Sometimes, I have a lot of things that I want to share and no theme to share them under. So this post is a bit of everything — beauty, fashion, reader questions, etc. It’s a jumble, like my mind right now. Let’s go.
+ Need a concealer brush? This is the best under-eye concealer brush that I have ever used. Ever.
+ These suede kitten heels in acorn will be my fall 2025 shoe.
+ When I go to a baby shower, I always buy one thing from the registry and a fun onesie. My go-to onesie right now is from Posh Peanut’s ‘Friends’ collection.
+ Putting together a baby registry? Skip the Dr. Brown’s bottles, and buy these. Same colic-prevention, fewer parts to wash.
+ The ultimate day-to-night work conference dress. Just add jacket/sweater.
+ Two months ago, I developed a weird rash. Switching to this plant-based detergent fixed it in two days.
+ Need to eat more veggies? Bake them into focaccia.
+ From the DMs: Can you help me find a makeup bag I won’t lose in the bottom of my work tote? Try this bright one or this hard-shell clear plastic option.
+ A friend who travels for work constantly adores Cuyana’s System Tote. It’s a marvel.
+ Dumplings are one of our favorite quick dinners. I love to add store-bought dumplings to this summer-friendly recipe. And don’t miss these incredible dumpling sauces.
+ Bought this collarless blazer at Nordstrom. It is as good as hoped. I added these pants to make it a suit.
+ Wax or shave, Fur is the solution for a red, bumpy bikini line. (#partner)
+ Can you really beat The Real Real?
+ A reader asked in the comments for a wedding shoe recommendation for a fall wedding. I e-mailed her this inspiration photo of burgundy velvet, and chose these shoes.
+ My favorite window shopping? The Outnet New Arrivals.
+ LOFT is having a big sale. To get through the rest of the summer, I bought this linen romper and this henley t-shirt dress.
+ Get in shape with ‘Japanese Walking.’
+ J.Crew has the prettiest work dress that I have seen in a long while. I also can’t stop thinking about the charming print on this sundress.
+ These cute baskets might be the best way to store toys.
+ We’re over-35, our faces droop. I’ve been doing these facial exercises to improve the tone of my jawline and I think they’re helping.
Do have a bit or bob to share? Drop best reads, shopping finds, recipes, and whatever else moves you in the comments.
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When I go to a baby shower, I buy one thing off the registry and one thing for the mom.
Years ago, my mom pointed out that the baby will be taken care of, but the mom may not be and she needs to be.
I love this idea!
I’d love to hear from others on the quality of Cuyana–the easy zipper tote seems to fit the bill for everything I’m looking for, but can I really use it everyday, carrying all my “stuff” which makes it on the heavy side, without it falling apart?
My Cuyana bag has held up great. No complaints. But it is 100% leather, so it feels a bit heavy when fully packed.
I own a classic structured tote, top zip satchel (both with Cuyana’s inserts), and leather backpack. The inserts plus leather bag makes it all really heavy and I don’t think they hold up to heavy loads well. Note that if you get a bag with no lining, the unlined suede(?) leather backside will shed all over your stuff, so I do recommend an insert. I’ve had minor issues with the bags but was willing to deal with those issues given Cuyana’s luxe designs at reasonable prices (pre-2020) in comparison to Madewell, Everlane, and Mansur Gavriel. The leather is fantastic and their designs are beautiful, but the prices have increased beyond what I think it’s worth. If I had to replace now, I’d buy a tote from Quince (though their designs are more basic).
The facial exercises link didn’t work for me —- and at 47, I really need it!
I’ll warn you that the J. Crew dress fabric will throw you off – “luster canvas” ruins it. They should’ve done it in crepe. The other J. Crew dress has weird sizing, tried that one too. Beautiful print though.
Love this,, please do again soon.
Re-reading this book because I loved it so much:
https://www.janebertch.com/book
If you have not watched the tv show Somebody Somewhere…unfortunately you need MAX to watch but worth getting for even one month and binging it.
Loved Somebody Somewhere! So funny and moving, and on a small scale…heartily second.
Can I just lament for one sec about how annoying it is that EVERYONE has a substack now and EVERYTHING is paywalled? I mean, I totally get it… but I already pay to subscribe to so many. I just wanted to read your one article about *your time working at TRR* but it’s paywalled? Sigh. (*insert many subjects here… said multiple times a week)
agree…I just cannot pay to read all the sub stacks I would like to support and enjoy
The Pitt on HBO Max, which my medical friends (including those in the ER) heartily endorse.
Books…
*The Hospital by Brian Alexander – eye-opening about the impossible position these small independent hospitals are in and how they all get bought up by private equity. I can’t believe they gave the author this access.
*Anything I’ve read by John Scalzi, with Starter Villain for pure feel-good goofiness, and the darker Old Man’s War series on the sci-fi front.
*Dear Committee Members by Julie Schumacher (and the rest of the trilogy)…each made me both laugh and cry.