Pix-Elated

I know that summer has just begun for most of us, but this subject is on my mind because recently, we had a hot day and I pulled out my own surprising most valuable player -- which is 3 years old and still going strong. 

What makes it a "surprising" MVP? 

• It comes from the Loft -- who'd have thought it would still be going strong after 3 years? I literally put this thing into my cart because it was on sale and I had a credit from some t-shirts that had developed holes on their first wear. I had ZERO expectations. Loft, you proved me wrong. 
• Made of thin cotton voile -- not exactly the most durable fabric, in theory. 
• Bought on a whim for a specific purpose (trip to hot, hot China in July). Never imagined it would become a workhorse later. 

Something about this style (bat sleeves, curved hem, a bit shorter than many tops) makes it highly versatile -- I wear it tucked and untucked, with medium and high rises. It works with a tube skirt, skinny jeans, culottes, wide crops, shorts -- really, pretty much every bottom.

I can layer a cami under it for greater warmth or modesty. (It is quite sheer, but the pattern hides a nude bra enough for me.) I can also layer a sweater or jacket over it for warmth. 

The blue and white is my signature, gingham is a favourite pattern of mine, and the pattern seems a good scale for me. 

It often does not require ironing -- the wrinkles fall out when I hang it up straight out of the wash. It dries really quickly if I have to hand wash. 

It packs up into nothing. 

What's your surprising MVP, if you have one, and why? And, pray tell, how the heck can we learn to identify these items before wasting our money on other, less worthy contenders! 

Summer has arrived with a vengeance here and my planned outfit (with summer scarf) will have to wait for another time. Today, to go outdoors in a scarf would be foolish. Not only is it extremely hot and humid but it is also very windy and this little silk oblong would not stay on. 

But here are some iterations of a new dress from Everlane. I already own a heavier cotton knit shift dress that I wear in spring/ fall and on cooler summer days. This one is for crazy heat like today's. I can wear it casually at home but I can also make it "date" worthy if I need to, with different accessories. It will be good for travelling. It also works over jeans because it is cut loose through the middle. I wouldn't wear it to an office because it is a bit sheer, but for my lifestyle it is ideal -- exactly what I wanted in a casual summer dress. 

Apologies for the lighting here. I am doing my best. DD still has the DSLR for projects. 

Quick pic -- I don't have a silky bomber but I do have a new silky kimono so I wore that today to book club. 

Bonus pic of my new ring from Iceland. I did not buy myself a sweater but did treat myself to this instead. 

Sorry the light is so poor for the photos. One of these days I will get my DSLR back from DD. :)

Well, I managed to get it all into a carry-on...but the carry-on was so heavy I had to check it in. :) Oh well. It worked out. There was time to collect my bag at the airport before meeting at the car rental place for travel to final destination, and the carry on (just) fit into the tiny vehicle with the others' bags. 

Iceland was amazing. I only wish I could have stayed for longer and explored more. Since I was on retreat and then at a conference, my excursions were limited. 

I took a lot of clothing and needed every bit of it. I wore every single thing -- most things multiple times. I'll post a full list of items below and you will see many in the Finds. 

It was cold in Siglufjörður (N. 66, just slightly below the Arctic Circle) and also at Þingvellir. So, taking a cue from Smittie, I layered a raincoat over my North Face puffer (which I threw into my pack at the last minute and very glad I did!) Reykjavik was chilly rather than cold, and rainy, except for one lucky morning. 

I had only my iphone with me so photo quality is not fabulous, alas. 

Back home now with a sore throat! Hoping to heal up over the weekend. 

1. My pretty room at Siglo hotel
2. The view from the window seat.
5. The view at 11:30 pm...it never got dark. 
7. The evening we arrived was the occasion of the first gay marriage ever officiated at the local church. BIG celebration. Whole town came out and there was much dancing and quaffing of champagne. 
18. We heard the famous Karl Ove Knausgaard talk as a keynote in the conference.
19-20 -- some fashion fun. The designs were wonderful. I bought a ring (which I will show later). My friend bought a sweater. 
22-23 -- the art was amazing...the first photo is all hair from Icelandic sheep. 
24. Haldor Laxness's house (Nobel winning Icelandic author).