Story time! Let me bring you back to 2016. I am standing in front of my mirror in my apartment near tears because the DVF size 14 skirt I just ordered was not coming close to zipping around my newly size 16 ass.

When I started my original handle, The12ishStyle, I was a size 12/14 and had been most of my life. I always struggled with shopping at that size. Most brands at that time stopped at a size 12. I was doing posts around curvy girls getting dressed and fashion tips. I was teetering on the edge of starting to understand that maybe I didn’t want to spend my whole life hating the body I saw in the mirror, but I was not quite there yet.

This DVF skirt broke something open in my brain. I had always struggled to find or fit into the clothes I wanted to wear (Hello 9th grade tears in the Abercrombie fitting room), but when I sized out of a 14, my eyes were yanked open to the realities that women above a size 14 face. It was BULL SHIT. I was so scared to call out any brand for fear of being ostracized by anyone in fashion…little did I know that was where I would find my power!

With a closet full of clothing that no longer fit and a list of stores I could no longer shop at, I figured I could try to make a difference. I snapped a shot of myself in that wide-open DVF skirt with the #MakeMySize and simply asked if they were aware that women above a size 14 wanted to wear their clothing too.

The response was instant.

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I love a trend, I really do, I just also love comfort more than I love being cool, and at this point in my life those two things are simply not always friends. Let’s get in to the things that will always be a part of my wardrobe even if they’re not “trendy”

Hoka Bondi. The fashion people want you to be in a slim climbing shoe right now, most likely by Saloman. And yes, there are some cute styles in there but I cannot make the shift out of big giant sneaker and I think I will just have to stay here looking out of date (this is how it happens!!!!) I am such an addict of that giant cushy sole that I don’t even like the Clifton style-not enough bounce. I am a Bondi girl, but I recently bought these because they are also supportive and they come in Butt Stuff green. I love them too. New Balance came out with a plusher option that looks like it’s giving similar cloud energy for less money (I know my Hoka habit is expensive), I haven’t tried them yet but I’m intrigued, someone please test these and report back immediately!

Long, flowy caftans. Everything right now leans tiny and fitted, little tanks, square necks, and of course I see the nostalgic appeal when it’s done right. (that was a dig) but in the summer, I prefer a caftan. I prefer to not feel like I am wearing clothes at all. I want to give off the energy like I might just light up a Capri any second. I get to wear my caftan collection often in Palm Beach because it’s what it was made for, but I bring this energy with me wherever I go whether it’s on trend or not.

Short denim cut offs. I know the longer Bermuda length is having a real moment right now and I do love it. I do. I think it’s giving anti male gaze and its very fashion and I get it and I am participating but that doesn’t mean I am tossing out my tiny denim cut offs. Let me be clear, I mean shorts with a frayed hem, not a finished hem. Maybe its my nostalgia for 1980s camp counselor uniforms or its the fact that I finally allowed myself to even wear this style in my 30s and felt some real liberation around my thighs and denim, but I love them.

Big bags. The tiny shoulder bag everywhere right now is so cute, it’s just not built for how I live, it doesn’t fit on my shoulder and it definitely doesn’t fit my stuff, snacks, three chargers, a mystery item I’ll discover in October. I shoved that tiny shoulder bag under my armpit in my 20s and I loved it, but I have outgrown it. I even wear tested one again this summer, but I need a bag I can shove my whole life into. If you’re a big bag person too, I see you. And they will come back. I monitor the real real every day for some giant bags that will be popular again soon. That is the thing about fashion cycles….they cycle. I just ordered a custom Alex Mill tote and I am SO excited for how big that one is too.

A classic tailored suit. For appearances people are adding so much fun flare these days, unexpected cuts, great textures, I love seeing it on others. I’ll always reach for a beautifully tailored, classic suit instead, there’s a comfort in something that doesn’t need reinventing. Veronica Beard has been my go to for this. If I am on TV, I am most likely in a VB suit. Yes, they did stop making their new collections beyond a size 16 so I have been having them tailored or buying larger sizes on TRR and having them brought down to a size 18 (their core collection is still available to size 24)

At the end of the day none of this is really a fashion take, it’s just what makes me feel most like me. If any of these are your comfort pieces too, I’d love to hear about it

A couple weeks ago my friend Austin Fremont shared her story with us about her choice to have children on her own. Today, we get to hear from Annie Parsons (@hootenannie), who is an instagram follower and was kind enough to share her story and journey to parenthood

How did you know it was the right time to make this decision in your life?
I started down the path to become a SMBC when I was 36-years old. I’d always pictured myself married with kids - but after a long string of heartbreaks, dating had grown stale, and I didn’t want to miss my chance to become a mother just because I hadn’t met my person. I did a lot of soul-searching, and ultimately found a sense of freedom, possibility, and joy in the idea of becoming a mom on my own - which, ultimately, I did, at age 41.

What was the most intimidating part of starting the process?
The financial aspect was daunting. As a single woman with a decent but pretty normal salary, I had a small cushion of savings. But the fertility process is not a typical “purchase”; just because I was willing to spend the money did not mean I was guaranteed the outcome I was hoping for. What if I drained my savings trying to get pregnant and it didn’t work? In order to find the courage to move forward, I had to shift my thinking about the cost from “guaranteed baby” to “insurance against regret.” Even if I never got pregnant, at least I would know I’d done everything I could to try.

If you’re comfortable answering: can you tell us more about what the process was like? (did you go donor, adoptions, etc)

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But here’s the thing I actually want you to know: you do not need to spend what I spent to get the look. There are PLENTY of dupes out there that give you the exact same effect without the sticker shock, and I’ve been quietly collecting them for months so you can see some options for your own personal stack no matter your budget. I included some of the higher priced pieces I wear in case you are working with that price point as well.

I’ve split this up into 3 categories of my favorite jewelry pieces: Diamond earrings, Diamond Necklaces, and colorful stone necklaces. Let’s begin!

My everyday earrings (pictured above) are from Lizzie Mandler and I think they are so special but not too flashy that I can’t wear them every day. These are real diamonds so they are expensive but I think they’re a really great option for a special present. Also! you can use code Katie15 for 15% off :) I found 2 dupes for MUCH less expensive but they still look nice quality! These are gold plated and cubic zirconia (looks like real diamonds) at $78 a pair. A little drop that catches the light when I turn my head mid-conversation, and they photograph like they cost three times what they do. Nobody needs to know that but us. These look almost identical and are on sale for $44!

Let’s move on to some colorful necklaces! For me, a neck mess is all about mixing in color. I’ve cycled through many different color strands of beads but lately I’ve been just full sending the whole rainbow. The top necklace is from Becket & Quill and made of real Opal beads. At $185 it’s definitely not terribly expensive AND I have a discount code for the whole website… Katie20 :) If you like the rainbow look but want something a little more elevated, I love this bezel set necklace that comes in 4 different lengths.

The cheapest dupe we have in this category is from one of my tried and true favorites: Bauble Bar. This one is a little chunkier so may be a fun statement piece and I love that you can add an initial to it.

Our final category is of course, the tennis necklace. Listen, I think everyone should have something that sparkles in their neck mess at all times and a tennis necklace is going to do that every time. You can get the real thing (diamonds) from just about any jewelry store in the world and it’s going to look beautiful. I especially love mine from Dorsey that is made from lab grown white sapphires which makes it $750 as opposed to…. a lot more. I know that’s still expensive so I found some other dupes! While this one is a little different since it is bezel set, I love that it still has the graduated look that the more expensive ones have. Since its made of cubic zirconia, its only $114 which is a really great price for the same look. This one is the same price but made of crystals set in the more traditional uniform tennis necklace look.

Let me know if you have a dupe that you love!

Maybe it’s August. Maybe I am luteal. Maybe it’s decision fatigue. Maybe I am just “over” seeing the words everywhere I look. But my “big reveal” about how I realized I was gaming the system on my GLP-1 a few weeks ago was meant to ignite a spark to refocus on my health.

What do I mean by health? I mean making sure I am eating the protein (another word I can barely say at the moment), drinking the water, taking the fiber, making sure I push myself during workouts, journaling my food intake so I can track the way I am eating and we can make adjustments. I just want to say FUUUCK IT.

(for more info on my WHY- read about it here)

If you are looking for an uplifting post from me this week, I think you have to wait a minute, because this is a post about my frustration with needing to be so effing vigilant about what I am putting in my body. This shot isn’t the easy way out, my friends. This shot is work! And it’s uncomfortable at times. And this is one of those times.

I think after years of obsessing over my body and what I eat and punishing myself for making the wrong choices, I have gotten used to not putting that much brain power into my lifestyle. Wrong or right, just the way I have found myself living on the day to day. John shops. John cooks. I eat. Rinse. Repeat.

But this recommitment to using the GLP-1 the way it’s meant to be taken has me feeling irritated at how vigilant I have to be. I don’t want to think about it. For the past year or so, I have barely weighed myself, but I have had to start monitoring what is on the scale too so we can gather information.

Two of my doctors would like me to land my set weight about 10 lbs below where it is now. Somewhere in the 220-230 lb range. That feels a lot like intentional weight loss. That is also an uncomfortable feeling to confront. Although I do feel detached from the scale, this is a shift in the way I have been approaching the use of this drug. And it’s bringing up emotions for me.

I want to rage against society and eat a whole cake! I want to march into the nearest market and buy a flight of ice cream pints! But I already did that and it was a wonderfully free five-year diet rock bottom: eat whatever, whenever… and I ended up with a fatty liver and an A1C one click away from full diabetes.

This is and was never about a dress size, folks, but maybe if it was, I would have an easier time with this discomfort. Maybe I would feel like I had some tangible (although toxic) goal to achieve rather than the vague sense of healthy living I am striving towards.

My blood work has vastly improved from several years ago, but it’s not ideal yet. I have cleared the diabetes scare, and the fatty liver has reduced, but I am not totally in the clear there either.

I say all of this with the knowledge that I have the privilege to be able to pay for this drug and work with professionals who are helping me manage it. I am lucky. And I am also tired.

In the 3 weeks since my declaration of dedication, some part of my brain has engaged in subtle protest. I find myself wanting to sabotage this whole process. I skipped my shot last week because I had strep throat and couldn’t swallow, and this week I don’t want to take it BECAUSE I DON’T WANT TO!

But I will. I will take my shot. I will put my fruit punch fiber in my water. I will stir my protein into my yogurt. I will push play on my workout.

The prize for me will not be the new way I see myself in a bathing suit. It will not be feeling excited about going down a size. The prize for me has to be the intangible feeling that I am making the right choices for my long-term health, and there is really nothing shiny about that. Sometimes that is work. Sometimes that sucks. Sometimes fighting through the slog of monotony is what you have to do. If you have felt any of these feelings, I am with you.

If you hadn’t noticed it before, all you have to do is look in the background of any mirror selfie I post on the internet to see…I am a messy girl! I do not put my dirty clothes in the hamper at the end of the day, I pile them on a chair, which I promise I will clean off in the morning (I don’t). I open a package and leave the box and paper sitting on the table for days. There is most likely more than one abandoned project sitting on the couch that will stay there for at least a week until I call it quits. Yes, the source of a lot of this “messiness” is most likely ADHD and the fact that I am running multiple businesses, but the truth is it’s probably much more the ADHD than it is the time management. I am not knocking my messy lifestyle. It always helps me to move more freely and jump in and out of things without so much stress or hemming and hawing. Another benefit is that you see me as I am in real life online. The laundry, the makeup bag splayed in front of the mirror, the wrinkled clothing. If nothing, I am real. And they can’t take that away from me! Attempting to implement organizational systems in my life have failed me many times over but I will say that there are a few things (some new, some tried and true) that actually work to keep my messy brain organized in life. Here are my top 5:

1. Rinsing/cleaning the fruit/veggies as soon as I get them home from the grocery store. I used to leave things on the counter or shove them in the fridge but when I made this a rule, I found it set me up for success in planning meals. I also ended up throwing a lot less away because I could see what I have.

2. A STEAMER. The #1 thing I have gotten hate for on the internet, more than my body, more than my opinions on jeans, is that my clothes are always wrinkled. I have screenshots. I have DMs. I have a comment that just says “IRON???” and nothing else. I really thought all steamers were horrible and left giant water splotched no matter what I tried. Enter the Rowenta AeroSteam Twist. I’m so excited I got to partner with them for this article and this is something I’m genuinely shocked by. It SUCTIONS the fabric to the plate so you only have to use one hand and yet somehow there are also water marks? Magic. Linen, silk, denim, I have tried it on everything and I’m impressed every time. Somehow it’s under $100, which honestly feels insane for how well it works. I keep waiting for it to stop being that easy and it just hasn’t yet. The best news is that I have a code (Katie10) AND I’m giving away one of them! Just comment on your worst steamer story of all time and I’ll pick a winner!

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3. Pouches! Pouches are a messy girls best friend because you can just shove whatever you need and toss it in a tote and not only will you LOOK organized but you will feel organized knowing you have all of your bits with you. I have pouches for my small hand bags with hand sanitizer and lip stuff but for traveling on a plane I have pouches for cords and I have a health pouch with my bee spray and masks and wipes etc. I even have a pouch in our car console with Megababe wipes and bug spray wipes and sunscreen.

4. Using office dividers to separate hand bags in my closet so they are not in a pile. This may seem a little silly but these dividers have really helped me organize and keep that top of my wardrobe from looking like a giant bin of bags. I can now see all of the bags I have and I don’t have a giant mountain that will collapse when I inevitably want the bag that’s at the bottom of the pile. Plus, I sell on The RealReal and want to keep them in good condition and not smushed!

5. SSRI + Vitamins at night. I haven’t done this yet but I’m supposed to get a vitamin organizer to keep on my bedside table. This one is cute so I guess that’s what I’ll try! The plan is that I get into the routine of taking my vitamins at night the same time I take my SSRI so I’m not forgetting them. I will keep you updated on how this goes. Watch this space!

Talking about fall too soon is gross IMHO. (sorry if you are mentally throwing your PSL at me!!!) Personally, I like to extend summer to October and its currently (checks phone) August. I am still out here in a caftan and I intend to keep it that way for as long as this weather allows me to. But here’s the thing about fall. It doesn’t care if you’re ready. One morning, I am going to walk out of my apartment and do the weather on my instagram and tell you that it is in fact time to break out your jeans. When that moment comes, I do not want you to panic so I am here, showing you some reasonably priced denim that will make you feel fresh when the time comes. Old Navy sent me four of their new styles to try and I am happy to report that they are all winners. As a reminder, I am wearing a size 18 and I am 5’11.

Denim is a category that I no longer think you need to spend money on because retailers like Old Navy have mastered the fancy denim cuts and fabrics. AND this whole lineup comes in a real size range of 00-30 so there’s something for everyone! Real size inclusion-thank you Old Navy!!!

Arc: High-Waisted Wide-Leg Barrel: This is a new shape for me. We had barrel. I did barrel. We have more barrel below. But now we have Arc. This one surprised me the most. It’s a mid-rise with a curved leg that gives you that rounder, barrel-ish shape through the hip and thigh, but it’s not stiff or structured in a way that feels like a costume. It just moves with you. The denim itself feels substantial too, not the thin stuff you brace yourself for at this price point. This is the one I’d reach for if I wanted to feel a little fashion-forward without doing anything hard to get there. I should note that all the tops I am wearing are Old Navy as well! (linked on each picture :))

High Rise Wide Leg: This is the one I’d call my “I have somewhere to be but also want to be comfortable” jeans. High rise, relaxed through the hip and thigh, easy wide leg that skims rather than clings. It’s the pair that looks a little more put together than the effort it actually took, which is my favorite kind of dressing. I will note that the rise was slightly short on me in this style though so tall people, be aware.

Low Rise Baggy: Okay, okay okay. I have been shit talking low rise jeans for over a decade and loathed the return of this style. BUT, maybe I was thinking low rise Britney Spears with a bejeweled bra top and now low rise slouchy chill. Zero pressure on the waist. It’s giving off duty, thrifted, effortless, all the things. I love this one for a lazy Sunday that somehow still needs real pants.

Barrel: High rise, baggy through the hip and thigh, but with that sculpted barrel leg that gives it real shape. These are cropped and have a heavier denim feel. This is the one that makes me feel like I got dressed on purpose, even on days I very much did not. This pair is currently on sale for $20!

Every single one of these felt genuinely good to wear, not just good to look at, which is the whole test for me at this point. And I will not stop talking about the price point…everything is under $55.00 regular price but are all on sale for $30 and under! (make sure to use code EXTRA) So when that moment comes and I tell you on my weather report that it’s time to get back into jeans, you will be prepared!

Why do I share so much on these platforms? It can be vulnerable and expose parts of yourself you don’t want to be seen. It can wreck your privacy and your mental health…but the reason I keep showing up and sharing is that showing yourself making unconventional choices can help someone feel less alone about their choice. Just like showing up in a bigger body and loving yourself can inspire lots of others to do so too! I have been very open about my choice to live child free not only because I like to share my life with you, but because if that is your life too, it’s nice to feel seen! One path that really inspires me and that I do not think gets enough attention is the choice to have a child on your own. I know so many people who want kids but are no where near finding a partner and are faced with the reality of what their life might look like without kids. The choice to be a single parent is not one be taken lightly because having a kid with a partner (and a nanny and a nana etc etc) is still really hard, but for those on the fence or curious about this path, I wanted to ask women who have made this choice and get some of the details and questions answered that you might have. First up is my dear friend Austin Fremont, owner of Fremont Blue Events and mom to Felix & Guy. She is a true light in this world and when I heard this was her journey, I was like, yup! She is going to be incredible at it, but reading the below I am reminded of how much she is shouldering on her own…and why I wouldn't want her to change a thing.

How did you know it was the right time to make this decision in your life?

• I was turning 40 and we were still amidst pandemic times. Dating seemed daunting and disappointing. I own an events company, which I had dedicated the majority of my 30s building, and during the pandemic, business was pretty much non-existent. The solitude of my one bedroom apartment allowed me the space I needed to really reevaluate what I wanted in life. I remember asking myself if I died tomorrow, would I be happy or proud of what I had accomplished in my life? The hard truth was no and the only thing I could think about was that I would never know what it was like to be a mom. It was only then I realized that my priority wasn’t partnership, it was motherhood. Once I came to that realization, I knew it was time. Of course, I went into it with cautious optimism, because with fertility and IVF you never know what will happen, but what I did know was that if I didn’t try, I would regret it for the rest of my life. As I write this it seems very extreme and dramatic, but I think in order to do something as wonderful, important and difficult as being a solo mom, you have to want it that bad.

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If you have eyes you have surely noticed that lax (lacrosse for those of you(us) that didn’t grow up playing the sport) shorts are everywhere right now. Actual mesh lacrosse shorts that maybe your son or husband wear on the weekends. In fact, when I first put them on, John said “Cool, we match”. I started wearing them around the house and I was struggling to find the “fashion” element, although they are very comfortable. But how are the fashion girlies wearing them? Not with a hoodie and high socks as I would style them…that feels very “fresh out of practice”. I had to call in an expert: Elizabeth Tamkin, you can follow her here. She explained that the key to this trend is a feminine top and a feminine or fashion shoe. Got it. So I grabbed my frilly Rixo top and paired it with my very new thong sandals from Oya and boy did I get it. I am glad there are so many options out there for these shorts because I can’t wait to bring them into fall with me! Are you getting this? If not, look at some of my style heroes below (Leandra and Erika are modeling Relax shorts which is what I am wearing) showing their spin on the trend.

I did a little round up of what is on the market in our size and I hope you find something you love:

It started with the J.Crew x Relax Lacrosse collab — royal blue, red drawstring, pink stripe, “100% Lax, No Lacrosse Required” written right on the tag. They’re almost sold out across every size, which tells you everything you need to know about where we are with this trend. Sign up for the restock notification!

The most affordable option in this whole roundup: Jump Start at Macy’s is $12.99, goes up to 3XL, and is giving full basketball short energy in the best way. Loose fit, moisture-wicking, stripe down the side. If you want to try the trend without committing, start here!

Old Navy’s TrekTech Run Short is more of a performance short with a sporty stripe — goes up to 4X and is currently 50% off so worth a look if you want something a little more structured.

KBB by Kahlana at Target is a newer Target brand. Clean track short silhouette, drawstring waist, comes in great colors and goes up to 4X. Looks higher end!

Elite Eleven’s Airweave Mini Shorts are currently 40% off, which makes them $24, which is a very good deal for how good they look!

Now for the splurgier finds!

I cannot stop thinking about the NikeSKIMS collab. $74, limited edition, roomy and long in the best basketball-short way. This is the one you buy because you want it, not because you need it, and that is a perfectly valid reason.

And my favorite find in this whole roundup: Donni’s Stripe Eco-Terry Short in butter. Not exactly the brief, but they have that athletic energy. 100% organic cotton, made in LA, drawcord waist, the softest terry fabric. I have been wearing Donni sweat sets for the past couple years and I can attest that they really are the best!

Nantucket is such a special place, so special that it can be easy to get cynical about this often crowded and always over priced vacation destination 30 miles out to sea. But if you know where to go and are willing to endure the crowds, you will absolutely feel like you are in your own Elin Hilderbrand movie.

Stay: Speaking of Elin…she has brought the island into the mainstream with her wildly successful romance novels often set on island. (I know… its obnoxious the first few times you hear it but then its just how people talk and you find yourself saying it too without rolling your eyes—-I am just giving you some practice getting used to it.) If you are a fan, you can stay in the hotel she writes about, The Nantucket Hotel!! I stay there because it’s central and the rooms feel like someone's guest house on the beach. It’s nice and new feeling and clean, but not pretentious at all, which is the Nantucket energy I am drawn to. It’s so close to town, has 2 pools, a spa, a restaurant, and the service is very warm and welcoming. They will drive you around the island and they’ll send you to the beach with beach chairs, towels, etc. They really go above and beyond. If you are going to rent a house, bring a car and get out of town. Go stay somewhere more quiet and be prepared to have a hard time finding parking when you go anywhere, but I think that a lot of Nantucket's magic is not in town so make sure you explore.

Coffee: While I wish it weren’t the case, Nantucket has the same problem as New York, nowhere opens early enough for me. Handlebar Cafe is the earliest at 7am, so that’s where I get my first cup or I head to the Hub on Main Street because it feels like a place you could have gone 25 years ago and they have actual iced coffee, not cold brew. Important! Yes, The Nantucket Hotel has lobby coffee but its not out very early so it’s a great second cup option.

Breakfast: Born & Bread has my favorite breakfast sandwich. There’s always a line out the door, every single morning and through the afternoon but IT. IS WORTH. IT. An egg and cheese sandwich on the butteriest grilled homemade sourdough is the key to my heart and apparently everyone else’s who’s on Island and in line. I went 30 min before it opened so I could be one of the first inside, worth it. You know I am already up and about!

Lunch: Provisions makes such a solid sandwich. It’s right by the ferry which makes it so easy, but honestly I’d go out of my way for it anyway. Their egg salad is so delicious, and the bread is impossibly soft. People also love Something Natural and Lemon Press.

Dinner: For a fancier night, Galley Beach is so lovely, you’re eating dinner with your toes literally in the sand. It feels like such a treat every time. The food is F. I. N. E. but the surroundings are 10/10. Toes in the sand!

Ice cream: Juice Bar always has a line, but it moves quickly, so don’t let that stop you. I get the peppermint stick flavor every single day I’m there(some times twice), it’s become a sweet little ritual of the trip. People will try and tell you it’s the same ice cream at other places, don’t listen.

Beaches: The hotel will shuttle you to Jetties Beach, which is easy and lively. You can’t lose with a beach on the island, they are all so beautiful and special. Last year we explored Stone’s Beach which was way out of town but SO nice. Pools are not the move here, even though it can be harder to navigate, force yourself to go to the beach.

Shopping: Honestly, every shop on this island is exciting and insanely chic. For Now is my favorite, they carry the cutest brands and gifts, and their own clothing line goes up to 2X. Megababe is stocked there too, so if you find yourself chafing while you’re on island, you’re covered. There’s also a new spot called The Makery where you can build your own hat and customize things like sweatshirts, bracelets, and vanity cases. I always stop into Lilly Pulitzer because we all know I’m a sucker for their prints and colors and they usually have pieces in an XXL in store. I love seeing the Nantucket pop up versions of so many of my favorite New York brands like Veronica Beard and Doen.

Dress Code: I realize that energy around how to dress on Nantucket feels like you need to arrive wearing an American flag sweater flanked over a gingham set, but I find that this look feels very touristy or costume-y. The locals are much more dressed down. Not sloppy, not unstyled, just more relaxed in the approach to island dressing. If you want to dress like a local, here are some things I would recommend:

This tee by Ayr only goes to XL but it fits us and it looks so good with a long skirt like this (which is on sale for only $51!) Pair with a cardigan around your shoulders or waist if it is breezy and a giant hat. No heels, no crazy fancy foot wear! The cobblestones will kill you. At night try a set like this with some big jewels like this and a wrap. An unfussy clutch like this as well.

Have the best time!!!

We’ve all seen the trend on IG and I’m bringing it to the Lobby because I actually want to tell you WHY I think these 5 things are worth it for me.

K18 Air Wash

There’s no dupe for this one, and I’ve genuinely looked. It gives me volume, texture, and it means I can go longer between washes, which on a busy week feels like getting an extra hour back in my day. I forgot it once on a trip and ordered Sephora delivery. It’s like having lip stuff with me at all times…I cannot be without it. The full size is 48.00, but I think an easy entry to this product is the $24 mini size! You can try it out before you commit to the big one… even though I know you’re going to.

Negative “Whipped” Set

I wear these sets during my off hours…nights, weekends, Sunday morning mahjong, whenever. I’ve worn the shorts, the pants, the bra, the cami, the henley… EVERYTHING! It’s thin, it’s soft, and it’s a little NSFW, so consider yourself warned before you wear it somewhere your grandmother might see the outline of your butt crack. But it’s sooooo expensive so I don’t share it often. It’s a real treat for your loungewear drawer and for me, it doubles as a kind of half way lingerie. I can turn into a real troll during my off hours and to spare my husband from feeling like he married a trucker, I love to prance around in these because they are so comfortable, but I still feel sexy. I wear the XXL and I have worn this size at a 16 and 18 and 20, if that helps.

Everyday Diamonds

This is of course the most expensive thing on the list but I really think a necklace or bracelet is an amazing piece that will stand the test of time. They make everything feel a little more special without you having to think about it. You just put them on and they elevate whatever else you’re wearing that day, gym clothes or a ball gown, it genuinely doesn’t matter. The alternatives to real diamonds can also be pricey, so I think either option is worth it based on your budget!

CDP Under Eye Concealer

I’m not a big make up girlie… I don’t even wear foundation, just my tinted SPF. But this concealer has been a staple in my bag for literal years. At $72, she is expensive. But I have done the cost per wear and it’s about 20 cents a day to look that good if you use it every day for a year…mine lasts more than a year though, just saying. I wear it in beige and I will restock this forever, it’s just one of those holy grail products you don’t question anymore. It somehow makes you look like you slept for 8+ hours regardless of how tired you actually are. They have been out of my shade for a while now but it’s finally back!!!

Air Purifiers

Listen. I’m a germaphobe and I’m not ashamed to admit it. I will do anything to make my space feel clean and that the air is not going to kill me. Austin is the most expensive but its the ultimate and maybe with all these wild fires its something you should invest in. The filter lasts 5 years! My Air Doctor is always totally disgusting every time I clean it and so is the cheapest on my list, the Shark. This is a good thing! That means it’s actually pulling the gross stuff out of the air so you know its working.

Do you have any other suggestions for expensive items worth the $$$? LMK in the comments- I want to know!

A few weeks ago I faced the gnawing feeling I was having about my GLP-1 use and how I think I was actually “gaming the system”. That was a lot for me to reveal because I had to face my own perceived failure, waste and shame. I was felt like a failure that I was taking a drug that ultimately helps me address my overeating, but I decided to ride the wave of its effects by over eating on the days when the hunger cues start to come back strong and feeling it will all “even steven” in the end. That is not healing. That is not progress. That is a way around the work. It’s also a reminder that this was never about willpower. That some peoples brains are wired differently and that the shame so many of us feel about not being about to “control” our appetite is false. I have said this before but it’s worth repeating for both myself and you: You would not beat yourself up about having to take medication for your thyroid because you need it to stay healthy. If you are taking this drug because without it, your blood work would plummet, remind yourself that it’s medication and not a moral failure. We all need to hear this and remind ourselves often. Here is what I have decided to do to help manage my brain and body after this realization:

I went up a dose. Now that I have realized a pattern I was in, what am I going to do about it? As a reminder, I have been on the lowest dose of this medicine for a long time. I have not had to go up in dosage because I was feeling the effects in my brain, but what this reality check allowed me was a look at if that dose needs to increase. It did. I started the next dose up and am happy to say that I have not had any stomach issues. I have felt the effects of the increased dose immediately. The croissant on the counter? Sure-I will have a bite. Maybe I will eat the whole thing. But I do not NEED to eat the whole thing immediately and look around for seconds.

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Surely by now your instagram feed has confirmed that Maine is a favorite summer weekend destination for so many stripe wearing internet people so much so that you might find yourself taking a contrarian stand against this popular destination. And I get it. I feel this way about southern Maine and destinations like Kennebunk which are over run with people and very expensive. Allow me to show you some gems from Midcoast Maine instead!

Let’s just start in Portland, because so many people fly into PWM!

Let’s start with Fore Street, my favorite restaurant in Portland. It’s fresh, it’s delicious and it’s hard to get a seat. Reservations are genuinely hard to get, they book out weeks in advance, so don’t panic if you can’t snag one. The bar opens at 5pm and they hold real tables and the bar seats for walk-ins, and honestly an early dinner at the bar watching the wood-fired oven do its thing is its own kind of great night. Go early, go hungry!

The same owners have a world class bakery called Standard Baking Co. The line is usually backed up into the parking lot by 8:30am so my pro tip is to order ahead to make sure you get everything you want. John and I love the financier cookies so make sure to add to your list.

Another great place to grab a meal is the Eastern Promenade food trucks. They have local ice cream, burritos, and even my favorite sushi place, Mr Tuna.

If you are craving comfort food, try Duck Fat. The restaurant is very hard to get into but the Duck Fat Frites Shack is a lot easier and you can take the food to go. There are a lot of really cute stores on that same street.

Craving a bagel? Rose Foods actually makes a pretty great bagel sandwich!

We think Bard Coffee is the best espresso in town. Nothing is that far away so you could drive, uber or walk.

Bonus: Stop in Pot + Pan for edibles and space cakes made by a professional pastry chef. It’s adorable and so tasty and woman owned!

If you want to go to South Portland, there is a cool plus size second hand clothing store called Artemis!

Ok let’s hit the road.

Next stop: FREEPORT.

The L.L. Bean campus is not to be missed. Just go.

Alright! Let’s keep moving further north.

Seals and pie: Phippsburg

If you told me a few years ago that “watch seals while eating blueberry pie” would become an annual tradition, I would not have believed you, and yet here we are. Spinney's is the move. I had never been here before but we shot our Kitty & Vibe collection in the area and now I’m fully hooked. You sit on the water, the seals are bobbing in and out of the water and somewhere in there someone hands you a slice of Trish’s homemade blueberry pie and you’re eating it with salt air on your face like it’s totally normal. Bring a jacket even in July, the ocean breeze is always colder than the parking lot led you to believe. You will also be right on Popham beach, an iconic midcoast beach worth going to.

Moving on to Bath!

The people at Hallmark are really missing a perfect shoot location with Bath, Maine. This charming town is the perfect place to spend a morning exploring. Stop at Solo Pane, an actual Italian bakery run by an Italian! In Maine! The morning pastries are beautiful and they have expanded into fresh pasta and to go pizza as well. Cafe Crème can supply you with great iced coffee to sip while you browse the shops. Make sure to stop by Peace House Studio for clothing made on site in color combos my toddler core brain cannot get enough of. Lastly, stop in Reny’s for an iconic Maine shopping moment.

Up next: Wiscasset, the prettiest village in Maine. (That’s what the sign says)

This town has always been a popular tourist stop for tourists because of the internationally known Reds Eats lobster stand, but the TikTok generation is discovering this quaint little village via Alexander Widener and his newly opened antique store. It’s the first stop I’d recommend after picking up a coffee and yet another pastry from Treats Bakery! Make sure you go to Village Handcraft. He makes brooms. I know. Brooms! Right in front of you. I bought a small hand broom for small messes thinking it would hang off my pantry door collecting dust, I cannot tell you how often I use it!

Pop into Toni’s book shop for a vacation read (or a signed copy of Sunny Side Up) and then cross the street and go to MidCoast Creative Studio. Don’t let the name fool you, this is an analog activity buffet. Coloring books, fidget toys, craft projects…a dream!

Next: Damariscotta

Hard to spell, easy to visit. If you are staying near by, get your local fish at Simmons Seafood Market and your meat from Riverside Butcher. There is a fantastic used book store called Skidompha and a charming Maine chain called Sherman’s. Lunch at Bred in the Bone or dinner at River House for farm to table delicious food. Round Top ice cream is off the Main Street but worth a visit.

Back in the car, losers! We’re going to Camden.

Camden is the most famous midcoast town and for good reason. She is cute! She is also near McLoon's, my preferred lobster shack. (Although I get the crab roll!) I have written about this area quite often and you can find my faves linked here.

Hope I run into you in Maine this summer!!!

*I will never be considered a Maine local to actual Maine locals. I will forever be considered FROM AWAY to people who are born here…in fact, being born here is the only way you are considered a local, no matter how long you have lived here. It’s why I have that big “From Away” sticker by Gert & Co on my Yeti ;)

The reaction to Dr. Sowa’s first Q&A for Lobby Coffee just shows me how in the dark and how so many of us are struggling for answers for how to navigate life on a GLP-1. I am thrilled she is back here for round two. I had my first appointment with her this week for myself and I am doubling down on my love for this woman. It’s so rare to find someone in the medical community who understands that will power is not the driving force behind your eating choices. She was so empathetic when I started talking about my relationship to food and I liked to hear how passionate she was about finding solutions that work for you in your real life (no one should be throwing up every morning on these drugs!) There was so judgment either when I told her I believed I was gaming the system with my dosage. She said it was actually quite common and there were a lot of ways we can go about solving that without just upping the dosage. I truly love her, you’ll love her (you can also follow her substack: The GLP-1 Expert), so please enjoy Dr. Sowa’s interview part two below:

Q: Do you have to take your GLP-1 forever? And what does “forever” actually mean for your body?

Honestly, I think that’s the wrong question. The better question is: what is this medication actually treating?

I want people to stop thinking about weight as a willpower issue. It’s not. Obesity is a complex, chronic disease driven by biology — your brain, gut, hormones, and metabolism are all in on it.

I use hypothyroidism as an analogy a lot. If your thyroid isn’t making enough hormone, we replace it with Synthroid. Nobody calls that “being on medication forever” — we call it treating the underlying condition.

GLP-1s work the same way. If you respond well to this hormone, that tells me your body likely needs it to stay metabolically healthy.

I’ll caveat: if you gained weight during a specific window — fertility treatment, an injury, a rough year — you may be able to come off eventually. But if you’ve struggled with your weight most of your life, this is much more likely to be long-term treatment. I have that conversation with every patient before they start, not after.

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I promise that I have been going outside, so please don’t be alarmed by how much content I have been consuming since May lol. Lots of travel and being in Maine gives me a lot of more downtime to consume that content!!!

The Price of Pretty by Alex Light. If you like my content and seek more women on the internet talking about why women are programmed to hate their bodies and what it does for society, you should be following Alex Light and reading her new book. She is someone I look up to in the space and she inspires me to keep shouting the truth.

Only Catch by Jess Turner. It’s set in Maine. It’s light and easy and exactly the book I am grabbing for on my nightstand!

Sunny Side Up is out in paperback!!! I know it’s shameless to talk about my own book here but if you didn’t read it last summer or it’s on your TBR list, this is a great time to pick up the paperback. If you or anyone in your life has gone through a break up or feels like their body is the problem or the reason they can’t find love, go read SUNNY immediately!!

Hoppers: The new movie from Pixar was great. I loved. Two thumbs up from the original Kid Kritic.

Widows Bay: Maybe not the right time for me to be watching a show about a New England town haunting as I am sitting in a new england coastal town, but its strikes that balance of humor and scary…but still…I can only watch it in the day light!

Love Island Season 8: No one is more surprised than me to see what a big Love Island fan I am. I don’t love reality TV but this is such a fun social experiment. The amount of episodes can feel overwhelming but the Fast Forward button is your friend. If you have never watched Love Island and feel too far behind on this season, you should just watch season 5 of the Love Island UK which is universally regarded as the best example of the franchise.

Traitors Canada has hit Peacock and I needed it. Finished Season 1 mostly to get to Season 2 to see my girl Lauren Chan compete. Great season and now I am on season 3 and was so happy to see The Birds Papaya! Just started that season but bless the Peacock gods for this mid summer release.

Survival of the Thickest season 3 just dropped and I will be tuning in! If you have never watched the show, watch it! I have a cameo in season one for 2 seconds! The show is funny and the only one on tv in recent history that celebrates plus size women. In Michelle Buteau we trust.

Four Seasons season 2: Off to a rough start with the first two episodes but glad I stuck with it! If you skipped season 1, just go ahead and watch. I would watch Tina Fey unload her dishwasher.

Off Campus: Wow. There was a lot of hype going in and that is never helpful for me, but this was worse than I expected. I am thrilled for the cast and crew and writers etc that they have a star on their hands but for me it felt like a film school project.

Villa Coco by Andrew Sean Greer who wrote the Less books, charmed me with this book set in Italy about a young and uptight American boy who has to learn to live outside the lines. If you read Less, it feels like a young Less goes and stays with a 91 year old eccentric Italian baroness. If you haven’t read Less, try that first!

No One Belongs Here More Than You by Miranda July. I will read anything this woman writes. This was a series of short stories that have July’s particular brand of humor and sadness and unique story telling that bring have me thirsting for her next book! John loves her too and we read this one with our ears because July narrates as well.

My Friends by Fredrick Backman. Sorry folks, I had to quit it. I couldn’t get into it!

Yesteryear: TLDR: Interesting but missed the mark. Yesteryear SPOILERS: Liiiiikkkkkeeeeeee…..I would have liked the book so much more if she had time traveled. There were so many plot holes and there didn’t need to be! This could have just been a sci fi pop culture mash up! I don’t know much about the author and I have not read anything about the online reactions but I thought it was an interesting concept not executed in an entertaining way.

Are You Mad at Me? by Meg Josephson. This book was in my last content round up but I just finished it and I am going to start it over because honestly I have never felt more illuminated about my tendency to FAWN. If you don’t know what that is, it’s a relatively new term that offers additional survival tactics like Flight, Fight, Freeze…OR FAWN. I am a fawner and it’s so interesting to see how it affects how I move through the world in ways I had not noticed. Really helpful.

The Helsinki Affair by Anna Pitoniak: You know I am such a sucker for a spy novel and this one was recommended by Amanda Dobbins and as I slowly discover that her and I are the same person, I will be paying closer attention to her recs because I am loving this book! You can check Amanda out here and here.

I bought a felt mushroom sewing kit at the Maine Botanical Garden Gift Shop and figured I would become someone who crafts. I did open the package and cut out the shapes but it remains to be seen if I will actually attempt to thread the needle.

Last content update I told you I was all in on Clean that Up cleaning content and I am still there!

Is there anything you’ve been loving lately that you think I should read, watch, listen to, or try? LMK!

In my last post, “I think I am doing my GLP-1 wrong,” I talked about how it was time to bring in some additional resources so I am not wasting time, dosage tolerance, and frankly money outsmarting my medication. Transparently, when Dr. Sowa’s name first came across my desk, I was turned off by the “GLP-1 expert” of it all, assuming she was someone who would be messaging things I did not agree with. I couldn’t have been more wrong. When we spoke in person, I was so grateful to hear a medical professional who shared my strong feelings on the mishandling of the marketing of this drug and the shame that goes along with being on it. We talked about the lack of resources for people using this drug and how so many people struggle with everything from the mental health aspect of being on a GLP-1 to how to navigate dosages. When I asked if Dr. Sowa would do a Q&A for Lobby Coffee, I was so happy to hear she was game for it. I knew it was something our community needed because I have never gotten that many submitted questions for anything I have ever posted about… ever. So we are doing this in two parts! Below you will find part one. As usual, I encourage you to connect in the comments because it is private, and that is one of the ways we feel less alone.

Dr. Alexandra Sowa

But first, let’s meet Dr. Alexandra Sowa! She is a dual board-certified physician in Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine, founder of SoWell, and author of The Ozempic Revolution. You can also follow her on Substack! She specializes in helping patients use GLP-1 medications safely and effectively while building sustainable habits that support long-term health. Now, lets go:

GLP-1s: The Questions Everyone Is Asking

Q1: There are a lot of GLP-1s out there. What are the actual differences between them, and how does someone figure out which one is right for them?

I always tell my patients: It’s not about picking the “best” drug. It’s about finding the right tool for your life.

Right now, I think about GLP-1 medications in two buckets: injectable and oral.

The injectables are the ones most people know. Wegovy and Ozempic contain one hormone, GLP-1. Then came the next generation: Zepbound and Mounjaro, which combine GLP-1 with a second hormone called GIP.

Now we’re entering the era of oral medications, including oral semaglutide ( oral WeGovy) and orforglipron ( Foundayo). For some people, a daily pill feels much more approachable than a weekly injection. Generally speaking, the injectable medications have the longest track record and tend to produce the greatest weight loss, but the “best” medication is the one that fits your health goals, medical history, lifestyle, and insurance coverage.

Q2: What about compounded GLP-1s? Are they the same as the brand-name versions, and how do you find a pharmacy you can actually trust?

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Beach cover ups are the kind of clothing I want to wear whether I’m on the beach, next to the pool or honestly just going to lunch because they are breezy and flowy and have lots of ventilation. You guys ask me a lot for my recommendations for which ones I am loving right now so I gathered some that I own, some that I want to own, in price points across the board.

Already in heavy rotation for me, not new finds but the ones I keep reaching for: Boden’s linen set (shirt + shorts). It works as a coverup, or just a cute everyday coordinated set

Also a favorite this summer: J.Crew’s Soleil Pant in the California Poppy. I love this relaxed wide-leg linen pant because runs true to size if not a little roomy, which is exactly what you want when it’s 95 degrees and its 100% linen, not a blend.

Now let’s move on to some new finds!

This Tuckernuck terrycloth number I added this to my cart faster than I’ve added anything to a cart, maybe ever. It’s 100% cotton terrycloth in a shift shape, with little nautical-embroidered pockets and a red trim that keeps it from reading as “beach towel with armholes.” The also have a terrycloth poncho if that’s more your style, which I also might get because I love a Terry poncho!

For something cheaper and just as easy, Old Navy has a very cute linen set (shorts + top that would be a great option to go from beach to lunch or to walk around town in. Quick note, it’s a linen blend, not 100% linen, but for the price, I think it does the trick. Not sure about breathability.

Lands End has some secret swim sleepers like this light weight kimono style cover up that is under $40 right now. If you want a simple stripe UPF50 cover up, this one has a cozy hood and is also under $40.

We all know I love Boden and I think they definitely are the place if you need to throw something on over your swimsuit but then go out dinner. This dress in blue stripe goes up to size 22 and I love the tassels. If you want more color, this dress in the multi bloom tapestry print is giving full Palm Beach energy.

Altar’d State is a new store to me but I was pleasantly surprised to see they offer a 3X in most styles, and aren’t too expensive! I love that this crochet dress is a little more fun than all the other crochet dresses because of the colorful starfish. They’ve also got a striped matching set (tank coverup on top, shorts on the bottom) if you want the coordinated look without committing to a dress.

This orange caftan from Swimsuits for All is gauzy and looks expensive for under $40. This crochet set from Eloquii is another option for those too hot for clothes days and would also be great as a swim cover up.

I’ve always been a huge fan of Printfresh pajamas but I forgot how awesome their caftans are. I love this shell print and really appreciate that while their caftans are One Size (OS) they also offer OSP (petite) and OS+ (plus size.) I also just realized that I absolutely need this Linen Lobster Set

Now, this next choice is pricier BUT they are so cute and I can attest to the quality. Coniglio pieces are all designed with ties and adjustable closures to actually fit a range of bodies, 0 through 18. The skirt and top set are what I have been wearing recently (size 3 in the skirt) but I think this dress looks so cute and flow-y for summer. I am talking to them about extending their sizes!

If you want something dressier for dinner after the pool this dress from J.Crew does double duty: easy enough to throw over a suit during the day, structured enough to wear alone at night.

This is an easy cotton dress you can wear to the pool and go to lunch in as well. Never Fully Dressed is on fire right now, make sure to check them out! I love this one for those 100 degree days where clothes are just not an option.

Go forth and find a coverup (or 10) that you love!!

I have a confession to make. I think I have been using my GLP-1 wrong. When I first started taking the drugs (you can read about my WHY here) I was overwhelmed with the difference I felt towards food, or the indifference rather. My brain finally felt like it clicked into the spot that I see so many others living in. I didn’t have to eat a dozen doughnuts, I could just have one. I would forget about lunch until it was time to order instead of pre planning lunch in my head starting at breakfast. The reduction in food noise brought on by the GLP-1 effects has been life changing. (Literally, look at my bloodwork) But in the last year I have had the same thought, “Am I doing this wrong? Am I using this tool correctly? Or am I gaming the system now?”

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“What do I wear to a…a bachelorette trip, a bar crawl, a weekend in Vegas??” I get this question a lot and because I am lightyears away from doing any of the above, I truly have no idea. A going out top? What does it even mean right now?

If you have eyes you have surely noticed the return of the early aughts fashion trends that should have been buried in a time capsule, never to be seen again, but alas, I look around and see versions of my 2003 self everywhere. Low rise jeans, fitted cardigan sets, baby tees, tiny shoulder bags and I believe even capri pants, are all back. But don’t just take the word of someone who is in bed by 9pm every night.

I called in help from some of the younger women on the Megababe team, plus MK and a few of her friends, to get a real read on what’s actually happening in going-out fashion right now so I can finally tell YOU what to wear! What I found is that the youth do not have it as figured out as you’d think. MK, who is 28, just got back from a bachelorette weekend where the going-out theme was literally “wear your sexiest corset,” and she texted me from the trip in a mild panic about what to wear. She is not a “sexy corset” girl so you can probably relate to the anxiety this dress code caused! She ended up in a black strapless linen dress because it felt most like her, looked incredible, and honestly that’s the whole lesson right there.

But for those who want a little more direction, here’s what I learned.

The Two-Piece Set

Every single person I talked to mentioned this. A coordinated top and bottom, worn together, but not in the casual loungewear sense. These are going out sets: look for sets in satin, lace, or anything with a little texture.

I think this top and pants would look great for a fancy dinner/party or this set if you’re going to the bars or a club.

Satin Pants or Shorts

The satin pant, skirt, and short are all having their moment. Paired with a halter top or a simple cami, it reads fancy without feeling too formal. You can go to dinner and then straight to the bar and it works for both. This printed pair would look great with a white tank top and a pair of heels. I love the solid color paired with the lace top, styled here.

The shorts version needs to be paired with something a little conservative to avoid looking like PJs. Think cardigan sets or an oversized sweater paired with low heels. I have been eyeing this yellow pair for a while and I actually have these waiting for me back in NYC… try on coming soon!

The Going Out Top

I was a tube top girl myself so seeing this style return is hilarious to me but also, yes, I will wear a tube top again. Pair it with jeans and basically I could use my college ID because I am back in 2003 again. You are going to need a strapless bra and this is the one I have relied on for the past few years (you should size up). It does not lift as much as it just contains so you can wear the top without bubbles or wires popping up.

The corset adjacent top is here too. It has structure and you can wear it paired with jeans or a matching mini if you are going to an actual night club.

We talked about the lace tank and I think your strapless bra will serve you here as well.

And if you are still here, I will now recommend halter tops! I’ve noticed that the current halter trends are focused on scarf tops, cowl necks (this one’s only $25 and goes up to 4X), and that criss-cross business. Do with that what you will!

The Mini Dress

A mini dress will always be appropriate for going out. There is no occasion a well-chosen mini dress cannot handle. Dinner, bars, clubs, bachelorette, birthday party… it works for everything!

We all know I’m not the one who will choose a basic black dress so here are a couple with color that I still think will make you feel like an adult going out. This one feels comfy, this one is giving Maine bachelorette, this one reminds me of Jennifer Anniston in the early aughts, and this one you can prob get away with wearing out for one night and then wearing during the day in 100 degree heat for the rest of its wearable future. This one merges the halter top and mini dress into one moment that you can feel sexy in.

But if the black mini dress is what you have in mind, here are some size inclusive options: Black loose fitting mini, comfy looking mini,

The Shoes and the Bag

This is the part that really took me back. When I see a tiny shoulder bag jammed under someone’s arm, it takes me right back to my own little black Prada nylon bag that I wore until the wheels fell off. That was really my emotional support handbag, wow. So I have complicated feelings about the return of the shoulder bag because it always feels like I am carrying a football, but I should revisit maybe. Also, allegedly crossbodies are cheugy now?? Sorry but do the youth not like a hands free existence?? The girls are wearing an actual shoulder bag, worn on the shoulder, like a normal person from 2003 who did not yet know about crossbodies. If you are shoulder bag curious, this one is well made and can actually hold more than a credit card. She has more structure and the more I am looking at these bags, the more interested I am in the revival. If you are too scared to lose your cross body life style, get you a bag that can do both. (Feels important to tell you that this brand makes a puffin and a highland cow bag charm)

If you don’t want to break the bank for a new bag, this one is only $12.

The girls are wearing kitten heels again. Specifically the sandal versions for summer, strappy and minimal, sending whispers of the early 2000s to my toes.

The through line from every single person I talked to, youth and non-youth alike, is that nobody actually knows what they’re doing. MK figured it out in a linen dress at the last minute. One of the Megababe girls showed up to the conversation with strong opinions about satin pants and absolutely no going-out plans. We are all just figuring it out in real time.

Turns out the answer is usually just wearing the thing that makes you feel most like yourself. Which is what I would have told you in 2003, too.

Go have fun!

As soon as the temps start hitting the mid 70s, my PTSD from 14 years of city locked summers still haunts me. Melting asphalt. Air that feels like you are sitting inside someone’s mouth. A subway platform that exclusively blows hot air at you as if someone is really just trying to break you down. Can you feel my fear of the summer heat?? So yes, my body care changes drastically once this season hits and here is how I survive a City Summer in the beauty sense of the word:

FACE:

When the temps start to rise I am not about to layer my face with product, but I will be applying sunscreen. Here are my current options:

1. The Sulwhasoo SPF is the one I keep going back to. SPF 50+, but it doesn’t feel like you applied a layer of glue to your face. It’s light, it doesn’t pill under makeup (not that I am wearing much).

2. If you just did a spit take at the price, allow me to offer you this much more budget friendly option: I just tried the Versed Good Defense one this week. In full transparency, I have only used it twice but it was light weight and not too heavy, so it’s a win.

3. If you are looking for a mineral sunscreen for daily use, my dermatologist introduced me to the Spanish brand, Isdin, a few years ago and I love them. This specific formula is meant to help reduce existing sun damage on your face while fighting new sun damage from forming. A busy girl.

4. Alastin is what I use for my tinted SPF and have been using it as a face base makeup for coverage for over a year. It’s another brand recommended by my dermatologist :) Its a light weight mineral base. It provides great coverage and its mineral. Viola!

5. For reapplication I am using this from Sulwhasoo. It’s light and easy for on the go reapplication.

Hair:

1. My number one tip for when it’s scorching outside is to let my hair air-dry or just put it in a cute clip and call it a day.

2. When I want to wear my hair down, I am applying my holy grail k18 Air Wash for long lasting, grease free hair vibes, despite the sweat!

Body:

1. I skip the lotion. No thanks. I can’t handle a layer of product on my skin unless its doing something important like protecting me from the sun (like this body sunscreen)

2. If I want to avoid getting sweat stains under my boobs or down my butt crack, I am doing one of two things: On clean skin, I am taking Body or Bust Dust and pumping it all over my body. In my bra, in my undies, down my back. Yes, the powder will fall on the floor, but bonus, I just step in it so my feet get an application too! Now that’s working smart. OR I choose Megababe Magic Powder which is applied with a hands free applicator and goes on like a lotion and dries with the finish of a powder. It does get chunky when it absorbs the sweat so this is not something you want to use on a low cut dress or something, but just toss your bra in the washer and it’s all fine. The best part is that you don’t show up to work/event/whatever with giant stains on your shirt. I don’t use magic powder on my lower body bc I prefer powder for the undies and butt, but you could use it in belly folds if you need it there.

3. For chafe, I am using the Thigh Rescue Unscented stick if I am just running around the city for meetings, but if I was going to be out all day doing a ton of walking and sweating, I would choose the Thigh Rescue Gel because its sweat resistant.

Feet:

1. I love to go sockless in the summer in my loafers and sneakers which means I need to use something to help absorb sweat and odor. That means I am reaching for my handy dandy bust dust again and pumping it into my shoe. If it is a sandal you need to be a little more careful about the application so your full foot isn’t white cast.

2. We launched an anti blister stick for feet this spring and I didn’t know I would love it so much! I apply it to my heels and the tops of my toes with any non sneaker shoe I wear and it makes it more comfortable. (You can wear the stick under socks for running etc, but that’s not my use!)

Make Up:

We are minimal here.

1. I don’t use a foundation (just the SPF above) but I will always use my Cle De Peau under eye. I use shade beige which is sold out but sign up for the restock notifications because this is also a holy grail for me.

2. I am switching from liquid blush to powder blush for the season and I chose Saie! The color I’ve been using is Bella and its a really nice POP of pink.

3. My eyebrow sculpting wand is from Refy and I love it because it has three ways of sculpting!

4. I don’t actually have a mascara I love but MK uses the Rare Beauty one and swears by it so that’s what I will try.

5. I can’t leave the house without a lip with a color pop (currently using this one) and we are DONE!