Between Us, Vol. 10

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I don’t know about you, but I’m starting to really feel that shift towards summer. I could sense more humidity in the air here in Florida this week and the afternoon rain showers are creeping back in. While the mugginess is something I could certainly do without, I do love the summer thunderstorms.

You guys … I had so much fun burying myself away in getting some things organized for a friends’ mom’s trip to Paris and Ireland later this summer. It’s been so fun finally diving off the deep-end and doing what I’ve said I wanted to do. I think I’ve been so nervous to take on more 'full-service’ clients because life has been so full lately that I didn’t want to not have the capacity to fully deliver — which has been the right call, I will say because organizing travel is time-consuming — so, it’s nice to feel like I’m over the hurdle!

I posted this the other day on Instagram:

INTAKE FORM

Booking hotels is complimentary and I offer a couple of different itinerary design options for a fee that is dependent on scope so, I will email you once the intake form has been submitted and we can go from there :)

Getting started on this, and seeing your support come through in the intake forms, has been a really good reminder that it’s never too late. You don’t have to keep doing things you’ve been doing for a long time. Shift if you want to. I’m trying to remember that "fortune favors the bold” and I don’t even mean financially. I mean confidence, mostly. So, yeah, I’m so excited that the ball is finally rolling.

Anyway, this weekend, we are laying low. Last weekend was so full-on that I am excited to enjoy a rainy Saturday at home cleaning, folding laundry, and getting more things organized and in their place.

I shared a little round-up of things I’m eyeing but having quite turned to buying just yet so thought I’d recap those here for you because they really are so cute. I think I’m going to get the linen set:

Okay, here’s what I have for you guys in today’s newsletter:

+ Elevated Summer Accessories to Consider
+ What’s In My Cart: LOFT Edition
+ Travel Essentials That Are Effortlessly Chic
+ [Respectfully] Unpopular Opinions

Here’s what I have planned to share this week on Substack:

+ The Style Dossier | May 2026: Tune in Wednesday for May’s Style Dossier. I’m getting into how I’m starting to shift my everyday style for summer, the pieces carrying me through the season, and SHOES.

aviators | bucket hat | raffia tote | necklace

I like starting with accessories to ease into a new season. It’s a fun and nearly effortless way to shift a look, and honestly it’s the move I always come back to before I’m ready to fully commit to a seasonal wardrobe shift.

Right now, as usual, I’ve got easy dresses, denim and simple tops in the rotation, but what I add at the end is what changes how it all looks. A different bag, a pair of sunglasses, jewelry, even a belt adds a little zhuzh.

The great part is, none of this is a huge lift, which is the whole point. Summer wardrobe’s are meant to be and feel effortless — and the May’s Style Dossier will provide some pointers if you’re feeling like yours isn’t. Here are a few pieces I think are chic additions to your Summer wardrobe:

• Sunglasses: I’m usually drawn to more oversized lenses, but these felt like a fresh take on a classic aviator. The shape is a little different, and the tortoise makes them easy to wear with a lot of pieces and accessories I already have.

• Bucket hat: I don’t usually wear bucket hats, but I was drawn to this one. The details make it feel a little different from the typical ones, and it’s still practical if you’re out in the sun for a while. I’d probably bring it on a trip and see how much I end up wearing it.

• Tote: This is the kind of bag I bring when I know I’ll be out for a while. I’ll throw in sunscreen, a book, water, whatever else and not have to think about space. I also like having something like this for travel days so everything isn’t crammed into a smaller bag as well.

• Necklace: How fun is this piece? If I’m opting for something with a bit more flare, this is what I’d go for. It’s enough on its own, but also layers well if I want to add more.

Summer Accessories

lace camisole | ruffle bag | wrap skort | red crop pants | raffia belt | button front pants | toile print dress | shift dress | resin bangles | red midi dress

LOFT has been really good lately. I wasn’t even planning to spend much time on their site, but I clicked into new arrivals and just kept finding things I’d actually wear and I was like ‘wow, okay I need to be responsible here but I need to share how cute these are with my gals!’, hah! I can’t keep these things to myself, as you know.

With Memorial Day coming up, I kept noticing the same color story over and over. Red, raffia, and tan. It feels very easy and apropos for a long weekend, especially if you’re outside most of the time and mixing functionality with style.

A few of my favorites:

» I’ll always gravitate towards a dress like this. It’s easy to throw on during the day, with the most minimal effort. I’d wear it with flat sandals during the day, then just swap to these heels at night and call it done.

» I love this lace cami because it gives you that easy, summery top vibe, minus the overly bare feeling. The lace detail makes it feel more fun than a basic tank, but it’s still simple enough to wear a bunch of ways. I’d do it with denim, linen pants, or tucked into a skirt with sandals. Very easy Memorial Day weekend energy.

» These bangles are a really good price point if you want to add something a little more fun for summer without spending a ton. It’s the kind of thing that can change an otherwise simple outfit pretty quickly.

» A lot of you picked up this red dress recently, and this is another really good option with that same feel. Easy, a little more of a statement because of the color, but still a throw-on-and-go situation.

LOFT Memorial Day Picks

At this point, everything that goes into my carry-on has earned its place. If it’s not functional, versatile or genuinely helpful mid-travel [especially with two little ones] it doesn’t make the cut. These six pieces come with me every time, no matter where I’m going.

» This quilted tote is lightweight, wipeable and deceptively spacious. Fits everything without being bulky and slides easily under the seat, as long as you don’t overfill — which, honestly is easy to do. It has loads of compartments to keep things organized, as well.

» You know I love my Leatherology. This train case keeps all my beauty go-to’s contained and easy to grab. The structure means nothing gets crushed and it’s small enough to stay organized without overpacking.

» Likewise, their tech bag keeps me from digging through my bag mid-flight looking for a single cable.

» A portable magnetic charger that has saved me more than once. It snaps right onto my phone, lives in my tote and keeps me from hunting for outlets in airports when my battery inevitably dips into red after using all the apps a travel day requires.

» Airplanes are always freezing and I almost always have a cashmere wrap with me, even in the summer months. This one is the best quality one at a price that isn’t astronomical. If you want to invest a little more, I’d suggest the one by White & Warren every time.

» Cabin air is brutal and this butter balm is my way of attempting to combat the dry air. It’s deeply hydrating without feeling greasy and the size makes it easy to keep in the outer pocket of my tote. I reapply this constantly on longer flights.

MORE MUST-HAVES HERE

While these are the physical essentials that earn a spot in my tote, I also shared the digital ones in this Substack. I break down the apps I rely on for navigating new cities, managing flight changes, adjusting to time zones and streamlining airport logistics. Together, they’re the systems that make travel feel far more seamless and intentional.

When something feels off, it’s really easy to think you need to buy something to fix it. Most of the time, that’s not the issue. It’s usually that you don’t have a clear sense of what you like or what works for you, so everything starts to feel disconnected.

If you’re not sure what your style is, look at what you wear the most and what you feel the best in. There’s usually a pattern there. That’s the place to start.

I used to care more about what looked successful from the outside. Now I care more about how my life actually feels day to day. I’ve had seasons where I had more flexibility and didn’t fully realize how valuable that was at the time. I think about that so much differently now and hope to achieve it again in the future.

Shock, horror! An influencer saying that no every moment needs to be documented? Lately, I’ve felt a shift away from wanting to be constantly “on” or defined by that role. I still love sharing, but not at the expense of being present, especially in this season of life. Time with my family feels too fleeting to always view it through the lens of content, and not everything needs to be on display.

The reality is, this industry rewards visibility, and staying relevant often means staying seen. But since becoming a mom, I’ve started to question how much of that I want to keep up with. I’m still here, still sharing — but I’ve also just found more enjoyment in being fully in a moment, without thinking about how it will translate later.

That’s everything for this week! I’m easing into summer over here, but I have a feeling it’s about to pick up quickly.

x H.

Coming Soon: May’s Style Dossier will go live on Wednesday here on Substack for paid subscribers. Be sure to upgrade to paid if you’d like to receive it in your inbox.

Alyson Haley is a longtime style and travel writer focused on helping you create a wardrobe you love and travel more confidently and competently. After 10 years of living between and just outside of London, she shares curated recommendations and insider insight on her favorite city and other destinations she knows and loves. She is currently building a bespoke travel boutique centered around beautifully designed, meaningful escapes. For more, be sure to follow her on Instagram.