The Stripe

Happy Monday! But also: how are we already to the end of June? Somehow time keeps moving along even though the days can feel very, very slow. I hope you had a good weekend. Mine was very chill but the highlight was going to Aurora with two girlfriends for dinner al fresco. Honestly it was just the best to be waited on, have someone make a drink for me, and eat food that someone else cooked! I spent time with my niece, I napped both days… I can’t complain. It was great! I cannot believe that this coming Saturday is the 4th of July! This feels bittersweet as of course the 4th is a time I usually go somewhere or do something fun. I’m definitely missing Cape Cod. And Charleston. And my parents. But I’m thinking of maybe inviting a few friends over for patio cocktails and sunshine.

In unrelated news, I have been wearing Byredo Sundazed almost every day. I find that fragrance can be so emotional and this  is definitely my happy fragrance – something I put on whenever I need a little mood elevator. A little bit of citrus, a little bit orange blossom… wearing it makes me think of summers on Cape Cod – specifically that time of day at the beach when you’ve stayed there all day and the sun is starting to set and it’s time for dinner. Maybe you stay and watch the sunset and open a bottle of wine. Ahhhh… can you tell I miss the beach!?

This Week’s Good Things 6.29.20

This week’s list of good things is a fun list. An amazing newsletter, a fantastic cookie recipe, + some cool small businesses that I think you will really love.

Aesthetically Pleasing Snacks

I promise I don’t choose my snacks because of their packaging (I mean, goldfish… combos… you KNOW THIS). But I came across Dada Daily and was absolutely smitten by their packaging and branding (and Instagram page!)… and the snacks sound pretty delicious! All of their snacks are vegan and gluten-free (I am not either of these things but I do love a healthy snack!) and I’m especially intrigued by the cheesy cauliflower popcorn florets, the lemony rose bars, and the crispy almond butter brussels sprouts. I have some on their way to me and will report back!

Hopper from Home!

Okay this is really cool! My friends at The Whitney (my fav museum here in New York) just launched an initiative called “Hopper from Home.” Edward Hopper is one of the best-known artists in The Whitney’s collection and their graphic design team made coloring sheets from some of his iconic works!

Here’s how it works (and it’s FREE!) Go here, print out a PDF to color the Hopper work of your choosing, and color it in! So relaxing, and a fun way to make a mini masterpiece at home. If you do it you can share on social using #HopperFromHome.

An anti-racism newsletter!

If you know me, you know I love a good email newsletter. I found about Anti-Racism Daily via last week’s Girls’ Night In newsletter (another favorite email newsletter of mine). It was created by Nicole Cardoza with the intention of dismantling system racism over time; and making it a practice that we can do every day – the work doesn’t end after the protests!

In her words, each email will include one urgent, tactical action you can do that day; insights on the systemic and interpersonal practices that uphold white supremacy and systems of oppression, and lear and tangible resources to support your education. I signed up on Friday.

These peanut butter cookies!

I made these vegan peanut butter cookies this week and they are an absolute DELIGHT. So yummy and peanut butter-y and n0t dry at all. YUM. LOVE. (Again, not a vegan, I love cheese too much – and meat every now and then… but I do cook a lot of vegan recipes, mostly because they are easy and delicious and generally easier on my stomach.) Pro-tip for all my fellow single gals. Make the dough and freeze it in balls so that you can make one or two cookies at a time!

Such fun pop-culture socks!

OK I love these pop culture inspired socks from BooSocki! The cool cats & kittens pack is obviously my favorite but these banana socks and these quarantine queen socks are also pretty great. The quarantine socks really speak to my soul in particular… they would make an excellent gift for a friend who needs a fun pick-me-up!

Celia B

When I stumbled across this designer, my jaw nearly dropped to the floor. I’m not exaggerating. She makes the most gorgeous dresses, in vibrant colors and patterns. And a cool use of texture (I love all the trims!). WOW. And while not inexpensive, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the pieces (for a slow fashion, smaller brand) were priced rather reasonably. My favorites from her most recent collection are this dress and this dress. She also has a beautiful instagram page and I’d also encourage you to check out the sale section of her site as there are a lot of good things in there as well!

When I upgraded my phone to the newest model (I cannot keep track of which phone I have, I just know it isn’t the really big one, but I have the one with the good camera – 11? 11 Pro!? Who knows!) it was time for new cases. This is something that is simultaneously fun but also heartbreaking, as I hate having to get rid of my phone cases every time Apple comes out with a new one!!!! I always pass my old cases onto a friend who is happy to receive them but man – it bums me out… I wish Apple could just stick to one universal size!

This go ’round, I decided to have a bit of fun with it. I was inspired by my friend Katie, who always has the best, crazy/hilarious phone cases. And honestly, I’m glad I did! When I bought these back in January, I had no idea what the next few months would bring. Who knew the whole world was about to implode!? I am being dramatic of course, but every time I look at one of these funny phone cases, it makes me smile just a little. They are just so silly and outlandish. I feel like a big toddler carrying around a toy and that just makes me laugh!

I stand behind each of these crazy purchases. Hell, we’re on our phones enough – you might as well get a good laugh every time you reach for it!

The Unicorn

My niece screams when she sees this one. We aren’t sure if the unicorn is asleep or not. Honestly, does it matter? But it’s just such a fun case. This is probably my personal favorite, if only because my niece (and any child for that matter) loses her mind when she sees it!

The Old School Phone

This one is sadly mostly sold out (I have the pink one!) but the black is great too. It transforms your sleek cell phone into a cumbersome looking phone from the 90’s. Totally goes against the whole rationale for buying said sleek iPhone, but again, makes me LOL. Update: looks like a few different Amazon sellers have it in pink! I cannot personally vouch for them but they look pretty identical to mine.

The Big Pink Bear

Everyone always laughs at this one. And I laugh too! This phone case looks alarmingly like the cartoons I grew up watching. I can’t for the life of me remember which ones, but it carries a very nostalgic feeling.

PS – these are all linked in my Amazon Shop, under Tech! Lots of other good stuff linked there, too!

Photography by Carter Fish.