Everything Our Team Loved in September

Natori Flora Bra: For the last decade or so, I've been wearing one bra style exclusively: the Natori feathers. I didn't even consider other variations since it was close to perfect. The only thing I would have changed would have been to add some sort of detail to make it slightly more feminine - a touch of lace perhaps, but without sacrificing all of the things I loved most. It provided just enough lift and support (especially important since I'm a 34DD), but remained comfortable and unseen when worn under a thin t-shirt. After discussing bras with a friend recently, she turned me onto the Feathers' cooler, chicer cousin from the same brand - the Flora. It has a similar fit to my old standby, but dare I say is sliiiightly more flattering with delicate lace at the top to make it my new favorite.

Porcelain Mushrooms: With our renovation, we added a lot more open shelving, both in our kitchen and in the bookshelves in our family room. And while I'll be filling them with my rather large collection of vintage jugs, bowls and vases, I wanted to also add some lighter pieces that didn't feel quite as heavy and rustic. Enter: porcelain mushrooms. I spotted them this past weekend in Ojai at Carly Home and they have such a fun, playful vibe that I picked up three. They're currently sitting pretty on one of the open shelves in our kitchen, but I adore them so much that I might be moving them from room to room. 

Ray-Ban Hexagonal Sunglasses: I've always loved the look of a classic aviator, but my tiny head just doesn't work with the large amount of real estate each lens takes up on my face. Likewise, round glasses make me look a little like I'm channeling John Lennon, and not in a cool way. These hexagonal shaped lenses are somewhere in the middle of these two shapes, and I love them. They're also unbelievably lightweight and I have zero regrets.

Happier Than Ever album by Billie Eilish: I was a MASSIVE fan of When We All Fall Asleep Where Do We Go? (2019), so I was very worried I wouldn't like Billie's sophomore album anywhere near as well. While it's definitely different, and it did take me a few listens, I'm obsessed with this new album and have played it on repeat more times than I'd care to admit. Almost the entire album is good (basically a no skips album, which is rare) but the biggest hits for me are: "I Didn't Change My Number," "Oxytocin," "Halley's Comet," "Your Power," and "Happier Than Ever". And if you haven't watched the short film that accompanies "Not My Responsibility", you should.

Love to See It Podcast: Did I envision myself as a Bachelor franchise mega-fan two years ago when I first started watching the show? Absolutely not. But here I am, five seasons later, devouring every piece of commentary about it the morning after Paradise airs. The show is riddled with controversy, which is why I love podcasts and accounts that break down the problematic behavior with critiques and analysis of the drama. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be Love to See It, hosted by two of my previous colleagues, Emma Gray and Claire Fallon, who dissect every minute of the show through a feminist lens. Their guests are impressive (most recently and notably...Daniel Radcliffe), their takes are thought-provoking, and I learn more in the hour episodes about larger social/cultural themes and structures than I ever thought the Bachelor could teach me. Lately I've been waking up on Wednesdays and immediately reaching for my phone to be sure the most recent episode downloaded, so I can listen to as I brush my teeth, make coffee, and go for a morning walk. 

Way Basics Cat Litter Furniture: When we bought our house, we regrettably forgot to establish a practical location to keep our cat's litter box (which, as any cat parent knows, is crucial). Once we moved in and realized said place didn't exist, I went into a slight panic – the last thing I want is for guests to unexpectedly happen upon my fur babies' bathroom. A piece of furniture seemed to be the only solution, and I searched for months to find the right one, as I didn't want to spend a fortune, hoped it could seamlessly blend in with our existing decor, and wasn't a fan of the quirky styles I was seeing online. Then I found this Way Basics litter box enclosure for under $100 (!!!). It's made of a sturdy recycled paperboard material (so it's not that heavy), easy to clean, and I'm not worried if my girls ever make a mess in it. 

LG Quickie: Kelsey Chittick Podcast Episode: Grief has been on my mind a lot these last two years, and I’m sure I’m not the only one. It’s not an emotion I have a lot of personal experience with or one my family has ever really spoken about. As I’ve grown older the more I realize that grief is inevitable, in all it’s shapes and forms. That’s why I was so drawn to this LadyGang quickie which featured author, Kelsey Chittick. Kelsey suddenly lost her husband (and father of her children) a few years ago and has since written a beautiful, funny, and real book about her journey through grief. In this episode she chats with one of the hosts, Becca Tobin, who also lost a partner many years ago. I highly recommend giving this episode a listen if you often feel at a loss when you see someone you love drowning in grief. You will laugh and you will cry (I may have sobbed in my car while listening to this). It was a comforting and funny talk about how unpredictable life can be and how we survive it. 

Grandma's Secret Spot Remover: On my last trip to the Rosebowl Flea Market I struck up a conversation with this costume designer who had a booth. As I was sifting through her pieces, I discovered the most perfect vintage blouse. It was made of soft linen and was in great condition until...I spotted some discoloration. Cue the internal bargaining: Can I get this stain out? Is it worth the risk? What if I never find something as magical as this again?(I almost always do, though.) I pointed it out to the vendor and she mentioned this product which was made specifically for vintage fabrics. She kindly wrote it on a piece of paper, gave me a good deal on the top, and sent me on my way. I can now confirm that it lived up to her rave review. I've used in on a few other vintage finds and it works like a charm. But honestly, the name of this product was enough to convince me. If someone's Granny made this, you know it's magic.

PODS Moving and Storage: As you might already know from social, I recently packed up my life and moved across the country from Atlanta to San Diego. As a notorious procrastinator I will admit that I underestimated the amount of planning and decision-making, and ended up saving a lot of it until the last minute...but spoiler alert: I survived! While looking into cross-country moving options, a friend recommended that I looked into getting a POD. I’d never heard of the company before, probably because I’d never moved anywhere further than an easy two hour drive from the city. It turned out to be the best decision I made. To put it simply, all I had to do was call the company to get a quote and set up an online account, then the rest was easy peasy. The POD was dropped off at my house and after a few days of filling it with my belongings, it was picked back up and on its way to sunny California. About two weeks later it arrived safe and sound on the driveway of my new home. To my surprise (since I’m always expecting something to go horribly wrong), the whole moving process felt like an incredibly seamless transition, and I would 100% recommend this alternative moving option to anyone - especially if you’re looking for a budget-conscious, convenient, and reliable way to have your possessions moved long distance.

Offer Up App: I’m sure at one point or another we’ve all spent hours scrolling through Facebook Marketplace, hunting for jaw-dropping deals on everything from “lightly worn” designer shoes to “as good as new” vintage furniture. Or maybe it’s just me. Anyway, since settling into my new apartment in San Diego, my roommate and I have been lurking on Marketplace and any other site we can find that offers affordable second-hand furniture and home decor. Unfortunately our recent experiences using the former haven’t been as successful as we’d hoped, so I decided to look elsewhere. While chatting with Cass, the team’s second-hand, vintage shopping aficionado, she recommended that I download the “Offer Up” app, and since getting it, I haven’t stopped shopping. It’s honestly probably become my most frequently used app. I mean the deals are just TOO good. All you have to do is create an account, set your location, and start your search! The options are endless, and if you’re like me, you miiiight just catch yourself in the depths of the app, scrolling and swiping through pages of dining room tables through the wee hours of night until 4 am.