Friday's Simply Smitten - Blush & Blooms

This post may contain affiliated links, which means if you purchase an item I will earn commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!

“I got saved by the beauty of the world”

-Mary Oliver

Happy Friday! I have very little to no motivation right now, but it’s Friday and I am chugging along. The continuous rain is making me want to forget about work and just curl up on the couch with a book.

I’ve been so busy lately with work and events that I decided to take Monday morning off to frolic around the West Village. I haven’t been able to just walk around in a while and I needed to get out and about for my own mental health. My original plan was to grab matcha from L’Appartement 4F – finally trying it after all these months- but unfortunately they were out of matcha. Instead I stopped by Lume to enjoy a cup and relax. It was a nice little morning stroll.

Tuesday evening I went uptown to an event at Veronica Beard. The shopping event was to raise awareness and funds for melanoma research. They had a few products displayed there from Cabana Life— items (found here) where 100% of the proceeds goes to the Melanoma Research Foundation. Cabana Life creates sun protective clothes and swimwear. Veronica Beard was also giving part of their proceeds to the foundation as well. After shopping they had a panel discussion with Ian Michael Crumm, and Dr. Blair Rose on melanoma; how to protect ourselves, how serious skin cancer is, and how to raise awareness. ALWAYS WEAR SUNSCREEN NO MATTER WHAT AND GET SKIN SCREENING!! It was an interesting event and very eye-opening in some ways. I always wear sunscreen now, try not to lay out in the sun as long as I used to, and always wear a hat. However, I am part of the tanning bed generation and have spent many, many years sunbathing for days on end. I am much more cautious now when I am out in the sun. I also get a skin screen once a year from my dermatologist.

The only other non-work thing I did this past week was listen to The Crime Desk podcast about the Diddy trials. Since it’s a federal criminal proceeding, the trail can’t be televised so instead I am getting information through a journalist who is inside the courtroom. While there is nothing and noone who can convinced me he is innocent, this is still the biggest trial of the century. As an elder millennial, Puff Daddy has been the center of music for as long as I can remember. It’s grotesque what all he has done, but also maybe not so shocking….. There has been rumblings, rumors of his behavior since the 90s; the whole conspiracy theory that he allegedly is the one responsible for both Tupac and Biggie’s deaths. Anyway, I may not have guessed to this extent his crimes, but I am also not surprised by any of it. I hope Cassie heals and can move forward with her life with her beautiful husband.

What I am watching: MomTox survived and is back for season 2!! The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is back and I am very happy about watching this mess! I sorta wish they would release one episode per week so we can appreciate the masterpiece of it all, but it’s also great to be able to binge watch. I am on episode 3 and already loving this season. I can’t stand Demi and Jessi (who I still can not tell apart). Who died and made them the truth police? They are both not good friends. A good friend wouldn’t mock you and make you get a lap dance in front of your husband– knowing you two are separated because of such things. Zac sucks for sure, but I am on his and Jen’s side in this fight (so far). It was crappy of them to do that. Taylor remains supreme in all things. My jaw was on the floor during her family barbecue….. the gaslighting and slut-shaming, I couldn’t believe it. I felt/feel so bad for her. I am cracking up at Mikayla’s one-sided beef with Whitney– the jokes are pretty funny. And I am liking the new- comer Miranda.

A few weeks ago I saw Jen and Zac shopping at Hudson Yards. She is gorgeous in person and very much pregnant. He looks about my height… which explains a lot.

I also watched Your Friends and Neighbors starring Jon Hamm, Amanda Peet, and Olivia Munn on AppleTV. I am surprised more people are not talking about this! I am really enjoying the show. I am now caught up, so am currently waiting for the next episode to drop. Which I can not wait for because the ending of the last episode was a holy smokes moment!!

Last but not least at all, I watched Moana 2. Usually Disney sequels are not the best, but I really enjoyed this one. I thought they did a beautiful job carrying on the storyline, incorporating more characters, and honoring Polynesian culture.

What I bought: After wanting these sandals for a year now I finally bought them– on sale and under $100. I got them in the weathered sand color. Perfect for everyday casual spring and summer wear. While purchasing the sandals I saw this beautiful cardigan and matching sweater shell. Not necessarily something that I needed but I couldn’t pass on the beautiful edgewater color– gorgeous! It’s a set that I will wear for years.

On The Blog

Sunday Shopping

Mini Dresses for the Summer

LTK Spotlight: My top picks from the Tuckernuck x Studio McGee collection

ShopMY Spotlight: Loving the new Hill House print

Top Seller: This pretty leaf print dress— perfect for vacation

This weekend I will be bogged down with even more work. I have been working extra hard lately- picking up part-time work, side jobs, etc. I am trying to get ahead of a potential recession. Not fully knowing what will become of influencers. Content creation, this blog, is still my main job. I just want to be smart about my future. Other than work, I started a new thriller book so will enjoy reading it this weekend.

Have a wonderful weekend xo

1.All the best looks from the Cannes film festival

2. A maxi dress you will wear all the time

3. Eyeing this white skirt

4. Oh this is a great raffia mini bag

5. What if Gen X are actually the cool ones

6. Enjoyed this article on Tracy Anderson

7. An interesting story about how the Mona Lisa and the French Crown jewels escaped the Nazis

8. The best advice from Ina Garten’s memoir

10. Delicious strawberry recipes for al fresco nights

Weekend Sales

J.Crew 40% off packing picks, 40% off all shorts, extra 60% off sale styles