JULY Favorites
Coastal Staples & Small Luxuries I’m Loving Right Now
There's a particular rhythm to July on the coast — slower mornings, salt in the air by eight, and that golden, unhurried light that makes you want to linger a little longer over everything. This is the month I lean all the way into easy, elevated summer: linen that's softened from a few wears, sandals that carry me from the farmers market to dinner, and the small rituals that make the heat feel like a luxury rather than something to escape.
Here's everything earning a permanent place in my rotation this month.
What I'm Wearing
The throw-on-and-go dress. If there's one piece I reach for on repeat in July, it's an easy linen dress that looks pulled together with zero effort. I love one that skims rather than clings — something you can wear barefoot on the porch in the morning and then dress up with a sandal and gold hoops for dinner.
The sandal that does everything. A walkable, elevated sandal is worth every penny in summer, because it's the piece you'll actually live in. I've been wearing THESEwith everything from denim shorts to that linen dress above, and they've held up beautifully through sand, brick, and a very long farmers-market morning.
The swim-and-coverup combo I keep grabbing. A flattering 2-piece and a chic coverup are my uniform for any day that touches the water. This year it's my Frankie’s Bikini paired with this adorable Tie Cover Up Dress — the kind of combination that takes you straight from the beach to a lunch table without a second thought.
The bag I'm carrying everywhere. A great raffia or straw tote is the easiest way to make a simple summer outfit feel intentional. Mine is a splurge and will take me from season to season, is roomy enough for a towel, my kindle, and sunscreen, and definitely looks polished enough to bring to dinner.
Beauty & SPF
The facial SPF I'll never skip. Living on the coast means sun protection is non-negotiable, and I've finally found a daily facial SPF that wears beautifully under makeup with no white cast and no greasy finish. It actually has a slight tint and I am obsessed with it! It's become the first thing I reach for every morning.
My five-minute summer face. In July I pare everything back to a tinted glow. A cream blush or lip-and-cheek tint does most of the work — a little on the lips, a little on the cheeks, and I'm out the door looking like I've had eight hours of sleep and a beach walk.
The body oil for that lit-from-within glow. There's nothing like a good body oil to make sun-kissed skin look its best. I smooth this on after every shower when I know I will be exposed to the sun and the subtle sheen does more than any self-tanner. If I am showering and hanging in for the night, this is my go-to!
A fragrance that smells like summer. Warm, a little salty, a little sweet — my July scent makes me feel like I'm always coming back from somewhere coastal. There's something magical about this scent. Every time I spray Tom Ford Soleil Blanc, I'm immediately transported back to my surfboard, floating in the ocean with the sun warming my skin. It's the smell of endless summer, freedom, and some of my favorite memories.
Coastal Home & Hosting
Cocktail Napkins That Make Happy Hour Feel Special. Never underestimate what a cute cocktail napkin can do. These woven cotton beauties instantly elevate happy hour, whether it's a spicy skinny margarita on the patio, sunset cocktails with friends, or a casual evening at home. They're one of those little details that make entertaining feel thoughtful without trying too hard—and the more they're used, the better they look.
The Cutest Coastal Cocktail Stirrers. These adorable gold crab stirrers are guaranteed to be the conversation starter at your next happy hour. Equal parts playful and chic, they're the perfect finishing touch for a spicy skinny margarita (my drink of choice all summer long) or your favorite summer cocktail. Sometimes it's the smallest details that make entertaining feel extra special.
My go-to summer spritz. Because no July roundup is complete without a cocktail. My ideal summer evening? A spicy skinny margarita in hand, friends gathered on the patio, and the sun setting in the background. It's the perfect balance of refreshing, a little spicy, and effortlessly chic—basically everything I love about summer in one glass.
A Wellness Ritual I'm Keeping
The habit making the biggest difference this month is the simplest one: an early morning walk with Pierre before the heat sets in, water bottle in hand. I've been adding electrolytes to my first glass of the day, and between the movement and staying genuinely hydrated, I feel more like myself by 8 a.m. than I used to by noon. My favorites that I am drinking daily!
On My Nightstand
My current summer read is The 5 Types of Wealth, and it's the perfect porch-and-iced-coffee companion — A powerful call to action to think deeply about what lights you up. No matter where you are on your path, this will help you act on your priorities and design the life you have always dreamed of!
This Month's Amazon Find
Every month I find one small Amazon thing I can't believe I lived without, and this month it's Ultima Electrolyte Powder in Watermelon. I can’t stand drinking plain water and this has made a huge difference! I love this flavor and all the others that Ultima make while getting plenty of electrolytes in as well.
Looking Ahead: NSale Season Is Here
One last thing before you go — the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale preview goes live Monday, July 6. If you're new here, the #NSale is the one time all year that brand-new fall arrivals go on sale before the season starts, and the best pieces sell out fast. Here's the calendar to save:
Now: Preview is live July 6 — browse and build your wishlist
July 14–17: Early access for Nordstrom cardholders
July 18–August 9: Open to everyone
I'll be sharing my full wishlist and shopping all of it during early access, so I can bring you honest try-ons and tell you exactly what's worth it before your turn to shop. [LINK: my NSale wishlist / ShopMy] is the place to follow along.
Thank you, as always, for being here and for shopping through my links — it genuinely means the world. If you pick up any of these, I'd love to see. Tag me @nicole__colee so I can cheer you on.
xo, Nicole
This post contains affiliate links. If you shop through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you — only ever pieces I genuinely love and reach for.
