BUY THIS (Because We Already Did): Warm Weather Favorites.

Summer seems like it might actually start any day now here in the PNW (LET'S GOOOOO) so I thought I'd talk about a few of my favorite warm weather favorites:

Okay, first of all I want to thank all of you who enabled (some might say bullied) me into keeping my red EVA Birkenstocks. You were right, okay? They're pretty great. I wear them before and after bike rides and will be taking them to the beach next week where they'll come in very handy if the temperature gets above 60. (HEAVY DRAMATIC SIGH.) Anyway, they come in a bunch of colors and the red ones are on sale at Dick's right now which I'm telling you even though I've never had a good experience at Dick's Sporting Goods but a sale is a sale.

I also want to remind  you that this packable hat from Madewell is a really good thing for summer and it's 30% off right now! You can crush the hell out of it and shove it in your carry-on and it'll be fine, I promise.  

Also, I finally got to wear my cute tie neck top from Madewell and it's so good! It looks especially cute with my black and white Birks, just saying. It's sold out in a lot of sizes but this one is pretty similar and is also dang cute. Did I mention the 30% off sale?

If you want a reasonable, inexpensive swimsuit cut for an adult body, this one from Target is quite good. It's not too mumsy but it keeps everything where you want it and it's under $50. It also comes in a fun print, but I'm boring and got the black one. 

I'm not normally one to push an expensive t-shirt, but this one from Wilt is really freaking good. The high-low cut is super flattering and it hangs beautifully. I've been wearing mine for several years (here it is last year) and still love it. 

One from Marianne! She told me about this cute little summer tunic dress from H&M that they make every year in a variety of colors and patterns. It's inexpensive, loose n' breezy and hangs just right. It's short, but is longer in the back so don't worry about it. Perfect with flat sandals! 

Are you wearing your sunscreen? Every single day? Please wear your sunscreen. This is my favorite one for my face (a combo of mineral and chemical). It has no cast and no smell. I'm on my fifth bottle of so you know it's a good one. 

Listen, I know I've talked about this little belt bag already (outfit here) but it's JUST SO GOOD. I use it all the time and I am really, really trying not to buy it in another color. They keep coming out with new colors! It's quite rude. Anyway, it's under $40 and is the cutest, most convenient thing ever. Just get one and thank me later. 

You know how body lotion is the worst chore ever? Like one more stupid thing you have to do everyday to keep from drying up like a husk? Well, listen. If you feel like skipping it occasionally, this is the way to do it. Get this amazing Almond Shower Oil and you will be clean AND soft after your shower. And! It won't make your shower a slip-and-fall hazard. I'm not sure why it doesn't, but it doesn't. Also, it smells nice (but not as nice as the Kiehl's Coriander body wash that I can't find anywhere. I will burn the store down to the ground if they've discontinued it, I swear to GOD. Okay, not really. I will send a mean email, though.) 

Stuff We Like: Average Girl Summer Edition.

 Okay, so I don't know that I've had a Hot Girl Summer but it sure as shit has beat last summer which mostly sucked a lot. For me this summer has been one of exploration but also of lightening up a little bit. Like, read the fun book even if it's dumb, skip the workout and go for a walk instead, buy the purple sunglasses, try the bike shorts. Why not? Anyway, here's what we like for our Average Girl Summer: 

Adrien's picks:

This Amazing Podcast That Marianne Created.
When I'm feeling a bit homesick, I'll fire up the HGTV Obsessed podcast and spend an hour with my best friend. Y'all it totally works to combat homesickness. (That, and walking around Target.) Anyway, this podcast also happens to be great. It's truly informative and entertaining and Marianne interviews the BEST people, like Daniel Kanter! And Rajiv Surendra (from Mean Girls!!1) New episodes drop every Thursday, which is today, so how can you not immediately want to subscribe and listen? 

These Sunglasses That Are For Fun Times.
I have (and love) some nice pairs of sunglasses but sometimes I want a fun pair that I don't have to baby. I found the Tifosi Optics Swank at a local bike shop and was delighted that they only cost $25 and come in a huge array of fun colors. They're lightweight but don't feel cheap and they have grippy little nose pads so they're perfect for hiking or biking. I wear them on on IG a lot if you want to see them on an actual human face. I love them so much I'm already planning purchasing a different color because that's how I roll. 

This Book That Was My Perfect Summer Read.
I wasn't really sure what to expect from Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid (I didn't finish Daisy Jones and the Six) but what I got was pretty freaking good - California surfing culture, 80s goodness, beautiful rich people behaving badly, lots of (somewhat familiar) family disfunction. All of this made for a really compelling and well-written story. It's a NYT Bestseller so hardly an unknown pick, but I really enjoyed reading it and found the ending quite satisfying, which is all I really ask from a summer read. 

Marianne's Picks:

These Bike Shorts That Are Pretty Okay.

This week I am really into bike shorts. Suddenly I’m seeing a lot of fashionable ladies in some combination of oversized button down, bike shorts, and Birkenstocks. As someone with 2/3 of these items already in her closet, I was like okay I’ll try this. And hey, this look is not going to win any awards for being flattering, but it’s comfortable as hell. These bike shorts have pockets, are a comfortable rise, come in a bunch of colors, and are thick and nice. I love their leggings too. 

And, This Dumb Visor.

Now…this visor, she is not cute. However, it’s very lightweight, stays on even when it’s windy, is packable and cooling and doesn’t give you hat head. Oh, I’m sorry, is this a fashion blog? Because this is who I am now. Well, it’s 50% who I am, the other 50% is fancy, floaty dresses. I CONTAIN MULTITUDES.

Monday Mood: Marianne Needs a Beach Bag.

If you follow Marianne on IG you may have seen her call to action about needing a new extra-large beach bag. She currently has a Land's End canvas bag and wants to set it on fire. Here were her requirements:

She got a LOT of great responses and we thought it would be fun to make this into a blog post. So here are her top contenders: 

Contender #1: 

Marianne: The Patagonia Black Hole Gear Tote is one of my top contenders. Love everything Patagonia stands for and I know it'll hold up forever. $99, sustainably made, lifetime warranty. 

Contender #2:

Marianne: The Travel Cloud bag from Baggu. $78, super light, looks the most comfortable to carry. I do wish it had a bit more structure though. Either way, buying a set of cute Baggu pouches to corral sunscreen, goggles, etc.

Contender #3:

Marianne: The 3 Girls Tote from Scout. I like the structure (no tipping over!), the zipper and it's super light. And cheaper at $54. 

Honorable Mention:

Marianne: Also probably buying this Target bag that was recommended because it's $10, mesh, and seems like a great backup for second bag for sandy toys or wet towels. Also, this gingham swimsuit at Target is my current fav! 

PS. She's set on one of these options and isn't still looking but if you want to share your fav in the comments, feel free! 

Wanty: My Running Summer Wish List.

 I always have a running wishlist in my head of things I want to buy or need to buy (but mostly want to buy) for whatever season is upon us. Sometimes I'll actually write it down so I can look back later and see which things I actually ended up getting, but mostly I just post it here because why not. Let's start with the obvious:

When I first saw the Birkenstock Arizona Split I was pretty sure they were not for me but this pair kept following me around the internet and now I want them pretty badly. I really don't need another pair but I definitely WANT another pair.

I feel like I should have a few more non-tee options for summer and I am regretting that I didn't buy this linen blouse I talked about in my shopping story post. It fit well and looked good but I left it behind because... white linen. I might have to go back for it. 

I live in denim shorts during the summer and my pair of Joe's from last year (on sale in black!) are still hanging in there but I want another pair. I reeeeeally l like the pair above, though they are more than I want to spend. Maybe this pair of Levi's cutoffs? They have potential. And of course this pair from Old Navy looks promising but I'm not sure about the rise on me. 

Now, on the practical size I probably should buy another pair of my Athleta Brooklyn Ankle pants because I wear my black pair nearly every day. They're the perfect work-from-home pants - lightweight and comfortable but also they look like real pants! Plus, I love the stripe down the side. I'm thinking maybe I need a pair in olive green or maybe navy? (I dig the window pane navy but they're sold out of my size.)

Finally, something dumb. I still want this dumb overpriced tee at Anthro because the heart wants what it wants. I probably won't buy it but ugh. Maybe it'll go on sale. 

What do you want for summer? Do tell.