Cute things

Also! I made you a playlist :)

The tabs that have stayed open on my browser this week:

I am coveting this changing table/dresser combo so hard right now, in this dark rich wood tone in particular (does anyone else feel the revolt again white oak and white wash finishes in general coming in hot?) I have no business buying a new changing table at this very moment, though what we currently have (a vintage dresser that we painted) has never quite been right… the height is too low, plus we cannot strap our changing pad down. I am generally obsessed with the entire Palmer series and this walnut finish in particular. I want the crib, I want this shelf, I even want this other dresser. Help!

I constantly buy shoes for my daughter in the wrong size (why are there so many different size charts/systems??? why?!?!?) So I am, yet again, purchasing more water shoes for her after I saw how miserably my most recent purchase fits when she wore them yesterday. I am really into these little cuties at Maisonette (who is currently doing 15% off sitewide).

Finally, I am on a Banana Republic tear right now—the Zac Posen effect is in full force and has completely elevated their offering. I grew up scouring the sale rack at Gap Kids and saving up my lunch money for one marked-down dress at a time. For the last few decades, I have watched their slow decline as the marketplace skewed to favor fast fashion. Though I do earn commissions from many of the links that I share, at no cost to you, this recent BR crush is a purely organic discovery. I have just been finding one hero piece after another, to the point where I will need to avert my eyes for a while.

Here are a few recent favorites: this will be my birthday dress next month, my waist is so snatched in it and it is boob forward without being too motorboat central. I am also eyeing this one for an evening costume change because you know how I feel about organza. This skirt has inspired the quickest laundry turnover in recent history and the 1920s sailor vibes of this top—eep! I love them together. This 100% linen top would also do double as the world’s easiest nursing top, though I feel a bit guilty sharing it since it’s nearly sold out. And these pants!!! This is the perfect Summer dress and honorable mention for this one too—I love a trapeze, plus the gathering at the back feels surprising and expensive. This needs no explanation; I was on the fence about the tassels, but the cut and the rich port color, the shade of the first slice into a roasted beet, is all that I want to wear lately. This top and this skirt set in the same raison hue that I wore in a previous post received many, many inquiries. To answer your questions: yes, I am still wearing the ever loving shit out of it, it is 100% cotton, machine washable, and so comfortable. Each piece also stands alone beautifully as a separate. Bonus! The top (which would also be so easy to nurse in…) is now on sale.

Here’s the secret to shopping mass market and making it not look mass market: be so careful about the details. In fact, be ruthless. The weird geometric embroidery that evokes Chico’s, brushed silver grommets that come out of nowhere (this dress would have been so cute without them!!!), questionable patterns reminiscent of Tommy Bahama, and any other subpar finishings or extraneous details that distract from a strong, classic silhouette are never to enter your cart. Think solids. Vet the materials. Seek out those timeless cuts that could almost be vintage. And avoid any unnecessary schlock that will deflate instead of elevate the overall style. Better yet, buy it second hand. I love thrifting for 90s Banana Republic. Or browsing Poshmark or Noihsaf Bazaar.

I wanted to share with my Milky Time community that I offer very limited weekly consulting sessions, with a specialization in creative businesses. I like to untangle knots. I like to understand your unique challenges. Some call my services creative business therapy; others seek me out for roadmapping. I can look at your website and share what friction points to conversion you may not see. I can walk into your brick & mortar and tell you what opportunities you may be missing. Choose your own adventure. You can see my calendar, rates, and book here.

Also! If you are a mom or caregiver balancing creative work part-time while staying home with your child/children part-time, will you be my penpal? I’m trying to find others in the same boat but we seem to be the least findable sort…reply to this message if that sounds like you and if you are looking for some connection and understanding. PS, I am really slow at replying to email (which really doesn’t help my cause haha).

I made you a Summery, moody, romantic, soothing mix. I hope you like it <3

Until soon, my milky friends,

xoMiranda