T-minus 5 days until we take R to college. This last week has just been a series of bittersweet goodbyes as all of his friends have left (he’s the last one to go), and we’re…not great. He’s excited and ready, but also so sad. He’s currently upstairs playing video games with his brother, and wants to go watch Pax’s soccer practice before he leaves and have “one more family board game night” and is trying to figure out how we can still all watch Silo together and – oof – I am NOT ok.
When I focus on how proud I am of him, when I focus on how exciting this all is, how it’s been the honor and privilege of my life to watch him grow into this amazing man…I am ok. Maybe even…excited?
But then. When I think of all of the little everyday moments – when he’s studying in his room and I surprise him with hot chocolate, his silly kitchen dance that means he’s happy, how smug he looks when he’s driving (it takes these city kids forever to drive, haha) – these are the moments that make it so hard to say goodbye. Does he even realize how endlessly thrilled I am by the mundane details of his life? That I could literally listen to him talk – about anything – for hours?
Five days. I don’t think I will ever truly be ready.
Oh, wow: where has this seriously cool dress been hiding? On sale, and looks wayyyy more expensive than it is.
A sneaky-good layering necklace? This guy. (Looks great on its own, too.)
Freda’s having a big sale!! I looked at alllll of it, and my top picks, hands down, are these studded fisherman sandals (only a few sizes left, sadly) or the Laurel Mary Jane in ‘Vanilla Jacquard Mesh’. Both get my stamp of approval for all day city walking.
Looks like the Row. I’ve been eying up these Ref flats for months – they remind me of this pair from The Row. Then Abby casually strolled into the office wearing the exact color I’ve been eyeing (light blue!!) and they’re even softer in person than I expected. Ordered.
Maybe my Fall uniform? I keep reaching for oversized graphic tees + baggy ripped jeans…then finishing the outfit with cool ballet flats, a sharp bag, and jewelry. I thought I was being all 90’s and unique (ha), but Cotton On is showing that exact same styling here (click on the white graphic tee to see what I’m talking about).
And here’s the dressier version of my go-to Fall outfit: ASOS (make sure you’re looking at the ‘pecan’ color).
On that note…are we wearing sneakers this Fall? I’ve been finding myself gravitating towards real shoes instead. However, I’m still wearing the heck out of these sneaker ballet flats, as well as Adidas Tokyo’s – oooo especially in a pretty print like these.
A very cool denim wash: Great Falls. It’s as varied and interesting as ripped jeans without being ripped jeans. I love it. I’d size up and wear these a little slouchy.
Are red socks going to be a thing? I offer up exhibit A. Cute, right? If interested, this pair of red socks are a perfect thickness to wear with ballet flats.
Remember when good style meant a cute North Face Fleece? Well, this one looks incredible (in ‘granite gray/frost gray’). Although, I’ve been wearing the heck out of my Halfdays fleece. I think it’s cuter than those old North Face fleeces, but the Halfdays photos online do not do this piece justice. I’ll try to pop something out on social so you can see. I have an old color in the Halfdays fleece, but I’m currently eyeing up ‘Nirvana’ because obviously. Size up for best slouch!
Speaking of: Best Hiking Pants? These. Halfdays sent me a pair in ‘kalamata’ proving once again that they’re masters of color. In person, this color is an army-ish green with more gray than usual, and is so freaking good in person. The fit is perfection (ignore the reviews that say to size down – I think they’re all from 20-somethings, haha – I went with my usual size medium) and I’m soooo excited to wear them. I love that there’s little snaps at the bottom so you can cinch in the hem or leave it loose.
Sezane vibes, under $50: This sharp sweater-jacket. Would be seriously cute with baggy jeans on the weekend, or at work with basically everything.
The bag that’s haunting my dreams, over $500: Coach. Well technically I wanted this Miu Miu, but I’m not that kind of bag girl (honestly, even the Coach is a splurge).
Cute, playful sweatshirts for Fall: I love this rugby sweatshirt from Levi’s and this retro Adidas one (the red/pink is so good).
I am oddly excited about this doormat. I’ve been looking for one to use in Vermont (mud season is no joke) and that one is so functional (actual bristles that remove mud and dirt) yet is so…chic? Seems like an oxymoron, but I’m in. (Full disclosure: I think we’re working with these guys because I saw something on our IG – gahhh I’m influenced.)
The best, fast brow? Merit. Their ‘taupe’ color, in particular, doesn’t vibe orange (like sooooo many other browns), and it’s just enough color to make a decent difference. (If you are willing to take a couple of minutes to do brows…Wonderskin’s Wonderblading Brow Stain is incredible…but I don’t feel like doing it everyday.)
The very last restock of our Confetti Bonbon necklace just hit…and there’s only four left. It’s such a fun piece to wear, and it we were so gratified to see how much you guys also loved this piece. If you want to peek at a few styling ideas, we have some here (and yup – it looks really cute with sweaters, too).
I thought our Lake Life watch band bracelets were sold out…but then I realized I had two of them at home. I’m obviously keeping one (they’re really special!!), but there is now one available, if interested.
xo,
S
Shana, if you haven’t seen the Coach Empire in person… it’s very heavy, with nothing in it. IMO, it’s best used as a work bag as we tend to accept more weight with a computer/I Pad and all the things vs an everyday bag to run errands, etc, if that makes sense.