5 things I'm thinking about this week

How is it almost the end of April?

Last week was honestly a complete blur. Work is at full speed getting ready for campaigns next month, and prioritizing mental health moments proved to be trickier than I anticipated.

A highlight of last week? Ain’t Too Proud The Musical. I knew little to nothing going into the show, except that The Temptations have a phenomenal music catalog. But what I didn’t know was how much drama the group members have been through. The show itself was a lot of fun, the hits literally kept on coming.

Speaking of catalogs, here’s are five things I’m thinking about this week.

@avawillyums With a good imagination, everything is symmetrical. Let a girl day dream! #wesanderson ♬ Obituary - Alexandre Desplat

1. Wes Anderson TikTok Trend: sometimes the internet can be just delightful. For all the bad press it’s getting, TikTok is by far the social media platform I’m enjoying most these days and nothing is more delightful that the Wes Anderson trend permeating the app. These vignettes are creative, their a little twee, but most of all they’re a lot of fun.

2. Fear of God Fashion Show: speaking of swooning, the Fear of God fashion show in LA last week served up so much inspiration for my fall/winter wardrobe. I love FOG’s mix of luxury and athleisure all wrapped in my favourite hues, neutrals. Some of my faves were look1, look 3, look 9, and look 39.

3. Ganni Silver Metallic Crinkle Shoulder Bag: I’m still on my spending freeze but couldn’t help peruse Net-A-Porter’s 20% sale. In good news, only a few things even caught my eye, but this Ganni handbag stopped me in my tracks. It’s the perfect summer bag. Silver, not too small yet not too large, and even the best part? It’s sustainable. I’m obsessed.

4. Jeni’s @ Columbus Commons: one of the milestones for summer starting for me is the opening of Jeni’s at the Columbus Commons every summer. Some people walk to coffee shops when they need a break from the office, but I love to walk to an ice-cream shop for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. Now that Jeni’s is open for the summer, I’m anticipating lots of outdoor walks from the office when I’m working downtown.

5. Aeyde Moa Silver Nappa Flats: i have been searching high and low for a modern looking pair of silver ballet flats. My requirements are simple, really. No bow, no rounded toe, and something preferable pointed or square. Oh, and something built to last (aka, no Zara). I think I might have found a contender. These Aeyde flats hit most of my requirements, and I love that the v of the toe covers all of the toe. Now to see if they ever go on sale….

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.