canvasstyle: summer essentials

Showing posts with label summer essentials. Show all posts

CANVASSTYLE GET PACKING

As I mentioned last week, our trip to Harbour Island is right around the corner. You probably know by now that it is a place of happy times for us. Made happier by the people we have met along the way, including the ever so inspiring India Hicks. It is with pleasure that I join her in her new venture as an India Hicks Style Ambassador. We feature her products in Canvas Interiors and have hosted a couple of fantastic parties filled with friends and of course wine. As we pack for our trip I am happily including quite a few IH goodies.

My go to travel formula has always included a few maxi dresses. They have been my uniform (and you know how I like uniforms) for many a summer and they never fail me. I highly recommend finding one or two go-to dresses to beat the summer heat. Such an easy thing to throw on and breeze out the door.

Here are a few of my favs (you all know about the 'magic dress by now') but here my friends is a snakeskin version! I am also loving the 'convertible' dress right now. Remember the Sundry one they don't make any more that I mourned? I found a suitable replacement below.

Add some colorful bits (I am currently obsessed with my India Hicks Flamingo Agra Tassel as it is just the right amount of color commitment for me) and you have instant summer.

And as the IH Love Token says, its time to 'get lost' in life's big adventure. I'll be slowing down the posts for a couple of weeks but in the meantime I will be on Instagram so if you would like to find me and follow along in Harbour Island please do!

I want to soak up every minute without deadlines. Which means leaving the computer state-side. Find me on Instagram here and to shop more of the India Hicks collection you can find me here.

SHOPPING LIST:

snakeskin dress | white 'convertible' dress | black maxi (beach cover up but throw on a slip and it doubles for dinner out)

accessories:

To learn more about India's new business venture visit her site, look around and explore the possibilities. I can promise you she is passionate, real and totally invested emotionally in what she is doing and I am inspired by here energy.

Now time for a Goombay Smash.

CANVASSTYLE CRUSH: URBAN OUTFITTERS

I took a whirlwind trip to my favorite quick fix stores (H & M, F21) and as I was headed out the door (empty handed I might add) I spotted an intriguing new vibe in the Urban Outfitters window display. I have been a fan of this brand since it launched but I must admit as I progressed in years, they seemed to be trending younger.

But there seems to be change in the wind at UO. Enough of a change to make me stop and check it out. The window displays were open, uncluttered, welcoming and 'still'. The music playing was mellow and inviting. The clothes were soft and feminine. I rather liked it. And I rather loved this dress. So I sort of bought it.

Here are a few more of my picks for summer. I really like the direction they are headed and hope to see more of it for fall.

SHOP MY PICKS:

grey dress

printed skirt | printed jumpsuit

black jumpsuit | lace bralette | black t shirt dress

white beaded maxi dress | white eyelet maxi dress

THE CAFTAN

Google 'caftan' or 'kaftan' and you get all kinds of images. From hippie chic to embroidered elegance, this item conjures up many vibes. I have been slightly obsessed with finding just the right one. Not too hippie, not to big that it swallows me. Both chic and elegant at the end of a long beach day, this style staple can go straight to dinner.

SHOP THE LOOK:

WHITE:

SUBTLE COLOR:

MORE COLOR THAN I USUALLY WEAR BUT HERE'S WHERE TO DO IT COLOR:

The one on the far right in the mood board images is this one and it is breathtaking:

Anthropologie Silk Caftan

When I put one of these on I feel like I sort of float. A good feeling on a hot summer night.

CANVASSTYLE CRUSH | SUNDRY CLOTHING

I have long been a fan of Sundry Clothing. The laid back California brand captured my heart with not only their clothes, but their sense of design in general. I swooned at their website. I blogged about them here. Oh, and here too. I shop them. And I love their new website! Just launched, check it out.

Here is a quick shopping list of things I have my eye on:

anchor tee | stars tank | sleeveless maxi dress | jersey stripes tee | palm tree tank

As well as the Sundry website you can find more Sundry on Shopbop - my go to stop for laid back summer styles.

I am seriously thinking of begging Sundry to make this white dress again. I have worn it to shreds and long for a replacement. Really really longing a lot. Sundry? Please?

MAD FOR MADEWELL

After sifting through piles of mail that had stacked up from spring break, this morning I sat down with my coffee and picked up the one thing that I really wanted to deal with first. The Madewell catalog. So fab I had to share my favorite picks with you today.

GET THE LOOK:

And how about this for a quick and easy outfit... get ready friends, you will be seeing this on repeat soon:

GET THE LOOK:

black tank | jeans | panama hat | necklace

There is a great sale going on too! Head over to the Madewell site and shop with CODE: WARMUP for 25% off spring styles.

Now for more coffee so I can pay those pesky bills.

THE SUMMER SWEATER

Last Friday's image had me inspired to find the perfect lightweight summer sweater.

Just the right cozy layer to put on after a beach day or head out for an evening in the city, or to throw over your shoulders like a wrap, hop on a golf cart barefoot and head to town to find a Goombay Smash. Can you guess where my mind is? Firmly planted with my toes in the sand.

SHOP SWEATERS :

Top row: C & C California stripe // free people v neck // C & C hoodie

Bottom row: Feel the Piece // Free People tunic // Free People pullover

street style images found: 1 // 2 // 3

#OOTD

This hashtag pretty much means some variation of the same thing for me. This white tee, or that one? Boyfriends or skinnies? This pair of black boots, or Converse? Which pair of TOMS?

It has been a long while since I did my 'mindless wander around a mall' thing. Yesterday I felt the need to get my shopping yayas out. After stopping at Neimans to admire the butterflies I headed straight to J. Crew. Then it was off to F21, H&M and ALDO. There is plenty of summer inspiration hitting the stores right now. It is easy to have fun with a uniform, mix in a few random things like palazzo pants (yay!) and not break the bank.

I added my favorite J. Crew basics (on sale now with code: LIGHTENUP). Their tees and tanks are my staples.

SHOP: pink tank // white tee // striped tee

I will be mixing up my uniform this summer with palazzo pants. No better place for that than F21. And I grabbed a couple of necklaces to tide me over until India launches hers.

SHOP: palazzo pants // necklace

In the ultimate uniform dressing move, I bought the same sandal in two colors. Go figure. No surprises here. These were too perfect to pass up at $60 a pop. Synthetic? You bet.

SHOP: sandals

If it is snowing where you are, take a little virtual trip to spring with these easy pieces. It is warming up here and I am in my new white tee, flip flops and sweats. Time to go put on those palazzo pants.

Today I'm headed to the store to shoot some images of new arrivals. If you haven't checked out where I spend the other portion of my time you can see Canvas Interiors here, or follow me on Instagram.

Canvasstyle on Instagram // Canvas Interiors on Instagram

Thank goodness I'm a Gemini.

WARBY PARKER TWO WAYS

The lovely folks at Warby Parker asked me to style a couple of looks using their summer 2014 collection. I am a fan of the brand so I thought why of course, fun, sure!

I picked my two favorites which basically speak to both sides of my Gemini personality. The Crossfield and the Piper. These two are all I need in my canvasstyle repertoire... a classic aviator and a little girlie glam.

CROSSFIELD: Relaxed vibe with a little boho twist.

I would style these classics with a breezy top and baggy denim cut offs. Toss on some wooden beads and an interesting sandal for a laid back look.

shop the look: top | sandals | bracelet | hat | shorts

PIPER: A delicate ladylike vibe with understated cool.

I would pair these sunnies with a crisp white jean, structured lace top and understated sandal. Let the glasses do the talking. My trusty simple clutch completes this mood.

shop the look: blouse | clutch | white jeans | sandal

LINKS:

Crossfield and Piper sunglasses

Warby Parker is philanthropic, affordable and convenient - read about it here

*please note all opinions are my own and while they reached out to me this is not a sponsored post.

LOUNGING

Do you ever have those days where you are happy to be home puttering on a rainy day? Yesterday was a much needed down-day for me and I did just that. But what to wear? I wanted to be out of PJ's but not in sweat pants. Not 'dressed' but not schlumpy.

That's where the lounge pant comes in. Add a white or gray tee and putter to your heart's content. Now you may be thinking "that's an awful lot of pattern for you Catherine!) and you are correct. But every now and then I bust out a little pattern and color much to the surprise of my friends.

Here is my edit for you - favorites from $19 and up:

L to R: 1 // 2 // 3

L to R: 1 // 2 // 3 (#3 Tory Burch on sale fyi)

And if the UPS guy comes to the door with packages from Shopbop you will be well dressed to answer it.

VARIOUS AND SUNDRY

I have had a slight obsession with the Sundry clothing since I blogged about them last summer. I adore, love, covet their pieces. I have one summer staple that is about to shred... a little white dress skirt coverup that I reach for before all other beachy items...sadly I can't find it in this summer's collection. So I treat it nicely, wash it gently and hope to get through this summer with it.

a rare appearance by me on my blog, image L: Babs Langdon // image R: John Washburn while we were on a '3 hour tour'

I love the look and feel of this brand, the sunny carefree attitude of the styles. Companies like this inspire me to create a pure, unfiltered presentation of our 'Canvas' brand. The blog and the store all have the same philosophy. Keep it simple, be true to yourself and your style. If you start with a simple canvas, you can create a life of style. Sundry pieces work into that equation for me.

Here are some of my favorite Sundry pieces:

L to R: palm trees tank // jumper // striped tank // sunset tank

L to R: heart tank // La Vie tee // hibiscus tee // Embroidery shirt

Happy, casual, carefree. Works for me.

Sundry clothing co.

SLOUCHY

I love a good pair of skinny jeans. AG makes pretty much hands down my all time favorites. I am sitting comfortably in them right now with my flip flops on and couldn't be happier. However... there are days when you just want to feel like you are in your PJ's. Thus my rekindled love for the slouchy pant.

The key to the slouchy pants thing is balance. I tried a whole lot of them on last fall and not being the tallest kid on the block, most of them went back. Too baggy, too long, too poofy. I settled on the Joie Mariner version in black and love them.

Joie Mariner pant

I am now ready for a summer pair. They are just the right amount of slouch without being too sloppy. A little white cotton tank top, a delicate necklace and some flat sandals by day. Add sassy heels a silk tank and voila an easy summer night out.

color block pant // blue pant // white pant // grey & green pant (on sale!)

I think I will road test the last pair... they look fun, I am slightly pattern averse but these seem inviting and summery. And they are on sale. Bonus.

PS:

I would love to see you in your canvasstyle-inspired outfits! Wouldn't that be fun? I never really know if what I am writing resonates with you. So, if you are on instagram, selfie your self and #canvasstyle @canvasstyle it. It would be a great way to play together!

click here and follow me on instagram

NUDE PLEASE

As you can see from my 'weekly want' on the left side of the page, I have a certain affinity for flat, nude sandals.

I have had a pair in rotation for about the last 10 years. They are part of the uniform. I have just ordered my 'weekly wants' and will report on those as soon as they arrive. Dress them up or down, they make summer fashion feel effortless which is exactly how I like it.

images found: here

This Madewell dress and sandal combo looks so comfy I am relaxed just thinking about wearing it.

Here are others that may catch your eye. Throw on with jeans, a white dress or floaty coral number and you are good to go.

Summer hours

And so it begins... summer. I hope you had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.

image found: here

I have been taking stock of how I would like to approach summer blogging as it relates to spending time with Small K and XS K. I want to be present for my kids and not be rushing to the computer every morning. Its time for some 'lazy days of summer'... so I will be keeping summer hours on the blog. What does that mean? It means that I am lifting deadlines from myself. Sometimes I'll have a post up by 9am and some days it could be 2pm. I think it will make for a much calmer and happier start to the day Chez K.

Just know I am always thinking like an editor and collecting ideas and inspiration everywhere I go. I will collect and create along the way and share when I have quiet time to myself. I hope you will check back and visit with me as I create a more relaxed pace for our home. Who knows, maybe it will inspire new content!

Today I want to share with you my two new favorite purchases. These two items have arrived in my closet and I can tell you with excitement that I want to wear them both every day.

Find the blue dress here

and the white cover up here

inspire // desire: summer

Today's inspire // desire is all about summer. Easy breezy longer days, lazy moments of reflection and of course, my favorite white clothes. Add a straw hat, big gold watch, some stackable bracelets and your favorite sunnies and you have a fabulous uniform for summer.

images: here

I hope you enjoy this shopping trip.

Each of these pieces can be worn so many different ways and the end result is

fresh, laid back, classic.

(And I feel the need to confess that I have worn the Joie Rancher top far too many times already.

It truly is the perfect summer shirt. I am feeling a little lost - its at the dry cleaners.)