This post is like a choose your own adventure. Some of you are still curious about knowing all things GLP1. I have one more post on this in me, but otherwise the journey is on the back burner now (I am in maintenance mode). Paid subscribers can always ask me anything in chat; nothing is off-limits. But my monthly journals will return to normal in August without the trigger warnings.
Paid subs who are still curious get this one last post that I’ve been thinking about for some time.
But I don’t want to short shrift those of you who have totally had enough on that front or were never interested in the first place. So for you, I’m starting off with my Greatest Hits of Summer ‘26, covering every front: clothes, beauty, wellness, books, shows, podcasts and more. A little something for everyone.
I’m going to start with the Greatest Hits and then go into this other personal essay of mine.
And I’ll make some of these hits available to unpaid subscribers so you can get a taste of what it’s like here, reserving the rest for this small community that keeps things running, and for whom I am very grateful.
On that note, let’s begin.
HMS Greatest Hits (so far) of Summer ‘26
I made this a summer for trying things IRL. Especially on my last trip. So many of these are gifts that I requested for that reason, but only the ones that really impressed me.
Beauty
Undaria Cleansing Body Polish My hero product. I could never be bothered to exfoliate and hated the residue on the shower floor. This exfoliates and then becomes a cleansing milk!
In shower steam facial: Another shower transformer that I can put on while conditioner is doing its thing.
Pixi Clarity Acid Peel: When you feel like you desperately want squeaky clean, gunk-out skin, you can do this as a mask and then massage it like face wash before rinsing.
Pixi On-the-Glow bronze tinted moisture stick: I shove this on my face if I’m in a hurry but what I really like it for is my body. The shape and applicator work really well; there’s a lot of control. If you’re leaving the house and you’re like ”I am pale AF” you can quickly just throw this on without a mess.
Salt and Stone Saffron and Cedar Body Mist. I don’t like flowery or powdery things and perfume has often triggered headaches for me. Also my hub is sensitive to smells and I don’t need to hear him sniff sniffing when I hug him. This smells like cotton candy in a good way, maybe more like those trees you sometimes smell that smell like cotton candy, and it’s light and I love it.
AKT deodorant I have never had decent luck with any more elevated or natural deodorant. But I love this stuff! First of all, I like how small and packable it is. You can easily have one in a teeny purse, in a carryon, etc. I also like the control of putting it on exactly where I want it - no more getting deodorant all over my dress arm holes. I like getting to try the different scents. And it works for a relaxing day. For a marathon, no. But all day, in cafes, etc. You know, my life.
Not fully tested yet but hopeful: Young Goose Youth Firming Body Cream
Wellness
Eadem Sunsuede daily sunscreen and blurring primer: I pulled this out and everyone wanted to use it. It’s the perfect vehicle and it’s the perfect product. And then you have the bonus of a sort of soft blurring effect. It can go over or under makeup or alone.
Agent Nateur calming ritual: Ok this is supposed to calm you without Melatonin and then have all these nice side benefits too. I started taking this nightly as the last thing I “eat” before getting ready for bed. It is DELICIOUS. I don’t know, it kind of signifies to me that the day is ending. What I find (and it could certainly be placebo) is that when I do this I have a more satisfying sleep and don’t get up in the middle of the night for any reason.
The summer I started trying to care about my hair health: So my hair has been breaking, and my colorist gave me a stern talking to about protecting it from damage. After which I tried a sh*t ton of products. The two that work for me are Crown Affair (and lest you think I am a blind brand disciple, her dry shampoo does not work for me at all.) I am using this once a week. Shampoo, rinse, then this and I keep it on while I wash, shave, wash face and then rinse. Then pretty much every other night I do this. I keep it on my nightstand and rub a few pumps into my hair. I thought I’d wake up greasy but I wake up like this:
hair is SO soft and actually my second day oilies get absorbed in the night too Sahajan Adaptogenic Brightening Mask: I wasn’t sure if this was beauty or wellness but I chose wellness because this feels like a medical grade facial. You put it on for 15 minutes and it feels F*CKING strong. Like you’re like, is this right?? And then you rinse it off and you are bouncy and smooth as a baby. Like woooosh! It’s strong, so don’t use other strong things after this. Just moisturizer.
Buffbunny leggings I have now tested these several times and really like. They have a little compression to where you feel nicely under control but you don’t have to shimmy into them which I HATE.
My new IG therapists. I know IG isn’t therapy. BUT I have found wisdom here this summer that’s affected me in meaningful ways. nedratawwab. janepakofficial (no qualifications, just a normie)… and also a Detroit child care center, because … well, you’ll see.
Fashion
Leopard handkerchief headband: I’ve always admired the way my friend Rose styles a kerchief but never been able to keep one on my tiny head. Voila! Perfect for print mixing + just makes me feel cool.
All the brands who made cool shorts we wanted but in longer lengths: board shorts also these, lingerie shorts, athletic shorts.
Shopbop shoutout: I was an early adopter of Shopbop. They are not the best paying platform when it comes to affiliate links, FYI! And yes they are related to Amazon, which I’ve not weaned off completely, clearly. I’ve chosen to link to them for the ease of delivery/returns, and I appreciate that they are female-led. But two things I’ve noticed of late: 1) a REAL commitment to a variety of brands. Actually they met with me and told me to share any new brand ideas and I was kinda like yeah right. But then I can’t help but notice they get Haikure, and Aisling Camps and so many others. It’s really a good way to try these brands out with ease. And 2) How patient and lovely they are with my 82 year old mom, who uses their customer service a lot. Can’t ignore. My current hearts.
The Horse blue/gray pouch: I really love this Australian brand for its quality, design and pricing. I was especially amazed at how useful this weird color pouch was. Literally wore it day and night on my trip and somehow it made sense of all my weird colors.
Vestirisi over the handle bag: This summer I tried out a new option for an over-the roller-handle bag. I use a secondhand Chanel, and up until this point didn’t have something I LOVED to suggest. Then this came into my life.
Lounge Textured Cotton Pajama Shirt and pants: I was kind of like - what could possibly be “new” in pajamas? UM, HELLO! There’s a new Golden Child in town. I’ve been buying men’s and men’s-style PJs since forever and had no interest in expanding much. But these are so good. The fabric is almost like a seersucker. As someone who loves words, I like that they are embroidered with the word “lounge” in a way that feels like a monogram. The pants are wide at the bottom with little slits! And the top has a slight crop. I got a small top and medium bottom.
Discovering the brand Marcella NYC was a highlight of the summer. This is really well priced (thought it would be shit honestly) and has turned out to be a source of some of my favorite pieces, like my loose sculptural cotton dress, black top with shoulder cut out, and asymmetrical tee. All the while they make a donation with every purchase to help girls in developing countries access education.
440ME peachy cotton sweater: I hate most cotton sweaters! But I love the idea of them. This one actually delivers. It has that boyfriend-y, easy feel, and I loved this wildcard color. See what I mean?
Paulette shoulder pad sweatshirt: Didn’t realize I needed a gray sweatshirt with shoulder pads but I really did.
CVM jeans: A lightweight trouser jean from a female founder I met in LA with this little bit of elastic at the waist so you can adjust it. Makes me feel like I could use the word chic about myself.
Hero cardigan: I’ve been endlessly wearing this men’s cardigan, which is mostly cotton/linen and drapes beautifully. I love it open, around my waist as an extra layer with all navy.
Eby Sugarluxe bralette Went in ready to hate it and have to admit I love it. Seems aimed at a teen audience from the imagery. I initially liked Eby for its mesh bralettes that actually had some support. But my sizing changed and I wanted … more. This has hooks in back and a surprising amount of support. Plus I love the thin neon straps. Ordering another RN. I took an XS in spite of having a pretty big cup size.
Summer jewelry MVPs
My new colorful signet-y pinkie ring. I lost a vintage pinkie ring I loved and I really missed the joyful swagger of it. I’ve been eyeing options and was thinking about a really encrusted signet ring. Enter Eriness. I knew them as kind of the brand for colored stones but fine jewelry vs. just fun stuff. They had offered one item, but when I selected something different, they made it work. Now I have the pinkie ring of my dreams. I loved the process, and most of all interacting with Erin, the founder, who deeply cares and does so much herself. She started making and hand-wrapping jewelry at 18 when she was noticed and picked up by a Fred Segal buyer. You can also do less encrusting, same spirit. Next on my wish list is one of the beaded necklaces Erin is making herself, a return to that growing-up magic. (Eriness just gave us a discount code: HMS15.)
Oak and Luna Compass necklace engraved with my initials, and Js for Jack and Jim with a little diamond in the center. Once I started wearing it, it felt so essential to me. I love playing with it and running my fingers over the initials and I love the vibe of the chain, wearing it out or tucked into my shirt.
Roxanne Assoulin cord necklace: These were offered as gifts to many creators, I think, but unlike other pieces, where everyone is so different, we all said YES to this one. This is a casualizer that just brings some color but also some surfer casualness to a look.
Mademoiselle Jules Cala Roja necklace: I love the way this dark red (the dark element is key) works against “pretty” cottons, giving just the right zing of interference.
Evie Marques “pool” necklace: As one strand or two, the punch of a necklace of turquoise stones but accessible, impactful, modern. I keep this one in Boston and it is my “summer has begun” signifier even though I wear these necklaces all year.
Mulxiply sterling from Ember, Portland. I have to confess something. I bought SEVERAL sterling pieces when I made my annual Ember pilgrimage this year, planning to give them as gifts to friends.
Summer house + summer guest things (no, not the show)
Changing your rental around: The first thing I do when I arrive at a rental is make changes (and take photos so you can undo them!). Once, before my parents arrived, I took bad art off the walls and knicknacks off tables and moved them all to a closet. I brought my own throw pillows, blankets, and art, which I leaned against walls. I’ve even “slipcovered” an eyesore couch with a sheet. In the rental where I’m writing this I immediately rearranged all the outdoor furniture knowing we’d be outside the whole time.
Always use an outdoor shower whenever you have access to one and add Flamingo Estates tomato soap bar. (Why do I ever act like an outdoor shower is a pain or whatever? It’s a POEM.) Also shout out to the tomato surface spray because my husband says I never wipe a counter and now because of this I do.
I brought this as a guest but later thought it would have been so much cooler to bring it with a special butter or jam! Grrr. Next time.
NYC things
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