Today, we are styling this pretty little mini dress from Veronica Beard, Rag & Bone’s fun sweatpant jeans, and these super pretty (velvet) flip flops, also from Veronica Beard.

This is the perfect dress to wear on a hot day. But we’re making it interesting — add a fun sandal and layer a couple of Dorsey’s enamel and moissanite necklaces and this super fun shell necklace from Briwok. I love this necklace; especially wearing it long (it’s shown doubled up below). The rainbow gems feel playful and fun. You can use GRACE10 for a disount!

This would be such a fun look for traveling or running errands (truly, these jeans are like wearing sweats — best invention!). Pair them with a feminine blouse for contrast and a low mule (and bag!) that make everything feel intentional (the colors tie into the jeans). Add a little structure with a pendant necklace.

This look is my personal favorite, thanks to the rich color combination! These velvet flip flops feel really unexpected and chic (bonus point for the soft fabric that makes them super comfy). I just got this little bag from Merlette and love it (you can use GRACE15!) and of course, these pants!

Disclosure: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. I only feature things I truly love here. Thanks for your support.

The post Styling Last Week’s Best-Sellers, Vol. 12 appeared first on The Stripe.

Nothing teaches you to be appreciative quite like having your air conditioning break right in the middle of summer. Mine is back on after ten days without and I am feeling blessed. It’s been a hot and sticky week, most of my friends and family are out of town, and I’m looking forward to a quiet weekend ahead. Books, blankets, cats, and writing time. Whatever you’re up to, I hope it’s great! Xo

Summer skincare tips from dermatologists. Time

I bought this little nightgown dress this week and it’s all I want to wear.

I find this to be such a pessimistic take! The Atlantic, gift link

But then there’s this guy and his books. NYT gift link

This striped maxi is perfect.

I really want to try making these paper poppies! NY Times, gift link

5 cookbooks for joyful solo cooking. Bon Appetit

How fab is this easy jersey dress?

A beautiful Upper East Side reno. Homes & Gardens

My kind of “going out top.“

I’m really looking forward to watching Five Star Weekend on Peacock. Here’s Vulture‘s review.

Along those lines, I loved this interview with Jennifer Garner.

Beautiful taffeta shorts for under $150. These are fun too!

Inside Jessica Knoll’s boldest book yet. Bustle

I’m obsessed with these minimalist glasses — love the shape.

How delightful do these cheddar-basil-tomato-butter toasts look? Food & Wine

Ellen Hilderbrand on the joys of an American summer. Conde Nast Traveler

One of my fave button-downs now comes in a super lightweight version.

This Peru resort looks incredible. Travel & Leisure

How chic is this blue & white stripe set? Top + shorts.

Ten summer TV shows you won’t want to miss. W

What a gorgeous (sprawling!) Los Angeles home. Homes & Gardens

These new woven flats from Boden are gorgeous.

Vogue‘s guide to Sag Harbor.

Looks just like Dôen for $50.

The best family-owned properties to stay at in Italy. W

Billy Walsh’s Laurel Canyon home feels like living in the jungle. I love it so much. AD

This side-tie dress is the perfect beachy coverup.

Mocktail recipes that add protein. The Everygirl

My favorite running shorts.

Birkenstock goes ballet! Love this collab. Elle

36 hours in Lecce, Italy. NY Times, gift link

Omg: fuchsia and leopard!

The best looks coming out of The Odyssey’s press tour. The Cut

This super concentrated lotion is a godsend for sore muscles and pinched nerves. Came in very handy this week!

15 summer salads that start with fresh fruit. Food & Wine

The best new books to read this summer. Time

Very into this smocked dress (and I’m not into smocked dresses lately!).

The biggest snubs and surprises from this year’s Emmy nominations. Vulture

Another super pretty shell dress. I can’t stop!

Is Alo a luxury brand now? Bazaar

What to put on your legs after shaving. Glamour

These $55 jelly sandals are insane.

How to make a dirty martini spritz. Bon Appetit

I love this easy popover-style top. Very cute with pull-on shorts.

How do we feel about Delta’s new “basic business” fare? Travel & Leisure

18 green bathroom ideas. I love them all! AD

Something splurgy: beautiful cashmere (I love this color!)

Disclosure: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. I only feature things I truly love here. Thanks for your support.

The post Weekend Reading 7.11.26 appeared first on The Stripe.

I love candles, and I usually burn at least two. In the winter, I go for a Santal sort of vibe. Sexy fireplace, Christmas tree vibes during the season. And I really like pumpkin spice in the fall! But in the summer, there are two scents I gravitate toward most: tomato leaves and orange blossom. Gardenia would be a runner-up.

I’ve included a few favorite tomato candles. The best one, IMO, is the Hotel Lobby Hamptons candle. Flamingo Estate’s iconic tomato candle is the runner-up. The best-priced tomato candle is this Fig & Tomato Vine from Rewined. I love the packaging, and it burns pretty slowly. The Fig notes are pretty minimal, but it ranks lower than HLC or Flamingo because the throw isn’t as intense; it won’t fill your whole downstairs with scent the way that the others do.

Orange blossom is my other favorite. My #1 is the Loewe, but the Quince comes close and you can’t beat the price. I’m really impressed with Quince’s candles — they burn slowly and smell amazing.

A few more faves that don’t fit either profile:

• Hotel Lobby Signature — this just makes your home smell really nice and fancy; it’s soft and cozy, I burn it all year ’round. If, for some reason, I had to choose one candle to burn all year ’round, it would be this. I guess that’s why it’s called Signature. It’s totally seasonless and just makes your home smell really, really good.
• This ultra-fancy Trudon Positano candle. I wish I didn’t know about it because it is $$$ but it smells heavenly. It is heavy on white gardenias, but also has orange blossom and tuberose notes. I have one in my cabinet, saved for a special occasion. It’s literally like lighting money on fire, but it smells incredible.
• Verden’s Aborealist candle – My friend Jessie Randall gave me this and it’s incredible. The best way I can describe it is “smoky greens.” There’s a little bit of those smoky notes I love, but it still pops with fresh greenery.

Disclosure: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. I only feature things I truly love here. Thanks for your support.

The post My Guide to the Best Summer Candles appeared first on The Stripe.

Every Wednesday, I’ll bring you a list of ten things that I think you should know about. I’m excited for this. I often stumble across something interesting and will share it to Instagram, but it has no real place to live. Maybe it’s a new launch, a really great podcast episode . . . maybe it’s an independent designer, an artist, or a must-have shopping find. It will be a different mix every week. You can read last week’s installment here..

1. My friend Alex finds the coolest stuff. She shared these amazing earrings from Etsy earlier in the week, and I was gobsmacked. So cool.
2. The prettiest, most delicate diamond friendship bracelet.
3. Inez makes what I find to be hands-down the most comfortable stiletto sandals. Their big sale started this week. I love their shoes and have this pair + this pair — both are wildly comfortable and included in their sale.
4. Did you see this new set from Crown Affair? A travel size of my air-dry favorite, limited edition scrunchies and clips, packaged in a chic striped travel bag.
5. A new favorite for affordable costume jewelry: Erin Fader. I got this red necklace with a baroque pearl and love it.
6. How cool are these conch glasses? Want!
7. OMG, look at these beaded necklaces. Now, to decide: which color?
8. What a chic way to organize your cord cables.
9. Lilly Sisto’s collab with Juillet is so cute. The happiest swimwear.
10. Mega splurgy, but look at this lobster + mother-of-pearl caviar dish. Sometimes it’s just fun to see that things like this exist.

Disclosure: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. I only feature things I truly love here. Thanks for your support.

The post The Wednesday Ten, No. 13 appeared first on The Stripe.

Today, we are styling this amazing ruched midi dress from Cos (it looks designer), this Madewell top (back in stock!), and this chic corded pendant necklace.

Take a peek at last week’s looks here!

This midi dress is gorgeous and a great price. I love it layered with rich green gemstones and black accessories for contrast.

This Madewell top finally came back in stock. Confession: I accidentally put mine in the dryer when I was in LA—do not do this. It was sold out in my size but came back in stock, and I snapped it up fast. Pair it with something sporty like these Chan Luu taffeta shorts (love) and a few pops of red!

You loved this pendant necklace, and we sold so many! Corded pendants are a big thing right now. One thing I learned from working with Kelly Klein is to use jewelry to add a little structure your outfit, especially if you aren’t wearing a traditional belt. We start with a blank canvas outfit, wrap the belt around the waist (watch this video if you are confused), and add a complementary pair of ballet flats — chartreuse and burgundy are such a fun combo.

Disclosure: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. I only feature things I truly love here. Thanks for your support.

The post Styling Last Week’s Best-Sellers, Vol. 11 appeared first on The Stripe.

Happy Fourth of July! My first week back was a bit of a bust; I was sick for two days, which threw a wrench into things. But I’m better now, and Geoff’s here, and we’re spending today out on Sullivan’s at one of my best friends’ houses. Whatever you are up to, I hope it’s great. Enjoy the holiday weekend! xx

Why are so many women having a hard time sleeping? The Good Trade

This lace mini dress feels like a need to me.

An excellent round-up of thrillers where vacation goes very wrong. NYT gift link

A breezy summer cookout menu. Bon Appetit

I am a broken record about this peach face wash, but it is the best — and it smells so good!

Yum: lobster risotto. Food & Wine

My favorite Madewell top is back in stock in all sizes.

How to help the victims of the Venezuela earthquakes. The Cut

At least you’re not playing in the World Cup right now. The Atlantic, gift link

One of my favorite pairs of sandals just went on sale.

Just in time for the weekend: 20 pasta salad recipes. The Everygirl

How fun are these colorful mesh bralettes?

Super interesting: what tourists are buying from American pharmacies! Vogue

On how just a splash of color can boost your happiness. Time

I ordered this funny graphic tee so fast. As someone who hates watching sports, it’s fitting.

Loved peeking at this colorful 1930s home. Homes & Gardens

These cap-toe woven ballet flats are absolutely perfect.

Look at this Hudson Valley estate! Travel & Leisure

Ugh, I want to stay at Jeff Goldblum’s guest house, it’s perfection. AD

How cool is this necklace? I ordered it this week.

Who is really influencing the way we shop for beauty? Allure

I am not usually a big gingham person, but I absolutely love this midi dress.

Where to eat in New York this month. Grub Street

A non-billionaire’s guide to The Hamptons. Curbed

How gorgeous is this smocked sundress?

The best beaches on the East Coast. Conde Nast Traveler

I just got these pajamas (top, shorts). Super cute and great for hot nights.

The ultimate South-of-France road trip for art and design lovers. W

The family-run store that has defined American style for years. Bazaar

I love that Quince carries my fave moisturizer — you get a credit to spend on their site!

How delicious does this sauteed chicken recipe look? NYT Cooking

A great price for cute lace shorts.

All the recipes from Bon Appetit‘s summer issue.

Where to stay in Istanbul. Vogue

I can’t stop thinking about these splurgy beaded flats.

How to contour your face, according to experts. Glamour

These simple pull-on shorts are perfect on hot days!

How to make a limoncello spritz. Food & Wine

I enjoyed this article about how first ladies became the original style ambassadors. Elle

This Scalamandre rug collab is perfection. This one is my favorite!

Where to stay in Cinque Terre. Conde Nast Traveler

These silky Reformation pants are the perfect shade of green.

After seeing the news that Chanel bought Charvet, this profile of the shirtmaker felt like an interesting read. Vanity Fair

June’s best new beauty launches. W

This little tunic dress just hit Tuckernuck, and I love it so much. Great details.

Look at this colorful and fun Palm Beach home. AD

I love this simple tank + shorts set.

Disclosure: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. I only feature things I truly love here. Thanks for your support.

The post Weekend Reading 7.4.26 appeared first on The Stripe.

Carly is back with the latest installment of Carly’s Cut. You can read her last one here. If you are new here, Carly is The Stripe’s Creative Projects Manager. She has such great taste that I wanted to give her a monthly column. Think of her as our younger buddy, telling us what we should know about.

June! Is it just me, or did this month absolutely fly by? Goodness, I feel like a broken record. Summer has officially arrived, and I am certainly feeling it. Most days have been spent seeking refuge in an air-conditioned room or a patch of shade at the beach before inevitably making my way to Vino Feo for a frozen sangria. Months like this always make me nostalgic for life in the Northeast, leaving me with a persistent urge to escape somewhere that still cools down after sunset—somewhere the evening lows hover around 60 degrees.

As always, this month was filled with shopping, reading, eating, watching, and then shopping some more. Lately, I’ve felt myself settling into a rhythm that feels both grounding and sustainable. I’m excited to see how it continues to evolve. The weeks have been punctuated by long stretches of time with friends, late evenings at the movies, afternoons spent wandering the Hampton Park Farmers Market, and quiet hours at home surrounded by silence and sun-drenched shadows.

Carly’s Cut, Vol. 11

Shopped //

Summer is in full swing here in Charleston, which can mean only one thing for getting dressed: simplicity. It’s far too hot to devote much thought to the garments draped over my inevitably sweaty body, though that doesn’t mean I want to look as though I gave getting dressed no thought at all. While reading one of Kelly Klein’s Substack articles, I became completely enamored with the concept of sandwich dressing—a styling approach that bookends sportier pieces with more feminine elements on top and bottom. The formula immediately resonated with me, requiring little more than the addition of a few lace-trimmed tops to a wardrobe I already owned.

The beauty of the sandwich method lies in its flexibility. There are very few rules, and nearly every combination feels surprisingly effortless. My personal version typically revolves around some sort of prairie-inspired top paired with nylon pants—a combination that manages to feel both practical and considered. The added bonus? It seems to earn a compliment nearly every time I leave the house.

I’ve slowly begun acquiring some of the pieces I’ll share below and can confidently say they’ve been well worth the investment. What appeals to me most is their versatility. Each piece feels distinct enough to be exciting, yet adaptable enough to earn repeated wear across seasons. There’s a certain reassurance in knowing that something new already feels at home within the framework of your existing wardrobe.

If you’re unsure how to accessorize these looks, my advice is to start with what you already own and err on the side of restraint. I typically opt for minimal jewelry—a watch and a few rings—and finish the look with a sandal, flat, or wedge depending on the occasion and time of day.

TOPS: J.Crew Lace Trim Tank, Madewell Pintuck Tank (I’ve worn this nearly every day since it arrived in the mail), Sea Anglaise-Trimmed Top, Reformation x Courtney Grow Crochet Tank, Loeffler Randall Embroidered Top, Dôen Pintuck Blouse

BOTTOMS: Made Some Nylon Pants, Staud Wide-Leg Pants, Still Here Drawstring Pants, Donni. Nylon Zip Pants, Tibi Hem Snap Pants, Venroy Taffeta Shorts, Gardenheir Sport Shorts

Watched //

I’ve been on a mission to ease into my weekends by starting each morning parked in front of the television with a freshly brewed cup of coffee. Not in the spirit of obsessively consuming mainstream media, of course, but rather in an effort to work my way through as many classics (and Criterion Channel selections) as possible. There’s something deeply satisfying about waking up at 8 a.m., making the short journey from bed to couch, and beginning the day with a film released decades before the 2000s. The experience feels both quiet and strangely inviting.

It’s become a ritual I don’t foresee giving up anytime soon—one that helps me reclaim a small piece of my weekends when it feels as though my workweeks have swallowed them whole.

My Letterboxd watchlist is overflowing with oddities from every era: French New Wave films from the ’70s, noirs from the ’30s, and titles cinephiles reference as casually as the alphabet. Prior to this year, I had never seen a single Audrey Hepburn film, which now feels almost criminal given how much I’ve adored each one. While staying at a friend’s house, I spent the early hours of the morning completely enchanted by Funny Face, a film that has quickly worked its way into my personal top ten.

I still can’t quite pinpoint what moved me to tears by the end. Was it the editorial montage of Audrey’s character draped in some of the most radiant looks ever committed to film? Or the dance sequence in the tiny nightclub, performed with such effortless charm while Fred Astaire’s character watched in disbelief? Regardless, I’ll never tire of Hepburn’s cinematic adventures across Europe, where she somehow always manages to be adored by men twice her age…

Read //

This is hardly new information, but I’m pretty much incapable of picking up a book unless it comes recommended by a friend whose literary taste I trust—or at the very least, deeply respect. My latest read, Nails and Eyes, came from a friend’s personal library (alongside The Princess Bride) and continued to surprise and unsettle me with each passing page.

The book is a Japanese novella translated into English, accompanied by two short stories that explore similar themes of grief, trauma, and memory. Without giving too much away, as Nails and Eyes clocks in at a brief ninety pages, author Kaori Fujino takes readers on an emotional roller coaster through the eyes of a young girl whose newly widowed father welcomes his secret lover into the family home. What follows is a deeply unsettling examination of loss and emotional displacement. More than anything, I found myself captivated by the perspective. It felt unlike anything I’d encountered before, and I repeatedly returned to previous pages, lingering over passages and rereading sentences that had lodged themselves in my brain. Fujino’s writing possesses a quiet sharpness that made it impossible for me to move through the novella too quickly.

One of the joys of borrowing from a friend’s personal library is that each shelf feels like an extension of its owner. My friends all have wildly different taste in books, and while their recommendations have helped me better understand my own literary preferences, they’ve also deepened my appreciation for the people themselves. Reading a friend’s favorite book can feel strangely intimate, as though you’re being granted temporary access to the way they move through the world. I always leave those books feeling a little closer to the people who handed them to me. There’s something deeply special about tracing your fingers over a dog-eared page, deciphering notes tucked into the margins, or stumbling across a passage they felt compelled to underline years before. In those moments, reading feels less like a solitary act and more like an ongoing conversation.

Saved //

I’ll be thinking about this outfit worn by Ayo Edebiri for a very, very, very long time. It’s secured a permanent place in my brain and manages to scratch every itch associated with where I hope my own style eventually lands. In my mind, Ayo is one of the defining it-girls of her generation. She works with the incomparable Danielle Goldberg, a stylist often described as an “image architect” for her collaborative work with the likes of Greta Lee and Zoë Kravitz.

Ayo was recently spotted in a perfectly transitional outfit: a vintage long-sleeve Björk graphic tee paired with trousers by Still Kelly, STAUD kitten heels, and an incredible Chanel mini bag. For a celebrity look, the balance between high and low feels remarkably achievable—aspirational without being entirely out of reach. What I love most is the way the leopard-print bag functions as a statement piece while still behaving like a neutral within the larger look. It’s the kind of styling choice that feels effortless until you try to replicate it yourself.

Consider this my official declaration that the hunt for a vintage Björk tee has begun.

Ate //

I recently posted this photo to my Instagram story with the caption, “Some of you haven’t had a girls’ night al fresco dinner, and it shows.” Within minutes, my inbox was flooded with laughing emojis and responses along the lines of, “You’re so right.”

One of the greatest gifts of my two best friends and I finding ourselves back in Charleston is the weekly ritual we’ve built together: girls’ dinner. Typically once a week (though occasionally subject to the demands of our equally chaotic work schedules), we gather at one of our homes and spend a few hours catching up over a home-cooked meal. More often than not, those dinners take place at our friend Pippa’s apartment, which overlooks Colonial Lake in a way that somehow makes you fall a little more in love with Charleston each time you visit. Pippa is one of the best cooks I know, and I feel incredibly fortunate that one of the ways she shows up in her friendships is through feeding the people she loves. Fresh penne alla vodka, generous pours of wine, and the kind of laughter that leaves your face sore by the end of the night.

Most dinners are accompanied by a chilled bottle of red wine and a week’s worth of stories, gossip, and life updates. These few hours have become one of the anchors of my week—something I rely on to keep me grounded, and if I’m being honest, occasionally afloat.

This particular evening’s menu consisted of a very green salad, the cheesiest penne imaginable, crisp wine, and tea prepared by our friend Anna. It was the sort of meal that felt synonymous with summer. The finishing touch? Plucking fresh basil from Pippa’s tabletop herb garden to garnish the pasta. Some evenings feel almost too perfect to manufacture, and this was one of them.

Disclosure: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. I only feature things I truly love here. Thanks for your support.

The post Carly’s Cut, Vol. 11 appeared first on The Stripe.

We are back with our biweekly edit of under-$200 favorites. There are so many great pieces in this week’s round-up, I hope you enjoy!

Summery faves under $200

I am a broken record about this, but if you are new here, I have a “great style under $200” section on my ShopMy page that I update multiple times a week, if not every day! Both Carly and I spend quite a bit of time tracking down pieces at this price point that feel well-made, special, and fun.

I aim to share a roundup like this every two weeks (the last installment is right here) as there are so many great items out there that won’t break the bank. Right now, a few personal favorites are:

• Varley’s pull-on seersucker shorts. I’ve been living in them. So comfy and they feel like nothing on hot days.
• This pearl on a strand of red beads — the perfect summer bauble.
• Tuckernuck’s new Heritage canvas totes. I love the pale blue!
• These sunglasses, which are proof that neutrals can feel fun and whimsical.
• This seersucker shirt; one size up for a roomy fit.
• These adorable terrycloth shorts; perfect for the beach or pool.
• This gorgeous embroidered top.

Disclosure: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. I only feature things I truly love here. Thanks for your support.

The post Summery Faves Under $200 appeared first on The Stripe.

Hello! This was a great month of books, with all the travel, I did a lot of airplane and beach reading and managed nine books. My favorite books this month were (not surprisingly) the darkest ones. Helpless and The Truth About Ruby Cooper both held my attention in a way that felt nearly paralyzing. There was also the new Lisa Jewell book, It Could Have Been Her. All three of those were “read-it-in-a-day” thrillers, the highest praise.

A little bit of housekeeping: I will no longer be posting negative reviews or “grading” the books I read. For the time being, I’ve removed the grades from the library page. In the meantime, here on the blog I will be noting: Loved It, Really Liked It, and Liked It. 

I’ve have a call in with my developer to see if we can rework the books page to include these notations or call out my favorites in a different way. These things take time to design and recode.

My mission has always been to spotlight my favorite books, and grading has felt increasingly weird to me. There are plenty of great works of literature I just didn’t personally enjoy, and slapping a C+ on them doesn’t really serve anyone. As I write my own book and see how hard it is, I have found myself thinking, “who am I to write something not so nice about something some person spent years working on!?” It feels icky. I know that some of you will miss the grades, but I think this actually makes my recommendations more meaningful. If it makes it onto the blog, I think it’s worth reading. I’ll be even more selective about what gets featured here, and I’ll probably be DNF-ing even more liberally than before. And if you’re ever curious whether I DNF’d something, you can feel free to message me! We can chat privately—I just don’t think it needs to be public.

You can still sort the library from best to worst. I’ll keep my ratings in the backend so the filter still works; I just won’t display the actual grades publicly. 

Everything i read in June 2026

I would really love to hear what you’re reading in the comments! And if you are new here, check out The Library. I have kept this page meticulously updated for the past twelve+ years. It has every book I’ve read, and you can search, filter by genre, and rank from favorite to least favorite.

PS – Last month’s list!

Thrillers

Saltwater, by Katy Hays

I am embarrassed to tell you that I almost gave up on this one. I’m so glad I did not. It’s a massive slow-burning psychological thriller. It starts out very literary — languid, like Capri, where it is set — and quickly intensifies, becoming very, very plotty. I initially struggled with all of the different characters . . . and didn’t particularly care for any of them. I am really happy I kept going, because I ultimately loved it. The premise is that thirty years earlier, Sarah Lingate is found dead, leaving behind her three-year-old daughter, Helen. Her death was ruled an accident, and every summer the family returns to the island. Except this time, a surprise awaits them: the necklace that Sarah wore when she died. Add to that, the disappearance of the family assistant. We meet the priviliged Lingate family (quite the cast of characters), their housekeeper and her son . . . everyone is a suspect in Sarah’s murder and not everyone will make it out of Capri alive. I will say no more but I absolutely loved this. It’s the perfect summer read. Liked it! Order on Bookshop or Amazon

Helpless, by Jessica Knoll (out July 7th)

It has been a minute since a book had me in a chokehold the way this one did. Maybe since Verity. At times, I felt paralyzed, like I physically could not put the book down. I will warn you that it’s dark and messed up, but I like dark and messed up. There is a content warning for abuse. The protagonist is deeply unlikeable and hard to relate to. She makes horrible decisions! Still, I loved it. These things were all intentional on Knoll’s part, and her writing (specifically Faye, the main character’s, observations) is incredible. Faye Heron is a successful Hollywood actress and part of a powerhouse producing duo with her husband. When her very beloved former professor suddenly passes away, she returns to her college campus, where she will speak at the memorial. There, she runs into her ex-boyfriend from college, Henry. Henry is the one who got away, the person she never stopped thinking about, her first great love. Old feelings come spiraling back, and things get very dark when Henry drugs and kidnaps her. Is she being punished? Protected? I will say no more, just this: clear your afternoon, you won’t be able to step away. Loved It! // Order on Bookshop or Amazon

The Truth About Ruby Cooper, by Liz Nugent (Out 9/1)

Oh my goodness. I don’t think I quite knew what I was getting myself into here. I just knew it was by the author of Strange Sally Diamond (loved!) and that Freida McFadden and Lisa Jewell (my twist queens) raved about it. Instant YES for me! It grabbed me from the first line and held my attention for 24 hours and now I’m still thinking about it. I will say that there are pretty big triggers for substance abuse and sexual assault, but this is the sort of book that willkeep you up all night. Ruby and her older sister Erin are teenagers growing up in Boston during the nineties. Their life is idyllic: a comfortable life, a tight-knit family, until Ruby is involved in an incident with Erin’s boyfriend Milo. I am purposely keeping this vague so not to give you any spoilers. This incident fractures the family. Ruby and her mother flee to Ireland, Erin stays in Boston with her father. The book follows Ruby and Erin into their mid-forties as the women take very different paths. I couldn’t put it down. I still can’t stop thinking about it! Loved It! // Order on Bookshop or Amazon

Wonderland, by Jennifer Hillier

This one is a little bit scary! Jennifer Hillier is one of those authors I auto-preorder. Her thrillers are just so good! This one scared me a lot, probably because I find amusement parks (and clowns!) to be scary. It’s set at Wonderland, an aging (but charming, in a retro sort of way) amusement park in the Pacific Northwest. The park has dark secrets. Its CEO has a penchant for younger boys, a dead body has just turned up below the ferris wheel, and several workers have gone missing over the past few years. Vanessa Castro is the new deputy police chief of the town, and her first day is a banger (when they find the dead body and a teenage boy goes missing). She’s moved to Seaside with her children to escape her own scandalous past, but quickly realizes this town has secrets: lots of them. Can she figure out what has happened before it’s too late and more employees go missing? I couldn’t put it down! Really Liked It! // Order on Bookshop or Amazon

It Could Have Been Her, by Lisa Jewell

Lisa Jewell is probably my favorite author. I will read anything and everything she writes and think she is the absolute queen of the thriller. This one was not my favorite of her books, but it was still very good! I hold Jewell to a higher standard than other authors. I pre-order every one of her books and drop everything to read them when they arrive. If I were still grading books, I’d give it an A-! It held my attention well enough that I finished it up in a single day. Jane Trevally has been married twice, has an army of stepchildren she loves, many dogs, and a country house that is falling apart. Her days are pretty empty until she spots a small white terrier while out walking, no sign of the teenage girl he’d been staying with. The dog is lost, and when she tracks down his owner, he doesn’t seem to know anything about the teenage girl, who has now been reported missing. Furthermore, the owner lives at a house where Jane experienced a traumatic incident years ago. What are the odds? Jane, an aspiring PI, becomes determined to figure out what has happened to the girl. In an alternate timeline, we meet Stuart. Stuart is a recovering alcoholic who has become obsessed with a mother he sees at the bar each day, drinking herself into a stupor before picking up her daughter. It’s dark and twisty, definitely a wild ride. It is sleepy at times, but then hits you over the head with a very dark banger of an ending. Really Liked It! // Order on Bookshop or Amazon

Historical Fiction

The Foursome, by Christina Baker Kline

Multiple friends had told me to read this. Truthfully, I don’t read a ton of historical fiction (I tend to enjoy it more when it’s a dual timeline), but the premise for this piqued my curiosity immediately. The true story of the conjoined twins from Siam, Eng and Chang Bunker, and the Yates sisters who married them. It was fascinating. The book spans five decades of their family’s life on a plantation in nineteenth-century North Carolina, from the 1830s through the Civil War and the years afterward. We meet Sarah (Sallie) and Adelaide (Addie) as headstrong teenage girls, intrigued by these wealthy, well-traveled, sophisticated twins. Addie sees an opportunity, while Sallie is more uncertain. The book carries us through fifty years, through love, loss, and war. It’s heartbreakingly sad at times, infuriating at others, but ultimately unputdownable. The book is clearly very well researched. I cannot even imagine how much work went into that, and giving this family’s story proper justice. The storytelling is beautiful: you really feel like you are back in the nineteenth century. I still can’t believe it’s all true. Liked It! // Order on Bookshop or Amazon

Contemporary Fiction

The Cheesemaker’s Daughter, by Kristin Vuković

I am doing that thing I do where I get home from somewhere wonderful (Croatia) and read books to help me relive it. This is such a beautiful story about family, belonging, and identity — I loved it. Marina returns home to Sirana (her family’s cheese factory on the island of Pag, Croatia) to regroup and figure out her next steps after separating from her husband. There, she finds the family business is struggling. Meanwhile, an old rivalry (and romance) comes to light, as do old, lingering family tensions. Marina realizes she has to do everything she can to save Sirana! She finds herself increasingly immersed in the world of cheese: learning to make it, hiring a new cheesemaker, and figuring out workarounds for old equipment they can’t afford to replace. The writing is beautifully transportive, and as a foodie, I loved learning so much about the cheesemaking process. I also thought the parts about Croatia joining the EU were really interesting, as the book was set in the year leading up to that. Really Liked It! //  Order on Bookshop or Amazon

Romance

Major Gift, by Tiffany Ezuma

This is another fun 831 stories book; I absolutely loved it. This one felt warm and cozy, like a cup of chicken soup. I don’t read a lot of romance, which is not to say I don’t enjoy the genre. I just need the characters to be capable, fully formed adults (nothing infuriates me more than a messy twenty-something who needs saving by some wealthy/successful hero). This one delivered. Ndidi Davis is the wife of a billionaire tech mogul who has died in a tragic accident. A year later, she is determined to give away her wealth and has created a foundation with plans to give it all away over the next ten years. When Geoffrey Campbell, an ambitious (handsome) journalist, is assigned to cover her philanthropic foundation, sparks fly. Ndidi wants to remain professional and not be the woman who moved on so quickly after her husband’s death, but she finds herself falling for Geoffrey. Add to that: Ndidi is keeping a secret about the real way her husband’s company was started. I love these books. Under 200 pages, easy to gobble up, satisfying ending! Really Liked It! // Order on Bookshop or Amazon

Non-Fiction

The End of Normal by Stephanie Madoff Mack

This is an older one, read for research for my book. Stephanie is Mark Madoff’s widow (you might remember that Mark died by suicide two years after his father Bernie was arrested). I wanted to listen to it for research on rich people and financial crimes, but it was a hard listen because it’s so sad. It sounds like Mark was an amazing person and dad, and my heart really goes out to her and her kids. I cannot imagine enduring what their family went through. It had a lot of salacious, gossipy bits, too, but mostly I just felt really sad for them. Liked It! // Order on Bookshop or Amazon

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The post Everything I Read in June 2026 appeared first on The Stripe.

Harbour Island was the actual best and is becoming one of my favorite spots to vacation. I originally created this post back in 2019 after a trip with girlfriends this year; but I updated it after my trilp in 2024 and wanted to update it again with new recommendations from this past trip. It’s the perfect little getaway, especially from the East Coast. This was only my third visit, so I’m certainly not an expert; but I do have some favorites!

Harbour Island Travel Guide

Things to know before visiting Harbour Island!

• I’d definitely recommend staying 4 nights if you can. This last trip was three nights long and we did plenty, but I would have liked another night. Four nights for me is perfect. Though honestly I could have stayed longer!
• To get there, I flew Delta to Atlanta and then Atlanta to Eleuthera. From Eleuthera, it’s just a quick ten minute ferry ride. You can also take a longer ferry from Nassau. I definitely recommend the Delta or American flights. The first time we came, we flew Silver and it was a bit of a mess.
• Bring cash! There aren’t very many ATMs on the island, and a lot of places were cash only (ferry rides, boat excursion, coffee, pastries, taxis)
• Rent a golf cart. We have rented from Dunmore Rentals and Michael’s Cycles and both were great. The island is more spread out than a lot of other islands I’ve been to so I would say you definitely need one!
• Prepare for a rough day getting back. The airport is very small and under construction. There was a lot of waiting and the room you go into after security is cramped and weird. It’s awful every time, you’ve been warned (but don’t let it deter you either!).

Where to stay.

Hotels on Harbor Island can be very pricey, so another good option is to rent a house. My friend Chassity actually has a gorgeous house in Harbour Island, Coral House and that is where we stayed on my last It was absolutely perfect. This post has more photos and info.

This past trip, I stayed at The Dunmore. It had been on my hotel bucket list for a while, and OMG. Every detail was perfect. I loved my room so much and was obsessed with the property. I could write a sonnet about the bed; I slept like an angel every night. I did not want to leave; it’s one of my favorite hotels I’ve stayed at. The pool, the restaurant, the gym, and the spa… love. They do the cutest breakfast delivery, too. Every morning around 7:30, they deliver coffee and homemade blueberry muffins.

On my first trip, we stayed at The Ocean View Club. To be totally honest, I was just medium on it. I loved my room, and the overall vibe/decor of the hotel… It’s VERY pretty. It’s right on the beach and reminded me a lot of one of my favorite hotels in Tulum. The service was not great, and the food was only medium. And my bathtub didn’t really work. Brown water came out, yikes!

I am dying to stay at The Coral Sands; it’s such a beautiful space. I’ve also heard amazing things about Bahama House!

No matter what you do; book WAY in advance as this time of year, things fill up. I’m dying to go back!

See what I mean about my room at the Ocean View Club? It’s very pretty!!!!! I rented the “Kitchen Cottage.”

the photos above were taken at The Dunmore. I love the preppy, beachy vibe and all the stripes!

Where to Eat:

Every time I go to Harbour Island I eat at The Landing. It’s a great spot. The grilled lobster was exceptionally good!

The food at The Dunmore is always so good. I highly recommend the poké bowl if you go for lunch. I also love the lobster Caesar. And they have one of the best passion fruit margaritas I’ve ever had.

Coral Sands has a great lunch. I loved their Greek salad (I added shrimp!). We had a great dinner there this trip. Honestly, the meatball appetizer makes a fairly hearty dinner.

We had a truly excellent dinner at Da Vine! Such great sushi.

Romora Bay was nice for a really easy dinner. Live music, good cocktails, very relaxed.

Ocean View Club has a fun dinner. We closed it down!

Sip Sip has reopened! The new location is in Romora Bay and it was delicious. Highly recommend getting a lobster quesadilla for the table.

Coffee and Pastries!

On my first trip, we went to Bahamas Coffee Roasters EVERY DAY for iced coffee. It was very good. They also have a really cute cat.

And Arthur’s Bakery was great. Someone told us we had to get the cinnamon roll (apparently they sell out of them by 8:30am) but we didn’t love the cinnamon roll. It was pretty dry. We did however LOVE both the breakfast sandwiches and the donuts! Live and learn. (You guys were all freaking out about their donuts in my DM’s, thanks for the suggestion!)

This past trip, we were at Cocoa’s every single morning. It’s a 2 minute walk from Coral House and really great. Excellent coffee and juices, but also bagels and pastries.

Things to Do!

A boating adventure is a must. We rented a charter via TyMan and it was amazing. It is expensive, so definitely do it with a group to amortize the cost. I believe we paid $800 (plus a 20% gratuity) for a 3.5 hour cruise but Chassity gets a special rate as she’s referred so many people to them. It can cost upwards of $1,200 usually but it is SO worth it as you get to see the pigs, swim with the sea turtles, the sandbar, and of course the fun swings in the middle of the ocean.

Karaoke at Daddy D’s is of course a must-do. So much fun! And Elbow Room is a really fun bar with great drinks

It’s really fun to take a boat over to The Other Side and have lunch there. We had a really great leisurely lunch and it was fun to wander around and see the property.

The post Harbour Island Travel Guide. appeared first on The Stripe.