Hey guys, happy Friday! I’m in a light mood. My job is somewhat seasonal and summer is definitely the wild west around here, so I am just delighted that with the cooling temperatures comes an anticipated slowdown at work. Things were sort of chill all week and I even got bored one day. What a gift! In a few months, the joy of boredom will wear off and I’ll crave a busier workflow again, but that’s life baby. Ying and yang. One is only good because of the other.
Speaking of, last week I went on a company outing that included canoeing. Peak interdepartmental collaboration, which is the most corporate way to have fun ever. Anyway, it was 87º and if I weren’t with co-workers, I’d be in a swimsuit, but I was and I’m not letting anyone from the c-suite see my shoulders, let alone my clavicle, so I sweated through full coverage and made the best of it. That visual is merely to setup the background info - what I’d actually like to illustrate how quickly the weather shifted to align with the changing season. As if it knows the calendar! Just a few days after that exciting excursion, on the first official day of fall, it promptly turned cool and rainy. I made a pot of chili and watched Death Becomes Her. Settling into the next season, and comfortably so.
Last January, I read Wintering by Katherine May and it completely changed my perspective on the cold months and taught me to lean into the season of rest. I mean, if animals sleep all GD winter, who am I to fight against the natural cycling of the seasons. Am I not an animal? If it’s dark all the dang time, maybe I should be sleeping. Now to get hustle culture on the same page. Lol sigh.
Anyway, I guess I’d just like to suggest that I’m done fighting against the changing season. I’m a summer girl at heart. I live to be on the beach, but I’m learning to appreciate the purpose of off seasons. I am by no means a nature girlie, but I pay attention. I can see a pattern here. Plants go to sleep. Animals go to sleep. People…probably should go to sleep. Fall and winter are for resting and that’s something I can buy into.
But first, some housekeeping: there’s some affiliate links in here. But aren't they everywhere? Anyway, if you click on something and buy it, I might earn a commission at no cost to you.
Recently Enjoyed
Reading
I’m passionate about reading and sharing books that are readily available at your library and don’t feature a waitlist 47 people long. So these are rarely new, hot releases, but if you’re intrigued, there’s a good chance for instant gratification at your library.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling // I am your resident creature of habit and one of the gifts I give myself every September is a reread of just one of the books in the series. I’ve read it start to finish so many times, I’m frankly afraid to over consume it and ruin it for life, so this is how I snack lightly.
As a side note, I’m anxiously awaiting my kids reading the series. I haven’t watched the movies with them because I so badly want for them to experience the voracious reading experience. If you read the books, do you remember how consuming it all was? Truly a lingering happy memory of my childhood is tearing through the books, waiting for the next one. I can’t bring myself to ruin that by introducing the movies before the books. We’re getting close and I’m constantly checking the temperature of the water to see if they’re ready. I think we’re getting close!
Shopping
I do not need another vessel. I do not need another vessel. I. Do. Not. Need. Another. Vessel.
⭐ Have you seen the Old Navy ‘94 Look Book Reissue? The striped logo shirt takes me right back to middle school, but it is the track jacket and pants that might get me this time.
$10 Vanilla Chai candle from Target. An impulse buy this week that I have no regrets over.
While you’re Target: I consider a denim button down to be classic. Read on to find out how into bags I am this season, and this is a very cute bargain. I’m also into the necklace stack trend, and this charm choker is very good at a very great price.
Recent Saves
Haha. So accurate.
3 Things
Bags I’m very into this season.
Perhaps it was the lingering warm weather, but I just haven’t gotten the shopping bug for boots or sweaters. Bags, however, I swear I see something new everyday that I think, now that would be just perfect. I’m not indulgent, I’ll narrow it down, but these are on my hot list.
Suede Slouchy Tote from Gap // As unproblematic a trend as the chocolate brown we discussed last week. It’s basically a neutral bag that could be carried as long as it lasts.
Preppy Cross Body from Boden // ON SALE too. I have this in a fun blue and white stripe and carried it all summer. This color way has a decidedly preppy look that reminds me J Crew or Ralph Lauren.
Tall Bucket Bag from Anthropologie // Available in a myriad of colors, but I like this staple best in the terra cotta.
Honorable mentions: this cranberry color Coach shoulder bag, this classic with a fun bow feature from Anthropologie, and this cheery red bargain.
Sending You on Your Way
(Interesting things I found on the internet this week)
I didn’t realize I’d enjoy photos of birds so much, but what a fun peruse! Surfing penguin was my favorite.
⭐ I’ve shared this before, but it’s still one of my favorite things on the internet: the literary clock.
Last Week - In case you missed it:
Talking excessively about the happy/sads of raising babies. But also talking about fall trends and those GD giant skeletons.
PS -
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Here’s a few things I wrote about recently:
Everything I’ve liked and recommended recently, all in one place.
Have you heard yet another Prime Day is coming up? Here’s the stuff I buy anyway.
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Lovvved this -- the one about 30's and 40's! :)