The Summer Suitcase

Hi everyone,

I finally opened "the box" yesterday. You know the one— it's filled with sarongs that still smell like salt air and swimsuits from last summer's best days. Suddenly it hit me: weeks, not months, until I'm jumping into the sea while the sun sets behind Es Vedra again. The best time of year.

Places I’d like to go back: Stromboli and all of the Aeolian islands - I liked Salinas the most but regretted not hiking up the volcano! This crochet cover up is vintage (favorite pieces to collect and cherish forever). It comes up on The RealReal all the time (like here). This from Doen is amazing as well.

I'm going to Europe next weekend, excited and terrified because work-wise (?!?!) I am not ready and taking a week off is impossible right now. 2025 crept up on me and I'm sitting here with a one-way ticket to France and very little planned.

Everything I do is because I want to, someday, live by the Sea with my family. The vision is clear: Sea with a big S (not the ocean), turquoise water, in my head the house is pink or red with white window trims (so roughly between Cannes and Praiano?) and there is direct access to the water but enough grounds for a fertile vegetable garden and a large umbrella pine to have lunch in the shade. My whole circadian rhythm revolves around summer. I'm trying (slowly) to stop hibernating through the other nine months. Daily spritzes on the fire escape, cooking for friends on random Tuesdays and biking in the sun, even in February, small stolen bits of summer smuggled into regular city life.

I've been saving suits and sarongs on Carted for months now—this hopeful little mood board of who I become when it's warm.

One of my happiest days of 2024: July 4th at Paralia Vrouladia in Sifnos. I read a book on my chair uninterrupted for 8 hours straight. My favorite hat for a few years now and a bikini from the very great Sara Cristina.

Sharing my ideal suitcases to imaginary vacations ahead :) There are almost no sunglasses because I’m struggling to find a pair I love that doesn’t totally look like something I already have.

Have a nice Sunday!

Melanie

Hotel du Couvent, Nice

Lace Trim Dress • Pequi Styling Gel • Anemos Bikini Bottom • Anemos Bikini Top • Frayed Edge Sun Hat • Citrine Droplet Necklace (use MELANIE15 if you want 15% off) • Mineral Sunscreen SPF 25 • Very glittery (and 40% off) JW bag • Le Prunier Plum Oil • Pearl-Embellished Sheer Espresso Pants • Pearl-embellished Espresso Open Cardi • Palermo Sandals (take a half size down) • Perfumehead 1272 Coltrait Perfume

The taste of summer: grabbing snacks at the Marche de Forville in Cannes - I used to go several times a week with my grandfather.

Macakizi, Bodrum

Denim Platforms (I want !!!) • Rainbow bikini • Fara Homidi Bronzer • Sofie Pavitt Minis • Fav Banana Tee • Short but not too Short Shorts • Beaded Sandals • Seashell Bag (from Etsy!) • Cotton Hat • Rainbow Pareo • Foot Cream • Mirrored Dress

Santa Eulalia, Ibiza

Jersey Fluted Mini Dress • Lilla Sarong • Packable Sun Hat • Bikini Top • Bikini Bottom • Eliou Necklace • Co Sandals (40% off here) • I die for this Soft(ish) Prada Bag • Celine Sunnies (40% off!) • Chanel Glow Stick • Seashell necklace • Silk Pants • Another Etsy Beaded Bag • Embellished Apron Sarong

Hiking in Ibiza <3 it’s not all parties there!

La Fontellina, Capri

Beaded bikini • I swear these platform shoes are comfortable • Crochet Cover Up • Laundry Hamper, but make it Ibiza • Crown Affair Travel Bundle • Mirrored Pants • Beaded Sandals (another color and more sizes here)• Open-Back Crochet Top • Drop Necklace (use MELANIE15 for a little discount) • Evolve Together x Joanna Czech Cleanser (carry on friendly!) • A Pucci Dress is Forever • Ruby Dress by Aflalo.

Sunset in Sifnos