But… it would also be overly simplistic to say that fear and insecurity is the only reason I prefer neutrals. Many of my style icons (Siena Miller, Princess Diana, Diane Keaton, CBK and Dakota Johnson) were more understated in their styles I love so much. Just smart, classic, polished, beautiful.

Some of my muses above

I’ve been really choiceful rebuilding my wardrobe primarily because when I started, I was on a very tight budget and investing in basics I could mix and match and wear again and again was born out of necessity. When I was trying to figure out what to buy first, I was constantly disappointed by how many influencers I loved for their style recommended really expensive statement pieces that I couldn’t afford or see being part of my everyday wardrobe. I just couldn’t justify buying a really colorful piece that would just sit in my closet. That wasn’t a good feeling and I constantly remind myself of that when I choose what to recommend (especially if you are in the wardrobe rebuild phase).

There are different schools of thought when it comes to investing in elevated basics vs. statement pieces. I don’t think there is a perfect answer, but here is what I strongly believe. Both can be true. Your wardrobe should be practical and make you feel great, but it should also be fun and sometimes it takes something special to meet the moment for a special occasion. Only you can define your personal style and experimenting by playing with silhouettes, trends and colors should be enjoyable!

No matter what, I would strongly advocate for spending a bit more for a high quality pair of jeans (these or these), a white button down, a great pair of ballet flats, a white tee (this or this), a navy sweater, black pants and a neutral skirt.

But what happens once you get your baseline wardrobe into a really good place? Personally I’ve been craving some color and more patterns for a while now, but wanted to be super choiceful about how I start to sprinkle it in. I still fully expect neutrals and elevated basics to make up most of the pieces in my closet, but I’m leaning towards a non-scientific, non-exact 80/20 split moving forward to see how it feels.

Here are some of the things I’ve learned that have really helped me along the way:

1. Start with accessories: It’s low risk and low investment. I started with Baublebar where most necklaces start around $58. I love this rainbow beaded necklace that is giving Chanel vibes or this one in pink quartz. For Fall, I love this red jasper or this olive green. I love a silk scarf (this or this) and when the weather turns, I just can’t get enough of a cashmere scarf in the winter (loving this bandana print and this red one that sold out last year, but is available for preorder).

2. Half color/pattern, the other half neutral: One thing that’s worked really well for me is keeping the color to one half of any given outfit. A patterned skirt with a neutral top is so chic! One of my all time favorite outfit formulas is a patterned skirt, a white tee, and fun jewelry. I recently picked up this floral skirt for Fall. Some of my favorites from the year are this green and white stripe, this fresco pattern I wore in Italy and this midi skirt that sold out almost immediately. Jeans and a colorful top or graphic tee / crewneck is something I’ve also embraced and love!

   

3. Start with colors and patterns you are comfortable with first and build out from there: When I started adding color to my wardrobe, it was pretty safe. Some of the first things I added this Spring were this pink cashmere polo and a nantucket red sweater. I love both colors so much and they felt like a great changeup from my typical neutrals without feeling too far away from my core style. For Fall/Winter, I love fair isle and argyle.

   

4. If something is viral, it’s probably worth trying: The best recent examples for me are both pants (very different price points). When the DONNI. Silk Taffeta Cargo Pants in Pistachio went viral I had to see what the hype was about. They’re hands down the best pants I’ve ever worn. Are they expensive? Yes. Are they really bold? Yes. But they’re also SO FUN. I love them so much and I know every time I put them on I’ll feel great. I also love the blue, the creme and the yellow. More recently, the Cadet pants sold out but are back on preorder for a September ship. These pants are so flattering and the prints are just plain fun at a really great price. I especially love the red bandana, the blue stripe and the green stripe for Fall.

5. Shoes are a great way to add interest to a simple outfit: Some of my favorite shoes are unexpected in all the best ways. For example what could I pair with a pair of jeans and a white button down to make it fun? How about a blue denim cap toe ballet flat? What about red? Or how about leopard print? I love all of these options! If lifestyle sneakers are more your thing, how about these?

6. Active is a great way to experiment with color: The stakes are usually pretty low. I’m either working out at home or at the gym way too early for anyone to notice anyways. Bright colors get me excited to have a great workout. This year, I’ve really loved Rhone for their activewear. It all fits so well (butter soft and super light) and all of their pieces come in so many cute colors (love this, this and this). I also am excited recently by a new to me brand (SET). Their colorful active is on preorder expected to ship 10/02. How cute is this matching jacket and shorts combo? Or just the shorts in a beautiful brownish red (I know brownish red doesn’t sound pretty but trust me!).

7. Use special occasions to be bold: Think weddings, date nights and vacations. I usually use special occasions to pick an outfit that is bold and celebratory. Some recent picks are a special occasion dress from vacation, this dress for back to school night and I can’t wait to share a dress I’m wearing this weekend to a wedding in Central Park.

One thing I never want to do is to push you buy something you wear once that sits in your closet forever after. That is not at all why I started this journey. If you’re not quite sure what pieces to invest in yet, don’t stress. There are some great options for trying and experimenting. One of the chicest moms in my town has cracked the code on RTR and her outfits are always so fun!

As I think about this Fall, there are some fun new arrivals that I’m eyeing to help me add color and patterns into my Fall wardrobe. I linked some ideas along with everything above here.

If there are any colorful pieces or fun patterns you’re eying for Fall, please share!

xx, Meg

August is a such a sweet month in so many ways. August is the month we do our two weeks with our families back to back. It’s peak season at the shore. So many great memories riding bikes, going to the boardwalk, getting ice cream, fresh seafood plus the best corn and tomatoes anywhere. We also love to visit my parents in the Carolinas. The kids get their mini golf fix and we keep it super simple with beach during the day, lots of card games and dinners at the house at night. It’s hot but it’s also incredibly quiet when everyone down south goes back to school.

Speaking of which, I always loved the first day of school. There’s nothing better than meeting the teacher for the first time, seeing what friends are in your class, first day outfits and new backpacks. While I may have been in vacation mode this past month, judging from what you are all buying, the transition to Fall is firmly here.

I’m seeing jeans pop in darker washes, sweaters come back and a ton of great early Fall transitional pieces. I’m also seeing a few items pop in several colors. This is a testament to how great these pieces are. I’m a big believer of finding things that fit great and feel great and buying in multiple colors if you can.

Here’s the list!

Pieces with multiple colors/patterns popping:

1. The viral pull on pants that are back on preorder: I wore the red bandana and immediately ordered the blue stripe. These pants are so comfortable and flattering. The wildly different prints (all super fun and cute) and affordable price point make them almost irresistible to own in a few colors. The latest color to launch is the olive stripe and I can already tell you’re obsessed. Easy to pair with different tops and flats…all of these prints are great for Fall and they ship so soon! I take small (tts).

2. A year round, forever favorite sweater in two colorways: I’ve worn the Tuckernuck William sweater in both navy and ivory a lot this year. I just love the knit detail and chunky feel. It’s 100% cotton and very breathable so it’s perfect for Fall transition weather. This sweater pops on my best sellers every single week. I size up 1 to a medium.

3. My favorite jeans in 3 washes: The Agolde 90’s are always my top selling and most worn item week after week, month after month, year after year, but I’ve never seen three washes pop all at the same time before. The light denim (Stage) was the top item in August, but I am definitely noticing a transition to the medium and dark wash as we get closer to Fall. I wear a 25 (tts)

4. The Amazon skirt that keeps coming back (for good reason): This Spring it was navy. In August it was the red and the white. I’ve written a lot about this skirt, but here are the highlights: butter soft, perfect fit, super comfortable, better than the higher price point alts. I take a small (tts)

Lots and lots of stripes:

5. A white and navy quarter zip for under $50: I featured this in my “What to wear: back to school for busy moms” piece that gained a ton of traction. I’m so happy this post was helpful. So many great drop off fits. This Zara piece is one of my favorites. I’d size up 1.

6. Marea’s viral Lake Sweater in a new colorway: Love this white and green stripe option for Fall. This is the first version of the sweater that features the Marea logo. At first I wasn’t sure, but now I love it so much. Sometimes the best things just need to grow on you. I wear my true size (small)

7. The striped set I keep reaching for: Since this launched a few weeks ago, I’ve already worn multiple times (top and bottom). It’s definitely going to be a Fall staple. Is there anything more practical than a cute, easy set for school drop off? I wear a XS/S.

8. The striped shorts of the summer: I just love a beautiful pair of pull on shorts. Everything in this color at Tuckernuck has been selling out for good reason. The skirt went almost immediately and there’s only limited sizing left in the shorts. I’ll wear these as long as I can in the Fall and can’t wait to take them out again next Spring. I wear a small (tts)

9. The cropped pant you couldn’t get enough of: A gorgeous dusty blue, super flattering, perfect length crop. Hill House is just so good. I took a size 4.

10. My go to for Saturday coffee runs: Such a soft terry cloth fabric, incredibly chic. Easy to pair with a white tee and a baseball hat, a button down or a trench when it gets a little cooler. I take a small (tts).

11. Quince 100% Organic Cotton Crewneck: A great year round sweater. Perfectly slouchy, a gorgeous sky blue, very soft. For under $50, it’s pretty hard to beat. I take a small (tts).

Speaking of…Quince is back for the first time in a long time: Let’s talk about Quince for a minute. Despite being one of my top brands in 2025, I haven’t seen Quince pop much on my bestsellers for a while. This could probably be a whole essay, but I’m not going there today. Let’s just say…I’m neither a hater nor an evangelist. To be totally honest, most of what I see on Quince doesn’t get me excited. That being said, there are a few pieces that are truly great (you cannot beat for the price) and most of what I like falls in the sweaters or outerwear category which is why the next few items are no surprise. I take my true size (small) in all of them.

11. The Mongolian Cashmere Tee: I love this shirt so much. Just a bit heavier than my plain white tees, the cashmere tee is a basic everyone should have in their wardrobe and I’d even recommend buying in several colors if you can. It’s so soft, perfectly boxy, easy to pair with jeans, a skirt, or shorts…easy to dress up or down. I’ll be wearing the chocolate and the ivory the most this Fall.

12. The Cotton Sweater Tee: Another great piece for the summer/Fall transition for under $40. The stitching detail is high quality. It has nice weight without feeling bulky. Pairs well with so many pieces. Easy to dress up or down.

13. The Mongolian Cashmere Henley: I think we’re going to see a lot of henleys this Fall and this would be a great one to start with. I especially love the faded denim light blue color as a change up from my usual ivory and navy.

14. Cotton Cable Crewneck: Just a great staple. It looks an feels way more luxe than the price which is really the whole point when Quince gets it right.

It’s officially sweater season: Even beyond Quince, there were some great sweaters and sweatshirts popping this month.

15. A Ralph Lauren sweater you sold out: I’ve looked everywhere for this one but can’t find anymore in stock. I love this blue from the men’s department as an alt. I wear a small (tts).

16. The 5 star tennis sweater worth the splurge: This is such a unique piece I think it’s worth the price tag. So cozy, such a fun print but a neutral color you can wear over and over. I wear a small (tts).

17. Another sell out. Sign up for restock alerts! This is the sweater if you live in a cool climate and need a little extra warmth in a summer cotton sweater. It’s wonderfully chunky, very similar to the Tuckernuck William sweater (see above) but a little warmer. I sized up 1 to a medium.

18. A t-shirt cardigan to transition to Fall: I find it hard to describe this one without underselling it so let’s just say it’s a beautiful, easy transition piece and perfect for days on the go. I took a small (tts).

19. A limited edition heavyweight sweatshirt: When Daily Drills announced a limited edition Out East drop, I got so many questions. Is this one you’re going to wear over and over? Maybe not. But its super fun, really cute, and feels great. I took a XS/S.

A few odds and ends:

20. A classic watch at a great price: Love this gold square face and and brown leather combo. Instantly elevates any outfit but I especially love it for work with a button down or rolled up sweater.

21. The Amazon sarong I keep coming back to: Fun prints for $22. Love these so much.

22. The Amazon studs I wear nearly every day: If you’ve been around any time at all, you’ll recognize these. They’re a great every day earring that comes in a variety of carat sizes. For $24, they’re one of my best buys of the last two years.

23. An oversized pink button down: Such a great change up from white or blue (which I love also btw). This one is getting rave reviews (4.8 stars) and I can definitely see why. Silky and soft it feels way more luxe than the price. Would be great for the office and comes in black and ivory too! I took a small (tts).

Rounding out with some forever favorites:

24. My most worn summer tee: If you’re looking for a cropped white tee, this was my most worn this summer. It’s very lightweight and the sleeves are short. Perfect for August. I wear a small (my true size).

25. My best layering white tee: This Uniqlo tee just has the most amazing proportions for layering. I size up 1 and it peeks out perfectly in all the right places. Will be wearing this one all Fall and Winter.

26. My favorite long sleeve white tee: This one was sold out for most of the month and still was one of the best selling items. I wear this one non-stop in the summer and Fall. I took a small (tts).

27. My favorite barrel jeans: I love these because of the subtle barrel shape. They are easy to dress up or down. They look effortless but never sloppy and the denim is vintage high quality. I sized down 1 to a 24.

28. My favorite skirt for church on Sunday: I wear this skirt more Sundays than I should admit but it’s so easy, looks great and I can style it so many ways. My favorite right now is a cashmere tee, some colorful jewelry and a fun clutch. I wear a size 2.

29. My most worn shoes: My wrap sandals continue to be a best seller for over two years. I wear them with shirts, skirts and jeans and I’ll wear them as long as I can before my feet get too cold.

30. A forever favorite pair of jeans in a new dark wash: A dark wash is a must for Fall/Winter because it pairs so well with chocolate, caramel, plum or burgundy. These jeans are rigid high quality vintage denim that get better with every wear. Size up 2 to a 27.

That’s the list! So many good items. I hope this helps give you a little peek into each. Everything is linked here.

xx, Meg

Here is everything I wore (with sizing notes) as a 39 year old mom of 2 this past week:

My favorite outfit of the week: I’m just so impressed with this skirt. It is fully reversible (with two beautiful Fall prints), it has vintage looking gold buttons down the front, it’s a great mini length. As someone who doesn’t wear a ton of print or bold colors, when I do it has to be right and this skirt is so fun without being overly loud or flashy. Loved pairing it with a beautiful cream sweater, neutral mesh flats and a beaded bag to complete the look.

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floral skirt (runs small - size up if between, wearing a small) // cream sweater (sized up 1 to a M) // white tee (tts small) // // mesh flats (tts 37) // beaded bag (nearly identical, for a lot less) // sunnies

From another angle:

A lower cost alt to much pricier trend pieces: Shawl cardigans, western, bandana prints? All very trendy right now. I’m usually wary of trends but I love everything about these. Brands like Guest in Residence and Ralph Lauren are all in. Love seeing Gap try something different here. It’s so fun and so comfortable.

gap cardigan (tts small) // white tee (tts small) // jeans (tts 25 regular)

Taking the kids to play tennis: The kids really liked tennis camp this summer and asked us to take them to the local courts one afternoon. It was so fun just to hang out and watch them run around.

crew sweater (sized up 1 to a M )// white shorts (sized up 1 to a 26) // sunnies // flip flops (tts 7)

Church on Sunday: This skirt has been one of my Sunday staples for over two years now and it works every time. I just love the weight, the color and the long vertical seams. Easy to pair with a white tee, a cashmere tee or a sweater. Add a few colorful and fun accessories to make it a little more interesting.

white tee (tts small) // ecru skirt (wearing a size 2)// wrap sandals (tts 37) // clutch // gold bracelet

Getting some work done at the local coffee shop: One of my favorite things to do, especially when it’s nice out. Jeans and a white tee will always work for me, but adding a shoe like a cap toe ballet flat takes it to a whole new level. I’ve tried quite few and these are by far my favorites.

levi jeans (run small, sized up 1 to a 27 // white tee (tts small) // cap toe flats (tts 37)(similar for a lot less) // raffia bag // sunnies

Just a fun and cozy graphic sweatshirt: Love the fit and the colors. It’s so friendly, incredibly soft and perfectly slouchy. Just enough room without swallowing you.

white tee (tts small) // crewneck sweater (tts size 1) // straight leg leans (tts 25)// canvas tote // shoes (tts 7)

A Fall go-to when I don’t know what to wear: Straight leg jeans, a chocolate or ivory cashmere tee, strappy sandals. Super easy, super polished. A go-to outfit formula that just works.

cashmere tee (tts small) // white tee (sized up 1 to a M) // straight leg jeans (tts 25 // strappy sandals (tts 7) // bag

A set that makes getting dressed so easy: Love the fit and button details on this set. It’s polished enough to wear out but comfy enough to lounge in.

top (tts small) // shorts (tts small) // sneakers (tts but pay attention listed in men’s sizing) // bag // sunnies

A splurge, but heirloom quality sweater: The hope is that this one is in my closet the next 20 years. It’s a perfect neutral, incredibly soft, great for colder weather. I plan on wearing this A LOT to justify the price but it definitely filled a gap in my closet I was happy to fill.

oversized crewneck sweater (tts small) // white tee (tts small) // denim shorts (sized up 1 to a 26 ) // shoes (tts 7) // bag (old sezane)

A walk around the neighborhood: We’ve been trying to get our steps in lately, either before or right after dinner. I’ll be wearing this one to drop off a lot in September!

$28 active skirt (tts small) // white tee (tts small) // sunnies // hat // sneakers (tts 7)

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I hope you have a great week ahead! You can find everything linked here.

Let me know if you have any questions. I’d love to hear what’s on your mind.

xx, Meg

Ever go on vacation and notice a shift in your thoughts? There’s something about turning off one part of the brain that allows other parts space to activate. When I worked in corporate, it wasn’t until I went on vacation that I felt creative. It’s really hard to come up with new ideas when you’re on the hamster wheel focused on the never ending to-do list.

Now that I work for myself, I’m able to carve out more moments for thinking time and I feel more creative than ever as a result. It’s amazing what fewer pings and emails will do for quantity and quality of ideas. Now I can get outside more…go for a walk or to a coffee shop. Being out in the world inspires me so much.

One thing I haven’t been as good at recently…gratitude. Because we grow accustomed to certain things (warm house, good food, healthy family)…it’s often not until we lose something that we feel its absence so painfully. During my vacation, I tried really hard to practice gratitude, especially towards little things that are easy to take for granted.

One of the things I keep coming back to again and again is how grateful I am for YOU. I’m grateful that you are here. I’m grateful for your questions…they truly help me build content I know is valuable and helpful. I’m grateful when you catch my mistakes (thanks Molly!). I’m grateful that you comment, share, and like my posts. I’m INCREDIBLY grateful how positive you are.

I’m EVEN MORE grateful how you trust me and my recommendations. I turn down so much free product and so many lucrative brand deals because I value that trust so much.

I especially want to shout out Grace, Tammy and Kate for sharing so much of my content. That means the world to me!

I also want to especially shout out Andrea, Marie, Kinsley, Meg, Kelsey and Janet for your forever engagement and cheerleading!

I’m sure there are people I am leaving out (I’m sorry!!!), but I see you too.

This community is so special because of all of you and I want you to know that I don’t any of it for granted.

xx always, Meg

Fridays are turning into my favorite. With a lot of brands launching Fall collections, the under $200 pieces I’ve been seeing lately are so good. I’m literally gushing pulling this edit together.

If you’re new here, every other week I go hunting for the best stuff under $200…the pieces that feel more expensive than they are, things you’ll actually reach for, and that make getting dressed a little more fun.

This is definitely my favorite under $200 yet. Let’s get into it!

• Let’s start with this shawl cardigan (pictured above) that looks and feels way more luxe than the price. Obsessed! Comes in 4 other fun colors too. I’m wearing my true size XS/S.

• Ordered this super cute Ralph sweatshirt. It’s already sold out on Shopbop, but I was able to find inventory in all sizes! This one will sell out so fast.

• Ok how good is this 90’s jacket and track shorts set??? Or just the shorts in an unexpected but truly magnetic colorway. These are so good they’re on back order but ship early October!

• So many cute scarves - like this and this - perfect for adding to our white tees now and our sweaters later. A fun pop of color for your WFH days on camera too!

• These neutral sneakers! The red laces!

• These fun pull on pants are on their way to me! Can’t wait to pair them with a simple white tee, brown sandals, a big straw hat and my Alex Mill tote this weekend for my first of many (yay!) Saturday sidelines! I took a small in the pants.

• A new fleece sweatshirt from perfectwhitetee dropped last night! Slightly roomier than the iconic Ziggy sweatshirt from last year.

• Everyone should have a cream sweater come Fall. This one sells out every year. I also love this one and this one under $60.

• Lots of great new skirts… this, this and this!

• Stripes on more stripes!

• Bright and beautiful apple red for Fall in a chore jacket and cardigan.

• A boxy vintage graphic tee in 9 unique styles!

• Several standout pieces from Marea pre-Fall. Millie is my daughter’s name so obviously biased towards the Millie sweater. It’s the roomier, swingier version of their iconic Lake sweater. And how cute would this top be (in dune or blue) with your favorite denim or wide leg ecru jeans???

• More fun accessories! A necklace, a bracelet and earrings (all under $100) and this woven belt giving western vibes (I think we’ll see a lot again this Fall).

Hope you find something you love! Check out the full edit here.

Have a great weekend!

xx, Meg

As hard as I try, I very rarely find jeans that I love and there are certain pairs I come back to again and again. That doesn’t mean I never find new favorites. One of the pairs on this list were new to me this year and if one of my favorites comes out in a new wash that I love, I’ll be the first in line to try it. But let me clear, these are by far my favorite and most worn Fall jeans (and it’s not even close).

When I think about the perfect jeans for Fall, there are really 5 styles I think are most important for any wardrobe. Styles that will carry you for different occasions, that pair well with a range of tops and that come in the right wash for Fall.

Here are my picks:

1. Rigid Straight Leg (medium wash): These are always my most worn. I love a vintage, high quality denim more than anything. A straight leg jean is the perfect balance when I want to wear my preferred oversized button downs and chunky sweaters in the colder months. Medium wash is definitely the most versatile (more on washes in a minute) and I always look for it to hit right at my ankle bone. My all time favorites are my AGOLDE 90’s (I take my true size 25), but you already knew that :)

2. Straight Leg With Stretch (medium wash): New to me this year, I was admittedly skeptical because I normally don’t love jeans with stretch, but these are SO GOOD. They’re truly as flattering as rigid denim and incredibly comfortable. Plus they come in three lengths. As someone who is 5’6 with long legs, I take the 25 regular (my true size). The Yada Yada wash is the perfect medium wash for all year.

3. Subtle Barrel: “Subtle” being the key word here. Too much of a true barrel and I feel like I’m venturing into trend vs. classic. A subtle barrel gives the perfect balance between trend yet classic…relaxed, but still pulled together. A subtle barrel also immediately makes all of your favorite tops feel new and cool again. The Pistola Wes jeans (I take my true size: 25) and the Citizens of Humanity Miros (size down 1 to 24) are both instant classics that I wear nearly every week.

4. White or nearly white: Long gone are the years of putting away white after Labor Day. I love a true winter white. For Fall I prefer an off white. The right pair depends on what silhouette you’re looking for. I love the Miros in almondette for a subtle barrel (size down 1 to 24) and the Levi’s 501 90’s (true size: 25 but if you’re between go down 1) for a straight leg.

5. Dark Wash in Your Favorite Style: While the medium wash is the most versatile, a dark wash is the most fitting for the season. Perfect for all the Fall hues like chocolate, caramel and even plum and burgundy. I love the new Levi’s 501 originals in a dark wash (size up 2), but also love these and these. A dark wash is more likely to work well in colder weather for special occasions, date nights or drinks with the girls.

One thing I admittedly think is missing here is a wide leg. I think we’re going to see this silhouette everywhere this Fall and I want to find a great pair…I just haven’t found one yet that I love enough to recommend. If you have any ideas, please send them my way!

Everything is linked here.

I hope that was helpful and please let me know if you have any questions. If you are eyeing a pair of jeans, odds are that I’ve tried them and I’m happy to share my honest feedback.

xx always, Meg

These were some of my favorite things to recharge:

• Natural sun light as my alarm clock

• Pizza on the beach

• Long walks and bike rides

• Laying in the calm Carolina ocean

• Coffee on the balcony, dinner on the porch

• Celebrating my parents 45th wedding anniversary!

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While I didn’t work much, I did have a lot of fun activities to get dressed for. Here are some of my favorites:

But first…the last video I filmed before the break: I think we’re going to see a lot of Henley tops this Fall. Love this cashmere version from Quince (they still make the most affordable high quality cashmere).

cashmere henley (small) // jeans (tts - 25) // flip flops // Amazon studs

The set I keep reaching for: Since this launched 3 weeks ago, I’ve already worn multiple times. It’s definitely going to be a Fall staple. Is there anything more practical than a cute, easy set for school drop off?

top (XS/S) // matching shorts (XS/S) // sunnies

A gorgeous and very reasonably priced special occasion dress: I wore this out to our one fancy dinner of the trip and loved how it looked and felt. I could see myself wearing on vacation, a date night or even for the right wedding.

moss colored maxi dress (XS) // necklace // favorite sandals // clutch (alt) // bangle

A trip to see Welles’s new favorite animal: One beach over we were able to see some beautiful horses that Welles was obsessed with. It was honestly so hot, I wore a swim outfit so we could head straight to the pool to cool off afterwards.

coverup dress (tts: small) // jelly flip flops // bucket hat // sunnies

New pajamas for Fall: Love this matching set selling out quickly!

matching set (tts: small)

My go to beach outfit: Love a white button down and a colorful sarong together. Classic but colorful and fun!

sarong // swim suit (sized up 1 to a medium) // button down (small)

A beautiful print in the most flattering sun dress: The adjustable straps and flowy silhouette make this such a universally flattering dress. It’s one I’ll wear all Fall with an ivory sweater.

dress (runs tts) // beach & town tote // jelly flip flops

The dress that’s been all over the world with me: One of my most worn dresses this year. I wore on Spring Break in Charleston, to Welles’s kindergarten graduation and brought with me on out family trip to Italy. It’s just simple but beautiful. Easy to dress up or down and good in the heat.

dress (took a UK 6) // raffia bag (alt) // sandals // necklace // bangle

I love these shorts so much, I’d pick them up now for next summer: These sell out every Spring and are now full stock. I’ll continue to wear this Fall with a crewneck but could also be a fun surprise when you start taking out Spring this April.

knit shorts (tts: small) // white tee (tts: small) // wrap sandals

My most worn suit I own in multiple colors: Beautiful colors, dries quickly, flattering in all the right places. This suit checks every box for me.

swimsuit

Back to reality! I wore this my first day back from vacation. Super easy outfit formula for Fall I’ll be wearing on repeat.

cashmere tee (tts: small) // my all time favorite jeans (tts: 25)// white tee (sized up 1 to a medium) // sandals // tote // sunnies // Amazon studs

After a wonderful, adventurous, travel filled summer, we’re home and couldn’t be happier. Everything above is linked here.

As always let me know if you have any questions about these outfits or otherwise. I’d love to help.

xx, Meg

I hope you had a wonderful weekend that was equal parts relaxing and fun! For your Sunday scroll - here are a few things I’m eyeing and loving this week.

• Have been drinking this tea after dinner for almost 2 months. Just reordered my second box. I’m in my late 30’s and I’m all in on anything to help detox, debloat, and to make me feel my best. Plus I just love the ritual of a nice warm cup of tea while we read to the kids every night. Winding down as a family is one of my favorite parts of the day.

• The pull-on pants we all can’t get enough of are now on pre-order, shipping in early September! I can’t recommend enough. I wear a small.

• We’re waiting to hear if the variance for our house renovation project is approved. I’m admittedly scared about the project, but also so excited to create a space that feels special and meets the evolving needs of our family. Seeing Nancy Meyer’s newly renovated home in LA was a fun escape and a real source of inspiration!

• Some products I’m eyeing, buying and lusting over:

  • Lusting after this oversized bandana scarf in this exact colorway, this baby doll dress and this sweater (the neckline is just so fun). .

  • Also on my Fall wish list are this adorable sweater (available for preorder) and this set (sweater and pants) that I missed out on last year. I definitely don’t plan on making the same mistake this year!

  • Just ordered this Ciao Lucia duck sweater and cardigan. I’ll be waiting in the front window like a puppy for these.

• I always look forward to James Clear’s Thursday email, but last week’s was especially good. It’s always super short, digestible and insightful. If you aren’t already signed up I can’t recommend it enough! This week’s quote that stood out to me: “The measure of a life is not what you consume, but what you contribute. Spend less time owning, consuming, taking. Spend more time giving, creating, making.”

• Fall’s 20226 Travel Trends: Life is a little crazy with all things kids right now, but I love the idea of travelling in Fall when the crowds die down. We’re not looking for any big trips in the immediate term, but will definitely be looking for a few local three day weekend type trips. I’m thinking NYC, Hudson River Valley, and maybe Vermont. I’m looking for fireplaces, good food, foliage and a place to curl up for a few hours. Let me know if you have any ideas!

• My favorite all time sweater - now in a cardigan: When I decided to rebuild my wardrobe, the first real “investment piece” I bought was the La Ligne Marin in navy. I’ve worn it so much in the last three years, I know it was well worth the price tag. I love La Ligne’s photography, but unlike some brands with great images the product is even better. This striped sweater stopped my in my tracks!

• While I don’t watch much television, I did binge-watch Big Little Lies years ago so I was excited to see that sequel Big Little Truths (the book) is out this Tuesday. Immediately adding it to my TBR list. I also finished Unreasonable Hospitality this summer and loved it. I find the idea of taking care of people and making them feel special one of life’s true joys so this one really resonated.

• Sezane Fall just landed, and it’s filled with warmer hues and dreamy suede. I especially love the look of this chocolate jumper and this oversized slouchy suede tote.

• Sales to Know: Hotel Lobby (my favorite candles), Boden 20% off everything, J. Crew 30% off girls and boys just in time for back to school.

Everything in today’s post is linked here in one place.

Let’s make it a great week friends!

xx, Meg

I wrote recently about how I’m trying to slow down this August and this week I started to live into it a little but it’s harder than I expected! After a frenetic first few days at home, we took off to visit my parents who retired to North Carolina at the little beach town I grew up visiting as a kid. It’s funny how some places and people just help slow my pulse. There’s something so cocoon like about being under my parents’ roof, especially in a place I know so well.

The kids are having a throwback week. Bike rides, ice cream, catching minnows and crabs, putt putt, and body surfing. They’ve even “joined” the turtle watch as honorary members and saw two turtles make their way from the nest to the ocean last night!

This week’s outfits were a mix of of great pieces to help with a gentle transition to Fall and a few that are stubbornly calling for one last gasp of summer.

And there’s one particular pant I’m loving so much right now. Can you guess which one? It comes in a few fun patterns but sell out risk is high so grab them now if you’re interested in a flattering pull on pant to wear all Fall.

Simple always wins: A classic uniform…premium straight leg jeans and a great white tee under $20. I could wear this every day! Also, don’t overlook the watch. It looks and feels way more luxe than the price tag.

jeans (tts- 25) // white tee (size up 1 to M) // watch // raffia tote // jelly flip flops

Saturday coffee runs: I’ve owned this pair of sweats for two years now (first in grey and now in black) and love every time I wear them. Super soft eco-terry fabric, beautifully cropped plus a drawstring and strip for a little extra interest. So chic!

sweat pants (tts - s) // white tee (tts - s) // quince cashmere crewneck (size up 1 to M) // earrings // flip flops // bra (xs) // tote

A gentle transition to Fall: Suede shoes and a short sleeve cotton sweater tee are great transitional pieces. I feel like this outfit has September written all over it. The sweater tee has such great knit details and is so comfortable. Under $40! The shoes are a truly great pair of ballet flats I plan to wear for years and years.

cotton sweater tee (tts: s) // jeans (tts -25) // bra (xs) // suede shoes // studs // sunnies

My favorite running set of the summer: Rhone’s active is just so good. Every pair of shorts sells out. These are now fully back in stock. My favorite shorts to run in!

running shorts (tts - s) // matching tank (tts - s)

Another idea for a gentle Fall transition: This time I went with a pair of burgundy loafers to match my nail polish and a suede tote bag. Simple little swaps that take an outfit from Summer to Fall super easily.

men’s white pocket tee (s) // jeans (tts - 25) // burgundy loafers // nail polish // suede bag

A very underrated cardigan: A great boxy crop that looks great layered or on its own with shorts, dresses, skirts and of course jeans.

cotton cardigan (tts- s) // tee // jeans (tts - 25) // bangle // jelly flip flops // clutch

One of my most worn Fall staples: I love a good cashmere tee. I own this one in several colors. The slightly heavier weight vs. my white tees and the soft texture make this such a great basic, easy to mix and match with jeans, a blazer, a skirt or pants.

cashmere tee (tts - s) // barrel jeans (size down 1) // cap toe ballet flats // bracelet // earrings

A stunning pink surprise: I mostly wear blue or white button downs, but I love to mix it up with a little pink or stripe every once in a while. This one is gorgeous and fits great!

pink button down (tts - s) // jeans (tts - 25) // flip flops // raffia tote // earrings // sunnies

My favorite new pull on pants: All I have to say is wow! I love these pants so much, They fit great (perfectly cropped, super flattering), they’re comfortable and they come in several fun patterns. Selling quickly I’d grab the red bandana and blue stripe.

bandana pants (tts - s) // white tee (small) // jelly flip flops

The button down I’d wear to the beach and in the office: Pictured below is me heading to the beach in North Carolina, but I’ve worn this shirt in town and for work too. Just give it a full tuck into jeans or pants, pair with some suede shoes or ballet flats, and throw on a blazer if it feels right.

button down cover up (tts - s) // bikini bottom (size up 1 - M) // bikini top (tts - s) // sun hat // tote // flip flops

Another great coverup: I probably wouldn’t wear this one to the office but it’s a perfect for the beach.

scrunchie suit // J. Crew coverup (size down 1 - XS)

I’ve worn this top more than I’d like to admit this Summer: I tried a lot of lace tops this summer but this is the one I kept coming back to.

lace top (size down 1 - xs) // white jean shorts (size up 1 to 26)

Graphic tee and jean shorts: A summer mom uniform, I’ve worn these shorts on repeat the last three summers. They still look and feel so good.

graphic tee (tts - s) // jean shorts (size up 1 to 26) // earrings

Those are all my outfits this week! Everything is linked here.

As always, let me know if you have any questions.

xx, Meg

Every year, we focus on getting the kids ready with shoes and backpacks and first day outfits and I forget that as soon as the calendar hits September (sooner for a lot of you), it’s full steam ahead with meet the teacher, first day, back to school night, PTO emails and all the rest of it. I know it’s a lot to navigate and it comes fast all at once, so my hope is that these outfit formulas can help you take some of the mental load out of your day.

Not to turn this into an essay, but I know its super hard to go to these events without looking around and its easy to feel self conscious about outfits…especially as a young mom. When my kids first went to school, I was always comparing. When I saw someone dressed nice, I wondered if I was dressed enough. If I saw someone in cute athleisure I worried that I was overdressed. It was silly and exhausting. Over the years, I realized that being the “cool mom” was not something I needed or wanted to chase. Instead I started to wear outfits that made me feel my best and I tried to be the “friendly” mom instead. Sometimes that meant athleisure, sometimes it meant a button down.

There’s no need to apologize, there’s no need need to compare, there’s no need to worry if you got it wrong. If the outfit helps you feel whatever you need to feel that day…be it comfortable, cute, polished, athletic or cool then you’re tapping into the power of getting dressed.

So here are some outfit ideas if you are looking to pick up a few new things for yourself or if you’re just looking for some styling inspo to use what you have in your closet for the new school year, I hope this helps!

striped quarter zip // leggings // white tee // socks // sneakers (these or these) // sunnies

striped shorts // sweater // white tee // suede wrap sandals // sunnies // earrings

button down // jeans // ballet flats // watch // sunnies

quarter zip // bike shorts // socks // lifestyle sneakers

white tee // cashmere tee // jeans // bag // sandals // watch // sunnies

white tee // pull on pants // jelly flip flops // sunnies

crewneck // $28 skirt // tee shirt // socks or these // sneakers // sunnies // earrings

jeans // white tee // sandals // sunnies

And for a beautiful dress for back to school night, what about this?

dress // white sweater // sandals // bracelet

That was so much fun. I was planning to create 5 or 6 outfits, but was feeling inspired and just kept going! I hope you find something you love.

Everything is linked here.

Wishing you a wonderful school year full of growth, friendships, learning and fun.

xx, Meg

I love discovering new products and sharing my favorites.

The best part is how many great pieces I always find that are surprisingly affordable. If you’re new here, I’ll share this edit every other week on Friday afternoons for some light reading before the weekend.

Here are some of my favorites:

• My Zara pick of the month! We’re entering quarter zip season and I love the stripes (blue and red) plus the color accents on the sleeve, waist and collar. Under $50!

• It looks like Sezane is about to go through a rebrand (you can read about it here). I’m so intrigued! The first products to launch are the tote bags. There’s something so chic about a canvas tote with a black trim that I think would make a great work bag. And I was shocked at the price!

• Love this new wash in a forever favorite. Vintage inspired denim without the price tag.

• No one does a better coco striped button down. Every detail from fit to fabric hits. I’m obsessed.

• Seeing a ton of Henley (my favorite), long sleeve polo and rugby shirts right now. We’ll see them everywhere this Fall. I love pairing with something ultra feminine like a pair of shorts or a great pair if jeans.

• This jacket! The plaid lining in itself is enough to get me excited.

• One of my all time favorite sweaters in chocolate keeps selling out. It’s in full stock and on sale right now.

• I’ve been trying to get my hands on these pull on pants for $58 all summer.

• A forever favorite in a new gorgeous colorway. I normally shy away from branding but I just love the subtle new tag too! I wear a small but if you’re looking for a more oversize look, size up one. This will definitely sell out.

• A great new lifestyle sneaker for Fall. We know and love the comfort of Rothy’s. I was so excited to see such a good looking sneaker in seven colors.

• Always on the hunt for a a tee in this garment dye (esque) color. This one has longer sleeves and this one is slightly more cropped. Both have nice weight…both great for Fall.

Honestly, I could keep going! There is so much good stuff under $200 right now so make sure you check out the full edit here.

A few more things in case you’re interested!

• shopbop hearts are updated

• You can find this week’s saves here!

• And in case you missed it, I have been having so much fun on substack lately. Here’s one of my favorite “what to wear” posts ever, here’s a post that helps you transition easily into Fall and here’s something I’ve been thinking a lot about lately.

I hope you enjoyed!

Have a great weekend.

xx, Meg

A “gentle transition” means subtle changes in footwear (rather than making the jump from flip flops to boots, we may be swapping in suede wrap sandals and ballet flats), accessories (think moving from raffia to suede), color (stark white to ivory as an example) and texture (introducing cashmere, for instance).

This year, I’m doubling down on some of my favorite staples (I’ll also give myself permission to pick up a few new things because it’s so fun…I just am not going to give into the pressure to need to pick up a ton of new stuff).

Here are the pieces I wear the most from August through November. Hopefully you have many of these in your closet but if you need to pick something up, the good news is, it should get plenty of wear!

Cashmere Tee: Just a little too hot for peak summer, but as soon as the humidity breaks I pull out a cashmere tee. I just love how soft and lightweight it is. Looks great with a skirt or jeans and it’s so chic under a blazer or trench in the Fall. I’d start with this (in ivory grey and navy) for under $50!

Cotton Sweater: A great cotton sweater is good for at least three seasons and maybe all year depending how cold it gets in winter. In August I’ll usually throw over my shoulders, but I’ll also wear it on a windy beach day or for drinks on a chilly night. When things get a little colder in October and November, this will be a hero base layer before I switch to wool and cashmere. My three favorite cotton crewneck sweaters are this, this and this. If you prefer a rollneck, I love this and this.

This Neutral Skirt: I’m being really specific here on purpose. There is something about this skirt that is particularly perfect for the summer to Fall transition. It’s fun and flowy but somehow structured enough to easily dress up for church or work too. It truly works with everything from tee shirts and tanks to blouses and sweaters, sandals to boots.

Wrap Sandals: If there’s one piece I get the most pushback on depending on where people live and their temperature preferences, it’s footwear. If wearing a sandal late into Fall isn’t for you, that’s totally fine, but I tend to wear mine as late as I possibly can (with shorts, skirts and dresses in August and jeans or pants in the Fall)! I do tend to transition from a more traditional sandal to a suede wrap sandal (my favorite has low inventory but this is a great alt). I’m also loving these fisherman sandals so much right now.

A Classic Blazer: Probably the biggest workhorse for an in office look. It’s just so versatile and timeless. Throw on over a dress, blouse, button down, white tee or sweater. So many options! My favorite is this (in navy or herringbone) because of the perfect boxy silhouette and I’m loving the gold buttons I’m seeing more and more of.

A Great Button Down (this or this): Such a great beach cover up and the perfect piece to wear into the office with jeans for a thoughtful business casual look. Love this look with a pair of cap toe ballet flats and a neutral leather bucket bag. Easy to throw on a blazer if things get chilly! Silly expensive but one of my favorite all-time favorite shirts is this striped button-down.

Straight Leg Jeans: Jeans will absolutely be the most worn piece on this list so it’s super important to get it right. For a summer to Fall transition, focus on a medium wash. I like stiff premium denim because it looks the most pulled together on the days I want to dress them up a bit (harder to do with looser fitting jeans). These are my all time favorite jeans. For a premium feel for less, you can’t beat Levi’s in a new wash perfect for Fall. If you prefer a little stretch, these are my top pick. If you prefer a barrel shape, these are so great.

Pull on Pants: I love black or olive green here. Black are the most versatile (there are hundreds of outfits that are easy to create with a great pair of black pants as a base layer) but there’s something about green that works so well with a white tee and baseball cap in summer but also transitions to Fall colors beautifully when it’s time to throw on a sweater.

A Cardigan: Maybe one of the most obvious transition pieces…Is it as simple as unbuttoned in summer and buttoned in Fall? Maybe not quite, but this cashmere cardigan has pretty much ruined me (it’s that good). I wear it with denim or white jean shorts in the summer and pants all Fall. Such a great find! For another great option for a little less, this cotton cardigan and this t-shirt cardigan are also really, really good if you live in a warmer climate.

A Throw On and Go Dress: Wear on its own with some statement jewelry and a belt in August and throw on a beautiful cashmere sweater or blazer come November. A simple black or white dress allows you to be creative.

Ballet Flats: A neutral or cap toe (this or this) ballet flat works so well for skirts and dresses in August and jeans or pants in October. In just a few short weeks, I’ll start to introduce suede shoes into my wardrobe and I couldn’t be more excited to start wearing these gain!

A Suede Bag: One the easy ways to gently transition to Fall is to swap out raffia for suede. I love a suede bucket bag or shopper tote for all my Fall errands when I’m out and about.

A great pair of sweatpants: I love a cozy pair of sweats for coffee runs or Sunday cozies. These are my most worn for years running, but I also love a striped option to add a little interest. Just throw on a long sleeve tee, a trench and a baseball cap for a casual but chic look.

A great transitional piece can be worn on its own or layered with other pieces when the weather turns. All it takes is a little creative styling.

I hope the visuals and descriptions help show how to make your wardrobe basics stretch a little farther this year. Everything is linked here.

As always let me know if you have any questions!

xx, Meg

I wore lots of comfy, cozy clothes and when the weather finally did clear we got a few 10/10 beach days. I wish I did a better job documenting those days, but I was trying really hard to be as present as possible and I was so grateful for the break.

Here are the outfits I captured. I love some of these pieces so, so much (hello jeans and pink button down, new tennis sweater and striped pants). I hope you find something you love.

One of my favorite pairs of jeans in a new wash for just for $110: These are so good. They’re premium denim, very rigid but size up two and they’re perfect. I paired with the cardigan you all couldn’t get enough of in a new colorway. I love the raw hem and the casual (but incredibly sophisticated) look.

jeans (run small - I sized up 2 to a 27) // t-shirt cardigan (tts - small) // shoes (run tts) // bucket bag

Met a sweet friend for dinner: The four of us have been together a lot this summer so it was nice to sneak away for a night to meet a girlfriend at a local spot for a burger. I wore this gorgeous mini that strikes the balance of being incredibly simple but also standing out with a beautiful blue and crochet detail.

dress (wearing xs) // sandals (tts - 37) // bag

A rainy day uniform: Nothing better than a rainy day with a pair of boxer shorts and a cozy sweater (this one is under $50!).

oversized cotton sweater (runs tts - my butter yellow is sold out, but linking this same sweater in red would be amazing for fall/winter!) // boxer shorts (run tts - small)

A new linen mini I’m loving: Clearly focused on fit and quality, I’ve been so impressed by this sister founded brand. This mini is one of the best I’ve worn. I love the adjustable straps that ensure the best fit every single time.

linen mini (XS) // sandals (37) // woven bag // navy sweater (sized up 1 to a M) // gold bracelet

Heading to the sidewalk sales: A fun tradition in places with great downtowns where all the stores put their discounted merchandise outside for people to browse. Town was definitely buzzing especially around Faherty and some other locally owned shops. Love a fully tucked button down look for days in the office or out and about.

button down (runs tts - small) // jeans (run tts - 25) // shoes (tts - 7) // bag // sunnies

Trying the new Marea tennis sweater: I think we’re going to see a lot of the shawl cardigan this year and this one is so good. It’s perfectly chunky and oversized and extremely friendly.

cardigan (runs tts - small) // v-neck tee (runs tts - small) // jeans (tts - 25) // tote // sandals (tts 37)

A go to summer outfit formula: All white everything (including the hydrangeas). These are my most worn summer shorts with a light cotton sweater under $50. Perfect for chilly morning coffee runs and trips to the bakery.

cotton cableknit sweater (sized up 1 to a M) // white denim shorts (sized up 1 to a 26) // sandals (tts - 37) // watch // bag (old sezane) // sunnies // studs

A fun pair or pants selling like crazy: These are a sell out risk and for good reason. They’re perfectly cropped and extremely flattering. The color combo and stripe detail are so good. I find that when Hill House goes out of stock, they are slow to restock so pick them up now if you’re looking for a great pant to transition with into Fall.

baby tee (tts: small) // striped pants (wearing size 4) // jelly flats (tts - 7) // woven tote // sunnies // studs

My mother in law kept asking if “D” was for DeFeo: I love this look from the Daily Drills Out East Collection. So many cute shorts, sweatshirts and other casual fits.

graphic tee (tts: xs/s) // denim shorts (sized up 1 to a 26) // jelly flats

A beautiful blue stripe under $50: Another all white outfit, this one with stripes to add some interest. This is one of my favorite sweaters I’ll wear now and into early Fall.

striped cotton sweater (sized up 1 to a M) // linen shorts (wearing an XS) // bag

Finally made it to the beach: I only documented one beach outfit. One of my favorite suits and white button down coverups.

bathing suit // cover up (wearing an XS) // bag // jelly flats

And that’s all this week! Everything is linked here.

Next up...heading out to see my parents where I grew up going as a kid. I’m so excited to be able to enjoy even more family time before school starts back up.

I hope you have a great week.

xx, Meg

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Outfit formulas I started with this week were jeans + white tee, a throw on and go dress (a formula in itself!), jeans + sweater…perfect for the office or WFH and shorts + breathable long sleeve for the weekend.

I’m trying to share more close toed shoes based on some of the questions I’ve been getting including my favorite cap toe ballet flats and a pair of loafers I am obsessed with.

I hope you love these outfits as much as I do!

The softest sweater for chilly office days: I juts love a cardigan as a third piece when temperature can be variable. It’s easy to wear a white tee on the commute if its a hot day. There’s something so chic about this pink, brown and white color combo that I think works so well for late August and early Fall and these jeans are a great price for the quality of denim. Just make sure you size up 2!

cardigan // jeans (size up 2) // ballet flats // bucket bag // sunnies

A pair of pants that could easily be for work or a new weekend favorite: I featured these pants in an OOTD and I’m so happy how many of you picked them up! They’re so flattering with a high rise waist and a slight crop and the colors are gorgeous. The fringe sizes are already selling out and I expect all sizes to be gone soon. Once a Hill House sells out, it can be nearly impossible to find.

pants (I‘m wearing a 4) // white tee // tote // jelly flip flops // sunnies

A cotton cashmere blend for now and later: Another example of a jeans + tee + ballet flat outfit formula that is instantly elevated by a third piece and a great bag. The half zip comes from the Alex Mill August Collection (so good) and is specially designed with 95% cotton and 5% cashmere for wear now breathability.

half zip // jeans // white tee // ballet flats // earrings // city tote

Something fun for a day in the city: Everything about this outfit is fun + cool. Wear the sweater polo with a little half tuck, straight leg jeans that fall at the ankle to show off the beautiful loafers and a tote that ties it all together.

striped polo // straight leg jeans // loafers // bracelet // tote // sunnies

Friday favorites: This outfit is full of favorite pieces that I couldn’t be more comfortable in. I’ve had these same jeans, cardigan and white tee for at least two years. Add a new statement bag and some jelly flip flops and I have my favorite Friday work from home outfit.

cotton cardigan // jeans // white tee // beaded bag // jelly flip flops

Hoping summer never ends: Blue and white are always a classic combo but especially in the summer. These are my best selling striped shorts and cotton sweater and I love them so much together. The striped shorts have been sold out in my size nearly all spring and summer but they’re back in full stock!

cotton sweater // striped shorts // tote // flip flops // sunnies

A throw on and go dress I couldn’t resist picking up this weekend: I love the print and how flattering she looks. August always reminds me of wildflowers and this dress just feels like it fits.

dress // mini tote // jelly flip flops // sunnies

A lazy Sunday: I’ve talked a lot recently about having some Sunday cozies that are relaxed and casual but still nice. That’s exactly what this outfit is. I love the tangerine shorts and the cotton ribbed cardigan combo so much.

tangerine shorts // ribbed cardigan // hair clip // flip flops

That’s this week’s round up! I hope you found some inspo for your week ahead.

Everything is linked here.

As always let me know if you have any questions. Let’s make it a great week!

xx, Meg

I have a confession to make…I’m tired!

Is it ok to admit that out loud?

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It’s such a strange thing for me to say.

As harsh as it sounds, I have an adverse reaction to complaining in all its forms (especially when I’m the one doing the complaining!). The people that I look up to are not complainers, they work hard and keep going! They create beautiful things and are working to make the world a better place.

I am truly living a life beyond my wildest dreams and I understand how blessed I am to have a wonderful family, a job I love, and friends I can count on. I live in a beautiful place. I have two healthy parents and two healthy kids.

That’s why I went back and forth about 100 times on whether or not to hit send on this note.

I sometimes feel like I don’t deserve a break. But I also know deep down, we’re not meant as humans to be on a never ending high speed train of work and over stimulation. And not only should we not feel guilty about resting, we should realize how good deep rest is for us. We are allowed to rest…just to rest…and it’s ok to not feel guilty about it.

What makes it so hard for me is that I’ve been raised to work hard, to push through, to keep going. Before I left my job of 10 years at J. Crew and Madewell to stay home with our babies full time, I had a job since I was 12 (mother’s help, babysitting and busing tables in high school, washing dishes and working in admissions in college, recruiting at an agency in DC after college, and then eventually to my dream job in NYC).

I left that job I loved during Covid not because of the work load, but because I felt like I was failing as both an employee and as a mom. One day my neighbor saw us walking to the playground and she said “enjoy it while they still want to be with you” and that tore me up. I just knew in my heart that it would go so fast (and I can confirm, it’s going SO fast).

So I stayed home and as blessed as I was to be able to do it, it was a different kind of hard. I poured everything into our babies. I loved it more than words can describe, but every night I went to bed exhausted and I fell into a rut where I wasn’t taking care of me. If this is you right now, I see you. I promise it gets easier.

Three years in, once the kids started going to school, I started to think about what I wanted to do with a few hours of extra time. I always wanted to work again, but in a way that still allowed me to be present with the kids when they got home and I wasn’t sure of what could look like for me. Was anyone hiring for 4 hours a day??? Most of you probably know by now that I read Atomic Habits and decided (after 3 years of living in athleisure) to begin getting dressed again as a way to honor myself and to begin to take care of me again. Once I started sharing my journey, I realized how many of you were going through the same thing and I wanted to help.

Over the last three years, this little corner of the internet has turned into something much bigger than I ever could have dreamed. I love what I do so much and I’m so grateful that so many of you choose to follow along. What I didn’t expect was a pressure that started to creep in to be always on. It started with the algorithm (“post everyday or Instagram will kill your reach”), it evolved into not wanting to let all of you down (get over yourself Meg), but deep down I know it’s really an insecurity that makes me want to post every day. I truly feel like if I’m not producing, creating, building, or earning that I’m being lazy. That if I’m not moving forward, I’m moving backwards. What is that???

This mentality has led me to be “on” for almost three years now. There’s no corporate paid time off. It’s sharing what I’m wearing every single day. It’s documenting vacation so I can share bits and pieces with you. It’s working early and late so I can be present with my kids.

Let’s be 100% clear, I feel so blessed to live the life I am living and even though it sounds like I’m complaining, I don’t think this post is really about me. What pushed me to hit send is that I actually think most women feel this way in some way, shape or form.

And my hope for all of us is that we give ourselves permission to acknowledge the feelings, to give ourselves grace and a break when we need it…but the hope is that once we feel refreshed, we keep moving forward. I truly think the desire to keep evolving is one of our best human traits, but sometimes taking a step back helps us regain energy for the next thing to be excited about.

So here’s where I’m giving myself some permission to slow down this August:

• Permission to go away for a few days without my phone

• Permission to NOT GET DRESSED one day a week

• Permission to let the kids stay up later so we all can enjoy the extra sun

• Permission to have a glass of wine on a Friday night

• Permission to eat lunch outside

• Permission to go on a date with KCD

• Permission not to work at night (this one is particularly hard for me)

I think by leaning into these little acts of letting go, I’m going to be that much more energized come September.

If you’re feeling a little burnt out, I hope you’ll take some time for you this month. I’m not going anywhere, you just might see me a little less while I take some time to recharge and I hope that’s ok!

xx always, Meg

This set is part of the Daily Drills Out East Collection. Everything is perfectly oversized with so many cute colors and patterns to choose from.

Crewneck Sweatshirt // Matching Shorts

So many new faces today I just wanted to say hellooo. If you’re new, I hope you stick around! To give you a sense of what I write about, here are some of my most popular recent posts:

• Once a season, I’ll write a post “If I Were Rebuilding My Wardrobe, Here is What I’d Start With”. Because I got so many requests, the last one I wrote was about Rebuilding Your Wardrobe on a Budget.

• I’ve recently been obsessed with cutting out inspiration and the physical mail. I started a series called “If I Had Your Address, Here’s What I’d Send You This Week”

• Every week I share outfit ideas and my outfit round up from the week before and I like to pull together an under $200 edits every two weeks (new finds that are high quality, great value, feel special and fun because great style doesn’t have to break the bank!), travel round ups and once in a while I’ll deep dive into a brand in 5 minutes.

The rest of it is pretty ad hoc. I write about the things I’m thinking about and the things that inspire me. I love this community so much and am grateful for all of you that make it so special.

Subscribe now

xx, Meg

The grey crew neck you all are loving (I love it too): A perfect late summer/early Fall transition piece. It’s mid weight so you can wear it now for chilly mornings or all day come September/October. It’s the kind of sweater you’ll wear on repeat, layered or on its own.

jeans (run tts - 25) // grey crewneck (small) // $8 white tee (size up 1! I wear a M), flip-flops // bag // bracelet

An easy summer outfit formula: Love pairing a vintage graphic tee with a pair of straight leg jeans, comfy shoes and a statement bag.

jeans (run tts - 25) // vintage tee (size s) // jelly flats (run tts - 7) // bag // bracelet

The white long sleeve that will carry me right into and through Fall: Sold out on the brand’s website, I was able to find inventory of this iconic long sleeve tee. I’ve owned this for 3 years and still haven’t found one better.

perfect long sleeve tee (small) // jeans (run tts - 25) // mesh flats (run tts - 7) // funky earrings

An easy, effortless summer look: There are a lot of white lace tops out there and for me the fit and lace details make it feel cool and timeless at the same time. I get so many compliments when I wear it from people of all ages. I told KCD I would seriously consider saving this to pass down to Millie.

tank (sized down 1 to a xs) // jeans (run tts - 25) // gold bracelet // jelly flats (run tts in a 7)

A perfect linen dress for a Friday night: Not much to say about this one! Hopefully the photo shows how relaxed but elevated it is.

linen dress (wearing an XS) // flip flops // bag (old sezane)

A winning suit/sarong combo: One of my favorite suits paired with an Amazon sarong (one of the best I’ve ever worn and comes in so many fun prints).

one piece (runs tts - in a small) // sarong // sunglassess

M ran her first 5k this weekend: One of my favorite childhood memories is running with my dad and I’m so grateful she asked to run the Sea Girt 5k with me. It was hard, but she did great!

workout set: top (small) // bottom (small) // shoes are old nike

An after dinner beach walk: One of my favorite summer traditions is going for a beach walk during sunset. This is typically my uniform! A pair of pull on shorts and a navy crew neck are al I need.

crewneck (sized up 1 to a M) // boxer shorts (run tts - in a small)

Another suit and sarong combo: A little more colorful this time, but a look I love just as much. These scrunchie swim suits are some of my all time favorites. Just so flattering with great coverage, never stretches, dries quickly. Just the best.

swimsuit // hat // flip flops // sarong is old marea

A new drop coming out tomorrow! Stay tuned for an early email.

set launches tomorrow (Tuesday) - will send the link + sizing right when it launches!

Maybe hard to see, but this chocolate/white set is a great Fall piece for workouts and school drop off: Buttery finish but stays in place for your workout without being uncomfortable. Love the chocolate/white contrast for something a little more fun than most sets out there!

workout set of the week: top (should have taken the XS) // leggings (run tts - in a small)

And that’s everything this week! Everything is linked here.

As always, I hope you found something new that you love. If you have any questions, please don’t be shy!

xx, Meg

This is one of the reasons I love this week’s outfits so much. It’s just a nice mix of work wear, outfits for town, and even something for a day you don’t want to “get dressed” at all. It sounds almost blasphemous saying that (as someone who believes so strongly in the power of getting dressed), but I actually believe more in getting dressed with intention and if the intention is rest after running at 100% all week, I’m all for it!

I’d wear this into the city every day if I could.: To me a great business casual outfit has some element of business (button down, shoes and bag) and some element of casual (the jeans).

button down // straight leg jeans // cap toe ballet flat (or these) // bag

A sweater for the commute or for office AC: Throw it over your shoulders or put it on. It’s the perfect third piece that can be a style component and something practical.

button down // jeans // sweater // tote // loafers (save or splurge) // earrings

My summer uniform on repeat: If I could wear on thing for the rest of my life, it would probably look something like this!

tee shirt // jeans // statement bag // watch // sunnies // jelly flip flops

It’s giving small beach town vibes: This is what I’d wear in Spring Lake for coffee with KCD. What’s your beach town of choice?

boxer shorts // cotton sweater (this or this) // straw bag // flip flops // sunglasses

I’m really starting to come around on loafers: For years, I thought they were too masculine for my taste, but lately I’m seeing more and more loafers I think are so chic, feminine and cute.

jeans // tee // loafers (save or splurge) // hair clip // necklace

It could be basic…it’s anything but: It’s all in the tiny details. Jeans that hit at the ankle bone (and letting the anklet shine), a top that falls exactly at the start of the jean, the length of the necklace, the ring.

jeans // top // ballet flats // anklet // necklace // bag // clip

Rest and recovery on repeat: If you need a Sunday reset, check out this outfit. Cozy, comfortable, relaxed but still so well done.

cozy crewneck // striped pjs // red nail polish // clip

That was so fun! I hope it gives you a head start on some work outfit ideas. Let me know if you have any questions. Everything is linked here.

Have a great week!

xx, Meg

I decided to keep it tight this month because there were a few items that rose well to the top on my best sellers list. More edited than usual, but full of truly great finds.

1. The perfect anytime jean: Premium denim, subtle barrel, beautiful washes. I somehow (stupidly) got away from these for a bit but I’m so happy I started wearing them again. They work well dressed up or down. With a tee shirt around the house or a cute top for a dinner date. The white is also so good! They run big (I size down to a 24).

2. The throw on and go dress you keep selling out: I can’t believe this dress is still on sale for $125! For how much I wear it, I almost don’t even think this is fair. I love the cut, the print, and the smocked top. I’ll wear this all summer and Fall (with a light sweater) on repeat.

3. All the Barbour jackets: Barbour was the our best selling brand during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and for good reason! There were three great jackets on sale that I loved. This one is long gone, but this one (in blue and in green) still has some inventory on sale. I’m glad I went into store because it was much better in person than the image online. This one is available at full price at Barbour.com. These are all great choices for a Fall jacket!

4. The Amazon skirt that became my most worn active in a new colorway: I’ve wrote about this one a lot. This skirt is such a great find and better than more premium priced active out there. After wearing the navy all Spring, I went for the red this month and love it even more.

5. Two wonderful navy sweaters vying for the top spot: Let me be clear, I don’t think you need two navy cotton sweaters. After recommending the Tuckernuck William sweater all spring, I felt like I needed to try the soldout.nyc favorite crew sweater too. Here’s what I’ll say. You truly can’t go wrong. I think everyone would benefit from having one of these in their closet. The only real difference is that the soldout.nyc version is just a little chunkier and a tad warmer. If you live in New England or Canada, this would be my pick but for everywhere else, I’d stick with the William.

Kept it short and sweet! All the links can be found here.

Curious to know if you like the shorter format or want to see more pieces in the best sellers round up next time. Let me know your thoughts!

xx, Meg

My grandpa Hobie was the best at this. He would clip an article and slip in a note that simply said, “thinking of you.” No unnecessary fluffery, just a small note that made me feel incredibly loved. I must be channeling him lately because I recently felt compelled to read real magazines again (below is a picture of my desk right now).

Substack may be the closest thing online to getting something in the mail. It’s far less “look at me” and far more “look at this” and that’s a beautiful thing. I’m all in for sharing inspiration, advice, special moments and stories. And that’s my hope for this post…that you would find something new that lights you up (even if it’s in your email and not in an envelope).

Here are some things that reminded me of all of you (that I couldn’t resist sharing):

1. A couple in Brooklyn renovated their home to make it feel old: I love this idea. As someone working through a home renovation, I feel like I have an allergic reaction to new construction. I’ve just always been more of a brownstone vs. an amenity building type of person. I’m looking for some quirks and a lot of charm. I think most of that charm comes as a new space collects memories, but I also don’t think it hurts to give things a head start with some special details.

_{(Image credit: Seth Caplan/New York Times)}

2. Loved reading this interview with Meg, the founder of Dorsey conducted by . Especially her Dad’s advice.

3. Ina Garten shares 6 summer recipes. Some food just tastes better in the summer (hello Jersey corn and tomatoes). Rather than eating the same old menu we eat all year, I’m excited to try some new things that we can eat outside on a nice day… starting with this one tomorrow! Also waiting for another hot day in August to make this lemonade with Millie and Welles. Her rice krispie recipe is already our family’s favorite. Have you made them?

4. How fun are these pull on shorts from the Rosie Assoulin x Target collab?!

5. Now streaming: Ok I know I couldn't clip this one, but I’d write about it in a letter! I’m actually not a big TV person, but one of the benefits of spending most nights in a book is that when I do feel like a night to zone out, there’s no shortage of great stuff I haven’t seen. The two things that stood out to me on this were The Devil Wears Prada 2 (so interested how they capture how the world of fashion has changed since the first one came out) and A League of Their Own. We’re on a huge kick showing our kids old movies and we can’t wait to watch one of my all time favorites with them. I’m going to sound like a grandma, but they truly don’t make movies like this anymore.

_{©Columbia Pictures/Everett Collection}

6. Really enjoyed listening to this podcast episode! Have been following @thisoakhouse for years and can’t wait for Annie’s book to come out September 15th.

7. 8 Fall trend predictions: Which one might you try? Two-toned shoes seem to be trending, and I’m here for it. It’s funny they call this a trend, I find them so classic (these are these are my forever favorites), but maybe we’ll see some new variations! Also animal prints? Yes, please! I’m not sure if I could pull off an animal print coat (like below!), but this tote or a cute pair of flats would be a fun way to add a touch of trend to our everyday wardrobe staples.

_{(Image credit: Fendi/Launchmetrics Spotlight)}

7. Loving everything in varley’s pre-fall collection. Especially this short trench.

8. House and Garden UK shares how to make the most of small bedrooms: I can’t explain how much I love this. There’s something so intimate and cozy about a small bedroom. I understand the appeal of a bigger bedroom if it’s a space you spend a lot of time in, but if rest is the goal I honestly think I sleep better in a room that feels more like a cocoon (but maybe that’s just in my head!). The variety of colors, little nooks, and creative storage in these examples make me feel so homey and warm and safe.

9. In no way wishing away summer(!!!!), but how pretty is this floral sweater?

   

10. 25 Wonderful books your 10 year old would enjoy: It’s such a tricky age because some books are too easy, but most of the books at her reading level are too mature. We’ve read Nothing Else But Miracles and The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli (both on the list) and loved both!

11. Bought these burgundy loafers and they just arrived today. Love! So chic for fall.

    

12. Practicing all the self-control to not buy every single beauty product uses/recommended in her post yesterday, What’s Inside My Makeup Bag As Someone Who Wants to Look Like They Don’t Wear it.

13. On my fall wishlist - the nude version are by far my favorite/most worn lifestyle sneaker and after seeing all the chic women in Europe pair sneakers with dresses (which I thought looked so good), I think these would be perfect.

I know that wasn’t quite the same as a clipping in the mail, but I hope in some small way this post reminded you of that feeling (or at least helped you discover something new to enjoy and/or share).

Something new this week! Let me know what you think.

xx,

Meg