I’ve always been a bit of a stickler with the old fashioned rule about when it’s appropriate to wear white – not until after Memorial Day, of course! Not because I believe in any associated rationale (I’m not even sure I know of any) but because I’m worried that the day I decide to wear white before that magical Monday in May will be the day I’m in a business meeting with the one person who really believes in the rule. That doesn’t mean I don’t break the rule here and there, but when I do it’s with just little touches, like the bottom of this casual yet sophisticated dress. But I will say this – having a little bit of that rule engrained in the back of your brain certainly makes you excited for the season of white and bright to arrive!

Madewell dress | Lilly Pulitzer sandals (love these shoes!) | Chloe handbag | Michael Kors watch | Hermes bracelet | Madewell bracelet  and ring| Kate Spade earrings | Tiffany & Co. sunglasses | necklace (gift from a friend)
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It’s hard to believe that Memorial Day is just a week away! The weekend is a big one for our family, as it signifies the beginning of summer at the lake. This year I feel more prepared than ever for the warm weather with the kids, thanks a little to a couple of summers under my belt and thanks a lot to the amount of time I spent researching products, reading online reviews, and doing the purchase/return routine after trying stuff on with the kids before our trip in March. Usually I find myself scrambling for warm weather basics (shorts and sundresses) and lake necessities (swim vests and sun protective gear) in June when styles and stock are limited. I’ve included below my time-tested recommendations and favorites for kids’ clothes, shoes and gear.

Summer Clothes: Boden (above for Ella and below for Taylor)
Link: Ella’s dress

Why I love it: The quality of Boden just can’t be beat. The clothes may be on the upper end of the price range for children’s clothes, but I have found that they are worth it. For both kids, the quality of the fabric and construction make the clothes last much longer than others (for Taylor that will generally mean two years’ worth). For boys I really love that even as they pass out of the teddy bear toddler stage for clothing, the Boden styles are still really sweet. Don’t get me wrong – he has plenty of Batman and Captain America shirts, but when I want him to “dress up” a bit it’s much easier to get him in a fun soccer shirt (like the ones below) than in a plain polo. For girls, I’ve found that the ease of care is far superior to other brands. I’m a wash and wear kind of girl myself, certainly my kids’ clothes need to be of that type. Late last summer I decided to try out some less expensive brands, feeling a little silly that I was spending between $25 and $35 on dresses for Ella. Our summer nanny had Ella in one of the cheaper dresses and I commented on how cute it was. Our nanny replied that she actually kind of likes ironing, so she doesn’t mind these types of dresses. What? Ironing kids’ clothes is not happening when I’m in charge of the laundry. Oh, and the dress ripped on the second wear. My tip for buying Boden is to wait until they have a 20% off sale with free shipping and returns – they happen quite often and are generally the only times I buy. Also, Nordstrom carries the brand, has regular sales, and always has frees shipping and returns.

Boden shirts: Plane | Soccer with net | Soccer and tennis | Dinosaur
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I find myself looking at caftans online on a regular basis this time of year (likely because they are usually grouped with tunics, a personal favorite), but this is the first time I’ve purchased something truly in the category. So many times caftans are just too fancy for what I need to pair with swimwear. I’m all for having a cute and stylish cover-up, but silk and linen (common fabrics for the style) are just simply out of place at the lake cabin. I liked this one for the cotton construction and seersucker-like stripe, along with the cute detailing on the hem and sleeves.

Anthropologie caftan | Lilly Pulitzer for Target tote (sold out, similar style and price point here and here and I love this one for a splurge and a more structured look)  | Tiffany & Co. sunglasses | Kate Spade necklaces | Michael Kors watch | Madewell ring and bracelet | J Crew sandals and earrings (sold out, similar here)
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