Dear reader,
I don’t know about you but I am SO excited that Summer is here!
The weather is warmer, the days are longer and there is a vibrant feel-good energy in the air.
Some things I look forward to every Summer:
slow and fun all-day hangs with friends by the pool/beach/lake, filled with good music, yummy food and orange wine > into evenings by the fire with s’mores and a late night dance party
farmers market hauls (the best kind of haul IMO!)
home grown tomatoes…luxury to me is freshly grown food plucked from the backyard
outdoor festivities…artisan markets, concerts, festivals…a great way to gather and connect within your community
Summer travel - day trips, weekend staycations, overseas holidays…any and all!
outfit simplicity - easy breezy separates, loads of jewelry and flip flops are my go-to outfit formula for the season!
What are some of your favorite Summertime activities?
Now, let’s dive into the 5 things on my mind for the month of June!
5 products I'm loving for this month (hint: its all about Summer vibes!)
1// Enza Costa Essential Strappy Tank (an elevated tank for summer months - minimal, the good kind of stretchy and a built-in shelf bra) 2// Sezane Danae Necklace (I love a colorful necklace for the Summer - its an easy way to add a pop of color and interest to a simple look) 3// Zara Printed Scarf (a scarf is a low-risk budget friendly accessory that can amplify a look - wear it as a scarf, belt, sarong or skirt!)I think Zara does great natural fiber options like this and this 4// Hush Brinley Sandal (One of the best sandals I’ve seen in awhile. High quality and hardware at a great price point from a UK brand. Also in Black!) 5// Massimo Dutti Raffia Bag (I featured this in my recent IG stories - a great minimal elevated shape with leather handles that is versatile across the seasons)
4 ways to style the finds that hopefully provide some new ideas and inspiration to try within your own closet!
3 quick and easy quality tips to look for when shopping new items
As a long time apparel design & product developer, one of my key responsibilities was sourcing the highest quality and construction garments in order to offer the best price-value to our clients. It’s something I always keep in mind when shopping for myself or my clients and I truly believe you can find great quality and construction at every price point! I feel new garments have traded down in quality and construction in recent years so take your time to ensure the new pieces you introduce can last in your wardrobe. I never like to assume that one brand always has the best quality and vice versa as I have found that quality can really differ even within one brand, depending on where it was produced and the design intent that went behind the garment. A deeper topic that I’d love to dig into on a future post, but for now, some tips I keep in mind while shopping!
1. Check the Fabrication Especially in the Summer months! Look for natural fibers like cotton, tencel and linens. They are breathable and moisture wicking and you can find a nice quality across all price points. Look for heavier fabric weights that have some “beefiness” to them when you hold it in your hands as they will be a bit more durable and less sheer. Synthetics like polyester break down faster, hold onto odors and I typically avoid them unless they serve a functional purpose (ie: activewear, water-resistance). I also avoid rayons - they feel like a natural fiber and can be quite breathable but they break down quickly in after-care and tend to be very wrinkly when worn. An easy test to gauge for wrinkly-prone garments: scrunch up the fabric in your hand and if the wrinkles set, you will most likely have to deal with a lot of wrinkles when wearing the garment so just keep that in mind!
2. Check the Construction I tend to find that when a brand pays attention to the smaller details of a garment, they usually aren’t skimping on the larger components like fabric content and weight. Some simple things to look out for are: Buttons (make sure they are securely fastened to the garment and avoid plastic, opting for fabric covered, pearlized or shell buttons for a more elevated finish); Zippers should move up and down smoothly without sticking (pro tip: the best zipper in the market is YKK and will have a “YKK” on the zipper pull logo!); seams should be covered or tightly bound; “inner beauty” details like a doubled yoke or lining can create a more elevated construction
3. Comparison is a good thing As I mentioned in last months newsletter, curating a mindful wardrobe of items you love and can wear for years to come is a marathon, not a sprint! When shopping for wardrobe gaps, if I find something that meets most, but not all, my requirements I continue to shop around before purchasing and that usually leads me to a better find! I also like to check out secondhand sites like TheRealReal (TRR) and Ebay for gently used pieces or when searching for a specific quality. For example, with sweaters, new pieces in stores tend to now be at a very high price point for 100% natural fibers like wool or cashmere, or a blend. If you search secondhand from even 5-6 years ago, you can find beautifully intact pieces in 100% wools and cashmeres at a much better price-value.
2 personal & life updates about me
We have made it to upstate NY and are enjoying a quieter pace to life. There is a vibrant creative community here and I have already been so inspired by the local artisans and the hip bohemian style of the locals! I will definitely try to share the new local brands I discover with you all!
Some recent snaps from my everyday -
a great local charcuterie board is a quick way to win me over @ Wayside Ciders
Ollie meeting her new alpaca friend at an artisan fair 🥹
I am trying to get back into a workout routine! I think most of us feel the best when we can prioritize the parts of us that make us feel like our best selves so I’m two weeks in to a 4 week strength program so wish me luck!
1 quote I am inspired by today
As I start to share more of myself and my business on social media platforms, this rings especially true for me! While I have enjoyed starting to have more of a presence in the online community, it is a gentle reminder that being “offline” and being present for the little sparkles in everyday life is so important too <3
I hope you have a lovely month of June!
If you have any feedback for this newsletter, I would love to hear what is helpful and what you would love to see more of! My email and DMs are always open.
xx
Angie