Tag: summer fashion

There Ain’t No Cure for the Summertime Blues…

Kimberli SimonLeave a comment
When the living is easy

It’s Memorial Day which means it’s the start to summer for this Jersey girl!  Plus, all 50 states are beginning to open back up after Covid-19 and I couldn’t be happier. It’s not that I minded staying at home these past 3 months so much as I hated being told I had to stay home.  I’m a road warrior so when safer-at-home orders went into effect the thing I missed the most was the simple freedom* to get in my car, crank up the tunes, and go.

I am about to make up for my lost travels with 5 upcoming roads trips which will take me through 17 states by August.  While Denver, Philly, Mobile and San Diego (x2) are my final destinations I am also looking forward to the pit stops along the way. Regardless of where I stop, or go, I always try to travel light: a few good books, a lot of rock and blues tunes, and a few interchangeable outfits and I am ready for anything the road offers.

Normally I’d pack for my travels with the things I already own but after three months of wearing the same comfy sweats and worn-in t-shirts I’m going help the economy get back on its feet by buying some new clothes that will take me from hiking around Red Rocks to eating a cheesesteak at Pat’s to dancing under the Avenue of the Oaks to swimming in the Pacific.

Pretty Garden Boho Maxi Dress | Aurelia Ankle Strap Pointed Toe Pump |  EV1 ‘Love’ T-shirt | A New Day Aviator Sunglasses | Halogen Tube Hoop Earrings | Cheetah Swimsuit | Sephora Lipgloss |  John Lee Hooker T-shirt |  Fresh Sugar Lemon Perfume | Scoop Vegan Biker Jacket | ChainJoy Ruffled Boho Skirt | Dr. Scholl’s Classic Sandal | Downton Abbey Pearl & Crystal Earring | Bo Diddley Scooter T-shirt | Boden Claire Espadrille| Time and True Tote | Levi’s Signature Boot Cut Jeans

How about you? Do you have any exciting travel plans? Or will you stay closer to home? Drop me a line…I’d love to know where you are headed this summer.

*I am deeply grateful for all of the men and women young and old who have given their time and their lives so I can enjoy the freedom of the road – and all of the other freedoms I have taken for granted too.  Thank you.

**Summertime Blues – Eddie Cochran

You got a new horizon, it’s ephemeral style…

Kimberli Simon2 Comments

Summer officially begins on Friday, which means it’s travel time for me! I’ve got three weekend trips planned and I hope to get away with bringing nothing more than an overnight bag for each. Mix-and-match outfits, some lip gloss, and a good book are about all I need – besides a loved one or two – to enjoy my time away…

Gatlingburg

Bling Jewelry 2CT Solitaire CZ Studs| Just Class Patterned Shark Bite Dress | Circus by Sam Edelman Carolina Sling-Back Sandals| Lifestyle Attitude Tie Front Top| Time and Tru Ocean Stripe Swimsuit| Levi’s Classic Short| Tommy Hilfiger Beauty Perfume| Clinique Two Ton Tomato Chubby Lip Color Balm| Comfort by Brinley Co. Espardrille Wedge| Bowlaway: A Novel by Elizabeth McCracken| Kendall & Kylie Red Patent Tote

First up is a weekend trip to Gatlinburg, where the plan is to tour the Old Forge Distillery and The Salt-and-Pepper Shaker Museum, walk across the new pedestrian suspension bridge (if I can a suspend – ha ha – my fear of heights) and soak up some rays by the pool…

Denver

Falari Pashima Wrap| SA106 Tortoise Butterfly Sunglasses| Love Sadie Hawaiian Print Ruffled  Romper| Palm Beach Jewelry Concave Cigar Band Gold Ring| Fleishman Is in Trouble by  Taffy Brodesser-Akner | Bling Jewelry Tortoise Shell Hoops| Elizabeth Arden Sunflowers Body Mist | Time and Tru Deep V Swimsuit| Unique Bargains Stacked Heel Tassel Ankle Strap Sandals| Love Sadie Halter Shift Sundress| C. Wonder Michaela Suede Espadrilles| Eliza May Rose White Stripe Ultimate Tote | Revlon Ultra HD Embrace Matte Lipgloss

My second adventure is taking me to Denver to spend time with two of my favorite peeps, where we’ll tune in and turn on at the Dead & Co show, followed by a day enjoying Mother Nature at Garden of the Gods. Since my flight doesn’t leave til late Monday night I am going to play solo tourist and check out some art and some books at the Denver Art Museum and the Tattered Cover Bookstore…

Charleston

Gottex Sinatra Bathing Suit| Brinley Co. Bow-Accent Slip On Flat| Gorjana Power Gemstone Turquoise Charm Gold Ring| Sofia Vergara Faux Wrap Front Maxi| Textile Lacey Flutter Skirt| Fate Rainbow Knit Sweater| Lux Turquoise & Coral Inlay Medallion Drop Earrings| Eliza May Rose Toile Basket Tote| L’Oreal Infallible 320 Red Fatale Lip Gloss| Three Women by Lisa Taddeo| Anne Cole Crochet All Day Swim Cover Up

Finally, at some point before Labor Day I’m going to make it to Charleston for a long weekend. I’d like to spend the time exploring the architecture and cemeteries through walking tours, drop in at SCAD, get some tan time in at Folly Beach, and visit the basket ladies at Charleston City Market…

How about you? Any travel plans for the summer? Do you like to visit new places when you go on holiday or do you stick with the tried-and-true spots that make you feel nostalgically happy? Drop me a line…..I’d love to know.

*Feel Good Inc – The Gorillaz

You got the silver…

Kimberli SimonLeave a comment

silver2
Time for Silver Shoes

I am beyond OBSESSED with silver shoes right now!  It all started when I impulsively purchased #3 one dreary day during lunch.  I wore the shoes almost immediately and every time I looked down to admire my new purchase I smiled with shoe happiness.  There is no bad time to sport a silver shoe, although my personal favorite is at night after a day at the beach and accessorized with the perfect slip dress, silver jewelry and a fresh pedicure!

Since my first silver shoe purchase I have acquired #5 with plans to add #4 to my collection next payday.  I am also coveting #12 and #14 but those shoes may be mine in dreams only, since I live a decidedly non-12/14 lifestyle.  How about you?  Which number – or numbers – speaks to you?  I’d love to know…

1 |  2  |  3 |  4 |  5  | 6 |  7  |  8  |  9  |  10  |  11  |  12  |  13  |  14  
*You Got The Silver – Keith Richards

One bright day…

Kimberli Simon1 Comment

brights
Fashion so bright you gotta wear shades

Last week I re-created a few Spring 2018 bold floral looks (here). Next up – the brights!  You really can’t go wrong with a bright piece of fashion regardless of season. I say this as a women who has never met a black garment she didn’t like, or buy.

Each dress would be fairly easy to make but would require minor pattern changes prior to cutting to achieve optimal effect.  The orange linen midi wrap dress needs to have the waist-to-hem length extended and extra fabric purchased to make the belt.  The blue dress requires no pattern alteration but does need extra fabric, cut on the bias, to create the neck band, tie, and horn tassels.  Like the orange warp midi, the hot pink gown also needs to have the waist-to-hem length extended and extra fabric purchased for the neck scarf.  During assembly, make sure to allow for that sexy front (or side) slit.  All you need to finish off these dresses are a pair of statement earrings, a luxe lipstick, and a pair of jeweled sandals or ankle-wrap heels to stand out in a black-clad crowd!

Badgley Mischka
hat | lipstick | fabric | earrings | sandals
Escada
lipstick | earrings | fabric | heels
Christian Siriano
lipstick | earrings | fabric | heels
*One Bright Day – Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers

 

Long cool woman in a black dress…

Kimberli Simon3 Comments

BohoGown

Last weekend I made myself a kimono dress.  Next up is a dress guaranteed to remind me of 70’s summers spent attending concerts like Pink Floyd, the Rolling Stones, and the Dead.  I had at least 3 different versions of this dress as a teen and loved each one.

The Alice & Olivia Spring 2017 runway look pictured above reminds me of those maxi dresses of my youth.  To recreate the look I plan on using lightweight solid rayon challis for the skirt, a contrasting embroidered cotton print for the bodice and straps, and some complimentary jacquard and satin ribbons for the trim.  All I need to complete the look is a pair of hoop earrings, some espadrille wedgies and a concert ticket (or two)!

*Long Cool Woman (in a black dress) – The Hollies

Summer’s here and the time is right…

Kimberli Simon4 Comments

kimonos
It doesn’t matter what you wear

Even though summer doesn’t officially begin until June 21st the season always starts on Memorial Day weekend for me.  I can finally pull out my lightweight clothing, go to the beach, and work in the garden (and on my tan) until the skeeters drive me inside.  I tend toward no-fuss easy pieces, with dresses being my ‘go to’ item to wear – or make.

With rain in the forecast this weekend I plan on recreating one of my favorite looks from the Spring 2017 runways – the kimono wrap dress.  It’s such a classic style that flatters most wearers regardless of size or shape.  Plus, kimonos are incredibly easy garments to make.  You can find patterns at Burda and Vogue, and almost any solid or print fabric from gauzes to embroidered cottons to silks will work.  After that, all you need are some sexy shoes and a minimalist piece of jewelry to be ready for dancing in the streets (or anywhere else your summer takes you).

*Dancing in the Street  – Martha and the Vandellas

Mainline Florida, oh say…

Kimberli Simon1 Comment

Vacation time is almost here!  I am counting down the hours until we board a plane to Miami for a week of sun, food, sightseeing and LOTS of music.  Schedules and obligations have forced us to postpone our Cuba trip but we already have so many Florida activities on our agenda I doubt we’ll miss Havana much at all.

Since 5 of the 7 nights will see us in a bar or a casino I’ll be packing a variety of black looks.  Not gonna lie, there’s also a bit of ‘high school reunion’ mentality going since I want to live up to my 80’s ‘Black Leather Woman’ moniker.  I’ve got the [fake] leather covered  and will cut off the neck and arms of my Miami Punk High School Reunion T-shirt to wear with…

miamiscene
[Punk] Rock and Roll High School

Spaghetti Strap Tanks  |  Miami Punk High School T-shirt  |  Calvin Klein Sequin Tunic  |  Lancome Le Metallique Lip Lacquer  |  Silver Hoop Earrings  |  Beaded Mesh Coil Bracelets  |  Pleather Leggings  |  Floral Palm Tree Leaf Bandana  |   Cat Eye Sunglasses  |  Prada Candy Rollerball  |  Dr. Scholl’s Warner Wedge  Sandals  |  ASOS Chelsea Ankle Booties

I also want to sport some color, if for no other reason than to set off the tan I’m planning on getting!  I’ll be packing these outfits for our night at the casino (more music) and our evening in Coral Gables…

ikoiko
I-ko I-ko un-day

Ericdress Shiny Fluid Sequined Clutch  |  Snowstorm in the Jungle by Iko Iko  |  SparkleBeastDesign Rhinestone Bib Necklace  |  Melissa McCarthy Seven7 Maxi dress  |  Origins Ginger Essence Rollerball  |  Urban Decay Super Shine Vice Lipstick  |  Felicity & Coco Crepe Shift Dress  |  Trina Turk Rectangle Stud Earrings  |  Kare Spade Menorca Ankle Strap Sandals

I’ll be sharing my vacation itinerary next so stop back soon. And if you have any places in Miami we should eat at, shop at, or play tourist at I’d love to know so we can check them out during our visit!

 

 

Hot stuff, can’t get enough…

Kimberli SimonLeave a comment

This weekend begins a 12-week schedule of travel (details here) and I am looking to pack as light as possible for each trip. My summer clothing leans heavily towards inexpensive pieces that I only need/want to last a season (although many items last a lot longer). Regardless of temperature, my wardrobe always consists of lots of black and blue basics mixed with pops of color.  As I rack up the miles I’ll be packing an interchangeable wardrobe that can see me from work to play and day to night. I like to think of it as Garanimals for adults.

blackpalette
The black…

Coldwater Creek Sleeveless Shell   |   Gilmour Academy T-shirt   |   81 Times Keith Richards tank top   |   Pashima Wrap   |   Fiorelli Blakely Foldover Backpack   |   Bandana   |   Vince Camuto Linen Drawstring Trousers   |  H&M Skinny Jeans   |   Classic Keds   |   Celina Floral  Ballet Flats

 

bluepalette.jpg
…and the Blue

Umgee Boho Mini Bell A-Line Dress   |   Breton Classic Striped T   |   Modcloth Ruffled Tunic   |   Becksondergaard Tasseled Backpack   |   Asos Jacquard Scarf   |   Caslon Stretch White Jeans   |   Paige Denim ‘Regina’ Maxi  Dress   |   Dr. Scholl’s Sandals   |   Celine Ballet Flats