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Work has been a beast. It’s possible I haven’t done laundry in twenty days, I have completely ditched my nighttime skincare routine, and my nails are topped with a halfway peeled gel manicure from a month ago (hangs head in shame). In my all too scarce leisure moments over the last few weeks, I have faced the difficult choice of tending to my household chores, maintaining what feels like rock bottom grooming/beauty standards, or popping into the shops to try on clothes. It goes like this,
Yell to my family on my way out the door, “I’m just running to Walgreens to pick up a prescription - back in a few!”
Return home hours later having completely forgotten the prescription but feeling rejuvenated by the experience of trying on pretty things.
My spring/summer wardrobe is so deep already that I haven’t been buying much - but I’ve cleaned out my closet, sold some things on TRR, and as a reward for whittling down my closet to practically nothing, I’m shopping for just a few (!) elevated basics for summer.
The Perfect White Dress
I wasn’t sure about this dress when I saw it online and the photo doesn’t do it justice but there are so many special details: the Tibi signature wide band at the hem, a perfect neckline, the long adjustable straps, and a style that can be dressed up or down. Love, love, love!
A few other options that are less spendy and look promising but I haven’t been able to try on: this Wells dress by Staud (I have this dress in another color and can 100% vouch for this style - size up! Also, Staud offers this dress in different colors every year and you can often find them on resale), this final sale Everlane, this J.Crew tank dress (sold out at the moment) or this J.Crew linen situation.
This Old Navy tank dress has been my go to white sundress for the last three summers and she has served me well. Say what you want about fast fashion, but I’ve had dresses like these in my summer rotation for years.
A Skirt That Goes With Everything
Tibi, again. I think I’m past white jeans. I have a drawer full but I never reach for them. Ditto for the white J.Crew pants I bought last summer. I think I would wear this minimalist skirt though. It’s meant to sit at the hips vs the waist and this makes all the difference. So simple, so comfortable, I feel so much like myself in it, perfect.
Others: This Banana Republic option has the wide band that I love as does this Alex Mill.
A Bright (!) Occasion Dress
This is a blessedly wedding and graduation free spring for me, but the lack of invitations has never stopped me from stockpiling occasion wear. I can never get enough of Hunter Bell’s bright, feminine styles.
A Jumpsuit???
I love this idea in theory and if I were going to wear a jumpsuit, I would want it to be hot pink. Unfortunately I just know I won’t wear it. I bought a very colorful Frances Valentine jumpsuit last summer and last week I took it to the consignment shop. I’m not sure why I don’t feel like myself in these; could it still be the triggering memory of trying on pink Guess overalls in 7th grade and being body shamed by my mom?
Post Scripts
To me, you are perfect and my wasted heart will love you forever.
Daughter #2 and #3 had their boarding school version of a prom last night. It’s called the “Finals Dance” and the entire student body goes to a fabulous location in D.C. via charter buses. Fancy, Unlike the prom I remember where my date came to my house and was subjected to an awkward photo shoot followed by an even more awkward handshake with my dad, boarding school kids simply exit their dorms to meet up with their dates and the photopalooza takes place without the ordeal of having to stand in your date’s parents’ living room. Because I am a faculty member at said boarding school and I live on the campus, I feel it is appropriate to take a stroll through campus as the kids are taking pictures and boarding the buses like all of the other faculty members. Sometimes my students even like to take their pictures with me. I am cool! Obviously I was hoping to snap a picture of my daughters and their dates. NOTE: I had no intention of attending the dance as a chaperone - just strolling around the picture taking excitement before they depart campus. AND I’ve funded their spray tans, their mani/pedis, their hair appointments, and their dress shopping odysseys. Imagine by heartbreak, therefore, when then when Daughter 3 sent me the following text an hour before the big event
can u pls not come to take pics
it’s so weird if u do
And she is the nice one! I was crushed.
Never Not Shopping
The most sophisticated way to wear plaid.
I’m swooning over this Jerome Dreyfuss bag - also this one! Modern, neutral, quirky.
On the opposite end of the handbag spectrum, I came across the iconic nylon Kate Spade bag that started it all and I might want one (I loooooved my original so much).
SJP wrote about this skirt this week and I haven’t been able to get it out of my mind.
I’m in the market for a 90’s style black sandal and considering this Steve Madden.
Love these Celine vintage slides (good price!)
Thank you for reading!
XOXO,
Tara