Maybe one day I’ll do a swimsuit round up for you, but at the moment I can think of few things less triggering than shopping for swimwear.  After years of searching,  I finally just broke down and had a bikini custom made. I highly recommend doing this. Mine is based on a favorite bra and panty set which have a fit I love.  Now, after years of searching, I finally have a suit to satisfy my cheek coverage preference and pacify my neurosis.  Personally I just want a suit that says “don’t f*cking look at me” but that’s just me. I wish you all a very body confident hot girl summer. 

What I can suggest for a day by the pool is everything you’ll need other than suits: a stunner of a sun hat designed by the Okpo sisters, a super plush towel that will almost cover the entire length of a pool chair, sophisticated sippy cups for discreet poolside beverages, a dermatologist recommended SPF with over 4,500 4.5 star reviews, a refreshing rose mist that smells divine, and to help you prepare - a trimmer for your short and curlies.

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I used to love long drawn-out cooking sessions in my little red 1930’s kitchen, which I called the heart of the house. But now, with an open floor plan, the kitchen is smack dab in the living room, and I want to avoid rattling pots and pans or even dirtying a dish. And since it’s all brand new, it makes me a nervous wreck. Even though the Caesarstone countertops are a 7 out of 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness, I’m still terrified I could cause irreparable damage with a single drop of lemon juice. More than ever before, I’ve been implementing strategies and shortcuts to help me avoid making a mess, while also trying to rekindle my love for preparing food and creating delicious (and picturesque) meals with pleasure.

I joke about our new kitchen’s Patrick-Bateman’s-apartment-in-American-Psycho vibes but it really isn’t so sterile and serial killery since I’ve started putting some life and soul into it. Although this top rated Japanese steel chef’s knife, which I’ve been using to chop fruits and veggies for over 6 years would, be right up the Bret Easton Ellis character’s alley.

Click Read More below to find a selection of tried and true tools for an easy, enjoyable, and spick-and-span kitchen experience, including an apron that gets me in the mood, a pan so gorgeous I never put it away, and a kettle which is a total bargain, and also quite attractive, especially compared to that trending SMEG which costs buku bucks.

Congratulations to Diamond Sanger who launched her eponymous label, Diamond Leah, on June 1. The collection, which includes elevated basics and versatile essentials, will be carried alongside a small curation of other independent designers in her namesake boutique and is available to order online now.

As a professional stylist I come across a constant stream of new clothes and these are the sort of garments I see the most value in - timeless staples you can work into your wardrobe for many years in many ways. They’re well crafted in nice fabrics and neutral colors. You really can’t go wrong.

Diamond Leah is offered in extended sizing from XS to 3X.

Click Read More to shop the 6 selects I suggest you invest in now.

Last year was hard. Last year was rough. Is it any wonder I am currently drawn to all things soft, smooth, curved and cushy? From clothing, to art, to home goods and jewelry, my Siss-senses are picking up on the wavy, the pillowy, and the beautifully blobby. I long for things which have been touched by human hands, things that invite the touch of human hands, things my hands (and feet) long to touch.

I want my sandals puffy and circularly crafted, my britches hand sewn with undulating lines, glass that bares its former fluidity, wood that wants a massage and sculpture I could nap on. I’m ready for more than cozy, more than loungewear, yet I am repelled by the bedazzled plastic being pushed on consumers by big Fashion. I want my clothing to be nice to me.

Please enjoy this nebulous round up of creations currently on my radar. Other than the vintage thumbprint bowl by the iconic and recently departed legend Elsa Peretti, all of the pieces included here are made by contemporary, independent artists and designers. Please treat yourself to a moment of familiarizing yourself with these women and their work and support them with a follow, a share, and a purchase if you can.

I wish everyone a very gentle rest of the year. Stay tender my friends.

We are no doubt here to serve the every whim of our four-legged friend but we’ll be danged if that means tackying up the place. Every pet-related piece should be as beautiful as our boy. We repurposed a few human things especially for the king of the castle and here is what we found: a pouf made for humans will be soon be usurped by kitty, a champagne marble food dish becomes even fancier when you replace the stainless steel bowls with black marble mortars, cat chow is best served from a hand blown glass carafe, a phony mouse is completely outclassed by a wool dryer ball (and doesn’t get stuck under the sofa), and the largest, least ugly litter box is still two times too small for our 22 pound puss.

And one day I’ll tell you about the best vacuum for pet owners. It isn’t exactly an understated vibe visually, being electric purple and red and all, but with its HEPA filter, lightweight design and powerful, yet quiet motor, it is easy on the senses, cleans up fur balls with efficiency and it is barley loud enough to startle the scarediest of cats.

Visits to day spas and estheticians are indulgences I missed out on most of my life due to lack of funds. Whenever I have had a jingle in my pocket, I would rather buy clothes or save up for a vacation, so I got in the habit of DIYing my self-care rituals. Click below to see my favorite products for facial, pedicure, hair removal, head-to-toe exfoliation, and the answer to the question I get asked the most - which shampoo and conditioner I use.