summer – The Sol Compass

7 Summer Beauty Must Haves

Hello everyone, welcome back! Today I’m going to be sharing my seven must have beauty products for summer! Let’s jump right into it, shall we?

Lush Silky Underwear. This dusting powder has an amazing smell and infinite uses. It’s a bit pricey but totally worth it once you start realizing everything it does! You can use it to help with thigh chafe, as an underarm deodorant, to help with boob sweat, and to get rid of stickiness after applying hand cream! It’s a pretty good replacement for Body Glide (my fellow runners) and you can sprinkle some in your bed sheets during the summer to keep them soft and dry

Miracle Heel Stick. I am always self conscious about my feet during the summer because of all the sandals I wear. This little stick restores any cracked, dry, rough heels with a mix of aloe, shea and cocoa butters!

Supergoop Sunscreen Mist. Supergoop! is my favorite sunscreen (last mentioned in my Anniversary Sale guide) and this mist is no exception. I always keep a spray on hand during the summer, since B and I tend to spend lots of time outside and it’s so quick and easy to apply. I linked to the single one above, but you can save $19 on a pack of three during the Anniversary Sale, which translates to getting one for free!

Not Your Mother’s Sea Salt Spray. This super affordable beach spray is a life saver if you want a quick and easy curly look with minimal effort. As an added bonus, it smells amazing!

Tangle Teezer. I first mentioned my Tangle Teezer in my hair care post, and it is still my go to wet hair brush. After the beach it’s great for working through wet hair without ripping or tearing.

bareMinerals Complexion Rescue. A tinted moisturizer with SPF 30 is really all you need in the summertime. As an added bonus, this one is super hydrating and lightweight, which is perfect for the hot summer months!

Too Cool For School Blotting Papers. I keep these in my bag at all times during the summer. They are great for dabbing sweat off your face while keeping your makeup intact.

What are your favorite summer products? Share them in the comment section below!

xo, C

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Mystic, CT

Hello everyone, welcome back! Last weekend B and I found ourselves in the charming seaport town of Mystic, Connecticut and had a great time eating and exploring our way through it. From Massachusetts it makes a great weekend getaway or even just a day trip!

Things To Do.

Mystic Aquarium. This is perhaps the most obvious answer, but the Mystic Aquarium really knocks it out of the park. Whether you have kids or are just a big kid at heart, I think everyone can enjoy a few hours here. They have a pair of beluga whales, a penguin colony, and a sea lion show; amongst much more. It can be a bit pricey, but if you live in New England you can try to find discounted tickets through your library or AAA office!

Mystic Seaport. The seaport is a reimagined 19th century village complete with a settlement and historic ships! It has an amazing location and you could easily spend hours here.

Olde Mistick Village. Essentially a large shopping center, Olde Mistick Village has tons of great options for food and shopping.

Mystic Museum of Art. The location of this museum cannot be beat. It’s right on the water near historic downtown Mystic. The coolest thing in my opinion is how many local artists it features. I love getting to see how natives view a place!

Charles W. Morgan. This amazing creation is the last wooden whaling ship left in the world… Need I say more?

Argia Mystic Cruises. We didn’t do one this past weekends, but from past experience I can say that the sunset sails cannot be beat. The boat is a perfect size to bring a small group and still not feel like you’re taking up the entire boat. And the views are exquisite.

Historic Downtown Mystic. The downtown area is filled with shops and great places to eat. It seems to be quite congested at times, but the waterfront boardwalk and unique drawbridge certainly make up for it.

Places To Eat.

Vault Coffee Roasters. Conveniently located next to the Mystic Aquarium, Vault has a cute little setting and a strong community vibe.

drwb @ 24. In the shadow she f the drawbridge lies this little gem of a bistro that B and I stopped in for brunch. It’s so affordable we almost went back for a second round!

Engine Room. If you’re looking for a burger or a cool spot with exposed brick walls, this is definitely your spot.

Sea Swirl. This little unassuming clam shack serves everything from jalapeño poppers and clams to ice cream and fish tacos. Grab something to go or pull up a picnic table to enjoy!

S&P Oyster Company. You definitely pay for the river view and the romantic, cafe-light induced ambiance… But boy is it worth it.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Do you have any favorite places in Mystic?

xo, C

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Boston Summer Bucket List

After seeing two of my favorite bloggers (Grace and Kendall) write activity based posts, I felt inspired to write my own! Today I’m going to be sharing my five bucket list items to check off in Boston this summer! Whether you’re a Boston native or are considering a trip this summer, check out this list to see if any of them spark your interest!

Boston Harbor Islands. I went to the Harbor Islands a few years ago, but I am dying to go back (and go to more of them!) especially now that Barbara Lynch has taken over the concessions!
Sunset Sail around Boston Harbor. After seeing the Tall Ships at Sail Boston this week, B and I decided we absolutely have to take a sail around the harbor with my best friend and her boyfriend. Due to work schedules and busy summer weekends, we will end up taking a sunset sail, but they offer daytime and even Sunday Brunch sails as well! We have already started the planning process for this one and are so excited about it!
Visit Fenway Park. This one is cheating a little bit since I’ve already gone to Fenway twice this season, but I will gladly go again anytime someone asks me. Fenway is one of those quintessential Boston experiences that everyone I know loves. Whether you go for Mookie Betts, the wave, or just the Fenway Franks; Fenway has something for everyone!
Catch an outdoor movie. There are screenings all summer long at the Lawn On D, Hatch Shell, Boston Harbor Hotel, and more! There’s a full list of outdoor movie screenings here.
Visit a rooftop pool. The Colonnade and Revere hotels both have rooftop pools, which I have promised to go to for the last four summers and failed each time. Hopefully this is the summer I finally visit one of Boston’s rooftop pools!

What are your favorite activities to do in Boston for the summer? Is there anything special on your bucket list this year? Sound off in the comments!

Have a great weekend!

xo, C

B&W

Happy Monday my loves! Today’s post is another variation on the classic black and white color scheme. I last wore black and white together on the blog here and here, so the combination is certainly nothing new.

Outfit Details – Tee: J.Crew Factory | Skirt: Halogen (old, similar here, here, here, and here) | Heels: Adam Lippes for Target (old, similar here, here, and here) | Purse: Kate Spade New York (old, similar here and here) | Necklace: Elizabeth and James | Watch: Fossil | Urban Decay Vice Lipstick ‘Weirdo’ | NARS Lipgloss ‘Turkish Delight’ | OPI California Dreaming Lacquer Collection ‘Sweet Caramel Sunday’ |

Thanks for reading. Have a wonderful week!

xo, C

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Lemon Print Shorts

Happy Hump Day my loves! Last week you may have seen me post on Instagram that I did some major damage at LOFT, including these adorable lemon print shorts. Lemon prints have been absolutely everywhere this spring, and LOFT is definitely in the game with this halter dress, one shoulder top, scarf, sleeveless top and even no show socks!

My two favorite blogger outfits featuring the lemon print trend are Hallie (featuring the aforementioned LOFT scarf) and Blair styling an Anthro dress! I love the way they both mixed stripes with lemon prints and incorporated their own personal styles into the trend!

Printed shorts are a must have for me during the summer. They are absolutely perfect for weekend trips to the zoo on hot summer days! I know these lemon ones will be on constant rotation over the next few months!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Michaela and I are heading to NYC tomorrow so make sure to follow along on Snapchat (@chummer17) and Instagram (@thesolcompass)!

xo, C

Summer Shoe Guide

Happy Hump Day, friends! Today I’m sharing some of my favorite shoe finds for the summer months. Most of these are under $50, but they are all under $75, so there is something for everyone to pick from! Whether you’re looking for a wedding guest sandal, a beach shoe, or something comfy to explore in; just keep reading to find the best affordable shoes for summer!

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One: Merona Low Block Heel Pumps – $27.99 – I actually featured these on my snapchat (@chummer17) a few months ago, because they are an amazing dupe for the Steve Madden pair that is more than double the price! The low block heel is so on trend for 2017, and with five colors to choose from these definitely will not let you down.

Two: Soludos Stripe Espadrille Loafer – $54.95 – The stripes may scream “Americana”, but I have full confidence these striped kicks will get their money’s worth all summer long. The red and blue is subtle enough that they transcend holidays into full blown summer approval.

Three: Keds Espadrille Tennis Shoes – $55 – These Keds are the stuff beachy dreams are made of. I love the cream canvas tennis shoe upper, atop the espadrille sole. I can just imagine these getting tons of wear down the Cape this summer, from bike rides to ice cream trips!

Four: Splendid Jakey Ankle Strap Sandal – $63.96 – These blush heels are absolutely to die for. They’re currently 50% off, and look a lot like my LC Lauren Conrad heels I wear nonstop (last seen here and here). I wear my similar pair with everything, so I would definitely recommend trying these out!

Five: Sperry Perforated Sneaker – $74.95 – I have these shoes in orange from two years ago and I am totally obsessed with them. This year they come in six colors that are perfectly on trend for 2017. They are cute and casual, plus super easy to slip in and out of!

Six: Who What Wear Exotic Print Slide Sandals – $27.99 – I am loving the slide trend that has been everywhere this year. The luxe print on these makes them look way more expensive than they actually are, plus they would look great with everything from a dinner dress to denim cutoffs!

Seven: Who What Wear Double Band Block Heel Slide Sandals – $32.99 – I have been trying to decide whether to pull the trigger on these for MONTHS now! They come in five different colors, which are equally stunning.

Eight: Forever 21 Tasseled Faux Leather Heels – $32.90 – I can be a bit hesitant about the tassel trend, because a lot of times it feels a little forced, juvenile, or not quite like me. These sandals, however, have completely changed my mind. I love the all nude look, and the short block heel is perfectly elegant and on trend.

Nine: Superga Cotu Sneakers – $64.95 – My mom is a die-hard Superga lover. I’m pretty sure she was wearing them before Kate Middleton and Emma Watson, so she is pretty much fashion #goals. She swears by their comfort, the cut, and the cute all white looks good with anything.

Ten: H&M Sneakers – $24.99 – Millennial Pink lovers rejoice – these shoes were pretty much made for you. I love the detailing to the pink sole, and the fact that they are under $25 really just sweetens the deal.

What are your must have shoes for the summer? Sound off in the comments below!

xo, C

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Transition

With temperatures in the 80s and 90s this coming week, summer in New England is definitely not over! Dressing for the heat can be such a challenge with stores and magazines inundating us with fall fashions from every direction. With the pieces I buy and just cannot wait to wear, I like to match them with summer appropriate pieces like a simple tank to preview the fall fashion, but not sweat to death in the humidity and heat. This fun blue striped skirt and open-toe booties make for great transition pieces, since the combination of the skirt length and the open toe keep things a bit cooler than their fall/winter counterparts.

Thanks for reading, have a great week!
xo, C

Light Up The Day

If I were to pick an outfit that absolutely described me, this would definitely be it. It exhibits the hobbies I’ve adored over my years, such as a passion for music and an active lifestyle, and the places I’ve fallen in love with that inspire my wardrobe daily. Whether it’s feminine eyelet details and chandelier inspired earrings that remind me of the attention and romance in French architecture or some laid back sneakers that exude Californian surfer culture, I find that my favorite and most memorable destinations tend to leave marks on my mind and my style, forever reminding me of their best, most unique, and eternally endearing characteristics.

No place has influenced my life and style as much as the New England coast. I fell in love with the sea and the summer season of exploration and it is constantly inspiring my style in color schemes, silhouettes, and statements alike. The beauty of Coastal Maine is rivaled by no place I’ve ever been, and I try to visit my favorite spots once each summer. One such place is York’s Nubble Light, which is a classic American icon. Cape Neddick has gorgeous views of the Atlantic and a rocky shore that makes for some fun “climbing” for the child/adventurer in everyone. I can’t think of a better way to spend a Saturday in New England then a drive up the coast of Maine listening to the Rolling Stones, and walking along the ocean with my best friends.

Thanks for stopping by!

xo, Caitlin

Newburyport

Over the weekend my friend Amanda and I were able to make a quick little day trip to Newburyport, which is a gorgeous seaside city on the North Shore. We filled our day with some great boutique shopping, and of course plenty of seafood! The beaches are pretty great, but what makes Newburyport so unique is its charming cobblestone streets and historical buildings; they are the epitome of a quintessentially New England seaport.

Usually with a bright printed skirt like this one, I tend to wear a white or navy top to tone down the colors. With this one though, I had such perfectly coordinating items that I had to make an exception! One of my favorite things ever is when I find a top from a few years ago that perfectly matches the shade of blue in the skirt I just got in the mail. It’s the little things, after all.

Summer Loves

I have been on a major blue and orange kick lately, which is evident based on my shopping habits this month! Here are some of my favorite items for the end of June- which is your favorite?!

xo, Caitlin