mission: stay cool

It may not officially be summer (June 21st? Are you kidding me?) but here in New Orleans the heat and humidity has descended upon us and the city has assumed a collective state of sweatiness. Soon the air will become so thick you will literally feel it upon your skin like a big fat hand, patting you on the arms and back as if to say "Keep on walking, there's a cold air conditioning unit waiting for you somewhere." While air conditioning offers reprieve from the rising temperatures, many of us are faced with a harsh reality: old houses with more cracks than the sidewalks running in front of them. Despite turning the thermostat down to 65 (what I have mine set to as we speak) temperatures inside many old shotguns, like mine built in the 1880s, hover somewhere around 80 degrees. So what's a girl to do during these few months when even the slightest breeze brings a celebrated, albeit short, feeling of relief and we linger in restaurants for longer than we should, paying no mind to the air conditioning-induced goosebumps on our arms? (Don't get me started on the bars...cold beer but measly A/C. The price you pay, I suppose.) There is one solution: SUNDRESSES!

I'm not much of a shorts girl myself, since I can never find the proper length for my short little legs and I just love the look of a bright sundress with sandals or wedges. Never mind that you've just lost half your body weight to sweat, my goodness do you look put together and chic! So, I've rounded up some of my current favorites for those of you already swimming through the hot, sticky air and thinking to yourself, "We have THREE more months of this?!?!"


Jolie and Elizabeth "Adelaide" dress. This new line was started by two NOLA girls, and their first collection is full of breezy little dresses perfect for braving the New Orleans heat. Conveniently, this dress also has the same name as my dear little sister, Adelaide.

Cooperative "Drawstring" dress from Urban Outfitters. Adorable. I'm going to ignore the model's hat and scowl.

"Everywhere" dress from Anthropologie. Such an appropriate name. Perfect for day with flats or sandals, then dress it up at night with a chunky necklace and fun wedges.

"Floral Empire Tank" dress from the Gap. So simple and sweet, perfect for summer. Would transition well into fall with a jean jacket or cardigan.

"Africa" dress from ASOS. Made from unique African fabric, this dress also has a cut-out in the back for even more ventilation.

Another Jolie and Elizabeth creation, the "Upperline Shirtdress." Perfect for sipping a cold drink on the Columns porch or a day of browsing Magazine Street.

J.Crew "Knotted Starfish" dress. A few years back, my friend Olivia and I predicted starfish would be a huge hit. Try as we did to make them trendy, the little guys never caught on. Until now. Looks like we were ahead of the curve! Take that Jenna Lyons. (If any of you are wondering who J.Lyons is, since I mention her from time-to-time, she is the creative director of J.Crew and I basically worship anything and everything she does. The woman really can do no wrong.)

J.Crew "Poplin Bridget" dress. Grecian goddess perfection.

Marc by Marc Jacobs "Pearl Eyelet" dress. White cotton, little sleeves, eyelet, Marc J....a deadly and winning combo.

Modcloth "All Across the Carnation" dress. Sweet, simple and perfect as a swimsuit cover-up or a casual lunch.

Fred Flare "Pleated Patterned Ada" dress. The most delicious shade of spearmint with teeny tiny white dots that makes it ever-so-slightly and perfectly retro.

Anthropologie "Sunwashed Shirtdress." Polished but still unique thanks to the almost acid-colored sash. Love the contrast of a bright neon pastel against cool gray.

Rachel Pally "Santa Monica" dress. If you know me, you know how much I love anything striped, especially in blue and white. This inspires me to be more brave when it comes to the long dress trend!