THE SUNDAY SECTION

T H E S U N D A Y S E C T I O N

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W H O

goop - The impact climate change will have on specialty foods….and by specialty I mean olives and cacao. I use cacao in my smoothie almost every morning. I can’t imagine it just vanishing from my local grocery shelves or tripling in price.

teen vogue - 7 inspiring Greta Thunberg quotes and why teens all over the nation were marching this weekend.

Harper’s Bazaar - Jennifer Lopez wows the Milan runway in her famous Versace dress…but something is missing….

Washington Post - Flying somewhere? This may make you think twice about washing your hands in an in-flight lavatory. Experts advice? skip the cup of joe and bring a hand sanitizer.

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W O R E

One of my favorite websites for shopping designer clothes at a discount is The Outnet. If you’re not familiar, it is a sister company to Net-A-Porter, one of the world’s top online destinations for high-end fashion. It used to be that their inventory was only from season’s past, but more recently I’ve been finding pieces that are current. They also have their own line, Iris & Ink which is comprised of well-designed and well-priced apparel and accessories. Check it out:

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W H A T

Climate - It is my hope that Greta Thunberg’s name becomes a household one, and fast. That will mean that in homes across the United States families will be talking about global climate change and the 16 year-old activist trying to save the world. I first heard about Greta last week - a young girl from Sweden who had just arrived in New York after a 17 day (carbon emission free) boat ride across the Atlantic. she is not entertaining any excuses and nothing can stand in the way of the change she says must happen. See her here on Trevor Noah just after her arrival at the beginning of the month. I’ve included another video below of her speaking at the United Nations Climate Summit in Poland last year. The first time I watched it I was in awe. I won’t pretend that i’m going to change my life overnight because I’m not, I can’t. But I will commit to educating myself from this day forward and trying to make adjustments to my life to reduce our carbon footprint. I hope that listening to Greta will encourage you to do the same.

Eco-friendly sneakers - A low carbon footprint isn’t just about the gas we put in our cars. Today, fashion brands are focusing on creating goods that look good, are priced well, and are environmentally friendly. Check out these sneakers. They’re made from traceable New Zealand wool with laces that are 100% post consumer recycled polyester. I bought these for Luke last September and he wore them for the entire year (to school, almost everyday). They are machine washable!

Halloween - I don’t usually like to speak about holidays prematurely but considering its almost October I feel it is appropriate to share with you this awesome destination for Halloween costumes. Did you know H&M sells them?

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w h e r e

FRIENDSHIP AS AN ADULT

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I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately - friendships now that i’m a thirty-something mom with two kids, more jobs than I can count at times, and a marriage that I’m constantly trying to figure out how to carve out special time for. Actually, I’m trying to figure out how to carve out more time for all of those things! So if thats the case, then where do friendships come in? Especially for someone like me who places so much value on true friendships - the good stuff, ride or die girls, your chosen family. In an age where being “social” can be defined by likes and comments (which don’t count as communication by the way), what do we do if we crave more? Today I wanted to share what I’ve learned about friendships in my late 20’s and early 30’s and I asked my best friend Virginia to weigh in as well. She brings up an important point. Not only are these relationships impacting us positively or negatively, our children are watching and mirroring what we do. If I’ve figured out anything at this stage its this, that quality over quantity wins.

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f r i e n d s h i p

don’t sweat the small stuff

After three decades of life on this earth, we’re all a little quirky, we have our things and thats OK. it makes life more interesting.

talk about how you feel

If something she said hurt you - tell her! The foundation of any real relationship is honesty.

the foundation of any real relationship is honesty

Be yourself - obviously this is true with your best friend right? You can tell her anything. I’ve found this is most important when forming new friendships. You don’t have to tell them your life is going down the toilet the first time you have coffee together, but don’t hide behind what you think someone wants to see. Give them a chance to get to know you and prove that they don’t care about the bells and whistles. This is what I look for in a friend - someone who can come over when my house is a mess, i’m still in my pajamas with no makeup on, and just hang out. No judgements, just love.

reciprocate

We are busy. its a fact. in this age of technology and distraction it can be even harder to carve out time to chat on the phone or get together. Prioritize time for one another, even if its just for 30 minutes a week (although Virginia and I would probably die if we only talked 30 minutes a week haha).

its the little things

as i’m writing this i’m thinking to myself, “these can apply to romantic relationships as well!”. Its true, everyone likes a little reminder that they’re loved, and that goes for friends too. If you’re friend lives far away, pop a postcard in the mail. If she’s close? Drop off a pie you picked up at the market, or flowers from the garden. Its so easy to get wrapped up in our lives but if we want to curate long-lasting and fulfilling relationships, we have to put in the time.

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A note from Virginia on friendship

I have been very transient in my life. Picking up friends along the way as I moved about the country. Having recently relocated, yet again, I am starting over socially and just beginning to meet new ladies. It’s hard to do this at my age. Most women have long-term friendships in place already. Many don’t feel the “need” for new friends. I’ve never understood this, I love meeting new people, expanding my world view, and always welcome the opportunity to get to know someone. It takes time to build authentic relationships though and it can be lonely at times. It’s imperative for me to stay in touch with those friends who no matter what make the time to invest in my life, as I do in theirs. I once heard you only get about 5 major soul-sister level friendships over the span of your life. The more life I live, the more that handful of women have become my rock.

We as women have the greatest capacity for empathy and care-taking, it’s in our DNA. And yet, it is shocking to me how cruel women can be to one another, especially in social environments. You don’t have to be friends with everyone, but you absolutely have to be kind. If we could just show each other greater compassion and civility, and not get bogged down in petty superficialities or insecurities; if we could just truly support and root for one another, we as a gender would become stronger and our individual day to day lives would be happier.

We don’t just have to do this for us, we MUST do this for the girls (and boys) we are raising. Our children learn everything by osmosis. Today, mean girl behavior is happening earlier and earlier. Whether it’s our culture evolving or social media, girls are being exposed to mature social dynamics, competitiveness, celebrity culture, materiality, body image issues, anxiety and more so so young and they do not have the emotional intelligence to be able to process it all. We have to teach our girls how to be compassionate, good friends by modeling it for them, because they are watching us. That means not gossiping about that other mom, calling out and celebrating other women’s victories, starting a conversation with the gal standing by herself at the cocktail party, SMILING and saying good morning to EVERYONE at drop off, even if they aren’t in your group of friends and loving those special ride or die girlfriends with everything you’ve got.

FALL CAPSULE WARDROBE

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shirt // denim // sandals (similar) // sunglasses // purse (resale version)

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T H E G R E A T E I G H T

Whether you’re shopping your closet this season and filling in the blanks or doing an overhaul, these pieces are the key to achieving a classically elevated style for Fall and beyond.

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o n e

the button-down (all sizes here)

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t w o

midi skirt

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t h r e e

statement sneaker

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f o u r

beige turtleneck

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f i v e

a classic tee

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s i x

menswear blazer

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s e v e n

oversized coat

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e i g h t

black boot

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THE SUNDAY SECTION

t h e s u n d a y s e c t i o n

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who

Elle - I love me some good street style - its honestly my favorite way to view fashion…real looks, on real people, in real time. When blogs were just becoming a thing I used to religiously go to a few street style sites based in Stockholm. My favorite one belonged to Caroline Blomst and it was called Caroline’s Mode. Love this round-up of NYFW street style. Click here for Copenhagen’s.

NPR - A super interesting piece. Listen as NPR’s Sam Sanders speaks to influencers as well as journalists covering the industry discussing the rise of this industry and how it is impacting advertising as we once knew it. The most shocking to me? Youtube influencers - 250k for one video? I better get on that haha.

The Business of Fashion - This site requires a subscription but I had to share a recent piece about Stella McCartney. she has long been known for her high fashion and eco-friendly styles both in clothing and in accessories including handbags and footwear mad form vegan leather. McCartney is taking further steps in the fight against climate change and is set to launch a charter at next months United Nations summit in Poland.

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wore

i’ve been using this for the last 3 years - I recently had a friend tell me she started using it based on my rec and thought it was the best too. Re-sharing:)

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what

recipe - sheet pan dinner I know, I know its another one-pan chicken dish haha. I swear I cook other dishes! I’m just trying to make life easier for you (and tastier!).

podcast - superwoman by Rebecca Minkoff. In her new podcast, Minkoff interviews women from all backgrounds covering a range of topics impacting women from fundraising to behaviors in the office. Love her insight and the uber interesting guests she’s featured so far!

pet (and basically everything else) cleaning spray - I first discovered this cleaning spray by accident. I was perusing the aisles of Home Goods one evening, looking for everything and nothing at the same time, when I saw an interesting looking bottle in the cleaning section. It said it was a natural and enzyme pet stain remover. I almost never pull the trigger on things like this - I put them in my cart because I don’t want anyone else to grab it, walk around, and almost inevitably edit it out when I get to the register and realize I have accumulated the most random assortment of items that will cost way more than I wanted to spend. Luckily for me (and my rugs, and YOU) I didn’t put this one back. It works on everything. Period.

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where

currently pinning…

NEUTRAL STYLE AT HOME

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o u r p i c a s s o p r i n t

I get so many questions about the francoise Picasso print hanging in our living room. It was a gift from Ralph Lauren when I worked there and was given to me as a print that I later had it framed. She still makes me happy every time I see her.

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d e c o r

GUEST EDITOR FEATURE - FASHION FORWARD

I was beyond excited when I was asked a few months ago to be the guest fashion editor for Moffly media’s September issues. As I drove away from my coffee date with Julee Kaplan, one of the magazine’s chief editors, my excitement soon turned into panic and wondered to myself, “can I do this?”. I quickly talked myself off the ledge and was reassured by a friend that it couldn’t be that different than the content I create here on The Girl Guide {The Lust List and At Any Age}. Well I was right and I was wrong. I was right that I could do it - I’m so happy I was given this opportunity to step out of my comfort zone. I learned something new and now have a newfound respect for editors - it is HARD WORK. The issues are now available so you can pick them up at your local stockiest or download a digital copy here:)

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l i k e a l a d y

delicate and feminine details

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s e c r e t g a r d e n

dark florals blossom on the fall runways and into your closets

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s h i n e b r i g h t

sorbet-like colors in elegant hues and sleek silhouettes

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p a t t e r n p l a y

a little something borrowed from the boys

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THE SUNDAY SECTION

t h e s u n d a y s e c t i o n

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WHO

The New Yorker - This article is scary - and its not just another piece on climate change. I’ve been asking myself this all the time lately, “How are we going to fix this?”. The answer simply can’t be that we can't. There has to be a way - greed cannot prevail. The world came together and raised 1 BILLION dollars for Notre Dame when it burned, why can’t we do the same for the air that we breathe?

Vogue - OK now this hair trend is really giving me my in the 80’s vibes…will you be trying a hair comb anytime soon?

Town & Country - Anyone else excited about the new Downton Abbey movie? Click to watch a sneak peek of the new film based on the uber popular British television show. Also on my list of must watch movies this year? Little Women!

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WORE

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WHAT

podcast - Roaming the neighborhood on your bike with the neighbors until dinner time or walking to the local card store to grab a piece of candy or buy a magazine with the money you saved from your chores that week - this is not the norm anymore. But it was for me when I was 10 years old. What would happen if a mother let her 10 and 7 year old daughters walk 20 minutes each way to the local shopping center? In many states she could be reported and arrested. What has happened in our society that this is no longer OK? That raising independent children is now seemingly impossible. Being well-rounded is now a product of how many after school activities you’re in instead of how you handle yourself on the playground when there are no adults around. In this recent goop podcast, Esther Wojciciki claims that our world is not as dangerous as we think it is and we are doing a disservice to our children by not letting them explore, combat boredom on their own, and fend for themselves. The helicopter has become the snow plow (parent) and we are just clearing a path free of all obstacles for our children. As parents we just want the best for our children. I’m struggling with this right now as a mother of two boys. I want to keep things simple but it can be challenging when the world around us is always focused on stimulation.

recipe - You guys know how much I love tea. My bestie sent me this recipe last week and now I have to try it. If you follow me on Instagram (please do haha) stay tuned as I give it a shot on Wednesday night. The temperatures are supposed to cool down a little this week so this sounds like the perfect one pot meal!

white sofa - I always get questions about our white sofa - how do we keep it clean with two boys? We purchased it from One Kings Lane when we moved in and its from their line of Crypton styles. Its the most amazing fabric - stains just stay like beads and wipe or wash right off. They have a great selection at various price points and offer 20% off site wide a few times a year!

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WHERE

NYFW

Kate Spade - I loved this look from Kate Spade.

Tory Burch - Classic Tory: navy, leather, and feminine silhouettes

Ralph Lauren - Someimtes I think to myself “I wish I was still at RL”….fashion week is definitely one of those times. What I would have given to hang out in Ralph’s Club

Rebecca de Ravenel - simplistic elegance at its finest. Every look is better than the last.

Sea - I felt a little wah wah about SEA’s collection this past Spring. Underwhelming and it just don’t feel like the what we were used to seeing from the designer duo. They’re back…..this dress and this puff sleeve.

Ulla Johnson - I’ve always loved UJ and 2020 Spring doesn’t disappoint. Somehow she is able to stay true to herself and still inject a little newness every season. Love this dress and this entire look ( I would wear pants and top separately but so gorgeous!).

NEUTRAL EVERYDAY STYLE

G E T T H E L O O K

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d r e s s

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c a r d i g a n

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L O A F E R

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THE SUNDAY SECTION

T H E S U N D A Y S E C T I O N

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WHO

theeverygirl - how to support a friend who lost a parent. Frank lost his dad when we were only 21 and at the time none of my friends had experienced a loss like that and I was in unchartered territory. I would say pay attention to the months ahead, once the food and flowers stop arriving, thats when they will need you the most.

Vogue - A reading list to help you slip right into Fall. I’m not really a book club kind of girl (maybe if there was one for people reading aka starting and stopping four books a year) but I would like to start reading more and would love to hear your suggestions. I want to fall in love with reading….HELP!

Town & Country - 7 surprising Labor Day facts. The one the resonates the most with me is that in many cases its the longest working hours for people in retail. I was there, its one of the hardest parts of the retail world - holiday hours.

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WORE

Sezane’s new collection is beautiful. Color palette for Autumn - ivory and chestnut with a pop of the prettiest earthy blue:

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WHAT

JCrew - It looks like they’re stepping up their game for Fall. This cable sweater in the perfect pink hue and this cream puff sleeve style. I’m a big fan of a boiled wool coat - love the blue color of this one.

Dressing in September - a friendly reminder that dress season doesn’t begin and end with summer. I love wearing dresses in the month of September, especially white ones layered with a soft cardigan. I usually don’t break out my leather jacket until October. Here are a few more looks to help you get excited for Fall.

I pursued MANY Labor Day sale sites trying to round up a few summer sale pieces that you could still wear into Fall but I didn’t find anything worthy of your end of season dollars:) That being said one of my favorite sites is having a site wide sale which includes their new arrivals of up to 30% off. Their Fall collection is the most beautiful one I’ve ever seen from this brand. Its like Ulla Johnson meets Ralph Lauren at slightly higher than Zara prices - i’m dead.

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w h e r e

Happiest of LBD weekends to you wherever this holiday may take you:)

SATURDAY MORNINGS IN THE TROTTA HOUSE

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Keeping two energetic boys entertained isn’t always easy. What has worked the best for us this summer is playtime outside in the morning followed by quiet time after lunch. Obviously things don’t always work out like this but what I’ve found is if I first tire them out, they’re more likely to play nicely with one another or on their own once we get inside. Which also gives me a chance to get some work done! The weekends are different though. Saturday mornings are for the boys. They each get 30 minutes to pick out the game or toy we all play with together. Harrison especially loves it because his older brother isn’t in charge for a change!

The Trotta boys are currently obsessed with Legos, specifically Batman, Spiderman, and Star Wars (haha #boymom) which is why lately I’ve been really loving the selection at Walmart. They have a great assortment of our favorite toys and they offer a great mix of both educational and fun options. Ordering for ourselves or for friends is made easy with their free two-day delivery service. I always try to have one back up gift in the house just in case I forget a birthday party or we need a prize to reward good behavior (recently it was potty training!). Walmart also makes it easy to search for an item based on age or Lifestage.

I’m sharing all of Luke and Harry’s picks right now as well as some of my favorite affordable pieces for back to school below!

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t r o t t a t o y s

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back to school essentials

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— I would like to thank Walmart for sponsoring this post —

All thoughts and opinions are my own

VINTAGE TENNIS STYLE

get the look

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Meet me on the courts! Haha this look reminds me of an off the court Wimbledon look. When I worked for Ralph Lauren as an employee I got the chance to attend the US Open every year in their section. Its my favorite sporting event! We’re thinking about bringing the boys for the day on Sunday just to walk around and watch the junior courts. One day I would love to goto Wimbeldon!

I love this cardigan - it has a dolman sleeve and oversized buttons giving it an elevated take on the classic style. Styling it here back to shorts but this style works over anything. Scroll down to shop my favorites right now!

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shop cardigans

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THE SUNDAY SECTION

t h e s u n d a y s e c t i o n

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who

Harper’s Bazaar - Etiquette according to the royals. Loved Kate and the late Princess Diana’s tricks for getting out of a car gracefully.

Departures - I forgot how much I loved the articles in departures and just recently started reading them again. Last week I shared this one on my stories. Its a great read about the future of our fabrics and how the fashion world is tackling our plastic problem. Have you heard of Dudley Stephens? They have transformed an 80’s classic and made fleece famous again with their ultra flattering styles created with recycled bottles (over 1 million to be exact). Click here for my favorite style and color:)

the everygirl - Should there be one day a week when we stay off social media? I have thought about it. I recently polled my IG audience and the majority of followers said they stay off the app on the weekends but catch up on Sundays. If I were to have a consistent “break” I would lean more towards a period of time everyday than one full day all together.

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wore

Another Harper’s Bazaar article this week that I had to share! White, cream, ivory….ALL YEAR LONG:) Putting my obsession with neutrals aside, it is true that this once summer-only shade is acceptable in even the coldest months now. Hello!! Snow bunny?? There is nothing more elegant than a head-to-toe winter white look. So don’t trade in all your white blouses come September 3rd, instead mix them back to darker denim and printed skirts. One item I do put away? My super white jeans. To be honest I’m usually sick of them by this time of year anyway.

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what

Al fresco dining - Summer isn’t the only time for outdoor dining. I’m looking forward to some cool (mosquito-free) nights over the next couple of months. I love the idea of alfresco dining with a cozy sweater and blanket draped over your legs. Last night we went to a beautiful farm to table dinner with long tables set under string lights. My friend sent me these black ones and I think I’m going to order! We still haven’t found outdoor dining chairs but I’ve been eyeing a few styles from One Kings Lane and I love these from terrain.

loafers - I love loafers, mules (like the ones I’m wearing above), and slides. I think they look great with skirts and dresses and are also cute with every style of denim. Basically its the cool ballet flat right now. You can turn them up a notch this season with a stud or embroidery like this pair. Here is a steal version for under $100! Also on the topic of studded…check out these Hermes dupes! Here are the originals…

Foundation - If you ask me this is the best foundation for covering up under eye circles. Its light and natural and easy to use (and did I mention its organic?). I’ve already refilled my compact three times. The best part? It doesn't sit and collect in the creases like most concealers. Maybe thats because its made of ingredients like jojoba, coconut, and sweet almond. My shade - like porcelain.

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where

Trotta House - I’ve been thinking about sharing a house tour on the blog in the next month or two. Do you guys like before and afters as much as I do? We moved in with a wishlist and a to-do list exactly three years ago and have been slowly chipping away at them, project by project. Here is a list of what’s coming up:

replace windows - first on the second floor in the boys rooms, then on the main floor in the dining room/living room area

window treatments - Luke’s room and the first floor dining/living

replace old tile around fireplace - right now its red clay tiles and I’d love for it to be one slab of matte stone

replace wood on our front deck - I’m DYING to do this. It’s a really small space but I look at it everyday and it really bothers me. Frank and my Dad are going to do it themselves and hoping they start as soon as the weather cools off (like it was this weekend hint, hint)

paint front steps - I’ve been dragging my feet on this one only because I’m unsure of the color. Right now they’re gray but I’m debating white or even black. Would love some Inspo!

update downstairs bathroom - this is a pretty big project because there is a shower in it which we currently use for cleaning supplies and storage.

THE LUST LIST - PRE FALL FAVORITES

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t h e n e w n e u t r a l s

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THE PERFECT MINI SKIRT

g e t t h e l o o k

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mini skirt

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moto jacket

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accessories

heart necklace c/o // Jane Winchester

sunglasses // Celine

pumps (old) similar here // Ralph Lauren

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THE SUNDAY SECTION

t h e s u n d a y s e c t i o n

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who

Harper’s Bazaar - Ann Dowd talk’s about playing one of the most hated women in television right now….Aunt Lydia from A Handmaid’s Tale. Read how she speaks about her character being radicalized in Gilead and on using her own life to create this character.

Travel & Leisure - Ummmm I guess Ive been doing it all wrong! Click to see all the coolest amenities you can receive from various airlines while flying economy! On this note, I would love to hear from you if you use a credit card thats associated with an airline. I’m looking into business ones and can’t decide. Thanks!

Vogue - A peek inside fashion icon and Moda Operandi co-founder, Lauren Santo Domingo’s stunning Hampton home. Although we would expect nothing less from LSD, the layers in this old world yet newly built pattern paradise really blew me away. Lauren hired Greenwich, CT based designer Virginia Tupker to help with the design and it is perfection.

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wore

Maybe its just me but it doesn’t feel like Fall is being thrown in my face this year. Usually by August you start to see it everywhere. I’ve worked in retail forever so seeing wool sweaters in a stockroom after 4th of July doesn’t phase me, but there has been a refreshing change this season. Its given me a sense of excitement for this transitional period and I’m crossing my fingers for leather jacket, skirt, and sneaker weather over the next couple of months. Sharing some pieces I’m loving so far:

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what

recipe - OK this is not a specific recipe per say, but we had dinner with our neighbors last night and she made the most DELICIOUS quinoa salad! Make a big batch of red quinoa. Grill up some veggies and chicken thats been marinated. Once everything is done combine with fresh lemon juice, EVOO, salt, pepper, and fresh herbs (I think she used cilantro and flat leaf parsley). Now how’s that for an off the cuff recipe?! I really like this one because its the kind of thing you can make a big batch of on a Monday night.

beauty - My absolute favorite lip oil. I use this all year round. It smells like mint and feels great…honestly I have yet to find anything better. Oh and its organic!

non-dairy - Have you visited Kourtney Kardashian’s website/blog yet? I remember seeing something about it coming soon a few months ago but then never followed up online or on Instagram. This week I was looking up almond milk recipes and this one popped up. If you watch KUWTK you know Kourtney is a clean (eating) freak so it comes at no surprise that this was recently featured on her new site. If you’re an almond milk drinker do yourself a favor, turn the bottle around and read the ingredients. I was not-so-pleasantly surprised by ours and have recently switched to this one.

entryway - I love this inspiration from studio mcgee’s blog. I’ve been on the hunt for a console for our dining room/living room. Its one space right now and I feel like breaking it up a bit and adding another focal point will complete the space.

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where

I always get questions about where I shop for the boy’s clothes. I’ve never done “back to school” shopping before for Luke because he wears his clothes for what feels like forever. But he just had a little growth spurt and doesn’t really have much that fits going into this Fall (especially shoes), so I’ll be putting some new outfits together very soon. I‘ll do a little roundup in the next few weeks but for now wanted to share where I shop for the Luke and Harry:

zara kids

maisonette

h&m - love their sustainable line

ralph lauren

jacadi - they have the best skinny pants:)

VIDEO: NEUTRAL LOOKS FOR THE END OF SUMMER

t r a n s i t i o n a l n e u t r a l s

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look one

headband // sweater // t-shirt // shorts // shoes (similar)

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look two

dress (sold out - similar here and here) also love this style // hat // flats

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look three

t-shirt // skirt // bag // shoes // sunglasses

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look four

sweater // skirt // shoes // bow // sunglasses // shoes

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jewelry

heart necklace // c/o Jane Winchester

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LUKE'S SURGERY

The decision to put your child under general anesthesia is never an easy one. I was scared and nervous and kept replaying the same thoughts in my head, “Is this going to be worth the pain of recovery, what happens if something goes wrong, is this really necessary?”. All of these were valid questions and concerns. At the end of the day to have Luke’s tonsils removed was an “elected surgery”. Sure the doctors can point you in a certain direction and make recommendations, but ultimately you as parents have to choose.

It took me over a year to come to the decision that this was right for us. We discussed it with his pediatrician a number of times as well as his pediatric ENT specialist. It was very important to me to take my time with this decision, to watch Luke over the course of the year, through all the seasons, and understand if there were any other factors that could be causing his discomfort. Luke has never had strep throat and he has never had an ear infection, our reasons were considering this were different and I listed them below. The first time we went to the ENT and he looked in Luke’s mouth and said that his tonsils were a 4 out of 5 in terms of size. That coupled with his smaller sized throat brought him to recommend removal. That being said there was only so much he could see this way and what he realized after surgery was that it was much worse.

Fast forward 9 months. I was talking to a friend at a birthday party and she told me about a partial tonsilectimy which promised a much easier recovery and less risks. I brought Luke back to the ENT to discuss our options. He warned me that there was a risk the tonsils could grow back with a partial but the chances were very small. Additionally we would be removing his adenoids which could also provide significant relief.

The morning of the surgery I was terrified. The recovery scared me. I didn’t want to see him in pain and I was worried that it wouldn’t be worth it. The moment the doctor came to us in the waiting room that all changed. I’ll never forget it: He told us that the surgery went very well and that he had the biggest tonsils he had ever seen in a 4year old. As big as they could possibly be he said. THEN he told us about his adenoids (the forgotten part of the surgery that I always just considered an “extra”). This is graphic but he told us they were blocking his nasal passage so much so that he had to scrape them out of one of his nostrils! “This is going to be life-changing for him”, he said. I let out the biggest sigh of relief.

I decided to share our story because I know how scary making medical decisions for your child can be. I am so grateful for the way our journey turned out. Luke is doing amazing. He stopped snoring completely the night we came home. He can breathe through his nose with ease…I’m still in shock to be honest. The recovery wasn’t fun but it also wasn’t as bad as I expected it to be. I’m interested to see how his seasonal allergies effect him this Fall and will post another update in 6 months!

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Luke’s Symptoms

Congested almost 365 days a year: we tried everything, Zyrtec, nasonex, Flonase, clariton, we were convinced he just had very very bad allergies

He could never take a full normal breath in or out of his nose - after the surgery we discovered this was because of his adenoids

Always tired - he was still taking a 2-hr nap almost every day at 4 years old

Snoring is not even the word - the sounds that would come out of his nose and mouth as he struggled to breathe at night could be heard around the whole house. It was very scary at times

REM sleep - he tossed and turned all night long and we assumed was never able to sleep deeply

Growth - this is something to be debated and we’ll have to see if there is a change over the next few months but Luke is in the teens for growth

Eating - by the end of the day he couldn’t eat anymore. Every night was a struggle to get him to take bites as we watching him gag on food, chewing it, and not being able to breathe at the same time

Wheezing - overall you could almost always hear him breathing, always in and out through his mouth, and it was noticeably labored

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I am not a doctor or a medical professional. What I’m sharing today are only my personal thoughts and experiences. If you need medical advice or help please consult with you physician

SUMMER DON'T GO

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hair bow // Zara

dress // H&M (similar style linked below)

shoes // old (similar linked)

sunglasses // Celine

bag // & other stories - old (similar linked)

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make the most of summer

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day trip to a place a couple of hours away

cocktails at home with friends

Al fresco dining

outdoor concert (if you live in the NY area we love going to tanglewood in MA)

gardening (beware of ticks and poison ivy!)

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b r o d e r i e a n g l a i s e

white

black

color

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THE SUNDAY SECTION

t h e s u n d a y s e c t i o n

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WHO

Vanity Fair - Courtney Adamo and the bloggers (and photographers) of Byron Bay. This article is so interesting and gives a peek into the seemingly perfect life of this mother of four.

Brene Brown - What Toni Morrison taught me about parenting. On what to do when your children walk into a room, ““Let your face speak what’s in your heart. When they walk in the room my face says I’m glad to see them. It’s just as small as that, you see?”.

NPR - To be honest, I don’t know a lot about guns. Last week I decided the first step for me to help make a difference for myself, family, and community, is going to be educating myself. Here is an article outlining the gun the shooter used in Dayton. I was shocked, and probably naive, to find out there are guides online to building your own similar pistol and how to make it different from a rifle thus making it easier to conceal.

Harvard Medical School - The case for drinking more tea. What are flavonoids and why are they good for your heart and stress prevention?

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WORE

Sometimes I need to take a taste of my own medicine. When my friends are feeling like they’re in a rut, lost their mojo, or having writer’s block I always advise them to get out there, go somewhere different, and find inspiration. Last Monday I did just that, went into the city, and spent the day soaking everything in. It didn’t take long for ideas to start flowing. I had a few client styling appointments in the middle of the day and normally I should have hopped right on a train and head back home but I was so happy I didn’t. I can’t wait to share August’s content with you and here is a little sneak peak at what I picked up that day:

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WHAT

headbands - this 80’s trend shows no sign of fading. Celebrities and influencers have been sporting headbands for almost a year now and Fall will be no different. As my friend said to me while we were shopping in Zara on Friday, “Once it hits Zara you know its official”. But is it almost over? I for one hope not. I loved wearing headbands as a little girl and fondly remember my Belgian grandmother’s sister wearing a fat black headband with a perfectly pressed white blouse. Want to give it a shot? You don’t need to break the bank with this style! Love this braided one too. Another trend borrowed from the 90’s…my blush scrunchie:)

fohr - if you are an influencer or a brand hiring influencers you’re doing yourself a disservice if you don’t know about fohr. Click here to view co-founder James Nord’s youtube series, A Drink With James. In it he discusses everything from common questions about Instagram to advice on how to approach working with brands. If you’re not familiar with fohr (in my own words) it was created in an attempt to make the influencer world more fair and equitable for both brands and the bloggers they hire.On the platform, influencers can create a profile and fohr will assess their following on Instagram and rate the authenticity (followers vs bots, etc.). They are constantly adapting to the changing landscape that is social media and recently added “follower testimonials” to profiles. They are anonymous and allow followers to share why they love following a particular influencer. Click here if you would like to comment about me :) {shameless plug}!

ice cream - I’m always on the hunt for dairy free ice cream. Not sorbet, ice-cream. It used to be almost impossible to find but more and more restaurants and ice-cream shops are offering the milk alternative. If you’re in the Hamptons, my favorite destination for vegan soft serve is Buddha Berry in Sag Harbor. If you get lucky you can do a swirl - chocolate coconut and matcha! Here is a recipe for an easy (6-ingredient) dairy free chocolate coffee “nice” cream by half-baked harvest.

fast fashion - the online retailer that is heating up Instagram. I’ve had my eye on this puff sleeve jumpsuit. How cute is this romper and this one?

candle - love potion no 9, my favorite candle, EVER.

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WHERE

Non-stop service to Naples? Let’s go! A new route by United Airlines now makes it easier to get to this ultra desirable destination. I’ve been to Italy once as an adult. When we were 21, Frank and I spent 10 days in the country beginning with Rome. We took a train to Florence where we stayed for three days and ended our vacation in Venice. I would love to go back. We always talk about visiting the Amalfi coast. My best friend just returned from her honeymoon in Positano and the pictures are incredible! Check out the amazing hotel they stayed in, Villa Tre Ville.

VIDEO - LUCKY BRAND JEANS

L O O K O N E

DENIM // T-SHIRT // CARDIGAN // SLIDES

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L O O K T W O

DENIM // BLOUSE // JACKET (love this style too) // SANDALS

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L O O K T H R E E

DENIM // CAMISOLE // CARDIGAN // SLINGBACKS (SIMILAR)

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