summer tropics

Far more likely to engage my attention than a floral print is a botanical print. Perhaps because they tend to be more lively, less repetitive? Because I love the color green? Because they often incorporate more earth tones?

It is likely all of these things, amplified by the volume afforded by the maxi length. What I really like about this print is that it conveys a tropical look without being garish or neon about it.

floral print olive summer skirt

I am particularly predictable about this kind of olive shade, grounded and earthy, and just inexplicably compelling, the way one’s favorite things often are. Can we take a moment for these sandals? Adore these sandals. Can we take another moment to embrace shamelessly rumpled silk?

henna italian leather sandals

Henna still going strong.

Ah, the maxi, so easy, so cool and loose, such a strong impact of color by virtue of square footage alone. I quite enjoy the gathering up and sweeping around required to go up stairs and such, too, and very much enjoy the billowing that accompanies descending the stairs. Yes, long skirts rarely look so well as when they are displayed upon a stair.

J Crew silk camisole Coach sunglasses

I also love this Cleopatra-style necklace, which I picked up at a Cambridge artisan co-op a couple of summers ago.  Always on the lookout for interesting, handmade pieces like this. I recently met the owner of local company December Thieves, which specializes in pieces from emerging artists in jewelry and fashion. She has wonderfully curly hair as well! Obviously we got along. She has the kind of shop that makes you want to take up metalsmithing.

pearls stacked bracelet

Kara Ross bracelet, amber ring

Especially like to pair amber with earth tones.

J Crew silk camisole, silk blend skirt (thrifted), Kara Ross bracelet, Gian Luca sandals, Coach sunglasses. On the lips, Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in La Favorite (color showed better on instagram).

 

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the maxi

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I recently picked up the dress from Curator I mentioned admiring a while back. I consistently like this long, loose, belted tunic style—vaguely Athenian or sprite-like—especially for summer.

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A contrasting belt could add interest but this look is more about simplicity.  And this jungle green, jade color I find so lovely, it’s almost a shame to break it up. It’s some kind of hi-tech imitation silk that drapes beautifully.

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I hunted around for ages to find this bag, a French style straw market basket with dual leather straps. It seems like it should have been a straightforward hunt (presumably in France it is) but I didn’t find that to be the case. There was often something that didn’t ring quite true about most of the ones I found, as if they were poor translations of the authentic thing. This one is from Harabu House.

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This is NARS Taj Mahal blush again, which loving.

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Mabel dress from Curator SF, Harabu House market basket, Skagen watch, Kara Ross bracelet, scarab pendant. On the lips, Tom Ford lipstick in Wild Ginger. So glad to break out these gladiator sandals again, which are still everything I want them to be.

There is a natural simplicity to this look that is ideal to me. Everything comfortable and earth-toned yet with a sense of being purposefully chosen that pulls the elements together into elegance. This is one of my ideas of elegance, anyway, the simplest and therefore often the best kind.

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