Monthly High-Five // 015

5 things on my mind for July

Hi Friends!

Welcome to the July issue of the monthly High-Five!

I’m finishing this in an airport lounge so bare with me if I’m a bit all over the place - I hope this week’s issue brings you a bit of fun and joy over your morning coffee, afternoon snack, or evening tea!

June was filled with quality time in the sunshine, welcoming in the seasonal farm and flower stands, al fresco dining (my favorite!), house hunting, and lots of client sessions ❤️

5 things I’m Loving

Here are 5 things that have caught my eye recently!

1// Apiece Apart Chiesa Tank - I love this type of nubby tank for Summer. The cut-in armholes and slubby texture make it anything other than basic, but you can still treat it like a basic. 2// Massimo Dutti Linen Dress - very much an iteration of the great Toteme one but in a more relaxed linen. And this green color! 3// Èpice Paris Mesh Woven Tote - I can’t take credit for this brand. My sister was carrying one of their bags when I last saw her and it was a birthday gift from a friend. Perfect little way to add some color and fun to your looks. More options below! 4// Ben Amun resin bangle set - You all have seen how much I wear the set I got from Zara last year. I love the cool tones and the more artsy texture and colors here. Remember, you don’t need to wear them all together. I like to mix-n-match with gold and silver, or wear a single bangle sometimes. 5// Toteme suede slides - I tried these on in store in Black and really loved the minimal 90s simplicity but I didn’t feel like I needed a black sandal. It was so soft and comfy and helped my basic tank and slouchy jean look so chic! This exclusive colorway just came out which I actually think I love more?

The Massimo Dutti dress in action - ¹

This was from a virtual try-on with a repeat client. She is quickly growing her new business so we are working together to build her a mini refresh capsule for client meetings and in-person events. This was one of the pieces I put in her shopping guide - once I saw it on her I knew I needed to share with you all!

These Epicè bags gave me a similar vibe to the new mesh barn totes from The Row but at a fraction of the cost. The brand has been around since the 90s, created by Danish designers, and produced out of India. Cool factors all checked off!

I sourced whatever I could find for this brand and included links below!

Bag 1 // Bag 2 // Bag 3 // Bag 4 // Bag 5 // Bag 6

Also, I really like these leather iterations of the Toteme slide shape above - they create a really cool, minimal textured moment to your Summer outfits. I think it’s perfect for someone who prefers leather over suede or likes the idea of mesh flats but wants something more elevated.

Marion Parke Sabrina Slides - I have a couple pair of heels from this brand that are light and comfortable and I love this woven style. The brand was founded by a podiatric surgeon! (use code “MADETOWEAR” for 15% off) Toteme Lattice Slides if you are looking for a minimal sandal with some edge. Sold out on their site but I found a full size range here.

4 Ways To Style

Here are 4 different ways I’d style these monthly high-five pieces as I always like to make sure each product rec can work across different end uses within your lifestyles. You can easily interchange with any of the other bags and sandals I highlighted above.

Remember, you don’t need these exact pieces - this just helps you visualize how you can create new outfits using the same items.

Shown with: Agolde Parker Shorts (my favorite denim short - size up for a slouchier fit)

Shown with: The Garment Literno Sweater, Lady Grey Pearl Drop Earring (code: ANGIE15), Lizzie Fortunato Gala Bag (it’s a SLB "silly little bag” Summer! as coined by LSD from Moda Operandi)

Shown With: Anemos Gauze Wrap Skirt

Shown With: Toteme Twill Blazer, Dorsey Lariat Necklace, Mango Heels, Metier Incognito Cabas Bag

3 Summer Products I Can’t Live Without

It’s a scorcher already this Summer so here are some of my favorite things to use + some new ones I have been trialing this past month in case you are looking for something similar and want some recommendations. While I use most of these year-round, I especially love them for warmer weather!

SUMMER BRAS

Undergarments are something we can often neglect or give little thought to but a great bra that fits well and feels like second skin goes a LONG way.

If you put on a great outfit but you are wearing an ill-fitting bra, it can impact how the garments lay on you, which ultimately impacts the overall fit. Or, if it’s something old or uncomfortable, it may not make you feel your very best. Life is too short to have bad undergarments!

my new summer bras from new-to-me brand Else Lingerie

When I shared these on my IG stories, I got a bunch of messages like this and found a lot of followers also love this brand!

My current bras on rotation (note I don’t have a large chest so I tend to prefer wireless): Else Lingerie Bella Soft Cup (So beautiful and the wider band offers comfort and support for larger chests. I like this as even if your bra shows, it’s a pretty detail!) + Soft Sporty Bra (loving this under everyday tanks or when I’m running errands all day but don’t want to wear a sports bra…it is shocking how much support and lift I get from this). The reader above highly recommended their strapless bra too. Negative Underwear Racerback bra - this has been my go-to for the past year under my high neck and strappy tanks so that my back bra straps don’t show. So comfortable and supportive. Skims cotton jersey t-shirt bra - this has been my number one bra for years. The fabric is so soft and it’s lined on the inside in a sheer fabric so it just feels really pretty! I love the shape and you barely see it under lighterweight tees. It’s also my go-to for sheer tops as the grey is subtle but not sloppy. I also have washed mine a ton and it has held its shape really well.

SUMMER SCENTS

I love collecting perfumes — I always look for new ones when I travel and I have 6-8 on rotation throughout the year. I think of perfume as a part of your personal style - it tells a story and you can use different scents to express your mood. I like to layer them and switch it up throughout the seasons and throughout the week depending on what I’m wearing and what I’m doing.

As it’s quite hot and humid where I live, some of my perfumes can feel a bit heavy in the Summer so I was so excited to try these new body mists gifted from one of my favorite skincare brands Salt & Stone. They carry them in the same scents as my favorite body wash and natural deodorant. They are so incredibly light while holding their scent. I spritz it on my body after the shower, for touch ups during the day, and I even use it to spritz my undergarment drawer and our linens.

The scents I tried: My favorite Bergamot & Hinoki (light and fresh) and a new scent I tried Santal & Vetiver (soft and earthy…hints of my favorite sandalwood)

SUMMER SKINCARE

Like most things, I like a barely-there feel to my face in the Summer. Between the heat waves and the travel, here’s what I rely on everyday.

I know a lot of content creators and influencers share a ton of skincare recs so it can sometimes be hard to tell what’s gifted, paid, or just has high affiliate links so I provided context below on how I came about the items as I want you to know these are honest recommendations!

1// Roz Styling Oil - originally gifted but have since rebought as gifts for others. The only oil that doesn’t weigh my hair down. The smell reminds me of a beautiful hotel spa but if you don’t love stronger scents, maybe avoid this one! 2// InnBeauty Extreme Cream - I tried to avoid this as it was so hyped up by influencers but I ended up buying during an emergency Sephora run when I ran out of moisturizer while traveling last Fall. I’ve since been gifted it once but I’ve also rebought both the full and travel size refills multiple times it’s that good. Light but moisturizing, never greasy, leaves you glowing, and somehow gives you a visible lift?! 3// U Beauty Super Tinted Hydrator (code: ANGIE20) - I only wear tinted moisturizers during the day and I switched to this after being loyal to Supergoop Glow Screen for YEARS. I just don’t love the sparkly finish anymore and this hydrator blurs imperfections while letting your skin show through. I mix with moisturizer in the summer as it’s a bit heavier and mix with a bit of foundation for evenings. I also love the brand’s resurfacing compound (an all-in-one treatment) and I’m on week 3 of trying their neck cream which I’ve heard is great. I don’t have results yet but I have horrible tech neck so fingers crossed this helps! They provided me a code last year but this is the first time I’m really posting about their products!

2 Updates From The Chat

• Thank you to everyone who participates in our community chat — whether you are posting or helping answer questions, it’s so fun to see readers connecting! For those who aren’t familiar, you can access chats on my page or on the homepage if you are on desktop, or go to the chat feature in the app. Only paid subscribers can post but anyone can view and respond!

• This month, readers shared my newsletter/IG recommended favorites they’ve been loving (one was the Salt & Stone recs above!) and got answers to questions like:

  • what are your favorite digital wardrobe apps? (Indyx was the clear winner!)

  • favorite sunnie recommendations? (some great brands I never heard of were recommended…drop yours in!)

  • is the Toteme trench really worth it? (a reader and I share it’s 1000% is!).

  • I am also always available to provide styling tips to readers!

1 Quote I’m Resonating With

Life’s too short. Wear the dress even if you are only going to the grocery store. Carry the expensive bag on a random Tuesday because you feel like it. Use the fancier things reserved in your house for guests because we live in the everyday, not the occasions deemed more “special”!

Thank you for being here each Sunday - it means the world to me!

All my best.

xx,

Angie

1. I’m fully booked for the Summer for my Style Reset service (currently taking clients on in September) but I have a couple spots available in August for my Style Renew service and for any established clients. If you have been thinking of working together, you are always welcome to schedule a call so we can discuss your style challenges and goals.

I also may be taking on some in-person hourly styling sessions in NYC/Brooklyn area in August - message me or schedule a call if you are interested!