summer standby. And by neutral, I mean brown, camel, beige, pale pink, green, yellow (you get the picture), or even black patent. If you do the "black is back" thing (which somehow seems particularly appropriate for a bookstore guru), then a pair of non-black shoes is just the key summer accessory. Navy or denim skirt, of course, would be a non-black alternative on top.

Style-wise, platforms and low heels are favored over flats (you've read my musings on flats). If your feet just won't take it, moccasins are comfy, summery, and go with everything, as far as I'm concerned.

Can you do a sling-back? You could pull off a sexy librarian look with those, if you're allowed the open back with a closed toe.

For Low-Budget shoes, I like Target's Mossimo Dylan Platform Pumps in brown - they look high, but the platform cuts some of the height, increasing the comfort factor.

Medium-Budget, try Nine West's Nesa in bronze (I'm a proponent of metallic = neutral) or Schutz 103008 in camelo (perfect for foot-weary jobs because of the rubber sole!)

And, if your budget can spare it, go for something like the Anne Klein New York cork-soled (cork is summery - cork = wine = cool summer drink) Crystal Two in black patent.

Now, I'll have to caveat all of this by saying that I'm a person who's totally comfortable in heels for the better part of a 12-hour day, so adjust accordingly. But the whole point is that tans/browns and other pseudo-neutrals (like pastels, patent leather, and even super-brights) can be really summery if you pay attention to the details!

Tell us if we solved your dilemma! We want to know!

Style Dilemma: Un-Cocktail Summer Wedding

@sosarahsays tweeted for help the other day: @DCCeline @therealmarta @ejfass Ladies: Need dress to wear to June wedding. Starts at 5:30p. Outdoor ceremony, indoor reception.Suggestions?

She later clarified she was really, really, really hoping to keep it under $200, but then, well, as we started to tweet back our suggestions, only a few of which were in that range (sorry!), she upped her limit. She also noted that it's on the Eastern Shore, if that were to play into it. Her own first pick? A pale teal fun 80s-esque number from French Connection, of which we were all skeptical, as it has a few extra ruffles where we might not want them. But inspirationally, it works.

So I did a quick browse of some favorite sites, and found these. I apparently have a new addiction to Halston Heritage, and I'm always a sucker for vintage. And we won't discuss my obsession with Catherine Malandrino. A few of these are ueber-cocktail, but my thought is that by going all out, and with careful accessory selection, you'd put yourself right back in un-cocktail land.

Summer Wedding by DCCeline

Teeny bit of inspiration

Haven't had much to shout about, style-wise, lately. Life's been to & from the office, on the airplane (I spared you the reports of Fort Worth, TX, style). But in today's mail came a teeny bit of style from an unexpected source.

I usually don't look to J. Crew for anything more than a button-down shirt or a T. Today's catalogue, though, is worth a look...

• Cashmere long-sleeve tee (in any color your little heart desires)
• Heritage chino shorts would make a great base for that new dressy short shorts look. Pair it up with some peep toe heels (they do), and you're dressed for the next party.
• Mini-seersucker jacket. Don't know what it is about seersucker, but I want this!
• Keaton summer-weight chino jacket makes a great safari statement. We'll just have to see if I can swing a waisted jacket.
• The washed patterned tuxedo shirt is just the spunky sort of twist I like for my office attire.
• The Eloise suit jacket is cut just right (at least it looks like it in the catalogue) for still feeling like a girl, not like a girl in a boy's suit.
• Can't wait to throw on the embossed beach dress - maybe even in grapefruit (can a strawberry blonde pull off sunny yellow?)
• And it might be a little old-fashioned (says F), but I love the button down & full-length skirt in silk seersucker. It worked for Sharon Stone when she did it with a turtleneck. It works for Carolina Herrera (I only wish that her button down wedding gown worked for my own nuptials!). It works for J. Crew.

Now, if only I could find the room in my "budget" (and I use that term extremely loosely) for any of it.