The Friday Five

A pillow for side sleepers, sneakers for roaming Italy, a spa-worthy shower, skincare on sale, and a chic way to organize your crafts.

When I was a kid, I dreamed of living at the shore. I really thought that if you lived at the beach, every day of summer was a party. Obviously, I know now that isn’t true. There are still groceries to buy, laundry to do, kids to manage, and work waiting for you. But there is an incredible ease to life there that’s hard to explain until you experience it. You can walk or ride your bike almost everywhere, sit outside at the end of the day, and hear and smell the ocean. Even the most ordinary things feel a little better when you’re doing them at the shore.

Living there full-time isn’t realistic for our lives, but the fact that we get to spend a good chunk of the summer there still feels like a dream come true. I’ll be working from the shore for most of August, until school starts, and I’m very ready for the change of scenery.

And yes, it is still summer! Why do we keep trying to shorten it? We have 53 days until the first official day of fall, so I don’t want to hear it. Let’s slow down a little. Life is moving too fast as it is.

So, before I head out, let’s get into this week’s Friday Five.

The Knee Pillow That Changed How I Sleep

I’m a side sleeper, and this knee pillow the has been a game changer. It fits comfortably between your knees and helps keep your hips, pelvis, and spine in better alignment while you sleep, which can take some of the pressure off your hips and lower back.

Between this, my COOP pillow and my new mattress, I’m sleeping more comfortably and waking up feeling less stiff and better rested. If you’re also a side sleeper and can never quite get comfortable, this is absolutely worth trying.

A Better Way to Organize My Needlepoint

I bought this Work in Progress pouch to keep my needlepoint organized while we’re at the beach. Everything stays together, I can see exactly what’s inside, and it’s easy to throw into a tote when I want to bring it outside or take it somewhere with me.

It’s from What the Stitch, a small, woman-owned business, and the quality is fantastic. The pouch is sturdy, beautifully made, and so much nicer than the random plastic bag I was using before. It would also make a great gift for anyone who always has a needlepoint, knitting, or craft project going.

The Cleanser I Use Every Single Night

Tata Harper is having its birthday sale, and you can save 25% with code BD25. If you’ve been thinking about trying the brand, or already have a few favorites you need to replace, now is the time.

The Regenerating Cleanser is a cornerstone product in my skincare routine. I use it every night as the second step in my double cleanse, after removing my makeup with a cleansing balm. It exfoliates without making my dry, sensitive skin feel stripped, and my face feels incredibly soft afterward. I’ve used a lot of cleansers over the years, but this is the one I continue to buy.

My Plan for Making the Outdoor Shower Feel Like a Spa

If there is an outdoor shower, that is what I’m using. There is nothing better than coming home from the beach, rinsing off the sand and salt, and taking a shower outside in the fresh air.

The OSEA set is on sale during the Nordstrom Sale (still going on and in stock), and I’m going to keep it in the outdoor shower as a little treat. It comes with the Salts of the Earth Body Scrub, Undaria Algae Body Wash, and Undaria Algae Body Oil.

Is it necessary? No.

Is it going to make one of my favorite parts of summer even better? Absolutely.

The Sneakers a Reader Wore for 10 Days in Italy

I recently received a note from a reader who spent 10 days wearing the M.Gemi The Palestrea Due sneakers in Italy and raved about how comfortable they were. Considering the amount of walking involved in a trip to Italy, that might be the best endorsement a pair of sneakers can get.

I have them too and can attest that they are as beautiful in person as they look online. They’re pricey, but they’re stunning, and the simple white leather works with everything from jeans and shorts to dresses and trousers. If you’ve been looking for an investment sneaker that’s comfortable enough for serious walking but still looks great with your clothes, these are worth considering.

Have a great weekend!