Vineyard Wines

I wanted to share a few snapshots from my bestie's birthday celebration at Charlotte Village Winery last week. We discovered this gorgeous spot last summer (which I blogged about of course) and have been dying to go back ever since. Besides the awesome fruit wines, they have a porch to sit out and enjoy a picnic lunch and stunning views. We dressed up in cute floral dresses for the occasion since wine tastings definitely call for a bit of a preppy touch!

Dress: Jack Wills (1/2/3). Sandals: J. Crew (1/2). Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters. 

xoxo, CC

Beach Blue

If you ask me, it's not summer without a few days spent at the beach! Those are always some of my favorite days of the whole year. Basking in the sun with cool water by your toes to jump into when it gets too hot can only be made better by pretty blue skies and wild blueberries for the picking. 

For my beach day at the lake I wore this gorgeous Nanette Lepore bikini top that I scored a few years back in an end-of-summer-sale, which by the way is the best time to snag some great deals on swimwear. This navy piece with rosy florals and a hint of ruffles along the back is just perfect for lounging in the sun while feeling stylish too. I luckily found a bottom that matches perfectly with the top (navy, with a small ruffle at the sides) to complete the set. High rise shorts and a knotted tee make a good lakeside cover-up for wading in the water!

Swim Top: Nanette Lepore via ModCloth (love these 1/2/3/onepiece). Shorts: American Eagle. Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters. Tee: Ruche (1/2). Swim Bottom: J. Crew (similar). 

xoxo CC

Lace and Tee

A white lace skirt is an excellent versatile piece to have in your wardrobe. With a nice top and heels it makes a totally dressy outfit, but it is also easily dressed down with a knotted tee shirt and sandals. I went for something in between by balancing a simple tee with wedges and lipstick. A few details like a fringe bag and pops of jewelry made this look perfect for a casual day at work, and would have transitioned to evening drinks as well. The color palette is clean and the silhouette streamlined for an overall easy and pleasing look. 

By the way, this tee is SO soft and cozy, I've been pairing with so many different bottoms lately. Everything from casual jeans or shorts with a necklace for running errands or walking in the park (see my Instagram) to nicer skirts like the one I wore here, it is a nice loose fit that works with so much. New fave for sure!! 

Tee: Michael Stars. Skirt: H&M (very similar). Bag: Rebecca Minkoff. Shoes: Ruche (1/2). Bracelet: Kate Spade. Ring: Jeanne Ruland Jewelry. Necklace: BaubleBar.

xoxo CC

Loving Lately: Summer Must-Haves

It is HOT HOT HOT in the city mid-July, but my recent faves have been getting me through the heatwave with a cheerful summery spirit! 

Kate Spade phone cases. How adorable is the new collection of phone cases?!! I'm thinking I'm going to need to snag this watermelon one for myself.... I have been on the hunt for a new case for quite some time now...

Paws/Watermelon/Hold The Phone/Cat

Talenti Double Dark Chocolate Gelato. When you're craving something richly chocolatey (and when am I not?) this is the way to go. I am an ice cream person year-round, but I figured this deserves an extra shout out in the summertime. The texture is perfectly creamy with delicious crunchy chocolate bits all throughout. I often keep this on hand for when I need a little ice cream/gelato at home, but I also recently discovered the ice cream shop Emack and Bolio's, which makes all their own flavors! Their location on the Upper West Side is perfect for popping into after work for a sweet treat!

Tumbler: for toting a nicely chilled iced coffee or lemonade to work. When it's this hot you really do need something icy to cool down. A cute insulated tumbler just makes it that much better. 

Lilly Pulitzer/Target/Kate Spade

Hot pink blush. I use Bare Minerals Cheek Tart in "Charm" which is sadly no longer available, although I did spy some for sale on eBay. Though it is shockingly bright in the container it goes on plenty sheer for a natural flushed look, perfect for summertime. Don't believe me? I'm wearing this blush in most of my photos on the blog!

Hands-free bags. You've probably noticed this fringe bag on repeat, and I've also just added a lavender beauty to the collection, but a cute hands-free bag is a necessity for me in the summer. Not only do I not want to be weighed down with big totes full of stuff, but I need an extra hand for that cute tumbler filled with homemade iced coffee...

Mini Mac/Urban Expressions/Fringe

Check out my past Faves round ups from April, January, and October!

xoxo, CC 

At The Lake...

Nothing feels more like summer to me than being surrounded by lush green foliage and spending sunny days outdoors in the yard or by the lake. I spent time last week doing just that, on a little escape from the concrete city. 

A cute sundress is a no-fuss way to approach days at the lake. This feather-print piece is unusual with the angular pockets creating dimension, and the zipper detail on the front. The bright multi colors are perfect for evoking a summery vibe while I enjoy some of my favorite activities: lounging in the sun and playing with my dogs. While this one piece outfit is easy and comfortable (just the adjectives I want when I'm on vacation), the mod drapey pockets and statement print don't sacrifice style. Now doesn't that sound good? 

Bold prints are great pieces to pack while traveling, or just when you want to be comfy because of how easily they make an outfit seem complete. See what I packed last time I headed up to the lake for a mini vacation!

Dress: old (similar 1/2/3). Sandals: Sam Edelman. Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters. Necklace: Kate Spade. Earrings: Gorjana.

xoxo, CC