Psssttt....

Everyone needs a summer playlist, huh? Sprinkled with the typical surf pop, hazy lofi flava of summer. I didn't make this one (though that option is under consideration) but it does put one in the appropriate mood. All I need now is some soft-serve. Or some cherries.

(As you'll note there is no best coast in the list - a bit remiss if you ask me, but that's for another playlist- anyway, I just liked their cover art and thought it perfectly representative of that summer feelin.' Also technically this playlist was made for june, but as noted I'm a bit behind the times at the moment...)

And now, the 'June Playlist' compiled by the lovely folks at the equally lovely Tourist Magazine

1. Oh Suzanne by French Kissing
2. What Am I Going To Do by The Dovers
3. Help Me Rhonda by The Beach Boys
4. Tired of Waiting by The Meklight Sisters
5. Leave Everywhere by Toro y Moi
6. Spider Man by Boy or Bison
7. Don't Lie by The Mantles
8. Empty Bones by The Growlers
9. Gentle One by Soft Healer
10. Comin' Back Again by Arches
11. Havalina by Pixies

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Havin' A Heatwavvve

It's boiling. Everywhere apparently. And while the British media and their meteorological histrionics never fail to amuse (a two day heatwave is not really a wave, is it?), it is bloody hot. But I do love summer. I hate humidity but sun shining, wind breezing - this can never be a bad thing. So rather than join the lot of whingers, who will later complain that we had no summer when the inevitable downpour ensues, I choose to ignore the stickiness and embrace the things I love about this hot hot heat...

* Gin and tonics with crushed up lime. Taking a sip and bursting a bit of lime pulp on your tongue is never more refreshing.

* Sitting on my balcony when the sun is rising and it's not too hot, reading and basking.

* Enjoying watching our little balcony pot of basil, chives and vines grow. Granted all I did was pick the items to be planted as I tend to kill the bepotted, but it's nice to watch the hard effort of others be bountiful...

*Walking everywhere to go nowhere just because we can.

* Cherries from the local grocer. I could eat cherries and cherries alone all summer long. They ARE summer to me.

* The simplicity of getting dressed in the morning: dress, canvas shoes, sunglasses, done.

*Even though we're all miserable, moaning, sweaty, sticky and generally angry at the world, you can walk through any London park, lose the sound of the city and realize it all ain't so bad. Smile! It's fuckin' summer.

Not Quite There

Though I've been hearing reports of glorious weather on the other side of the ocean, it's still not-quite-spring here...It's that annoying transitional weather, where one false move, one layer too many, could lead to uncomfortable sweatiness but layer removed and the chill sets in. Very annoying. Doesn't make too much of a difference to me anyhow as I am holed up inside writing. Supposedly academically, though clearly currently not the case ... rather been playing, dreaming up an imaginary world where I could afford everything from Weekday. It's a world of simple transitional outfits for awkward weather: lighter sweaters, shorter skirts, pastel pants or scrunched up socks while risking the bare leg...simplicity for studying. (Apparently in this imaginary world, I still study).

Though to be honest, my fantasy world would actually involve no studying and no need for transition: summer would be Now. Straight to minimal dressing: throw on dresses, shorts and slinky blouses, and the same shoes and an iced coffee every damn day. Ah summer, you are so far away. Come back soon.

Throw on

(top: bona drag, middle: turned out, bottom: asos)

Dresses: truly, the simplest form of dressing . Throw on. Grab some shoes. Done. Course all sorts can be done to spruce up a dress, accessories, sweaters, etc., etc., but when you have the right dress, there is very little extra needed. I am currently enjoying the idea of the nightie-as-dress - not in a Courtney Love 90s slip sort of way - but rather in the Victorian nightgown sort of way. The dress at the top by Lonely Hearts reminds me of that sort of thing, and my mind began to fester more on the subject when I saw this New Zealand gal on turned out, who wears vintage nighties to the beach - quite the perfect cover up. Then I found this very Edwardian looking dress on ASOS, and I was convinced. The last one is a little too twee for me with the bow and all, but all this got me thinking....

I have a long nightie at the back of my closet - 'my granny nightie' as I lovingly think of it (and others besmirchingly call it), and...well, folks, granny I will have to be, because this summer, if I don't have the gumption to wear in the city, it'll certainly be my go-to beach companion.

last days

Summer. That time of year that we all wait for, long for, yearn for, is almost over. Course, living in the UK, it never really feels like it begun (minus the two-day heat waves). But still, there were some lovely days spent doing lovely things, summery things like reading in the park, sipping ice coffees while strolling through Soho... I even went rowing! Well, I sat in a row boat while someone else rowed...turns out I cannot row, my coordination just simply isn't effective enough for proper oar maneuvering. And now September is 'round the corner and I'm left wondering, 'Is it really time to say so long sweet summer'?

peek-a-boo...

... I see you! So while sorting my closet this weekend (it's now be-yoot-iful and so organized!) I decided that I do not need anymore t-shirts and so vowed to not buy any for awhile: I have no need, no room, no desire. But-- there is always a 'but'--I might have lift the tee embargo temporarily with this bad boy from Altru Apparel.

country mouse

Today, I was dressed, and felt a little bit like the country mouse in the city, a bit overwhelmed with annoying transportation, overcrowding, pricey fare and the muggy city air. And then I came home, to my little nook in the city, visited the little window box on the balcony, where our vine has started to flower, thought of my home home in the woods and felt a little bit better.



Now you must know that a town mouse once upon a time went on a visit to his cousin in the country. He was rough and ready, this cousin, but he loved his town friend and made him heartily welcome. Beans and bacon, cheese and bread, were all he had to offer, but he offered them freely. The town mouse rather turned up his long nose at this country fare, and said, "I cannot understand, cousin, how you can put up with such poor food as this, but of course you cannot expect anything better in the country; come you with me and I will show you how to live. When you have been in town a week you will wonder how you could ever have stood a country life." No sooner said than done: The two mice set off for the town and arrived at the town mouse's residence late at night.

"You will want some refreshment after our long journey," said the polite town mouse, and took his friend into the grand dining room. There they found the remains of a fine feast, and soon the two mice were eating up jellies and cakes and all that was nice. Suddenly they heard growling and barking.

"What is that?" said the country mouse.

"It is only the dogs of the house," answered the other.

"Only," said the country mouse, "I do not like that music at my dinner!" Just at that moment the door flew open; in came two huge mastiffs; and the two mice had to scamper down and run off.

"Good-bye, cousin," said the country mouse.

"What! Going so soon?" said the other.

"Yes," he replied. "Better beans and bacon in peace than cakes and ale in fear."

Vain & Vapid

Here are a few images from the Vain and Vapid summer lookbook, created by designer (and blogger) Julie Chesler. Hers is one of my favorite shops on etsy, and if I could afford it, I would scoop up everything she makes.





Her shop has weekly updates throughout the summer... I know I'll be keeping a keen eye out.

Faeries

I cannot get these two lovely ladies out of my mind. I wish I knew where these photos came from, so maybe I could find more (these ones were found here by the by). For some reason they make me think of fairies, which then reminds of that Ellen von Unwerth directed video featuring Zooey Deschanel from last year...remember that one? If not, here it is:

barefoot gal

Ok, I lied. This editorial takes the place for the most inspirational thing I've seen in awhile. I get very bored, very easily during the summer when it comes to fashion. I don't know if it's because I think about it less or care about it less; being more concerned with other things such as reading in the park or spending a thunderous downpour of an afternoon playing Scrabble and drinking blueberry wine (my yesterday). Maybe it's because during the other seasons fashion serves as more of an escape from the dreariness of school work or because I'm holed up inside and spend so much more time on the internet. In the summer, I like to get away from my computer and just be out and about. This editorial (from the forever-obscure Russh) captures exactly that. It embodies a kind of rustic, calm charm and simplicity that makes summer what it is: no muss, no fuss.






(Scans by rox_yr_sox; rest of editorial @ tfs)

Summer Satchel

Have you ever had one of those nights where you are online-window-shopping, i.e. adding things into your cart just for the pure pleasure of imagining that you can buy said things, and you are kind of bleary-eyed and all of a sudden find yourself clicking check-out, and then typing in your credit card number and in this automaton state, clicking place order, only to wake up the next morning and realize that you just bought a cart-load of shit you don't need, can't afford and probably don't actually want? Anyone?

Well, this happened very recently on a cybertrip to Topshop.com, where I ended up buying three shirts and a bag without really thinking about it. Buyer's remorse was immediate. But then I received the items. I quickly dismissed the shirts as too expensive for the quality (which I probably already knew) and they are ready to be returned, but the bag. Oh the bag. It's a satchel actually, which is something that has been on my wish list for, oh I dunno, FOREVER. I've been scouring local vintage haunts for ages to no avail, either the ones I found were too big, too small, not the right colour brown...can't complain when you are as picky as I am. Buying this bag on a whim, I fully expected to return it, but now cannot take it off. So, it's not brown, but grey is one of my favorite colours and it is just the right size to sling all my crap around all summer long. I have a love/hate relationship with Topshop, in terms of price, quality and the way they lure me in, but this bag is pure love.

Summer To-Dos

I'm spending my summer working at a mindless job to pay the bills ("Bloomsbury Fitness, how can I help?" -- is my summer catchphrase), and generally not taking life too seriously. Heavy thoughts about the future (with only one year left of law) could damper my summer, but I figure that can all wait until September.

Rather I am concentrating on doing nothing special, but with a very specific to-do list of the nothing specials that I shall be doing:

* Find a guitar and/or ukulele before the summer is out, perhaps begin to learn to play (not being too ambitious is key to checking things off the list)
* Continue building, and reading, my collection of used Agatha Christie novels (a seemingly easy task, but she did write 80 novels, people)
* Get further on my 'films-to-see' list which is ever-growing, next up: Klute and Dans Paris
* Reorganize my closet, empty out all that I do not need/wear/doesn't fit and give to charity and/or sell on etsy/ebay
*Spend as much time as possible outside in all of London's parks - a picnic in a new park each weekend perhaps...
* Explore more of England outside of London: Brighton, Liverpool, Lake Country...I've been here two freakin' years and haven't been outside the city except to go to the Continent. I am ashamed.

That's all I can think of for now. I'm a list gal. I love making lists. Anyone else have a list for summer fun....or is that too persnickety for summer?

By the Sea, part deux

Another round of photos from me holiday...

Spent the majority of the time in Nice, reading and sunning on its pebbled shores, and during the evenings getting lost (actually) in the Old City, with its tiny winding streets, and tall beige buildings. It was ridiculously picturesque and only slightly frustrating. And the food, oh my goodness, the food. I don't think I have ever eaten that much pasta in my life, and I love pasta. I didn't realize that there would be so much Italian food, but I guess it used to be under Roman influence and didn't actually become a part of France until the late 19th century. I loved Nice so much, and definitely could have a little beachside apartment there one day. Hmmm.

We also had a couple of day trips to Monaco, to see how the rich live and Cannes, to see where the rich play and show their films. Both were beautiful but Monaco was a bit expensive and Cannes was a bit windy and not too different from Nice. Still, I am happy to have seen both and I can now check them off my list. Nice is still my favorite of all though, perhaps because that's where we came upon a really really freakin' gigantic palm tree. The tallest that I ever did stand beside and that was pretty darn cool.

By the Sea, part one

Here are some photos from Marseilles, where we spent the first couples days of our trip. We had a (cheap!) hotel with an amazing view of the sea, and spent our time there mostly wandering through the Vieux Port and oohing at the ridiculously blue sea. We took a ferry to the Chateau D'If, where part of Dumas' The Count of Monte Cristo is set. It's kind of funny to visit an actual historical site because of fictional characters, but at least it gets people going there, I guess. I love history, majored in it in university, and so love visiting old forts/prisons/castles, etc merely for the fact that there is so much history within the walls. It blows my mind to think of all the events that have occurred in the past all leading to what is going on now....Anyway, all geekiness aside, it was fun start to the trip. I'll post a few more photos tomorrow of Nice, Cannes and Monaco, the other places my fella and I visited.