i went up to cape cod for a long weekend last month, and i tried to pack as little as humanly possible.  here is what made the final cut:

{from top center, clockwise:  billy reid men’s button down (also works as a beach coverup), j.crew pleated skirt (purchased for $20!), j.crew matchstick jeans (also $20), nike yoga capris and running shorts, 3 target cotton t-shirts, eres bathing suit, green anthropologie dress, gray isabel marant cardigan, 4 pairs of underwear, 2 sports bras, and 2 regular bras).  in the center is a pink equipment silk shirt.}

the clothes were chosen for their versatility and ability to make several outfits.  i.e. pink shirt + white skirt, black tee + white skirt, pink shirt + jeans + gray cardigan, etc.  one cotton shirt and the nike shorts/capris were used for sleeping, but could also double as activewear for outdoor activities.
i wore the superga flats on the way.  the beaded sandals were for any slightly dressier occasion, and the flip flops were restricted to the beach.

i happened upon the most perfect swimsuit during the summer sales.  i had my heart set on a one-piece, but that proved much harder to find than a bikini.

eres has been known for its swimwear (and exceptionally high prices), so i thought i would try a classic eres shape to see what all the fuss was about.  sadly for my wallet, i am hooked.  the fabric is nice and thick, sucking in anything you want to suck in.  plus the white is not see through, unlike the many white suits that i bought and returned.

i am very curious to see how this suit holds up.  if it truly last years, like people say, then the price will end up being worth it.

courtesy of equipment.  got a great deal on this from neiman marcus last call online.  i especially love that it is not see through or too skimpy, so i don’t have to wear anything under or over it during the hot nyc days.

this dress came from the unlikeliest of places (at least for me) – bcbg.  i think i was in college the last time i bought something from bcbg (which was clearly only a few years ago…:) ).

this is the cambria dress, and it is so flattering.  the print is lovely, and it is lined (so no unfortunate panty lines)

last season, when i put together a shopping list, i didn’t know what to expect.  as i said, i am never going to be a minimalist who stops shopping altogether.  looking back on the last few months, however, i found that the list helped keep me focused.  although i strayed on a few occasions, i also realized that something i thought i wanted (a printed cashmere sweater) was a passing fantasy.

emboldened by my (partial) success, i decided to make a new list for this season.  the navy pants carried over from last time, because i still have not found the perfect pair (well i have, but they are so expensive, i can’t justify them unless they go on sale).

i have found a few of these pieces already, so stay tuned…

also i love june in nyc.  fresh flowers everywhere and the weather is perfect.  these daffodils look so sweet in a blue mason jar.

you didn’t think that because of my “i want to simplify my life” tendencies, i stopped buying lingerie did you?  because that would be crazy talk.

just got this lovely seafoam green set from barneys warehouse, along with a new bottle of my favorite perfume.  the bra is wireless and very light – perfect for summer.