hilton head style

In three short weeks (!), I will have finished my last class ever at Williams College.

One week after that, I will be jumping in my car (along with the rest of the senior class, though not all in my car. That would be cramped) and heading down to Hilton Head for a week of sun, fun, and RELAXING.

It will be one of the only times in my life when I won't be a student, I won't be employed, and I really won't be doing much of anything. That's really weird to think about. I'll be taking book recommendations, if you have them.

With Hilton Head fast approaching and my pre-HH diet (or, "operation leafy greens" as my suitemate Steve is hilariously calling it) well underway (I've already lost almost ten pounds! Woo hoo!), I thought it was time to start thinking about what I'm going to wear!

I definitely want to have an effortless selection of clothes: beachy things that I can throw on during the day and cute, but simple, sundresses that I can put on at night to go out. Here are some of the things, which I already own or are planning to buy (or just really, really want!) that I'm packing:

1. My trusty Tommy Bahama coral bathing suit, which I scored for 50% off when it really wasn't on sale at all. I love the bright color (works great for blondes and brunettes), and how the top is kinda retro.


2. My adorable new Express ruffled halter dress, which only just recently came back in stock in my size (thank the lord) and which is going to be perfect for either having lunch/shopping during the day, or can be dressed up to go out at night. It's one of the cheaper dresses they have in stock this season, and, imho, one of the cutest/most versatile. [Update: It's out of stock! So sorry if I sent you lusting after it! They do have them in solids though...] They didn't have the belt in stock, which was a bummer, but they did have:


3. Express quilted wristlet, in coral. It's going to be way too hot--and sandy--to carry around a nice bag, so this wristlet will hold my id, credit card, phone, and Burt's Bees, but I don't have to worry about ruining it. Plus, it will match almost everything else I'm bringing.


4. J. Crew Factory sequined strip boatneck top, in rose. I haven't splurged for this yet (considering that, you know, I just took out a loan to buy a new computer, but more on that later), but I really, really, really want to. Mara rocked it a few posts back, and it looked terrific on her. It's so perfect for a beachy vacation because it's nautical but in a bright color, and it's glam enough to wear out at night with white or black shorts.

5. Last season, Gap had these super cute hemmed linen shorts. I can't find any pictures of them now, and am way too pale to try to take some for you, but I'll be bringing those in raspberry, dark gray, gold, and white. They're chic and effortless and perfect for walking around town or for wearing over a bathing suit (they dry really fast if they get wet!)


6. My ubiquitous H&M striped top which almost every blogger I know seems to have also bought last summer. (That was actually a pretty fun post-- I showed how four different girls in four different parts of the world wore that one darn top. Pretty cool stuff!) I am ob-sessed with stripes, as I mentioned above, and I think nautical tops are always good to have around on a beach vacation. I like to wear mine with the gold Gap shorts, or skinny jeans and red flats, and gold jewelery. (And there's L., looking really cute and indulging me in my requisite nightly summer ice cream. Hi L.!)




7. Jack Rogers Navajo sandal, platinum. Want. Want. Want. I have the Target knockoffs now, but they're ill-made and the base is starting to peel. I just can't justify paying over $90 for sandals. Sigh. Someday...(looks longingly into the distance).

Other beach essentials? My Burt's Bees pomegranate lip balm, a bright beach tote (I use a yellow one with green handles--fun!), cocoa butter and aloe for dehydrated post-sun skin, TONS of water, which should be easy since L. was so sweet and bought me a Nalgene from the university he'll be doing research at for the next two years!, and obviously great books! I need lots of book recommendations--I'm planning to have a second post where I ask you all your opinion on what I should bring! It's been ages since I could read something that wasn't for school. (But who am I kidding? I'm the person who, when she has her choice of what to read, ends up with Edith Wharton's The Age of Innocence and Tolstoy's Anna Karenina).

Finally-- halp! I'm not a big hat-wearer or sunglasses-wearer. I know that's really bad! I just feel like both always look weird on my head/face. Does anyone have any recommendations for universally flattering (or round-face/heart-face flattering) brands of either?