The Saturday Group Text, #83

The comfy shoe I can't take off, unreal watercolor florals, two tried & tested serums, a brilliant haircare collaboration!

dress + heels

Hi :) Weekend Reading is up on the blog. There is a lot to enjoy and click on. When did wellness become a status symbol? The Atlantic’s summer reading guide. The best places to visit in September. Inside the living rooms of notable New Yorkers. The details on Ryan Murphy’s new legal drama and a fun new Amazon Prime show about Barney’s. How to survive friend group drama, without picking sides. How to channel Ina Garten this summer. A few pretty homes. The Washington Post’s buffalo chicken salad recipe (YUM!) Plus, so many more good links and shopping finds. Enjoy!

PS - this one gets a little long. Click through to Substack to read the whole thing. And if you are feeling nice, give it a heart - it helps with the algorithm. <3

The Rothy’s Clog

Are you tired of me talking about these? This is my final rave about these clogs (at least for a while). They are amazing. More comfortable than Birks, Crocs, anything. The contoured footbed feels SO good on your feet. I wear these pretty much non-stop while at home, and I like that I can also wear them when I’m in the yard or taking out the trash. A magical shoe, a hug for your feet! I also bought a pair for my mother, as she’s had some foot issues. They aren’t the cutest shoes, and I’m not someone who can ironically pull off an ugly shoe as “fashion,” but I love them. Best house shoe!

Barefaced Serums

I was already familiar with Barefaced (they began in Charleston and were started by Nurse Practitioner Jordan Harper, and I’d received their awesome toning pads at a “favorite things” party). When the brand asked if I’d like to try more, it was an instant YES. Liquid Gold is a fabulous (morning) Vitamin C serum that brightens and gives an immediate glow, while building collagen and fading dark spots in the long term. Overachiever is a 10-in-one (evening) serum that strengthens the skin, helps minimize redness and pore size, and depuffs. I tested the products for six weeks and highly recommend them both—the perfect morning and night duo. Use GRACE15 for 15% off for new and existing customers for 48 hours, and new customers only after that!

*Sponsored Mention

Can you believe these paintings are watercolors?

Here's a little art for your feed. I am utterly obsessed with Lauren Spencer King’s watercolor paintings. They stopped me in my tracks. I can't believe that they are watercolors. Each piece can take up to 3 months to make (she uses a size 0 brush, which is essentially the size of a needle!). The dimension and details feel like photos; this is beyond impressive to me. You can see more of her work on her website, as well as last month’s Dallas show at 12.26 Gallery here (I did some sleuthing; works are still available!).

A Brilliant Collab: Crown Affair x DS & Durga

I was so excited to see this collaboration happen. I rave and rave about DS & Durga’s I Don’t Know What. It is one of my favorite everyday scents.

It’s beautiful on its own, but also layers nicely with other fragrances. Meanwhile, Crown Affair’s leave-in conditioner (along with their texturizing mousse) is my go-to combo when I air dry my hair. So to have my favorite leave-in conditioner now smell like one of my favorite perfumes is just brilliant! Shop the collab here.

This week was light on TV. I did not watch much this week, aside from my lovely rotation of Hacks, Your Friends and Neighbors (favorite!!!!), and The Studio.

• Margaux just launched a gorgeous block-heeled sandal with Hermes vibes (it also looks a lot like this pair I have from M. Gemi that sold out so fast)—the perfect everyday heel.

• Supergoop is having its Friends & Family Sale. Take 20% off sitewide.

• Shopbop Hearts are up to date. Loads of pretty dresses this week.

• Nordstrom has a big beauty sale with 25% off. Today is the last day!

• I updated my codes page with new codes from Ami Cole, M. Gemi, and Ruti.

• I just started using this rose and oud body wash and really like it. The scent is addictive, and I like that it’s in a larger bottle!

• I put this on Instagram, but did you see that

  Raven Roxanne
  did two print releases for her new Tulip Magnolia series? They're gorgeous and at a great price.

• The Net-a-Porter private sale is underway. There is so much good stuff, like this Demellier cutie (I have the canvas). You have to be logged in to see it.

• Did you see The Nat Note’s collab with Mi Golondrina? The colors are fantastic.

• Two recent niece-approved favorites: red velvet Mary Janes and this creative New York City-themed play kit. She misses Brooklyn and loves her subway pass, credit card, and coffee cup!

ICYMI - I am adding a little extra content beyond the paywall each week.

What’s below:

• This week’s high + low

• A fifth find — a gorgeous (affordable) shell necklace.

• Substack articles from fellow publishers that I enjoyed!

HIGH: Celebrating my dad’s birthday. We went to one of our family’s favorite restaurants (FIG) and had a feast with lots of good wine; it was a perfect night. I was also excited about what I got my dad (dads are so hard to shop for!). We’d gone to a few special dinners together this year. Each time, I wrote down the wines he loved most, and then I ordered a few online so he could enjoy them at home.

LOW: I feel a smidge burnt out. It’s my fault, and I feel lucky to have the work. However, between editorial content and sponsored campaigns, I have been shooting overload lately. I am so fortunate to have the work, but also so tired. The photos and videos are probably (for me) the most exhausting part of the job. I will go offline this weekend, which always helps to recharge the batteries!

A Fifth Find: This Shell Necklace

Etsy is an absolute treasure trove for affordable jewelry. You already know this, but wow: this shell pendant is an absolute stunner, on par with necklaces that cost five times the price. I immediately ordered it. It will be featured in an under $200 shopping roundup on the blog next week, but I wanted to share it here first, just in case it sells out quickly. Wow. Too good. While you are there, this nautilus collar is a dead ringer for Rebecca de Ravenel’s latest launch.

• I have linked this again and again, but I am very grateful for Thomas’s film camera recommendations and tips.

• Brooks wrote a great piece about owning your preferences. For me, this is one of the best parts of getting older.

• Becca Freeman
  is speculating on what the summer book of 2025 will be.

• On dressing like a J.Crew catalogue model.