Hello dutiful shopping lovers!
Because I have a shopping problem, and because as a Leo and inclined to show off my purchases, people sometimes ask me where I buy a lot of my things??? So I figured a bi-weekly newsletter where I debrief everyone on my favorite purchases would be a great place to start.
Here I’ll be rounding up not only my latest and greatest retail therapy indulges but some of my holy grails, best gift ideas (Leos give the best gifts, it’s science) and, if I can figure out how to navigate this Substack interface I will take some questions as well if folks have ‘em!
I figure some weeks I’ll focus on one type of item, like bras for big honkers, or the best clogs, and other weeks I’ll just do a chaotic list of some of the stuff I’ve been buying, using, and loving.
First — I’ll be doing a more detailed newsletter about gifts and housewares but I just want to flag to all my subscribers that today at 4pm EST Orna Handpainted Candles has a new drop! I literally RACE to Meghan’s website whenever she drops new candles — they always sell out SO fast and I buy as many as I can. I use them as decor in my room and just swap them out depending on my season and mood, and I also always have a little stash to give out as gifts because they are literally perfect for everyone on your list. And sign up for her newsletter so you never miss a drop!
Abercrombie Tailored High Waist Pants — These give you Shiv Roy ass and they are *so* comfortable. I have them in a few dark colors that I wear in the winter but this blue color is one of my all time favs and I plan to wear it this summer with a simple white blouse and a brown sandal. Abercrombie pants in general I find to be really great purchases; they’re a great weight and quality for the money and I kind of love that they come SML because that makes ordering a lot easier. I run a 10/12 in pants and usually go for the M or L in most of their trousers.
Westman Atelier Super Loaded Tinted Highlight — A few years ago I had this Milk makeup cream eye shadow that you would just swipe across the lid and it looked shimmery and perfect and it was so easy to use and I have been searching for something similar ever since it was discontinued. This WA highlight is it. It honestly is worlds better than that old Milk eye shadow and I know the price is literally batshit for a single pot but it’s a very large compact — remember it’s technically a face product so you’re getting a lot more product than a single eye shadow! It’s a beautiful texture, sort of halfway between a cream and a powder and it wears well throughout the day. I use Peau de Peche and it’s a perfect rosy bronze, but I’m eyeing the other colors to buy on the Sephora sale.
Empreinte Thalia Bra — It’s a nightmare finding hot bras for really big boobs and I found this one recently via Helen and it’s perfect. It’s supportive and provides great coverage but it doesn’t feel like medieval armor the way some full cup bras do. I have it in the light blue color and it’s so beautiful and feminine. It also doesn’t have a ton of stretch which was almost jarring at first but actually makes it really comfortable and keeps it from moving around. They run pretty true to size — I’m a 32G in most brands and I was in this too!
& Other Stories Striped Dress — I don’t really love wearing sweats or even yoga pants around the house; I’ve always been a dress girl so I am always looking for comfortable dresses to take zoom calls in and cook etc., that don’t feel like nightgowns. I bought this one a few weeks ago and immediately ordered a second to keep on deck for the summer. It is really well made, comfortable, and a perfect weight — the fabric isn’t too stiff or flimsy and it can be worn so easily with sandals or sneakers well into fall.
Aeorsoles Cassy— Speaking of shoes and things I compulsively bought multiples of — these Aerosoles mule sandals are my new favorite thing on the planet. This winter I got really into clogs mostly because I like the feeling of a little height; something about a platform/heel combo gives my body a certain level of support that is just super comfortable and I even wear them around the house. So I went digging for a sandal version of that clog type insole and these hit the spot. I initially bought the light peach color and after a few days walking around my house comfortably in them, bought the same pair in black. They’re lightweight, the leather is soft, and they will look so cute with jeans, trousers, and dresses in the warm weather.
Sally Hansen French Manicure Pen — Finally, I am a DIY manicure girl which means I’ve spent easily as much money as weekly manicures (probably more) on gadgets and gizmos a plenty to make my nails look professionally done. My recent fav find is this french manicure pen; it basically works like a marker and I use it to fill in the white tips of my nails for a very natural and clean french manicure aesthetic. One quick swipe of the pen provides a very opaque white line, then I top it with whatever quick dry top coat I have lying around and the whole look takes me less than 20 min.