Morning, friends! Hope your weekend was great! Mine was jam packed with a shoot, a wedding, and a closet makeover, so I'm definitely not complaining (sneak peeks can be found on FB and Instagram!). It's Monday, it's August, and it's cool outside - is anyone else as excited about this as I am? I'm guessing not. This summer I feel like I've got my uniform DOWN. I've been building up my wardrobe piece by piece and I wanted to share with you guys my summer essentials - items I wear daily that I can't get enough of.

1. Great tees. I know I talk about great tee shirts all the time - but I can't stress enough how much of a difference they make! Buy one a year, or hit a sale like I did and scoop up 3 or 4. Wear them with jeans, tucked in or out, a summery skirt, or as a coverup substitute.

2. Throw-on Denim. Getting ready should be all about ease, meaning, for me, whatever I can find on my floor most days. These boyfriend jean shorts have been on my person almost daily this summer. The cut is loose fitting and forgiving, while flattering. I've worn these to babysitting jobs, meetings, and date nights.

3. The comfiest bra in existence. Since I don't really have boobs, I love wearing non-bras. Breathable, lightweight, and sexy peeking through a sheer tee. I encourage you to try these; even if you've got bigger boobs, these bras are perfect for vacations or trips to the beach.

4. Versatile Sandals. A pair you can throw on while wearing workout clothes, going to work, or a wedding. Again, it's summer, we shouldn't have to think too hard about what we put on our bodies.

5. Jewels. These days it seems, the tinier the better, and that's alright with me. Take your time and choose pieces that you won't get sick of. Just like Batman getting suited up, you have your jewels ready to go. Earrings, check. Bracelet, check. Awesome necklace, check. Ready to fight crime and basic folks.

Happy Monday, lovelies!

top image my own, gif via.

Morning, friends! Welcome to our new digs! Court and I have been slowly but surely working ourselves up to a makeover for a couple months now, and it's finally coming together! Still a few things to work out, but we're on the way! Hope you like it... If you live in New York, you got smacked in the face with full on summer this weekend. As always, I was grossly unprepared. I can't tan, so I'm never as excited for summer as you guys. But if I was, say, really excited and really prepared…these are the things I would put in my closet and never. take. off. all summer long:

1. The Perfect Tee

If you haven't invested in a comfy, looks good with everything tee, I highly suggest that be put on the docket this summer. In fall and winter, we have all this time to layer our outfit, so it's okay to experiment a little more. In summer, especially in NY, the fewer articles of clothing, the better…so you gotta get it right. I've mentioned before that my favorite is this one by Alexander Wang, but you can't go wrong with J. Crew, as well as Everlane. Bonus points for stripes.

2. Cutoffs

Please don't go out and buy something like this. I mean, do, if you have the dough, but also just try something for me. Go to your closet now and find a pair of jeans that you never wear. Everyone has them, and I know you've been putting off getting rid of them. Check it out:

I brought these ripped capris to Spain in 2006 when I spent a summer abroad. That trip was not a good example of any sartorial prowess that I might possess. In any case, many Spanish people laughed at my pants (why would she cut holes in her pants on purpose…stupid American), and I tend to agree with them. I once wore these capris with Prada loafers…just…not a good look.

Here they are today:

I made these babies into cut offs years ago and I constantly get compliments. So get cuttin', friends. By the way, I took this picture in line at Starbucks yesterday, but if you follow us on Instagram @littleredswell, there's a better shot.

3. Birkenstocks

Growing up, my sister was in high school during the Birkenstock craze, when boys would wear them with white hats and tie dyed tees… and we used to make fun of them! Now, they've been all I could think about. I mentioned to someone I know that I wanted to purchase them, and the response was, "NO! They're lesbian shoes!" So naturally I bought them, and have been wearing them on repeat (peat peat peat peat). YOU CAN'T PIGEON HOLE ME, NARROW MINDED BIRKENSTOCK HATER! I got mine from ASOS for $93, (DSW has them for $89 but they were sold out in my size), and here are a few other covetable styles: one, two, three.

So, what do you guys think? What's your summer go-to outfit?

all photos are my own.

FIVER: my summer essentials

my go-to summer outfit