Some things I'm excited about!
Everything I bought and loved from Amazon last month, wedding guest styling, a creepy but excellent book.
Happy Friday, friends!
I hope you had a good week.
I had a really nice week. Jaime’s first birthday. A yummy sushi dinner. Bartaco (fav!!) with girlfriends. My mom and my niece came over and brought me fresh strawberries (they’d gone strawberry picking together which is so adorable!). I had a movie night with another friend. We shot videos all day yesterday. Tonight I am staying in to cook as I am hosting an early easter brunch for the whole family tomorrow morning! I am excited as I love hosting but there is definitely a lot to get done before everyone comes over tomorrow at eleven.
The next week or so will be a little chaotic (in a good way) as my youngest sister and her boys are visiting for a whole week. I’ve cleared my calendar. Loads of family stuff and time with all three kiddos which is such a treat.
Today’s newsletter is simple: I thought I’d share some things I’m really excited about.
Spring in Charleston. We will ignore the fact that my allergies are acting up but it is just so pretty right now. All of the flowers are in bloom (the wisteria!) and my walks are extra gorgeous.
A week of family time, starting tomorrow!
Spring CLOTHES! And shoes! And accessories! I have been feeling more excited about shopping lately… there are so many things I love right now. (cough, cough… check out my spring accessories edit).
The new Steve Martin documentary (it drops today on Apple TV!).
Needlepoint. I am still working away at this pillow, but what is really exciting me is these matchbook canvases from Spruce Street Studio. I think they’ll make such great gifts and I want to make a whole bowl of them (like this!).
Strawberries. My refrigerator is overflowing with strawberries between my CSA and the aforementioned delivery from my niece. I’d actually love your help here - if you have any extra special/really good recipes involving strawberries, PLEASE drop them in the comments!
Outfit planning for vacation. It is still a little bit away but I am going to Harbour Island with my girlfriends in May and I am super excited. Both for the outfits and the trip itself.
What are you excited for this month? Tell me in the comments.
On The Stripe (my blog!) this week.
We started the week with a very fun roundup of Amazon finds. All things I personally bought and loved, including three great snacks.
Then, a little explainer on cleansing balms. What they do, why they work so well, a few of my personal favorites, and how to use them.
Next, my Spring Accessories Edit!
Lastly: in partnership with Hotels.com: my personal hotel bucket list. This was so much fun to work on. It’s fun to dream!!
This Week in Reading:
I started and finished Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent. This was truly SO GOOD. If you like dark and twisty, this is a must. Lisa Jewell said it was the best book she read all year (!!!) and it made me think of The Maid mashed up with Then She Was Gone. A unique combination but a good one! There are trigger warnings for sexual abuse and pedophilia.
Rabbit Hole was next on my list and is what I’m currently reading. This one seems dark so far, and a little bit sleepy but I’ve heard great things. I’m about 40% through. The depictions of Reddit forums and true crime obsessees is a bit unsettling.
On audio I’m listening to Get the Picture by Bianca Bosker. It’s great so far: the author’s attempt to better understand the art world. I think, or at least I hope, that I’ll learn a lot from it.
A Reader Question!
(if you have a question for a future newsletter, please email grace@thestripe.com - it helps if you are specific and include budget, your personal style, etc.)
Q. I have a wedding the first weekend of May that will be in San Francisco. I have the dress picked out (this exact black fitted gown) but need help styling into a whole outfit. Do you have ideas for jewelry, bag, etc?
A. OK first of all, I love this dress! I kinda want to copy. Here are some thoughts.
First of all, I personally would wear my hair slicked back in a low bun and do a really good earring. And then maybe a cuff bracelet on one wrist and a cocktail ring on the other hand. Three really good standalone pieces of jewelry.
Have you heard of Soru? They make such gorgeous costume jewelry. They recently let me pick out a piece (I chose these earrings) and made a code for my audience (use code GRACE15). The price point is a little bit higher but the pieces are incredible (quality of my earrings is great!). These studs, these studs, these lapis drops, this green ring, this cocktail ring!
That covers earrings and a ring… I wasn’t crazy about Soru’s bracelets so so I perused Shopbop’s jewelry section and love this, this (personal fav), this, or this!
Bag: I would do something like this, this, this, or this.
Shoes: I would wear my favorite Aquazzura strappy sandals. They are wildly comfortable (thanks to the block heel!) and make legs look a million miles long. For a “look for less” I would recommend either the Steve Madden Marbella sandals or the Schutz Luriane.
You've got to make this strawberry cake: https://smittenkitchen.com/2011/05/strawberry-summer-cake/
Also, you could freeze a bunch, blend them together with some sugar and top with prosecco for a yummy cocktail.
This strawberry cake from Claire Saffitz is my absolute favorite way to showcase berries. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vta9XNsQss
Also - your needlepointing is looking spectacular! As a fellow stitcher, it's great to see people like you bringing more attention to this art form.