Here’s what I’m enjoying this week...
Hey friends,
It's been a busy and work-filled spring so far, and I've been neglecting you! Don't worry; I'm back with a healthy dose of curated recommendations for you today, especially in the Indulge section.
An uptick in work (good!) has meant delaying recommendations and my summer shopping wish list (bad!) but I *think* I've got my feet under me after several full weeks and am back on track with newsletters and podcasts.
How are you all holding up? I'd love to hear what you've been watching, reading, and listening to, so send me a note anytime or connect on IG and we can chat!
Sending hugs,
Emily @ Hard Copy
PS I'm moderating a very sassy panel next month at the Toast Summit in Toronto. See you there?
📺 Watch
Everyone is talking about Sirens (Netflix), but I'd love you to consider Fountain of Youth (AppleTV+), season 2 of 9 Perfect Strangers (Hulu) and The Better Sister (Prime).
If you're feeling more like a movie, try Succession creator Jesse Armstrong's latest film, Mountainhead, where a group of billionaire friends get together against the backdrop of a rolling international crisis.
🎧 Listen
Miley Cyrus' new album, Something Beautiful, is a homerun. A dark psychedelic and synth-pop album with elements of rave culture, it's a no-skip listen that feels like she's rolling out the red carpet for a great summer.
I'm pretty obsessed with Mamalarky's latest album, Hex Key. The woman-fronted rock band has just the amount of sass and edge that I need to amp myself up for the weekly slog.
When I've had just about enough of the slog, I've been diving into my feelings with Eliana Glass's E, a soothing balm of an album.
📚 Read
The copy for The Stalker describes the novel as "An Untalented Mr. Ripley, a Dumb American Psycho." In other words, it sounds fantastic. The protagonist, a college dropout from a Connecticut family that has fallen from wealth, cons his way into social success in bustling '90s New York. His friends believe he works in real estate; meanwhile, he whiles away the hours watching TV, smoking crack, and, most importantly, harming the women around him.
As the Queen of summer romance novels, Carley Fortune is back with One Golden Summer, the latest fun, sizzling, sun-soaked summer romance on the lake. Gobbled it up and will reread it by the beach.
✨ Indulge
I've got a running wish list of summer wardrobe items that I'm considering, so I figured it would be best to share them with you so we can discuss!
When I have my life together, I usually put together an outfit or ideas for self-care and pop it in this section. This week, my life is not together! That said, I’ve been working on adding past "Indulge" sections to the blog for longevity. I'm working on getting old ones up there, but you can peek at a few that are up now.
Dresses
I keep it pretty plain when it comes to summer dresses. My general rule is that the garment has to 'breathe,' and I can't be constantly tugging and pulling at it. Who has the time? This strapless linen dress from Favourite Daughter features a touch of boning in the bodice, which holds everything in place and can be dressed up or down.
This nautical striped ribbed maxi from Gap is an excellent choice for hot days and would look great with a gauzy white button-down thrown over top.
My style has shifted away from preppy, but I still swoon for a shirt dress with a nipped waist. This is a sweet number from BR, featuring sleeves and a hint of an open back, and the rust-coloured stripe makes it extra special.
Technically, it's not a dress, but it's very much me, and it's on sale. This G. Label navy open-weave pullover and matching skirt are très chic. I'd find a bigass pair of black undies and a cute bralette to wear underneath and finish off the outfit with strappy sandals for a zesty night out with the girls.
Separates
Casual beach pants are my go-to these days, and this blue-striped pair will go perfectly with my white swimsuit and linen button-down, or even just with a t-shirt.
As a person who doesn't wear shorts, I like to keep my "summer" pants stocked. These green chinos look comfortable, and this pair of cotton poplin cropped pants would look great in either the sage green or the white option.
The versatility of a white maxi skirt keeps them on trend every summer. I like Rue Sophie's pin-tucked version, which stops just shy of the ankle.
Unique and more daring for me, this tie-front vest from A Bronze Age is special. I'll pair it with baggy jeans and Birkenstocks.
Speaking of vests, all the cool girls are wearing knit vests and tank tops, paired with a choice of bottoms. I really like the weight of these tank tops from Oak and Fort, and the birch colour would look great with the white skirt linked above.
For cooler nights, this Roucha denim topper is casual and very cool. If denim isn't your jam, then this long v-neck cardigan knit from J.Crew will do the trick.
Shoes, Jewels, and Accessories
Michelle Ross jewelry is absolutely stunning. Each piece is special and worthy of its own standout moment. Many of the pieces I'd love are already sold out, but these would elevate a few of the more casual white + blue combo outfits I'm considering.
These teeny-tiny sunglasses will have you feeling like Carolyn Bessette or Julia Roberts circa the 90s, and this very oval option is equally stylish.
I don't usually fall prey to trendy espadrilles, but this sheer pair from J.Crew will be a nice alternative to flip-flops with a casual black dress.
For my fellow millennials, you don't even need to shop for shoes! We can just dig back into our high school archives for our thong sandals and flip-flops because they are the quintessential choice for summer shoes! Wild. Everything old is new again.
For those who don't want to go back in time, opt for dainty straps, chunky rubber slides, or even toe ring-style mules. The options are limitless.
Bags are meant to be roughed up and stained with sunscreen, and straw or raffia totes will never fail you. Gap offers this breezy option, and J.Crew always has a good selection; this one stands out to me as the most timeless. This option from rag & bone is something I'd wear every day.
Finally, don't even get me started on hats!! I'm a ball cap girl (specifically this dad hat). Still, I do get a bit more bougie for the beach with a giant bucket hat or a straw hat with a wider brim, as I prefer more coverage.