The Happiest Summer Print
📍 Don Cesar Hotel, St. Pete Beach
Maxi Dress (Short Version) || Sandals || Clutch || Earrings
After a few weeks of hiatus away from this blog and social media, I’m back and feeling more inspired than ever! While I think the break honestly did me a world of good, I wanted to come back to share the inspiration I found along the way. After all, my favorite season is beginning to wind down. I want to share all of the warm weather styles I can fit in. During my time away, I also got to do just the tiniest bit of travel which I’ll share the details of sometime next week. Until then, let’s have some fun with this beautiful dress from Roller Rabbit in the happiest summer print, shall we?
There’s only been a fan full of times when a print truly took my breath away. Typically names like Lilly Pulitzer or Banjanan take that honor. That’s precisely what happened when I first laid eyes on this dress from Roller Rabbit while ‘window’ shopping on Shopbop. What’s not to love about this pattern that I’ve officially dubbed the ‘happiest summer print.’ A rainbow of colors and tropical motifs instantly invokes the feeling of sipping a frozen drink at an exclusive beach bar. It’s the kind of thing any Florida girl or Jetsetter would want in her closet.
With such beautiful pastel pinks and blues, the Don Cesar Hotel in St. Pete Beach seemed the perfect location to take this dress for a spin! Seriously, isn’t it just the perfect fit? While we only stayed for a quick breakfast, I knew I had dressed the part for an incredible beach weekend. As the saying goes, “dress for the job that you want!” After a few weeks of feeling a tad uninspired, the short visit was exactly what I needed to get the creative juices flowing.
Do you love the print but are not exactly sold on a full maxi dress? I completely understand and know how cumbersome they can be. For reference, I’m your very average 5’5″ and it was right on the line of being too long. While I wore my go-to Carrie Forbes sandals, something with a bit of height may have been the better call. Another solution is to take a quick look at the shorter version. It’s the same beautiful print, a similar price point, plus a playful ruffle detail at the collar. It’s also an opportunity to wear a cheerful pattern in a day setting like brunch with the girls or running errands.
Raffia, rattan, and straw will always be at home amongst these stunning colors. I’ve been a devote fan of this particular straw clutch from J. Crew for well over a year. Sadly, the exact version has finally sold out. Don’t worry, though. Knowing this bag’s popularity, they have already launched an updated version that is practically identical. The biggest differences are slight tweaks to help you transition into fall. Slightly darker rattan with warm chocolate leather is perfectly all right with me. Even though my current clutch still looks to be in mint condition, I may have this one make its way into my rotation too.
As my Instagram feed begins to fill up with visions of autumn leaves and pumpkin spice, I’m holding onto summer for dear life. Seeing as how it won’t even “feel” like fall until probably November, I figure I have plenty of time to wear the bright and vibrant tropical prints that make me happiest. Who’s wearing them with me?
Love from Florida,
Katie
As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.