I remember reading somewhere that if you want to wake yourself up, become more productive, or give yourself a general reset, you should intentionally do things that go against your normal routine: brush your teeth with the opposite hand, drink your coffee after your shower instead of before, or sit in a different seat to eat a meal or watch a show. The idea is that, by doing so, you force your brain to actively think rather than operate on autopilot.

There are so many things in life that we do simply because we do them. Maybe it is out of habit, maybe because we enjoy doing them, or maybe because that is just what comes next. I am admittedly a creature of habit, and I find routine both productive and comforting. But I also know that this level of comfort can, at times, be the enemy of spontaneity, creativity, and overall zest for life.

I have grown to appreciate how travel serves as the perfect opportunity for this kind of factory reset - there is no favorite coffee mug that I use every morning, no familiar route to work, and no go-to take out meal. Everything I do feels intentional. Beyond that, travel offers a plethora of new ways of living that you can experiment with and adopt, if only for the duration of your stay. There is a certain freedom in knowing that you can step outside of your usual habits and routines because, in the back of your mind, you have the reassurance that your safe cocoon of normalcy will still be waiting for you when you return.

Things in my daily life I came home appreciating more:

• Having my full closet and laundry readily at my fingertips (lol)

• Being better (not perfect, though) about responding to friends and family and feeling a little more caught up

• Working out

• Reading in bed at night

• Drinking water (again, lol) and having a better overall grasp on my health and wellness

Things I brought home with a newfound appreciation for:

• Waiting a little before drinking coffee in the morning… turns out you actually appreciate it more when you’re not immediately reaching for it

• Trying all the hot, cool, new, and fun things because… seize the day! Who knows when you’ll be back

• Going out on weeknights

• Trying new restaurants and ordering a little bit of everything

• Sunshine in the morning

That is all. I am happy to be homing tying away in my bed. I am also excited to see where I go next.

The Knicks won the championship, the United States is set to host the FIFA World Cup, Heated Rivalry broke records with an average of 10.6 billion views per episode, and Zoë Kravitz was spotted in a baseball tee. Whether it’s circumstance, hometown pride, or simply aesthetics, sporty style and retro athleisure are trending for Spring/Summer. Here are some pieces and styling inspiration to shop the trend—available now at Annabel the Shop.

baja everywear cardi, diero necklace, kai double layer shirt, runner short

baseball tee, cool jean, cortez wrap bracelet, onda tote, saionara jelly sandal

maren tank, fleur short, leone kini top, ombra kini bottom, mira bag, aerati ballet flat

elba penny loafer, la boxer classica shorts, la shirt classica, dahlia tote, football long sleeve, pointelle cami

compass shrunken crew, nando baby tee, coco track short, noite necklace

Go team!

Admittedly, I initially picked it up because it was trendy, the cover is cute, and overall it is fairly short (~250 pages). I was looking for something quick and easy, and that is exactly what I got. I finished it in less than two days, partly because of its length, but also because I wanted to see what happened next. Which is particularly interesting because there was never really a major climax or dramatic turning point. It was simply a story.

And despite being categorized as a "love story," it actually was not all that romantic (which I appreciated). Not every book needs a whirlwind romance, a toxic relationship, or a dramatic will-they-won't-they saga. The world is chaotic enough as it is.

Anyway, I loved this book. I recommend it. And consider my habit of reading un-slumped.

Regardless of where you are or what you may have planned (or even if you have no plans at all) everyone and everything seems to have a little pep in their step. Life itself feels ready to celebrate something so simple and pure: the start of summer.

For the most part, we all still have jobs and 9-to-5s, and our lives do not actually change all that much between June and August. Maybe it is just brighter after work or there are suddenly a few more acceptable occasions to drink a cocktail in the middle of the day. Regardless, it feels exciting.

It is the kind of time we will inevitably look back on longingly. So here are some of our favorite summer pieces that will leave you not only reminiscing about your young, sprite-like energy at the start of summer, but also about the fabulous outfit you wore on that fateful weekend.

1. Marcenia Bootcut Jeans in Eggshell: The obvious 1st selection choice, WHITE JEANS!!! Congratulations ladies and gentlemen, the clock strikes MDW and society has officially deemed it acceptable to wear white again. Let’s take advantage of it!

   ** I have been especially into bootcut jeans lately and love them styled with just a basic sandal of flip flop, speaking off…

2. Lily Sandal: Not much to report on these & that is exactly the point. Wear them with everything, wear them on repeat, and wear them to death. They are the best summer staple.

3. Equator Top and Praia Bottom: Bandana is such a fun summer print, especially on a bikini. It goes with everything, but still feels a bit more festive than that old black one you bought years ago and have yet to retire.

4. Cool Shorts: The seemingly verified “cool girl” jeans that have taken the internet by storm, but in shorts (or pants, we have both).

5. Marais Scarf Top: Something you will reach for again and again this summer and each time wear a little differently — as a top, a sarong, a bandana, or tied around your bag. She can do it all.

6. Venus Wrap Necklace The perfect summer statement piece that goes with just about anything and instantly elevates every outfit. An ATS favorite and for good reason.

7. Felix Bucket Hat: Making sun protection cool one Felix Bucket Hat at a time.

8. Jacie Mini Dress: Nothing beats a dress in the summertime when you simply cannot be bothered to commit to the laborious act of “putting together an outfit”. I love the cut of this dress and I think the colors would pair with nothing better than a nice tan.

9. Tarsilla Bag Charm: The perfect summer accessory to make every outfit a little more interesting.

10. La Boxer Classica Shorts: Easy and effortless shorts for the days where you cannot be bothered to wear jeans. I am including both silk and cotton options because, frankly, I refuse to choose and why would we limit ourselves anyway? As previously stated, we are on the precipice of summer. This is not a time for restraint.

A celebrity gains or loses weight and suddenly their body becomes public discourse: scrutinized, dissected, blamed for “setting unrealistic standards,” or praised for “promoting body positivity.” We collectively track changes in their weight, speculate about whether they have gained or lost it, why that might be, and whether we as a society deem that change acceptable, concerning, aspirational, or vain.

And in the event that a person is accused of having an eating disorder, it exactly that. An accusation. People talk as if an eating disorder is some intentional act of vanity, like this person is trying to corrupt the youth or flaunt their body for attention. An eating disorder is a mental illness. They are not frolicking around living their best life. They are struggling. And I can almost guarantee that they are already hyper-aware of how they look long before some random person online decides to comment on it.

The online discussion is often centered around celebrities, who feel distant enough to critique without consequence. But the “concern” people have for others’ weight and the sense of entitlement to have an opinion on it does not stop at the top 1% (at least it is an equal oppertunity). Weight is one of the least interesting things about a person, and yet people love to talk about it endlessly. Whether framed as praise, criticism, concern, or gossip disguised as concern, the entire conversation feels wildly unproductive.

To counter the arguments of those that post online discussing weight in the name of body positivity, body neutrality, or whatever the current trend happens to be, I propose that it would be much more productive if we all just stopped caring so goddamn much about other people’s bodies. This attention just places a spotlight and even more weight (metaphorically speaking) on something we should not care about as much as we do. In an ideal world, yes. Everyone is healthy, everyone loves themselves, everyone feels beautiful, and nobody compares themselves to anyone else. But in reality, all of this constant discussion often does the opposite: it creates even more room for insecurity, obsession, and comparison.

All in all, this is probably a bit of the pot calling the kettle black. This is not really a solution so much as an opinion (valid or not) and maybe even an example of how quickly these conversations spiral away from anything actually productive and into something else entirely.

So consider this my first and last contribution to this topic. The issues around weight loss and body image are real, but the way we collectively overanalyze and obsess over these very things just perpetuates the problem while also feeling deeply insensitive.

I am now going to shut the fuck up about this topic, and I would encourage everyone else to do the same.

…. so here is my case & plea

I. The power of shopping in-person!

With the growth of the internet, we seem to have lost the idea of shopping as an experience. It is undeniably convenient, but there’s something deeply unglamorous about buying a new bag or pair of loafers in the same place you order laundry detergent and tampons. I am guilty of it too, spending hours online with an excessive number of tabs open, comparing sizes, prices, and reviews, only to close my laptop with decision fatigue and any sense of excitement completely gone.

I firmly believe that going into a store and shopping in person creates the kind of experience that allows you to actually think about what you do or do not like, and in turn develop your own sense of style. Seeing something up close, feeling the fabric, trying it on, it gives you the chance to form an opinion rooted in reality rather than a guess based on photos and reviews. You might love it, hate it, or fall somewhere in between, but either way you walk away with a clearer understanding of what works for you and why.

II. The choice to shop small.

On an average day (any day of the week & at any time of day, business hours do not exist), we send approximately 200 texts, 10 screenshots and slew of instagram DMS. Each and every one pertains to the same overarching goal of curating the best possible selection for our customers, with pieces that feel both special and worth it.

We love being a place where you discover something new, where you say “Omg I got an instagram ad for this, I am so happy I get to see it in person” or tell us how happy you are that we exist and carry your favorite brands. However, a small part of us dies each time we see a customer take a picture of a label or leave empty handed only on a quest to find it cheaper online.

& if we wanted to really get technical and crunch some numbers - yes, a larger company may be able to offer you 10% off or a small discount on your next purchase, but you may not be saving as much as you think (à la marketing!). The cost of shipping, sales tax, and the almost inevitable return all add up, especially when it’s easy to rationalize buying more styles and additional sizes upon finally committing to placing the order (why not! the world is my oyster! and a 10% off oyster at that!). In the end, you are often left with a few extra dollars saved and maybe a cute top or pair of shorts that you keep simply because it feels wrong to return everything. And then the cycle starts again, adding to cart, hoping the next purchase will finally feel substantial and exciting.

This is not about guilt or pressuring anyone into a purchase, but about being transparent and sharing how much it means when you choose to shop with us. We all vaguely know that small businesses operate on very fine margins, but I am here to tell you that every single purchase makes a real difference. I understand that most people do not have an abundance of money to spare. But that scarcity can make it even more important to, when possible, spend intentionally. If you have the means, choosing to shop with us directly is one of the most meaningful ways to support what we are building.

All in all, we are just a few girls in our twenties trying our best to support something we truly believe is special. It is exciting, creative, rewarding, and fun and, as I said at the beginning, I genuinely love what I do. At the same time, caring this deeply can make it feel stressful, overwhelming, and at times a little terrifying, which is how I ended up awake at 4am on a random Thursday writing this in my notes app, only to send it to Annabel and find she was wide awake too.

I do not expect this to enact some radical change, but I hope it encourages a step in the right direction, or at least offers a new perspective. Your time and money are both valuable, and I hope you spend them thoughtfully in ways that enrich your life beyond the moment you click “finalize payment”. That could be through an experience, a new style, or something you can wear and cherish for years to come. In a world of so much online consumption, we hope to be a more meaningful alternative.

Go out into the world! Shop small! And if you find yourself in New York or San Francisco, we hope to see you at Annabel the Shop.