10 THINGS: AUGUST

Summer-into-fall dressing, crystal ear seeds for anxious August, the cutest $3.25 you'll spend, plus more.

Dear Reader,

Have you heard the saying that August is the Sunday of summer?

I’m not sure about you, but it gives me the Sunday scaries for an entire month.

This month, we start to see fall things trickling into new launches, and likely, someone will try to hand me a pumpkin before I’m emotionally ready.

For those who want me to go trenches and suede right now, I’m sorry — I can’t get myself there — but I am down for a transitional moment that feels like summer-meets-fall. You’ll see some of this inspiration below: longer shorts, fabric flats, a grounding scent.

This week I’m off to Northern California for a little pleasure and a little business. The week after, our home gets professionally photographed, which means I have exactly seven days to mentally prepare for living in a stage set. Then Kennedy’s back to school, and from there fall unravels at a rude pace.

It’s gonna fly before I realize it’s time to start writing seriously about knits.

So for now: let me be here, in August, not treating this season like a finale of summer, but as the best part of it yet.

xx Megan

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Here's what's been keeping me company this month:

MANTRA: Slow is a form of trust.

RECIPE: Tomato Basil Pasta — using up our garden tomatoes.

IG FOLLOW: @broyt_ — for beautifully unexpected vintage finds.

READ: One Golden Summer — sometimes I just need a carefree, girly book.

SCENT: Thé Vanille Eau de Parfum — the vanilla that converts non-vanilla wearers (or non-perfume wearers, which was me).

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10 THINGS I’M LOVING

Black canvas bucket hat | Fish clips | Goop Black Pepper Ginger Body Wash | Leset’s Mae crewneck | Flore Flore shorts | Moonstar canvas shoes | 16th century pillow

FOR YOUR CLOSET

1. Japanese fabric flats.
   I was antique-shopping when I spotted a pair of canvas shoes by Moonstar, a Japanese label I'd never heard of — and couldn't stop thinking about them. I've always had a soft spot for Japanese brands (Makie and Orslow, especially) for their thoughtful restraint. So with Mytheresa gifting credit burning a hole in my pocket, I went hunting for the closest cousin. I landed on these by The Row — black Japanese wool, perfectly pared-back.
   

2. Big white poplin shorts.
   Feels very August to me — slightly more coverage, but still summery and effortlessly chic. Shorts I’m eyeing and buying: these by Aritzia, these by Anteros, these by Ref, and these by Flore Flore. I also just bought these on major sale (shown below). Going to pair with this roll-hemmed knit.
   

3. Black canvas hat.

   Packing my new canvas bucket hat for upcoming travel. I went with black — summer's shape, fall's mood. Will be so coolio with the white-on-white fit above.

   

   They’re true to size.

Buy these shorts while they’re on crazy sale — I did. Wearing a XS.

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FOR YOUR BEAUTIFUL HEAD (AND BODY)

4. Macrene Actives.

   The lip filler topical (all the plump, no injection) hooked me, but the eye cream sample is what sent me straight to the full size. The box came with a cleanser and face cream sample — both exceptional. It’s been a long time since every single product from one brand wowed me — and this derm-founded line by Dr. Macrene Alexiades did it. You cannot go wrong with anything.

5. Goop Body Wash.
   The first time I’ve ever been enamored with a body wash — Goop’s is a must-try. The scent is grounding (black pepper and ginger) but the consistency is silky thick. It lathers beautifully. I adore it. (MEGAN15)
   

6. Rōz Newness
   Rōz launched a new Milk Styling Mousse — it’s amazing, bringing light bounce and hydration without ever feeling stiff or crunchy. I pair it with their Milk Serum, which is essentially leave-in-conditioner with benefits. If you want to try both, there’s a duo with the serum and mousse. Plus, the rose scent can’t be beat (I keep the shampoo and conditioner in our guest shower — a clean crowd-pleaser).

   

   This sample eye cream convinced me to buy the full-size version.

The bodywash has a thick, creamy consistency — so good. (MEGAN15)

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FOR YOUR HOME

7. Prettiest antique pillows.
   You know what takes basic upholstery to new levels? Antique pillows. And this shop has the best. I just bought this beauty. Also, tip: contact the vendor directly on IG and they’ll give you a discount (Chairish and 1stDibs take a cut of the piece, so you can get a lower price when you go through them directly).
   

8. Fish clips.
   The cutest little $3.25 you’ll spend — clip the bag of chips, a favorite photo, your clothes to a line.

   

   Antique pillow on a good slipccover chair.

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FOR A HEALTHY MIND/BODY

9. Hydration tablets to amp your bath.
   Baths every single night for this chick — and magnesium plays a part. My latest addition: these tablets that dissolve in the water and release molecular hydrogen (tiny bubbles, big claims — antioxidant support, circulation, easing tension). I’m not qualified to verify the science, but I can report that I emerge from the tub feeling better than before I entered it.
   

10. Crystal Ear Seeds.
    For my acupuncture friends: you can now do this one at home. Ear seeds are a TCM staple — press them onto acupressure points on your ear (there are 120!), then wear for a few days to help with stress, sleep, or headaches. I've had them done in clinic, but this kit makes it easy to do at home. The seeds are Swarovski crystal and 24k gold, so they pass as ear jewelry. Self-care made cute.