A genius soap holder, a really good bathing suit and mesh bags galore
Plus, Dinner in Rome: A History of the World in One Meal
While I feel the turning of the season in the cool mornings and shifting sunlight, there is still a lot of summer left; the sweet corn is still sweet, the afternoons are still hot, and the evenings are still lazy. I felt a surge of happiness tonight, driving with the windows down and the radio turned up, despite, or maybe because of, a grinding week of increasingly complex logistics (adulthood is 99.9% logistics, as it turns out). A reminder, I suppose, that no feeling is final and that even in the tapestry of aging parents, surly teens, dentistry, moody 7-year-olds, double ear infections, migraines, car issues, and work deadlines, there was also connection, community, and moments of grace given and received.
On that note, I'll be taking a little break this week to enjoy the last of summer with my family. There will be no newsletter next Sunday, but I'll be back in your inbox the first week of September.
A. My sister and her wife have done a stunning renovation of their NY apartment, and this soap hanger (with a magnet that you twist into the bar of soap!) is a truly genius solution to the need to let bar soap dry out!
B. I bought this book at a local bookstore and have been enjoying it.
C. The highlight of the week was driving to NYC for the aforementioned dentistry, but having my mom tag along, and we stopped by my sister’s apartment for an hour or so to catch up. A mid-day pitstop with my mom at Sant Ambreous was a true small delight.
D. Boston General Store is one of my favorite online shops - these dishcloths are winking at me.
E. This swimsuit is shockingly comfortable and chic; a sentence I never expected to type. It holds me in but not too much, smooths me out but not too much, and somehow… is cool. Your mileage may vary, of course, but I suspect if it works with my middle-aged body ravaged by time and two children, it might work for yours, too.
F. One of my favorite things to do is give strangers compliments; today at a local coffee shop, a chic woman was wearing this set from Frank & Eileen - now on my wishlist!
G. Over the last decade, I’ve tried on countless, and I do mean COUNTLESS, jumpsuits and had truly concluded that my petite, short-waisted, and busty frame simply could not pull off a jumpsuit. However, I’m nothing if not indefatigable and so took a chance on this version from Banana Republic - and shock of shocks, a winner! The leopard print is sold out, but available here, and the brown is still available.
H. Gah! Never met a big bag I didn’t like or a mesh pouch I didn’t covet, and this bag is BOTH.
Ali Hazelwood's Not In Love, Problematic Summer Romance, and Check & Mate kept me company this week. No one writes longing better than Hazelwood!
My friend Stephanie sent me a link to this mesh tote, which, although sadly discontinued, is perfect for beach combing, fossil hunting, and general toting. I went down a mesh bag rabbit hole; Two, Three, Four, and Five.
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I include a few bonus finds here each week for paid subscribers as a small token of appreciation for making this newsletter possible.
How To ADHD - Skimming this one, LOL, but finding it helpful.
Due to an administrative error, these dishcloths were double-booked in this newsletter! 😂
A neon watch.
1. We're also in the dentist and back to school logistics purgatory part of summer. *big sigh*
2. Those sweats are amazing. I love. Might save up for some.
3. I've never spent much time thinking about mesh bags, but I think maybe I need one for farmers market days. I'll keep my eyes open while thrifting so I can have an affordable trial run of a new to me style.
4. Yay yay garden. It's gorgeous.
I love the pictures of your lush garden! The mesh bags are awesome and you do deserve a break.