Easy Living

Dear Readers,

Everyone who knows me knows I'm obsessed with dresses for all occasions.  And why not?  They're easy and you always look put-together.  No figuring out what "works," what's clean, locating seemingly missing pants - just toss and go.  In the summer I especially love a good multi-purpose cotton day dress that you can wear to the beach, to the store and to a BBQ.  Locating that "perfect" dress is another matter entirely.  But it has been found!

I just received this fab stripe (yes, there are those stripes again!) drawstring dress from J.Crew in navy/red and it is true love.  No sleeves so it's wonderful in the heat but the top is broad and flattering and the length perfection.  This dress alone has made me a true believer in the power of the midi length.  As a tall girl I sometimes sit in a day dress only to discover I either need to wear it with pants or resign myself to nearly always flashing passers by.  Not anymore.  Feminine and functional?  Now you're speaking my language.

Best part?  It's on sale and an additional 30% now (code: SUMMERTIME).  Buy while the buying's good!

Best Blocks

Dear Readers,

Muffin and I are headed on a beach vacay without Sweetie (I know, terrible) to Mexico in a few days!  It more or less fell in our lap, so this means a lot of sun and sand and a lot of sunblock.

Our recent foray into veganism has inspired the use of less-toxic beauty and bath products as well.  So I turned to my fav, Environmental Working Group ("EWG"), for a little guidance on what sunblocks to bring.

My purchase?  California Baby Super Sensitive Broad Spectrum 30+ Sunscreen.  I really love the California Baby products in general (the Overtired and Cranky baby wash is a Muffin + Mommy fav!) and this is no exception.  I tried the Dr. Robin sunblock last summer, and although it was probably working and its list of credentials impressive (it's also on the EWG "good" list) it made Muffin look like he was in Kabuki makeup. After a lot of questions regarding the wellness of my (perfectly well, thank you) baby, that just wasn't going to fly all summer long.

Check it out for happy (safe) sunning!

Prepster Pride

Dear Readers,

The older I get, the more comfortable I am with who I am.  I will never be "cool."  I will always have a big mouth.  And my heart will forever beat faster for style that is strong, classic and preppy.

So it was that my skinnier, better-outfitted soul sister Bradley Agather of Luella & June turned me on to Tuckernuck just in time for the summer season.  Tuckernuck is a fab collection of unabashed WASP-wear perfect for summer.  I'd love to say I'm going to spend all summer by the pool or enjoying Tahoe, but alas as a working girl I will not.  Still, I have plans to enjoy plenty of weekend beach and pool time with Muffin so I'm pretty sure I need this FAB tunic for the 4th and beyond.  Yes, overpriced but dare I say "worth it."  Classic, beach and town friendly...What's not to love (other than the price)? (Also coveting this straw clutch! - FAB).

Let the sunshine in!