My Monthly Edit

CELEBRATING
Our 20th wedding anniversary is just 2 weeks away & I can hardly wrap my head around the fact that we’ve been married that long!  We met in high school when I was a sophomore, so it’s hard to remember a time when he wasn’t part of my life – though we’ve faced some trials that nearly broke us, I’m so thankful we chose to fight for our marriage because it’s truly one of the greatest blessings of my life.  We originally had planned to go to Hawaii to celebrate, but we don’t want to risk being exposed to something en route that we could potentially bring back to my parents.  So, instead, we’re going to drive to Canon Beach and spend a few days hiking, exploring & reminiscing about the past two decades.  If you’re from the area or have visited recently, we’d love your suggestions for great hikes to take, restaurants to try, etc.

WEARING
Coming from NY where the July heat wave is practically unbearable, the mid-70 degree weather we’ve been having in Portland has felt like a dream come true.  With the milder temperatures, I’ve been wearing lots of summer knitwear (something that was pretty much non-existent in my closet before).  This striped sweater is such an unexpected mix of colors & I love the subtle flutter sleeves – I’m wearing it today with my favorite high-rise jeans, this headband and these slide sandals.  I also love this linen-blend cardigan (also in leopard print), this open-knit sweater (tank version here), this v-neck pullover and this crochet sweater (also in rust).

SUPPORTING
I’ve been sharing my thoughts on social media about how I’m approaching anti-racism & the changes I’m making within my own family.  But, last week I received an email from a concerned reader who wasn’t following me on Instagram and hadn’t seen any of those posts and it made me realize that I needed to do a better job of including that content on the blog as well.  So I wanted to share some companies for those looking to support more black-owned businesses.  I just ordered this monogram pinky ring from Soko (I already own a few pieces of their jewelry & the quality is exceptional).  If you’re looking for new stationery, pens or a customizable planner, I highly recommend checking out Cloth & Paper – they also have a monthly subscription box for stationery lovers.  I have been wearing this lipstick almost daily since it arrived (in the shade Unimpressed) & I love that it has a matte finish without drying out my lips – check out their full beauty line here.  If you’ve recently discovered some great black-owned businesses, I’d love to hear your recommendations – please share in the comments below!

BUYING
Like it or not, face masks are here to stay – since I have to wear one every time I go out, I decided I might as well fully embrace this new accessory & find some fun options to go with different outfits.  Even though most retailers are selling them now & there are lots of chic styles to choose from, I don’t want to spend a fortune (I’ve seen some designer masks for over $100!).  I’d personally rather have several more affordable ones that I can swap out so I’m not constantly having to launder them.  Some under $5 styles that I’m eyeing include this floral print, this blue chambray, this animal printed set, this versatile 5-pack (kids sizes here), this gray plaid & this ikat print.

READING
I’ve had a hard time adjusting to a new normal now that we’re settled in Oregon – between caring for my dad, helping my parents around the house, cooking all the meals & trying to get my work done, I’ll admit that it’s left me feeling a little overwhelmed.  I couldn’t really put a name to it until I read this article about emotional burnout.  The tips she offers are so helpful & I loved this analogy in particular: “Think of your stress levels as a piggy bank – once the piggy bank is full, you reach complete exhaustion. Any coin you can remove, whether it’s a penny or a quarter, will prevent your piggy bank from filling up to the top. Make sure you’re saving space for the bigger things you can’t control.”  Starting today, I’m implementing small changes in an effort to be more intentional about setting up a schedule that includes self-care & one that I hope will help create a better balance for me.

LOVING
I’ve been on the hunt for a stack of slim gold bangles for the summer so I ordered these on a whim & I cannot get over how amazing they are for the price!  The width is exactly what I was looking for & they have such a nice weight to them.  They also come in silver or a mixed metal pack and I might just order them all because the price is too good!  I also recently picked up two new dainty necklaces (here & here) that are perfect for layering & they’re both currently 40% off.