Not to sound like a broken record here, but oh boy, is the heat ever on here in Phoenix. With daily heat advisories starting at 10 a.m. it’s hard not to feel like this quote, from one of my favorite novels, To Kill a Mockingbird, come to life:
…ladies bathed before noon, after their 3 o’clock naps, and by nightfall were like soft teacakes with frosting from sweating and sweet talcum. The day was twenty-four hours long, but it seemed longer.
To ease the pain we’ve been spending a great deal of time taking dips in the pool, hitting up our local mall’s play area, playing game after game of Memory, and enjoying sip after sip of lemonade (watered down for the kids and spiked for mom and dad!).
I’ve found myself scooping up floppy hat after floppy hat lately because they are so convenient and, as I’ve mentioned before, way more stylish to don than a baseball cap when you don’t have time to shower or do your hair before rushing out the door. On this particular day I had actually taken the time to shower and dry my hair, but good word, my hair is in a real loll right now so it just looked awful. Obviously on a normal work day I would just have to go about my day secretly plotting to exact my revenge on my hair that night by shaving it all off and starting over, but since my biggest requirement of the day was a few hours of curriculum writing and then several hours of playing with the kiddos a stylish hat saved me from hours of hair loathing!
I’ve also found myself seeking out summery pieces that will help me stay cool but aren’t short on style and that can make the transition to work wear once school resumes in August. Obviously, these shorts are not something that will make the cut once I head back to work, but what I like about them is that they are fitted without being too tight; they are great shorts to wear when playing with the kids and are also a pair that can be easily dressed up for date night. The peplum, however, is something I can easily wear long into the fall on its own or under a cardigan or blazer for a more polished look. At its most basic level, the shirt is simply a tank top making it a perfect piece once the mercury starts to rise, but the button detail on the shoulder, the striped pattern, and the flirty peplum help to add some variety and interest to the look.
On their own this peplum top and these amazing shorts are great pieces to resolve the problem of staying stylish and cool during hot, summer days, but when paired with the hat they evoke a glamorous, retro vibe that plays up one’s femininity. It’s a fun look for hosting a play date for the littles or heading out for a night out on the town.
Style Notes: Target hat (spring 2013)/ Anthropologie shirt (spring 2013) / Anthropologie shorts (spring 2013) / Halogen shoes via Last Chance (fall 2012; love these) / Kate Spade bracelet (fall 2012; love this) / Michael Kors watch via Last Chance (spring 2012; similar style) / Kate Spade ring (fall 2011; love this) / Modcloth necklace (summer 2012; love this)
