5 things I'm thinking about this week

I saw a meme last week that said “I’ve been looking forward to Labour Day since July 5th.”

I laughed (of course) and commiserated (of course).

A three day holiday where everyone rests was just what the doctor ordered. I lounged around, did house stuff, shopped local and even had a draft beer on a patio before 4pm. With the exception of the temperature, it was a solid weekend balance of productivity and unplugging.

I wish I could say I’m ready to dive head first into the latter half of the year. But this year, I think I’ll just mosey. A stretch of ninety-degree days don’t really scream “go-time” for anyone I know.

And before I forget, it’s a four day week!

Here’s what I’m thinking about this week.

1. Banana Republic Abigail Silk Maxi Dress: i am completely and totally immersed in my maxi-length phase of fashion right now. Every other length is just way less interesting to me, the fuller the length, the better. This silk long-sleeve maxi from Banana Republic (!!!) is chefs kiss. Cut on the bias, long sleeves, and a gorgeous shade of black, I wish I had more fancy places to go to really make this dress shine.

2. Ela Vegan Leather Scrunchie: are scrunchies still a thing? When they’re this chic, I don’t think it really matters. I was scouring Ela’s Labour Day sale and came across this vegan leather scrunchie, its high quality leather is the perfect topper to an every day ponytail worn to the office this fall.

3. New Balance RC30 Sea Salt: I wasn’t searching out another pair of sneakers to add to my collection, but somehow the sneakers just find me. I spotted these New Balance RC30s on an Instagram scroll late last week and haven’t been able to stop thinking of them since. I love how they’re a lower profile New Balance shoe, similar to a Samba, but not overdone like Sambas are now. I also love the pared back sea salt colourway with the black, and of course, the gum sole. I really dont need another pair of kicks, but these are SO GOOD.

4. Reformation Ani Ruched White Loafer: just as I’m obsessed with silver ballet flats, I’m even more obsessed with a white loafer this fall. A true white, not an off white, ivory, or cream, the loafer has to be a true white. And while I still love and wear my chunkier loafers, a streamlined shoe in the white hue is just so sleek, modern, and current, its going to take all my classic looks and make them so fresh. This loafer from Reformation is exactly what I’m looking for, I love the ruching around the seams, and the low heel. Please come back in stock in my size!

5. Morning Jazz Playlist by Bliss: this weekend I had this playlist on every morning as I was brewing my coffee. Its perfect, easy, romantic listening while waiting for the french press to steep.

Morning Jazz Playlist by Bliss

5 things I'm thinking about this week

It’s almost time…

I put my Script Ohio flag up yesterday and my Block O wreath on the door.

I remember when the outcome of Saturday’s in the fall used to determine my happiness for the week. Now, I’m just excited for the humidity to drop, the temps to cool, and stores to fill up with the season goodies I look forward to all year.

That’s not to say I’m not going to savour this last unofficial week of summer. Late night walks around the neighbourhood, lazy weekends with a good book and col drink, I’ll miss the slower pace that summer affords us.

But I’m ready. (Especially to turn off the AC.)

Here are the 5 things I’m thinking about this week.

1. Prospect Jam Company Blood Orange Marmalade: lazy Sunday mornings are even more spectacular with great coffee and jam on toast. But not just any jam, this Blood Orange Marmalade from Prospect Jam Company. It’s sweet and tart and sprinkled with peel, it’s unlike any other marmalade I’ve tasted. I picked mine up at the farmer’s market, but they also have an online shop too.

2. Abib Quick Sunstick Protection Bar: earlier this summer I was looking for a portable sunstick that I could carry with me to use to reapply throughout the day. A quick TikTok search later and I had this Korean one in my cart, ready to try. It’s perfect. It’s not greasy, there’s no whitecast, and it layers GREAT over makeup for touchups throughout the day. But the thing I love most about it is the shape, it’s curved and matches the contours of my face perfectly for an even application every time. I can’t recommend enough.

3. Favorite Daughter Classic Logo Baseball Cap: baseball caps are part of my summer uniform, I’m always adding a new one to my rotation. Picking up this one is a no-brainer for me, it’s black and white (or white and black) and perfect for this oldest daughter to sport, especially in the vicinity of my younger sisters. Added to cart.

4. Louis Poulsen Panthella Portable Lamp: the chokehold these lamps have had on me, but especially this portable one. Spending almost $400 on a battery powered lamp does seem a little ridiculous, but when it’s a design this classic, it can be justified, right? What I love about this version of Louis Poulsen’s design is the ability to move it around freely, from a bedside table, to a bookshelf, and even a reading nook tucked in the corner of my home. Finger’s crossed for an upcoming sale?

5. The Row Claudette bow-detailed leather point-toe flats: these flats are GOALS. They would be an absolute dream to own, but there’s is zero way I could justify their price this upcoming season. The colour is exquisite, as is the bow detailing, and I love that pointed toe shapes, and flats (!), are coming back this fall. I will appreciate them from afar, and wait for a high street brand to pay homage to them in a slightly more affordable way.

5 things I'm thinking about this week

It’s been almost a month since I put pen to paper (or more specifically, keys to google doc) on this little corner of the internet. I wish I could share that I’ve been off galavanting around the world, but in reality, I’ve really been feeling the lazy days of summer.

The humidity and the heat always reek havoc on my productivity and inspiration, and instead of beat myself up about it, I gave myself the grace of taking a break.

That’s not to say I haven’t been doing nothing.

A whirlwind 36-hour trip to Detroit helped to get me out of my creative funk. Surrounding myself with good food and the masters of art at the DIA was fabulous, as was hopping across the border to stock up (again) on all my favourite tastes of home.

I know fall is hectic and I should be languishing these last days of summer, but I really can’t wait for a dip in the temps to really get my groove back.

In the meantime, here are 5 things I’m thinking about this week:

1. NYTimes The Women’s Magazines of 2023 Are in a Facebook Group and Your Inbox: i’ve written about Becky Malinsky’s substack before, but this article this week really resonated with my about everything I missed about fashion media. I love that trusted journalists are finding audiences on old-school mediums, one of the things I miss most about magazines is an editor’s curated point of view. I love this return to curated journalism, I miss the old days when fashion pubs were more about curation than affiliate links.

2. Mollie Jenkins Pottery Ghosts: I have almost purchased these ghosts 5 times in the last week, but I just can’t justify spending $125 on more Halloween decor when there are so many more pressing home purchases I need to make. Even this minimalist queen can’t help but adore these white ceramic guys, there’s the perfect size and shape to sit on my mantle for all of spooky season. Adding to cart, again.

3. Club Monaco Abhy Merino Wool Sweater: as much as I would love to pull out my chunky turtlenecks, the reality is our weather isn’t going to be #sweaterweather for at least another two months. Boo. In the meantime, this merino wool sweater would be a perfect in-between sweater for my closet. I’d pair it for the office with a pair of trousers or a long silk maxi skirt, or more casually with an a-line mini or even a pair of tailored shorts.

4. Madewell Greta Ballet Flat in Silver: this summer I actually ventured out into a mall (!!) during a free afternoon and was pleasantly surprised to come across these silver ballet flats at Madewell. I’ve been on the hunt for a silver pair for awhile now, but my biggest beef with the flats I’ve purchased and returned was their flimsiness. I’m happy to report the leather on these felt substantial, like most Madewell shoes, and I love the square toe and the black strap. Just waiting on a coupon code to snag these at a discount.

5. Bun & Pillow Tiptoe Sculpture Vase: Bun & Pillow has been another previous mention on this site; I just can’t get enough of their whimsical ceramic wares. While a lot of their items would add the perfect quirky kick to a bookshelf or desk, it’s this Tiptoe vase that is my current obsession. I’m currently trying to style a fireplace mantle and think I would look perfect next to a mirror and piece of art for a minimalist yet fun style.

5 things I'm thinking about this week

Well, I caught up in hype of Prime Day. Lured in by hopes that “this surely has the same quality of X” only to be brought back to reality that it never would. I should have know better. =)

Thank goodness for free returns - now I just need to make it out of Whole Foods without collateral damage to my credit card. But it never hurts to look, right? *wink

I think it’s best that I keep to what I know best - like these 5 things I’m thinking about this week.

1. Williams Sonoma No Kid Hungry Spatula by Joshua Weisman: if there’s one place in a home where an injection of whimsy is welcomed, its definitely the kitchen. It can be super overt, like a turquoise mixer, or something a little cheekier, like this Williams Sonoma spatula. I’ve always checked out their No Kid Hungry spatulas every year, this is the first time where one of their designs has been purchase-worthy to me.

2. Tuckernuck Pearl Cluster earring: I’ll always have a soft spot for pearls since they’re my birthstone, but I find that I’ve been reaching for them more frequently this summer. When I was first browsing Tuckernuck’s site, I thought these huge statement pearls were perfect for me. They feel a little cartoonish now, which is why I’ve got my eye on this pair of cluster pearls. Larger than a stud, but not so overt, these would pair perfectly with breezy summer dresses and white jeans, or this fall with a crisp button and a tailored skirt or trousers.

3. Better Homes and Gardens Amy Planter: TikTok made me do it. Well kind of. I spotted this planter on TikTok and couldn’t believe that it was from Walmart, so I had to go and see for myself. It’s the perfect 1970s vibe to go with my house’s mid-century modern style. and I can’t wait to fill it with an equally 1970s monstera or other large, leafy plant.

4. Polene Tall Lapel Vase: I spotted this vase on Mojave’s latest vlog and couldn’t believe it was from Polene. I’ve only known them as a affordable luxury handbag brand but this collaboration with Japanese brand Mobje is gorgeous. The height, the materials, and the flexibility of the top of this vase are so unique, this would look fabulous with or without stems.

5. Seven by Jung Kook: even though I’m forever and always ot7, everyone has always known that JK is going to be the Harry Styles/Justin Timberlake of BTS. His first single, Seven, is super fun, you’ll find yourself singing “Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday…” when you least expect it.

5 things I'm thinking about this week

Are there a bunch of retailer sales coming up this week? I can’t tell. /sarcasm

I’m fully prepping for a week of influencer overload. Between Prime Day, the Nordstrom Sale, and every other retailer, I’m totally expecting Instagram to be unbearable this week. Let’s see if it bleeds over in Threads?

Speaking of Threads, are you on the platform yet?

I’ve been messing around with it a little bit, it seems to be pretty positive still, similar to TikTok, except full of really bad millennial jokes. I was really hoping they would have a more chronological feed, instead of the algorithm, so I can follow on with live sports and breaking news/weather. Until they figure that piece out, I’ll still be logging into the bird app every day.

Anyways, here are 5 things I’m thinking about this week.

1. King the Land: its been a while since a totally cheesy, chaebol falls first, romantic comedy k drama aired, so I was more than ready for King the Land to hit Netflix. It’s everything you’d want in a summer kdrama, gorgeous leads with fantastic chemistry, inside jokes galore, and a script that loves to poke fun at itself. I’m bummed its already half-way over, but have my popcorn ready to watch the rest.

2. Watershed Four Peel Strawberry Gin: we did a gin tasting when we stopped at Dillon’s outside Niagara where I had the chance to taste strawberry gin for the first time. At the time they were recommending pairing it with ginger beer to make a strawberry mule, which sounded like the most refreshing summer cocktail. I was heartbroken to leave the Dillon’s strawberry behind, but so delighted to see that Watershed brought theirs back again this summer. Not only is this gin a gorgeous dark pink colour, it delicious as well. I’ve already mixed it into a G&T, and am looking forward to adding it to ginger ale and ginger beer all summer long.

3. Tennis Dresses: between arts fest and the Taylor Swift concert, I’ve been seeing tennis dresses everywhere as of late. They’re perfect for this swampy weather we’ve been having, my only hesitation in picking one up is length. (Tall girl problems). I’ve got my eye on this one from Lululemon, but also love that this one from Athleta comes in tall (and is on sale!).

4. Audo Copenhagen Stance Vase: as my wardrobe becomes more and more minimal, I’m finding that my home decor is following suite. Sculptural, intentional furnishings are starting to replace patterned, complicated ones, and this stance vase would fit right in to my new point of view. I love the height of the 20'“ one, and love the layered look of the two of them every more.

5. Banana Republic Rugs: yep, you read that right, RUGS. The Banana Republic rebrand has been so interesting to watch, from preppy workwear to safari-luxe. Their new home decor line fits right into this point of view, with elevated price points just like their clothing. I do love the gray tones of the Moroccan and classic wool rugs, this one, this one and this one are my faves. Maybe these will eventually go on sale, just like their clothing? /fingerscrossed