Summer is a busy but exciting time of year. Full of wonderful opportunities to make many memories and share good times with friends and family. Now that we’re in full swing and have our weekends quickly booking up with travel, parties, graduations, beach days, and barbecues - I have tallied up some of my favorite must-haves to make your summer social calendar as stylish as possible.

Tara’s June Finds

Travel Essentials: These are my non-negotiable must-have travel pieces that come with me wherever I go during the summer months, they each serve a purpose, and I have come to find that investing in these pieces gives me lots of mileage while maintaining style and comfort.

Hats - a great, packable, wide brim straw hat goes a long way when you're outdoors and trying to enjoy the sunshine while simultaneously protecting yourself from harmful UV rays. It's a versatile piece that works with almost any daytime look and flatters all face shapes.
A beautifully tailored pair of shorts - nowadays, you can find many variations of shorts that complement every body type. I suggest investing in a pair made with breathable fabrics like linen and organic cotton. I love these patchwork shorts by The Great that I wore while visiting my friends at Chic Streets in Marblehead.
A great pair of sneakers get you plenty of mileage if they're minimal and comfortable. You can pair them with almost anything from a casual daytime look with denim to a flirty, floral midi dress.

Summertime Shapewear with Neiman Marcus: When it comes to summery dresses, I always reach for my favorite lightweight yet breathable Spanx shapewear. Made to last and oh-so-comfortable, these discreet wardrobe staples have become essential year-round. Here are some of my tips for which styles to keep on hand for the warmer months:

Full coverage panties for body-hugging dresses to smooth lines from a thong or string undergarment.
Full body shapewear to smooth out all the lines, top to bottom. These work great for full-length and/or stretchy, tight-fitting dresses.
Don't size down on your shapewear. Doing so will create pockets of skin that may bulge which is exactly what you're trying to avoid.
Remember, shapewear doesn't make you leaner or thinner per se. It is designed to help smooth out and accentuate your body's natural shape, curves, and lines.

Colorful Party Dresses: I love a piece I can easily transition from day to night, especially during the summer! Fun dresses like this adorable Trina Turk number work effortlessly with a cropped jean jacket and a bright raffia slide for day and a strappy stiletto with a chic evening clutch for night! Add your own flare by changing up your shoe and bag for these pieces when you're going to be out for hours on end with multiple events to attend.

Gifts for the Hostess with the Most-ess: Neiman Marcus has a fabulous assortment of unexpected but fabulous gifts for the party thrower who enjoys the finer things. Some of my favorites are this Dolce Gabbana spaghetti and these cocktail mixer-infused iced cubes by Herb & Lou; so fun! Be sure to check out their gift department for more great ideas and options to delight the happy host. Buon appetito!

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