Summer’s passed and as the Bay Area’s characteristic Indian Summer passes too, I’ve caught myself fondly scrolling through my phone camera roll at the season’s memories more than once. I didn’t expect this strength of nostalgia in me at this time, given the notoriety that this summer is sure to sustain in our lifetimes for so many sad, bad, mad reasons. But I get where it comes from- not even my increasingly cynical self can overlook that this has been a chance to slow down, take a beat, soak in the blessings, focus on the priorities and appreciate life for itself. Can you relate, or was I a lonely hamster on a wheel before COVID-19?

Our family of three formed so many traditions this summer. Nightly family walks, a sanity drive every weekend to someplace new albeit nearby, golden hour bike rides to decompress, visits to the dog park, home-cooked meals twice-a-day everyday, I could go on. Little things that may have seemed like chores at a different time now punctuate the day as highlights. It’s also been a good time for self-growth. As I promised to do in this post, I’ve been practicing gratitude, enjoying dressing up and making time for all of my favorite hobbies.

It isn’t lost on me that I’m waxing poetic about a season filled with strife for so much of the world, but the fact that I’m able to is a gift worth writing a blog post about. As fervently as I hope that the pandemic subsides and travel resumes and things go back to the way they were, I just as sincerely hope that the foundational way-of-life stuff that’s brought me off of the hamster wheel sticks around.

As a little ode to summer, I thought I’d share four favorite summer looks gifted to me by Chicwish. If these lacy pieces with the cutest of details speak to you like they did to me, make sure to avail of the retailer’s ongoing end-of-season sales!

If the smiles and the outfits are anything to go by, Fall 2020 sure has a high bar to meet. 🍁

Tank: Old (similar here) | Skirt: c/o Chicwish | Sunglasses: Thrifted (similar here) | Bag: Thrifted (love this woven beauty!) | Sandals: Thrifted (similar here)