Midimalist Totes 2.0

Today’s newsletter is sponsored by Canva Print Shop, Canva’s printing service. Canva has been the tool I’ve used for creating graphics from day one but learning I could print designs direct on Canva is a game changer. Stay tuned for a special discount for first time users!

Last year, on a whim, I created a small-run batch of Midimalist totes which turned out to be one of the most connective things I’ve done on this platform. I sold a small number of them- and many to fellow writers-turned-friends- but the support for them was over the top!

I absolutely loved seeing pictures of my friends and readers carrying their totes. And I loved spreading the message of Midimalism! This text from a friend just the other week made my entire week.

I had readers asking if they could purchase a tote and I was reconsidering doing a second batch of printing when, serendipitously, the team at Canva reached out about this exact project. You definitely know about Canva but their Print Shop was new to me. It was incredibly easy for me to create a new tote design and order the tote all in one place.

True Story: My friend, Meighan Grady, designed the first Midimalist totes in Canva and imported the design into a printing website. BUT designing the second round of totes directly in Canva made my life infinitely easier and gave me more control over the design.

I’m VERY excited to announce that Midimalist Totes 2.0 are HERE!

This second round of totes are a bit larger than the first and feature blue font (since I’m in my cobalt era).

Starting today you can order your Midimalist tote directly on Canva Print Shop using THIS TEMPLATE (however, if the first design is more your speed, you can use THIS TEMPLATE). Once you choose your tote design, scroll to “Edit Template” and then press “Print with Canva” in the top right corner. Then enjoy the anticipation of your creation getting to you quickly.

And, I have some great news; you can nab a discount on your tote! If you’ve never printed with Canva before they have a 15% discount off all products. At checkout, use code SUMMER15 if you live in the States or SUMMERCA15 if you are a Canadian-based reader for the discount.1

This offer runs between July 6-19; there’s a minimum spend of $50, so you could easily design your own stickers, invitations, business cards, t-shirts, etc. Regardless of what you order, shipping is free and happiness is guaranteed.

I hope you’ll share photos with me of you and your Midimalist tote and any other fun projects you get up to printing!

On another note- I have decided to take the next few weeks off of publishing newsletters. I’d like to think of this as another gift to you and to me. As summer started I was feeling more and more compelled to leave my phone behind when I went out and I started to lose interest in reading even my very favorite newsletters.

The funny thing is that I am BURSTING with newsletter ideas that I want to send to you. BUT I think they will be better sent and better received after we have all had a chance to enjoy the fun and whimsy of summer. Paid subscriptions have been paused!

I’ll probably occasionally share a note or an outfit selfie, but let’s all enjoy less in our inbox! Signing off with some of my June Favorites;

A bit of a high-low situation! I spied this cutie little cardigan on Zara and it felt like a great alternative to the Frank and Eileen one that I saw on some of my favorite creators earlier this year.

Also, I instantly fell in-love with these stunning mules but the price is WAY outside my budget. Before I resigned myself to admiring from afar, I did some reverse-image-searching to see if I could find a less expensive alternative. I came up with this gorgeous version; perfect to wear to my sister’s wedding next month.

For what it’s worth, I bought my pair off Farfetch which deploys smart pricing and, as someone with small feet, I’m often able to get shoes for cheaper because they aren’t as in demand.

I was gifted this aluminum free deodorant and holy cow it’s great. We probably all know that aluminum free deodorant is best for our health, but it’s also best for our white clothes because it’s the aluminum that creates the yellow stains in the armpit of shirts. (You can also buy direct from the brand here, you can get 15% off with their newsletter).

The only denim I want to wear are my often-repeated AYR Bud Jeans (sized up 1) so when I saw this new style it went straight to the tippy top of my wishlist alongside this top. I reached out to the brand and begged for intel since it’s showing sold out; it’s returning in September! It looks like the perfect top for my Millennial friends.

Also, after featuring this necklace in my post about Elevaters and Casualizers, I would really like to bring it home. The sparkle makes it an elevater but the paracord makes it casual.

This is a much harder product to distinguish because I can’t know exactly what was purchased from readers off a link but I estimate that Leset is our best shopped brand.

At least once a week I’m wearing the Kyoto shorts (photographed above) or pants (below) because they are comfortable and make me feel put together. I recommend sizing up if you have booty (like me) or hips.

I purchased both the shorts and pants last summer; they aren’t just a trend for me, they are a staple. Whenever I purchase something, I’m thinking if it has a long-term place in my wardrobe; not just right now. I saw this in a recent email from All 3 Studio and I like the distinction between adding something “new” vs. adding something “relevant” to our closets. Here’s to more relevance!

We used to take family photos annually but then my photographer friend retired and I realized it’s been 3.5 years since we captured official family photos. I was determined to change that this year.

Speaking of change, I spent years wearing Doen or Christy Dawn dresses for family pictures but, this year I went a different route in- what do you know?- drawstring pants. I felt very much myself!

I couldn’t end a newsletter without sharing my latest fixation which has become my favorite way to sign off. This fixation started with an ask in the Midimalist chat about highly walkable sandals for NYC. My answer? Go with a gorpy classic: Tevas. We have the Olsen’s to thank for the popularity of the Voya style but I’m partial to the classic with slim straps.

I grew up hiking in Tevas; they are very comfortable and built for logging steps. But I also think they can be a perfect Casualizer to a summer dress.

All items featured in this newsletter can be found here. Anything marked with an * was kindly gifted.