Chloe flipped to her favorite weather station to check the jet stream. The cool Spring seemed to be lasting forever... where are the summer winds? She really needed a warm sunny day to inspire her.

  Chloe wistfully looked out the window, the flower gardens were budding, the birds were in migration, summer must be around the corner. The calendar reminded her that June 21 was the first day of summer. She felt impatient. Since February fashion magazines had been taunting her with bright colors and playful skirts. All thru March, April and May, magazine layouts showed scores of pretty summer dresses. This was going to be a great summer for cotton dresses, colorful tanks and print skirts. Fabulous Flips embellished with flowers or gems or a metallic sheen awaited her, along with great straw bags with bamboo trim. All she needed was a sunny day to get started on the shopping.

  She decided to create her own motivation. Chloe turned to the CD cabinet and thought about the music that recalled those special summer evenings. She choose a classic Frank Sinatra song "Summer Wind"...playful, sexy, refined, breezy. Suddenly, all the moods of summer came rushing forward. Memories of sitting on the schooner for cocktails, afternoons spent walking along the beach front with her girlfriends, riding the waves at high tide restored her desire for finding perfect summer outfits.

  She knew what she needed when it came to assembling this summers' wardrobe. Chloe had searched her closet for items that she would carry forward from last summer, thought about the events that she would be attending for the next two months, and made her shopping list.

  First on the list was choosing a party dress for Cape May Stages' fundraiser in Congress Hall on June 20th. Chloe now had the motivation and direction she needed to start looking for a dress, then check out the skirts. Depending on what she bought, she would bring home a new pair of summer shoes. Shoes will make or break the outfit, but with all the choices this year in glamour flips, it would be the icing on the cake.

Excitement for summer weather was bubbling to the surface. She put on her lipstick, checked her wallet and off she went. She could still hear Frank Sinatra singing to her in her head as she walked to the Washington Street Mall. It's a good day to begin she thought, as she passed an Iris blooming in a garden. Summer is right around the corner, and I'll be ready!

 .... next time - Shopping for Dresses with Chloe.