BUY THIS (So We Don't Have To): TJ Maxx New Arrivals.

Every week I creep on the new arrivals at TJ Maxx so I can make sure the good bargains don't escape my grabby paws. Then, so I don't buy all of it and end up living in a van down by the river, I pass my bargain finds over to you like the enabler I am. Heh.

First, there are two VERY cute flirty summer dresses by Parker that I think are worth a look. This
Flutter Sleeve Smocked Waist dress retailed for nearly $300:

And now it's a much more reasonable $79.99 unless you want to buy it from Off 5th where it's $99.99. I can only roll my eyes. I also liked this Parker Nathan dress:

It's also $79.99. (This one is the same price at Off 5th, btw.) There wasn't a ton of good new stuff in the jewelry section but I do really like this Rachel Zoe hinge Kate bracelet:

That's pretty, right? I think so. I also freaking LOVE this Dolce Vita Lucy Satchel in plum:

It's $59.99! I think it retailed for close to $200, so that's a really good price for a very expensive-looking leather satchel. Okay, brace yourselves:

Look, I know. I KNOW. That photo is literally the worst thing on the Internet. I promise this is a really cute pair of 7 For All Mankind ivory brushed jeans for $49 that will look great on you if you wear your actual size instead of squeezing into a pair two sizes too small like the model did. (Seriously. I think it’s the same as these which are so cute!)  Also, those Mother Denim “The Charmer” ivory frayed jeans are now down to $36. Get em!

Finally, I thought it worth mentioning that there are now a few Jane Iredale products in the cosmetics section along with some Nars and Anastasia and other good stuff. Have fun!

Weekend Window Shopping: It's Graphic.

Current quiet obsession: graphic prints and stuff with words on it. Like so:

         

       

Stuff I Like: Fitness and Leisure.

I'm a little bit brain dead on the Stuff I Like front this week. In a nutshell: I'm not listening to/reading/watching anything new. However, a reader recently requested to know what we're liking for workout and lounge wear, so I thought I'd talk about that today. (Marianne is traveling this week for work but I'm hoping when she has time she'll chime in with more of her "stuff I like" suggestions.)

Fitness - Bike
A lot of what I do is cycling-related and I generally wear my team kit, so it's hard to recommend shorts or jerseys though if you're a mountain biker, I am big on Bell helmets and Maloja shorts are hella cute. Oh! Also, Twin Six makes really cute jerseys. I typically wear a base layer under my jersey and nobody makes a better one than Craft. I wear this sleeveless mesh layer in the summer and this short sleeve option in the winter. These tops help regulate body heat and will make your cycling (or hiking or whatever outdoor activity) apparel last longer.

For bike socks I'm crazy about The Athletic because they are just the coolest looking socks out there. You don't have to wear them just for cycling, though I do love pairing them up with my kit and I especially love the mis-matched pairs.

For my undercarriage I am very much a fan of Chamois Butt'r Her' because yes, it really does help, especially in hot weather.

Finally, I promise that I'm not a Stravasshole but I do log most of my rides on Strava (that's my profile if you want to be Strava friends) and I very much enjoy being able to track my own fitness with various segments. Also, Strava works through my Apple Watch which is SO SO NICE.

Fitness - General
I have an old Lululemon tank from, like, six years ago that I still wear ALL THE TIME. This was back when their stuff was really good quality. (I don't buy much Lulu these days but I do still really like the Energy bra.) The tank is very simple - narrow straps, high necked, mesh at the top, flattering fit. I love it and I've been looking for it's equal for quite some time. Then, on a recent trip to Athleta I found the Airy Essence Tank:

It's so good! And it's on sale! In many colors! I have it in navy and I might also buy it in the heather grey. It's a loose-fitting tank (I wear a small and it's generous) but very lightweight and comfortable and I like that it has a high neckline so I can do pushups in it without feeling like my boobs are on display. It's especially good for workouts like OrangeTheory where you're never really sure what's in store for you.

And, since we're talking about Athleta, I bought a pair of the Kata swim shorts last summer and they are worth every penny. Very flattering and great to mix and match with your existing bikini tops. I also recently bought a pair of Athleta's running shorts and they're fine but man, there's this...thing where, if you're used to running in compression leggings and then you run in shorts it feels like your ass is bouncing loose and might fly off on it's own. IT'S TERRIBLE. (Just me? Please tell me it's not just me.)

Lounge
Err, so here's where I admit that my lounge wear consists of very old Everlane v-neck tees (the softest!) and whatever sad shorts or yoga pants happen to be laying around.

I did buy a couple of pairs of joggers at Gap last winter that I like - something very similar to this pair and a zip pocket version of this pair but that's winter stuff. Athleta also has some cute joggers but I can't even seem to pull the trigger. Mostly I'm wearing Target (specifically Gilligan and O'Malley) sleep shorts from last year. Exciting! I really have nothing much to share except that I clearly dress like a slob at home. You're welcome.


So, your turn! What fitness/lounge stuff do you love?

Adrien: Very Busy. Doing Nothing.

Hey there, I have another really super lazy weekend outfit but it makes me happy so why not. I mean, this shirt is giving me life: 

I found it on the clearance rack at TJ Maxx when I was visiting Marianne and I was immediately all, "THIS IS MINE NOW." It's Junk Food brand so it's already super broken in just the way I like it and it sparks crazy damn joy. Sadly, I can't find it for sale online so you might just have to check your local TJ Maxx. Orrrrr you could settle for a different Junk Food tee. I am particularly fond of this "From Yosemite with Love" shirt simply for it's weirdness. Also, this Bowie tee doesn't suck and neither does this Blondie tee. And! They have a Wonder Woman raglan tee! Someone needs that, probably. PS. Nordstrom Rack has a ton of Junk Food tees! That's the way to do it. 

I'm wearing my awesomely stupid graphic t-shirt with a new pair of cuffed jean shorts from Old Navy in the "blue palo" colorway. I'm pretty happy with them but I had to order a whole bunch of crap to find one pair that worked. I really should just go to Old Navy instead of trying to order online but I never learn. ANYWAY, these shorts are good and they're inexpensive right now and they also have a version that's slightly longer if you so desire. I shall continue to pretend like I don't want this pair from Madewell because I totally don't want them. Nope. Also this pair is probably terrible. Shut up. Moving on. Details: 

GUYS I AM BUSY DOING NOTHING. Also! I am wearing a very tiny necklace that came in my Box of Style recently (anyone want the hat?) and my Giles & Brother encrusted skinny cortina bracelet. There are a bunch of well-discounted G&B bracelets at Off Fifth right now! It's basically my life goal to make sure you guys never pay full price for anything. 

I'm carrying my same old very loved MBMJ Too Hot To Handle Hobo which is available in a couple of colors on NR along with quite a few other styles including the classic Hillier. Lord. I'm also wearing my awesome red Lotta From Stockholm peeptoes (they come in silver now!) which, after weeks of wearing Birkenstocks make me walk like a baby deer. That is sad. So is this: 

Yep. 

BUY THIS (So We Don't Have To): LOFT Flash Sale!

Reallllly good sale going on at LOFT right now! 50% off all sale styles (and other selected summer styles) with code FLASH. Plus get 2% cash back with eBates! I've been really happy with the items I've picked up at LOFT lately (especially this dress which is nearly sold out) so I'm definitely tempted by this sale. Here's what I'm particularly liking:

This top is the perfect easy thing to throw on with shorts or white jeans. Easy. Done. Adorable.

I love the detailing on the sleeves of this top! Wear it with anything and look chic as hell.

This cardigan isn't exciting, but it's lightweight and will even look cute balled up in your bag.

These are the jeans you wear if you flat out refuse to wear jorts. 

"Oh, thank you! This old thing? It's just something I found in the back of my closet."

This dress is the remedy for my favorite dress only being available in xxs.

I barely wear skirts anymore but this drawstring skirt is SO tempting. I love a crazy pattern. 

I got yer $15 sarong right here. I mean, damn, that is pretty. And they have more!

This is a very minimal party-in-the-back dress and will definitely get you compliments. 

Pretty, sparkly, effortless summer bangles that come as a set for less than $10.

This gorgeous necklace looks like Alexis Bittar but costs $12.50. You are welcome. 

Weekend Window Shopping: Have You Checked Out J.Crew Factory Lately?

I stumbled onto the J.Crew Factory website recently in search of a cute pair of earrings I saw on IG and lo, so much cute summertime joy! Plus, 1.5% cash back with eBates and an extra 25% off when you spend $100 with code code MOREPLZ. You can also get 15% off your order if you sign up for their mailing list. Get to it:

       

       

Stuff I Like: Balcony Life + Reading/Watching/Listening

Liking
Balcony life! I have a nice balcony that overlooks a wooded lot full of deer and owls and I never freaking use it. My goal this summer is to change that on a budget of almost no dollars. Here's what I'm starting with:

It's cute, but that bistro set is seriously uncomfortable and stupidly small. I can't afford to replace it right now but what I'd really like is to move it over and create a space where I can just comfortably sit and read a book and have a cocktail and just enjoy the evening.

My first problem is mosquitoes. I live in Virginia and we grow em big and strong here. However, the last time I visited Marianne she introduced me to this mosquito lantern and it really works! Plus, a cozy light source. Done.

My next problem is that effing astroturf. I haaaaate it. Marianne, who is so good at these things, suggested I check out World Market for inexpensive woven outdoor rugs. This one might be cute and this one is crazy but kind of fun? I'd need different pillows, though.

Finally, I need a comfortable lounge-y chair. What I'd really like is a bright yellow Adirondack chair or a patio club chair but both are way out of my budget. This plastic Adirondack is probably what I'll get. It isn't ideal (I'm sure there's a more attractive/interesting choice) but I love that it's lightweight and the color is fun. Plus, $19.

So, what else do I need? Any suggestions for making my balcony a more useable space?

PS. In trolling TJ Maxx for possibilities I found this cute Fiestaware tablecloth! My dishes are all Fiestaware and I love them. (Except for the mugs which are too small.) I also like this yellow ikat jar and this cute green candle thing. Ugh, I'm sorry. I digress.

Reading
I've started and abandoned so many books lately because nothing was quite hooking me in. I decided I needed another comforting re-read so I'm reading Rosamunde Pilcher's The Shell Seekers. I've read it multiple times but it's been at least ten years, so it feels new! It's your basic awesome British family saga novel and very easy to fall into.

Watching
I just bought a Starz pass on Amazon so I could watch American Gods, based on the book by Neil Gaiman. It's very, very dark and very good so far. I'm only three episodes in but it's definitely got my attention. (It's gory, though, just fair warning.) The cast is outstanding - Ian McShane! Gillian Anderson! Pablo Schreiber! Cloris Leachman! If you like modern mythology and don't mind some violence, I highly recommend.

Listening
I'm still on a serious podcast kick! My new favorite is Up First, NPR's early morning news podcast. It covers "the biggest stories and ideas - from politics to pop culture - in 10 minutes." I usually listen to it while I'm driving to work and it's just the right length for my commute.