If you’re reading this on Thursday morning, as intended, your newsfeed is probably overflowing with Knicks parade content. And while so many are in a New York state of mind, I find my own mind wandering somewhere…lighter.
I’ve been referring to it as a Frilly White Pajamas state of mind, and it’s a mindset that’s setting the tone for the entirety of my summer.
In an egregious admittance of first-world problems, I’ll share with you that last summer was pretty stressful for me. I was planning and prepping for my October wedding, and while that’s a fabulous occurrence in the grand scheme of life, it felt like a lot to manage in the moment. I was juggling budget structuring, health and fitness maintenance, social obligations, and logistical organization, with a big fat bridal spotlight on me at all times.
It was well worth it, but I spent the summer with a stress-induced stye that simply wouldn’t fade — a scarlet letter, signaling to all that I wasn’t doing well under pressure.
This summer, though? I’m happily married, fresh off my honeymoon, with zero travel plans on the horizon. I have a new tennis racket, my hair is finally growing out, and my closet is filled with new shoes. My base tan is established, I have a new favorite sunscreen (more on that next week), and all my friends are in favor of dressing up to get silly little drinks at a moment’s notice.
I don’t have a care in the world. My top priority is enjoying myself.
I hereby dub the next few months Reset Summer.
The frilly white swiss dot pajamas I wore on my honeymoon from Waverles feel like the physical embodiment of Reset Summer, and I enjoy them most when I wake up in my apartment with not a thing to do but prepare myself an overly sweetened iced coffee and tip-tap away at my computer. How luxurious it is to have minimal responsibilities for weeks at a time!
My other big plans, as detailed in our June mood board, include swimming, suntanning, and stretching whenever possible. Your calendar might not be as delightfully open as mine, but I urge you to go into the next few months with a Reset Summer mindset, even if you can only enter into a Frilly White Pajamas state of mind for minutes each day.
Savor your Sunday morning coffee at home! Your Tuesday evening errands after work! Your Thursday night happy hour with the girls, and your Friday morning breakfast sandwich run!
Lean into impulsive lunch plans and beach days as often as humanly possible, but don’t spend the time chained to your desk lamenting that you aren’t elsewhere. Reset Summer is all about making the most of the good times while you have them — not dwelling on the times that aren’t so pleasant.
Move through ‘em and on to the good stuff.
Let’s be real: Reset Summer stems not only my own personal desire to make the most of the good times this summer, but from a desire to escape the reality that shit is very much hitting the fan right now. I’m not saying that a good coffee or a fresh set of PJs can efficiently shield us from reality, but I’ll be damned if I don’t romanticize what I can to help me better cope with all the actual atrocities afoot.
My nervous system needs a serious reset, and yours probably does, too. Dress it up in some frilly white pajamas, and let’s get to summering, dammit.
Virtually all of my favorite brands are having massive start-o-summer sales right now. Delightful, but dangerous! These are the top three worth doom-scrolling:
Self Portrait: I don’t feel like I rave about them online very much, but I’d classify SP as one of my favorite brands of all time. I love their ladylike little dresses — but they’re expensive, so I usually stick to shopping their big seasonal sales. This time around, I snagged this pretty blue lace dress for $200 off. My rehearsal dinner dress is also on sale, as is the navy polka-dot taffeta dress I wore to the Belmont Stakes (I like it even more in white with black dots, also on sale).
The best part about this sale is that it isn’t a Final Sale situation, so you can order multiple styles and sizes and do an at-home try-on before committing to your buys. I almost kept this pretty yellow cotton broderie number, but for once, I showed restraint.
Tory Burch: Blah blah, you know I’m enamored with all things Tory Burch. And their Semi-Annual sale is one of the best, courtesy of an extra 25% off your purchase! I like that this sale has a mix of seasonal items, so you can buy something you’ll want to wear ASAP, or get an especially good deal on a fall or winter style to whip out in a few months.
There’s clothes, bags, accessories, and even home wares to sift through, but I’m always going straight to the shoes. These espadrille wedges have been calling to me for a while now, but I can’t decide between the black or red. I bought the Patos platform slides on sale at Bloomies a few months back, and they’re even further discounted here in multiple colors (there’s also this same-but-different Patos sandal for $142 that I think I like even more!).
And in terms of shoes that went viral and are now marked waaaay down, let’s not sleep on the butter yellow sequined smoking slippers priced at $150, nor the sculptural cherry red pumps at $225.
Strathberry: One of the best handbag brands out there, Strathberry’s designs always hit that sweet spot between stylish and practical. I’ve been blessed to build a relationship with their team over the years, and their bags are some of the most-worn in my collection. Online, they’re currently running a glorious Summer Sale with up to 25% off select styles.
Two bags I don’t currently own, but often dream about a life with? This farmers-market-chic basket tote and this oxblood croc-embossed Mosaic Nano. And they’re both in the sale! I’m passing because I just received a Mosaic Nano in raffia that I’ve been wearing like crazy, but the croc-embossed styles really are so good, I’m extremely tempted.
Perhaps I get the forest croc Nano Tote instead? Just a practical wallet? Jury’s still out.
I would be remiss not to take a second to share some favorites from last week’s Nantucket getaway with Cru of Two PR. Cru specializes in experiential getaways, and this was my second time catching a flight to Nantucket to get to know some of their clients (I know, how lucky am I?).
There were some old favorites in the mix, like OOFOS, and some new, like Mahi Gold. The former makes recovery footwear with impact-absorbing foam ideal for post-pilates coffee runs, and the latter offers coastal-inspired apparel like gorgeous gingham shifts and hydrangea-printed maxi dresses. How on theme!
I snacked on shellfish at The Nantucket Hotel, went out to sea with Discover Boating, decorated Club Cs with Reebok, and did it all wearing the cutest striped boatneck tee from Vineyard Vines (and this nautilus shell bag that got me tons of compliments). We also arrived to a fridge stocked with Olipop’s new flavors, including my current fixation: Blackberry Vanilla. Olipop, I love you bad.
Prior to my first time there, I thought Nantucket would have an overly preppy vibe, but in fact, everything has a worn-in coastal cool to it. Whether biking to Lemon Press for an overpriced latte or braving the supposedly-notorious thrift store wars, it’s become a special place to me that signals the start of summer.
I’m not much of a trad wife, but your girl does have a soft spot for shopping table linens. And apparently, dressing like them, too! When it comes to broderie anglaise, cotton lace, crisp white voile, and eyelet embroidery, nothing’s off the table — or, rather, everything looks like it’s come straight off the table!
My aforementioned frilly white pajamas are my nighttime take of choice, but during the day, I’m leaning towards shapeless shifts and beautiful blouses galore. If you can swing it, go full DÔEN. If not, shop Sézane, J. Crew, Hunter Bell, Hill House Home, and Gap for similar vibes.
The look doesn’t have to be all white, but for me, it reaffirms the fantasy. I want to exist in a space in which I am not worried about staining my ensemble. Such trivial concerns are no match for a mind at ease!
Speaking of whimsical, beautiful things: Do you have a minute to talk about our lord and savior, Erdem Moralioglu? I always make it a point to spend some time scrolling Erdem’s lookbooks when a new collection comes about, and Pre-Spring 2027 is some of the brand’s best to date.
And after a few recent viral red carpet moments (see: Taylor Swift for Toy Story 5 and Sarah Paulson for the Tony Awards) I’m delighted to see Moralioglu’s designs getting a bit more mainstream hype.
The overall lookbook is breathtaking, but each individual piece stands on its own, to be sure. I’m not afraid to say that, were I to win the lottery, I’d drop several thousand dollars on these gowns before I even thought about doing good or giving back. (That would come next, I promise!)
The crystalline embellishments and voluminous shapes draw the eye, of course, but what really intrigues me about so many of Erdem’s pieces is the unique use of weathered texture, particularly on the satin.
I’ve never been able to put my finger on why it thrills me so, but in this collection, it’s described as adding “a sense of patina” to the fabrics. Exactly.
The majority of Erdem’s offering is ridiculously out of my budget, but I’ve had my eye on their handbag selection since they debuted their beautiful golden rose-handled Bloom Bag. Now, they’ve got tons of versions, plus the Flora Bag and a brand-new East West Bloom Bag for Pre-Spring 2027 done in all satin with a detachable handle. It’s definitely not in my impulse-buy price range, but I’ll certainly be thinking about it when the pre-order lifts come November…
I’m so genuinely sorry to tempt you with this while the product is sold out, but I need to let you know now that yes, the Rhode Highlight Milk is worth the hype, and yes, you should join the waitlist for the restock. I’m not usually a luminizer gal, but I’ve been wearing shade 03 mixed in with my SPF on the face for a little tint, as well as on my décolletage for some glow, and I’m really pleased with the look and feel. And this from a girl that recently bought the shimmery Nuxe oil everyone loves and didn’t get the hype, so you know I mean it!
These Larroudé wedges would already be mine if I didn’t buy so many shoes while I was in Italy. The Missoni-esque multicolored raffia is so versatile and fun, and the midi-wedge silhouette feels really fresh. They also come in beige raffia if you’re seeking something more neutral. In a world with unlimited finances and ample closet space, I’d have both.
Jonathan Adler sent me the most whimsical little objet for summer, and I’m declaring it the ultimate bougie hostess gift of the season. Inspired by their iconic I-Scream Vase, this porcelain candle holder comes with two spherical candles to serve as the “ice cream” atop your cone. Does it get more delightful than this?? Methinks not!
I got so many DMs inquiring about the bracelet I’m wearing in this photo, but it’s actually a necklace I wrapped around my wrist a bunch of times so I could admire all the beautiful beads! It’s by the Columbian brand Pajarolimon via Anthropologie, but it’s now sold out on their site. I’ve noticed that they also sell individual bead charms for under $30, which are a great way to add some cheer to a gold chain or other simple jewelry.
Until next time!
x BGF
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