Sunday on the Sound

One of the best things about moving across the country is that everything you encounter is totally new and exciting.  Since we've arrived in Seattle, we've had our fair share of daytrips and long drives out into the mountains.  However, one of the best treats is practically right in our back yard!  (Actually, it's just in the next neighborhood.) 

Golden Gardens Park is home to a beautiful sandy beach with quick access and ample parking.  Did I mention that it's only a 15 minute drive from our place?!  In Illinois, I'd have to drive an hour to get to anything that looked remotely close to this. 

After a busy week, we picked up a few sandwich wraps from Trader Joe's, put a few sodas in a cooler, and made off to paradise.  I spent hours reading, switching from magazines to the new Jeannette Walls book I'm reading, dipping my toes in the water, and snapping a few photos.  Amidst all the chaos that moving has been, this beach is a little sanctuary. 

Someone to be excited about!

It's around this time of the year that I start to dearly, dearly miss sunshine and all the good things that come with it: sunkissed shoulers, bare arms, flowing skirts, warm breezes, and COLOR.  When I close my eyes and fantasize about where I'd like to be, it involves an azure block of ocean skirted by perfect sand and green mountains.  Ya dig? 

Since none of those things are happening for me right now, I turn on my imagination and live vicariously through beautiful pieces of inspiration.  Today I "discovered" someone.  (Truth is, no blogger ever "discovers" anything, because we're all led to the cool ideas by someone else's awesome blog.)  Her name is Lele Sadoughi, who happens to be the design director of Tory Burch.  She also launched a huge J.Crew jewelry line which gives it its distinctive appeal you see today.  And, furthermore, she's the founder and creative director of her own line, Lele Sadoughi Designs.

Browsing through her pieces, here are some highlights:

Necklace (see more tassel jewelry)

Earrings (see more blue jewelry)

Necklace (see more blue jewelry)

The first necklace actually looks like some aquatic creature to me, and the others call upon my ever-persistent beachy daydream that makes me SO happy.  I really love the art deco flair to the last necklace.  I've always been a firm believer in the power of unique accessories.  They have the capability to turn an everyday jeans and tee combo into something straight out of Vogue.  It's the small touches that give a person style, in my opinion.  

See all of her collection and more about her here.

So, what do you think?  Would you ever wear any of these pieces? 

American Classic

Happy Memorial Day!  I'm celebrating by going to the beach all day tomorrow!  I can't wait to slather on some sunscreen and LOUNGE!  Mike and I stocked up on all kinds of goodies, so we should be good to go.  We even got two new beach chairs to complete the inventory.  I tried buying a new swim suit top today, but that didn't work out for me.  Why in the world are swimsuits so difficult?!?  I guess I'll have to go with an oldie.  Unfortunately. 

Anyways, we've had a random stroke of extreme heat, leaving me wanting to wear as little as possible!  I love this light tank from Forever 21.  It's silky and very breezy.  The shorts are a great staple from NY&Co.  Always have navy, black, and tan shorts ready to go.  Riding the white and blue vibe, I added some red with my coral necklace and Gap's "city flats." 

And, as usual, I had my trusty sidekick Anya about....

I hope that tomorrow is perfect! I'll be sure to snap a few pics throughout the day. Relax and have fun! :)