Fourth of July Style

We just booked a few days on the North Shore for the Fourth of July! It's my goal to take more quick trips close to home this summer—it's tempting to hop a plane whenever we want to get away, but there are so many cool places within driving distance that I don't want to miss! I've never been to the Grand Marais area and have always wanted to see that part of Minnesota, so I can't wait! We're staying at a little place overlooking Lake Superior and plan to do some casual hiking and exploring for a couple days. If you have any must-dos for eating, drinking and adventuring, send 'em over!

Besides planning our itinerary, I've of course been planning what to wear. Punching up cutoffs with a fun red, white or blue top is the easiest, chill-est way to do the Fourth. I love this striped off-shoulder blouse because of the smocking (so hot now, btw). It's so annoying when off-shoulder tops don't stay where they're supposed to, and this one does! Wrap a silk scarf around your wrist for a little extra flair. If you want to slip into something nicer after a long day on the water (is there anything better?), I love a wide-leg linen jumpsuit or sweet ruffled dress. Whatever you wear, make tassel-star earrings the finishing touch. Oh. Em. Gee. These are the cutest!!! I love them with a washed red top for a tonal look, but they would be darling with white or blue, too. Talk about starry-eyed...

Jumpsuit | Earrings (on sale) 

Scarf (on sale) | Tie-Waist Shorts 

Tassel Top | Dress | Stripe Off-Shoulder Top

Red Eyelet Crop Top | Blue Ruffled Top

What are you doing for the Fourth?

Click through to shop more perfectly patriotic looks!
(Have you been wearing Cupcakes & Cashmere? I for sure need the white camisole.)

falling into the gap: the 8 best denim pieces this season

A sundress is summer's calling card, but with the return of fall, it's denim's day in the sun. The Gap has fallen in and out of popular favor over the years, but for wardrobe staples like jeans, it's forever IN—a knee-jerk reaction to a tough question. Unwaveringly timeless, like Norma Jean and Steve McQueen.

I've definitely explored other brands. And designer denim has its appeals, but aren't jeans inherently non-exclusive? They're cotton after all, not crocodile. Yet, still a tricky thing that requires a degree of quality and craftsmanship to which the Gap is the easy answer, falling comfortably between thrift and Thakoon.

I combed through Gap's current selection for the best denim to buy this season, from the essential jean jacket to more modern joggers. Click through below for my picks—I'm obsessed with the light-wash deconstructed jeans, loving the throwback feel of a button-front jean skirt, and of course, still not over overalls. In the end, I just want something flattering I can mindlessly slide on well into Kanye's command of the West Wing—and not be out $200. And if it's good enough for Joni and Cindy, it's good enough for me.