Happy weekend! This was a more social week than usual, so I treated myself to a really good cozy night last night. I got a massage, did a mini at-home-facial, took a bath, and got into bed really early with a book. The dream, I tell you! I have dinner with my family this evening, otherwise not much else planned besides tackling the giant pile of mail that is threatening to overtake my kitchen counter. Whatever you’re up to, I hope it’s great.

Loved this piece about Rachel Comey; forever one of my favorites! Bazaar

A very good casual jacket for fall.

The best TV to get excited about right now. Vulture

“I know you muted me on Instagram.” Cracked me up as I kind of just figure most of my real life friends have me muted. Social media is not for your friends. Bustle

This top was easily one of my fav purchases for fall. I wear the medium.

How to fall asleep faster. Time

I just ordered this chocolate brown suede skirt and can’t wait to wear it.

Loved this article about how TV is finally starting to portray female friendships accurately. NYT gift link

OMG, did you see the Birkenstock x Etro collab? Elle

I just got this workout set (bra + leggings) and love it so much. Perfect colorblocking.

A great novel becomes a bad show. Admittedly, I didn’t hate the show! The Atlantic

Love these ballet flats.

16 fall party ideas! The Everygirl

How to do a fall closet cleanout. The Cut

Such a fun jacquard top.

Protein pancakes that don’t use any protein powder — yum. Bon Appetit

I love these rattan baskets so much and they’re on sale.

Wow, so much incredible inspiration in this Georgian London villa. I’d like to move in! Homes & Gardens

Magical midnight margs. Bon Appetit

How fun are these snake print flats? I love the higher vamp.

All brown outfits are going to be a big trend for fall. Glamour

Random but this is the best beef jerky.

5 viral grocery store snacks, and why they are so great. Food & Wine

The best fall destinations. The Everygirl

This lace-trimmed top is stunning.

Very much looking forward to watching The Good Daughter this fall. Vanity Fair

J.Crew’s new scarf sweaters are so great. Also, I want this necklace.

Are you following the Rachel Cusk/Natalie Portman drama? I tried reading Life of M, but it wasn’t for me; I don’t think my taste is literary enough. NYT gift link (comments section wow)

What to write in your next greeting card. The Good Trade

Lovvvve these metallic flats – they look like Le Monde!

The “revenge dress” goes to auction! Marie Claire

A cute fall top!

I love all the art in this San Francisco Victorian. AD

Everything we know about season 3 of Nobody Wants This. Elle

Such a pretty pair of lace-trimmed pants (under $200).

Famous homes from movies and television that you can actually rent! Condé Nast Traveler.

I was gifted these beautiful earrings and really love them.

11 books Vulture editors can’t wait to read this fall.

A peaceful yet colorful Santa Monica home. Homes & Gardens

My favorite workout leggings now come in two pretty shades of blue.

Eater’s fall cookbook preview!

This faux fur scarf is so fun.

OK, Paige and Tommy Paul’s Connecticut estate is pretty damn dreamy. I love all the color, naturally. AD

36 hours in Stockholm! NYT gift link

This is such a fun top.

OK this viral “bottom of the Greek Salad dip” sounds amazing. Making it next time I entertain. Food & Wine

My favorite deodorant – smells so good and the acid formula kills odor.

Wow, these cruise lines rival luxury hotels. Condé Nast Traveler

The women bringing NYFW back to life. The Cut

How fab is this rug?

Dating apps are dying. Time

I love this longer bead necklace.

The best places to go in Europe once summer is over. Travel & Leisure

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 9.12.26 appeared first on The Stripe.

We are back with our biweekly edit of under-$200 favorites. This week’s installment has some real bangers (this perfect suede hobo bag, for example: I have it and can attest to the quality)

An early fall under $200 edit

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! Carly and I spend a lot 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:

• This baseball tee! I love a baseball tee as a sportier foil to something more feminine, and this is perfect.
• These gorgeous suede tassel loafers.
• J.Crew’s new pendant necklaces, specifically the lipstick case and the comb.
• Also, this $48 pendant, which looks like Jennifer Fisher.
• Perfect, simple running shorts. But also these mesh shorts. I wore these on Wednesday and love them. I sized up to the large and roll them once. I wish I got the XL.
• Super comfy sneakers that you don’t need to untie.

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 An Early Fall Under $200 Edit appeared first on The Stripe.

My fall wardrobe has considerably less turn than my summer wardrobe. The styles are more classic, I tend to invest a bit more, and truthfully . . . I am way less sweaty so my clothes last longer!

Today I wanted to share nine pieces I reach for season after season. I had Carly share hers as well! Spoiler alert: we both can’t wait to wear our J.Crew boyfriend tees again soon. It’s still far too hot for sleeves, but these are a favorite purchase for both of us. We both sized up — I plan to wear mine with a wrap skirt, and Carly plans to wear hers with vintage Umbro shorts and loafers.

my picks

Shoes are where I splurge the most these days, and I cannot wait to wear my Alaia block heel wedges ASAP. The fun red color is very happy; they are wildly comfortable, and they’re just so cute. Same goes for my Miu Miu boat shoes. The perfect easy shoe. Other notable favorites: the best-button down, my Nili Lotan Shon jeans (I’ve had the cream for a while and actually just added the vintage tan wash), my favorite silky pants!

Carly’s Picks

Fall is where I feel most comfortable in my own skin, so naturally I gravitate towards pieces that emphasize that feeling. I’m a major shoe shopper year round, but really love my cold-weather footwear. I’ve been doing everything I can to get these Banana Republic loafers out of the box this summer, but am itching to style them with my go-to denim from Uniqlo and this cashmere sweater (also from BR!). Oh – and I can never get enough of these woven ankle boots from Loeffler Randall. Sadly they’ve been sold out, so I’m curious to see if they’ll be brought back in new colorways!

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 Pieces We Can’t Wait to Re-Wear This Fall appeared first on The Stripe.

Today, we are styling this chic car coat from J.Crew, these Reformation shorts (a wardrobe MVP for me), and this super pretty dress from Farm Rio.

PS – Here’s the latest installment. We took last week off but I love making these!

I have been very into fuchsia. I love it with chartreuse, but how fun is this pale blue!? And on instagram, I’ve seen so many of my favorite “cool girls” wearing these a lightweight long coat with shorts and think the combo feels so fun and fresh. This look is perfect!

Farm Rio makes the best dresses and this one is perfection! We’re pairing her with tonal accessories for a look that feels flirty and fun.

This look is probably my favorite of all, and these Reformation shorts are the best. I do recommend sizing up as they are quite short (Ref runs small in general), I am very happy with the size large. Add easy stripes and a fun brooch (and my beloved Alaia sandals).

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. 19 appeared first on The Stripe.

Happy (long) weekend! I have a really nice few days ahead of me. Pilates and a massage this morning, having a few girlfriends over this afternoon, and a nice family day on Monday. Whatever you are up to, I hope it’s great. Enjoy the (unofficial) end of summer. Xoxo

When did it become so hard to make plans with friends? Time

I got this lace mini in the green and love it so much.

Gloria Steinem’s fashion and feminism. Glamour

What a beautiful library/office space! NYT gift link

OK, this patterned wrap mini is drop-dead gorgeous.

How Dorsey is building a new kind of jewelry brand. Vogue

My fave (exfoiating!) glossy balm has new colors. I’m loving coquito dulce, a shimmery rose.

Drooling over Francesca Bodini’s upstate New York house. AD

What do pro chefs cook at home? Bon Appetit

Can’t get over these (really well priced!) tassel loafers.

Where Sherri McMullen finds style inspiration. The Cut

These sheer, candy-colored bras are so fun.

Oh gosh, Chanel’s new embroidered bags are beautiful. Bustle

Look at this incredible English country house! That kitchen!! Homes & Gardens

How gorgeous is this lace and satin blouse?

Ooh, the idea of going on a crafts retreat is so fun to me. Conde Nast Traveler

Dôen vibes for under $100.

Chaotic books set in summer homes. Marie Claire

Jennifer Lawrence on aging and beauty. Vogue

How chic is this jacquard top?

Everything we know about the Harry Potter TV series. Elle

Super fun pants!

Nina Garcia’s guide to Marrakech. Elle

At home with the fashion world’s favorite chef. W

Really wanting one of these Prada pouches for fall.

Bookmarked NYT Cooking‘s guide to easy dinners.

I could not love my new bathrobe more. This print!

The most anticipated films coming out of the Venice Film Festival. Vulture

Vanity Fair‘s fall movie preview.

My favorite jeans. I size up and wear the tall even though I’m a hair under 5’8.

Where to eat in New York right now. Grub Street

These new bubble letter paracord necklaces are super fun.

Bazaar‘s guide to Fall’s best TV.

What’s the deal with Loonen water? Bon Appetit

I love Tuckernuck’s new flats — just a little heel!

The best TV of the year so far. Vulture

Very into everything about these floral pants.

Is anyone else really curious about Dyson’s new toothbrush? Here’s The Cut‘s review.

Meta is banning beauty filters for teens. Will it work? Allure

Banana Republic continues to make such great dresses: I love this!

W‘s guide to this month’s best beauty launches.

It’s too early for me to think about sweaters . . . but: this color!!!!

The cheapest places to travel right now. Conde Nast Traveler

26 cozy recipes for September. Food & Wine

My dad likes a stronger THC concoction (I can only do 2.5 mg!) and I got him this one — he loves the strawberry.

How to wear J.Crew when you are the opposite of preppy. Bazaar

The perfect “it’s too hot but I want to look cute” fall dress.

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 9.5.26 appeared first on The Stripe.

Carly is back with the latest installment of Carly’s Cut. I can’t believe we’ve been doing this column for over a year now. 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.

I was a woman about town in August! And by about town, I mean anywhere but Charleston. Grace and I have joked that we’ve barely seen each other this summer. Between her writing retreat, getaways to New York and LA, and family vacation, we’ve been living on opposite schedules. August kicked off a slew of travels for me, which is something I love to do in theory but inevitably find myself stressed by in practice. I booked back-to-back trips to New York, Mallorca, and Seattle, and while I’m incredibly grateful for the flexibility to see the world, I’m already thinking longingly about fall in Charleston and the comfort of settling back into a steady routine.

I’m making the most of these final remnants of summer, but I’m ultimately think I’m ready to say adios to this endless heat wave and the long, lingering days that come with it.

Carly’s Cut, Vol. 13

Shopped //

I’m writing this from the nail salon the night before my week away in Mallorca (!!) and, as a shocker to absolutely no one, I still haven’t packed. I’ve shopped, I’ve organized piles, but nothing has actually made it into my suitcase yet. The hesitation comes from my sheer anxiety about fitting a week’s worth of clothes, shoes, accessories, and toiletries into a carry-on suitcase. I’ve never managed to do it before, and I blame my mother. Overpacking is genetic, right?

Even so, I’m excited to flaunt around in slip skirts and bathing suits all week. For someone who loves to layer, I’m oddly drawn to the idea of a beach-adjacent vacation. Maybe it’s because I don’t elect for them often, but when I do, I go all in. I’ve been saving outfits for weeks (because everyone else on the internet is apparently also traveling to Mallorca this summer) and am really looking forward to styling some pieces, new and old, in ways I wouldn’t dare in Charleston. In the last volume of Carly’s Cut, I shared some pieces I was eyeing, along with a few that I had already bitten the bullet on. This volume includes a roundup of the honorable mentions: the pieces I’m really excited to wear and the ones that were ordered at the final hour.

I was really hoping to score a pair of Thistles sunglasses, but unfortunately, they’ve been sold out everywhere for quite some time. After some Google reverse-image searching, I stumbled across this pair from new-to-me brand Jimmy Fairly. Sadly, they wouldn’t have made it in time, so I landed on this pair from Zara instead. When I bought them, I couldn’t stop imagining how cute they’d be with a vintage crochet cover-up that I just snatched from Shop Vintage Collection (close to this one) and these flip-flops from Tory Burch that are currently on major sale.

I’ve been dreaming about strutting around in this ruffled bikini top from Oddli paired with the matching swim shorts during the day, then trading them in for this pointelle skirt at night. Can’t you see it with these PVC wedges from Maryam Nassir Zadeh? Sadly, my Nu Swim board shorts won’t arrive in time, which is such a shame because I was really hoping to pair them with this woven top from Zara and a little bag I’ve had that looks similar to this mini tote.

Watched //

I would consider myself the luckiest girl in the world to have gotten the chance to see Meg Stalter star as Mary Todd Lincoln in Oh, Mary!. Regardless of who is cast in the lead, this play is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Cole Escola, the show’s writer and original Mary, has crafted some of the most singular humor I’ve encountered onstage, and it was a genuine privilege to bear witness to their masterpiece.

Unfortunately, if I share any information about the plot, I would completely ruin it for anyone who still hasn’t had the chance to see it. Just know that I truly have never laughed harder in my entire life. If you’re debating seeing it soon, you absolutely cannot miss Meg Stalter in her Broadway debut… or, if you need a little more convincing to plan ahead, Bowen Yang!

Read //

I’ve mentioned it before, and I’ll always preach the sentiment that being passed down a book by a dear friend will forever be one of my greatest love languages. This one was a hand-me-down from one of my best friends, Pippa, who is notorious for falling deeply into the most random selection of thrillers. Pippa rarely purchases a book (she’s a devoted library renter), so when she does, I know two things to be true: it’s that good, and it will likely find its way into my hands within the coming months.

Her latest read Girls with Long Shadows, which has now become mine, is a Southern Gothic novel about identical triplets in small-town Texas. What hooked me most was the way the novel was likened in mood and style to The Virgin Suicides and Where the Crawdads Sing. While I haven’t finished it just yet (I plan to soak up the rest on my plane ride to Spain), I’m hanging on to every page that oozes teenage angst, weaponized insecurity, and tangled love stories. Updates to come, but for now, I’m absolutely eating it up.

Saved //

If there’s one thing I desperately miss since moving into my latest apartment, it’s having a dining table. More importantly, I miss hosting. I miss the feeling of cooking for friends and lingering over a meal together. When I scrolled past this picture during my nightly peruse of Pinterest, I felt that spark again. I’ve always had mixed feelings about mismatched chairs, but there’s something about this collection that really calls to me. I’ve been daydreaming about bringing my vintage patchwork quilt out of the bedroom and framing it against a large wooden dining table, much like the one you see in the photo.

This year, I’ve really fallen in love with using wall hangings to fill vacant wall space. There’s something so nuanced about the texture of a textile hanging alongside a standard framed piece of art, and the dimension it brings to a room is hard to replicate. Between scouring Etsy and eBay, there will never be any shortage of good finds, but my recommendation is to head to your local antique store and dig through the piles of fabric and embroidered pieces they’ve folded away to sell as scraps or table linens. Get creative. You can even frame the textile if it doesn’t feel grand enough to hang on its own.

Ate //

Ahead of my trip to Mallorca, where I will presumably eat as much cured meat and seafood as humanly possible, I snuck away to New York and made my way through all of my favorite spots. Potentially my favorite of the weekend, spent sweltering against the asphalt, was Thai Diner, a welcome refuge from a thunderstorm that nearly swept me away.

My friend Schuyler and I could have ordered everything on the menu had we really let ourselves get carried away. This meal came immediately after our showing of Oh, Mary! and was the perfect end cap to an already perfect day. We sat outside, tucked away at a two-top that was barely big enough to accommodate the three dishes we ordered. Among them was a whopping plate of mussels frites, the lettuce wraps with fried chicken, and the green curry fried rice with prawns. I could sit for hours at Thai Diner, dining endlessly while taking in the rush of chaos that envelops the restaurant, otherwise known as the streets of SoHo and Nolita.

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. 13 appeared first on The Stripe.

It was another twelve-book month, wow! I read some weird (but good) little books this month, namely Kitten and Girl’s Girl. The Stalker was also very weird — more in a creepy sort of way (a good thing for me, ha!).

My favorite book this month was actually a romance: Dolly All The Time. So many of my friends had read it and loved it, and it did not disappoint. It had a famous-person, non-famous person, a beautiful New England beach town that reminded me of Cape Cod, and unforgettably great characters. Other highlights for me were the new Sarah Pekkanen (pre-order it!) and The Shampoo Effect. 

PS – last month’s list!

Everything i read in August 2026

Lastly, 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 best to worst. 

Thrillers

Getting Away With Murder, by Shari Lapena

When I spotted this at the Ladybird (my beloved local bookstore), I bought it without knowing a thing, as I tend to enjoy Shari Lapena’s books. This one is about Jill and Ted, a wealthy couple in Brooklyn who have made a few bad investment decisions. They’ve grown accustomed to their extravagant lifestyle and have fallen victim to the mindset “the more you have, the more you want.” Realizing that they are on the verge of losing their beloved brownstone, they make a plan to murder Ted’s brother Greg (as one does, right?) This will, they believe, solve all their problems. They’ll just throw him off of his sailboat, and claim it was an accident. And Greg is kind of an asshole, anyway. With the two of them as the only witnesses to Greg’s death, their story will be ironclad. Or will it? Can they really trust each other? What about their longtime housekeeper? What about Greg’s ex-wife? Or the Coast Guard official who can’t seem to stop sniffing around? I’d describe this more as suspenseful than twisty (twisty is my preference) but I still really enjoyed this. Really Liked It!

Read this if you loved: Shari Lapena’s other books; this was her tenth! I didn’t love this quite as much as The Couple Next Door, but still really enjoyed it. // Order on Bookshop or Amazon

The Stalker, by Paula Bomer

I picked this up at a bookstore in Skaneateles, unable to resist the cover or the premise, but I have not seen much about it otherwise. I’m so glad I did, as I couldn’t put it down. It is deeply toxic. I will warn you that there is a trigger for sexual abuse. It is the nineties in New York, and Doughty has arrived, fresh out of BC. He is, simply put, a total monster. He’s managed to climb his way from sleeping in a bed at the YMCA to living with a book editor in her forties, in her posh Soho loft. Meanwhile, he’s actively pursuing a relationship with a bartender. He’s entitled and delusional, and tells both women that he is pursuing a career in real estate. Meanwhile, he spends his days watching VHS comedy specials (he has a real thing for George Carlin), or in the park, smoking crack. He abuses both women physically and emotionally… It’s horrible, and some scenes are really hard to read!. Still, I could not put it down. This book is compulsively readable. If you like dark and toxic, you’ll like this a lot. Really Liked It!

Read this if you liked: Tell Me Lies (and you thought Stephen DeMarco was the worst person in the world — Daughty makes him look like a puppy), You. It also, in a very abstract way, reminded me a bit of The Guest // Order on Bookshop or Amazon

Whiteout, by Carola Lovering (out 3/9/27)

Carola Lovering is one of my no-miss, instant pre-order authors (you might remember her as the author of Tell Me Lies). I was so excited when she asked if she could send me an ARC. Obvious yes, obvious drop everything to read it in under 24 hours. I will warn you that this one has trigger warnings for stillbirth, postpartum depression, and psychosis. June Lyons has an idyllic life in Aspen, Colorado. She’s married to a best-selling author whose career continues to rise and rise… Together, they live in a beautiful home with their daughter Ivy. Her best friend in the world (her sister Penny) lives just across town. She’s had to put her own personal ambitions on a shelf, but life is good. And then everything changes in an instant, and her family’s world is shattered when she’s injured while skiing and loses her baby just weeks before he was due. When June wakes up, besides healing from a devastating loss, she must reconcile what has happened. Why was she skiing so close to her due date? Where was her husband? What if losing the baby was not a total accident? I raced to figure out what happened and really loved the ending. Loved It!

Read this if you loved: The Push, by Ashley Audrain // Order on Bookshop or Amazon

Based on a True Story, by Sarah Vaughn

Dame Eleanor Kingman is about to throw the party of a lifetime. Her seventieth birthday, to be held at her new cliffside manor. This is her fourth home, and it’s absolutely stunning. Meanwhile, a television crew has descended on the party, where they will interview guests and create a documentary about her life and career. Kingman is a wildly successful children’s author, but her past contains secrets. And someone knows these secrets and is out to get her. For months, she’s been receiving menacing emails, threatening to expose the lie she’s kept safe for fifty years. Eleanor must figure out who is doing this, before it’s too late. Could it be one of her three daughters, all with a vested interest in her business? Her ex-agent, or ex-husband? Maybe her new agent, or the talented (but underpaid) illustrator she had hired for her most recent book. It could be anyone, and Eleanor must figure it out (while staying composed at her party) before it is too late. Liked It!

Read this if you loved: A Very Bad Thing (a favorite!) // Order on Bookshop or Amazon

Promise Me Never, by Liv Constantine

Liv Constantine is like Sarah Pekkanen and Lisa Jewell for me: instant pre-order! This didn’t top The Last Mrs. Parrish, but it was still very satisfying. The ending had a fun twist I didn’t see coming; I read it in under 24 hours. Savannah is an aspiring writer with a past. She’s had a crush on legendary horror writer Bennett Bryson for years. When she manages to meet him — and get engaged just a month later, it feels like all her dreams are coming true. She moves into his mansion in Bedford, New York and that’s when cracks in their relationship start to appear as Bennett becomse controlling and removed. He’s critical of her work. He is really weird about letting her come into his office. His ex wife’s art is everywhere . . . and she’s beginning to think he may have murdered his ex. When Savannah is warned that Bennett might not be who he seems, Savannah must take action — or be next. But who can she trust? As she digs into his past, we get to know his ex-wife too. Everyone is hiding secrets! I really enjoyed this one.Really Liked It!

Read this if you loved: The Ghostwriter, Just One Look, any of Liv Constantine’s other books! // Order on Bookshop or Amazon

Romance

Dolly All the Time, by Annabel Monaghan

I am not usually a huge romance reader, but so many of my girlfriends had raved about this one. And I love a fake dating romance… also, the coastal New England backdrop felt particularly appealing, as it is summer and I miss Cape Cod. Dolly is a hard-working, no-bullshit single mom, home for the summer to help out her father and disabled brother after a fire at their house. When a chance incident puts handsome (and helpless) billionaire Stewart in her path, the two enter into an unlikely fake dating relationship. Dolly will prove to Stewart’s family that he can be in a relationship, and in exchange he gives her the money to fix the roof of her family’s house. What could have been cheesy and unbelievable actually turns into a very plausible, heartfelt book. I loved the characters, especially Dolly, and Stewart’s effervescent sister Busy. I couldn’t put it down and wanted more when it was over. Highly recommend, it is the perfect summer read! Loved it!

Read this if you loved: Happy Place, by Emily Henry // Order on Bookshop or Amazon

Contemporary Fiction

The Shampoo Effect, by Jenny Jackson

Caroline Lash, daughter of a famous writer and editor for a publishing company, has sold exactly one story when she decides to quit her job and pursue writing full time. She packs up her life in New York and arrives in Greenhead, Massachusetts, where she has received a prestigious writing fellowship. Almost immediately, she meets — and falls in love with Van Whittaker, a sweet and smart long-haired environmentalist-type. Van grew up in Greenhead and still runs with his childhood besties (and ex-girlfriend, Bailey). Caroline finds herself thrust into this new group: older than her, many with children. There is snobby Augusta, frazzled feminist Fran, and their siblings and spouses. But when Van learns that Bailey, who he’s been on and off with for years, is pregnant with his baby, the group dynamic is thrown off. Before she knows it, Caroline has been thrust out of the circle. What she does next will shock everyone in the town and expose long-held secrets. I really loved this. It was a bit slow at times but Jackson can make even the smallest details feel important, and wow — the characters were amazing! Highly enjoyable, especially as a summer read. Loved It!

Read this if you loved: Jackson’s other book, Pineapple Street. She writes the best characters. I would also say Ann Patchett. A bold statement, but this read a bit like Patchett. The way she describes the most mundane details. The intricate family relationships. // Order on Bookshop or Amazon

Looks Perfect, by Jessica Siskin

If you love books about the influencer world, I think you’ll really enjoy this. Stella is an up-and-coming fashion designer and influencer, on the cusp of hitting a million followers. Her life is perfect, except for one thing: her boyfriend Alex seems to hate her. When she is offered $10,000 to try out a new dating app (without posting anything), she takes a chance. There, she meets “Pineapple,” who has her reconsidering everything about her career and her life. Can she and Alex fix things, or should she take a chance on this new, anonymous stranger? My favorite thing about this is the way that Siskin wrote Stella’s character. She’s not a total monster (so many books about influencers can do that), but she also makes bad decisions and falls prey to the trap of living to create content vs. the other way around. Really Liked It!

Read this if you loved: Such a Bad Influence, People Like Her, books about influencers! Order on Bookshop or Amazon

Kitten, by Stacey Yu

This is a weird little book, one that I absolutely purchased for its beautiful cover (that, and seeing it on every “most anticipated books” list. It’s really well written and I mostly loved the plot, but I feel like I have to warn you (in as vague a way as possible to avoid spoilers) that an animal dies. That’s a huge trigger for me, and I probably would have skipped it had I known that! There is a big theme of coming into your own and going from being taken care of to taking care of yourself. Katie is far from home, newly graduated from college, and very reliant on her boyfriend James, who is kind, generous, and all too happy to care for the both of them. When his parents are away, he takes care of his family cat Silver; Katie becomes a bit obsessed with her. They head out to his family’s house by the beach for a two week break where they’ll swim, connect with old friends, and lounge around. But everything else seems to fall away as she observes Silver’s every move. There were parts I liked (it really captures that tie between college and real adulthood beautifully, as well as her codependent relationship with her mother and then her boyfriend), but that one thing made it really disturbing. Liked It! 

Read this if you loved: Girls, on TV. I genuinely can’t think of anything else to compare it to! // Order on Bookshop or Amazon

Girl’s Girl, by Sonia Feldman

This is not my usual book! I picked it up at Ladybird because I liked the cover and the title. But it’s much more literary (and slow!) than I usually read. I read it while up at the lake house, which was the perfect time to read it… It’s the perfect book to read when you want to slow down a little bit. The writing is gorgeous, and it really captures the little nuances that come with being fifteen: the jealousies between friends, the neediness, etc. Mina’s two best friends, Eleanor and Margaret, are her entire world. It is high summer in Ohio, and they spend their days languishing by the pool, plotting to go out, getting dressed up, and taking pictures of each other. But when two of the girls share a kiss, the group dynamic begins to change. Suddenly three starts to feel like a crowd and Mina no longer understands her place in the group. This is such a great depiction of being young: the tension, the volatile feelings that can happen between best friends… first love, first lust, all of it! Liked It!

Read this if you loved: I couldn’t think of anything quite like this, but parts of it reminded me of the Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow. // Order on Bookshop or Amazon

Non-Fiction

I’m Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself, by Glynnis MacNicol

I loved this book so much. I listened to it, which I would highly recommend, as it feels like a multi-hour catch-up with your new best friend. It’s 2021, and international travel has just opened back up. MacNicol, forty-six and unmarried without children, decides (after 16 months of living alone in a tiny Manhattan apartment) to move to Paris for a few months, in pursuit of one thing: enjoying herself. Friendship, food, and sex. It’s indulgent and wonderful. It’s also feminist, maybe even a little bit political, and I loved seeing another unmarried, childfree woman living life exactly on her own terms. Women need more stories like this to understand: You’ll be great on your own. Happy, even! The friendship stories are big-hearted and warm, the casual sex is juicy and salacious, you won’t be able to stop reading. Loved It!

Read this if you loved: I can’t say I’ve read anything quite like this (that’s a good thing), but I would say it could be a good chaser to All Fours. And I’d compare the writing to Nora Ephron. // Order on Bookshop or Amazon

You With the Sad Eyes, by Christina Applegate

This was my latest listen, and I it flew by for me. Applegate makes for a wonderful walking companion. I came for the tea (I’d heard it was juicy and very honest — it is!) but stayed for her dark sense of humor. I knew she was funny, of course, but I didn’t expect her sense of humor to be so dark. It’s definitely a side of her I hadn’t seen before, and I loved that. I loved all the parts about filming (Married With Children! The Sweetest Thing! Anchorman! Dead to Me) and, of course, the dating stories, but what struck me about this memoir vs. other celebrity memoirs is how real and human it felt. She seems really normal and grounded, just human. It was interesting to learn more about Applegate’s life, her struggle with body image (big content warning there if its a trigger), her strength through battling breast cancer and then M.S. I really enjoyed this and would highly recommend it, especially on audio. Really Liked It!

Read this if you loved: Mean Baby, Famesick // Order on Bookshop or Amazon

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

Happy Saturday from sunny California! It is great to be out here. Everyone is apologizing for the hot weather but it’s still so much better than Charleston. This is a quicker trip, but high on quality time. Whatever you’re up to, I hope it’s fab! Enjoy the links, there are some really good ones this week. xx

Who else is super excited for a new season of The Gilded Age? Vulture

This gorgeous dupioni dress is a reader favorite and back in a slew of new colors.

Dolly Parton redefined the American dream. Bazaar

Inside Patrica Fields’ New York apartment. Conde Nast Traveler

I’ve been getting so much wear out of these comfy, lightweight joggers.

Bon Appetit’s guide to the best restaurants of the year.

I love this charteuse camisole.

The beauty products Katie Jane Hughes uses up to the last drop. The Cut

Good taste is getting weirder. AD

This is a really pretty bra.

The best places to travel this fall. Vogue

My favorite bedtime drink.

How to spend a bookish afternoon in Brooklyn. NYT gift link

Three big questions after Meta’s teen safety settlement. Time

This brand makes the comfiest shoes. I ordered these boots for fall.

I love this beautiful Victorian home in Pasadena. So much texture and color. Homes & Gardens

I love these lightweight lounge pants so much.

OK I am excited for this romcom! Bustle

Wow, check out this stunning Hamptons home! Homes & Gardens

I love this lace trim skirt.

Vanity Fair’s best dressed list.

My favorite bandana scarf from last year is back!

The best nice-looking cat bowls. The Strategist

Loved this interview with Morgane Sezalory. Elle

I love the print of this pretty mini.

Does dressing your age still matter? Glamour

This is a gorgeous dress for early fall.

The painter who shaped Rothko. The Atlantic, gift link

Oooh very excited about Vanity Fair’s list of fall movies.

This is the perfect “fall in Charleston” dress.

I am obsessed with Jessica Williams and loved this profile. Bustle

These skinny Burberry scarves! So fun.

How this Hollywood designer went analog with ceramics. Vogue

Croc-embossed handbags are shaping up to be a big fall trend. Elle

These shoes are a splurge but feel like a work of art.

What to do in Isle of Palms. Travel & Leisure

Obsessing over this effortlessly beachy dress.

What do we think of the tiny rollneck? The Cut

How to make a cry baby cocktail. Bon Appetit

I’m intrigued by this new plumping serum from Kiehl’s — it also prevents sagging!

On adding jewelry to your handbag. NYT gift link

The only protein powder I actually enjoy eating.

The benefits of hanging from a bar for just 30 seconds. Time

How to have a Nancy Meyers fall weekend. The Everygirl

My beloved barn jacket has been restocked. I size down!

How to apply perfume correctly. Glamour

Very into this gorgeous tiger’s eye necklace.

Where to go in December. Conde Nast Traveler

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 8.29.26 appeared first on The Stripe.

I love making and sharing these monthly wish lists. It’s almost as satisfying as shopping. All month long, I pin my favorite things to a hidden pinboard, and then at the end of the month, I share my faves.

My August Wish List

This month’s wish list is heavy on Dries. Dries van Noten is easily my favorite designer (the prints and use of color are unparalleled!), and everything I’ve seen from Fall is absolutely amazing. This dress? This coat? Both are to die for. Color is also a prominent theme this month (and always). Especially this happy rainbow beaded necklace and this paper-thin cashmere long sleeve. Also: coolest ballet flats ever? I am still deciding what colorway to get. I think the white!

PS – July’s wish list!

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 August Wish List 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. Rlly good gift idea: these chic lighter sleeves. Love!
2. Boden is having a big sale. Take 20% off everything with code 3V63. Ends tomorrow. I just got this cropped swing trench and highly recommend it. This shelf has all of my Boden favorites saved to one easy place.
3. Chan Luu’s jewelry has been extra good lately. Love this necklace and this ring.
4. Very splurgy but omg: look at this abalone bar set!
5. Caught my eye: how cool is this tiger’s eye + turquoise pin?
6. I actively gasped when I saw this new robe from Weezie. The colors! The cut! The Missoni-esque swirls. Ordered it on the spot.
7. Barefaced launched a brand new retinal and I love it. It’s really gentle (thanks, time-release technology!) and I haven’t had any irritation. I took the summer off from retinol, soooooo I need to ease myself back in!
8. These vintage-style soccer shorts will sell out fast!
9. Cult Gaia has been killing the handbag game for a while now; I’m absolutely dead over this one.
10. Julietta’s latest collection gets an A+. My personal faves are this longer necklace, these earrings, and this malachite tassel (omg!).

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. 20 appeared first on The Stripe.