July Reads

July is traditionally a big reading month for me, as we have our annual cabin vacation. I wanted nothing but fun beach reads, so of course I looked to Elin and a few first time authors for me who also excel in Summer season books.

Hello Summer, by: Mary Kay Andrews

Thank you St. Martin's Press for this copy, which I rec'd well ahead of the May publishing date but wanted to save it as a Summer read. Seeing Mary's books around, I knew she was a popular "beach/pool read" and this is the first time I have read her. She did not disappoint! Conley's goal in life is to leave her sleepy beach home town to be a big time reporter. After a series of jobs in big cities, her latest opportunity falls through, forcing her to go back to Silver Bay. She tells herself it's only temporary, as she helps care for her Grandmother and starts working at the family's newspaper which her sister is trying to keep afloat. These siblings have never really gotten along, but are soon forced to collaborate on the biggest story their town has ever seen. The suspicious death of a local beloved congressman starts leaking all kinds of secrets that shake up the old fashioned community. Conley becomes further invested as she realizes her family's need for her as well as a potential love interest. Really enjoyable!

The Island, by: Elin Hilderbrand

I found several older Elin reprints at Target, so I stocked up for vacation. I loved the strong female characters in this book. The two generations starts off with sisters Birdie and India. Birdie decides to divorce her husband of 30 years and is in a budding romance. India's artist husband committed suicide years ago and she is dealing with a controversial love affair with a younger female art student she is mentoring. Birdies daughters, Chess and Tate are dealing with a lot as well. Chess recently called off her engagement, and soon after her ex dies in a freak accident. Workaholic Tate has always been jealous of her sister and harboring a crush from years ago. All 4 women decide to get away from their troubles for a month at their family home on Tuckernuck Island, off the coast of Nantucket - a place with no electricity, phones, stores, internet. I immensely enjoyed this - the setting of Tuckernuck alone was so interesting. And then identifying with the issues so many of us women are plagued with in life (as my friend said the other day..... the movies really need to set us up for what marriage is really like). This is one of my favorite Elin books.

The Castaways, by: Elin Hilderbrand

This was another Target purchase. The deaths in this story were very sad which is an aspect of Elin books I am not used to. Still a good read:
Greg and Tess MacAvoy are one of four prominent Nantucket couples who count each other as best friends. As pillars of their close-knit community, the MacAvoys, Kapenashes, Drakes, and Wheelers are important to their friends and neighbors, and especially to each other. But just before the beginning of another idyllic summer, Greg and Tess are killed when their boat capsizes during an anniversary sail. As the warm weather approaches and the island mourns their loss, nothing can prepare the MacAvoy's closest friends for what will be revealed

28 Summers, by: Elin Hilderbrand

This is Elin's newest release, which I rented from the library. Loosely based on the concept of "Same Time Next Year", Mallory and Jake maintain a romance for 28 years - only meeting once a year over Labor Day weekend on Nantucket. They do not communicate all year, knowing they have this pact to see each other. Since Jake is Mallory's brother's best friend, they do unintentionally see each other from time to time at unavoidable events like weddings and funerals. It is during those times they have see the reality of each others spouses, relationships, kids. This was a fun type of book to read, but at the beginning of each chapter (year) was a blurb about current events of that year. I don't think that piece was necessary to enjoy this book.

Big Summer, by: Jennifer Weiner
I got this copy in a swap, and Jennifer is another "new to me" author. Daphne is a successful plus size influencer. She has worked hard to put her painful adolescent years behind her. But when her fair weathered rich ex-best friend shows up, begging Daphne to be the maid of honor in her wedding, she reluctantly accepts. Enjoying the no expense spared wedding weekend, the bride turns up dead on the morning of the big day. Was it a freak accident or had she racked up a pile of enemies in her past. Daphne feels compelled to solve the crime, with the help of her true friend and new love interest. Secret after secret comes out in this page turner. I liked this book, but the cover and description do not prepare you for the crime aspect of it, so that was a bit of a surprise.

DIY : Reverse Tie Dye

 This past Spring, I was finding tiered dresses all over the place for around $15. This style, with the tiers starting further down, was from Meijer. It came in dusty blue, pink, and grey. I first bought the blue, and then eventually grabbed the pink and grey too. You would think this dress I DIY'ed is the pink one, but it is actually the grey one! Wanting to try my hand at tie dye, but also wanting my first attempt to be with supplies I already had, I decided to do the reverse method (with bleach). It's pretty much the same steps as tie dye but instead of putting color into a light garment, you are bleaching color out of a dark garment.

 This dress was not too dark a grey, but not light either. You can look online to find lots of pattern ideas and how to gather the fabric to achieve them. I was going for the bullseye circles and filled up the dress with rubber bands. The bleach acted fast and I was surprised at how a grey dress ended up peach?!?!?! It's hard to see in these pictures, but even the light areas have lots of definition/splotchyness. Now that I have done it, I wonder if I would have rinsed it faster if I would have still kept some grey. I feel like tie dye is one of those projects where you can't predict the outcome 100%. Overall, this was fun and I am pleased with how it turned out. I can see how this would be addictive and I am glad that if I do this again I can take what I learned and make it even better (tightness of rubber bands, rinsing time like I mentioned). When I wore this dress in blue, I belted it. But I like the tie dye option loose and flowy!

Fishing for Fun

 We're all dealing with most of our Summer activities/traditions being cancelled. One of ours was the weekly music fest in Chelsea (the town in my last post). It was fun to look forward to Thursday evenings after work - wandering around town listening to several live performances scattered throughout, grabbing something to eat, and taking part in kid attractions like balloon animals and face painting. I knew another local town - Manchester - did something like this on Thursdays as well and always wanted to check it out, but we'd always been loyal to Chelsea.

 This past Thursday, I saw Manchester was still putting this event on (they do it the 3rd Thursday of every month) so we checked it out. In the almost 6 years we've lived here, we have never been to Manchester. What a delight! We went on a hayride around town, checked out some shops I've long wanted to visit (one consignment shop was called The Sassy Peacock), visited their historical museum, and toured their blacksmith shop. Everything was very safe - good distance outdoors and masks indoors. Their riverfront walk was the highlight though and perfect for my fish pants! Are you "fishing for fun" things to do this Summer to make up for what you are missing?

 I must admit this was a "lazy" outfit as I pretty much just switched out the pants from my previous outfit. Same tee and sandals here, but I did add a few stretchy beaded bracelets. I LOVE jewelry and have some great statement necklaces that would have gone with my previous patchwork pants and these fish pants. But when it is so hot I tend to not wear jewelry. These pants are from the Brazilian brand Farm Rio, which I have long loved. You can always rely on them for colorful, unique, bold prints. These joggers are like wearing pajamas and I like the ever trendy paper bag waist detail!

 Farm Rio Sealife Joggers - Anthropologie

Seychelles Sandals - Anthropologie (old)

Massini Tee - Meijer (old)

Simply Vera Sunglasses - Kohl's

Chelsea

 Chelsea is a wonderful town I mention from time to time here. It's about 15 minutes East of us, and we frequent it quite a bit for things like yoga, amazing restaurants, cute shops (including where I consign my clothes), and parks. Yet another pleasant mural surprise greeted me recently so I planned to go back for pictures. This namesake art is on the side of a pharmacy, and it is so nice to see these businesses work with artists to add fun sites to enhance the town.

 These Anthropologie wide leg pleated patchwork pants were a recent purchase on the buy/sell/trade board. Keeping the rest of the outfit simple with a tee and sandals due to the heat, but these will take me well into Fall and will look super cute with the addition of a denim jacket and booties!

Moroccan Kimono

 When I saw the Scoop Spring/Summer line come out at Walmart, I loved this Moroccan print. It came in many styles - skirt, pants, top, one piece pantsuit, and this kimono. I first tried the one piece pantsuit but it didn't work for me so I returned it for the kimono that I knew would be timeless and versatile. It's a very nice silky material, and I like that it has both black and brown in it for mixing and matching (among so many other pretty colors).

 Scoop Kimono - Walmart

Sonoma black shell - Kohl's (old)

Rock & Republic High Roller Jeans - Kohl's (old)

Simply Vera Sunglasses - Kohl's

Necklace - Anthropologie (old, and continues to surprise me at how much it goes with)

Birkenstock Madrid Big Buckle Sandals - I got mine on eBay

Food Truck Fun

 This dress is the first item I have ever purchased from Madewell. I love batik prints, and this pretty floral is even hiding some peacocks! This dress is so easy breezy...... great material, empire waist, and I love the ruffle at the hem. It's been so fun lately to come across new places to take pictures. This is a permanent food truck outside one of the most popular Mexican restaurants around these parts. I went in the morning, before they opened, and it reminded me how much I love Summer mornings when the air is still a little cooler and it's quiet and the sun is just coming out.

 Lace-Up Ruffle-Hem Midi Dress : Madewell

Birkenstock Madrid Big Buckle Sandals : I got mine on eBay

Lakeside

 We just got back from our annual cabin/lake vacation, and I still couldn't stay away from the water! After spending a week in a soggy swimsuit, one thing I had to look forward to (since I didn't want to come home) was blogging again. So I dragged my friend Sarah out on a 90 degree evening to take these pictures! I knew this spot would be perfect for this dress, which looks like lake landscape oil paintings! This is the lake in which our town is named after - Grass Lake - and this evening light with the lily pads was so gorgeous. We got out there right before a storm blew through.

 I grew up with an annual cabin/lake vacation, so swimming in the lake is like therapy to me and something I appreciate every year. I love how the top is warm from the sun, and you can feel the temperature change as you go deeper. The smell and feel of the water is heavenly. Because of these memories, and the artsy aspect of this dress, I knew I had to have it.

 Maeve Seaside Mini Dress : Anthropologie

Gloriana Layered Bib Necklace : Anthropologie