Lately (ep. 3)
Hello all! It’s been a hot minute since I updated you all on here. This summer has certainly been an unusual one, and for me, an oddly busy one. In between my two jobs, I’ve been trying to find time to appreciate the warm season and all of the wondrous things it brings— more freckles, sunset-painted clouds, and fresh produce. Ever since quarantine, I’ve felt an emphasis on the beauty of everyday in my life. While I may not be able to traipse thought art museums or travel abroad, there has been plenty of wonder in my day-to-day happenings. My mother’s garden, for example, has grown to be quite lovely. We are starting to get squash, cucumbers, and beans nearly every day. As a supporter of locally grown produce, nothing is better than having veggies and fruits out of your own garden (what’s more local than your backyard?). Our flowers are finally starting to bloom as well. On my early mornings rushing to work, it’s always a pleasant surprise to see the new blooms— it’s a wonderful reminder of the summer season, which can feel at times like it was stolen from me due to the current COVID situation. Rather than mope in what was lost, though, I always find that it’s beneficial to accept what we cannot control and move forward. Appreciating the little things that have been bringing me joy has helped me with this, so I thought I would share some of those things with you all today.
bright colors
In the first lately blog post I wrote nearly a year ago, I talked about how obsessed I was with wearing basics— white tees, jeans, and sneaks. Now, it seems, my fashion sense has done a 180. I’ve fallen in love with vibrant hues and bright, floral patterns. I adore pairing these more feminine staples with edgier pieces, like my Doc Martens or cool graphic tees. This creates such a fun summery look!
tote bags
Oh man, tote bags have become a forever-favorite in the past few months. While I was in Japan, I acquired an amazing tote bag from Marks & Web, a skincare company. It’s become my main purse these days because it has so much space and goes with everything! It gives off such a cool vibe and I constantly get compliments on it. Plus, it works well with my busy lifestyle— it can hold everything from my favorite books to my laptop. I have also been loving smaller tote bags for packing my lunch and for trips to the lake. My other totes are all handmade, but I’ve been eyeing these reusable bags by Baggu.
depop
Okay, I know that I’m late to the game on this one, but Depop is where it’s at! Throughout quarantine I got my thrift fix in by browsing this amazing app. I’ve copped some killer tees, including my all-time favorite shirt featuring a cat playing tennis. How fun is that? If you’re bored and want to shop secondhand, definitely download Depop if you haven’t already. Follow me here to see what clothes I’m listing and the items I’m liking!
youtubers
As always, I’ve been watching quite a bit of Youtube. Despite my obsession, I’m not sure if I’ve ever shared some of my favorite creators with you all. One of my all time faves is Margot Lee! She creates stunning vlogs and I admire her editing style! I’ve also been loving Moya Mawhinney. I’ve been following her for quite a while and it’s been wonderful to see her channel gain traction. Some of my other favorites include Oh No Nina and Brooke Miccio.
studio ghibli
Oh man, where has this been all my life? I feel like my younger self would have been obsessed with the Studio Ghibli films if I had saw them back in the day! I’ve recently watched My Neighbor Totoro and Kiki’s Delivery Service and I’m in love with them. The aesthetics of the films are amazing! Kiki’s Delivery Service reminded me of the towns in Croatia as well. I’ve been watching them on Netflix using my VPN (they aren’t available in America.) Spirited Away is next on my list!
norwegian wood
This is arguably one of the best books I’ve read! While I was in China, my good friend recommended this novel to me. Written by Haruki Murakami, this novel follows a college student in Tokyo after the death of his best friend. The writing is incredible and poetic and it was easy to read. It’s a great book to read while laying in the summer sun! Support your local library and see if they have it before purchasing!
summer type beat
As per usual, I’m sharing some of my favorite tunes for the season. This playlist is ideal for top-down car rides and days spent sunbathing. Hope you enjoy!
supergoop sunscreen
Wear your sunscreen, folks! I’ve been using the Supergoop Glow Stick on top of my moisturizer for added protection. It’s really smooth and doesn’t leave a white residue, which I love! Plus, the packaging is so fun and colorful. It makes my vanity look so pretty!
creative pursuits
I’ve been trying to stay creative this summer! This weekend, I tried my hand at quilting, which was just as difficult as it was fulfilling. I’m currently working on finishing a vintage quilt top I purchased secondhand. It’s so pretty and I can’t wait to use it in my dorm! I’ve also been trying origami and continuing my drawing practice!
I hope you all are staying safe, healthy, and happy this summer! Much love always.
xx, Sadie
