I have to say, I really loved everything I read this month. I did DNF a few titles, but everything that made this list is worth reading. My mom said that The Calamity Club is her favorite read of 2026 so far. A big statement, but I loved it so much. The characters were incredible; I want more! Other “loves” this month (a love would be equivalent to an A or A+ back when I was grading books) were A Killer Wedding, Love You More, Hollow Bones, and Whistler.
How to stop being so defensive in arguments. The changing influencer economy. Three of summer’s best thrillers. A NYT profile on Sophie Lou Jacobsen (huge admirer of her work!). Why yes, red is a neutral. The new trend of vegetable-forward scents. The secret to great style? Looking like you have a life. Gap’s fragrance re-launch. The best art and fashion books of the year. A great list of underrated romantic comedies to add to your list. Plus the usual mix of recipes, shopping finds, and beautiful homes to look at. Enjoy!
This was a reader request from several weeks ago (and a post we need right now!) but it took me a while to pull together the post as I have so many! Comfort films. The ones you watch when you are sick, sad, having a bad day, feeling a bit blue, the world is in turmoil, etc.
Making these lists is so much fun. Would I spend $650 on rubber flip-flops from Phoebe Philo? Absolutely not. Do I love them? Yes. They really nailed the shade of green. What I am coveting most this week is actually on the home front. Porta released all these amazing mirror-polished metal pieces with cabochon stones. There’s the round tray, the rectangular tray, and this stunning vase. Oh and this little triple bowl set.
Every Wednesday, I’ll bring you a list of ten things that I think you should know about. I’m excited for this. I often stumble across something interesting and will share it to Instagram, but it has no real place to live. Maybe it’s a new launch, a really great podcast episode . . . maybe it’s an independent designer, an artist, or a must-have shopping find. It will be a different mix every week. You can read last week’s installment here.
The Stripe is a lifestyle blog for the stylish bookworm. Since its first post in 2010, it has aimed to be a daily source of inspiration for the modern woman. Written by Grace Atwood, The Stripe aims to leave you feeling like you just had coffee with a great girlfriend: savvier, more confident, and always learning something new.
