Adrien: I Mean, It's a White T-Shirt.

This was really supposed to be a review for the Grana v-neck t-shirt I'm wearing but, I mean, it's a white t-shirt. You'd think I wouldn't have a ton to say. You'd be wrong: 

The Everlane Cotton V has been my go-to for v-neck tees for a while now but I was curious to try Grana's version, which is same price point and both are pima/supima cotton. I love most of my Everlane tees but they have an issue with the neckline seam twisting. Annoying, but not a big deal for me and I feel it's worth mentioning that my oldest Everlane tees (now relegated to sleep-wear) are the softest and always what I reach for first. I haven't had my Grana t-shirt long enough to make a fair comparison on longevity but I'm impressed so far. The neck seam is a separate piece with a slight ribbed quality that seems like it'll stay flat. 

They are also a really nice weight. Not super heavy but definitely not thin and see-through. For reference, I'm wearing a size medium because I like the extra slouch. If you're tempted, my Grana referral link will get you 10% off your first order! 

My jeans are Old Navy Rockstars and I love them a lot. It doesn't look like they have a similar patchwork model right now, but I haven't been super impressed by ON of late. LOFT has a cute pair of patchwork crops and this Big Star pair is nicely subtle and ugh, Madewell has a pair I covet. I really love patchwork denim, obviously, but this is just too far. TOO FAR. Details: 

Yeah, this is boring. My usual BR scarab beetle necklace and my usual Giles & Brother skinny railroad cuff bracelets. I keep checking Banana to see if there's any good jewelry but alas, they have discovered giant statement necklaces. Way to be current, Banana.  I will say that LOFT has some good pendant necklaces this season and I was particularly taken with this glitter pendant the last time I was in the store. It's reversible! And glittery! I mean. What do you want from me? 

PS. My sandals are the Birkenstock Gizeh and I am, of course, wanting a metallic pair because of course I do. To address a reader comment from last week on the fug-ness of Birkenstocks: Well, yeah. They aren't the prettiest or the most flattering shoe and they aren't for everyone. But, wearing is believing and my feet love them. Birkenstocks are having a fashion moment and I am EMBRACING THE MOMENT. 

Good day to you all. 

BUY THIS (So We Don't Have To): Going on a Trip? TJ Maxx Has You Covered.

I am, in fact, traveling for work this week so I may not be around much. But true to form I've sussed out some really good deals at TJ Maxx in case you were looking for a bag:

The best deal on the site right now? This FOLEY + CORINNA Expandable Marquise Weekender bag:

It's got leather trim! It retailed for $225 and now is $32! That is not a typo. I am all kinds of mad about this because I want it and I have no need for it at all. AT ALL. It's so cute! So useful! So ridiculously inexpensive! Ugh. There is also this gorgeous Kooba Marlow Leather Tassel tote:

It retailed for $348 and is now $104! That is a really good price for a leather tote with great details (I love the print lining) and I I think indigo is more interesting than your standard black. It’s also at Nordstrom Rack for $175, which, no, but the photos there will give you a better idea about the color.

Finally, there are a couple of carry-on suitcase deals I thought worth mentioning. This Diane Von Furstenberg suitcase is THE CUTEST and is marked down to $43 and this Mia Toro Italy hardside case is the one I just bought (though mine is white) and I definitely paid more than $43 for it, so. WAIT! I also just found this little Kooba leather wallet with a portable charger for $27 and damn, why don't I have that?? Too late now.

Weekend Window Shopping: Summertime at J.Crew

J.Crew has THE CUTEST stuff for summer and right now they're offering 25% off tees, shorts, swim and sunglasses and an extra 30% off sale styles with code HELLOSUMMER! Plus 1.5% cash back with eBates, which is better than no eBates.  Here's what I think looks really damn cute:

         

        

        

Stuff I Like: Apple Watch + Reading/Watching/Listening

Liking
This is a little embarrassing to admit but I bought an Apple Watch Series 1 back in February. I don't know why it felt embarrassing to me - like it was unnecessarily flashy or something? Anyway, I'd been considering a Garmin watch to track my cycling/workouts but they're huge and not cheap and why not get the silly toy watch that I really wanted that does basically the same thing and more? So I did and I freaking love it.

I was initially skeptical of the watch but I am now completely obsessed with the Activity Rings function. If you're not familiar, every day your watch gives you three rings to complete: Move, Stand, and Exercise. I am a pretty active person outside of work but at work  I'm totally sedentary, so this has really helped to up my activity. I also really love the workout app and Strava works great from the watch, which means I don't have to pull my phone out during rides. Plus, getting text and email notifications without worrying about having my phone out is my favorite new way to lazy. Um, yeah. Basically, the Apple Watch has made me both more active and more lazy. Whatever, I own it.

Do you have an Apple Watch? What apps do you like? Anyone have a reliable source for cute, inexpensive bands?

Reading
The Week. One of the few magazines I get anymore is The Week and I look forward to it every week! It "provide perspectives on the week's news and editorial commentary from global media to provide readers with multiple political viewpoints." Basically, it pulls bits of news from different sources internationally to give a well-rounded view of what's happening. It also has a two-page real estate spread that I LOVE (and always read first) as well as reviews of music, books, art, etc. It's a very analog way to keep up with current events and, amusingly, I never read the Week's website.

Watching
The Handmaid's Tale on Hulu. Oooh, you guys. I read Margaret Atwood's book years ago and I definitely need to re-read but I went ahead and watched the first two episodes of the new Hulu series and it is REALLY good so far. Very dark, deeply disturbing and visually stunning. Plus, Elizabeth Moss (who I love in everything! Have you seen Top of the Lake yet? OMG.) and Alexis Bledel! Also, The Handmaid's Tale feels very relevant right now, which is...not great. I don't want to spoil it for those who haven't watched it yet, but so far I'm highly recommending it. PS. If you have Amazon Prime, The Handmaid's Tale is available to read electronically for free.

Listening
I'm for sure the last woman on earth who's not already listening to the Call Your Girlfriend podcast, right? Probably. Call Your Girlfriend is "a podcast for long-distance besties everywhere" which is really apropos for me since two of my best girlfriends live in different states. It really is like having a convo with your friends and the topics range from pop culture to politics. I found their recent podcast about the business end of podcasting really fascinating. I should also give credit where credit is due and mention that I found out about this from Caroline Crampton's (SRSLY podcast) newsletter.

That's it for this week! Please let me know if you have recommendations or if you're enjoying (or hating) something I recommended. 

We Discuss Boobs and Birkenstocks.

A: They're heeeerrre

M: 😍

M: Want

M: I am actually thinking about painting the buckles of my blue ones gold now.

A: I LOVE THEM SO HARD. Soft footbed is rull nice.

M: Yesss

A: I maybe could’ve gone with narrow, but I think they fit the way they're supposed to.

M: They look like they fit.

M: Mine are a touch wide too but it works.

A: They fit, it's just a lot ‘o sandal.

M: Aggressive German comfort.

A: Exactly!

M: 🇩🇪

A: Thank you, Germany.

A: Also, everything I ordered from Old Navy is total garbage and it’s all getting returned.

M: Yeah a friend of mine just got a bunch of Old Navy stuff and said not one thing was good.

A: Just thin and flimsy and ill-fitting.  I don't know why I'm even remotely surprised.

M: It's an off year for them. And weirdly an on year for Gap.

A: I'm wearing my blue Gap blouse today. Pretty sure everyone can see my boobs.

M: Eh, it's Friday. Have some boobs.

A: They ain't bad, really.

M: Boobs!

A: HERE THEY ARE! AND TASSELS.

M: I wish Madewell did birthday discounts.

A: Madewell does do a birthday thing. Are you an Insider? They sent me a $25 GC.

M: Aha I AM an insider! I want that! My birthday is in 10 days, give it up Madewell.

A: Whatchoo want from Madewell?

M: I want a nice straw hat. All of mine are made of paper?

M: I also need new denim shorts because mine are disintegrating:

M: And well this, because you know:

A: Those shorts! So perfect. And the dress. So striped.

M: My favorite Pilcro shorts are seriously going to dissolve or something. It's precarious. Those look distressed but a little more sturdy.

A: I wore my favorite Old Navy shorts over the weekend and they are disintegrating rapidly. They're also shorter than I remember them being last summer.

M: Dammit, clothes.

A: I know. Always clothes.

M: Do I need that striped Madewell dress? Probably not right? It's probably going to be an unflattering sack.

M: They sent me my $25 off.

A: I just looked at all the pics - def a sack.

M: Shorts and hat ordered!

A: I'm super invested in the Madewell shorts.

M: I hope they are good.

A: I feel like a SWF jerk wanting to buy everything you like but I neeeeeed cutoff shorts.

M: Haha it's okay!

A: At least we don't live in the same town, I guess.

M: It's really fine.

A: Kate and I often end up dressed alike. She just bought black Gizehs at my urging.

M: I totally want your Arizonas.

A: SO OBSESSED with them. It's contrary and makes no sense.

M: I’m a hoarder who shops too much.

A: Heeee, dang.

M: I love your girls and want some!

A: They are the best. Still breaking them in.

M: Girls = Birks

A: You can't have my boobs.

M: Boobs!

Adrien: That Loft Dress

This Loft dress, you guys. I don't know that it's the Best Thing Ever but it's pretty close and I am super into it. Everything about it screams summer - the flowiness, the tie waist, the watermelon red-pink color, the fun pattern. I can see this dress getting a lot of action this summer: 

It's the Fan Floral Cap Sleeve dress and I'm wearing a size small, for reference. Covered enough to wear to work but casual enough for weekend fun. Great with flat sandals, great with heels and the color is just so much fun. And machine washable! It's a great dress, you guys.

I love how cute this dress looks with my blue bag. I have to say, Loft is killing it right now with the cute summer dress options. I'm very taken with this Cabana shift dress and y'all know I like tassels so of course I've got my eye on the Amaryllis tassel dress and the Chambray flutter dress. I also think the Pom Pom maxi dress could be the one that takes me over to the maxi side. We'll see. 

I'm not sure what the expression on my face is about, but my hair looks pretty nice! I've been using R+Co Park Ave Blow Out Balm and it makes my hair so smooth. I'll do a real review one of these days. Here are the details: 

I'm wearing my gold scarab pendant with this and I think it's beauty is in the weight of it. Just a nice shiny hunk of something that hangs right where it should. This House of Harlow necklace would do nicely in that capacity and this one as well. Or, if you're feeling extra fancy, this beetle pendant is pretty incredible. I'm also wearing my old reliable Giles and Brother skinny railroad spike cuff bracelets. The pave version is on sale, btw.

Bag 'n shoes! I love the blues that MBMJ made and OMG this blue Ligero tote is REAL CHEAP at Gilt! Git it! Also, this mini Natasha bag is a really gorgeous shade but man, that Ligero. If you want to get darker, this Dolce Vita tote is sharp in an inky blue and my bargain pick is this blue Merona hobo!

My shoes are a very old pair of Chie Mihara and are the most comfortable pair of heels I own. This pair of Chie sandals has a very similar vibe but I think the Madewell Mariel buckle sandal would be an excellent (and more reasonably priced) substitute.

That's it for today! Yay for summer clothes. My favorite.

We Discuss A Signature Look.

M: So, this.

A: Topshop is punking us.

M: Right? Right.

A: I mean, at this point they're just sitting around getting high and making shit up.

M: Honestly, it sounds pretty fun. "Let's sew a SHEER SKIRT INTO THE WAIST! KNEE WINDOWS! CHIMPS AND DIMP!"

A: O CRAMP YOO GUYS. WE GOTTA DO NEW DESIGNS!

M: Quick, somebody make a Drunk Topshop tumblr.

A: It exists. It's called the Topshop tumblr.

M: Uh oh, don't check Kim France's phone case post.

A: Too late. The all-caps comment is mine.

M: Haha I didn't get to the bottom yet.

A: That case is $120!

M: I tried to stop you.

A: Where were you first thing this morning?

M: sooooorrrrry

A: Anyway, I knew several goth girls at art school that totally would've worn those jeans. Being a modern vampire was very in back in the 90s.

M: Oh sure. But they would just pull a tattered petticoat over their faded black jeans.

M: It would be AUTHENTIC modern vampire.

A: Yeah, true. The blue mom jeans are throwing me off.

A: I, um, worked in a vintage clothing shop in college and don't even want to tell you some of the things I marched around wearing.

M: Very Pretty In Pink I imagine.

A: Not quite that bad. Or maybe worse? Is Grunge Flapper a thing?

M: Well, it is now.

A: I did it best.