Recent Buys

Summer shopping for home and away

I’m going on a cruise next month. This month we’re doing another family road trip, this time heading to Upstate New York and Western Massachusetts. And of course, the annual Ashpes Girls trip to Rehoboth Beach is coming up at the beginning of August. My body is constantly in flux (thank you so much, perimenopause), so some of the things from last summer fit, but a lot don’t. Hence, shopping.

I ordered this swim top on a lark. How the heck is this going to stay in place with my gravity-blessed middle age tig ole biddies? But it does, and I think it looks better than all the strapped higher coverage options. A reminder to occasionally break out of not just the archaic style rules but the rules you have put upon yourself. You may be pleasantly surprised.

As for bottoms, I own a pair of basic black bottoms, and even a pair from a few years ago that has excellent coverage and low leg openings but sassy side lacing. I also ordered some lady board shorts as comfort and joy comes from not having to worry about my bikini line 24/7. Will report back once they arrive!

I got this belt in the largest size because my sister showed up on the 4th of July in this linen maxi dress with a dark brown leather braided belt at her ribcage, with the tail hanging down and it was so cute I had to copy her.

At the same time I got the belt, I also got these pants. I wear my white linen wide-leg pants all the time but wish I had something of a different fabric for other situations. I have some cream lightweight denim/twill pants but they’re a straight leg and in the summer I love the breeze of a wide leg. They’re pretty cute, and hello petites!

The brand sent me this shirt, and it’s by far the most worn gifted item I’ve gotten all year. I am so impressed with the quality and fit that I may buy another one (this one or this one are the top contenders). Spoiler alert: review coming on Wardrobe Oxygen this week! This shirt can handle D.C. humidity and a soft curvy body with tig ole biddies.

This spring I swore I was going to find a nice straw or raffia bag. I wanted one that was lined, maybe with some leather trim. Each bag I checked out was too big, too loose a weave, too small, too stiff, too chintzy. I felt such a bag would be versatile and classic but they all felt very trendy. And then I started looking at the rope and knotted bags out this season. And I saw this one from Desigual and fell in love with the green. I also love that there is a pouch inside of the same green that holds a lot but is snapped in so you can remove it and use the bag more like a knotted tote.

I am surprised by how much I like this bag. It’s a really good size on my 5’3” frame either on the shoulder or in the hand. You can stuff things around the pouch so it’s great for shopping. I’ll have purse stuff in the pouch and on the outside a water bottle, a few groceries or small items from the store. The rope has a hint of metallic; Desigual is always like this adding one too many things for my taste but in this case it doesn’t bother me. I think it makes it look more expensive. And speaking of expense, I linked to it on the Desigual site where it’s on sale for $79.50 and also available in orange and ivory (IMO also great choices).

I got this skirt from Lands’ End. I wish I sized down. It was a hint loose, which I figured would be comfortable. And then I wore it in the heat and it grew and I had to keep hiking it up, which is not cute. And it’s supposed to be high-waisted, not hip-slung. So I washed it and put it in the dryer thinking heat makes cotton poplin shrink. And it didn’t shrink. I dunno, I worry the next size down will be too small so I think I’ll see what the tailor can do with it. But honestly, I have an XL Boat & Tote full of things to take to the tailor so we’ll see if this gets worn again this summer. Too bad, because it is very cute (much cuter than the creepy LE AI model photo).

I get a monthly store credit from Quince and this summer have mainly been getting things for my teen or the home, but I did get this bag in brown and I like it. It’s no designer dupe, that’s for sure, but with the crossbody strap I don’t think I’m looking to fool anyone. It holds a good amount and can dress up and down so I think I’ll be taking it on this summer’s travels. You can see me wear it on IG with a black crocheted dress and leopard flat sandals.

Last year, The Sak reached out for a partnership. I had written about the crescent bag trend and featured the brand’s “Tess” sling bag. They sent me the bag in black and I wore it quite often. I looked to continue the relationship, requesting gifted items versus paid opportunities as I have found over time that provides a higher ROI for both parties. Their POC was not given much control and it seemed every time they blinked The Sak needed weeks to approve it and I gave up.

But one of the items that back then that I really wanted was The Sak’s large “Los Feliz” tote in the crocheted black stripe. I proposed back then receiving the bag and some of the brand’s bag charms just for affiliate, or if they preferred, for paid social content with optional usage rights. Thanks to Mailsuite I know the email went unread by that person, so likely the POC was let go, replaced, or the company went in a different representation direction. So this year, still admiring the bag, I bought it myself.

It is a beautifully made bag, and when in hand you understand why it usually costs $249 while other similar bags cost far less (though it’s on sale for less than $170 on Nordstrom). The knit is tightly woven and solid, the base and strap a thick leather, the details quite lovely. The Sak is a BCorp and the knit is from recycled bottles yet feels soft and pliable. It’s not a lightweight bag, and that is my only hesitation and why the bag has yet to be used. I know the weight is due to the quality of materials and construction, but when full I worry it may not be something I wish to tote on a regular basis, and be too heavy to consider taking on travel. Do any of you have this bag and have feedback?