Summer Style Secrets: Odi Et Amo

Today's Summer Style Secrets 
are brought to you by Averill, of Odi et Amo.

 A lawyer by day, and design blogger by night, 
It seems I have a real affinity 
towards the "legal design crowd"... 
after checking out Averill's secrets, I'm sure you will as well! 
~*~

Many thanks Sue, for letting me guest blog today. I've been a big fan of The Zhush ever since I discovered it a few months ago and it's an honor to be here today to share with you 

a few of my summer style secrets.

 

While many of you living in more temperate climates welcome summer like a long-lost friend, as a native Houstonian I tend to view summer with a mixture of fear and dread. Summers in Texas are something to be endured while fervently awaiting our delightfully mild falls and winters.  And so, alas, my summer style secrets are centered more around survival than celebration.

To whit:

 

When the full blast of a Houston summer settles in, I find that many fragrances transform from ethereal and delightful to heavy and musky; they just can't stand up to the heat and humidity. And so, once the thermostat starts inching past 90 degrees, I swap out my perfumes for a few lighter, more summer-appropriate choices.  I don't have a single,signature perfume, I like to rotate scents out as the mood strikes.A few of my summer standbys are: 1. Fresh's Strawberry Flowers, 2. Kenzo's Indian Holi 3. Bobbi Brown's Beach body oil.

Once the weather really starts heating up, the very idea of long pants at the office is absolutely out of the question for me. I just can't suffer through it. Fortunately, since leaving the stuffy confines of a law firm, my life as in-house counsel is now casual enough for me to indulge my love of cropped pants and capris. Generally, I think a Laurie Petrie look is the most flattering and office-appropriate style: tailored, slim cut and ending just above the ankles. J.Crew's Minnie pant (right) and Gap's slim cropped pants (left) fit the bill quite nicely. 

I'd argue these are an essential year-round and not just in the summer, but all the more so during the hottest months of the year. My own sheets are courtesy of Williams-Sonoma Home and I love them.   Like any good quality cotton sheet, they just get softer and better with time.

When it comes to alcohol, aside from the occasional margarita, I stick almost exclusively to wine -- and red wine in particular. Unfortunately, red wine in the summer is not especially refreshing, so I tend to switch over to Sangria. While the homemade stuff is always best (leave it out in the sun as you would iced tea for great results), if you're in the mood for a quick fix, I love Target's boxed Sangria -- (or, wine cube as Tarjay coins it).  Just be sure to transfer it to a pretty pitcher before serving to avoid the inevitable judgment.

As a full-on shoe addict, summer is the perfect excuse to indulge in a few pairs of flirty, spare sandals and flip-flops. At the start of this season, I've indulged in not one but three new pairs.Lord help me as I can't seem to help myself...From left: DVF's Zahara thong sandal (now 30% off!), Cole Haan's Air Whitney (now 50% off and honestly the most comfortable sandal ever -- I wore these out in London), and Vera Wang Lavender Label's Debbie sandal (now 50% off!). 

{And, yes...I'm annoyed I bought these before they all went on sale...but I'm happy to at least be able to pass the tips on to you!}

Thanks Sue for letting me share a few of my survival tips for a stylish summer!