Weekend Reads, No. 68

Happy Sunday! Charleston may be hot but it sure is beautiful right now. All the crepe myrtle trees are in full bloom so the city is exploding with pink and white flowers. I simply love it! Maybelle turned one on Friday and we’ve been celebrating with lots of long morning walks around the neighborhood and a few new chew toys. I’ve enjoyed some great girlfriend time this weekend with a friend dinner on Friday organized by my friends Shannon and Lanie, drinks at the new Charleston wine bar Uncork with Sarah, and I’m off to the beach this afternoon with Kristin.

Enjoy the rest of your day and keep reading for my Weekend Reads, No. 68 complete with a first timer’s guide to Florence, the women that inspire Aerin Lauder, 7 dresses I love right now, Kate Spade’s amazing move in light of recent events, what’s new & great in New York City, 40% off summertime essentials through tonight, the all-time best face masks, a local’s expert guide to Nantucket, & more!

Weekend Reads, No. 68:

1. A Neurotic Person’s Guide to Beating Travel Anxiety. (bonappetit.com)

2. Aerin Lauder spilled on all the women that inspire her in this interview… I just adore her! (thenewpotato.com)

3. A travel guide to the Trastevere neighborhood in Rome. When in the world will I make it to this gorgeous place!? Plus, Kristin shared a first timer’s guide to Florence (one of my favorite cities as it’s where I studied abroad). (colorbyk.com)

4. What’s new & great in New York City. (goop.com)

5. Congrats to Sarah! Her new site design looks amazing!! (classygirlswearpearls.com)

6. Mackenzie relaunched her Nantucket Travel Guide and it is everything and more! Read it now. (mackenziehoran.com)

7. Stacie Flinner is giving me another reason to rush to Palmetto Bluff. (stacieflinner.com)

8. Man Repeller spilled on the team’s all time favorite face masks. (manrepeller.com)

9. Alright Kate Spade!! (vogue.com)

Shopping & Sales:

1. Shades of blue: one, two, three, four, and five.

2. If someone asked me what the #1 thing I want for summer is, I’d say this.

3. J.Crew is offering 40% off sunny-day essentials with code YAYSWIM.

4. Seven dresses on my radar right now: one, two, three, four, five, six, and seven.

5. Julia’s June dress collection is stunning! Shop the collection here and here. My favorites are this stunning blue dress (prefect for a wedding), this flirty floral dress, and this navy midi dress.

6. One of my favorite looks for summer is a belt wrapped around a dress with a cinched waist. Try one of these two belts: one, two.

With Love from R&R:

1. Fourth of July inspiration! I set my new Stori Modern table for a July 4th al fresco party. Warning, it’s blue and white heaven!

2. Never show up to a party empty-handed! Peruse my summer hostess gifts asap.

3. I shared tropical summer dresses for all of y’all who have a warm weather trip planned.

4. Happy birthday to me sweet pup, Maybelle!

5. Last week’s Weekend Reads: a quiz on which Sex and the City bride you are, a guide to healthy summer hair, 40% off the cutest little white dress, tv shows to binge this summer, the next big thing in skincare, rosé recommendations, Blue Crush inspired earrings, a Netflix channel dedicated to The Royals, new arrivals from Club Monaco, & more.

6. I spend way too much time being inspired over here.

A Few of this Week’s Favorites:

Photograph by Edwin Eversole for Explore Charleston