NOTES FROM THE WEEK

On Gifting: Accepting gifted items from brands is something I used to shy away from. I felt like I had my core group of designers (COS, TWP, Nili Lotan) I’ve returned to again and again. But in the interest of branching out to discover something new, and to share products across a wider price range, I’ve shifted gears. I’m very selective and will only accept something I would personally wear and that I feel resonates with my audience. There is no obligation for me to review or promote any of them, so what makes it to the newsletter is my authentic opinion. What’s fun about this, is I’ve discovered brands I would not have paid much attention to - M.Gemi and Margaux shoes, Demylee and &Daughter sweaters, Cuyana leather bags, for example. They all produce beautiful, well-made, quality items. A dress from Wiggy Kit is on its way to me now and I’m excited to try this new to me brand. This shift is also giving me the chance to take a closer look at familiar brands I’ve dismissed over the last several years - J.Crew, Madewell. I’m enjoying integrating the more lux end of my closet with their products and from your messages, you do too. The same protocol goes for beauty - a product only makes the page if I think it’s good and worth your time to look at.

J.Crew: Sometimes I catch myself spending too much time focusing on special pieces when what I really need are just good everyday basics. Lately, J.Crew has come back on my radar for this, especially with these trouser jeans and the roll neck sweater. I took a look at their Friends & Family Sale and found three essentials I’ll easily integrate into my summer wardrobe - a cropped linen pant, chino shorts, and a packable straw hat.

• Mid-rise stretch linen black pant - cropped, slight flare. They’re incredibly versatile dressed down with an easy tee (I like this one) and flats, or slightly elevated with a black tucked in shirt, belt, and a stylish low-heel sandal. They’ll go day to night.

• I’m not big on shorts around town, but on vacation, they become an option, especially in white. A tailored style keeps me in my comfort zone. I don’t like sloppy, so would tuck in a crisp shirt (TWP stripe) or wear one tied at the waist (Nili Lotan denim). I’d layer a textured cotton sweater if needed. These are the 7” length inseam shorts.

• Wide-brim packable hat suitable for street or beach. I like how it still has structure after being folded. The black band adds a more finished flair. Pair it with an elevated, city-appropriate raffia bag, chic flats (obsessed with these!), layered necklaces (gold heart and malachite beads with diamonds) and sunglasses to keep the look pulled together.

*Hotel Il Pellicano book…a hotel long on my bucket list. Recommendations if you’ve been please.

And for 48 hours, the best-selling drawstring linen Soleil pant is on sale for $75 with code SHOPNOW. They run generous. I tried the regular length in small, but prefer them longer and ordered a tall.

*J.Crew pieces gifted.

Nails: I’ve been using LONDONTOWN Illuminating Nail Concealer for years. It’s my go-to when I want a boost to natural-looking nails. The concealer stays on for at least a week and is easy to apply on my own. I don’t have to worry about precision since the sheer is so close to a bare nail that small flaws aren’t obvious. I wish my own nails were better, but despite leaving them polish-free for months and nurturing them with oils and creams, they still bother me, especially the ridges. I want them to look pale and smooth and the concealer does exactly that. One coat over the ridge filler is what I’m wearing above and this is after 7 days with no chips. I’ve tried other LONDONTOWN products and they all perform well, but this is the combo I keep going back to.

LONDONTOWN Ridge Filler, Pink Illuminating Nail Concealer and Original Illuminating Nail Concealer (the one I’m wearing).

Sandals: I haven’t fallen in love with a pair of sandals for years. Other than classic Chanel flats, I can’t think of any I bought. The recent collections from PRADA are changing that with detailed styles that have an interesting, artisanal look. They’re very tempting. I keep coming back to the antiqued leather thong with floral ornament in tan or black, the fringe and buckle flat in black and the bow-tied thong with stitching in white.

The Elbow-Length Tee: One of my favorite ways to wear a full skirt (above Rue Sophie) is with a slim, elbow-length sleeve t-shirt or sweater. The two silhouettes complement each other nicely. The fit is crucial. I don’t like a fitted top tucked in so it has to hit at the right spot just below the waistband. It also needs to be a true elbow length. That’s hard to find. I’m wearing is a black Vince ribbed top hemmed to the perfect length. I’d like to find a similar silhouette in gray (gray suddenly seems more relevant than black or white right now) and navy. The styles below are all good options but they’ll need to be shortened.

• The Vince Elbow-Sleeve Crew in black or white.

• Jamie Haller in a ribbed modal knit. A good shade of gray. Also in navy.

• Favorite Daughter in gray or black fine wool jersey.

• Frame looks very close to the right length in white, a heather beige, and black.

• Banana Republic is a contender. With 40% off markdowns, they're $13 and alterations cost becomes a non-issue.

  

  Among Friends: A weekend away with girlfriends revealed a mix of finds worth sharing. From makeup and wellness to fashion finds, we all learned something new. Here are a few of interest:

• Wellness: I made a dedicated effort this year to see if I could lower my cholesterol without medication. Increasing daily fiber intake was one of the key players along with a morning walk and reducing saturated fat. My doctor thinks the fiber played the biggest part in the success of getting my numbers to a healthy level. I’ve tried fiber supplements over the years and they all made me bloated and uncomfortable. After some research, I narrowed down various types of fiber and decided to try the Organic Fiber+ from MindBodyGreen (read about the ingredients here). I add a scoop to my oatmeal every day. It’s been a game-changer for me and one of the few products I have on subscription.

• LED Therapy: I’m still on the fence when it comes to LED at-home treatments, but I have a friend who uses one for hair and has seen results. She showed us the newest one - an “FDA-cleared, clinically-proven, professional-grade” mask that treats hair and skin in a single device. From Celluma, I pre-ordered mine.

• Comfortable walking shoes: A conversation on comfortable shoes for summer travel came up and one friend highly recommended an Espadrille Mary Jane from Rothy’s, a brand known for comfort. They’re machine washable, have a padded footbed, and are low-key stylish. I’m intrigued and ordered a pair. I like this style too. For quick jaunts around town, I pointed them to Margaux for everyday comfort.

• Makeup: I brought my ILIA Stick Foundation and it was a hit. My friends all bought one while the Sephora sale was still running. We all agreed it was ideal for travel, avoiding another liquid in the carry-on bag. I love it because I never wear a full face of foundation. The stick formulation allows for precise buildable placement only where I want it. The ILIA tinted moisturizer serum with SPF was another highlight. I bought the color Paloma for days when I want a little color with SPF.

• White jeans: I wore the patch pocket from J.Crew on the drive out to the desert. They have just enough stretch to be comfortable and not lose their shape. Now a few of us will have them. I’m hoping the tall size comes back in stock so I have a variation on how to wear them.