Monday, February 19, 2024

Outfit of the Day: In Which I Wear All My Favorite Stuff At Once.

When I start feeling wanty about some imagined thing that will make my wardrobe complete I remind myself that I already have some truly great stuff that I'm not wearing enough. Lately I've been trying to use all my good stuff as much as possible. 

Does this stop me from wanting more stuff? Sometimes. Does it make me feel slightly overdressed at the grocery store? Probably. But, it's been really fun to not "save" stuff for occasions but instead to wear the leather jacket every chance I get, to carry a nice bag even if I'm just going to the post office. For example, we went out for tacos last week and this is what I wore:

My very favorite jeans by Mother: the Weekender Fray, which I wear more than any other pair I own right now. I'm actually wearing them right this second! I reviewed back in 2022 if you're curious. They're truly comfortable and just the right length. I'm also wearing my Pikolinos boots which are very comfortable and decently cute and only pair of boots my dumb foot will currently allow. I am curious about this style, which is a bit taller and might work in place of the Chelsea boots I can't currently wear.

But okay, let's talk about the leather jacket. Its an AllSaints Belvedere jacket I found on TheRealReal because my other AllSaints jacket is currently, um, extremely tight. This one fits perfectly and I can wear a thin sweater under it, no problem. 

My scarf (this is it in a different colorway) was an impulse purchase at Liberty of London. It was on sale and there was only one left but they still steamed it for me and packed it up like a gift. I wore it for the rest of the trip, even the part where I had to sleep on the floor in JFK because we missed our flight. SO FANCY. 

Finally, that bag. It's the Mulberry Amberley (mine is in oxblood) and was a London purchase that was definitely on sale. HOWEVER, do not casually wander into the Mulberry flagship store in London and think you're not buying something because you absolutely will and you will love it and carry it A LOT because cost per wear and all that shit. Okay, on to my second "favorites" outfit:


Now, I talked about my striped Everlane sweater a few entries ago and it's still my #1 favorite sweater that I wear way, way too often. (And it's currently on sale!) Oh, Everlane. I quit you and you drag me back with cashmere and stripes. It's a great sweater - somehow boxy and slightly cropped but still hangs just right? It's magic and I just really love it, if you can't tell. 

I'm wearing it with my patch pocket jeans from Madewell which are getting quite a bit of wear. They are trendy but in a fun, not-too-young kind of way, I hope. Just to keep things extremely grown up and serious, I'm wearing them with my Comme des Garçons PLAY Converse which are so cute and spark all kinds of joy. 

My necklaces are my favorite weird bird skull from Paxton Gate and my labradorite necklace from Etsy. 

So, that's it. I'm really trying to use and enjoy what I have and stop being so wanty all the time. It's sort of working? Sort of. 

Wednesday, January 24, 2024

January: The Absolute Worst.

Listen, January is my birth month so I'm allowed to talk shit about how lame it is. Oh, freezing rain? Sleety snow? More freezing rain? Everyone is sick? COOL. WINTER IS SO GREAT. (But seriously, you winter-loving weirdoes. Why do you like it? What's to like?)

Despite my bad attitude I do have some new things to tell you about that I like very much. For context, I spent the last two weeks of 2023 unable to walk (yes, again) because I had foot surgery (yes, again. But this one was to remove the hardware installed during the first one.) During this time I did a lot of reading and watched too much TV. I also bought some stuff because what else could I do? 

This Book of Weird Ass Short Stories
If you've never read any Kate Atkinson maybe don't start with Normal Rules Don't Apply (start here instead) because even for her, it's weird. If you're already a fan, absolutely go for it. Technically this is a collection of short stories, which I don't generally go for, but all the stories intertwine and interconnect in that devious way Atkinson has and it's dark and apocalyptic and beautifully written. Plus, the actual hardback is gorgeous so this is not one for your Kindle. 


This Twisty Mom Thriller That I Liked Just Fine
If you want a twisty thriller page-turner of a read, Katherine Faulkner's new book The Other Mothers is definitely that. Overall it was a compelling page-turner, though I found the ending a bit too explainy (she ran out show and went for tell.) Also, I am not a mom so some of the play-group nuance didn't hit but I still enjoyed reading it. Her first book, Greenwich Park (which I wrote about here), was also a fun, twisty read and both books are perfect for a sick day or a vacation read. 

This Documentary That's Pure 90s Girl Nostalgia
Y'all, as a 90s-era young adult there are not enough words to explain how huge the supermodels were at that time. They were very much a part of the culture of the time in good ways and bad. The Super Models documentary on Apple+ is so freaking great - a real hit of Gen-X culture and nostalgia. Plus, you get the George Michael video! Vivienne Westwood! Todd Oldham! Marc Jacobs! I just freaking loved it. 

This Crazy Movie I Somehow Missed
I'm not much of a Disney person so when Cruella came out, I didn't pay much attention. Then I saw a very clip of it online with Emma Thompson being deliciously campy and mean so I decided it might be fun. Y'ALL. I had no idea. No idea! This is a wild fashion movie and a little bit punk rock. I mean, London in the 70s! Liberty of London! Emma Stone! That weird guy from Fleabag! A dog dressed as a rat! Incredible costumes! An amazing soundtrack! suffice to say I loved it. If you're snowed in or home sick and haven't seen it, I highly recommend it for a weirdly wonderful good time. 

I Found My Perfect T-Shirt
This will be disappointing for some but I found the perfect long-sleeve crewneck cotton tee and it's the Lululemon Love tee. I know. I KNOW. I'm sorry. But its so perfect! This is not a thin and droopy tissue tee, this Pima cotton/lycra tee has enough shape and heft that you can wear it by itself but it also layers nicely under a sweater. I went with my normal size and it fits perfectly - skims the body without being clingy. I've thrifted a few of the short sleeve Lululemon tees and they are great but it's SO hard to find a good long sleeved tee. I bought one in black and now I'm thinking about this striped version. (I'm so predictable.) PS. I also bought this hoodie which I was Very Not Sure About and then I started wearing it around and now it's my favorite stupid hoodie. What can you do? The heart wants the hoodie it wants. 


My New Favorite(?) Mascara
I'll be frank: "favorite mascara" is a tenuous category because mascara can start good and go very bad or start bad and then get better with a bit of age. It's true, right? But whatever, my current-as-of-this-month favorite is Lancôme Lash Idôle Lengthening & Volumizing Mascara. I got the mini size and so far it's a great everyday option. The wand is fairly small and curved so you can get even your puniest lashes covered and it's nicely lengthening without being crazy dramatic and it was still hanging in after a late afternoon workout.  

Saturday, December 23, 2023

A Few Dumb Things I've Bought.

My apologies for this being incredibly un-exciting, but I bought a few items of winter clothing that I've basically been wearing like a uniform and I thought I'd post about them. 

I actually posted an IG story about this sweater because I like it so much which kind of pisses me off. I boycotted Everlane successfully for several years and then started looking for the perfect slightly cropped striped sweater and goddammit, the perfect one kept popping up and it was stupid Everlane. UGH. FINE. I ordered it with a discount and it's really good. I'm sorry. I give up. Everlane, you win. It's just the right amount of cropped and boxy so it falls in that casual way without looking too oversized. I got a medium and that size works well for me. And, its nice, soft cashmere which doesn't hurt.

I also ordered another Quince $50 cashmere sweater because they had a nice moss green and I got a large instead of my usual medium because I wanted a bit more slouch in this one. It's so nice! The perfect green. Here's the thing about these sweaters - they aren't high-end cashmere and yes, the will pill. But, for $50 it's still softer and nicer than that $98 acrylic blend sweater that's tempting you at Madewell. I promise. And you can wash them! Handwash or wash on delicate, roll in a towel to get the water out and then flat to dry. 

Remember this Athleta Whisper jacket? I finally bought the parka version in black and Y'ALL. It is the perfect coat for the PNW winters and for travel because it's really lightweight yet still warm. Plus, it has a hood and it's water resistant enough to handle a little bit of rain. Athleta will be having a sale soon so hang tight and pounce on this when it's marked down. Also, I think it runs a size big but it depends on how much layering you want to allow for. 

Finally, I'm sure I've posted about these before but Uniqlo makes the best under-sweater layers! I can't wear wool or cashmere next to my skin so I always wear a Heattech top as a base layer. They disappear under a sweater and will also keep you warm. They have a ton of styles and colors and they're on sale right this second! 

That's it for now! Tell me what you've gotten lately that you love, even if it's that Madewell sweater (which is cute, I'll admit.)

Thursday, December 14, 2023

Stuff I Like: Not A Gift Guide.

Somehow it’s mid-December and I am, as always, shocked. Shocked! It’s like how PMS takes me by surprise every single month. (Hm, why do I suddenly feel like everything is doomed? *looks at calendar* Ooooohhhh, right.) Anyway, here we are and for the first time in more than 10 years I’m not posting gift guides. I mean, honestly, how many cute dang Anthro ornaments can I throw at you? (Apparently, at least one.) 

Okay, so instead of a gift guide you don’t actually want, shall I tell you about some holiday-ish stuff I’m enjoying right now? And maybe a few suggestions? Yes? Okay:

This Book Marianne Recommended
How did I not know about Sophie Cousens? Marianne recommended This Time Next Year which is delightful and funny in the manner of Mhairi McFarlane or Jenny Colgan. Light and easy to read, but also well-written. And, it’s going to be a movie with the hot guy from Emily in Paris which should be a good time. It’s not really a Christmas book (more of a New Year's Eve thing) so if you’re looking for that, I made some recommendations a few years back.


This Is The Only Candle You Need
Listen, if you want a truly amazing Christmas tree candle? You want the Thymes Frasier Fir candle. Trust me, this is THE ONE. It’s not super expensive it's pretty and it’s excellent quality. I bought this one which has a nice glow as it burns down but it also comes in a bunch of sizes and container options. It’s 100% worth it. 



This Thing I Bought Myself
While in London I spent a happy few hours at Liberty of London touching literally everything I could get my paws on. I bought a few gifts for other people and also bought this pretty Iphis print wallet for myself. I’m going to wrap it up and put it under the tree because I’m a weirdo like that. Anyway, it’s compact and beautiful and I love it.  

This Thing I Might Buy Myself
Okay, here’s a jaunty little cat that will hold my AirPods on my desk if I’m not using them. Um, but why tho. Also, I love it. But why. Do I need this? I absolutely do not. Do I want this? Of course I do.

This Thing Marianne Gave Me That I Still Love
I posted about the Dior Crème Abricot Strengthening Nail Care a while ago and wanted to give an update: I continue to love it. It's such a thing and makes a very luxe gift. The packaging is fancy-pretty and it's just a really nice product. Best of all, it falls in that excellent gift category of "thing people might not buy for themselves" and right now it's under $30!


Welcome to Adrien’s Sock Corner
Look, I know I just talked about Smartwool socks but I didn’t see this exact pair and now I want them (so pretty!) and I think you should know about them too in case you also want them. YOU ARE WELCOME. Happy Holidays, y'all! 

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Stuff I Like: Winter I Guess.

I just got back from our Thanksgiving week trip (Edinburgh and London!) and I'm having a BAD case of the Sunday Scaries. Wheee. I wanted to squeeze in a November post but I've just been too busy to pull it together and now it's nearly December. What happened? How is this possible? Anyway, I pulled it together here's some stuff I've really been liking lately:

This Yearly Thing Where I Get Excited About Socks
Y'all know I'm a sock fiend and I've been a big Bombas fan forever but I recently bought some Smartwool socks and dang, they are a game changer. Socks are not exactly exciting but once you start upgrading your sock drawer it's hard to go back. I got a few pairs of this style and they are delightful. Warm without being bulky, not at all itchy and this pair, my striped favorite, is very cute worn with Birkenstock clogs or peeking out of boots.

A Gift Idea For The Summer Person In Your Life
I've written before about my love of the Verilux light to combat season affective disorder but there are other options, like this cute moon light that's both useful and attractive and this one that's an alarm clock that wakes you up with a sunrise. The SAD lamp is one of those things you don't realize you need until you start using it regularly and then you're like..."Wait. You mean I don't have to live with a sad doom cloud hanging over me all winter? Cool." 

This Skincare Tip That's A Real DUH Moment
I read a skincare tip recent that was so stupidly obvious that I couldn't believe I hadn't thought of it. I mean, it's free, simple and really effective. Are you ready? Here it is: Wash your face for a full 60 Seconds. What? How was I not already doing this? But of course I tried it immediately. I double cleanse, starting with my favorite oil cleanser* and set a timer on my phone because a minute is actually a good chunk of time. I really get in there and massage the cleanser gently around my face so it has time to work. I started doing this every night last month and was legit surprised at how much better my skin looks. Amazing. *I bought this balm cleanser on vacation and it's really good, inexpensive and also works well as a first cleanse. Bonus tip: buy a couple of sets of inexpensive cotton washcloths and use a fresh one every day. 

This Movie That's a Pure Delight.
It's been a few weeks since I watched it but Quiz Lady on Hulu is still making me laugh. It's the goofiest movie I've seen in a long time and I loved it. It's got everything: Sandra Oh in a goofy role, Awkwafina in a straight role, Jason Schwartzman at his smarmy best and a real surprise - Will Ferrell playing a sweet, sincere game show host. Just go watch the trailer and add it to your list. It's not life changing or anything but it is a low-stakes fun watch. 

This Long List of Reading Recs (I'm on a roll!)
After a long run of DNFs and disappointing reads, I have found bunch of good books. Hits include: Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan a sequel to The Christmas Bookshop which I wrote about a couple of years ago. I like the first one best but the sequel was really fun to read while I was in Edinburgh! Last month I read The Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon which was creepy and dark but very satisfying. I also re-read In the Woods by Tana French, my favorite of all her books. I’ve read probably three or four times now and I get something new out of each time. If you read it and was mad about the ending, consider a re-read. She subtly gives some real hints about the older mystery. Just saying. Currently I’m reading The Guest by Emma Cline (did one of you recommend it?) and so far I’m into it. 

That's it for now! As always, please let me know in the comments what stuff you're liking - books, candles, socks, whatever. I'm here for it. 

Monday, October 30, 2023

Review: Quince Mongolian Cashmere Oversized Boyfriend Cardigan Sweater.

OhhhhKAY. I am seriously sorry it's taken me a million blog years to actually review this dang Quince cardigan but I've been busy taking really terrible photos. Like, this first pic was just to show my friends how f'ing crazy oversized the size medium was and clearly was not meant for public consumption but I already sent the sweater back so here we are: 


This is the Quince Mongolian Cashmere Oversized Boyfriend Cardigan Sweater in size medium. It's weighty and ridiculously soft but oversized to a point of being ridiculous. I look like I'm being eaten alive by cashmere: 


But, it was so soft and cozy and such a good cold-weather WFH piece that I exchanged it for the small (in the charcoal grey because...reasons. I don't know.). I'm way happier with this one:


It's still perfectly oversized and delightfully unflattering but it doesn't feel overwhelming and the sleeves are the perfect length for me. If you have long arms, the sleeves might be short if you size down too much, just FYI. Also, it's holding up fine and isn't pilling much so far. (I maintain that all cashmere pills, it's just a matter of time.) If you're curious about the rest, I'm wearing my cardigan with these Madewell jeans and this Quince top. My boots are Pikolinos Granada and they're from my favorite local comfort shoe store because that's my life now. They're cute, though, right?  

One last look at the cardigan, which even in the size small buttons up with plenty of room to spare:


I doubt I'd ever wear it like this but it's nice that I can if I feel like it. Finally, I wanted to share my best recent Etsy purchase:


This labradorite beaded necklace is my most-worn piece of jewelry right now! It's beautiful and subtle from afar, but the stones have nice fire to them. Plus, it's really well-made and came with the nicest note from the artist, MyszkaJewelleryLdn.

That's it! A full review, a terrible pic with no makeup, and a mini outfit post to boot. I really give it my all, don't I? Honestly, though, this Quince cardigan is such a nice piece - good quality cashmere at a great price. If you’re new to Quince and want $20 off a purchase of $50 or more, please feel free to use my referral link! (Full disclosure: I also get $20 in credit and then use the credits to buy more stuff to review!) 

Thursday, October 19, 2023

Stuff I Like: Leaning Into Autumn

Hello! It’s autumn and it has been feeling SUPER autumn-y around here. Portland does fall beautifully... until the rain comes and all the pretty leaves fall at once with a distinct and singular whump. Right now it's still being beautiful and I'm trying to lean into the coziness of the season because what else can you do. Here's what I've been liking in October: 



This John Derian Thanksgiving Collection is Insane.
I am still mad that I missed out on most of the John Derian for Target Halloween collection a few years ago but now there’s a whole new Thanksgiving themed collection! I am not a huge fan of Thanksgiving but I can still appreciate the ever loving shit out of this amazing sequined TURKEY PILLOW. (Seriously, I saw it in person and it is incredible.) I touched everything but settled for this really beautiful set of coasters because I’ve never quite gotten over missing out on the Halloween set. It’s in stores now, quietly sandwiched between Halloween dregs and the onslaught of Christmas.


This Book I Can’t Stop Thinking About.
I recently read The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue and I think it’s my favorite book so far this year. It’s not quite like anything I’ve read but it uniquely captures those weird, confusing years in your early 20s when you’re not quite an adult, you don’t have any money, and your friends are everything. The characters are all flawed but sympathetic and I love that I’ve been to the exact neighborhood in Cork where the main characters live. (I feel like one of you might have recommended it? If so, thank you!) Also, Caroline O’Donoghue has a delightful podcast called Sentimental Garbage that’s been getting me through my hellish commute. Enjoy. 

This Oversized Cardigan That’s Delightfully Unflattering.
Not everything in your closet needs to be flattering, okay? Sometimes it just needs to be cozy and soft as kittens and ridiculously oversized. I ordered this Quince oversized cashmere boyfriend cardigan in my usual medium and it was ENORMOUS. I exchanged it for a small which is also enormous but looks like it’s meant to be like that. It’s not a flattering piece but I sincerely love it. (A real review is coming soon!) It’s just the thing to throw over a fitted tee and jeans on a chilly day. Did I mention it's soft? SO soft and warm. 100% recommend but definitely size down unless you have really long arms. (Also, just to prove that I don’t love everything from Quince, I also ordered this mock neck cashmere sweater and it’s the actual worst. Just boxy and weird and too short. Do not like.) 

The Time Has Come For Sensible Shoes.
My foot injury has improved a lot in the past few months but I still deal with daily pain and stiffness and my shoes have to be supportive and not too flex-y or I’m limping with pain. Yay! Getting old is SO FUN y’all. Anyway, we have an upcoming trip that will involve rain, cobblestones and walking and I just cannot fathom wearing my ugly Hokas all day every day. Yes, I am that vain but I’m also not a complete idiot, so I went to the comfort shoe store and tried on everything I could stand to look at. I ended up with a weird pair of Dankso sneakers that kind of look like hiking shoes? They are not Fashion but when worn with jeans they just look like shoes and my sad foot really loves them. They have great arch support, Vibram soles and they are waterproof, which is a nice bonus when you live in the PNW. I highly recommend if you’re looking for a truly boring, sensible shoe that will keep your feet dry.