Seasonal Edit | Classic, Simple, & Wild — Emily Bode

Seasonal Edit: Summer

Summer is my absolute favorite for her warmth, sunshine, and relaxed vibes all season long. This seasonal edit is full of textures, wildness, and simplicity. Or at the very least, an intentional effort to try and keep things simple amongst the chaos. Truthfully, this summer has been more challenging than I expected.

Since the Spring we've moved to an apartment in the city, gotten new jobs, and I've felt a shift within I'm still trying to work through. I've had 5 different haircuts in under a year, a clear indication there's a lot of change going on!

Summer Edit: Classic, Simple, & Wild | Polka dot dress from Target and straw hat | Brave Girl Design + Blog

Black and white textures

The majority of outfits I wore this summer were some version of a black and white pattern, white tee, and splash of denim. Whether it was a summer dress in a classic pattern or a pair of patterned shorts, black and white was the palette. Usually, I lean towards color and lightweight fabrics for the summer but I think going between air conditioning and heat multiple times a day, instead of the beach vibes I was used to living by the lake, had something to do with it.

Shop the textures: shorts / summer dress (similar) / denim jacket / hat

Summer Edit: Classic, Simple, & Wild | Sunflower bouquet | Brave Girl Design + Blog

Wildflowers, Wild Woman

It's been the best living near the farmers market because of fresh flowers ALL. SUMMER. LONG. Sunflowers are my favorite for how they depend on the sun for their happiness. It seems emotional. When the sun went down my sunflower heads would droop on the counter and come to life again in the morning sun. I can relate which is why I like them so much. More wildness came through in the books I read this summer. I re-read The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd, always have Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes on my nightstand, and started a new one The Dance of the Dissident Daughter by Sue Monk Kidd. Having a Sue Monk Kidd moment I guess.

Summer Edit: Classic, Simple, & Wild | Farmer's Market haul | Brave Girl Design + Blog

Summer Simplicity

I kept finding myself craving the open country roads this season. Rolling down the windows to feel the heat that brings good memories from childhood. Listening to grasshoppers making music in the ditches. Watching the cornfields blow in the lazy breeze. I needed to know calm still existed amidst all the change this season. Even if it's out there somewhere far away right now. I needed to remember what my soul enjoyed. Needed to stop chasing external ideals and feeling the pressure of others’ expectations for me and my own pressure of what I should be doing at this point in my life. In the open space, amongst the wildflowers and bees buzzing, all that dialogue vanished. I found ME again & you know what she loves?

Soul music. Open spaces. Nowhere to be. Just enjoying the view.

The journey within will always be discovery and I'm guessing some chaos (has been so far). With that comes the importance of wellness – mentally, physically, spiritually. I'm always trying to keep that the priority. This season was about trying some new things and sticking with tried-and-true ingredients.

Summer Edit: Classic, Simple, & Wild | Care/Of Vitamins, monthly vitamin subscription service | Brave Girl Design + Blog

Care/Of Daily Vitamins

Care/Of is a new thing I'm trying. They're a subscription-based and customized way to take daily vitamins. It takes you through a quick and thorough quiz and gives you a detailed recommendation list of vitamins. I've selected energy-boosting and stress-free vitamins for the last two months and can really tell the difference in my overall well-being in these areas. Their customer service is also AMAZING and the boxes are cute enough to keep on your kitchen counter to remind you of your daily dose.

Use my code "TYRWB" at checkout for an entire FREE month of vitamins to try it out.

Summer Edit: Classic, Simple, & Wild | Lake Effect Apiaries Honey | Brave Girl Design + Blog

Local honey

There are a lot of benefits to honey, even if it's just a teaspoon daily in the morning to help with allergies. The most beneficial is getting honey from your local farmer's market. The bees are pollinating from the very plants giving you the sniffles so it's important to get honey close to home and from local beekeepers. Not the grocery store stuff, too much unnatural sugar.

Coconut + Mango Hand Wash

I was never a coconut fan but then my Mom gifted me this coconut face mist. It feels so summery and refreshing like I'm on a paradise island somewhere with no worries mahn (thanks Mom!). Since then, I started using this hand wash to keep the good vibes going for the bathroom.

Shop the essentials: Care/Of Vitamins / Local honey / Coconut + Mango Hand Wash

Seasonal Edit is a curated list of lifestyle essentials and well-designed products inspired by the seasons of the Midwest. See all edits here.

Seasonal Edit | Classic, Simple, & Wild