Lifestyle

Take a Virtual Tour of Camille Styles’ Mediterranean-Style Home

Published

2 weeks ago

May 7, 2024

Having lived in our Mediterranean-style home in Austin for over a decade, I’ve shared much of our design process through the years. From simple updates to the kitchen, to plastering our walls, to completely overhauling the backyard—it’s been a journey and I’m grateful to all of you who have been along for the ride! It occurred to me recently that I’ve never shared a complete tour of the entire house, with the room-by-room details all in one place. So, along with the launch of my Sourcebook that includes links to everything in our house, I couldn’t be more excited to share the official Camille Styles Home Tour. Scroll on for everything you’ve ever wondered about my home in Austin, but first: watch the video below so I can show you around.

And now, the details on each space in our house…

The story of our house

My husband Adam discovered this property back when we were dating, 16 years ago! There was an old 1950s house on the lot that was in pretty bad shape, and the lot itself was so overgrown that you couldn’t see any of the views. The current backyard was completely nonexistent. But we knew that this property had tons of potential, and over a year after putting in the first offer on the property, we finally got it.

We spent the first year of our marriage working with our architect, Ryan Street, and then building a new house from the ground up. At the time, I’d never done a design project close to this scale before—and honestly, had no clue what I was doing. But thankfully, the experience sparked a passion for design and construction in both Adam and me. We learned so much through the process, and I feel lucky that we ended up with a final result that I still love, so many years later.

Now that we’ve been in the house for 13 years, there are definitely a few things that I’d love to update. We approach our home as an ongoing project—every year we tackle one or two thing and the house just keeps evolving right along with us.

The “style” of our home

I often get asked what “style” our house is, and truthfully, I can’t point to just one particular design style since we’ve been inspired by so many different sources. However, I often use the words “warm minimalism” to describe our home. I’m always looking for simplicity, but want every space to feel warm and comfortable.

There’s also an undeniable Mediterranean influence in our design. Adam and I went to Italy on our honeymoon, and we were so inspired by the architecture and the outdoor spaces where we spent time on the Amalfi coast. When we came home and began our design process, we wanted to incorporate materials like terra cotta and plaster, as well as so many of the plants we chose for our landscaping, like olive trees and jasmine.

The walls

One of the main questions I get asked about our home is—what color of paint is on the walls? Three years ago, we decided to plaster the walls of the entire house. I’ve long been obsessed with the old-world character that plaster gives a house, so I was really excited about this update—and I’ve loved it every bit as much as anticipated.

For our walls, we wanted a matte finish that’s little bit more earthy than a lot of the plaster on the market, and I found this product called American Clay that I fell in love with immediately. It’s a natural earth plaster made in New Mexico, and the finish has the soft, organic vibe I was envisioning for our house. It’s also nontoxic and eco-friendly. We plastered the entire downstairs of the house in American Clay’s shade called Forté White, and I love it so much that I actually keep some of the walls bare so that the plaster can have its own moment.

The Living Room

Our living room is all about the natural light and the indoor-outdoor flow. My favorite part of this room is the big steel doors that open up completely to the patio and create this beautiful connection to the backyard. We had them designed and built by Rehme Steel Windows & Doors here in Austin. My emotional state is so influenced by sunlight, so it’s an instant mood booster to spend time in here and let all that light in.

Shop my living room:

Read more about the living room, including the updates we made.

The Kitchen and Dining Room

Our kitchen is where the magic happens—all of my recipe development for the site, and all the meals we make together as a family. When we host parties, everyone congregates around the big central island, so I usually set out the drinks and snacks here for grazing.

This kitchen does have a few inherent design challenges—mainly the lack of natural light. I’ve explored every possibly way to add a skylight or window in here, but the way the house is configured makes it impossible. So, I’m strategic with colors and styling to lighten up this space as much as possible.

When we built the house, we added a stainless steel venthood that I really fell out of love with as my style evolved. A few years ago, we did a kitchen update and replaced it with a custom plaster hood surround that made the biggest difference. The hood has a hidden ventilation system that’s mounted to the inside of the surround which we then plastered over in American Clay.

We also replaced our old countertops with this bright white Caesaerstone in the Cloudburst Concrete finish. I love Caesarstone and have used it in multiple projects—it’s beautiful and incredibly durable. This time around, we added a waterfall edge to the countertop and made a continuous sink all out of the same Caesarstone to make it all really seamless.

Shop my kitchen:

Read more about our kitchen remodel here.

The Backyard

Where do I begin with our backyard? This is my favorite space on our entire property. The fact that it’s taken us 12 years of work to get it to this point makes it even more special—it’s been an ever-evolving labor of love.

Up top, we’ve got our outdoor lounge area – this is where we hang out when we have friends over, and lots of times the four of us will actually eat dinner around this coffee table and just sit on cushions.

And then, we’ve got the infinity-edged pool. We designed it to maximize the feeling of being built into a cliff, and I love that when we’re in the pool, it feels like we’re almost suspended in the canopy of the trees. We swim all the time—starting in March all the way through November, we are in the pool constantly. My favorite thing about our pool is the color—the dark tile reminds me of the Mediterranean with its deep blue waters.

backyard landscaping ideas umbrellas in a mediterranean yard

Since our home sits up on a high hillside, our foundation is built on a 30-foot retaining wall. The lower backyard on the other side of it has been our home’s biggest transformation over the last few years. It’s gone from being a dirt-covered hillside covered in brush and trees that we couldn’t even use, to a space that’s been featured all over the internet including in Architectural Digest. It’s taken us YEARS to bring our vision to life – we typically try to tackle one or two big projects a year back here and we’ll probably never be finished with this area.

Tour the full backyard here, including more about our backyard design, plants we’ve used, and all about that fire pit.

The Primary Bedroom

Our bedroom is my sanctuary – our days are so full, from work to family life, and this is where the hustle stops and we truly relax. I love my corner window spot for morning coffee, and I’ll often sit here in the evening and journal or read before bed.

I get a lot of questions about our custom-designed and built bed. It’s made from unstained white oak for a matte, neutral finish, and then had two sconces hard wired into each side of the bed—the switches are located into the side of the nightstand so they’re invisible.

Lots more details on how we designed this bed in our bedroom tour right here.

Shop my bedroom:

Camille’s Tiny Office

Here’s a peek at the alcove office connected to the kitchen where I usually work. A couple years ago, I reconfigured the space to be more efficient. We demoed the existing desk and cabinetry, and replaced it with a clean “floating” slab of white oak to serve as a simple, streamlined desk setup. I love having this cozy space to hunker down and get stuff done, and it’s so convenient to pop in and out of here while I’m hanging with the kids or cooking dinner.

Take the full tour of my office.

This room has been so many different things through the years—when we first moved in, it was our home gym… then it became my home office… and finally now that our kids are a little older, it’s our media room where our family watches movies or plays video games.

I kept the decor in this room really simple and affordable, from the Target rugs to the CB2 couch. When it comes to designing kids’ spaces, I usually stick with the same color palette and vibe of the rest of the house, but I don’t want anything precious or fragile. Let’s be honest—it’s probably going to get destroyed from the video game playing, sleepovers, and snacking that happens in this room!

Shop the media room:

camille styles studio kitchen makeover, open shelves

The Studio

Welcome to my team’s studio! We shoot a lot of recipe content for the site at my house, and as mentioned above, our kitchen doesn’t get much natural light. So, we transformed this back room of the house from a guest bedroom into a light-filled studio where we shoot recipes, as well as products for Casa Zuma.

I shared the entire before-and-after process of transforming our guest room into a studio kitchen here. We did it on a budget, and it’s such a great place for our team to collaborate and be creative.

The Family Office

This is our “family office”, although usually Adam works in here and I work in my little alcove off the kitchen (see above.) This room tends to become the dumping ground for Casa Zuma prototypes and samples we need to go through, so our goal for this space is to keep it as minimalist and clean as possible. For me, a clear space equals a clear mind and when there’s too much clutter I cannot think straight.

Take the full tour of the office here.

Shop the office space:

The Meditation Room

This loft area has also been a playroom, a TV room, and now—it’s what I call my “meditation room.” I turned it into a cocoon for relaxing, doing yoga or pilates, or where anyone in the house can escape when they need to chill and experience a low-stimuli environment.

Take the full tour of the meditation room here.

Shop this space:

Henry’s Room

I haven’t shared photos of my kids’ rooms since they were baby nurseries! I’m a fan of letting kids express themselves with their bedrooms once they’re old enough to care, so I don’t get too involved with the design—I really want it to be a reflection of them.

Henry’s room is pretty simple—he naturally doesn’t like clutter and keeps his stuff weirdly organized. We recently upgraded his desk to a larger surface where he can spread out his legos and Star Wars paraphernalia. The cute poster above his bed has all the lyrics to Hotel California (his favorite song.) I ordered the digital version from Etsy, then sent it to Framebridge to have it printed and framed.

Shop Henry’s room:

Phoebe’s Room

Phoebe is not quite as minimalist as her brother (lol)—she’s a big beauty product girl, loves her stuffed animals, and has lots of little collections of all kinds of things. One thing I love about both kids’ rooms is that they have these huge windows with trees outside them, and it almost makes them feel like they’re nestled in a treehouse. And then, they both have these incredible views of downtown Austin. At bedtime, we love to look out at the glittering skyline views and it’s so magical when you can see the moon up above.

Peek at Phoebe’s toddler room (I miss it!)

Shop Phoebe’s room:

And, that’s the tour! This house has been such an incredible home for us—it’s evolved right along with us through the years and really has a piece of our hearts. It’s our ultimate canvas for creativity and inspiration, and every room tells a story. Thanks for coming by! Drop your questions in the comments of the video over on Youtube, and don’t forget to sign up for the Sourcebook below to get links to everything!

Source link

Lifestyle

18 Avocado Recipes to Enjoy Year-Round

Published

11 hours ago

May 19, 2024

Casey McKee

If there’s one thing I’ve gained from adulthood, it’s a love for many of the foods I shied away from as a kid. Exhibit A: Avocados—one of the most mouthwatering foods that nature has bestowed on us. Thanks to their versatility and vibrant color, avocados have gone viral over the past few years—and I’m fully on board. The only problem? I want to include avocados in almost every single meal I make! Thankfully, the Camille Styles team is full of avocado obsessives—and have stopped at nothing to incorporate the fruit into as many dishes as we can dream up.

So grab your ripest avocado from the fruit bowl and see just how many ways you can transform one ingredient. Possibilities: endless.

18 of the Best Avocado Recipes on the Internet

When it comes to avocado recipes, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. This fruit can be paired with anything from bright and tangy citruses to fresh fish. Additionally, avocados pack plenty of goodness like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins C, E, K, and B6, as well as magnesium and potassium. Delicious and nutrient-dense? We love.

So, if you have a spare avocado lying around your kitchen waiting to be prepared, let’s get into it!

Avocado Caprese Salad

Why We Love It: If I’m hosting, any caprese salad will find itself on my menu. It’s partially due to the ease of throwing this salad together, but I also love (re: adore) this flavor combination. Add an avocado to the mix, and I’m sold. The creamy bite is the perfect complement to vine-ripened tomatoes and big tears of burrata.

Hero Ingredient: There’s nothing that’s not made better with a small sprinkle of flaky salt. This salad included.

Spicy Tuna Tostadas

Why We Love It: I can’t get enough of these tuna tostadas, inspired by Camille’s visit to Contramar in Mexico City. The avocado in this recipe balances a blend of spicy and savory flavors. From fresh jalapeños to crispy shallots, this recipe has it all.

Hero Ingredient: The chipotle aioli spread on the tortilla brings these tostadas to the next level.

Smoky and Spicy Cauliflower Salad

Why We Love It: When our food editor, Suruchi, first created this recipe, I was immediately hooked by its stunning appearance. After trying it out for myself, I was blown away by the incredible flavor of the spicy cauliflower and roasted chickpeas, complemented perfectly by avocado and creamy feta cheese.

Hero Ingredient: A bit of dill is a flavorful touch to this hearty salad.

Grapefruit Avocado Salad

Why We Love It: Fruit salads are always a go-to recipe during the summer months, and this salad is no exception. Paired with a golden turmeric-honey dressing and garnished with fresh herbs, it’s hard not to love these flavors.

Hero Ingredient: Chickpeas keep this salad hearty and full of protein.

Avocado Toast with Kale Pesto

Why We Love It: This isn’t your ordinary avocado toast. While I love the simplicity of plain avocado toast, it’s hard not to turn to this recipe, topped with a bit of homemade kale pesto (I promise it’s not as intimidating as it sounds!) and everything bagel seasoning.

Hero Ingredient: Either thinly sliced cucumber or radishes will add an extra crunch and color to this toast.

Chickpea Corn and Avocado Salad

Why We Love It: Avocados are frequently used in Mexican-inspired dishes. Enter this chickpea and avocado salad. With roasted poblano peppers and juice from fresh limes, it’s simple and comes together in a few short steps.

Hero Ingredient: Cilantro gives this salad’s sauce a gorgeous and vibrant green hue.

Avocado Slaw

Why We Love It: Maybe it’s my southern side, but once I hear the word slaw, I’m sold. This recipe is a twist on the classic, adding heat from a fresh jalapeño and a balanced and creamy texture brought in by the avocado.

Hero Ingredient: The avocado introduces a nice creamy contrast to the crunchy cabbage.

Pita Tostadas with Butternut Squash with Black Beans and Avocados

Why We Love It: I could eat tacos and tostadas every week, and this recipe is always one of my favorite varieties. Instead of your typical tortilla, the pita makes for a fluffier base that pairs well with the sweet and savory toppings.

Hero Ingredient: Whenever butternut squash is involved, it’s always the hero ingredient.

Lime-y Chicken Tacos with Jicama Avocado Mint

Why We Love It: Like I said, tacos and tostadas are staples in my diet. I’m always looking for new and creative variations, and these tacos with agave-lime chicken are the perfect way to break away from the norm.

Hero Ingredient: As Camille says, “Fresh mint literally makes these tacos, so do not skip it. Unless you hate mint—in which case, go for the cilantro.”

Tomato, Avocado, and Cucumber Salad

Why We Love It: Light and fresh with a bit of heat, this avocado and cucumber salad embodies the warmer months. If you’re a bit skeptical about tomatoes in your salad, Camille suggests picking a super-ripe fruit. It’s the key to optimal satisfaction.

Hero Ingredient: A little fresh mozzarella never hurt anyone.

Mango, Avocado, and Feta Salad

Why We Love It: This salad is perfect for when your body needs a total reset. With a crunchy addition of pistachios and ripe and juicy mangos, it’s the perfect blend of salty and sweet. Plus, the majority—if not all—of the salad toppings are most likely already in your fridge or pantry.

Hero Ingredient: A squeeze of lemon juice lends a little citrusy perfection.

Tuna Nicoise Toast

Why We Love It: This tuna nicoise toast puts your typical avocado toast to shame. Juicy oven-roasted tomatoes are caramelized to perfection and have a mouth-watering effect when paired with high-quality bread. Sourdough or ciabatta are my go-to picks.

Hero Ingredient: While not a must-have ingredient, kale pesto takes this toast to the next level.

Sunday Night Avocado Toast

Why We Love It: I love a quick and easy avocado toast recipe in a pinch, and this toast is just that. With a jammy egg (an ingredient that’s recently become my favorite addition to many dishes), a pinch of everything bagel seasoning, and of course, avocado, this toast is one you can enjoy every morning. Or any time of day. Who’s keeping track?

Hero Ingredient: A squeeze of lime juice. Don’t knock it till you try it!

Avocado Toast Bar

Why We Love It: For those looking to level up their avocado toast, check out this inspo for an avocado toast bar. If you have an upcoming brunch or maybe just love going all-out for Sunday morning breakfast, this is the best way to keep every guest happy.

Hero Ingredient: There are so many options to choose from, but crunchy cucumbers are my favorite.

Smashed Avocado Toast

Why We Love It: This avocado toast will make you feel as if you’re dining at a laid-back cafe enjoying brunch with your closest friends. Inspired by Two Hands NYC, this toast comes together with a drizzle of olive oil and a touch of red chili flakes that enhance the flavor of chunky and smooth mashed avocado.

Hero Ingredient: One of my life hacks for elevated avocado toast is simply adding a poached egg.

Corn and Avocado Salad

Why We Love It: Looking for a side dish to please your guests at every dinner party? There are very few ways to go wrong if you’re preparing this corn and avocado salad. With a crunchy red bell pepper, a bunch of dill, and several ears of fresh corn, you can throw together a delicious appetizer in no time.

Hero Ingredient: A touch of olive oil is key.

Roasted Beet Tostadas with Avocado Cream, Goat Cheese, and Pepitas

Why We Love It: When a flavor-forward recipe meets visual perfection, you know you have a winning dish. This is one of those quick and easy recipes I love to repeat with any leftovers. It features a to-die-for avocado crema, caramelized roasted beets, and my personal favorite, goat cheese.

Hero Ingredient: A light and fluffy flatbread is the ideal foundation for these stunning tostadas.

Roasted Beet, Avocado, and Pistachio Salad

Why We Love It: Last but certainly not least, this gorgeous, warm-weather-approved salad. Pro tip: roast extra beets for the tostadas above and make this salad the next day. It’s a great opportunity to give your leftovers new life. And maybe it’s an unpopular opinion, but you can never have too much of beets’ beautiful, earthy flavor.

Hero Ingredient: A little bit of citrus brightens up your taste buds.

Source link

Lifestyle

8 Tips You Haven’t Tried

Published

12 hours ago

May 19, 2024

Kelly Krause

Summer is on the horizon, but I’m finally just getting into spring cleaning my life. Honestly, it’s equal parts overwhelming and refreshing. Coming off a busy holiday season straight into lots of events and work travel, I finally had a solid break in my schedule to assess what’s working and what’s not. In addition to my never-ending closet clean-out project and general organization, one thing I really needed to overhaul was my finances.

Does anyone else get to that point where you check your bank account or credit card statement and you’re like, wait one second, how did this happen? If not, you’re lucky. Between the holidays and travel, I admittedly neglected many personal routines. And finances were one of them. Now, no major cause for concern—I’m not insinuating that I’m in financial peril here. But taking some time to self-reflect gave me the boost I needed to get back on track with a budget and really examine my spending.

How I’m Approaching My Season of Savings

After reverting back to a plan my financial advisor gave me years ago, I came up with a strategy to ensure I have a good buffer for bills, entertainment, savings, and fun, all while saving extra money where I can. I’m calling this era my season of savings. My mission? To make it fun—not dreadful.

I have three accounts dedicated to monthly goals. So far, with some discipline, it’s been easy. Those accounts are:

bills/must-pays
my future/savings
fun/entertainment/travel

Keep reading for eight tips on how I’m approaching this season of savings. Plus, get insights into how you can apply this strategy to your own life—without feeling restricted.

Update Subscriptions

After reviewing my credit card statement and Apple Pay account, I realized I had a lot of duplicate and dormant subscriptions. I’m talking $5/month for an Instagram filter app I’ve never used once, or a Spotify subscription AND SiriusXM subscription, when I only really use one. This was a pretty easy fix and one that significantly saves me each month.

Make it happen: Set aside an hour to review your subscriptions. You can go to your Apple ID in your iPhone, and tap “Subscriptions” to view all your active subscriptions, how much you’re paying, and when they renew. Alternatively, I’ve had lots of friends recommend Rocket Money, which allows you to view all your subscriptions—across all platforms—in one place.

Give My Nails a Break

This one is tough for me because I love getting my nails done. But after years of gel manicures, my nails are feeling the impact. They’ve gotten tissue-thin and brittle and while there’s a bit of debate on whether you should let your nails breathe, this seems like a good time to pause a $100/month habit.

Make it happen: Consider the naked nails trend. Camille recently posted this glowy nail treatment polish for $16 that strengthens my nails and keeps them looking clean. In between, I’m using this repair keratin serum for $25. Both products cost less than one manicure, so I’m still giving my nails love without the splurge.

Reframe Happy Hour

I’ve taken a break from drinking. (I’m diving deep into that topic in a future story—stay tuned.) This one was an easier move for me than I thought. Anytime a friend asks if I want to grab a drink or go to happy hour, I try one of a few things: first, offer up a coffee meeting instead. This usually works better for my work schedule anyway, as I work for a west coast company and my days tend to run longer. Plus, a $4 cold brew (where I usually have just one) beats a $15 cocktail (where I usually have at 2+).

Second, rather than go for a drink, I see if we can catch up for a walk or a workout. I try to go for a walk almost every single day whether it’s 3-5 miles or simply a 30-minute, low-key coffee walk, so this is always my favorite way to connect with friends. And if all else fails, my go-to order of sparkling water and lime is always a cheaper option than a drink!

Make it happen: Happy hour is often our default way to get together with friends. Instead, reflect on other catch-up options that not only allow you to connect, but that let you pour into other high-value activities. Try pairing it with exercise like me, or suggest something else you’ve been dying to do. (Craft night, anyone?)

Get Creative With Groceries

I didn’t realize how much I was over-buying groceries and sadly wasting a lot of what I purchased. Aside from giving myself a weekly budget, I’ve started to get creative with both what I have on hand already and what I’m buying. In the past, I haven’t been motivated to whip up something creative and instead would splurge on a $20 salad at a local neighborhood spot. Doing that 3-5 times a month adds up quickly, so I’ve made it a fun adventure to use up everything I have to cut costs.

Here’s what that looks like: I’ve taken remaining veggies and sautéed them and topped with an egg and hot sauce for a nourishing bowl. I’ve used leftover ground bison, added a little marinara and a sprinkle of cheese for an Italian-style bake. And all of those packets of tuna that I’ve saved for a rainy, don’t-feel-like-cooking kind of day are the easiest thing to add to a quick seaweed wrap.

The point is: rather than grabbing a quick salad or sandwich, I use what I’ve got on hand first. Chat GPT has saved me a few times when I’ve typed in ingredients I have on hand to come up with something good to make.

Make it happen: This is where meal prep is your friend. Camille shares her go-to meal prep strategy here. Stock up on staples and prep them on Sunday to give yourself mix-and-match options that’ll last you the week. (And that you won’t get bored of by Tuesday.)

Use Gift Cards Up!

Over the years, I’ve gotten a plethora of gift cards from friends and family to restaurants, spas, and stores. And… I almost always forget about using them in the moment and they go unused or worse, expire. Pro tip: Always use restaurant gift cards when you get them. I’ve had two restaurants close over the years and gift cards ultimately went unused.

Make it happen: My strategy might be a little *extra* but it ensures I use up all my gift cards. I create a spreadsheet with every single gift card, the location, and the dollar amount, plus a note next to who gave it to me. That way, anytime I reach to buy something online and book an appointment, I make sure I’m using a gift card and can send a follow up note to that person reminding them how thankful I was to use it.

While you might not have gift cards laying around, I bet you have emails from brands offering discounts for your birthday/birthday month or “first time guest” discounts you can use. Every little bit adds up.

Clothing In/Clothing Out

At this point, I could be admitted into Black Dress Jail for the amount of black dresses that live in my closet. Sure, each one looks a little different than the next, but not that different. So before anything enters my closet, I’m doing a major overhaul and getting rid of a LOT. Like, half of my closet. And before anything can come in, I have to get rid of at least three things. In just one week I loaded up three full ThredUp bags to the post office and went on an eBay posting spree on cycling gear I no longer wear.

Make it happen: There are countless ways to donate or sell your clothing. Visit your local thrift store and see what they’ll take. Or, Madewell has a great program with ThredUp to either sell or recycle your used clothing. The fun/social part of this is opening up my closet to friends to borrow dresses and outfits from one another so we can also curb our spending a bit. It’s such an easy way to feel like you’re wearing something new (to you). This strategy is way cheaper than buying new or utilizing Rent the Runway or a similar service.

Host Friends > Going Out

Maybe it’s my age and less about saving money, but at 42, my friends and I are leaning heavily into simple, quality evenings together. Rather than get dressed up and go out to dinner for a recent birthday, my friend opened her home and everyone was tasked with bringing a side dish for a dinner in. We wore cozies, didn’t buy gifts, and just enjoyed everyone’s company. (Not to mention probably saved $100+ each.)

Don’t get me wrong, I love trying new restaurants and throwing on a fun dress to go out, but when it comes to literally everything in my life right now, I’m trying to simplify and refine. An easy night in, grabbing something healthy from Trader Joe’s, wearing a comfy outfit, with a good playlist in the background is my idea of a good time these days. (Pro tip: Mimic the vibe of your favorite hotel with a curated playlist. I love this one from Hotel Saint Cecilia in Austin.)

Make it happen: We compiled all the best hosting ideas and inspiration, right here.

Rethink Entertainment

Every year I say some variation on the same: This will be the year I read more. Inevitably, I end up reading no more than two books. It’s partly because I cram every waking moment with work, creative projects, and friend hangs, so when I actually have time to relax, I want to do nothing but lay down and get caught in a TV show. But I miss getting lost in a good book and the conversations reading inspires.

I was at a cocktail event the other week and two girlfriends talked about a book they both wanted to read, which I happened to have a copy of on my bookshelf. (My very FULL bookshelf of unread books begging for my attention.) It was the perfect opportunity to start the book and set a date to chat about it with my friends. I’ve never been a part of a book club, so I have no clue if I’ll even like it, but this hang costs virtually nothing. What’s more, I also get an evening away from home, time to pour into my friendships, and the chance to have my mind expanded through good conversation.

Make it happen: These are our favorite new reads of the season. Browse what’s available at the library or, spend a little at your local bookstore to support the author. Plan an evening with friends to get together and chat about the book. Trust me: while you’ll love talking about literature, the conversation will drift to every other area of your lives. It’s the perfect way to get caught up.

The Takeaway

Hop on social media, and it can seem like everyone is always either taking a lavish vacation or out to a dinner with friends. It’s easy to assume that others are having more fun or able to spend more without caring how it may impact their finances. With everyone’s lives always available to us with a quick swipe, the temptation to compare can be difficult to avoid.

But I hope these budget-saving strategies serve as a reminder that it’s fun to get creative not only with how we spend our money, but how we prioritize our time. I’m loving trying new things in the kitchen and opting for new ways to catch up with friends. Let these tips inspire you to switch things up—and maybe even make a little more progress on your reading list, too!

Source link

Lifestyle

Your 10-Piece Summer Capsule Wardrobe for 2024

Published

1 day ago

May 18, 2024

Bridget Chambers

We may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article.

Summer is (finally!) here, and I’ve spent the last couple of weeks transitioning my closet for the new season. What started as a cleanout and reorganization mission evolved into a thoughtful evaluation of everything I own—and what holes needed to be filled. With limited storage space, it became clear that every piece I purchased needed to be multi-wear, functional, and a true ten-out-of-ten. Working in fashion, it can also be tempting to overconsume, so I’ve realigned my priorities to build a summer capsule wardrobe that puts quality over quantity.

After a huge purge, the coats and boots have made their way to the back of the closet, and I’ve built a 10-piece summer capsule wardrobe full of linen, wovens, and sandals that has taken center stage. I think I’ve finally cracked the code to effortlessly chic summer dressing. The secret? Less truly is more.

The Summer Capsule Wardrobe Checklist

Find out exactly what you need for your summer capsule wardrobe below, and allow your closet to work smarter, not harder in summer 2024.

Simple Sundress
Lightweight Top
Breezy Bottom
Non-Denim Shorts & Skirt
Layering Tee & Tank
White Denim
Everyday Sunglasses
Summery Sandals
Seasonal Straw Bag
Protective Sun Hat

Simple Sundress

For all of the minimalists out there, a solid sundress can be a summer capsule wardrobe in and of itself. A sundress is a one-and-done outfit, is easy to pack on vacation, and keeps you cool while looking effortless. This summer, I’m looking for midi-to-full length sundresses that I can pair with sandals, sneakers, or heels, depending on where I’m headed. I love styling summer sundresses with a statement belt and a thin knit draped over my shoulders to add a bit of depth to the look.

Lightweight Tops

I grew up in Texas, and one of the most difficult things about summer shopping is finding tops that are breathable enough to wear in peak heat. Even though I now live in Los Angeles, I still gravitate toward sleeveless vests, breezy button-downs, and girly blouses that don’t leave me in a puddle of sweat.

Brands like DOEN, Reformation, and The Great have lots of lightweight and flowy tops that I love to style with denim, linen, and silk all summer long. My favorite top in my summer capsule wardrobe is my linen vest from DISSH, as it’s as cool as a tank top, but feels a little more styled and chic.

Breezy Bottoms

Although I still wear jeans all year round, I’ve been looking to expand my selection of pants with linen and silk pairs for summer. I’ve found that these airy alternatives are not only more comfortable and breathable but exude the laid-back energy that I’m trying to channel this year. (Plus, nothing is worse than a tight pair of jeans on a summer sunburn.) Investing in a trusty pair of white linen pants will be the best thing you can do for yourself this summer. This is the definition of working smarter, not harder—these pants will match every top in your closet.

Non-Denim Shorts & Skirts

While there is nothing wrong with denim shorts and skirts, I personally find them uncomfortable. I know that might be a hot take, but I don’t think I’ve worn my denim shorts in over a year. Instead, I gravitate toward flowy shorts and skirts that aren’t too short or too tight. I find that the more a-line shape a pair of shorts or a skirt has, the more flattering they are on the leg. This year, I’m filling this slot in my summer capsule wardrobe with longer, more tailored shorts and full-length linen skirts.

Layering Tees & Tanks

Every good summer capsule wardrobe starts with one-to-two layering bases. My requirements for layering tees and tanks are that they are long enough to tuck in, are not too tight around my arms, and are thick enough not to show my bra underneath. Once you find a good white or black tee/tank, the outfit possibilities are endless. If you’re looking for a foolproof summer outfit formula, pair one of these white tanks or tees with linen pants, a comfy sandal, a sweater draped over your shoulders, and a raffia bag. Sometimes, simpler is simply better.

White Denim

One of my favorite summer style trends is an all-white look. I’m a sucker for white jeans and a white top with a pop-of-color shoe and bag, so finding a reliable pair of white denim jeans is essential for my summer capsule wardrobe. You can’t go wrong with any cut of white denim, as this is a classic trend that will never go out of style. White denim overalls are also a great summer purchase to style over a white tee or a bikini at the beach. Bonus points for rewearing these pieces into fall and winter—we love a winter white!

Summery Sandals

Summer is the season of sandals, so say goodbye to your favorite boots and hello to biweekly pedicures! Whether you lean toward basic dad sandals or sexy strappy numbers, your choice in sandal should be neutral, comfortable, and durable. It’s easy to be woo-ed by trendy shoes, but a true summer capsule wardrobe sandal is timeless and versatile enough to pair with every item on this list. I look for sandals that are easy to slip on and off for beach days and grassy picnics, and lay flat in a suitcase for all of my summer adventures.

Seasonal Straw Bags

Perhaps my favorite part about summer rolling around is dusting off my woven raffia and straw bags to style all season long. Though this material will be forever reminiscent of my mom’s beach bag growing up, I love that designers have been using raffia in more modern, structured designs, giving the look a laid-back but still trendy feel. Plus, straw is a neutral, so it will match and add a seasonal flare to every outfit you create with this summer capsule wardrobe. From the farmer’s market to the beach and out to dinner, these bags can truly do (and hold) it all.

Protective Sun Hats

When I envision summer chicness, every look is topped off with the perfect floppy sun hat. There’s just something so opulent about a big hat and dark sunglasses that takes a basic summer outfit from simple to sexy. It’s also as functional as it is fashionable, protecting your skin during the sunny days ahead. I’m on the hunt for the perfect neutral raffia sun hat to wear at the beach with bikinis, on long walks in activewear, and everywhere in between. If a full-brim hat isn’t your style, a classic baseball hat adds a cool-girl touch to the summer capsule wardrobe while still covering your face, too.

Everyday Sunglasses

I like to think of sunglasses as the cherry on top of a summer capsule wardrobe: not entirely essential, but a small finishing touch that goes a long way. I went through a phase of purchasing multiple trendy, colorful sunglasses, but after having to pack four pairs of glasses for a three-day trip, I finally said enough is enough and found a well-fitting, neutral pair that goes with everything. Sunglasses also have a tendency to get left on the dinner table or swept into the ocean, so don’t feel like you have to spend a pretty penny on this element of your summer capsule wardrobe. A designer pair of sunglasses is always a fun splurge, but more affordable pairs earn just as many compliments minus the price tag.

Source link