Monday Mood: Deep Summer

This is my favorite time of year - the height of summer when I can confidently stroll outside any time of day wearing shorts and a t-shirt, when all the best produce is local and in-season and when everything is green and lush. It's humid here, which means my skin is happy and my hair has a little oomph. (I know some people think I'm crazy, it's okay.) With summer in mind, here are some summery things I've been into lately:

This Recipe That Solves Too Much Zucchini
The zucchini is coming in fast and furious right now and this recipe is one I have been making for years. It's out of a very, very old copy of Rachel Ray's magazine and is so delicious. I believe it was part of a feature that included this chicken curry recipe, which I think I've also made, but the zucchini and squash side dish? It is just delicious and easy and if you throw in some chickpeas and serve it over rice it's a nice vegetarian main course. 

This Podcast That Makes Me Want to Surf
I have always wanted to learn how to surf, despite never having skied or skateboarded or anything like that. I'm not even a strong swimmer but damn, surfing looks like a transcendent experience. So, I was really excited by the latest episode of Everything Is Fine which features Diane Cardwell. She talks about her new book, Rockaway: Surfing Headlong into a New Life, a memoir about how she took up surfing in her 40s. I just love the idea of taking up a challenging new sport in middle age and really just going all in on it. This is the kind of story I want to read! The interview is great and so far her book is too.

This Body Oil That Smells Like Summer
Years ago I was given a small bottle of this shimmery body oil as a gift and I just loved it. So French! Such a gorgeous summer scent! It's a dry oil that's a nice way to get a little glow on your arms and legs without having to deal with tanning products. I bought a bottle of the non-shimmer version when I was in Paris and I love it even more than the shimmer one. However, it's hard to find here and I know the smell isn't for everyone so I will also suggest an old favorite - Neutrogena body oil. The scent is straight nostalgic and it's a long-time best seller for a reason! Plus, it's really inexpensive.

This Sunscreen That I Just Mentioned
I posted recently about Elta MD Clear sunscreen and since it was on sale at the time, I went ahead and bought it. Y'all, it's good! It doesn't smell like sunscreen and it goes on like moisturizer. It's meant for skin prone to breakouts and contains niacinamide and lactic acid. It does make my face shiny, but I do a little sheer foundation on top (these makeup sponges are the best, thanks Marianne!) and I'm good to go. I do also want to try the tinted version because of Marlo's comment on that post. I mean, how can I not want to try your holy grail product?

Weekend Window Shopping: Giving In To Target.

I got out of the habit of browsing and buying clothes at Target but I recently started taking a peek to see what was new and was pleasantly surprised. They always do a nice job with summer style, so I'm not sure why I was surprised! Anyway, here's what I liked:

Outfit of the Day: Business on Top!

I wish this was more exciting but I know y'all get it - when you're at home every day it's really easy to just keep wearing the same things over and over again. But, every now and then I try to make my video-meeting half look nice and while digging around in my closet I found this Athleta top that I'd bought back in April:

So cute! Unfortunately this print is sold out but it's still available in solid colors. It's part of the Zephyr line, which I really love. I also own the Zephyr tee and there's a new version of the tank that's not as cropped. I tried that on in-store in the before times and it runs big, btw. I'm going to take a moment to let you know that Athleta is having a good sale right now and several of my favorites are included: The Chelsea cargo pants (worn here) and the Pure Luxe leopard print sweatshirt (worn here) are both staples in my wardrobe and totally worth snapping up! The cropped version of the Zephyr tee is also included in an interesting clay color but I haven't personally tried it.

Yep, it's my Joe's bermuda shorts again. My cost-per-wear on these has made them a worthwhile purchase (I legit get mad when they're in the wash) and, while they're nearly sold out, this deeply discounted pair in a darker wash is still available on NR! Go get 'em. For an alternative, this pair at Old Navy looks great but keeps selling out. On to details: 

I'm wearing my horn necklace set from Madewell, which look great together though I often just wear the horn part. It's easy and lightweight and makes me feel like I have my shit together. Look at me, wearing jewelry around the house like a damn adult! I'm also obviously wearing my white Birkenstock Arizona sandals but I decided to spare you the closeup up my feet. You're welcome. 

BUY THIS (Because I Am Bummed): Need Supply Final Sale.

You guys! A friend texted me this morning with the news that Need Supply is closing for good. So sad! The brick and mortar store has always been a favorite of mine and, while I couldn't always afford to buy much there, it was always a cool destination. They're having a crazy sale right now, with the obvious warning that everything is final sale. There are some really beautiful things available and they also have a nice selection of beauty items on sale! Anyway, here's what I like:

Monday Mood: I Need An Office.

I've been working from home since mid-March and feel very lucky to be able to do so, but I have been operating under the assumption that it's temporary. Temporary. For nearly four months. At some point last week I realized that it wasn't as temporary as I'd assumed and it was clear that we'd not be going back any time soon. I've been working at my dining room table, which is a pleasant spot in the house:

(Isn't my new rug cute? It's this one from Wayfair.) However, it's not actually a pleasant place to sit all day - those chairs kinda suck (despite the butt pillow I bought which is beloved by cats) and the table is too high for comfortable typing. There's also the big issue about trying to work in the middle of everything in a fairly open-plan house. It was not ideal and I also got really sick of seeing all my work stuff on the dining room table 24/7. I mean:

Ugh, that is a mess. Something had to change! With encouragement from Marianne I set a budget and bought a cheap-ass desk:

It's tiny, but sturdy enough for what I need and it folds up, so when I don't need it anymore I can stash it under a bed or whatever. Now, you're probably wondering where this cheap-ass desk is going! Our house has a little den with a fireplace that we'd envisioned being a cozy little TV room but we just hadn't found the right furniture for it yet. For, like, two years. It happens. It's such a cute room but had become the dumping ground for empty boxes and future thrift store donations.

Look at this mess. I decided to take the wall we'd earmarked for a future sofa and make that my office space:

I took a bunch of junk to the thrift store, found better places for some other stuff and actually hung some artwork like a GD adult person. Wanna see what it looks like now? 

It's not fancy, but it's such an improvement. I liberated my office chair from work and brought it home for better butt comfort! I also bought a good stand for my laptop so I could stop using a stack of dusty books. Here's my desktop so you can see what fits:

The cute hanging calendar was handmade by my talented younger sister, so you can't have it, sorry! However, I also bought a few cute office supplies from Target (the fun Yoobi notebook and a gold wire letter tray) and I am kicking myself for not getting some pretty new file folders too! I also need a desk pad (Edit: bought it, love it) to replace my sad old mouse pad. 

So, with a budget of $150, I managed to create a tiny little workspace that is pleasant and functional. Obviously I borrowed a bunch of stuff from around the house but it surprised me how little I needed to feel comfortable and productive. PS. Please don't tell me you did all this two months ago because I KNOW. I just didn't really think it'd still be working from home for this long! Please remind me in October that I said that, okay? 

Weekend Window Shopping: Long Weekend!

It's for-real summer and we've got a long holiday weekend coming up. Are you ready? I AM MOST DEFINITELY READY. Here are some suggestions to make sure you're prepared (and PS. everything is either on sale or discounted!):

We Discuss: Our Day Gown Cult.

M: I'm wearing one of my very favorite floaty H&M dresses. Behold, I am your leader. I mean, I would be a good cult leader

A: I'm pretty sure I'm already in your cult, honey. It's not so bad and the dresses are really pretty.

M: I think the key with a cult is you get, like, minions to deal with the riffraff then you have your core group.  I told my friend K how to find flowy dresses on H&M and she was like, I WILL be in your cult! So we already have a member! It's so exciting.

A: That is exciting! We can be a small cult. We should recruit maybe a few more people but that's a solid start.

M: I feel like it's antithetical to a cult to have it be small but I just want to hang out with people I like and wear comfortable clothes and maybe sit in the sun. That sounds nice, right?

A: What you're describing just sounds like hanging out with friends? We need some structure - a mission statement! Some kind of monetary gain? Plus, a little bit of cult worship for us. Just the basics.

M: Well, I think what you're describing is just being an Instagram influencer, so maybe we just make money by telling people what to buy.

A: Um.

M: You need a dress. I am going to send you Marianne’s Cult Leader Picks.

A: Yay!

M: Starting with this:

M: In white but that leopard print is fun as shit

A: I have that saved! I love the leopard but it’s nearly sold out

M: A few more:

M: You’ve already shown this one I think but I still love it

A: Yes yes, it deserves a repeat

A: This one is pretty and has lots of cult-wear potential:

M: THATS MY DRESS! It was sold out before.

A: Yay! It's so perfect.

M: Just ask yourself: Could I fit everyone in my family underneath it?

M: Also is this touching my body in more than two places? If the answer is no, then yes, you have scored.

A: I love this color:

M: Yes, I love that.

A: I thought this one was really pretty too:

M: I love that too!

M: For when you want to dress as an actual circus tent:

A: That one has a real cool-cult flair

M: I am sad this one is sold out because I think it’s stunning

A: That is a night gown.

M: Girl

A: OR IS IT

M: These are all nightgowns. That's the point.

A: THEY ARE DAY GOWNS

M: Into it!

M: H&M is hilarious though. Like a gorgeous gown and then this

A: That is not cult-appropriate

M: A different cult

A: Ours is the prettiest

M: And comfy

A: Above all. And we have good snacks

M: Aways