97 in the Shade

I realize that I am putting my southern upbringing to shame by saying this, but it is HOT here in August. For the past few weeks, it’s been almost 100 degrees every day, and I do not like it one bit, even if that makes me a hothouse flower. The heat in Memphis is pervasive and full of humidity–you can cut it with a knife, and it just sticks to you the minute you walk out your door. The heat here is dry and relentless, and that’s to be expected, I guess, from a desert. But somehow I think I’d rather have that muggy heat. We had one day like that a few weeks ago, and I felt right at (misty, sweaty) home. There is a bright side, though. August brings the worst of the heat, and it won’t last forever. And in the meantime, there are pools and beaches and sundresses.

It is technically too hot for boots and a sweater vest (unless you work in a walk-in cooler–ahhh, that sounds glorious!), but I could just barely get away with them as the sun was going down.

I wanted to wear light jewelry (of course), and these dream catcher earrings fit the bill. I love how the breeze picks them up, and I love how they weigh next to nothing.

I liked the color palette of my Leningrad necklace, a gift from my parents, with the pattern of the dress. St. Petersburg (Leningrad) is the first city I ever fell in love with, and while it’s been years since I’ve been, it’s still magic to me.

This bracelet was a gift from Eric’s parents. So sweet.

My favorite thing about this dress, besides its wonderful lightness, is the pockets!

As a funny side note, I just realized that I wore this dress in my very first style post for my blog, almost a year ago (and, appropriately enough, I titled the post “Hot Hot Heat”). In some ways, it feels like ages ago, and in some, like yesterday. I am sure I will do some more reflecting as that one year mark approaches, but for now I mostly just feel grateful for this: even though I didn’t know back then what exactly this space would be, I just let it be what it is. A place for me to seek and share the art and beauty I see around me every day, whether it’s in the kitchen, or in travels, or working on projects or putting outfits together. I’d like to think that creativity is the crimson thread that runs through all of it. Thanks so much for coming along for the ride.