Two diary posts ago, I shared my intention for this summer: softness. When I adapted those thoughts to this post on Instagram in the format below, it garnered a lot of love; I suppose a lot of us are looking for a soft landing this season.
I’ve been really focusing on that word — which has been a little challenging with all the work I’ve been putting into my book behind the scenes (I promise I’ll stop talking about that soon; manuscript is due today!) — but have been manifesting it in small ways, like:
+New breathable gingham linen bedding from Piglet in Bed for the season ahead. (Seen above: sheets, duvet.)
+An unscheduled afterschool date for ice cream with my daughter.
+Permitting myself to read whatever I feel like. This has meant I’ve started three books in the past week and am toggling between them based on mood and preference. I’ve never read like this before, and it feels indulgent, yielding.
+Setting no alarm. I use the Hatch Restore now for gentle wakeups — the machine gradually wakes you via slowly brightening light and “alarms” that are much softer than the standard iPhone bunch — you can have birdsong, “Parisian morning,” music. They know have a few cool “alarm shuffle” options so you never know exactly what you’re going to get when you’ve set the Restore to wake you up; I just set up the “nature sounds shuffle.” I know I’ve been rhapsodic about this piece of technology but it has transformed my sleeping routines and rituals. I love not having my phone tempting me at my bedside; I love the soft, slow rousing in the morning. If I wake in the middle of the night, I sit with my thoughts — or I read. Or I go through this pragmatic little list my mother used to rattle off when I’d wake her in the middle of the night: “Are you hot? Are you cold? Are you thirsty? Are you hungry?” (Side note: I wish I’d had the Hatch Rest for my kids when they were younger! The Hatch Go may be a new go-to gift for new moms.)
+Repeating the words: “Actually, I do have the time” to myself any time I’m feeling the pinch of logistics and deadlines and “needing to get to the next place NOW.” Who cares if the kids go to bed a few minutes later? So what if I decide to push the errand to tomorrow so I can catch up with a friend?
+Seasonal baking. I made a donut loaf from this Midwestern Baking book last weekend and am making blueberry streusel muffins this one (using Bravetart’s recipe). I love a breakfast of fresh fruit, a slice of something sweet, and a big cup of coffee. It’s made for a leisurely sit with a crossword, or a good book, or a round of Wingspan.
+Relying on natural light. I often write with no lamps / overhead lights in my studio — just whatever filters in through the window. Sometimes this makes for dim conditions but I like the soft and unmediated quality of it.
+Watching summer storms on our covered patio, and calling my children out to do the same. One of my favorite sensory experiences of the season.
+Enjoying loose and airy pajamas, like this gauze striped pair and these adorable farmer’s market print ones.
+Making bad art! This past weekend, my daughter and I did some adult coloring books with these markers (there is an entire corner of the Internet dedicated to professional-grade colorists; it’s like ASMR) and also watercolors using our new Emily Lex bird watercolor set. (We got this set of watercolors/paintbrushes and this watercolor paper, too.). We enjoyed this on the back patio both weekend mornings while I was enjoying coffee and the incoming rain.
+Being a little more forgiving with my rituals — it’s OK if I miss a day of running; it’s OK if I go to bed a little later.
+Skincare routines that give me exactly what I feel like — nothing punishing. My favorite summertime product is Clarins’ Cryo-Flash mask. It really feels like a cold plunge to the face and leaves skin so energized.
+Wearing a lot of this doublesoft material (I own these in a few colors and love their various sweatshirts and cardigans in the same material — especially this style) and “whipped” cotton Negative undergarments while deep in editing, especially in the evening. It’s drapey, it’s ultrasoft, it never restricts.
+Keeping a candle that smells like summer lit almost all the time we’re at home. All my favorites for this season here.
+Going very light on makeup. I like the tinted SPFs from various brands, but have been wearing Merit’s new formula daily since I received it. I’ll add a slick of concealer at the undereye and nose (love Sarah Creal’s FaceFlex — designed not to sink into fine lines; luminous and light but also really does cover what it needs to cover), a little cream blush (color: Venus) and/or bronzer, and a slick of mascara. I learned somewhere on BeautyTok to leave your nose completely untouched by makeup for a more natural look so I make sure to dab off any concealer from the tip of my nose. It gives the impression of being makeup free even if you’re wearing concealer/foundation elsewhere.
+Wearing a lot of loose dresses and cotton basics. Hoping to get my hands on one of these Doen nightgown dresses when they arrive! More options along these lines here. And basically everything from HHH’s “farmer’s market” capsule. I absolutely adore this green provence floral trellis pattern — I got the shorts, the top, and the one-piece.
+Easy, romantic music floating in through the house. For this I created a soft summer playlist you can get on Apple here and on Spotify here.
P.S. There’s still (a little) time to get your man or father a gift for father’s day — all my recs here. Also/unrelated: Sezane’s summer drop yesterday was so good. How gorgeous are these shorts and this classic striped dress?
P.P.S. What bonuses are waiting for us today?
P.P.P.S. An ode to the people who keep the lamps lit.
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Hi Jen
Congratulations on the book. We cant wait. A few posts back you mentioned the EBY bra, wanted to know your review /comments. I am in search of something comfortable with no underwire.