5 things I'm thinking about this week

We had one of those perfect spring/summer weeks last week. You know the one. No humidity, clear skies, no bugs and the scent of spring flowers permeating the air. It was glorious.

Naturally, I struggled a bit with trying to figure out what to wear. My office is still an icebox, but weighty fabrics just didn’t seem right, especially when during a mid-day walk for some fresh air downtown. Layers really were the key last week, and by the end of the week, my spring fashion mojo started to return.

But alas, a rain/snow mix is in the forecast for today. Welcome to April in the Midwest.

Anyways, here are 5 things I’m thinking about this week.

credit: Massimo Dutti

1. Massimo Dutti Organza Trench Coat: this coat was lust a first sight. Sheer is huge this spring/summer, and while I won’t be participating in most of the trend, I would L-O-V-E to add this trench to experiment with it. Oh my goodness, it’s gorgeous.

2. Dog Vase by Eleonor Bostrom: San Francisco has been on my travel list for awhile, I have an Instagram Collection dedicated to places I want to visit, restaurants I want to try, and boutiques I want to shop in. One of those is Rare Device, full of quirky, whimsical homewares perfect for adding a little personality at home when needed. Like this dog vase. I love that it’s black & white (my fave), but I especially adore the oblong shape, its a perfect conversation starter for a table or console that needs a little extra somethin’.

3. About Arianne Ojih Ivori Flats: the weather last week had me searching for summer shoes and sandals that I could wear other than the Birkenstocks I wore all last summer. I discovered About Arianne through an Instagram black hole this week and instantly fell for these leather slides. Supple leather, a low heel, an interesting shape and foot coverage? I just might have to invest in a pair of these for the warmer weather.

4. Anissa Kermiche Candlesticks: note to self, don’t browse the homewares sections of the Matches Fashion Outlet. You’ll want everything. Like these Anissa Kermiche Tit for Tat candlesticks. Anissa’s ceramics are definitely conversation starters, this pair could be layered with a more conservative pair of candlesticks and look fabulous on a fireplace mantle, a bookshelf or even an entryway console. I’m off to find a Matches discount code…

5. Diptyque City Candles: from April 20-26 the city candles are back! Diptyque candles are always so special to invest in, but I’m especially fond of the city versions. Someday I hope to get to all of the destinations, but in the meantime, owning a special scent only available in each will have to do. I’m a huge fan of the London and Tokyo scents, this time around I’m hoping to pick up the Seoul and Beverly Hills candles.

5 things I'm thinking about this week

Well, the cold that won’t end, really just won’t end.

While my voice has recovered, it’s been two weeks now since I’ve had hearing in my left ear and I’m kind of over it. Musicians, newscasters, even my coworkers - everyone sounds like they’re a member of Alvin and the Chipmunks to me right now. Funny, but not funny?

Here’s hoping my continued cocktail of Claritin and Flonase eventually does clear up my ears and restores everyone’s real voices. In the meantime, here are 5 things I’m thinking about this week.

1. Springtime Jazz: spring has definitely sprung around here, the grass is green, the flowers are up and nature is just singing. For some reason, the soundtrack to spring for me is jazz, its uplifting and energetic, just like the season is. This playlist and this album are on repeat for me.

2. Shinola Mackinac Lanterns: I had an unfortunate shopping experience with Shinola this week, the desk clock I ordered was missing the stand and is now sold out. As I was searching for a replacement I came across these lanterns and love how they’re a mix of Japanese and Americana design. They’d look perfect on my back patio now that the weather is warming up.

3. Clare V Trop Bebe bag: call me old-school, or even cool (?) but my favourite headphones for my daily walks and around town are my wired ear pods. I do wish they came with a case though, most of the time their buried in a ball at the bottom of my purse. Wouldn’t this little case be perfect to keep them organized?

4. Cuyana Leather AirPods Case: while technically this case is for airpods, I totally think it could also help me corral my earpods. It’s not as whimsical as the Clare V, but I do love the longer strap so I can anchor it to my purse so it doesn’t sink to the bottom.

5. COS mock-neck maxi tshirt dress: I wrote about this dress last week in regards to the COS sale, and I’m regretting I didn’t purchase it at 25% off. While I have no need for another black dress, I love the maxi length, the short sleeve, and the mock neck of this style, it would be so easy to style with sneakers for the weekend, or ballet flats for the office and/or a night out.

5 things I'm thinking about this week

Welp!

Remember how I said last week I wanted to take it easy this week? Well, my body didn’t give me a choice.

I’m still getting over a really nasty cold - one that caused me to lose my voice! Cue my co-workers laughing about the doc putting me on “vocal rest.”

(I totally laughed too).

During my week of coughing doom I spent most of my time lusting over looks from fabulous people elsewhere. Here’s what I’ve got my eye on this week:

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1. The Frankie Shop Eden Long Cargo Skirt: if you look up “cool, business woman” in the dictionary, Jenny Bird has to be near the top of that last. My love of her jewelry is well documented on this site, but equally as crushworthy is her style. Her Miami look, above, had me searching for her Frankie Shop skirt immediately, I love how the slim maxi version doesn’t add extra weight where you don’t want it. The gray colour is chef’s kiss.

2. Reformation Maggie Cargo Midi Skirt: if you’re sensing a theme, you’re correct, I’m a bit obsessed with long length cargo skirts at the moment. I think I love this Reformation cargo skirt even more than the Frankie Shop version. One, it’s black (my fave), two, its a midi length, and three, it’s got more versatility, meaning cost-per-wear will be a bit lower.

3. ASOS DESIGN Maxi Cargo Skirt in techy fabric: the one fundamental of cargos that still gives me hesitation is the actual addition of pockets on the outside of the garment. The extra weight just below the hips will always give me pause. ASOS DESIGN’s version of cargo is more my speed, it reminds me of an old Ganni skirt I had my eye on awhile back. I love that the fabric adds the interest here, and the front slit and belt up the cool factor. The affordable price is attractive too. =)

4. COS Friends & Family sale: even though I’m on a self-induced fashion fast, its hard not a wander the COS site during their friends and family sale. If I was to shop one of favourite stores, I’d looking at pickup up this mock-neck maxi dress, this boxy short-sleeved poplin shirt, this double-breasted trench coat, and this oversized white button up.

5. Louis Vuitton X Yayoi Kusama drop 2: The hype and hoopla around the first drop of this partnership was fun to watch, but the bags in this second drop are quite adorable. They’d be a dream, archival purchase for sure, this Infinity Net printed Capucines is GORGEOUS. Even the smaller accessories, like this pumpkin print cosmetic pouch are super fun. P.S. don’t sleep on the men’s collection, it’s just as good as the women’s. Each piece is a collectable piece of art, a perfect homage to Kusama herself.

5 things I'm thinking about this week

Last week was a lot of extroverting. 

Daily in person meetings, a handful of meals out and a concert - it was more social interaction than i’ve had in awhile. 

I think this week is going to be all about recovering and filling back up my cup. Good food, good books, good tv - I’m looking forward to resting my body and my brain.

Here are 5 things I’m thinking about this week. 

1. Donatos Italian Side Salad: I’ve been making a version of this salad for lunch for WEEKS. I can’t get enough of the tangy banana peppers, mixed with Italian seasonings, pepperoni, mozzarella and tomatoes. To make mine even more salty delicious, I add black olives and Persian cucumbers, its the perfect amount of crunch for a desk lunch.

2. Anthropologie Soren Long Sleeves Dress: I’ve been obsessed with Rose’s style for awhile now, and one of my favourite silhouettes of hers I love is when she layers her Frankie Shop Cava dress with leggings and a blazer. Naturally I’m taking inspiration from this, but the sticker on her dress is a bit too much for my liking. This Anthropologie dress might be the answer, fingers crossed they have a 30% off weekend here soon.

3. TikTok hearing: the hearing about TikTok last week was a total dumpsterfire, and as much as I love the app, there are some serious security concerns surrounding it. But the one thing that still has me reflecting back is just how little members of Congress know about how social media works. This article from MSNBC sums it up perfectly.

4. Completed Works Pearl Vase: this vase was love at first sight. Sculptural, petite, and interesting, made even more special with the pearl detail. Oh my. 

5. Madewell Faro Whisper Tank: while I’m not ready to start thinking about summer temps just yet, it is never too early to stock up on summer wardrobe basics. Merrit shared this tank on her stories last week, and I just might have to scoop it up. I love the wide straps, and that you can wear a regular bra underneath it for ultimate comfort.  

5 things I'm thinking about this week

Oh to be back in college again. 

I’ve been reading college scholarship applications for my alma mater’s alumni association this week. Some of them have been standouts and some have not, but they have me reminiscing about the opportunity that college was. 

Granted I don’t think I could survive college in this day and age. Facebook was still The Facebook when I was on campus and we could be silly with shenanigans without having to worry about it ending up on social media. Maybe I'm a bit naive, but the world also seemed a bit more civil back then. 

But enough with the past. Looking forward, here are 5 things I’ve been thinking about this week.

1. Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22: my running shoe saga might finally be over. The Nike’s I purchased a few weeks back didn’t end up working out and when I went to return them in-store, I got a $20 off coupon to use for the next 3 hours. Naturally, it was burning a hole in my hand and I had to go check out the shoe selection. After 5-6 try-ons, including the HOKA’s, and a very patient and informative salesperson, I came home with a pair of Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22’s. They’re not the most stylish shoe out there my sister called the all-black version geriatric and my Mother thinks they look like golf shoes, but I’ve been taking them for a spin the last few weeks and my knee pain has decreased quite a bit.  

2. PKLR tote bag: Speaking of looking athletic, but being anything but, I came upon this tote bag on the Saks site earlier this week. It fits my requirements for a tote, black, sleek, and light, but i had no clue who/what PKLR stands for. Turns out it’s a pickleball line! AND, the tote is even more affordable on their website. But don’t fear, I’m not taking up pickleball anytime soon (the coordination gene missed me in the family tree), but this would be a fabulous spring/summer tote for the office. 

3. A favourite blogger is back: ! I still have an old “Dailies” folder in my chrome browser, a folder I used to check religiously before blogging mostly moved to Instagram. For a bit of nostalgia, (and to avoid doing my taxes) I took a venture through this folder to see what I used to read and was so pleasantly surprised to see one of my blogging OG’s is back! Check out Victoria McGinley’s latest blog here.

4. Kirkland Jelly Belly Jelly Beans: I’m willing to admit I have an addition. A candy addiction. Whenever I’m stressed or bored, I find myself reaching for chewy candy. Gummy stars, hi-chew, jujubes, they’re some my faves but my biggest vice? Jelly Belly’s. And they’re back at Costco in the giant 64oz container. Run, don’t walk. 

5. Tokyo Dreaming by Emiko Jean: I love a good YA series. They’re escapist, optimistic and an easy read perfect for a cold winter weekend. After a year break, I finished the second novel in the Tokyo Every After series, thanks to my Libby app. This novel picks up where the last one left off, with Princess Izumi getting used to her new royal life and royal duties, and all the expectations that come with them. Her journey throughout the book is a satisfying one, as was the read. If you’re looking for a royal, but not european, escapist read, this series is perfect.