This summer, the bag I carry the most is the St. Anne Tote tote from Barrington Gifts. This baby fits everything, as you’ll see below. It’s super lightweight and easy to keep clean. I absolutely love it.
It goes everywhere with me, from trips to Target, to afternoons working at the pool while my kids swim.
But because it’s open inside, it needs an organizer, or everything would be a mess.
Seriously, this organizer is a game changer. It’s one of the few things I can honestly say makes your life easier. At first, I was skeptical. I tend to buy things like this, and forget about them in a month.
Now it’s been YEARS and I still use this every single day.
It fits perfectly inside any bag including the Street Level tote (I mention this specifically since so many of you have it), the LV Neverfull, or any other tote and gives you room to spare.
As you can see, I lug around a lot, and all of my things have a place, making it easy to grab what I need quickly.
When purchasing, be sure to check the measurements. I ordered the medium, but sizes tend to change, so measure your bag and see what will work best.
I use it with all of my tote bags and my diaper bag. Having everything neatly organized let’s me swap out bags without it feeling like a chore and gets me out of the house quickly.
Now that we are headed into the fall and slowly returning to some kind of normal (maybe??), you may be in the market for a new handbag.
Our readership inspires all of our posts and is not sponsored or paid for by brands or retailers.
Recommendations are based on my experience as a personal stylist and wardrobe consultant for over a decade. I worked with busy, down-to-earth women who wanted to look chic and feel confident but were often confused by so much of retail.
Some links are affiliate links, which means if you purchase via our site, we receive a small commission.
This summer is going to be different, depending on where you live in the US and around the globe. For me, after four extremely long months of some of the strictest stay at home orders, I’m grateful that my state is starting to reopen.
There is still not much to do.
But this experience has certainly made me appreciate the small luxuries we have more than ever before. The kids can play sports, the pool is open, and the weather has been so beautiful I’d want to eat outside regardless.
Aside from a few drives to the beach, we’re staying close to home and supporting our local economy as much as possible.
Getting dressed also looks different. Many of us are going to be working from home for the rest of the year, so we likely don’t need a new pair of heels or dress shoes.
So for today’s roundup of must-have summer shoes, I focused on versatile pairs you can pick up and wear now to dress up small moments, and summers to come, when things get back to normal.
5 Must Have Shoes for Summer 2020
I have all of these and can say with confidence that they have made getting dressed so easy. Think of this like a summer capsule collection. If you asked me what shoes you need so you can always put an outfit together, these would be it.
I paid full price for these, $275.00, a few summers ago. They are, by far, my most favorite pair of summer shoes. Right now they are on sale for under $100 at Nordstrom Rack. If you have the need and budget, scoop these up. Every time I slip into them, I’m so happy I have them. They are extremely comfortable and work with just about everything. The only thing I don’t wear them with is shorts, because I’m tall enough as it is. Other than that, they go with everything and if we’re traveling somewhere, they are the first shoe I pack.
Available in limited sizes, in black, mink and tan.
A simple flat sandal is a great choice for everyday. They work with shorts, dresses, even summer jeans. Many of you already of this option by Sam Edelman, as they have been featured on the blog for the last few weeks. Sam Edelman just makes a solid, well priced, modern shoe.
Available in almond, jute, black, white, and saddle.
With so many breezy dresses trending, you need something equally lightweight to maintain balance. Look for a strappy sandal with a heel you can manage. These days, this 2.25″ heel (another Sam Edelman find) is about as high as I can handle. It’s slightly higher than a traditional kitten heel. Pair it with dresses or flowy pants for a dressed-up-but-still-casual look.
At my core I am a beach girl. I love the casualness and ease of every part of beach life. The truth is you can wear whatever kind of flip flop you want and it will make no difference. I do, however, love these TKEES. They are made of a gorgeous leather, with a rubber sole and are so comfortable. They feel like a grown up flops. You can certainly were these to the pool, but I save them for sun dresses and shorts while walking around our favorite beach town.
The fact that it is now acceptable to wear sneakers with anything is a win for all of us. But to pull it off remember you can’t just wear any sneaker. Keep your athletic sneakers for your work outs and go with a slim profile, crisp white option, like these by Superga. A favorite of classic style icon, Kate Middleton, they are affordable, well made, and comfortable.
Our Content is Inspired by Our Readers
Our readership inspires all of our posts and is not sponsored or paid for by brands or retailers.
Recommendations are based on my experience as a personal stylist and wardrobe consultant for over a decade. I worked with busy, down-to-earth women who wanted to look chic and feel confident but were often confused by so much of retail.
Some links are affiliate links, which means if you purchase via our site, we receive a small commission.
I discovered Julie Vos Jewelry towards the end of last year and immediately loved it. It’s everything I look for in a piece to recommend to our community. She makes high quality, timeless pieces with a twist.
Admittedly, I am a bit of a jewelry snob. My husband has worked for almost 20 years at Tiffany & Co, so I’ve not only learned so much about the industry but have been fortunate to receive incredible gifts over the years.
But this is the real world, and I don’t have a drawer full of jewels. Instead, it’s made me picky about where I spend. There is rarely a middle ground with me; I either want the real deal or a $20 necklace.
It’s been my experience that the quality in the mid-range price point is always disappointing. Often, a $200 necklace feels just like the $20 one.
But over the last few years, I’ve discovered a handful of brands that offer more. I’m a huge fan of Kendra Scott. However, many of the designs are starting to look redundant. Gorjana is an affordable, perfect-for-work line of modern basics. And I often look to my former employer, QVC, for better quality staples at reasonable prices.
Today, I’m adding Julie Vos into the mix and rounding up some pieces that are part of her sample sale. This an excellent opportunity to discover the brand at a slight discount.
My Top Picks from the Julie Vos Sample Sale
All of her pieces are gold plated with varying carat levels. These are substantial, they aren’t too heavy, but they don’t feel flimsy either. As you navigate her site, be sure to look at the piece on the model to you can get a sense of their scale.
These drop earrings are so fun for the summer! They are 24k gold plate, with an oversized clear crystal at the bottom. They are marked down to under $100.
If you are in the market for a good old fashioned hoop earring, these are fantastic. They have a pretty texture around the entire outside, also 24k gold plate and only $55.
Other earrings I love not in the sample sale, these Soho X earrings for $68 that I featured yesterday, are perfect for everyday wear, and these Penelope studs are also only $68 (in the small size) and a stunning update on a traditional pearl stud.
Her bracelets are more expensive, but pack a punch. This link bracelet might be the only bracelet you wear. It lays beautifully on the wrist, and is the epitome of everyday glamour.
If you like a bangle, try this lux hinge option. You can wear it dressed up, but I would wear it every day with jeans and a tee.
Finally, you know I love necklaces. especially ones that create length.
In the sample sale are some fantastic options, including this pendant necklace. It’s BIG necklace, with a 36 inch chain, so you can wear it long or double.
Next is this charm necklace, which is my top pick. It’s not as oversized as the pendant necklace but still gives you some length and movement. It would look gorgeous with a swing dress, long tunic, or even a sweater in the colder months.
Finally, this delicate necklace is sweet and simple. You can wear it alone or layer with other pieces you already have. It fills in a v-neck wonderfully or would sit over a crew neck for just a hint of detail.
Our Content is Inspired by Our Readers
Our readership inspires all of our posts and is not sponsored or paid for by brands or retailers.
Recommendations are based on my experience as a personal stylist View Post and wardrobe consultant for over a decade. I worked with busy, down-to-earth women who wanted to look chic and feel confident but were often confused by so much of retail.
Some links are affiliate links, which means if you purchase via our site, we receive a small commission.
Going to work this summer is going to look different for everyone. You might be slowly heading back to the office, staying home based or a combination of the two. I’m anxious to see how the landscape of office life evolves as states begin a return to normal operations. (Tell me your plans in the comments below!)
I’m always a proponent of investing in better pieces, especially something like a bag or shoe that you’ll carry or wear day in and day out. But after these last three months, I’m not excited to spend money on many things.
This certainly doesn’t feel like the season to splurge on a handbag.
So when I found this bag on a recent trip to Target (since it’s the only place I’m allowed to physically shop) I picked it up immediately.
Size-wise, this is a big bag. You can fit a laptop, full size wallet, sunglass case, a book – all comfortably inside. The cross body strap makes it easy to carry around, or you can hold it by the top handle.
I plan to use it for the summer with my work and as an updated diaper bag.
When you are shopping for a handbag, regardless of price point, it’s important to buy one with clean lines and minimal hardware. Think of it like, the more “stuff” on a bag, the cheaper it will look. Avoid logos and labels that are part of the design as that pattern will fight with other patterns you might be wearing.
Our Content is Inspired by Our Readers
Our readership inspires all of our posts and is not sponsored or paid for by brands or retailers.
Recommendations are based on my experience as a personal stylist View Post and wardrobe consultant for over a decade. I worked with busy, down-to-earth women who wanted to look chic and feel confident but were often confused by so much of retail.
Some links are affiliate links, which means if you purchase via our site, we receive a small commission.
Let’s talk about how to create a classic jewelry capsule. I’m frequently asked about what exactly you should have on hand in order to easily layer accessories into your outfits. The key here is easy. It’s been my experience working with clients that if your pieces aren’t thoughtfully edited and organized, you probably won’t take the extra step to put them on.
Because jewelry is personal and subjective, I’ve avoided a comprehensive guide up until now. But today, I thought I would share what I consider modern basics.
Building a basics collection of jewelry is a lot like building out your actual wardrobe. It takes some strategy and thought. Depending on how much you want to spend or invest, it might take some time to pull it together.
Once you have these pieces or a version of them on hand, you’ll have something to use every time you get dressed.
How to Create a Classic Jewelry Capsule
Before we dive in, a few notes:
First, I made sure almost all of these are also available in silver or silver-tone.
Second, remember everyone has different budgets and comfort levels with prices, especially when it comes to jewelry. I tried to balance quality with affordability with this line up.
You can certainly shop this post, or use it as a checklist of sorts as you create your own capsule.
Finally, this is just a baseline. Once you have these pieces (or versions of them), layer in statement and novelty items, much like you would with your wardrobe.
First, studs. Whether you have a pair of real diamonds or going with a CZ, a simple pair of studs will work with everything hanging in your closet. While I would love a pair of heirloom quality diamond earrings at some point, I’m sticking with these under $30 studs from QVC.
I discovered these over a decade ago when I was a buyer for QVC and had been wearing them ever since. They are realistic, sparkly, and comfortable to wear. What I like about them the most (aside from the price) is that they are sterling with a coating of platinum. For someone with sensitive ears (mine turn green if I wear anything other than at least silver), they are ideal.
Next, pearls. They may seem old fashioned, but I’ve been wearing them more and more. They elevate an inexpensive dress, and offer a lovely alternative to the diamond/cz stud.
Finally, a hoop of some kind will provide some movement to an outfit. I LOVE these by Gorjana, in gold or silver. They are the perfect size for everyday use. If you’ve been following along for the last year, you know I’m a big fan of Gorjana for their quality and price.
It’s nice to see traditional watches make a comeback amid Apple watches and Fitbits. Admittedly, I wear a Fitbit, and I HATE how it looks when I’m dressed.
You can spend a small fortune on a watch, and you may want to. But for today, I’m highlighting Deco Sport by Michele. They are reasonable (for a watch) and gorgeous.
You buy one face, and they can add additional straps so you can create several different looks.
In my book, you only “need” two kinds of necklaces, a long and short one.
A long necklace helps elongate the line of your body. It works best with high necklines, like a turtle, boat, and crewnecks. It gives movement and interest to tunics or high neck halter dresses. They know no limit in terms of seasons or occasions.
These days, it’s not easy to find a universal one—something you can wear with everything. This was the most challenging item to source for this post.
Next you need a shorter necklace, to fill in open necklines (like under a collared shirt) or layer with other pieces. This Kendra Scott piece is called a “chocker” but it’s not like the ones we wore in the 90’s. It has an adjustable slider so you can make it sit where you like.
Of all the categories, bracelets are my jam. I layer them on almost every day.
Narrowing down to a list of “must-haves’ I’m going with a hinged bangle. This one is under $50 by Kate Spade. The design is inspired by the iconic Cartier love bracelet (on my dream wish list). You can wear it with everything all the time. Works great as an anchor to layer with other pieces.
For example, let’s say your wedding rings, and studs are set in platinum, but you prefer gold-tone for everything else. Add this cuff (or something similar), and you pull all of your stand-alone pieces together.
I keep my everyday pieces and rings in the top box, and more statement pieces in the middle. The bottom is a deeper box perfect for oversized cuffs or even sunglasses.
Below is the combination I have at home:
Top: (1) Stackers Classic Lidded Box White
Middle: (2) Stackers Classic 25-Section Tray White
Bottom: (1) Stackers Classic Deep Open Tray White
Our Content is Inspired by Our Readers
Our readership inspires all of our posts and is not sponsored or paid for by brands or retailers.
Recommendations are based on my experience as a personal stylist View Post and wardrobe consultant for over a decade. I worked with busy, down-to-earth women who wanted to look chic and feel confident but were often confused by so much of retail.
Some links are affiliate links, which means if you purchase via our site, we receive a small commission.
With summer around the corner, many of us are optimistically planning some time in the sun. So today, I thought I would share one of my favorite finds – the beach bag to end all beach bags.
We are planning on a social-distancing-friendly trip to the beach once virtual learning wraps up, to give the kids and us a much-needed breather.
Because it’s going to take us 10 hours by car, I’ve been throwing myself into preparing for not only the week away but a long drive with cranky kids.
I plan on bringing only the essentials, but with a teenager, a ten-year-old, and a toddler, we don’t travel light.
As I started to pull out all of our summer gear, I realized my heavy boat and totes were going to take up too much room in the car. So I went off to find a solution and landed on this incredibly affordable option.
At first, I was looking for something both stylish and practical – Instagram-worthy, if you will. Then I landed on this oversized, mesh bag with zipper compartments and outside pockets and was sold.
There is a lot to love about this, and I will eventually update this post with a video of everything it holds, but for now, if you need a beach or pool bag, pick this up.
First off, it’s huge. You can fit about eight large beach towels rolled up, and the outside pockets fit everything from flip-flops to magazines, to small beach toys.
There is an inside zip top pocket to keep your keys, phone and wallet dry and save.
The bottom is waterproof so no worrying about your things getting damp.
And the best – it folds up. So it doesn’t take up any room at all.
I bought two, one for towels and essentials and one for all the baby beach toys.
Our Content is Inspired by Our Readers
Our readership inspires all of our posts and is not sponsored or paid for by brands or retailers.
Recommendations are based on my experience as a personal stylist View Post and wardrobe consultant for over a decade. I worked with busy, down-to-earth women who wanted to look chic and feel confident but were often confused by so much of retail.
Some links are affiliate links, which means if you purchase via our site, we receive a small commission.
American small businesses are in dire straits. Many will feel the economic fall out of our current health crisis for years to come, and some will never recover.
And while we should be staying put to keep our most vulnerable and healthcare professional safe, my heart crumbles for the losses business owners and entrepreneurs are facing.
Because for every business that fails, there are far reaching, devastating consequences. One business represents thousands of families, all dependent on that income.
These families are worried about putting food on the table, paying their mortgages, and just surviving. On top of that, the actual fear and anxiety they are experiencing creates equally severe physical and mental health risks.
Yesterday, Lo & Sons, creators of some of our favorite travel and work bags, shared with their customers that, for obvious reasons, their sales are on a steep decline.
Listen, I don’t have the biggest following, but I do have engaged platforms. So I pulled today’s scheduled post in hopes that maybe our little community could help.
Lo & Sons
Lo & Sons has been in business for ten years, created by a mother and her (you guessed it) two sons. I’ve carried their bags for almost that entire time.
Over the years, it’s been like being part of a secret club. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve run through the airport and found someone smiling at me, because we had the same OG bag.
When I was in Croatia a few summers back, I ran into a girl with the identical Pearl I was carrying. We didn’t speak the same language but managed to acknowledge how much we loved it just the same.
I truly believe that things crafted out of love evokes a sense of pride, and unite us in beautiful ways.
I don’t actually know anyone at Lo & Sons. I’ve just promoted them over the years because I very much believe in their product, especially for busy, professional, and/or on the go women.
I’m so saddened and frankly, angered, to see a decade of tireless work and sacrifice threatened by something no one could have predicted. As business owners, we’re accustomed to risk – but this was never part of our wildest dreams.
I will not and have never received a commission, kickback of free products of any kind when I mention them.
Their entire site is currently 40% off with an additional 15% off using the code SUPPORTSMALLBUSINESS.
So, today, I’m using whatever leverage I have to help spread the word. If you have wanted a Lo & Sons, now is the time to buy one.
Buying a bag now will give them a much-needed cash infusion and send a message of hope. This is unsponsored, not paid for, Lo & Sons doesn’t even know I exist.
The O.G. 2 is the updated version of the original O.G., which I have carried for an astonishing amount of years. You can run this thing over with a truck, and still be able to carry it like nothing happened.
It is the ideal airplane bag: durable, simple, incredibly organized. It slips underneath the seat in front of you with no problem, and sits perfect on top of your carry on, keeping you hands free.
The Pearl is the perfect crossbody bag. It’s slim yet fits everything you would want, like a full size wallet, phone, keys, some makeup.
It’s chic styling goes with everything, you can see me carrying it here on Instagram. It’s great for travel or a quick dinner out with friends, that’s where I’m going below.
For a quick weekend away – something we will all need when all this is over, the Catalina Deluxe is fantastic. It fits an outrageous amount of clothes, shoes, and toiletries without being overwhelming.
When Bri and I sneak away for a few nights, I like packing as light as possible, so I spend less time getting ready and more time enjoying the downtime away from kids. With the discounts provided this gets marked down to $70.
* This is not the site for political commentary, so I will not approve any politically charged comments one way or the other. This is simply an opportunity to support a hurting business that many of us know and love. If you already have a bag, the best thing you can do is forward this to a friend who might like one for herself. Again, I do not receive a penny from any of the sales.
Pendant necklace
Earrings: 
Watch
Bracelets: 
Jewelry Box
