We had already had plans to revamp our backyard when Covid hit last spring, and once it did, we kicked our plans into high gear. The actual interior of the house took priority over the backyard throughout our renovation, but knowing we’d be home and using the outdoor space much more lit a bit of a fire underneath us, and I couldn’t be more pleased with how it’s turning out. Rosebushes, hydrangeas, lavender and a vegetable garden line the exterior of the property, but my favorite space is the addition of a classical style pergola marked with two growing pillars of wisteria and a lovely little sitting area set underneath.

I never quite understood the value that gardening and working on our backyard would bring, but my husband had a vision and it’s incredible to see it coming to life. He’s the real expert here, but I don’t know I would have fallen in love with gardening if it weren’t for him. Creating a beautiful space to spend time in with friends and family has become such a passion of mine throughout the last year, and there is rarely a week when I’m not at our local gardening shop picking up a new flower to plant.

So when it comes to where I’ve been spending a lot of time this last year, and plan to spend a lot of time this year, my outfit purchases have been heavily inspired by garden prints and colors and simple, swinging silhouettes. Pretty, comfortable dresses feel so much more true to my own sense of style than what I wore pre-pandemic- basically, a lot of dressier options that functioned well for wearing to the office but not ideal for lounging at home. I do miss getting dressed up from time to time now, but I love that I’m really able to tune into my true self in terms of my clothes. And in the heat, an easy, breezy silhouette is key.

Green Swing Dress, Juliett Dunn

Blue Floral Dress, Zimmermann

Tie Shoulder Dress, Rebecca Taylor

Green Embroidered Dress, Zimmermann

Blue Floral Empire Waist Dress, Doen

Green Printed Shirtdress, Tory Burch

Emerald Ruched Tiered Dress, Rebecca Taylor

I’d love to know if you’ve gone through a similar transformation in the last year? How has the pandemic affected what you wear everyday?