Hey, it's suddenly August and just like that, my brain has switched to thinking about fall options. Why am I like this? I just spend way too much time checking out the new arrivals at Anthropologie and now I have A LIST. Again, why am I like this. Help. Here's what I'm talking about:
Friday, August 5, 2022
Thursday, August 4, 2022
Stuff I Like: No Theme At All.
I keep a running list of Stuff I Like to see if an obvious theme emerges and then I talk about those things. My current list did not do that but I want to talk about stuff anyway. Also, The Bear was on my list but I waited too long and I'm pretty sure everyone's watched it by now, right? (It's so good, though incredibly stressful if you've worked in a restaurant.) Anyway, here's what I've got this week:
This Single Earring I Am Ridiculously Pleased With
I haven't loved everything I've purchased from Quince (though the silk tank I posted about earlier this week is definitely a good one!) but one thing I've bought recently that surprised me is this single, teeny gold hoop for my second hole ear piercing. It's 14K gold and hinges in the middle so it snaps on securely and is so low profile that I never have to think about it. I seriously love it. I also have and love these gold line studs which are also tiny, but very cool looking in a second or third hole piercing. I'm currently saving up my credits for this diamond bezel necklace which feels like a perfect little thing, right?
This Documentary That Too Sweet To Be Sour, Too Nice To Be Mean
Have you watched the Beastie Boys Story on AppleTV+ yet? It's so freaking good - basically a two hour love letter to Adam Yauch, who was really the heart of the group. This is a live format documentary with Adam Horowitz and Mike Diamond on a stage talking about the history and evolution of the Beastie Boys and damn, it's kind of amazing they made it so far but I'm glad they did. Their music is a part of my teen and young adult years and this documentary really brings allllll the Gen-X feels. Enjoy.
This Perfume Sampler That's So Wearable
My friend Kate introduced me to Henry Rose, a "clean" fragrance company founded by Michelle Pfeiffer. I don't know that they are as challenging or as hip as, say, Le Labo (who I also just ordered a couple of samples from) but what they are is REALLY wearable. I ordered the Warm Discovery Set which comes with a $20 coupon towards a full size bottle. I am super picky about fragrance because I'm prone to migraines, but these so far seem to be exactly what I'm looking for - wearable without being obnoxiously strong or cloying. So far I've tried Torn, a spicy vanilla-based floral that smells delicious - warm and spicy but not too sweet, and Windows Down, a citrusy tea scent that's perfect for summer. I like them both! I'm trying one each day because I really want to see how they react with my body chemistry.
This Podcast I'm Telling You About Again
I've cycled through a lot of podcasts and tend to be fickle. Like, I'll super love a podcast and listen to it too much until I freaking hate it. (Just me?) However, one that's absolutely stood the test of time is Were You Raised By Wolves? because I really love how expertly the hosts navigate and problem-solve some truly horrifying behavior. I love the reader question the best but I also appreciate the lessons they serve, like how to properly eat soup dumplings! Good stuff and super easy to listen to when you can't stomach one more true crime story.
Tuesday, August 2, 2022
Outfit of the Day: Thrifted Goodness.
I love a blazer...in theory. It's one of those things you can just throw on with jeans and a tee and just elevate your outfit. You instantly look more pulled together, less casual. I do have one, the Going Out Blazer from J.Crew, and it's a great basic but I've been wanting something a bit more interesting (totally driven by Marianne's second hand acquisition of a great Veronica Beard blazer.) I started checking the blazer section every time I go thrifting and lo, I found The Oversized Blazer by Everlane:
That's it! What do you think of my oversized blazer look? Am I pulling this off?
Friday, July 29, 2022
Weekend Window Shopping: J.Crew Is Pulling Me Back In.
Thursday, July 28, 2022
Outfit of the Day: Two Purchases.
Just a note: My little attic loft space where I work and take photos gets super hot when we're having a heatwave and we're having a heatwave! I took these photos rull quick, all sweaty and disheveled, so they aren't the best. The things I do for you.
Hi! As I mentioned in the last entry, I recently bought a couple of things and they arrived on the same day, so threw them on for a quick fake outfit/review post:
Anyway, that's it! One keeper, one return. You win some, you lose some. (Now, who wants to help me find a wedding dress? 😀)
Tuesday, July 26, 2022
Stuff I Like: Summer Reading List.
I've been spendy this month, way more than I meant to be. I bought these jeans (still very on sale) from Madewell, this Clare V bag (when it was super marked down) and I recently ordered a perfume sampler from Henry Rose, a brand that my friend Kate introduced me to. I've decided to do a no-buy/low-buy for most of the month of August to balance things out (more details on that soon) and today, instead of talking about clothes and stuff, I thought I'd tell you about a bunch of books I've read this summer.
Currently reading:
The Telling by Jo Baker
I loved Longbourn by Jo Baker (discussed briefly here and here) so I was happy to realize she had written other books! I'm about a third of the way through The Telling, which is a ghost story, sort of. It's about two women living in the same house, two centuries apart. Jo Baker is an excellent atmospheric writer and after the first two chapters, I was hooked. I'll report back when I've finished it!
Three I recently finished:
This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub
I mentioned this one recently but at that point I was still reading it. I am happy to report I completely loved it and it's probably my favorite book this summer. Just a solid story with a likable protagonist, a touch of time travel and some nostalgic Gen-X goodness. I've added another of Emma Straub's books to reading list, which I hope I love just as much.
Counterfeit by Kirstin Chen
This one was light and fun - a good beach or vacation book. It's a fast read and the twist wasn't a huge surprise, but still a good one! I love a heist story and even better with two women as the lead characters. I also loved getting some insight into the world of super-fake designer bags. Not the best thing I've every read but it was an enjoyable read.
Every Summer After by Carley Fortune
I didn't LOVE this but I did enjoy it the way you enjoy any beach-read romantic fluff. It's a friends-to-lovers story set over the course of six summers and one weekend. It's not perfect - I found some of the descriptions kind of cringe-y and the dialogue skewed a little YA to me (I am an Old), but it really captures the feeling of high summer and overall I enjoyed the story as it unfolded.
Two I DNF'd because life is too short to read something you're not into:
One Italian Summer by Rebecca Searle
I truly loved In Five Years (discussed here) so I was excited to read this one but I almost immediately disliked the main character which isn't a great place to start. I also didn't like her mother because she was such an overbearing presence living rent-free in this character's brain. Also, girl, your mother is the love of your life? Cannot relate. The whole thing just struck me as weird and whiny and insincere. I will say, the descriptions of Italy were wonderful done but I just couldn't put aside my dislike of the characters long enough to enjoy them.
Flying Solo by Linda Holmes
Here's another one where I liked her first book, Evvie Drake Starts Over, but this one fell flat for me. It wasn't bad, exactly, I just wasn't invested in the main character and didn't understand why a wooden duck would create any kind of mystery. I think it's probably a decent cozy story with a low-stakes mystery and some romance but it just wasn't for me.
Friday, July 22, 2022
Weekend Window Shopping: Athleta Summer Essentials on Sale.
Athleta has a sale going right now with a bunch of good summer items $40 and under. Anyone who reads this blog knows I'm a big fan of Athleta, so I felt it was my duty to look at every single item and pick out a bunch of things that I absolutely do not need but would love to have. Here's what's good: