Crab Feasts and Clam Bakes

Over the weekend, I enjoyed my first crab feast of the season — one of the true delights of a D.C. / Maryland / Northern Virginia summers. We spread out newspaper, steamed two bushels of blue crabs we’d picked up from the Maine Street fish market, doused them in Old Bay, and dug in. Nothing could be better.

Most of the girls at the event (myself included) wore breezy sundresses to compete with the stifling June weather we’ve been having (upper 90s and what feels like 100% humidity — it’s stagnant out there). Something like the Trina Turk Lucia dress in eyelet would be right on the money ($268, Nordstrom), although a bit dangerous given how dirty you get when you’re picking through crabs.

(Nonetheless, several of the girls wore white. It’s OK to be impractical every now and then.) Perfect with orangey-red nails (the Essie color below is aptly titled “ClamBake” — $8, ) and a pair of nautical-inspired orangey-red wedges ($79.95, Steve Madden):

Love the sort of rough-spun, faded look of the wedges above, though I bought a pair of more finished looking tangerine-red wedges from Sassanova yesterday that are a tad more polished and oh-so-versatile (work, play, whatever!)

Another option for your summer seafood soiree? This crab red eyelet dress ($65, Modcloth):

How adorable with a classic canvas tote (Tommy Hilfiger, $65, Endless) and some white Jack Rogers?

Alternately, go the cheeky route and try on these fun little Moschino crab sandals ($245, Sassanova):

Given the heat, shorts would also be a stellar option. I love the deep azur blue of these upscale linen Cavalli shorts ($231, TheOutnet):

Pair with a white eyelet Cynthia Steffe top (on sale for $109, Bluefly):

I like the idea of adding some coral accents — maybe this chunky beaded bracelet (Carolee, $150, Bloomingdale’s):

Or this amazing gold toggle version by KEPDesigns ($225, KEPDesigns):

Both would look incredible with some simple gold studs, like these adorable sand dollar studs ($200, also by KEPDesigns):

If you’re dining seaside, consider layering a nautical bikini like this frilly little set by Undrest ($100 for top, $105 for bottoms, Net-A-Porter):

Wear beneath a crisp white eyelet cover up ($118, Anthropologie):

Alternately, wear beneath a striped, boat-neck tee (Day by Malene Birger, $100, Net-A-Porter) and a pair of crisp, sailor-inspired shorts (on sale for $41.99, French Connection):

Perfect with either some classic Sperry boat shoes ($79, Bloomingdale’s) or the Kate Spade Ines knot sandal in gold ($225, TheShoeBox):

Top it off with some gold anchor earrings ($175, KEPDesigns):

You might also consider a little navy-trimmed eyelet top (love the boxy fit of this shirt in particular — very Kate Spade –$34.99, Modcloth) with this sailor-detailed short denim skirt (Armand Basi, on sale for $90, TheOutnet):

If you’re into the nautical look as much as I am, you might consider outfitting your home with a few seaside decorations. I’ve collected some marine life-inspired pillows over the years from Pottery Barn, but I’m in love with the vintage styling on these Thomas Paul pillows ($80 for the boat sketch version, 2BModern; $70 for the anchor version, 2BModern):