Bits & Bobs Vol. 5

Bits & Bobs is my recurring space to share what’s on my mind, what I’m reading, watching, and recommending, without the pressure of perfect.

It’s been a while since a Bits & Bobs! And there is much to discuss, so let us make haste and get to the good stuff.

• Increasing the surface area of my luck. One thing I’ve learned this past year of being more publicly online? People can’t connect with what they don’t know, or what they can’t see. About a month ago, an editor from Cup of Jo happened to see photos of our house that I shared online. I don’t know how she found me exactly, but she did, and she DM’d me out about featuring our home on their House Tours series. I quite literally screamed when I saw it come through (my husband was initially concerned) and immediately said yes. Cup of Jo is the OG lifestyle blog to me. Joanna Goddard is the OG blogger. I’ve read and followed along since college, so being asked to be featured felt (feels!!) completely surreal. But the thing I keep coming back to is this: it only happened because I shared something. Because I keep sharing things. My friend Kait Santos has a phrase I love: “increase the surface area of your luck.” And that perfectly encapsulates what I’ve been trying to do this past year—sharing, put myself out there, letting people see what I’m building and what I care about. And then being open to what comes back to me. This feature feels like one of those moments. The ultimate “pinch me” experience for a Millennial gal like me and something I never would have dreamed of even a year ago. I’ll share more on the BTS of the Cup of Jo experience later (and the feature comes out later this summer!), but for now that’s really the sentiment I want to get across. You can’t get back what you don’t put out there.

• Glow ups. In all forms! I feel like my friends and I are now at the age where we are really getting into and curious about various forms of glowing up. We’ve had a kid or two, are secure in who we are, and have a little disposable income to spend on ourselves. Of course there’s the Botox, the lasers, the Invisalign, and the minimally invasive boob jobs (I kinda can’t get over this technology). But then there’s also the reinvesting in ourselves kind of glow ups. Like carving out time to get better at tennis or taking the plunge into learning Mahjong. My Substack is also getting a glow up soon and I’m so excited. It can be scary to spend time and money on yourself, but we all deserve whatever it is that makes us feel aglow. No judgment!!!

• Father’s Day. It’s coming, it always does. Lol jk. The poor dads. I feel like Mother’s Day happens and then we’re all just like… what Father’s Day? When’s that? Well, this year it’s on Sunday, June 21st, which means it’s basically in two weeks, which means it’s time to get our acts together. I find my husband increasingly hard to buy for as the years go on, so I’ve been racking my brain on what I might get him. Then he recently found some old drawings he did in college and a lightbulb went off. Planning on getting them framed for him! Three little cuties with this frame from Framebridge. Aren’t I thoughtful? We’ll see if I get it done in time… Other ideas include everything on last year’s gift guide, curated by one cool dad.

• Summer Projects. We’ve got a lot to do over here. My son, Luke (6) needs to learn how to swim and ride a bike, so there’s that. He and my husband want to build a tree fort in the backyard. And he and I are building a Free Little Library! (Okay, maybe my husband is actually building it, but Luke and I are curating it!) We bought this one and I think we’re going to paint it a pretty green color. Luke and I want to have books in there, obviously, but also other little treats for passersby. Think dog treats, pins, Pokémon cards, stickers, etc. We’re both giddy about it and can’t wait for the community treasure sharing to unfold.

  

• Vacation. School gets out here on Tuesday and then we’re heading straight to my husband’s family’s lake house in Northern Michigan. It’s our happy place and we cannot wait. Slow mornings (days and evenings too), fresh air, and dips in the lake whenever I want. Much needed and much anticipated. I’m guessing I may skip out on a letter next week to fully enjoy, so if you don’t hear from me, that’s why!

• Summer. Which if you’re an adult and especially if you have school-aged children, is not a vacation lol. Now that summer break is quite literally here, I’m anxious about how it will play out. This is the first summer I’ve we’ve had to figure out childcare for my son, as his preschool went straight through. I have him signed up for a couple week-long day camps and we have some grandparent help, but I don’t have a full PLAN like most of the more put-together moms do. I frankly got very overwhelmed by the summer camp signup gauntlet and gave up (truly it’s insane the type of mental and monetary gymnastics you have to go through). Luckily though, my friend Kate Lowman is a Pro Mom and shared her summer planning tips on Instagram. She uses a Canva template to create a daily and weekly schedule for each kid, so they know what to expect that week, as well as any chores they have to get done. Have I mentioned she’s brilliant?

• Optimizing my life. I’m thinking about paying a college student to come a couple times a week to help meal prep, do laundry, and return packages. Several of my friends do it and I think it may be time for us to do the same. I want to enjoy my summer as much as possible and with my client work picking up, I think this might be one of those mom hacks I need to lean into.

• On Substack. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the level of talent, intellectual prowess, and creativity on here daily is unreal to me. Some recents that caught my eye: Frosso wrote about what Parisians are wearing during the heat wave, JennyMollen made me cry re: mothering boys, Libby McCurrach has me wanting to fill my J.Crew cart to the brim, and Maura Brannigan launched her Clotheshorse Diary column. I love Jennifer Cook’s How To Dress Like a Substack Mom too. We’re so predictable!

• Yesteryear by caro claire burke. I’m only halfway through but very much enjoying. Who doesn’t like a witty satire on the tradwife universe a la Ballerina Farm with a touch of time travel?! I am very ready to watch Anne Hathaway in the movie too.

• Famesick by Lena Dunham. I’m actually listening to the audiobook version (which Lena reads!) but I can’t get enough. If you’re a Millennial woman (most of you?) who also devoured Girls in the 2010s and you haven’t read this yet, run don’t walk. Lena has a way of making you laugh while you cry and her story is just beyond incredible. It’s been really wonderful to know and understand a little more about her lived experience. Why has she gotten so much hate over the years?? It’s incredibly unfair, and yet, she persists. I love her! And I’m so ready to rewatch Girls.

• Off Campus. I don’t even know how to begin here because it could truly (and should) be its own post. Off Campus on Prime is the latest hockey smut phenom gracing our screens and is based on the The Deal, a hit college romance novel by Elle Kennedy. It takes place at “Briar University” and season one centers around our two protagonists (and lovers, obviously), Hannah and Garrett. When I say this show has CONSUMED me (and all my friends). Again, there is so much to be said, and if you haven’t started it yet, it’s another run, don’t walk, situation. But I think basically what the obsession boils down to for straight Millennial women is this: the story is written by a woman, for women. Garrett is a HOT MAN with an insane body, but more importantly, he’s in-tune with his emotions and he can be vulnerable. He cares for and watches out for Hannah in a way that women yearn for. The show feels nostalgic and tugs at the heartstrings of what it is to be young and in love and feel seen by a love interest. I think it also signifies, for many of us, a sort of “grief” around getting older. College feels both like yesterday and also, seventeen lives ago. It's fun to transport yourself into the fantasy of being 20 and smitten again, before the logistics of summer camp waitlists and whatever is currently all over your kitchen floor — and apparently all it takes is an hour on your couch. Anyway, watch it! Let’s discuss more.

• Summer House. I mean… obviously. What I’ll say about Summer House is: Ciara and Mia are QUEENS and couldn’t be more perfect. Amanda and West are losers. I think we all agree and I think why this season (and the following real life events) has captivated so many of us is that the betrayal of a close girlfriend is one of the deepest pains. What Amanda did to Ciara is f*cked up and we all know it.

• Real Housewives of Rhode Island. Ugh what a GIFT!!! I was born in Rhode Island and all of my dad’s family still lives there, so it feels especially close to home. It’s all perfect and I truly savor the time I have with Alicia and the ladies each week. Thank you, once again, Andy Cohen!

Summer is the best time for music, no? I’ve long been a country music fan (especially the classics, and especially for summer vibes), and with some great new albums out (we see you, Kacey Musgraves, our girl!), country has definitely been the undertone of much of what I’ve been listening to. I also always love moody music, so a good amount of that too. I made us a playlist!

Loving:

• My Keds. They’re so comfortable and lightweight and easy, and my feet don’t sweat in them. Only thing is my puppy has gotten them fairly dirty with his big floppy paws. Good thing they can be easily washed!

• Pull-On Pants. Like the rest of us!

• Office Hours. Thank you, THANK YOU to everyone on here (and elsewhere) who has booked an office hours session with me! It honestly brings me so much joy and fulfillment to be able to connect with you in a deeper, more personal way 1:1 and see how I can help, even if just a little bit. Thanks for making my day a little brighter and if you’re interested in office hours someday, you can book 30 or 60-minutes. I also always have them linked at the bottom of every newsletter!

• Eby bras.* I know I’m not alone in loving these bras, but they’re truly the only ones I’m wearing these days. I just keep collecting them! And so do my friends. (Code ARIANE15)

Eyeing:

• Trendy sandals. Especially the paracord ones like these, these, these, or these.

• A swimsuit to last a lifetime. Would I be crazy to spend $500 on a swimsuit? Probably, but I’ve heard such great things.

• A new Vivrelle bag.* Vivrelle is where I’ve been borrowing luxury handbags (so fun). Last time, I went for black, practical. This time, I want something a little more fun. Maybe a silly little bag (SLB)? Or also, my friend Megan Karp had this one on our girls trip to Charleston earlier this year and it was lovelyyy. Anyway, I’m ready to swap out for something more summery! (Code ARIANEANUSBIGIAN for your first month free.)

• Camp Snap Camera. I saw Janelle Taylor with one of these on Instagram, and now I want one too! A digital camera that can deliver film-like results? Sign me up. I don’t have one yet, but they did give me a code to share! (Code ARIANE7)

• Hair bandanas. Are hair bandanas the new scarf tied around the waist? It seems like it. Idk how I feel about it for me yet, but I think it can be very cute on others!

  

Buying:

• Sporty shorts, not for sports. I bought these because Courtney Falsey told me to and I trust her style with all that I am (she also co-signs Eres swim, btw). I love them, but they don’t have pockets, which isn’t ideal for me. So I’m also going to try these and will see where I land.

• Tanning water. I tried a spray tan before my LA trip in April and unfortunately, I don’t think it was for me. Too much hassle and even though I went with the lighter color, I still felt too tan (I know, poor me lol). I prefer a more natural, gradual tan, and I’m very particular about it smelling or feeling sticky. This is my favorite tanning product that I’ve personally found and I’m due for a re-up. But I believe Traci Landy and Tricia Torley may have more thoughts and recs?

That’s all for this week. But really, get busy in the comments with your Off Campus takes. I can’t get enough. I am a woman possessed!!

Until next time!

xx Ariane

Ps. This post includes affiliate links, but I’d never promote anything I didn’t love! *Denotes gifted product.

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