WHIMSY

Every time I open my planner, I flip ahead to June and imagine when I’ll go on spontaneous trips to the beach—I get visions of driving there at night with the windows rolled down and my radio blasting, only to arrive just in time to watch the sun rise on the ocean. Then lying on the sand, waiting for the sun to warm everything up—and perhaps lend a deeper color to my pale Polish skin! Not to mention the summer nights…

That said, my daydreams don’t include wrinkled, last-year summer clothes and clunky luggage to weigh me down. It’s all about breezy dresses and cute bags filled with only the essentials.

That’s why when I saw the amazing jersey dresses from Donna Morgan in bright florals and bold mod prints, I immediately thought “perfect summer dress.” The jersey material breathes well and it’s super easy to rid of wrinkles—I usually just blast wrinkles for a few seconds with a hair dryer after I finish doing my hair.

One of my favorites has to be “Seabreeze” because the lime green and turquoise-y blue shades remind me of a tropical resort, and the cute tie waist helps cinch your curves in just the right spot. Keep the accessories to a minimum to let the bold colors and large pattern take center stage.

I also love the “Black/Ivory” short sleeved polka dotted dress—very mod and super chic. This one would look great with some strappy heels (I actually love the ones on the model) and a matching ivory bag or, to make things more playful, throw on a little sweater with a big fabric flower pin in a surprising color.

If large patterns aren’t your style, there’s always the “Regal” dress in a beautiful and very popular shade of deep purple. This wrap-style dress has a side tie and a rosette at the neckline for interest, but don’t be afraid to go a little crazy with the accessories—try bright yellow sandals and a few big bangles. (photos from Donna-Morgan.com)

To go with your spontaneous beach trip, it’s important to be able to pack light. Bring only the essentials. This is always tough for me because I can never decide which shoes to wear or which handbag to carry. Well Miche Bags has the handbag part covered for me.

It’s a classic tote bag with changeable outer shells, so there’s no more dumping out your entire purse to switch to another one that matches your outfit—simply detach the outer shell and put on a different one! There’s a small Miche Bag and a larger one, so shells range in price from $24.95 to $44.95, depending on the size and materials used.

I admit I was skeptical when I first saw these on TV a few years ago because they just looked too plain for my taste, but they’ve amped up their options with some stylish shells that feature pockets on the outside—a must-have for items I need quick access to. Now you won’t have to stuff your luggage with a range of different purses because the shells fold flat to take up a lot less precious space. I’m loving the larger bag because it has more of a slouchy look to it, and of course, more room! (photos from MicheBag.com)

Now, if only finding a hotel room on the fly was this easy!

-Keri