Frocks for the 4th, Meadow Love, A Porch Party Trick

Happy Sunday. Here is this week’s grab bag of things to gander/ponder/pause on:

Frocks for the 4th

I’m not usually one for theme dressing on holidays, but incorporating red, white, and blue shouts high summer and it’s also a celebratory, classic combination around the world—here in the US, sure, but also in France, the UK, and beyond. Which is exactly why one of the latest drops by Banjanan caught my eye. I’ve been a fan since founder Caroline Weller launched the brand over a decade ago and most of the pattern work on these new pieces was inspired by motifs found in the mosaics of antiquity (+ this dark blue gingham number that I’ve been wearing on repeat and this design that references classic bandanas).

Caroline is endlessly curious about the world, travels widely and often, and is absolutely exacting with pattern and color and fabric. She also understands how women really live and move in the world. Case in point: Season after season, she makes one silhouette that I collect called the Bazaar dress. At this point I’m hoarding them (just like I do with Natalie Martin Fiore dresses). The Bazaar works in any climate, whether layered up for winter, or in sweltering humidity and heat. The cotton voile launders (and travels) beautifully. And Caroline gets every detail right, from the delicate drawstring belt that’s sewn into a casing at the waist, to the flattering pocket placement, to the delicate pleating on the bodice, to the tiered skirt, and the light-as-air cotton voile fabric.

In other red, white, and blue, news, I’m also loving the Americana tabletop looks by Heather Taylor (who is in my book) of Heather Taylor Home. Click on the image below to shop:

Meadow Love

One day I will own a meadow. As in, I will own a piece of property so rural that there’s room for a big expanse of rolling green to splay out in like a starfish and just stare at the sky. Preferably in the mountains. Maybe near a lake. It could happen. Until then, I try to memorize meadows when I travel. Recently, I took in many beautiful vistas (like the one below) when I stayed at The Hotel Hartness with my little boy on a trip to visit the nearby Triple Tree Aerodrome.

If you live in the vicinity and have littles obsessed with all things airplane, it’s a total playground. Acres of restored planes, flight simulators, models, you name it. I wish we lived closer so I could enroll him in their summer camps when he’s a bit older!

A Porch Party Trick

Part of the charm of living in a small space is making every single square inch count. Even on the porches. For months I was on the hunt for a wicker-ish coffee table for my seating area out front that also offered storage to tuck my gardening accoutrement (gloves, twine, clippers, etc.) out of sight when guests visit. And I wanted something weather-proof but not super fake and plastic-y looking. This. Was. Not. Easy. After much trial and error, I landed on this style from Pottery Barn. It’s the right size (34”), the right shape (round), and it’s even though it’s engineered for outdoor, it’s relatively believable. Which means no gross mildew or rot in hot, humid South Carolina. And my setup includes a few vintage end tables and antique metal, wood, and stone pieces, so adding this newer texture works and doesn’t look too showroom-y or matchy-matchy.

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