(My trusty Shanghai Shift dress by Mata Traders and vintage Dooney and Bourke bag.)
Saturday morning, Ryan’s parents took the boys for a few hours, so we had a little time to spend together running errands. We had coffee with Dus from Cuddly Cactus and her husband, who just relocated to this area, and I was able to pass along some fair trade pieces that I’m no longer wearing. Dus asked if I was planning to photograph my outfit, which I’ve worn before tons of times, and I didn’t really think I would. But then we came home and it seemed like a good idea.
So here I am wearing my favorite Shanghai Shift Dress by Mata Traders for the first time this summer (last summer my hair was shorter and darker) and carrying my vintage Dooney and Bourke bag. I don’t usually take photos of my purses with my outfits, but I am thoroughly enjoying this little number and I’m so thrilled that I decided to buy it. The belt is from Anthropologie and is two years old, and my strappy sandals are from last year. They are flat, but extremely comfortable, and I live in them during the hot months.
(Little details.)
I didn’t purposely coordinate my purse, belt, and shoes, but it helps to have separate pieces that work with most things in my closet. I love the little leather details and I always feel very put-together in this outfit.
(The Easy T-Shirt Dress by Carte Blanche, photo via Carte Blanche’s press page.)
It’s been a few months since I profiled a company for my Style USA series, and I recently discovered Carte Blanche, a Kickstarter campaign that was funded last week. Carte Blanche’s mission is to crowd-source their designs and produce them in New York City at cost, without additional markups. That’s a wonderful plan by itself, but what really interested me were the beautiful dresses created for the first season. Monica Noh, Carte Blanche’s designer, is truly talented and her dresses are functional works of art.
The Easy T-Shirt Dress is my favorite piece of the first season’s five dresses, and I love its flapper-style skirt and gathered bodice. It looks extremely comfortable and put-together at the same time, and that’s my favorite kind of style these days.
Carte Blanche is preparing for their second season and I’m excited to see what they produce. Be sure to check out their other lovely dresses and sign up for information about their next season.
(A necklace made of silk cocoons, from Frivolity.)
This week marked our first week of summer, and it was a great one. The boys are settling into a new routine and we’re enjoying the weather before it gets too hot to play outside. I’ve been juggling schedules and finishing up the photography gig I shared with you on Wednesday. Tonight is brew night and then we have a quiet weekend planned. Here are a few things that caught my eye this week.
An interesting piece about composer Arvo Pärt.
Jack White is so talented and so weird. He’s sorry, too.
Carte Blanche received its funding and will debut a second season!
“My Week on Soylent.” (It’s not people.)
My Mom’s Motorcycle. (A really sweet, short film.)
The first moments of fatherhood, a sweet series of photos. (No moms or babies, just dads.)
Really lovely fantasy photographs.
Van Gogh’s ear, sort of.
Have a wonderful weekend!
