The Mondays: July 14, 2025

All I have to say about July so far is that it happened. I forget the rest. But here are some of the frivolous things that have been taking up space inside my brain next to the serious things.

Brutal Truth: I do not feel good about my body right now. I have not felt good about my body since I gained a significant amount of weight during a period of unemployment in 2023. Sleeveless top, tight sheath dresses, special occasion attire, etc. are to be avoided.

Yet, last week, I put on a swimsuit three times and never thought a thing about it. How is that possible?!

Andie. That’s how it’s possible. So when they asked me to partner up to talk about their basics collection, I had to say yes. After all, I’ve been singing their praises since I found them in July 2024.

So let’s talk about the suits that I own. The Malibu is like my hot girl suit. I can button it up for the Country Club and then unbutton a couple of buttons for a couple’s vacation. It holds everything in place with some magic that I do not fully grasp.

I am just on the verge of needing the long torso suit, so I buy it because it’s a bit more comfortable. I am on the upper edge of M in the size guide. Can I wear it? Yes, and it looks fine. However, the L feels comfortable both in my life and in my mind. You know what I’m saying.

Next, I own the Myknonos suit. It’s a classic style that feels very comfortable on, while looking structured and sleek. It has medium bust support, and I never feel like I’m going to fall out. Very comfortable in a M in this suit. Available up to 3x.

If you hate putting on a swimsuit and it’s always terrible, I feel you. That’s how I felt for years, until I started wearing Andie suits. This is as close to body neutrality as I will ever feel, and I manage to feel that in a swimsuit. So a miracle.

Have trouble figuring out what suit works for you? Try this guide from Andie.

Speaking of swimming, this is called the After the Pool sandwich from Naughty Fork. It’s like a club sandwich decided to take a pill in Ibiza and go for a little trip. Kyle loves a sandwich (like hopes to open a sandwich shop one day, loves) so this sandwich is on the menu for this weekend. I mean, it has Doritos on the sandwich…genius.

I have tried every gauze clothing maker on the market. I tried Gap’s gauze pieces (they were fine last year, trash this year). I tried Splendid’s gauze pieces (seriously, why is the shirt cropped?). I tried Quince’s gauze pieces (they wore hot, likely the blend in the material). And then, I thought, why am I fighting it? I know who makes the best gauzy summer pieces: Xirena.

I know they’re spendy, but I bought the dress I am currently wearing three years ago and despite significant washing, it looks phenomenal. So please peruse their summer sale if you’re in the market for breezy attire. I snapped up this bottle green dress for summer-to-fall. I’m in a medium as long as the bottom is a-line.

A few weeks ago, I wrote about some bad decisions I made while in a rush to get to the pool. New House Rule: We don’t dry shave just because we’re in a rush. The retaliation was swift, red, and bumpy. I was uncomfortable and embarrassed and not going out in a swimsuit for weeks.

Then, I started using Fur Oil and the Ingrown Concentrate. Within 24-hours things looked better down there. With 48-hours, the itching was gone. By the end of the weekend, I could dane to put on swimwear again.

Even two weeks post issue, I was worried about going for a bikini wax, but I shouldn’t have been. I started applying the Fur Oil two days before the wax and used both products after and there isn’t a bump in sight. I am sold.

{this post contains affiliate links that may generate commission for the author; this month I partnered with Andie, they paid me a small fee of a few hundred dollars for inclusion, but I got to choose all content and all wording with no pre-approval}