Spring Staples
Last week we made Chicken Salad, a spring staple in our house, and it reminded me to re-up on some of my favorite staples in advance of the warmer season. Every single thing on this mind map I own in some form or fashion and each item carries a my recommendation. I am hoping some of my staples will become your staples.
I absolutely love these jeans. They are so flattering and for a great price. I only wear these or these Levi’s.
Veja sneakers are so great - so I ordered these Marni x Vejas for something fun this year. More sizes here.
This is the right width of scrunchie
These are the best T-shirts out there. Great weight, perfect fit. Buy in bulk!
I buy these Cos t-shirts if I want a patten
I live in this hoodie. It’s a weird material. Like… very stretchy? IDK it’s a great weight. I wear to walk the dog but I also put a blazer over it and wear it out. It’s V good.
Y’all know I am crazy about these hoops. They jazz up any outfit.
Ditto y’all know I am obsessed with Larroude shoes. They are my wedding shoes because I can last all night in them. I also love love love the Dollys - both the mules and the platforms - and have them in most colors.
I always have a Baby Lips in my purse.
and ditto carry this LOVELY hand sanitizer everywhere.
These have been one of two pairs of sunglasses I wear all the time. They jazz up every outfit. Think - white t shirt, jeans, tennis shoes - boring UNTIL you throw on these aviators.
Bombonitas happy beaded bracelets are a lot of fun and spring up your wristies. I can’t wait to try the necklace!
A leather jacket is the ultimate spring staple. I don’t have this one but this looks to be the closest to what I have. This, this and this are also good examples. I like this one too but it seems too cheap which is a red flag.
This is my favorite purse I own
The Staud Wells dresses are really great. I have this denim one (more sizes here) but it comes in a variety of lengths, patterns (!!!!!) and colors and it’s very flattering. I also like this denim dress but don’t own it.
Flat gold sandals are a summer essential
These sweaters are THE BEST
I really feel too old for shorts and these are the only ones I can wear
I love these sandals - they are elegant and I think they age better than the Hermes Orans. Here, here and here are some other similar options.
It seems weird to call this a staple but this dress TRULY is. You can wear it with trainers to go to the store but equally you can throw on wedges and wear it to a dinner party. I unbutton it pretty high to show a little leg and I never wear the sash. Good news is it’s on sale.
A denim shirt is an essential spring staple. Great by itself or over a tank top. I think this one and this one also.
Y’all know I swear by these one size fits most crinkle suits
THESE are the best sunglasses. They aren’t expensive and they look fabbu. I have two pair.
I think it’s my bee obsession but I live in these tennis shoes also. I have had mine for 5 years and they are kind of beat up and I love love love how they have aged.
Make up: I only wear bronzer, blush, eyeliner and lipstick (no mascara or foundation or whatever). Here is what I use:
I LOVE these little itty bitty mini lipsticks. They are my favorite. I have them in every purse. They are so cute.
This liquid eyeliner is the very best
This bra is my go to every day - NOT the other models - THIS model. I have this one too but I go back to the other one more.
If I don’t want underwire I wear these and really like them
I wear three kinds of underwear: these seamless full coverage panties (this is a nice style too but haven’t tried them), these bikini briefs (SO soft), and the tried and true hanky pankies!
If you need sheets - this is what you want. I don’t like high thread count because I can’t stand slimy sheets. If you are like me and like crispy cottony - these sheets are for you.
This is the perfume I wear every day
Bathroom things (in order of use not as pictured):
I use P50 to exfoliate and it really brightens my skin
I alternate using this very expensive moisturizer (that is INCREDIBLE and you see an immediate difference but is VVVV expensive) and tried and true Ponds.
I use this cream on my neck
This is the sunscreen I use every day
I can’t go 8 hours without reaching for my Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream
I use this on my body and this on my legs
For my hair I alternate between this shampoo and this shampoo for blondes. I use this conditioner. I use this leave in. This is my dry shampoo.
This is the soap I keep in my guest bathroom. Everyone comments on how amazing it is. If they don’t they didn’t wash their hands.
This is the best wine opener in the business. Literally don’t waste your time with the rabbit. This is it.
These bodega glasses are the best for dinner parties. They cost next to nothing and they are dishwasher safe. I also like to give them as gifts.
Fish spatula is the best kitchen utensil you can buy
This is the best hot sauce EVER. It’s mustard based and it’s so good.
DON’T BUY SHREDDED CHEESE GRATE YOUR OWN!!
My most used Le Creuset pot is this little sauce pot. Surprisingly useful.
Best pepper mill ever. Literally ever. It’s always sold out so jump on this while you can.
A French press is really the best way to drink coffee. Speaking of coffee this is my favorite and we order it from San Diego.
My cast iron skillet is my most treasured pan. I like it above all my Le Creusets etc. I even like a cast iron skillet steak better than a grilled one. If you don’t have one, this is what you should buy. Clean it with this chainmail thing so you don’t scratch it.
My every day plates are these Wedgwood White dinner plates. They are bone china, but they can go in the dishwasher and microwave. They don’t chip easily and they aren’t horribly expensive. We have the dinner plates, salad plates and the little bread plates and use those a lot for a little snack.
I like these charger/ place mats because you can wipe them off but they still make your table look polished.
A block print table cloth is the best. It hides stains and blemishes so well and looks very deliberate. There are lots of nice ones on Etsy also.
This is what I wear to work out and why:
These leggings because they are high waisted but don’t roll.
This shirt because it has these grippies on the sides so it doesn’t ride up. I think the T because I don’t like my arms.
I wear a 34DD and these are the bras that work best for me. This one is pretty good too but a little less support.
I am an extreme sock snob and these socks truly are very, very good.
I really love my On Trainers, despite the fact that I live in fear of stepping in dog poo and having to poke it out of those big holes.