Some people collect handbags or jewelry. I’ve always hoarded swimwear. My obsession began in high school when my mom and I bonded over our shared love of a really good swimsuit. Looking back, I think she just genuinely enjoyed going shopping with (and for) me, which, as the mom of a fashion-obsessed daughter myself now, I totally get. Love you, mom!

While my friends all rocked the same trendy string bikinis from mass-market mall brands like Billabong, Roxy, and Victoria's Secret for spring break (baby!), I was busy hunting for smaller, under-the-radar swim brands that felt a little cooler and a little more special, obvy. And, let's be honest, I loved having a swimsuit no one else owned (still do). Vix and Vitamin A were early faves, later followed by MIKOH, which made up a sizeable chunk of my swim drawer for close to a decade.

Launched in 2010 by San Clemente sisters and surfers Oleema and Kalani Miller, MIKOH was one of the first independent swim brands to really blur the line between surfwear and fashion. I was obsessed with the seamless, second-skin fit of their bikinis. The designs were simple-ish but still made me feel sexy. Many of the suits featured sporty slip-on silhouettes, unexpected cut-outs, bold yet somehow still minimalist-leaning prints, and no hardware. Everything was made to move in and in the most deliciously soft material, which was no doubt a big part of the appeal for me too. I’ve always been a comfort-first girl.

Having grown up in the SoCal surf scene of a small beach town and in the fashion industry (both Oleema and Kalani, along with their sister Hana, modeled and surfed for Roxy for almost 10 years), MIKOH’s approach to swimwear was pretty unique at the time: performance-minded, but still very much something you wanted to wear and could feel cute in. The suits were high-quality and supportive enough to hang ten in, but cool enough to wear to a pool party or as a bra top with your favorite jeans.

MIKOH quickly amassed a cult celebrity following, including the likes of Cameron Diaz and Kourtney Kardashian, soon after one of their swimsuits appeared in the 2010 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, which was a huge deal back then. Three more of their swimsuits would appear in the 2011 issue.

In hindsight, MIKOH was part of a bigger shift taking place: the fashionification of surfwear.

To be clear, surf culture was already mainstream by then, but early-aughts women’s surfwear from brands like Roxy and Billabong was often more about looking the part than actually surfing. Think skimpy string bikinis that were one wipeout away from a nip slip, ultra-low-rise board shorts, big logos, and an absurd amount of bright hibiscus prints (also back in style!). The clothes were designed to sell the fantasy of surf culture: cool, carefree, hot, slightly rebellious, preferably somewhere sunny with a board under your arm. Actually being able to paddle out in them? Not high on the priority list.

Mikoh occupied an exciting middle ground: swim rooted in surf, but sleeker, sexier, and much more fashion-forward, with suits designed to stay secure in the water while still looking good on land.

That combination felt pretty revolutionary at the time. MIKOH swim had the function of surfwear, but looked more like something you’d find in a cool Venice Beach boutique rather than your average surf shop.

Fast-forward more than a decade, and I now live in Hermosa Beach, a little beach town in the middle of that same laid-back California coastal culture that first drew me to MIKOH. Living steps from the ocean, the line between swimwear, activewear, and regular clothes pretty much disappears. You wear a suit to swim or play beach volleyball, but it can just as easily work for lunch by the water, running errands, or biking and walking along the Strand with friends.

The Swim-to-Street Pipeline

This summer, the surfercore aesthetic has completely taken over my feed—and yours too, probably. Swim is once again making its way beyond the beach, and not just in coastal communities. All the cool Substack girlies are rocking the Made Some nylon shorts and pants. I’ve been eyeing a purple or green pair myself but haven’t pulled the trigger…yet.

I first clocked them on Hannah Allen of Save for Later, styled effortlessly for a lake-day look. (As a former lake girl, I fully support lake life having a moment.) Over the past year or so, my inbox has also filled with pitches from both emerging and established swim labels making rash guards, long-sleeve one-pieces, sporty romper-style suits, and minimalist swim dresses look unexpectedly cool.

Def didn’t see that last one coming.

As our wardrobes become increasingly more casual (all hail the flip-flop!), the lines between what we wear to exercise, relax, work, socialize, and now swim continue to disappear.

Activewear was the first category to blur the line between workout clothes and everyday clothes. Now, swimwear is following suit.

By combining technical, performance fabrics and solid support with elevated tailoring, fashion-forward design, and rich, tactile textures and colors, a new generation of swim and sport-inspired brands like Made Some, Rashi World, Sheila, Left on Friday, and more are defining a new kind of wardrobe. A retro-inspired rash guard can double as a cool cropped tee or going-out top. A ribbed tankini (PSA: tankinis are back, y’all!) becomes an elevated wardrobe essential. And sporty styles like surf suits, boy shorts, and board shorts move seamlessly from an early morning ocean swim or Pilates class to a night out without missing a beat.

So consider this your sign to stop saving your swimwear for the beach, babes. Below, seven brands leading the new wave of elevated, surf-adjacent swim, plus plenty of fun and fresh ways to style your suits beyond the sand and into Fall (yep, the big F word!).

Rashi World: 90s-Inspired Surfer Swag

This Bondi Beach surf-meets-streetwear label is barely a year old, but already making major waves. The brand specializes in bold, unabashedly cool unisex rashies, bodysuits, and bikinis made from lightweight Italian recycled fabrics with built-in UPF 50+ sun protection. Think clean, easy silhouettes and eye-catching color blocking, contrast piping, and classic colors like black and white, too. Better yet, they’re designed to be layered and worn everywhere, from the beach to the bar to the gym.

In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar Australia, founder Anna Feller sums Rashi World up in three words: “Protective. Colour-led. Fun!”

She also goes into more detail on where she garners inspiration for Rashi World: “Early mornings at the beach — the light and colour at that hour. There’s an island vibe that’s always stayed with me, mixed with years of travel and a nostalgia for Australian ’90s surf culture. With Rashi, I wanted to bring that feeling back in a way that sits between fashion and function, and I’m just getting started!”

As for how to style the rash guards, Feller, a model and creative who has worked in the fashion industry for 20+ years, is a prime example. She’s also what I’d consider the ultimate surfer cool girl, and I fucking love her style.

Made Some: Vacation Style Meets Blue Crush

Founded in 2020 by L.A.-based creative director Madelyn Somers, Made Some is a vintage and travel-inspired sportswear brand best known for its nylon board shorts and pants. And the colors are so damn good. Think old-school surf shorts, but cut with a fashion editor’s eye. They’re easy, sporty, fully waterproof, and surprisingly versatile, working just as well in the water as they do with a tee and sneakers or strappy sandals and beaded accessories. They’re not cheap, but people who own them seem very pleased.

The trick to styling these bright purple nylon pants outside the boardwalk? Lean into the clash. For example, lemon-yellow velvet sandals and a sculptural butterscotch suede bag add texture and a little bit of polish, while the red “Don’t Worry About It” tee gives the whole look that off-duty cool, I-just-threw-this-on-and-DGAF vibe.

Hakea: Sleek, Minimalist Swim

Hakea is for the girl who wants actual surf and sport functionality without looking like she’s wearing surfwear. The vibe is sleek, feminine, and very fashion-girl, with clean silhouettes, understated colors and prints, and tiny, barely-there straps that make even the most functional pieces feel sexy. I also love that so many of the pieces can easily cross over into real clothes/bodysuit territory. Throw a simple black one-piece, rash guard, or sleek swim top on with pants, shorts, or a skirt, and you’re set. Essentially, they’re just really good basics.

Also, major points for the actual outfit inspo in some of the product shots. I’m a visual person, so seeing a swimsuit styled with real clothes immediately makes me think I could wear that.

Heidi Merrick: Cali Effortless Elegance

Not a newbie, but a goodie! Heidi Merrick is coastal California glam in a nutshell. Think refined, feminine, and subtly surf-inspired, with elevated designs that feel just as appropriate paired with silk pants or a skirt as they do at the beach. The generous sun coverage is a big selling point, too. The suits are chic without being skimpy, which is very much how I roll these days as a mom of three. I’m also obsessed with the sunglasses, which have that same easy, elegant California sensibility: retro, a little chunky, and just bold enough.

Rivage: Modern Swimdresses & Skirts

If you thought you’d never be caught dead in a swimdress (me!), Rivage might just change your mind. The Swedish brand is making the once-frumpy category look surprisingly chic, with sleek, sophisticated silhouettes that look like actual dresses. The fact that Net-a-Porter stocks it is a pretty good sign you’re not entering grandma territory either.

But the real genius is in the fabric. The dresses are fully lined and layered, so they’re not totally see-through when wet, and the skirt can easily be lifted for sunbathing. The lightweight, quick-drying material can also be squeezed out after a swim, bouncing back to its original shape and drape in seconds. So you can actually swim in the dress without spending the rest of the day schlepping around in a soggy swimsuit. Ew.

Sheila: Gym-to-Swim

Launched in 2023, Sheila looks like your favorite aesthetic activewear brand but in swimsuit form (and with UPF 50+ protection to boot). The sculpting onesies, shorts, and sports-bra-esque tops are designed for working out and water play, with wide, adjustable shoulder straps and built-in shelf bras for actual boob support. I’m also obsessed with the color range, from cobalt blue and bright orange to timeless black and brown. There’s something for everyone.

Left On Friday: Sporty Staples

If your ideal swimsuit is the one you can actually do shit in, start here. Founded by two Lululemon alums, Left On Friday is probably the most mainstream brand on this list, and a personal favorite. Their buttery-soft fabrics are truly a dream to wear and hold up beautifully over time, while the sleek, minimalist silhouettes offer activewear-level support without sacrificing the hot-girl/mom factor.

The Kids Menu

Seaesta Surf is my all-time favorite surfwear brand for my little beach crew! The boardshorts have a slim, retro-inspired fit that hits above the knee. I tend to size up one or two years from my boys’ actual ages to get more longevity out of them. My 9-year-old is especially slender, and this is one of the only brands that actually fits his waist while still giving him enough length without falling off. And the prints are just so surfer-cool.

_{**Small note: If you buy something through my links, I might make a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. Sometimes brands send me free things to try, but I only recommend products I actually like. Recommending bad shoes or subpar serums is just poor form (plus, I have a reputation to maintain). You can shop all my favorite finds and products featured in Bedtime Treat over on ShopMy.}

Editor’s note.

It’s me, hi. Before we dive into all the eclectic, cool, coastal crustacean weirdness, I wanted to share something that’s been on my mind lately.

When I started dreaming up Bedtime Treat, I knew I wanted to do two things: make people laugh and make them think.

I didn’t want to dissect every fashion trend to death or give you another boring-ass roundup of pros, cons, and sterile product reviews. I wanted this to be light, but not mindless. A source of style inspo, pleasure, and discovery. A place where women, moms especially, could find cool things for themselves and their kids, feel seen, and maybe look at fashion, beauty, and life a little differently.

I also genuinely enjoy testing new products and sharing what’s good with you. Like trying on clothes IRL, sometimes the best stuff is the pieces or the products I thought I would like the least. Go figure.

Really, I wanted this newsletter to feel like an easy summer beach read (brain break) and serve as a thoughtful conversation (brain candy). A little substance, a little shopping indulgence, but always fun, honest, relatable, and inspirational. A Bedtime Treat from me to you, best enjoyed after your little monsters are finally asleep and you have a second to yourself. ❤️

Now, on to the important stuff: dressing like seafood.

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Eat so many shrimp we get iodine poisoning.

You are what you eat, so maybe it was only a matter of time before we became… seafood. Uh, yum. Shout out to Pimp C and Three 6 Mafia (IYKYK). Though I just Googled iodine poisoning, and apparently you’d have to house 207 lbs of shrimp in a single sitting to show symptoms, so now I feel sort of lied to!? If you have no idea what I’m talking about, do yourself a favor and give the song Sippin’ on Some Syrup a listen. It’s a classic.

While prawns aren’t exactly fashion’s fave crustacean to slap on a tote or sweater, shellfish, particularly lobsters, are very much the current vibe. Sardine girl summer 26 is still going strong, and seashells are all of a sudden very chic: dangling from necks, ears, ankles, bags, and sandals too.

Everywhere I look, it’s all conch shell clutches and crustacean cardigans. The whole marine animal motif is served up on everything from silky skirts and track shorts to colorful beaded anklets, terry striped beach totes, and fancy flip-flops that look like a mermaid DIY’d them. And bikinis with shells to hold your tits up. Honestly, love this one from L SPACE.

If you told me a few years ago I’d be drooling over a $300 shellfish bag or excitedly shopping for a puka shell necklace again, I would have told you to STFU. My 7-year-old daughter lives for this kind of stuff, as kids do. She owns a sequin seashell crossbody bag that changes color with a swipe of her hand and sweet-talked me into buying her a sparkly blue mini backpack shaped like some sort of sea creature on a Royal Caribbean cruise last year.

But me? A grown woman dressed like a tin of fish or toting a $600 shiny clutch shaped like a fish. Um, I guess? And to be clear, I’d never spend $600 on a fish bag no matter how much I liked it…the math just ain’t mathing. But if a brand wants to gift me one, go ahead (I live at the beach so we are practically swimming in collab options over here)! I’ll style the shit out of a seabass or beaded lobster clutch. In the name of journalism, right?

Quiet Luxury Lobster

The seafood trend is very much split into two camps. We’ve got little Miss Lobster Luxe, Crab Couture, and Minimalist Mediterranean girl who is no stranger to Nantucket summers and yacht life. She loves a simple but chic raffia tote for day, which she trades for a sleek, sophisticated metallic shell clutch for night. Her perfect white tee is emblazoned with a single tiny lobster, paired with breezy bermuda shorts and simple thong or fisherman sandals. Think a more pared-back version of Coastal Kitsch that looks effortlessly expensive, and probably is.

Modern Mediterranean Mermaid

And then there's the Boho Babe Who Just Crawled Out of the Ocean, wearing a starfish bikini, carrying a fish for a bag, and draped in what looks like a fishing net. She's a modern Mediterranean mermaid with an eye for all things weird, wonderful, and shellfishy. This girl dresses like she's permanently on vacation and isn't afraid to have fun with it. Think saturated colors, cheeky prints, and enough quirky jewelry to stock a seaside gift shop, but somehow she still makes it look chic.

“If you’ve felt your whole wardrobe drift toward the tide this year, you’re not imagining it, and it’s not just a ‘summer vibe.’ It’s something deeper. Energetically, we are being called to the water.” - Janet Rae Orth

So why are we craving crustaceans?

One thing about me: I love a little woo woo. Before I got into fashion, I actually majored in psychology. I've always been fascinated by why we buy the things we buy, why certain trends go viral, and what they’re really telling us.

So when my PR friend Daniella pitched Intuitive Medium, Spiritual Coach and Energy Healer Janet Rae Orth for this story, it felt divinely aligned. According to Orth, there's a reason we're suddenly drawn to shells, sardines, lobsters, and dressing like a seafood platter (and it’s not just because it’s summer).

“We’re in a double Fire Horse year,” she explains, “and water is the antidote.”

Whether you buy into the energetic side of it or not, I think she's onto something. I’ve been feeling so much pressure lately. To do more, be more, work more, but also be present with my kids more. “Water represents a completely different way of creating: with ease, from a place of flow instead of force,” she says.

Maybe that’s why coastal everything feels so good right now? Shells are cute, but they also remind us of our children, vacations, slower mornings, simpler times, salty air, and the unplugged version of ourselves that isn’t constantly checking emails or Substack notifications every five minutes (guilty).

“Astrologically, several of the outer planets, which symbolize broad cultural shifts and generational change, are moving into new signs. Together, they mark the beginning of a new collective chapter — one energetically oriented toward ease, abundance, creative renaissance, and joy, after a long stretch defined by grind culture.”

Orth also believes we’re entering a broader cultural shift away from hustle culture and toward more ease, creativity, and play, which is already being reflected in our wardrobes. From bold color combinations to punchy prints and kitschy accessories, it feels like everyone is having so much fucking fun getting dressed right now. Joyce Lee’s post on unexpected color pairings is the perfect example of this playful dressing mindset. The girls just want to have fun, whether it’s in loud colors or a quirky lobster cardigan.

“Nobody goes to the ocean to work. We go to play, to float, to let our minds go soft and quiet,” says Orth.

Coastal kitsch embodies that energy. It’s playful. It’s a little weird. It doesn’t take itself too seriously. And personally, I love that.

5 Glowy Summer Skin Essentials

A few glowy things I tested and loved this week.

1. Epiclight Luminizing Glow Gel: Packed with skincare ingredients and peptides, including Argireline, which Vogue has dubbed “Botox in a bottle”. I don’t think this is replacing your Botox anytime soon, but it is a very good, very lightweight, silky glow gel that effortlessly melts into your skin and can be used as a highlighter or an all-over bronze for your face and/or body. I love mixing the Universal Bronze with my foundation for a lil glow-up (makes my dry skin look instantly younger/fresher!). Flushed lives up to its name with a healthy, natural flush (I use it as blush), while Rose Gold gives the backs of my hands an expensive-looking, just-moisturized sheen.

2. Balibody Sheer Glow Sunscreen Gel SPF 50: Not a greasy tanning oil, I swear. It’s actual sun protection in a weightless, non-sticky gel that won't ruin your clothes or your swimwear. It has that delicious and classic, nostalgic coconut scent and leaves my skin looking so hydrated and glowy. The results definitely speak for themselves!

   

3. Lilfox Flower Goo: Look, there are a million good serums out there, but nobody is doing "scent-as-a-psyche-reset" quite like Lilfox. Like everything they make, Flower Goo is packed with naturally derived ingredients, but the real magic is how it turns your beauty routine into a meditation. If you’re going to financially justify one splurge this week, make it this. It is quite literally glass skin in a bottle, and the scent experience is transformational. Consider me fully indoctrinated into the cult of beauty rituals. Also, highly recommend pairing it with these intuitive beauty oracle cards.

4. Aeston West Cellevitae Marine Treatment Mist: TBH, this review sums up my thoughts perfectly: “Buy it for the scent and keep it for the results!” So dang yummy, hydrating, and refreshing. Also, true story, I thought it was a cellulite spray the first few days (it says Cellevitae on the bottle) so I was spritzing my legs and ass, oops. My butt has never felt softer. Not saying you should do this, but also not saying you shouldn’t.

5. Riddle Muse Roll-On Fragrance Oil + Muse Milky Spray Lotion: Smells like frolicking on the beach at golden hour. Very subtle, yet sexy. I’ve never dabbled with a spray lotion before, but now I’m not sure I can ever go back?

A Natural Deodorant That Doesn’t Suck

Felt like this deserved its own section, because I’ve tried so many natural deodorants over the years and have never used one that actually worked longer than a few hours.

I only tried Evolvetogether Deodorant on a whim. It was one of those rare “sure, I’ll test it” sample days. (Those are becoming fewer and farther between because I’m absolutely drowning in pitches, and a girl can only test so many things, you know?)

Anyway, I’m so glad I said yes. It smells delightfully fresh, like the first whiff you get when you walk into a high-end hotel spa. The clear roll-on formula glides on without leaving a single mark so you don’t have to worry about messing up your clothes.

The scent itself doesn’t necessarily linger all day, but somehow it completely neutralizes my underarm odor instead. Even on scorching hot days, I might catch the faintest hint of myself by the end of the day, but that’s honestly still better than what’s happening lately with my regular Dove deodorant.

Kids Menu: The Goldfish Edition

Shell(fish) accessories, cool crab goggles, a retro rainbow beach chair for you and them, plus more chic sea and summer thangs for the beach, backyard, pool and park.

Some summer stuff we’re using on repeat.

A couple of cute new launches for your minis.

Something to chew on.

A little Internet brain candy: things to inspire, make you think, or simply enjoy.

I instinctively chose Clownfish.

What animal did you pick? Was it exactly what you needed to hear right now?

Self-Reflections.

“Air is mental. Fire is passion and drive. Wood is productivity, structure, stability. But water is where the feeling lives: it’s depth, emotion, intuition, healing. Water doesn’t push or force anything into being; it flows around obstacles and finds the path of least resistance. It receives rather than grasps.” - Janet Rae Orth

_{**Small note: If you buy something through my links, I might make a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. Sometimes brands send me free things to try, but I only recommend products I actually like. Recommending bad shoes or subpar serums is just poor form (plus, I have a reputation to maintain). You can shop all my favorite finds and products featured in Bedtime Treat over on ShopMy.}

We’re all dressing like moms now. And God, what a relief. Giant bags are the new status symbol, scrunch swimsuits and underwire bikinis are suddenly everywhere (mom boobs + bods, rejoice!), and pull-on track shorts paired with a crumpled button-down fresh out of the mountain of clean laundry you keep meaning to fold are now style goals.

Great, because I don’t even own a clothes iron or a garment steamer—legit just had to Google, “what do you call the thing that gets wrinkles out of clothes” because my children ruined my brain or maybe it’s just perimenopause, IDK!

Either way, I’m rarely ever wearing things that require de-wrinkling so I’ll borrow the iron if I need it, thank you very much.

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What even is a messy girl?

According to fashion people, the "messy girl" is the ultimate anti-perfection antidote to the pristine "clean girl" aesthetic. Her perfectly smudged lipstick, crumpled top, and tousled hair is giving IDGAF. Or, I at least spent a lot of time and money to look like I don’t. She rocks pre-distressed baggy jeans, a graphic tee, and artificially scuffed sneakers, except she paid $400 to look that way, whereas mine are just genuinely dirty AF from logging actual miles at the local park and Little League field.

Messy girl is here for a good time. She cares more about where the outfit is taking her than how it photographs. She’s too busy making memories to record TikToks. She’s cool, carefree, and a hot mess with heavy emphasis on the hot.

But when moms did it first, we were just called a mess. Now it’s fashion? I guess we’re all officially MILFs. Or style icons.

At least we don’t have to try to look disheveled; we just are. But like, in a good way.

Truth is, we didn’t choose the messy life. JK, we did. Our kids invented it. Then they wiped their filthy little fingers all over our clothes, and we said screw it because our jeans are just napkins now. And we’re too tired to put on a full face of makeup or do our hair just to be someone’s swing or snack bitch at the park.

The wrinkled button-down is simply what was on top of the laundry pile at 7 a.m. The giant diaper bag isn't an accessory; it's a necessity. It's packed with seventeen things we'll never use and the one thing we'll desperately need the minute we leave it at home or an epic meltdown will ensue.

We're the OG “messy girls”. The fashion and beauty industry just called it "letting yourself go". Then they sold us concealer, capsule wardrobes, and 12-step skincare routines to fix it. Fuck that.

Now a hot 24-year-old with no kids posts a selfie in a slouchy tee, baggy pants, beat-up sneakers and bedhead hair on TikTok, and it’s a movement.

I’m not even mad about it. I just want some credit. And maybe a few cool points. But also, honestly, I’m a little bit relieved. I like cozy.

The ironic thing is, “clean girl”, much like “messy girl”, was never actually effortless, though the industry would love for us to believe that. It took a skincare fridge, a whole arsenal of hair products, and enough concealer to spackle a wall, just to look like you woke up like that. It was a full-time job wearing the costume of not trying. Messy girl, whatever its influencer origin story, is at least (mostly) honest about the labor. Or honest about the fact that there isn’t much left to give.

So welcome to the mess…I guess!?

We (moms) have been here a while, hanging on by the threads of our elastic waistbands and running (in dirty sneakers) on zero sleep. Sure, the parties look wildly different these days, and the mystery stains are gratuitous. But damn. We are living.

We’re not doing 12-step routines this summer, ladies. We’re doing 5-minute faces. Summer, to me, is all about embracing your natural beauty and the beauty around you. It's slower mornings, days spent in the water, and caring less about looking the part and more about actually living it.

Aside from my clubbing days (good times), I’ve never been a full-face makeup kind of girl. I’m terrible at eyeliner, I don’t wear eyeshadow, and every attempt at overlining my lips has ended with me looking like I’m auditioning for the circus. Okay, I’m not that bad at makeup, but overlined lips do make me feel clownish.

Anyway, I’ve always gravitated toward beauty products that make me look like...me. Just a little glowier, a little more awake, a little more like I tried but still low effort. I’ll take a tinted moisturizer over foundation, lip balm over lipstick, and a whipped body cream over a rich one that feels like it’s sitting on my skin any day.

Summer only amplifies that longing for less. It's the season of shedding layers—of clothes, of makeup, and maybe even a little bit of the pressure to look "done." Give me a cute swimsuit, copious amounts of sunscreen, a sexy skin scent that smells like vacation, and I'm a happy camper.

After 15 years as a beauty writer, I’ve tested more products than I could ever realistically use or implement into my routine. These are the 10 “skinimalist” beauty essentials I keep reaching for this summer.

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1. Fusilli Crema Daily Styling Cream

I don’t have spiral curls, but I do love Italy and pasta, and I’m a sucker for cute packaging, so here we are. My friend Jocelyn turned me onto this brand and kindly offered to send samples, and I’m so glad she did. I just chopped my hair into a bob (very “summer shedding,” emotionally and physically).

My natural texture is frizzy AF — not straight, not super curly, just that fun in-between that only looks good if I blow-dry and flat iron it, or get a professional blowout. I’ve always aspired to be one of those girls who can air-dry her hair and have sexy, cute little beach waves, but alas, I am not. I’m more feral Lion King hair. Fortunately, Fusilli tames me.

The Crema smells divine (very fresh and clean), and the texture is lightweight and creamy without being sticky or crunchy. I squeeze out a dime-to-quarter-size amount, work it through the bob, then brush it out. It cuts my frizz by about 90%, which is a huge win for my unruly waves, and it doesn’t leave any residue (also a must). It makes my hair super soft, too.

The brand’s extra-hold gel is also great for a little summer slicked-back situation when I’m on day four of not washing it.

2. Lilfox Amazon After Dark & Tomato Milk

If you’re into a little woo-woo with your beauty rituals (the luxe, sensorial kind), Lilfox will blow your mind. The brand has been pitching me for years, and because my inbox is a shit show and I’m easily overwhelmed, I just never took notice. Now I want everything they make, and I’m all set up for an Aura Facial courtesy of LilFox Director of Intuitive Skin Science and Human Design Aesthetician Mikaela MacLean (don’t worry, I’ll report back).

Recently they reached out about a summer fave, the Tomato Milk cleanser, which caught my eye for obvious reasons: it’s Tomato Girl summer (again), and I’d just eaten some garden-fresh tomatoes my MIL brought over. Great timing.

Everything I’ve tested from them has been insanely good, and unlike any other beauty product I’ve tried. The Amazon After Dark is hard to describe, but think: a golden jelly balm that shape-shifts between cleanser, moisture surge, and cleansing milk depending on how you work it into your skin. It melts on contact, and the scent is its own event — green citrus and rosemary mint up top, fading into rose geranium, then settling into something dirtier and more floral with ylang ylang at the base. It leaves my skin feeling so soft and nourished.

As for the Tomato Milk…O.M.G. The scent is definitely not for everyone, but it smells like hot summer days on my grandmother’s farm, eating garden tomatoes straight off the vine. Very earthy, not fake or perfumey at all, which I personally love.

It’s basically my reset cleanser in the summer when my skin feels gross from SPF, sweat, heat, and being outside all day. It gently exfoliates without feeling harsh and leaves my skin clean, soft, and refreshed, which is really all I want at the end of a long summer day.

3. Jones Road Beauty Illuminating Drops

Radiant summer skin in a bottle, right here. I just tested these Jones Road Beauty Illuminating Drops in Bronze, and I’ve been layering them over my tinted SPF for a little extra glow. I also like to tap a bit onto my décolleté for a more sunlit look.

A little goes a long way. They go on super sheer with a soft shimmer, so you don’t end up looking like a glitter bomb. I did drop some on my white cover-up yesterday, though, which sucked.

BTW, if you're in the LA area, Jones Road just opened its first (and only!) California store in Santa Monica. You can browse the full collection, get complimentary skin matching, or book a makeup application or lesson if you want a little expert guidance. I’m dying to try the What The Foundation (WTF)!

4. Liberty LBTY Fragrance “Zephirine” Scented Hand Cream

I’ve recently become a hand cream girlie. I’m not sure if that’s because body care is suddenly very in or because I’m 39. Probably both.

I had the chance to try a variety of fragrances and a couple of hand creams from LBTY. Fragrances at a chic summer garden party hosted by the brand, which is honestly one of the best parts of my job. I get to discover brands I’d probably never stumble upon or splurge on otherwise. It truly is a dream!

Every scent was beautiful, but Zephyrine stopped me in my tracks. Inspired by Liberty’s Eden’s Awakening print, it’s this gorgeous woody fig that somehow manages to feel cozy, lush, and just the right amount of sexy. It’s completely intoxicating without being overpowering.

The hand cream absorbs quickly, leaves my perpetually dry mom hands feeling soft and hydrated, and has officially made me understand why people carry hand cream in their purses. 10/10, no notes.

The Zephirine Eau de Parfum is just as good, and I’d absolutely purchase it with my own money.

5. Phlur Island Swim Body Mist

LOVE Phlur and love that they sent me this summer fragrance duo to try. Paradise Nectar is a no for me, though I can appreciate it layered. Island Swim, however, I've been wearing on repeat. It smells like salty skin and ocean water. It’s bright, lightweight, and has this yummy beachy scent that just makes you smell delicious. I want to swim in it. Also, the bottle looks like tropical ocean water, which I love. To be fair, I love most anything Phlur makes.

6. Clinique High Impact High-Fi Full Volume Mascara & Almost Lipstick in Black Honey

Clinique had me at “Almost” Lipstick. I rarely wear lipstick unless the shade is close to my natural lip color, and I rarely wear mascara unless I’m going out, which, these days, is also rare because of small children. Black Honey checks both boxes.

The Almost Lipstick has been a cult shade for decades. It looks different on everyone (super cool), it’s buildable, and you can wear it as a barely-there tint or layer it up for more pop. The new Black Honey Mascara is the same vibe: natural-looking, a little more volume and length without screaming “I’m wearing mascara.”

This summer, Clinique expanded Black Honey into a limited-edition collection with the lipstick, nail polish, an eyeshadow quad, and mascara. I’m firmly in the lips-and-mascara-only camp. The nail polish is tempting, but I’m very loyal to my Russian nail girls.

7. Dibs Beauty Desert Island Duo

I’m all about a sun-kissed summer glow, and this Dibs bronzer + blush duo (I’m wearing shade 1.5) stick delivers on both color and convenience. It’s also ridiculously easy to use, even if you’re not a beauty editor or a makeup connoisseur. It glides on effortlessly, has that creamy texture my dry skin loves, and blends out seamlessly. A little goes a long way, so it basically lasts forever.

8. Kopari Sun Shield On-The-Glow Sheer Sunscreen Stick SPF 40

I made the mistake of letting my daughter try this sparkly roll-on sunscreen, and now it’s hers, apparently. It’s easy to apply on your face or body (though I’ll admit it’s a bit tedious for full-body application), and leaves a subtle, shimmery, hydrated glow that both a 7-year-old who loves glitter and a 39-year-old mom who definitely does not can appreciate.

It smells like creamy coconuts, salty air, and a tropical beach in the best way. I keep catching myself sniffing my arm while I wear it. I’m not a total weirdo, other people do this too, right? It’s travel-sized, so it’s easy to toss in a beach bag or leave in the car for quick reapplication. And it actually works without feeling sticky or greasy on my skin, which feels important to mention.

9. Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50

It’s been a minute since I’ve worn actual foundation, but this magical Face Shield SPF from Colorescience gives enough coverage that I don’t miss it, while also protecting my skin and eliminating an extra step. I first tried this brand while testing tinted SPFs for a roundup I wrote for the now-defunct Time Stamped, and I’ve repurchased it several times since. It comes in six shades, so ordering online doesn’t feel like such a gamble. It goes on white, then somehow magically adjusts to your skin tone as you blend it in, so it works whether I’m a little paler or a little more tan. The application is genuinely very cool.

In the summer especially, it’s my shortcut to an even skin tone without layering anything else. And FWIW, my face never gets burnt when I wear it, even after long beach days when I inevitably forget to reapply.

10. Kevyn Aucoin The Precision Brow Pencil

I’m not exactly diligent about brow upkeep, but I also don’t mind a slightly feral brow. I was introduced to the Kevyn Aucoin Precision Brow Pencil several years ago, and it’s been a staple in my makeup bag ever since.

The tip is incredibly fine, but somehow doesn’t snap every other use like so many micro brow pencils do. It creates little hair-like strokes instead of that obvious “I drew my brows on” look. I use Brunette most days and Dark Brunette when I want my eyebrows to look a little more defined.

It’s one of those products that takes about 30 seconds but makes me look noticeably more awake and put together, even when the rest of my makeup is basically just tinted sunscreen and lip balm. Highly recommend.

I have a feeling a lot of us live somewhere between these two extremes. Most days, we default to the basics—a white tee, a gray cashmere sweater, a classic straight-leg blue jean that goes with everything—out of ease. I know I do. And that’s not a knock on ease, because I love easy. With three kids, most mornings I barely have time to brush my hair, much less think about a cute, color-coordinated outfit that actually slaps.

That’s probably why I’m into bright stripes. They’re the perfect gateway drug to color, especially for the color-cautious. They’re familiar enough to feel safe but easy enough to experiment with. Just crank the saturation all the way up, and suddenly your outfit has a whole new personality.

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Stripes = the go-to, easy summer uniform.

A bold, striped button-down is a classic warm-weather staple. Toss a crisp, oversized poplin shirt over a bikini, and suddenly you look like you tried, even if you’re just headed to a pool party to chase after children. My life is extremely glamorous, I know.

Denim in 90-degree heat is my idea of personal hell. Luckily, all things loose and pull on are the vibe ATM. Stripe boxer shorts, track shorts, or linen pants pair perfectly with a solid one-piece tank swimsuit, flip flops (these go with everything!), and statement sunnies or a statement bag.

Side note: I’m pretty sure it’s impossible to be miserable carrying a pineapple-yellow terry tote or a bag called Happiness. Instant dopamine.

What’s trending?

Stripes in citrus brights, rich earth tones, and every other color under the rainbow are every. freaking. where. right now. Fat ones, thin ones, Breton, cabana, pinstripes, and tons of retro-inspired styles like ringer and racer tees and wavy knit sets.

This season’s stripes also look far less country club yacht and a lot more casual, preppy and pitch-ready. The streetwear uniform is decidedly sporty, dominated by cropped polo knits in high-contrast colors, bright side-stripe satin shorts, bold wide-leg track pants, and breezy vintage rugby tees and jerseys in striking color combos. And yes, with the World Cup happening right now, actual soccer jerseys are the ultimate cool-girl styling piece for summer. We’re headed to the Turkey vs. USA game on Thursday, and I couldn’t be more excited!

It makes sense we’re seeing so much color. It’s summer, duh. But I also think we’re collectively a little mentally fried and craving some escapism in our wardrobes, even if we have nowhere to go because leaving the house in LA is easily $100 these days (wish I was kidding).

No matter what your summer looks like—European vacation or the neighborhood pool on loop—bold stripes are the easiest way to inject a little joy into your daily summer rotation. Now, let’s dive into a few fun and low-lift, high-impact ways to style stripes.

Fuck monochrome, bring on the color!

Stripemaxxing

We’re maxxing everything else, so why not stripes?

1. The easiest way to slay is to pair thin, tiny stripes with big, bold ones so your pieces jive without fighting for attention.

2. You can also mix and match stripe personalities, like Breton with cabana, candy with nautical, vertical with horizontal—you get the picture.

3. Another easy cheat code: stay in the same color family. Blues with blues, reds with reds, all earthy colors, all primary if you dare, etc.

Or just purchase a matching set, which requires very little thought but instantly looks put together, and call it a day. It’s effortless, but like, actually effortless. I loooove a set.

If head-to-toe stripes feel a little too Vineyard Vines, try sneaking them in. A classic striped button-down with a neon-pop stripe bag or bangle, a silky striped bandana tied around your tote, or even a striped sandal gives you the same playful energy without looking like you dressed for a regatta.

Sporty Spice

My inner tomboy is screaming right now. I grew up playing soccer and basketball (big Sporty Spice fan!), so seeing athletic styles completely dominate the summer fashion scene is a personal style win.

The key to making a striped jersey, polo knit, or rugby tee look high-fashion, not high school, is all about juxtaposing the vibes — casual with tailored, sporty with feminine, knits with silk, etc. Think slouchy, masculine lines paired with soft, airy, overtly feminine pieces.

You can also just fully embrace the summer uniform and go full fashion Soccer Girl. I’m obsessed with these Dead Dirt x NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League) vintage-style knitwear jerseys. The colors are stunning, and many feature big, bold stripes. They look just as cool cheering on your favorite team as they do styled for every day. I’d also like to add how happy I am that we’ve moved away from the pink-it-and-shrink-it women’s sportswear era.

Terry knit micro shorts capture the Summer '26 style aesthetic perfectly: bold artsy stripes, plush terry textures, and vintage-inspired athletic silhouettes. I’m wearing the shit out of baseball caps with everything this summer, too.

A neutral color pop

Not ready for head-to-toe saturated stripes? I get it, it’s aggressive. A striped bag, tank, bucket hat, or even a pair of socks styled with neutrals can easily wake up an outfit without feeling like “too much”. If you're living in beige, consider this your sign to shake shit up. Accessories are one of the easiest ways to energize a summer wardrobe without needing to buy an entirely new one. A bold striped swimsuit is always a fun time, too!

The Kids Menu

As far as I’m concerned, Boden is the undisputed queen of vibrant prints for kids—it’s basically their entire personality. Case in point: this adorable multistripe hooded cover-up my daughter wore on repeat in Costa Rica. It doubled as a towel and, perhaps more importantly, made her infinitely easier to spot in a sea of other kids.

She also has the matching long-sleeve one-piece, and my boys practically lived in these bright green swim trunks. Sadly, they’re mostly sold out right now, which feels very on-brand for Boden’s best prints.

For parents whose style leans a little more East Coast preppy, Minnow’s newest collection has tons of cute retro and bold red, white, and blue options for the Fourth of July that aren’t cheap (in a quality sense!) or cheesy.

If you’re looking for Zara pricing with a little more personality, Young Days is one of my favorite quirky kids’ brands, and there's so much playful, punchy striped stuff up for grabs right now in cool, boxy, on-trend summer silhouettes.

My inbox has been blowing up with fruit-flavored beauty launches lately — and fully swagged-out, fruit-themed launch parties to celebrate them. It's summer, obviously, and I love this for us. Who doesn't want to attend a sexy, fruity little shindig and sip Aperol spritzes while spritzing themselves in delicious body mists?

But what's been most intriguing isn't just the reemergence of fruit as a scent, but the reimagining of it as something subtle and sexy. Particularly peach. (Although, I mean, 112 did give us "Peaches & Cream" in 2001, so maybe we shouldn't be so surprised.)

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Let’s take it back for a second, though. The '90s and early ‘00s were dominated by fruit-scented beauty, and the drugstore was our playground. The smell of fruit was delightfully unhinged, in the best (worst?) way—overly sweet, sticky, loud, and unapologetically synthetic. We didn't want subtlety; we wanted to coat our lips in every artificial flavor of Bonne Bell Lip Smackers, glob on a high-shine sugary Lancôme Juicy Tube, and hotbox our bedrooms in a sweet haze of Bath & Body Works Cucumber Melon or Plumeria. We were straight-up addicts.

Most of us are also still collectively scarred from shopping at Abercrombie and Hollister during this era. The mere mention of 2000s mall culture triggers a very specific kind of sensory trauma—what I’ve dubbed Perfume PTSD. All millennials have it, thanks to the toxic levels of cologne that permeated every inch of the store. Perhaps that explains why I haven’t really fucked with fragrance for twenty years. Until now.

@nicolestorydentGoing into Hollister in the 2000s was truly a sensorial experience. Now the Hollister near me is an escape room, appropriately enough 🤣 #relatable #accurate #millennial #momsoftiktok #y2knostalgia #90skid

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“We will hire an employee whose only job is to spray cologne around the entire store every second of the day.” - Nicole Story Dent

Ripe for it

Less juice box, more aperitivo.

Unfortunately, we grew up—and fortunately, so did peach. Today's version has traded that heavy, syrupy sweetness for something softer, lighter, and much more complex. Brands, even old faves like Bath & Body Works (peep this sexy peach collab with Vera Bradley), are no longer trying to make us smell like convenience-store candy. Instead, they're channeling the actual feeling of peach: the sun-warmed, velvety fuzz of the fruit's skin, the lazy heat of a summer afternoon, that warm, musky sweetness that smells less like a flavor and more like you after a day at the beach and absolutely nowhere to be.

It's still peach, but reinvented for adulthood: less juice box, more aperitivo. Sexier, intimate, understated, and highly textured, but still with that undercurrent of juicy sweetness that made you obsessed with it in the first place. Think sunbathing at a beach club in Positano with a spritz in hand, hot, happy, completely unbothered, which is exactly how I'm manifesting my summer. Wish me luck with three kids.

Peach better have my $$$

• Whipped body creams are having a moment, and honestly, once you try one, you'll understand why. This one from Beekman 1802 smells like an expensive fruit spa, if fruit spas were a thing, obviously. Light, but moisture-rich, it instantly melts into my skin, which is exactly how I like my products. No residue, no heaviness, just a hint of sweet peach and expensive vibes.

• I’m calling it: moisturizing body mists are the next big beauty craze. I’ve been using this delish Milk Shake Moisture Mist post-morning shower for a quick pick-me-up. It leaves a light, luscious, lingering scent of peach on my skin, and the application is half the fun—just shake and spray for easy hydration.

• My lips are dryyy if I’m not religious with my Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask. This specific flavor smells exactly like a fresh glass of grandma’s iced sweet tea with a dash of peachy perfection.

• I spray the shit out of myself with this Phlur Hair + Body Mist Duo, and I never smell overwhelmingly strong. Layered together, Peach Skin + Beach Skin melt into this airy, expensive warmth that smells like a rich girl in St. Barts.

• Neuroscents are going to explode this year, as more women turn to scent for nervous system regulation — God knows, I need it. I recently had the chance to try Aerchitect’s Mood Toolkit, and Focus was an immediate favorite. It’s soft and subtle, but with this bright intensity that makes you want to breathe yourself in and get shit done. The notes make sense: yuzu and citrus up top, then a drydown of peach (of course) and ginger.

• I haven’t tried Snif’s new Me Body Whip yet, but it sold out immediately in the small size, which makes me want it. It’s packed with skin-loving ingredients like aloe, shea butter, squalane, niacinamide and ceramides, plus it smells like plum, peach skin, white moss, and sandalwood. Clean, creamy, musky, and dangerously good, I suspect.

  

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Nightcap: The (more) sexy fruit edition

I’m currently being heavily targeted by fruit-themed marketing, and TBH, it’s working. Photo dump incoming. Some personal, some not. All delicious.

The kids menu

Not sexy, but really cute, sensory-forward, fruit-scented things my kids actually use. Road-tested by very picky people.

There’s something about wearing a $38 tank that says, “I cried today” that feels both brave and deeply embarrassing, sort of like starting a Substack and hitting publish for the first time.

I’ve never been great at verbalizing how I feel, so I write. Maybe that’s why I’m so intrigued by the rise of lounge and streetwear brands making it cool to wear your feelings, especially the uncomfy ones, on your sleeve—like a modern-day scarlet letter, but purchased for pleasure and a little bit of IRL connection with everyone else who is going through it. The introvert in me loves this.

While early-2000s Abercrombie sold us elite status and sexual desire via provocative tees and frat-boy humor (which I absolutely wore), today’s cool-kid streetwear brands are selling vulnerability packaged as connection and emotional wellbeing: soft, heavyweight cotton hoodies made to soothe anxiety (and big feelings), aesthetic oversized sweat sets with “I’m unwell, you too?” energy, and moody-but-cutesy baseball caps that feel vaguely therapeutic.

What’s interesting is how differently each brand is doing it. Labels like The Mayfair Group lean heavily into feel-good fabrics, self-care affirmations and playful positivity, with vibrant, childlike color palettes and text graphics that alternate between super earnest (like their How are you really? hoodie) and borderline cringey, depending on your tolerance level. I find myself very drawn to it, even the “cheesier” stuff, maybe because I love a really cozy set or maybe because I’m a mom trying to raise emotionally intelligent children while also trying to emotionally regulate and be kind to myself.

Experiential lifestyle brand Lonely Ghost employs a similar formula, albeit with a moodier, more youthful and cooler edge. Think skin-tight Y2K-style spaghetti strap tops, baby tees and oversized sweats plastered with intimate messages like, “I love you, say it back” or micro-shorts that display “Text me when you get lonely” right on the ass, not to be missed.

Comfrt, a viral loungewear brand that sells slightly-weighted hoodies and sweats in a slew of fun colors (which my kiddos love), including this 5lb hoodie that’s meant to feel like a calming hug, is cashing in too. They recently partnered with We’re Not Really Strangers, the icebreaker card game that makes vulnerability a group activity, to launch co-branded hoodies and sweatpants emblazoned with mantras like, “You deserve every good thing that happens to you” and “Love yourself on bad days too.”

Meanwhile, celeb-loved streetwear brand Boys Lie takes a far bolder, more unapologetic approach, serving up less reassurance and more fuck yous, turning heartbreak and messy relationship dynamics into the ultimate girl-power slogans, like this sold-out “Girls rule, boys drool” tank, as a way to cope and connect.

Then there are brands like Mindless Labs, which treats their purpose-driven apparel— and it’s really good—as a means to fund mental health. I basically live in this Lose Your Mind hoodie, so much so that my seven-year-old enthusiastically begged to wear it the day she found out she made her cheer squad. On the sleeve is a tiny QR code linking directly to a free, mental health support app. The clothes aren’t just broadcasting vulnerability; they’re offering immediate resources for it. (To be fair, The Mayfair Group offers free monthly virtual therapist-led group sessions in partnership with MyWellbeing).

A heavyweight hoodie won’t replace actual therapy, and a cute graphic tee won’t fix a bad day or breakup. But in a world that’s increasingly overwhelming, maybe the value isn’t in fixing anything at all, but in feeling a little less alone as you move through it.

If we’re going to navigate our big feelings in public, I’d rather do it in a big-ass, emotional-support hoodie.

Miraculously, almost all sizes of the AGOLDE Cocktail Ankle Jeans are in stock on Shopbop for $99 (down from $249!)—and they're still full price on AGOLDE’s site. Think of them as the much cooler, older sister of the millennial skinny jean we all used to live in. They also come in black for a dressier option.

Ridiculously soft, heavily striped, and $40 off right now. Snag the DedCool x Brooklinen Super-Plush Robe for $119.25, then pair it with these super fun & summery striped linen sheets (currently on my bed) and Dedcool’s Xtra Milk Room + Linen Spray (20% off RN!) for the ultimate sleepmaxxer setup. You can also grab 50% off the Dedcool x FP Movement Dedtergent+, while it lasts.

Manifesting an empty middle seat RN in this extra-cozy + empowering duo from The Mayfair Group. Both the Checked Out Crewneck and Sweatshorts are 50% off right now ($54 and $39!). I’m also heavily eyeing their Out Of Office Set for a slightly more understated option.

Never imagined I’d be caught dead in a Polo again, but STAUD’s bold take on the classic style has me eating my words. The Sail Color Blocked Polo is less country-club prep, more effortless, off-duty cool. And it’s half off ($155 from $295) through Monday—the pink is equally cute and marked down to $177.

I’m also loving this red striped tee ($92 from $175 and full price on most sites!) + this slouchy Rugby style. And this preppy-ish polo knit from ASTR The Label is up to 30% off when you spend $200.

Clearly entering a stripe-girl summer. This bold La Ligne knit is a rare half-off find made of a lightweight merino wool that is aggressively soft and breathes better than cotton but feels infinitely more expensive.

Your summer scent wardrobe just got cheaper. Phlur’s Summer Kickoff Sale is in full swing with up to 25% off cult-faves, including this yummy travel trio. Think of the Phlur Paradise Skin Body Mist Trio ($78 $62.40) as your low-commitment route to testing out Vanilla Skin, Peach Skin, and Beach Skin for less. I keep all three of these on heavy rotation because they are the definition of subtle—perfect for people who want a clean scent signature but aren’t loud “perfume people” (ahem, me).

The stripe obsession continues. But seriously, somebody pls snag these Solid & Striped purple pull-on pants because they’re 70% off (AKA only $60!) and majorly versatile. Throw them over a bikini for the beach, or pair them with a fancy flip flop when you actually have to leave the house.

So many good finds up to 40% off in L SPACE’s Sale Section, including this tropical floral number with built-in underwire to keep the tits perky and a tie-back for a custom fit. I’ve got the tobacco version and it’s a 10/10 + excellent quality.

I've been staring at this layered Lioness Bottega Tee for months and now it's 40% off with code FLASH40 so I have no excuse. Only problem: grey, butter yellow, or blue? Someone help. Also on the wishlist: this black noir faux leather bomber jacket with the coolest funnel neck and a drawcord waist.

The washing machine ate my socks again...seriously, we have an entire shoe box of singles. Hue crew socks are 40% off. Grab the basics or snag some fun colors for summer.

Comfrt is up to 70% off sitewide, plus an extra 20% off select styles. This oversized 100% cotton French terry tee is $35 and better than anything you've borrowed from anyone, ever. Love the dusty pink Mauve, Dune, and Mineral. Also: my 9-year-old is obsessed with their sweats, so the whole family is covered.

If you’ve been wanting to try Bask, it’s currently 25% off at Dermstore with code SUN. The SPF 50 Non-Aerosol spray smells yummy, and the sun stick lives in my bag permanently. Both for less than $35 total. Need I say more?

Found: the official "cool mom" (I know because I own it) pool bag of the summer. It’s the STATE Wellington Cabana Tote, and it’s basically a high-end, grown-up version of a 90s jelly bag. It fits absolutely everything, easily dumps out crumbs and sand, and this light blue colorway is just dreamy. Use code MDW26 for 20% off sitewide.

The perfect sporty-chic bikini for summer. The Hunza G Tyler ($270 $162) set has that minimalist ’90s appeal, skimpy-ish coverage, and the softest, most forgiving crinkle stretch. The bold blue and contrast stitching is such a vibe too.