The California Edit

In this post – Broderie anglaise, fall transitional outfits, new skin care products, binge-watching Emily in Paris, and some late summer reading recommendations.

Welcome back to another California Edit! Between some recent traveling and other commitments, I couldn’t seem to find the time or the motivation to post, so I took a few weeks off from the blog. Sometimes it’s nice to let your summer days be dictated by what you want to do rather than what you feel like you should be doing, wouldn’t you agree? The French call this flânerie, the art of wandering without purpose and simply observing life.

Along that vein, I’ve continued to let my attention wander to my summer obsession with fashion and all things French. I know this is supposed to be a California-styled space, but sometimes it’s fun to escape to another place, even if it’s only on my computer – a virtual summer vacation if you will. I hope you will tag along as I follow my fancy. On y va!

Broderie anglaise craze

You’re probably thinking, “I’m sorry…what?” I know, I had to look this term up too. Broderie anglaise (French for “English embroidery”) is everywhere right now. Defined by delicate cutwork and lace and often used on white summery fabrics, it’s the perfect antidote to hot, sticky summer days.

You may think that this fabric is also called eyelet (I did) and you’re not totally wrong. The main way that broderie anglaise differs from eyelet fabric in that broderie tends to use patterns of round or oval holes that are cut and bound with stitches, while eyelet is a more general term for any fabric with holes.

Vogue called out this trend back in the summer of 2024 and it’s still going strong. My favorite current iteration of this style is the matching skirt or shorts sets for summer.

You can find great examples of broderie anglaise at all price points. The best thing about it is that it can be worn as a transitional piece into fall. This cream broderie jacket is the perfect light layering piece over a white t-shirt and jeans – especially here in California, where our fall season can be very warm during the day and cooler at night.

Of course, with this much peek-a-boo skin happening, neutral undergarments are a must. Look for a neutral bra or bralette or even a light tank to layer underneath if you don’t want your shirt to be too see-through.

You can find broderie anglaise in other colors besides white, like this pretty neutral cut out blouse by Reiss. It looks amazing paired with creamy white pants or jeans. It would also be pretty over a blue denim jean too.

This eyelet polo by FRAME is another good option for fall. It’s still light enough for warmer days but the color says autumn. It would be easy to layer over a tank or under a light jacket in cooler weather.

Transitioning to Fall

Let’s be honest, no one really has the perfect solution for how to dress during the summer-to-fall time of year. It’s always a bit of a mess. The weather in autumn can blazing hot one day and cold the next. Your pumpkin spice latte might be hot one day and iced the next. So, I like to take what I’ve been wearing the most during the summer and add some additional layers to defend myself against nature’s mercurial temperature swings.

Neutral Fall Outfit

I tend to wear neutrals a lot year-round. This outfit takes white pants past summer and into fall with the addition of a dark brown broderie anglaise blouse and some neutral low-profile sneakers. The GAP cropped trench was a sale find earlier in the spring and it will work well as a transitional fall piece too. Suede bags are a classic autumn-to-winter staple.

Black & Blue Fall Outfit

I’m really drawn to this color combination for fall. A light blue button down paired with relaxed faded denim can easily be dressed up with the addition of a black blazer and mules. The striped suede bag adds a sporty touch, and a simple gold link bracelet adds some polish.

Sporty Fall Outfit

For those weekends in September and October when you are out and about and want to look casual but put together, try a sporty outfit featuring red and brown fall colors. Comfy chocolate brown track pants, a trendy funnel neck jacket and sporty red sneakers work beautifully together. Pop on a coordinating baseball hat and add a roomy tote and you’re all set for whatever the day brings.

Currently Using

Favorite Skin Care Products

SkinMedica

Growing up in California means that my skin has seen more than its fair share of UV rays. I recently started noticing brown spots on my face near my cheekbones, along with discoloration and uneven skin tone overall. I have been using SPF 30 or higher on my face daily for years, but unfortunately most of the damage was done when I was young.

After doing some research I decided to give SkinMedica products a try. I will say that after using their Even & Correct Advanced Brightening Treatment morning and night for about a month, I have seen marked improvement in my skin tone. My complexion is more even and the brown spots have lightened quite a bit. I’m satisfied with the results so far and I plan to keep using it. It’s a little on the expensive side, but if you have an Allē loyalty account you can earn points toward future product purchases. Plus, a little of this product goes a long way, so I think it should last for several months.

Drmtlgy

You have probably seen this product advertised all over social media. Drmtlgy’s Retinol Body Lotion is one of their top selling products. I decided to give it a try on my arms and legs where I have the most sun damage. The jury is still out on its effectiveness, but I will say that if nothing else it’s a good moisturizer. I’m hoping with consistent use and faithfully applying sunscreen everyday that some of my sun damage will be corrected. Time will tell. It’s not a particularly expensive product, so I figure there’s little harm in trying it.

Drmtlgy products are available on Amazon Prime, so it’s easy to try it for yourself. Let me know what you think!

Currently Watching

Emily in Paris

Calling all fellow “I live under a rock” friends out there looking for some mindless summer entertainment, allow me to introduce you to Emily in Paris.

I know I’m super late to the party on this show, as the 6th and final season is currently being shot for later this year. But, what a fun summer binge it has been. Like I said, lately I’ve been letting my days be dictated by choosing to do things that I want to do that are fun and watching this show has been one of them. Although I’m definitely not part of the show’s target demographic – women ages 18-34 – Emily in Paris is still a fun summer escape for all ages. Plus, the gorgeous and sometimes outrageous costume design and high fashion ensembles worn by the cast are not to be missed. Even though I know most chic French women wouldn’t dream of wearing such over-the-top outfits in real life, j’adore les modes!

This classic rom-com series on Netflix is about a young marketing professional from Chicago named Emily Cooper (Lily Collins) who finds herself suddenly transplanted in Paris. Her adventures revolve around her work at a French marketing firm, her misadventures in love and her difficulties with adjusting to French culture. It’s silly, funny, mindless and totally addictive, which makes it a perfect summer show, even for us more mature ladies. And, because it’s one of the top-watched shows on Netflix, I know I’m not alone in loving it.

As for the show’s characters themselves, I found Emily’s boss and one of the show’s main characters, Sylvie Grateau (played by Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu) to be a refreshing role for a woman over 50. Sylvie’s French sensibilities, strength and unapologetic sexiness set her apart from the roles women are typically offered to women once they reach a certain age. Although she’s a walking cliché of a stereotypical mean Parisian, I found her character to be as entertaining to watch as that of her hapless protégé Emily.

Currently Reading

Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle Burden

I just finished Strangers by Belle Burden and I’m still trying to digest it. It’s the true story of one woman’s shocking end to her marriage. How do you recover if your formerly loving spouse suddenly decides to leave your marriage and abandon their parental responsibilities for no reason? Ms. Burden shares her story of how she did survive this tragedy, during the COVID lockdown no less, and how she is recovering from her husband’s abandonment of their family. The story is so well-written that I couldn’t put it down. It makes you wonder about what the true meaning of intimacy is. I highly recommend this read.

Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson

Pineapple Street tells the story of three wealthy Brooklyn women and their relationship to both one another and to the trappings of wealth. It examines three different types of relationships the women can have with money – one woman is born with money, one marries into it, and another wants to give it all away. It’s also a powerful story about the difficult relationships that can exist between women in the same family. It’s touching and funny and hard to put down.

Up Next: The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson

My next read is The Shampoo Effect, also by Jenny Jackson. Since I enjoyed Pineapple Street I expect that I will like this book too!

I hope you have a great week!

That’s all for this California Edit! Be sure to subscribe below to receive future posts by email. See you soon or as they say in Paris…

À bientôt!