My Summer Bucket List

Maxi Dress: c/o Chicwish – I also lovee this red ruffled off the shoulder maxi (looks just like the emoji!!) // Sandals: Splendid Colleen Sandals (also come in black and white!) They also make this version which is similar and this lace-up heels version! (Which is on sale!) Both are made of the same buttery leather. I also love these espadrilles which look super comfy! (Also on sale!) // Initial necklace: Identical here in gold, rose gold, and silver! // Bracelets: c/o Monica Vinader + Busywrist // Handbag: Weldon (also comes in a smaller version!) // Hair: Curled with the t3 “Whirl” trio wand + Oribe Texture Spray // Makeup: Burberry Fresh Glow Fluid base + Fresh Glow Foundation + Fresh Glow Under eye concealer + Earthy Blush, Charlotte Tilbury Mascara, Burberry Bright Plum Lipstick

What’s your favorite thing about summer?

For me, I think it all boils down to spending as much time as possible outside. I know with the wedding, the summer is going to FLY, so I know I’m probably being a little ambitious thinking that I can accomplish everything on this bucket list, but here it goes anyway 😉

My Summer Bucket List

Go on a picnic date

I love picnics. I love picnic food, I love preparing picnic food, I especially love eating picnic food, and drinking wine while eating picnic food. Usually for “date night” we just go to one of our standby favorite local restaurants, but I think it would be really fun to mix it up and do this instead 😉

Learn to grill

I know my way around the kitchen very well. However, grilling is one cooking skill I’ve yet to master. Admittedly I blame this on my fear of lighting myself (or my house) on fire, and also because I know I will forget to turn the gas off and all that money we spent on a tank of gas will go up in smoke. (Literally). For those main reasons, Neal usually handles the grilling in our house. However, I also realize how ridiculous this is. When Neal isn’t here, I would still like to be able to make a really delicious dinner on the grill! I need to get over this.

Go to Tuesdays on the Terrace at the MOMA

Have you heard of Tuesdays on the Terrace? It’s an event at the Museum of Modern Art where they have live jazz and serve up food fresh from the farmer’s market that took place on the terrace just hours earlier. It sounds so fun and I’ve always wanted to go! Why not this summer?

Stand Up Paddle Board

I love stand up paddle boarding! I’ve never done it on Lake Michigan but have always wanted to. Sadly now that we live West I never see the lake anymore but I’d like to try and make it a more regular thing!

Plant an herb garden and keep it alive

Okay, disclaimer, I already bought the herbs, and I already put them in cute little terracotta pots. However, you know me. I have to actually keep them alive now. I’ve had them for a couple of days and have loved cooking with all the fresh herbs! It makes SUCH a difference in your food. I’ll keep you posted. I’m beginning to think the cilantro is already fading. Please send help!

Hang out on the River Walk

Have you ever been to Chicago’s riverwalk? It’s so much fun, newly revamped, and beautiful! I hardly ever make it downtown these days, but I would love to make more of an effort to get back to the Riverwalk! (Especially to City Winery, which has a terrace right on the river!)

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Now, what to WEAR to all of these activities? I think this dress fits the bill for all of the above! It’s loose and flowy so it’s not too hot, and it’s the prettiest shade of red-orange that I think is so flattering on all skin tones! I don’t usually gravitate to things that are this “boho” but the fact that it’s still so feminine made me fall in love! Aren’t the tassels on the front so cute?

I borrowed this bag from Welden bags from Blair for the day and I love the woven detail. It’s also the perfect size–roomy, but not too big to where it will weigh on your shoulders! If you’re looking for a medium sized bag, I really love it and would highly recommend it!

Also, I won’t go too much into these sandals from Splendid again, because you probably think I’m a broken record–but all I’ll say is, if you have a problem finding comfortable sandals or constantly have blisters, you need this sandals in your life!

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Jess Keys rust maxi dress [/one-half-first][one-half][/one-half]