Sugar & Cloth

Summer is the perfect time to justify the need for a quality, oversized bag. From beach trips, long weekends, picnics, trips to the market, to pool parties, I can think of at least 10 ways to plead my case on this topic.

Plus, Red Envelope sent me the sweetest leather Baggu tote from their Gifts For Her collection and I needed a reason to show it off. Don’t judge me, you know how it goes! It basically hasn’t left my side since I opened it up!

photos by Brooke Schwab Photography

1 Baggu leather tote from Red Envelope, $159 // 2 Zara shopper, $149 // 3 Zara suede combination shopper, $89 // 4 Kate Spade Stripe Alicia tote, $298 // 5 Kate Spade Love is in the Air tote, $198 // 6  Zara leather bowling bag, $159 // 7 Anthro Nantucket weekender, $298 // 8 Zara bowling bag with zips, $189

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I feel like summer essentials are just one of those things that change every year. I almost never wear the same bathing suit two years in a row, and my beach bag almost always looks like it’s been through a tsunami at the end of just one season, let alone trying to make it through two. Granted, this could have something to do with my getting bored easily, but it is what it is.

Am I the only one that trades everything out each year? Please say you do too so that I feel a little less shamed. Nonetheless, this my current summer wish list. Also I should add that my summer wish lists never actually fully purchased (if at all) so don’t think of me as too fancy, we’re just wishing here.

P.s.- My little summer secret is to buy multiple tops to mix and match with basic bottoms, which makes it easy to switch it up without the extra cost. Do you have any summer essential secrets of your own to share?

1 Urban Outfitters donut pool float, $18 // 2 Zara women’s leather sandals, $59 // 3 Anthro maajii bikini top, $65 // 4 Bumble & Bumble surf spray // 5 Latitude blue striped beach towel, $45 // 6 Topshop polka dot strappy cover up // 7 J. Crew anchor bikini top, $54

Frolicking in a field as never looked so pretty, has it? These photos make me want to run outside right. now. Except my neighbors might not see it as whimsical considering I’m writing this post while still in my flimsy night shirt…

I hope you all have a great weekend twirling through fields and flowers, or you can check out the rest of this photo shoot, here.

photos by Kit Lee for Park & Cube // typography by Sugar & Cloth

I don’t normally post things about sales, but this Madewell summer sale is rockin’ my socks and I had to share it with someone. These are my favorites– Oh, and did I mention everything on sale is an extra 25% off, dead serious! Twenty dollar shirts? Someone hold me back–

stripecast skirt // fuchsia cardigan // bungalow striped trousers // striped tailspin tank // striped retreat tee // panorama shorts // caravan mailbag // laugh cry repeat heart tee // pleat dress

If you stopped by yesterday, then you may have noticed my DIY popsicle stand for the staple snack of summer. It’s surprisingly easy to make, and cutting out some drip catchers will keep it looking pretty! Also, you can make the stand as big or as small as you need it to be.

• Flower foam
• Gift wrap
• Scissors
• Tape
• Cardstock
• Exacto knife

To make the stand–

1 | Wrap the foam in wrapping paper just like a gift, while leaving the sides a little long so that you can tape them on the bottom (seeing extra tape isn’t pretty).

2 | Use your popsicle molds to determine where to cut slits into the foam to hold the popsicle sticks, and then use the Exacto knife to cut through.

3 | Stick the ends into the slits to make sure they fit, and you’re ready for real popsicles!

To make the drip catchers–

1 | Use an object thats the same width as your popsicles and trace however many you need onto card stock, then cut them out.

2 | Use the Xacto knife to cut slits into the middle of the circles to make inserting the popsicles easier.

Optional: Add a little glitter to the bottoms of your drip catchers for a pop of sparkle!

The best way to serve your popsicles is to go ahead and put them in the stand, and then insert it into your freezer so that you’re armed and ready when your guests are!