Found My Beach: Wiggy Kit

So much is said about the long-term affects of staring at your phone screen before going to sleep, yet so little attention is given to the diamonds in the rough one can encounter during a late night deep dive into the insta-newsfeed nether regions. So today I'm challenging the medical community at-large and taking the road less traveled by saying to hell with quality of sleep - for it is by traversing this road at the midnight hour that I stumbled upon my new favorite resort wear brand: Wiggy Kit

It was one of those finds that begins with a "oooh what's this?" and ends with an expletive whispered under your breath because after a few clicks you are confronted with the hard truth of having to admit you actually want the entire collection. Hi, my name is Natalie, and I have a shopping problem. Hiiii, Natalie. And to think, you could've been sleeping! 

You wonder, did designer Wiggy Hindmarch tap into my beachy-boho-chic mental moodboard or did she find a medicine woman in Harbour Island that gifted her with designing superpowers? After doing your research you discover its neither of the above (as far as the internet knows), and the brand's secret ingredient is simply the inspiration to create "perfectly cut dresses and separates that will take you from the local market, to the beach, carry you effortlessly through lunch and with a change of shoes, on through dinner."

You finally go to sleep, dreaming of wearing the peasant red striped skirt and white top while on a beach vacay, which coincidentally is where Pippa is honeymooning. She doesn't normally do this, but can't help but approach you to ask for the details of your outfit and you respond: "Oh, this old thing?" Just kidding (you're not even that cool in your dreams), you squeal "Wiggy Kit!" and start talking a million words a minute as Pippa begins to walk away slowly...

Wear Short Shorts: Spring & Lafayette

I'm calling fake news on whoever decided the first day of summer is June 20th. Peel-your-thighs-from-the-car-seat season in already in full swing in Houston, as I'm sure it is elsewhere in the swampy, humidified parts of the good 'ole US-of-A. Which is why now is as good a time as ever to introduce you to Spring & Lafayette, makers of some of the most comfortable and flattering shorts in the game. 

I know what you're thinking: gurl you crazy! in what world do the words comfortable or flattering go with shorts?! And the answer is in my world, which I'm so graciously sharing with you. Gone be the days of unbuttoning under the table at brunch so you can breathe and gone be the days of asking yourself "was I high when I bought this torture device whose only purpose is to cut off the circulation in my thighs?" when you try on last summer's pair after pulling them out of the netherworld of your dresser (where frankly they belong). 

Spring & Lafayette's shorts are the following: 1) comfy, 2) high wasted (aka flattering), 3) free of buttons, zippers, and other nonsense, 4) chic enough for brunch yet casual enough for the beach, and 5) made in America, baby. Get yo'self some here

Up Your Mind Up: Eight Moons

With another Monday in our midst and Mercury in retrograde since April 20th, I need all the positive reinforcements I can get. Usually this takes the shape of a big ole' glass of vino and saying my prayers at the end of the day , but being the firm believer in there-ain't-no-such-thing-as-happenstance and the big zodiac fan (have you checked your May forecast yet?) that I am, I always welcome new hypotheses for my mood and its mysterious ways.  

So I considered by interest officially sparked when I learned of Eight Moons, a jewelry brand whose designs are premised on the notion that when placed near the body, certain gemstones can draw out negative energy. While I had previously heard of crystal healing therapy, I admit I hadn't given it much thought. Luckily there are others that (for centuries) have and believe in the ability of crystals to assist in releasing mental, physical and spiritual blockages. Yes, it's one of those things that doesn't have any scientific evidence to back it up - but (if you think like I do), don't most of the best things reside in that gray, unprovable domain where the rest of life's mysteries hang out?

The stones are powerful - if not for their metaphysical properties, for their simple, organic beauty. Rose Quartz is associated with love, Citrine & Moonstone with focus and success, and Amethyst and Smoky Quartz with dispelling negative energy. The variants in color created by the shadows and grooves of each crystal are something only the likes of Erdem, Gucci, and H&M (say what?!) jacquard could emulate - hence, the outfits du jour

My take on the whole crystal craze? It's a don't knock it 'til ya try it sorta thing - if only because in the case of Eight Moons, trying it means you get some beautiful and eclectic pieces to wear. Not to mention we could all use some extra love, clarity & good vibes. Today, I'm getting by with a little help of Citrine & Moonstone - my mind is positively centered and focused on the goal: happy hour in T minus 3

Amethyst & Smoky Quartz Necklace - Eight Moons// Tortoise & Lilac Sunglasses - Kaleos// One Shoulder Top - Rosie Assoulin// Skirt - Erdem// Lucite Earrings - Anthropologie// Rose Quartz Necklace - Eight Moons// Pink Sunglasses - Kaleos// Peplum Top - Ann Mashburn// Green Beaded Earrings - Bibi Marini// Jacquard Pants - Gucci// Citrine & Moonstone Necklace - Eight Moons// Gold Cat Eye Sunglasses - Kaleos// Strapless Dress - H&M

#OneLoveGivingDay: Honoring Yeardley

On this day, seven years ago, I lost a great friend and one of the most beautiful, joyful people I've had the blessing of knowing to relationship violence. Yeardley was a year ahead of me at UVA and I still vividly remember her unique and infectious laugh, the way she lit up any room, and the feelings of excitement mixed with pinch-me-pride I had whenever we spent time together - it's the feeling that can only be understood by someone who befriends the cool, older girl in the sorority that also happens to be a star on the lacrosse team that also happens to be gorgeous, outgoing, and welcoming in every way. It's that "I'm so happy I'm friends with this person slash still can't believe I am" feeling and it was unjustly too short-lived, as it was replaced with the mind-blowing devastation of losing someone too special, too soon.

Yeardley's soul and memory live on with those who were lucky enough to know her and through the One Love Foundation, an organization working to put an end to relationship violence through its ongoing efforts to educate and empower campus communities. It has been nothing short of inspiring to watch One Love grow and succeed in mobilizing young adults to become more mindful and demanding of what is acceptable and healthy relationship behavior. I include myself as a data point in its impressive statistics, since I was unaware in 2010 of how commonplace and destructive relationship violence is and can be.

So today, I'm honoring Yeardley by participating in #OneLoveGivingDay and encourage you to do the same. There simply aren't enough Yeardleys in the world and we can't afford to lose them. 

You can donate here and shop items from the One Love store here

Painting Beta Bridge on 5/3/2011. 

Painting Beta Bridge on 5/3/2011. 

In Defense of Bag Ladies Everywhere: Cuyana + Brian Kaspr

Bag Lady. Just the term (much like Cat Lady, which I also feel compelled to defend (excuse me for loving God's creatures!!!), but more on that another day) carries negative connotations. Whether the bags are literal and filled with junk or metaphorical and filled with feelings, you don't want to be a bag lady, or one who "frequently says "sha-na-na-na" during her travels" (according to Urban Dictionary). 

In my personal and very fortunate circumstance, bag lady is what my mother-dearest calls me when she sees I have acquired another purse, tote, clutch, or watcha-ma-call-it to store my belongings on my person. If someone has ever told you something along the lines of, "the last thing you need is another bag," then I'm afraid you're a bag lady too. But stop reading this instant if you think this is some sort of self-help piece to assist in disassociating yourself with the label. Continue reading if you want a slightly deranged yet uplifting mini-manifesto on a celebration of self: a celebration of being a bag lady.

For what better way is there to honor your bag lady ways than adding a new member to your bag band? From one B.L. to another, my recommendation this Thursday is Cuyana: makers of high quality, soft-as-butta leather goods. Pioneers in the "lean closet" movement (their motto is "fewer, better things"), Cuyana designs products that are so versatile and so practical that they'll be closet staples forever (maybe there is some self-help to this, after all). But wait - it get's better - because there's a human out there by the name of Brian Kaspr, a designer/letterer/painter whose skills take any-leather-anything to another level. His online shop offers orders for custom designs as well as some rad patches (oh yes you do need some stinkin' patches). 

You thinkin' what I'm thinkin'? Or should I say what I thought - because these forces combined made for a tote that ranks supreme in my bag lady book (see below). Gone be the days of bag ladies anonymous! 

A combo made in bag lady heaven: Cuyana's classic leather tote + some personalization pizzazz courtesy of Brian Kaspr.