I can’t remember the last time I wore a pair of earrings, so long in fact, that the piercings have closed up. If I were ever to brave the gun again, it would be for something spectacular, like Taffin diamonds or a pair of JAR oriental pearl pendants. More realistic, are Rebecca de Ravenel’s bonbons, hand-embroidered in India and covered in iridescent, metallic and multi-coloured beads. My choices would be raspberry, tutti or mint to wear out of sight of toddlers who grab at all things pretty and dangly.

Trust me to go to St. Pete, land of neon visors, flipflops and printed shirts, and find the only Rachel Comey dress in town. Twig is singular in St. Pete in that it journeys beyond beach wear and boho baubles, with Antipast socks, Ace and Jig tops and Album di Famiglia cashmeres. The Rachel Comey, deco inspired with an elegant crescent moon print, whispered to me from the rack. “Buy me, buy me –– I’ll look so good with responsible underpants.” I couldn’t resist. I won’t wear it with flipflops, but barefoot on the beach would be divine.

My daughter Iole is named after a beautiful and brave ancient Greek princess, who fled the clutches of Hercules by leaping from a palace  window and using her skirt as a parachute to freedom. I love her daring, resourceful spirit. Anytime I see an extraordinary skirt, I think of Iole. But could she fly in it? This one that my friend Bianca sent me last night, may not be billowy enough for flight, but those big, colourful stripes are certainly daring and bold. I think that certain pieces of clothing  –– a beloved dress, a well-cut blazer, and an extravagant skirt –– can give a girl confidence and courage. After all, this story wouldn’t be nearly as enchanting if Iole were wearing a tight-fitting toga.

Other than a tiny opal –– a Christmas gift from Jason –– I wear nothing on my wrists. Over the years, I have worn a bunch of Bahia Bands, evil eyes, a diamond tennis bracelet and friendship bracelets a plenty, but these days I keep it very simple. But I am tempted by this understated, delicate gold bracelet. Inscribed with the names of my three plums, I can see myself putting it on, and never taking it off.

Bobo Choses is one of my favourite kid lines. This season in particular,  ‘Der Blaue Reiter,’ is blooming amazing, with nods to artistic giants like Matisse, Picasso, Pollock and Hockney. Bold shapes and jubilant colours are splattered on pint size pants, rompers and bloomers. Lucky for me, the collection comes in big girl sizes, too. This skirt, Miro-meets-Miyake, is gorgeous, and the Matisse blouse is a walking-work-of-art. I’ll buy them both. The girls can take my hand-me-downs.

With three children home from school this week, and Jason flat out with flu, it’s all a bit bonkers round here. I am thankful for brilliant and boosting friends who take care of my kids, and me, at the drop of a draped turban.

It seems nutty to buy a bathing suit online. But with few good options in Toronto, I’m tempted to, add to cart and hope there’s enough lycra to go around. I’ve been looking for a vintage inspired high waisted bikini and Modcloth offers a dizzying number of options. This print has a Mara Hoffman feel to it, (her cuts are utterly unforgiving) and I like the simplicity of this one, also. There are so many pretty one-pieces, too, in styles that cater to every body shape. My cart runneth over.