Dropped, high and low

This Diane von Furstenberg dress is awesome.

Wouldn't this be perfect for a summer wedding with minimalist gold sandals (to offset the ruffly, girly shape), or bright turquoise slingbacks for a fun punch of color?  Or with flat sandals and a neutral clutch for a shower or more casual party? 

Later, in the fall and winter, this would be so fun for holiday parties with black opaque tights, black booties, and a studded black bag.

Bummer: it's $485!  With a color that bright and a cut so distinctive, that's a lot.  Enter: Topshop.

 

 $84.  You're welcome, wallets!

Ladies' lunch

I mentioned last Friday that I was going to a gathering at my friend's pool over the weekend.  As if just inviting us over to her pool wasn't enough (aren't swimming pools such a treat when you're a grown up, especially when you live in a city?), my friend Jeanne also made a fantastic lunch.  It was the perfect summer meal for a gathering of ladies.  And she swore it was easy!  If you're having friends over anytime in the near future, I highly recommend this menu. 

Panzanella

Jeanne uses Ina Garten's recipe for panzanella (from the Barefoot Contessa Parties! cookbook), which is an Italian salad of vegetables with chunks of browned bread, tossed with a vinaigrette.  (Jeanne recommends skipping the capers, and says to be careful not to burn the bread.)  It's a great summertime side.   

 

Fruit Salad

We had blueberries, strawberries, and bananas tossed together.  It was simple and delicious.

Chicken Salad Sandwiches on Croissants

These were made Trader Joe's chicken salad and croissants.  Even though they weren't super fancy, they tasted awesome and so much better than an everyday turkey on wheat.   

Pair, of course, with Diet Cokes and Skinnygirl margaritas.

(Panzanella image by James Merrell via Leite's Culinaria; strawberries by Smitten Kitchen, and chicken salad by The Moonlight & Star Cafe.)