My Summer Essentials: Alyson of Unruly Things

While I am spending a little more time staring at my sweet new baby boy, I've asked a handful of my favorite bloggers to share with you their style must-haves for Summer. Our last contributor and fellow new mama is my friend - Alyson of Unruly Things:





hi everyone! this is Alyson from Unruly Things. I'm excited to fill in here with a few of my summer essentials while Roberta is off enjoying some blissful time with her sweet, sweet baby boy. I also just had a baby boy back in May, so my summer has revolved around being cute and comfortable, yet accommodating to baby.



racerback tanks - my summer wardrobe has pretty much been breezy tanks and cutoff denim shorts. I love the bright colors of these tanks from Madewell.



a colorful baby wrap - I'm typically drawn to solid colors and most often black. however, since my boy was born, I've been feeling like being more vibrant! I love the look of these wraps from EllaRoo.



stud earrings - since I've been doing a lot of baby wearing, necklaces have been out of the question. I like to dress up my summer outfits with sparkly studs.



a catch all bag - I recently purchased a giant vintage woven bag and I'm obsessed. I can fit just about anything I'll need for a summer outing – for me and for baby! Read More.. Read More..

My Summer Essentials: Anabela of Fieldguided

While I am spending a little more time staring at my sweet new baby boy, I've asked a handful of my favorite bloggers to share with you their style must-haves for Summer. Next up we have the ever-amazing Anabela of Fieldguided:





1. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Siren

I decided to try orange lipstick finally and while I've picked up a few pricier orange lipsticks that I love (MAC's Morange and Lipstick Queen's Chinatown Glossy Pencil in Genre), my ultimate favourite is this very inexpensive lipstick from the drugstore. It's the perfect shade of orange, and while it doesn't have the staying power of other lipsticks, it goes on really nicely.

(can be purchased at any drugstore, or here.



2. Dace Juniper top

This blouse is so perfect. Loose fit, gauzy cotton fabric, cute colour & details (I love the peach stripe down the front and buttons in back). Really easy, which is what I like best in summer when I basically wear glorified pyjamas for three months straight. I prefer it to a t-shirt because it offers a little more structure than jersey.



3. Filippa K Dina Cork Wedge in tan

These were my "fancy shoes" purchase for the summer. They're described as "tan" but they're a little closer to pink. They're lightweight and comfortable and I feel really great when I wear them.



Read More.. Read More..

My Summer Essentials: Jamie of A Desert Fete

While I am spending a little more time staring at my sweet new baby boy, I've asked a handful of my favorite bloggers to share with you their style must-haves for Summer. I am very excitied to have this next blogger and fellow new mama share her essentials - Jamie of A Desert Fete.





01: umbrella

02: tank

03: bra



Hello Campers!



Jamie, from A Desert Fete, here. As Roberta's will soon be (YAY!) my summer has been baby, baby, baby. I can't talk about this summer's essentials without acknowledging how the baby has changed what is essential! Hopefully you might like these even if your summer isn't so one minded.



First off; a fine parasol or umbrella is so handy. We love walking around the neighborhood with baby in one of his carriers. He likes to look out at the world around him, but hates the sun in his eyes (and on his precious new skin.) So mama and baby keep shaded in style!



I have been living in slouchy tank tops. Let's face it, a brand new mom generally has no need for a figure hugging top. But we still want to look cute, stay cool, and be comfy, natch.



And forget wearing a bulky ole nursing bra under one of these breezy tanks, pick up a 3 pack of American Apparel's bandeau type bras. They offer pretty comfortable support, easy access for nursing, and they can be fully visible under a way oversized tank without it really looking like a bra, you know?



Hope you all are enjoying my favorite season of the year! Read More.. Read More..

My Summer Essentials: Sophie of Sunken Treasure

While I am spending a little more time staring at my sweet new baby boy, I've asked a handful of my favorite bloggers to share with you their style must-haves for Summer. Next up, we have another talented jewelry designer and blogger - Sophie of Sunken Treasure:





This perfume of the brand "Clean" speaks for itself: a perfect breezy and light summers day perfume. Waisted shorts are crucial in your summer wardrobe/ suitcase, the bright coral works perfectly with a basic sober top. Finish this outfit with these glamorous sandals.



Sandro grey jersey top, Filippa-K sandals, Clean perfume "Summer escape", H&M Bright coral jeans short. Read More.. Read More..

My Summer Essentials: Jennifer of Odette NY

While I am spending a little more time staring at my sweet new baby boy, I've asked a handful of my favorite bloggers to share with you their style must-haves for Summer. First up, we have the very talented Jennifer - designer of Odette NY jewelry:





A large-scale necklace: Odette Amuletum Necklace

In the summer when when less clothing is worn, I tend to go bigger with jewelry. Plus, I designed this collection to work well with summer necklines.



A scarf/wrap/picnic blanket/sarong: Ermie Ave. 51 Scarf

When I met Jennifer Parry Dodge earlier this year, she was wearing this beautiful scarf from a print she designed and I knew I had to have it. It proved to be an incredibly versatile piece on my trip; worn as a scarf, a wrap on the airplane, an impromptu picnic blanket, and a sarong on the beach. Here it is, worn as a wrap during a Santorini sunset.



A summer scent: MCMC Fragrances Love Perfume

Ever since my studio mate Anne gave me a preview of her new fragrance Love, I've been so in love with it, I've worn it every day. With top notes of yuzu citrus, basil, and magnolia, I'm obsessed!



A sundress: Whit Urchin Dress

Brooklyn is hot in the summer time so my daily attire is generally as follows: sandals, large scale necklace, and a sundress.



Leather sandals: Greek Sandals

I bought these leather sandals at the Monastiraki market in Athens on a recent trip to Greece. The color is a natural untanned leather that deepens into a golden tan over time. The best part is that they are not terribly expensive. Here they are at Shell Beach on Shelter Island. Read More.. Read More..

On Beauty

Recently I started following a beauty blog (my first ever!)


I have never been a huge user of beauty products or makeup. My own regime is quite simple: face lotion with SPF, mascara and lip gloss for day. Gentle face wash and rose eye cream for night. I have done quite a bit of testing over the years to finally land on a grouping of lovely, natural beauty products that do not contain parabens or sulfates and are not tested on animals.


And that's one of the things I have been enjoying about Into The Gloss.... It's not all about "pile as much makeup on as possible", but has a more personal approach to beauty. Interviewing some real women (and yes, sometimes models) to get the scoop on their beauty regimes.


Photos via Into The Gloss Read More.. Read More..

Jet Set

Long time friend and blogger, Sylvie of Silver Lining, asked me to participate in a little feature about Summer jet-setting. Sylvie and I met in the college days while working at Kate Spade and Ruby Press in San Francisco. She's long been one of my favorite fashion-partners-in-crime!

To see more of my necessary objects for Summer traveling, head over to Silver Lining. Thanks Sylie!

xo, Roberta Jane

Read More.. Read More..

Summer Must-Haves: Caroline of Looks Good To Me

We've made it to our final Summer Must-Haves list! To round-out the feature we have the Top 5 of Caroline from the blog Looks Good To Me. LGTM is one of my top 5 favorite blogs - Caroline has amazing taste and mad watercolor skills! (Not to mention she's one of my kindred-style-spirits!)

Here are Caroline's Top 5 Summer Must-Haves:

1. APC Espadrille Wedge: I love wedges in the summer because they give you some extra height without sacrificing comfort. This pair from APC is one of my favorites of the season. The juicy orange straps are so invigorating, they'll definitely put some energy into your step. (Creatures of Comfort, $368)


2. Vintage Straw Bucket Bag: My mother had a bag that looked just like this that I used to borrow during middle school in the 90s. Since other styles from that era have been making a comeback lately, it's only natural these bags are looking stylish to me again too. Hm, I wonder if Mom still has hers lying around... (Ebay)


3. Baptiste Ivry Leather Bow Tie Necklace: This necklace is so cool, it would look good with anything. I'd play up the tuxedo references and pair with a white tee, black pants and a pair of oxfords! (Baptiste Viry)


4. Mina Stone Hand Dyed Silk Tunic: I love the inky hand-dyed detailing on this silk dress by Mina Stone, it reminds me of my watercolors! This dress would make anyone look super feminine and graceful. So light and summery too! (Steven Alan, $355)


5. Madewell Neon Lights Belt: My summer color palette is all about neutrals paired with bold shots of color. This belt would look great with everything from slouchy shorts and a white tee or even that Mina Stone dress! (Madewell, $32)


Thanks to the bloggers who participated!

(P.S. Got a favorite blogger you'd like to see style picks/interviews from in the future? Let me know!) Read More.. Read More..

Summer Must-Haves: Afton of Freckle Farm

Today we have the delightful Summer Must-Haves of Afton from the blog Freckle Farm. I have the privilage of being "real life" friends with Afton, and let me tell you - this girl has awesome style! And on side note, have you seen the newly updated Freckle Farm?!? Good stuff!

Here are Afton's Top 5 Summer Must-Haves:

1. Espadrilles: classic sandals for any look—dressed down and casual with cutoffs on a trip to the river, or paired with a cute summer dress. (JCrew, $88)


2. Button Downs: I'm with Roberta on this one. You can never go wrong with henley style lightweight tops or boyfriend button downs. My favorites are slightly oversized vintage finds that already show a bit of wear. (JCrew, $78)


3. Benetint: All the make up I need for summer is in this little bottle. I few drops on the lips and cheeks, and you're good to go. (Benefit, $28)


4. Straw Hat: As a fair skinned girl, I have learned the importance of the straw hat over the years. It's great for keeping your nose from getting too pink at the beach or bike riding on a sunny day (or on those days when you can't be bothered to do your hair.) (Free People, $48)


5. High Waisted Shorts: My favorite summer staple—feminine and flattering. This lightweight version by Rachel Antonoff is my favorite. (Rachel Antonoff, $165)


More to come! Read More.. Read More..

Summer Must-Haves: Kate of For Me, For You

Thursday brings us the Summer Must-Haves of Kate from the always inspirational blog For Me, For You. Just for fun, Kate has assembled her picks in outfit form for your viewing pleasure (she even included a cocktail!). Here's what Kate chose as her Top 5 Summer Must-Haves:


1. I recently splurged on these sandals in red with the intention of loving and living in them. Luckily the splurge was worth it - they're comfortable and make every outfit more interesting. Rachel Comey can do no wrong in my mind. (Rachel Comey, $275)

2. Linen sundress: I recently bought this sundress, which can easily be dressed up or down depending on where I'm going, and I can already tell we'll have good times together! (UO, $48)

3. Featherweight Cotton Cardigan: I'm not usually a J.crew shopper, but I love this cardigan so much I own it in two different colors. It's a great summer weight, and comes in slightly off-beat colors. I have black forest and sepia, which is great for adding a punch of color to outfits. Bonus: it's super on sale right now. (JCrew, $44.99)

4. Benefit Benetint: Benetint is perfect for those summer days that require little make up. I love a product that's double-duty - for your cheeks and lips and makes you look all glowy. (Sephora, $28)

5. My summer cocktail: hendricks, muddle cucumber and mint, lime juice, agave syrup, and soda water. Hendricks is the only gin I like - it's infused with cucumber and rose petals, and I swear it tastes like summer. (Hendricks, $26.99) Read More.. Read More..

Summer Must-Haves: Stephanie of Dores

Today's Top 5 Summer Must-Haves is brought to you by the ever-talented and fashionable Stephanie of Dores. Here's what Stephanie picked as her Top 5 Summer Must-Haves:

1. Hats - I never leave the house without a hat to protect my fair skin. The panama style is always my favorite for summer. (JCrew, $58)


2. Cut-offs - Vintage levi cut-offs and a t-shirt or tank are my summer uniform. I recommend finding them at the thrift store, but this is a good alternative. (Levi's, $195)


3. Cardigan - We have a lot of cool summer nights living so close to the lake so I always throw a lightweight cardigan in my bag. This summer I am all about the neutrals. (Acne, $299)



4. Comfortable sandals - I walk everywhere in summer so I am always looking for comfortable and basic sandals. These Rachel Comey ones are pretty much perfect! (Rachel Comey, $299)


5. White dress - Whenever I want to feel dressed up, I always go for a white dress. I like them simple, loose and comfortable. (Madewell, $148)


Hope you're enjoying the series so far! We have 3 more exciting bloggers to go! Read More.. Read More..

Summer Must-Haves: Caroline from The Space In-Between

First up in our Summer Must-Haves series is the lovely Caroline of The Space In-Between. Caroline is a fantastic illustrator living in Brooklyn, NY with a great eye for Art, Craft and Style.

Here are Caroline's Top 5 Summer Must-Haves:

1. Everyone needs a summer dress, something wispy and airy.  This surely fits the bill and those color bars! (Roxy, $49.50)


2. During the summer, I hate when I wear things that stick to my body.  Its bad enough that the humidity here in New York constantly makes ME sticky, I just don't want the clothes to stick to me.  I love the way this tank is dyed. From my favorite store in Fort Greene Brooklyn, Thistle & Clover. (Myne, $170)


3. I've really been into the cropped high waisted trouser look this summer, its a little dressier while at the same time comfy.  For me, summer is sometimes hard not to look like a schlub, this is my solution. (Ramona West, $49)


4. Most of my clothes are pretty neutral so I usually add color with accessories. (Manu, $75)


5. Color! A wee bit of a heel yet still comfortable! (Marais, $92)

More tomorrow! Read More.. Read More..

Designer Bio: Rennes

It's been a while since our last Designer Bio, so I decided it was time to bring this exciting feature back!

This time I have the extreme pleasure of bringing you a Camp Comfort exclusive (haha, that's in my journalistic voice) interview with Julia of Rennes! It's hard not to be a huge fan of Rennes, with it's beautifully simple designs and super soft leathers. So, without further adieu, here's what Julia had to say about Rennes:


Roberta Jane: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Julia: Hi! My name is Julia and I make leather goods and accessories under the label Rennes.  Since I can remember, I've always been very busy with my hands, whether that would be sewing, drawing, or playing softball.  I grew up in the country in Connecticut and Massachusetts, and moved to Boston six years ago for college.  In school I studied art history and painting, which I loved; but in my off time I was always knitting and making jewelry.   When I have time, I play the piano and bagpipes, though it doesn't happen often. 

Roberta Jane: When and Why did you start your line Rennes?
Julia: I started Rennes as a hobby in 2008, the summer after I graduated school.  At the time I was working a retail job, so I would sew on my days off or at night when I got home.  At first I tried making clothes, but that didn't take off.  On a whim I bought leather and made a few bags, and to my astonishment they started to sell!  The idea of quitting my job and doing this full time kept coming into my head until I finally gave my two weeks notice and took the plunge.  In the beginning I had no idea what I was doing.  I didn't know anything about starting a business, and within three months I had ruined three different sewing machines - there was a different crisis every week.  These days I tend to break things at a more normal rate.



Roberta Jane: What are the 3 biggest inspirations for your collections?
Julia: One thing that has inspired me is simplicity, which has roots in a few different places.  In high school most of my friends were foreign exchange students, and I was obsessed with the things they wore.  The clothes were funky and cool, like I liked, but they were understated and classy at the same time, which I had never seen.  I had never been into fashion before, but this opened up a door for me as I was trying to define myself.  Another thing that has influenced me is having lived in a Quaker community for four years.  The experience taught me a lot about necessities and how we define what is important to us everyday, and how we live simply.  When I work I try to make designs functional with high attention to detail so they last a long time.  I think it is the small details that make a quality piece.

Roberta Jane: As a blogger yourself, what are you top 5 favorite blogs to read?
Julia: Only five?   Here are a few I read, in no particular order: Scout & Catalogue,  Vain and Vapid, Commas and Clauses, Bekvam, and Evaforeva.  There's about a hundred more that follow - blogs can be very distracting when you are trying to work during the day!


Roberta Jane: Random Bonus Question: What is your favorite color of nail polish?
Julia: I really like painting my toenails white in the summer.  I think there's something kind of fun about white toes, but I'm not sure why! 

Special thanks to Julia!

(Would love to hear from you - Do you like the Designer Bios? Any small designers you are just dying to read about? - Let me know!) Read More.. Read More..

In Real Life

Blogging is funny sometimes... Yeah, we fashion/style-bloggers all talk a good talk... But at the end of the day, most of the images/products on this blog are for inspiration (read: I don't actually buy everything I blog about, because that would be crazy!)


(Illustration and Outfit by Caroline)

So, I felt very inspired by one of Caroline's recent posts on blogging about clothes you actually wear!

I think Caroline must be one of my kindred-style-spirits.... I mean: stripes, skinnies, clogs, denim jacket, pop of color... EXACTLY what I wear daily (sometimes switch out the clogs for Converse). Here's a look at one of my go-to outfits (see the similarities??):


Topshop Black Skinnies ($80), Steven Alan Striped Top ($168), Timex Watch ($35), JCrew Denim Jacket ($98), Converse Chuck Taylor ($45).

P.S. I might have mentioned this before... but Looks Good To Me is one of my absolute favorite blogs! Caroline has an amazing skill at turning lust-worthy style finds & inspiration into equally adorable illustrations. Check it out (seriously)! Read More.. Read More..

Just Discovered

Today I had the pleasure of stumbling across the blog Color Collective (created by a fellow Portlander - shout out!)... wonderful color palette inspiration - go see for yourself!


Read More.. Read More..

Recent Jewelry Finds

Check out some of my favorite recent jewelry finds over at Lucky... Read More.. Read More..

Now & Later: Striped Dress

When I saw this dess from Topshop, I instantly fell in love. This flirty little number is perfect for transitioning into Spring.... Wondering how I would wear it Now & Later? Head over to Lucky blog to check it out!

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Guest Blogging

I am guest blogging over at Lucky this week!


Check out Monday's post on my must-have shoe for Spring... Read More.. Read More..

WWW Spring Essentials

I am not always 100% on board with Who What Wear Daily's picks, but I thought they were pretty spot-on for Spring, so I thought I'd share (just incase you missed it).

I am especially loving that cat-eyes are back! These Tom Ford Nikita's are kinda great... Also love the cropped trench - v cute!

Read More.. Read More..

The Aesthete

It should come as no surprise that I am often inspired by men's style. One of my favorite style blogs is The Pursuit Aesthetic, which is almost entirely devoted to all things menswear related. One of my favorite features is "The Aesthete", featuring instant outfits complied by or inspired by fashionable men.

Recently one outfit (do boys call them outfits???) in the series caught my fancy as being something I could easily whip into my own girlie-er (why is that not a word?) version....

Theirs:

Mine: Which is almost exactly what I wore today (only trade the peacoat for an army green anorak)!

Lands End Striped Tee ($29.50), Delia's Peacoat ($59.50), Topshop Glasses ($30) and Socks ($6), Clarks Wallabees ($115), Uniqlo Ankle Skinnies ($39.50). Read More.. Read More..