The Friday Five
A few things I love and think you will love too.
It’s been a long week.
Between getting home from five days in Florida and moving Maddie out of her dorm (which, news flash, was somehow a much bigger lift than moving her in), I’ve spent the last few days buried in laundry, reorganizing the house, and trying to get back into a normal routine.
But before we head into the weekend, I have five things to share in our weekly series that I’ve been loving lately and think you might enjoy too.
Here are this week’s five.
1. An Easy Summer Dress
I dropped Vivi off for her first day of camp this week and realized, as I was walking her in looking like a complete troll, that I need a few easy, casual dresses to carry me through the rest of the summer.
Every year I forget just how hot it gets and how varied our days become once school is out. One minute you’re doing camp drop-off, the next you’re running errands, grabbing lunch, heading to an appointment, or meeting friends for dinner. Having a few simple dresses you can throw on without thinking makes life so much easier.
This linen shirt dress from Quince is exactly the kind of piece I’m looking for. It’s made from 100% European linen, comes in several great colors, and costs just $64. The silhouette is simple and relaxed, and it’s easy to style with flip-flops, sneakers, or a nicer flat sandal depending on where the day takes you.
2. Sunglasses I Reach for Every Day
Quay (pronounced Key) makes fantastic under-$100 sunglasses. I took this pair down to Sarasota and they quickly became my new favorite.
Honestly, I have a tray full of Quay sunglasses that I reach for all the time, and my girls are constantly stealing them. They’re stylish, comfortable, and look far more expensive than they are.
I’ve owned expensive sunglasses over the years, but this is one category where I just don’t spend the money anymore. I’d rather have a few great pairs that I can toss in my bag, keep in the car, or lend to one of the girls without worrying about them.
3. A Swimsuit I Actually Feel Good In
Over the years, I’ve created curated roundups in just about every category of clothing and accessories imaginable. The one category I always avoid? Bathing suits.
They’re just too personal. What works for one person can be completely wrong for someone else.
What I can tell you is what works for me. The Malibu One-Piece from Andie Swim is by far my favorite. I have it in black, navy, and red.
It fits me really well, smooths where I want it to, offers the right amount of coverage, and stays comfortable whether I’m sitting by the pool, chasing kids around the beach, or actually getting in the water. It’s one of those rare pieces that makes me feel good every time I put it on.
It’s also $112, which honestly feels like a steal these days. Swimwear has gotten so expensive, and I’ve seen plenty of suits priced at two or three times as much that I don’t like nearly as well.
When I find something that works this well, I don’t overthink it—I buy it in every color. For reference I am 5’10, and weight between 145 - 150 pounds.
4. My Favorite Summer Cleanser
In the summer, I tend to switch to a cleanser with a little exfoliation, and I just finished a bottle of Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser and ordered another.
Between sweat, sunscreen, and long days outside, I like having something that leaves my skin feeling really clean and smooth. I use it as the second step in my nighttime double cleanse, always starting with the Elemis Cleansing Balm.
It feels fresh, smells clean, and gives just enough exfoliation to help remove everything from the day without feeling abrasive. My skin always looks a little brighter after I use it, and unlike some exfoliating cleansers, it never leaves me feeling stripped or dry.
5. A Wallet That Still Looks New
As I was packing for this last trip, I grabbed my wallet and realized I’ve had it for two years now. After daily use, countless trips, and being tossed into handbags and carry-ons, it still looks new.
The Maison de Sabré Trifold Wallet is one of those purchases that proves my theory that quality doesn’t have to come with an outrageous price tag. At $168, it’s beautifully made, thoughtfully designed, and refreshingly free of logos.
It’s compact enough to fit in the palm of your hand, but functions like a full-size wallet. Bills lay flat, there are plenty of card slots, space for your ID, and a zippered compartment for coins.
I also think it’s really chic. The color options range from classic to fun. I have the Pecan Nude combination, but every time I look at the site, I’m tempted by the brighter colors. The Fuchsia Lavender and Emerald Green with pink lining are especially good.
It’s one of those things I use every single day and never think about, which is probably the highest compliment I can give it. It just works. And two years later, it still looks as good as the day I bought it.
That’s it for this week!
If you’ve found something lately that you can’t stop recommending, tell us about it in the comments. Some of my best purchases have come from your suggestions
Yesterday on The Well Dressed Life we talked a little bit about the upcoming Nordstrom Sale and you shared LOTS of opinions. Head over there and join the discussion, it’s helping me figure out exactly how to cover the event this year.
Here are a few ideas for moving kids to and from college, learned from doing it many times for all four of ours: rent a storage space near campus. (1) Buy bins to store their belongings, keep them in the unit for three months, then move them into the next dorm or apartment in August. This saves energy, time, space, and frustration, and spares your home from overflow. Nicer bins can double as “cocktail tables” in the new space. (2) Ask the school if the dorm basement offers storage, especially if you live far away—less wear and tear on you. (3) For apartment moves, set aside extra kitchen items you no longer need and send them along; thrift stores and friends can help too. Make it clear you don’t want them back, so breakages aren’t a concern. (4) If university apartments rent year-round, consider paying for the extra months to avoid the exhausting move-in and move-out cycle. (5) For hanging clothes, bag groups of items in large trash bags tied at the hangers for easy transport. (6) An IKEA Malm 3-drawer dresser worked perfectly for our daughters—fitting under raised beds, traveling between apartments, and serving as a nightstand or side table. Just remove the drawers (with clothes inside), move the frame, then replace them. It’s affordable and handy for post-college living too.