Chaotic shoppies to start the summer 🌞
Another edition of everything I've added to cart lately to stave off existential dread
Hi shoppers!
You know how sometimes I do a newsletter that’s a theme and then sometimes I do a newsletter that’s like, “I have done more manic shopping in a pain flare than I care to admit but here’s all the shit you should buy too” kind of deal? That’s what this is gonna be. Summer is my *least* favorite season, god I fucking hate it so much. So I spend most of my time either shopping to find clothing that helps me not sweat to the point of feeling like I need to jump into the sea with all my clothes on and the other half of my time buying things to cheer up the seasonal affect disorder I get in the summer.
Here is a little selection of those items that I’ve purchased and worn lately and loved — it’s been actually quite a fruitful endeavor thus far so I hope you’ll enjoy!
Vaisselle Vase: I’ve been eyeing one of these babies for *years* and I finally pulled the trigger on the pink and red jug. It’s even more magnificent in person; very clearly thoughtfully made by hand it’s heavy and substantial and delicate all at once. I’m just linking to their entire website because you really cannot go wrong — it also came so carefully wrapped and shockingly quickly considering it arrived from overseas!
Djerf Avenue… Everything: Full disclosure, I somehow drew some sort of cosmic lottery and because of some other writing I’m doing, I was able to connect with the team at Djerf Avenue who sent me along the most generous selection of their beautiful clothes. I’ve listed DA pieces on here before because they are always incredible quality, and super comfortable. Djerf also prioritizes inclusion in her brand and features disabled models on her website which means more than I can say. Absolutely everything they sent, from the Breezy Pant to the Getaway Polo is beyond perfect and I whole heartedly would recommend (and each are pieces I would have gladly spent my own money on) but I have to give special recognition to their Sorella Top which is softest, sexist summer knit. The color is perfectly muted and it can be worn on its own or as an over-piece. Their Cloud Cardigan is also a really feminine silky piece that has such a unique silhouette and that I cannot wait to wear over a slip dress all summer.
Gap Linen Pants: I have been considering splurging on the Donni blue and white stripe pants but considering I rarely if ever wear pants during the summer, I always have a hard time justifying making them investment pieces in my wardrobe. I found these on Gap and while they’re not exact dupes I love them just as much if not more.
Caddis Eye Appliances: I am *so* long overdue to get my eyes checked but in the meantime Caddis sent me two pairs of these and I haven’t stopped wearing them. If you’ve been reading my newsletter lately you’ll know that I’ve switched from binging nordic noir shows to devouring nordic noir novels and I have a couple pairs of readers from the usual suspects like Warby Parker but what I absolutely love about the Caddis readers is the blue light lenses. I honestly had never tried blue light lenses before and what’s nice is not only do they help with blue light when you’re on the computer, they also seem to neutralize harsh cool toned lights when I’m just sitting on the couch reading. I got the Tectonic which are very professorial chic. Even though these were a gift I’ll also definitely be treating myself to their sunglass readers so I can bring the blustery cold scenery of my nordic crime novels to the beach all summer long.
Luxe Provence Blouse: I’ve actually had this in my closet for over a year but I wore it for the first time this summer a few weeks ago and I’m reminded once again how it’s the perfect summer blouse. It’s a hefty investment but worth every penny; I wore mine with the aforementioned Gap linen pants but in black and I was without question the chicest girl in the little beach town I went for a stroll in.
Marimekko Hand Towels: I have a bathroom where I live that’s mostly all mine so I’ve been doing little things to make it feel more feminine and more me, bit by bit. I splurged and got some decorative towels from Marimekko for the towel rod on my shower doors and they really brighten up the space.
Charlotte Tilbury Pinkgasm Sunset: I obviously love all the CT blush wands and I’ve been looking everywhere for a warm tone liquid blush with a shimmer to it and when she released this I knew I had found it. It creates the perfect sun-kissed look and like all her products is so easy to apply and lasts on the face for hours and hours.
Chanel Gloss in Burnt Sugar: Speaking of that perfect sun kissed flush, this color from Chanel is the most beautiful sheer brick red with a hint of sparkle. Their glosses are such a high quality product and always a safe bet if you’re looking for a long lasting, high shine, and buildable lip gloss formula.
Material Girl Watches (Reads) & Eats (but does not cook)
I’m still in rest mode after the last few months so I haven’t been doing much standing on my feet and cooking. My go to snacks as of late have been Talenti Gelato bars, Ruffles potato chips, and about a million oz of Diet Coke a day.
I just finished the penultimate installment in the (currently available) Joona Linna series, Lazarus. Like all the Keplers it was a super fast read, incredibly visceral, horrifying and delicious all at the same time. I’d say it’s the only one in the series that you might be confused if you read as a standalone, so I wouldn’t recommend it as your first in the series, but the arc that consumes much of the plot is well worth reading the rest of the series to understand it.
I just started The Resting Place which is the second from Camilla Sten; I finished the Lost Village by her a few weeks ago and really loved the nuanced portrayal of the way we treat mentally ill and sick women in society in a horror context. I’m about a 5th through The Resting Place and I can already tell the same themes are at play and it has a really perfect atmospheric spookiness — Sten nails this just right, it keeps you feeling like you always need to look over your shoulder but it completely refrains from indulging in the shock value aspect of horror novels.