Elevate Your Summer Style with Light Neutrals
While summer is a perfect time to have fun with prints and colors, there’s just something so elegant and calming about a light neutral look. Here’s a Coastal Chic outfit idea, with a tipped cotton-blend bouclé tank and cardigan (for when the evening fog rolls in…).
EYE SHADOW | SHOES | BAG
(Or click on image to see all items.)
Summer-ready styles on sale
The July 4th sale notices have been hitting my inbox, and I’ve been keeping eyes open for good summer basics that aren’t already too picked over for sizes.
Vacation-ready cotton-linen stripe shirt – $83
I’ve been really impressed with the quality of Alex Mill shirts, (finished seams, nice fabrics) and they’ve just put a bunch of their shirts and tops on sale!
Open-weave ballet flats – $142.50 (extra 30% off with code SUMMERTIME)
I forgot to include these in my Summer Shoes roundup, but they are darling, and have some nice cushioning in the insole. Don’t forget to apply that code for an additional 30% off!
Stripe tipped cotton cardigan – $167 (extra 15% off with code EXTRA15)
Tennis, anyone? I love the “varsity” stripe detail on this cotton cardigan, currently in my cart. 🛒 (Also available in Navy with white detail.)
Breezy linen dress in navy gingham – $99
Perfect for that warm weather vacation or staycation. Wear as shown here or add a belt, or as a poolside cover-up, or wear it open as a lightweight duster.
More ballet flats! – $129 (40% off purchase)
While I often find Talbot’s summer clothing selections a bit, um…eye-searing, they do have a nice selection of summer shoes and accessories. And for a limited time, you can take 40% off your entire purchase!
Featherweight cashmere shell – $99.50
I know it seems counterintuitive, but these lightweight cashmere tanks are breathable and comfortable on all but the most sweltering days. I’m wearing a size Medium here. Lots of colors included in the markdown
The matching cardigan is also on sale!
Hearing aids update
Some of you have asked how it’s going with my new hearing aids, so here’s an update. I’ve now had my hearing aids for a month, and am still quite happy with them. I usually wear them for about 10-14 hours per day, and leave them in the charger overnight.
They’re quite comfortable and I mostly forget I’m wearing them. (I notice them most for the first few minutes after I put them in.) I went back to Costco this week for a re-check, and they made a slight adjustment at my request to reduce some high end and extraneous noise. But I can still hear voices and speech clearly.
Someone asked whether you should match the hearing aid color to your skin or hair. I’d say if you mostly wear your hair up, or if it’s short enough that your ears are always exposed, I’d go with skin color. I went with a shade close to my hair color, as the sides of my hair are just long enough to cover the aids. But really, they’re small enough that they aren’t visible, unless you’re looking from the back. And I don’t really care if anyone knows I’m wearing them. 😉
Do you wear hearing aids? What are some of your tips for choosing and wearing them? Let me know in comments!
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Hi Susan! I like the Alex Mill shirt I got also! In the striped Positano shirt: would you get a size small for yourself? It’s oversized but I’d want to make sure it fits over my hips 😉
The RMS eyeshadow looks interesting (and easy!). Have you tried it yet? And the Emmet pants look good but I’m still waiting for them to be delivered. Somehow in moving, Nordstrom still thinks I live in Santa Rosa–so I’ve had 2 items returned automatically! I’m watching Kim in Paris and it looks like it’s blazing hot!
Hi Sally, I find Alex Mill shirts run slightly large; I take size XS.
Could you remind me what brand of hearing aid you chose? I need to get some myself.
Hi Jane, mine are Jabra Enhanced Pro.
Hi Susan, My husband wears hearing aids from Costco, but his hearing is so bad that they don’t do a great job on their own. A friend told me about a little device, available at Costco, that is a mini-microphone. The person with whom you’re conversing clips it on their shirt, like a little clothespin, and it connects via bluetooth to the hearing aids. It’s all controlled by an app on his phone. This has been life-changing for us! It can also be plugged into the tv via a small wire, so the sound goes directly to his hearing aids. It costs about $200.
That’s good to know, thanks Nancy!
I had that – a Bluetooth mic – for my Oticon hearing aids. My hearing was mild to moderate but It was good for so many situations, such as to ask a speaker to wear it as a lapel mic, for a tour guide to wear it (all others on the tour were always jealous) as I didn’t have to stay very close to hear the guide, and for people in the backseat, especially grandchildren, so I could hear them over the car noise in the front seat. I love the TV connector too, ask your hearing professional about getting one so your tv streams to your hearing aids, while still available regularly to everyone else.
I now use the Roger On microphone with my Phonak hearing aids. It is even better, as it works for a longer distance and as a table mic or a lapel type mic.
Thank you so much! I will check this device out for my husband.
I saw your cameo in the Hulu documentary. What a crazy story and what a nightmare for Brian!
Hi Mary Alice, yes it really has been a nightmare for him! We both hope this documentary makes people more aware (and wary!) online.
What is the name of the documentary on Hulu? Thanks. I have been following you for years. You always have great ideas.
Hi Joyce, it’s called “Hey, Beautiful: Anatomy of a Romance Scam.” Here’s the link: https://www.hulu.com/watch/75ac8aa5-148f-4f1f-b159-08251ffdb78c
Surprised you haven’t done a Nordstrom Anniversary Sale preview this year. I’ve always appreciated seeing your picks.
Hi Jill Ann, working on one now, look for it in a couple of days! 😀
Great, I will keep an eye out!
Curious what brand and model hearing aides did you get?
Nancy mentioned the remote mic and I too find it super useful. In a restaurant I place it on the table and can actually hear the conversation. I do the same in small meetings I attend. It just makes a world of difference for me! Of course my big concern is remembering to take it off the table when I leave, but so far I have been lucky.
Thank you for all your style advice and including lifestyle too. Such interesting and helpful ideas.
Good morning, Susan,
I went to Costco for my hearing test and aids about 15 months ago. I agree with your comments – really enjoying the aids themselves and LOVE the convenience of connecting them with my phone. Great for handling group settings (restaurants and church, for example). Even notify me when my environment is too loud! Congrats & enjoy!
My hair covers my hearing aids so I always choose a bright color for fun. If they show, they look deliberate, like jewelry. I’ve had purple, red, and a pair of different colored ones l/r. Enjoy everything you were missing!