Williams-Sonoma Chocolate Chocolate Croissants

Between weddings and lake weekends, you'll inevitably be a house guest at some point this month. If you’re bored of arriving on doorsteps bearing the standard bottle of Pinot or unoriginal floral bouquet, instead offer your hostess a bundle of tempting pastries. The delectable treat signals a special occasion [unless you indulge in lavish spreads of French baked goods regularly] and graciously lessens the effort the entertainer must exert on your behalf.

Master pastry chef Jean-Yves Charon makes an exclusive double-chocolate croissant for Williams-Sonoma that is sure to sweeten even the sourest tooth – and guarantee your invitation to return, soon.

photo courtesy of williams-sonoma.com

Cocoa powder is added to the Belgian chocolate-infused dough to create a twofold chocolate assault commonly found in boutique patisseries. After rising overnight, the buttery confections emerge from the oven [with warm, melted centers wrapped in flaky, browned shells] before your coffee cools.

Snappy one-step prep ensures no one will be quarantined in the kitchen all morning, and the group can spend the day as intended: together.  

Pottery Barn Sun Jar

If there’s one time-honored tradition I want to engage during the last full month of the year’s fleeting summer, it’s a picnic.

There’s something about the languidness of packing up a basket and indulgently enjoying its contents while basking in the afternoon heat that epitomizes the season. Next time you’re assembling an assortment of meat, cheese and fruit, add a few Pottery Barn Sun Jars to your pack and extend the event into twilight. 

photo courtesy of potterybarn.com

These romantic glass jars capture and store energy from the sun so when the rays begin to fade, your blanket will still be illuminated by the mini LED lamps’ soft glow.

Pull on a sundress, pick up a date, and embrace this wonderfully lazy, flirtatious, quintessential way to conclude summer before the frenetic buzz of back-to-school and the holidays sets you awhirl once again.

Snag more merchandise from InStyle’s Summer Picnic Must-Haves here.

Topshop Mottled Viscose Scarf

Word on the street is Topshop is one of the retailers filling the space left by Bloomingdale’s at the Mall of America. I’m hoping the rumors are true as the 6-hour commute to Chicago is a tad time-consuming to make whenever a craving for the UK-based brand strikes.

For now I’m restricted to online window shopping, but still managing to find pieces to purchase. This lightweight summer scarf is one of them. Gauzy viscose fabric forms the casual neckline accessory, the perfect cherry atop a breezy maxi dress. The mottled pigment pattern lets you dip a toe in the tie-dye trend and the pink lemonade color is a refreshing shock of summer neon.

Highlight the hippie-chic piece by pairing with a neutral ensemble, or layer on faded brights to fully submerge yourself in the color craze.

J.Crew Fall 2012 Look Book

Alert: J.Crew published its Fall 2012 Look Book. As a committed consumer of the brand, I couldn’t resist diving into the collection – just a few weeks before the leaves begin to turn.

This stunning emerald ensemble is look No. 1 in the book and quite possibly ranks the same on my list.

Let’s dissect. Turtlenecks have never gone out of style in my mind, but they’re certainly establishing a widely-endorsed resurgence this year [for women AND men]. Here, a jewel-tone shade and cozy-chic Fair Isle weave pump up the classic & conservative silhouette of the sweater. Pairing with a coordinating [but not exactly matching] spearmint hue creates a full-bodied color blast that is sharply on-trend, and the sleek fit of this pencil skirt provides essential balance to the chunky knit top.  


With such a bold and bright visual exclamation on figure, the solid [yet subtly textured] black satchel grounds the look. A fuchsia lip or pop-color stud earrings add dimension to the otherwise-monochrome sartorial statement. Finish with footwear in a soft pink pump to complement the rosiness around the face and ensure you stay within a tried-and-true three-color palette mix.

photo courtesy style.com

 

Other favorite looks: 

No. 14, No. 18, No. 29

View the entire book and pre-order YOUR favorites here. Happy hunting.

H&M Shorts.

I normally prefer easy shorts to fussy skirts, but comfy cut-offs will only take a girl so far. Enter H&M’s brand-spanking-hot shorts [hm.com for stores], and even non-girly girls can go the distance.

A higher waist offers the flirtatious sophistication your denim blues lack while the flashy acetate and viscose material solidifies the pair as after-dark attire fit to rival any A-line, bubble, shift or wrap. Velvety red and creamy pink trim supplies interest to the embellished shorts that is edgily trendy, given the color combo’s traditionally clashing nature, and the retro vibe ensures you’ll still radiate the sweet [if not innocent] charm skirts and dresses typically convey.