Leave it to Anna: Calm Before the Storm Edition

This week we are taking some time off before the Big Move, talking about rattan shoes, and raving about the best summer jacket. If you are on the move, check out the audio version below.

I don’t know the last time I had a whole week to just relax without having to worry about an endless list of tasks. Even if I get a “free” day at home, I find myself organizing, doing laundry, running errands, and answering the eternal question of what we are having for dinner. The best decision I ever made was to clear my schedule and tag along with my husband, who was taking a woodworking class in Covington, Kentucky. While he spent his week carving a Welsh stick chair by hand under the tutelage of a world-renown Welshman, I had the luxury of reading, making jewelry, needlepointing, and generally taking it easy.

I got a massage, a facial, and a haircut - true self-care that the luxury of time affords on vacation. In the evenings my husband and I explored the robust local dining scene, checking out local eats in Covington, Newport, as well as Cincinnati (just across the river). Covington is a cross between Key West and Georgetown: artistic fun vibes and historic 19th century brownstones. Only mom and pop shops here, tree-lined streets, and lots of outdoor restaurants. It was a relaxing week and exactly what I needed before jumping into the chaos of packing up all of our belongings and moving out of our house. A luxurious week of calm (and crafts) before the (moving) storm.

My week in a nutshell (clockwise from top left to right): Annabel Monaghan’s Summer Romance was a great vacay read; finishing up my VA tobacco jar canvas; more bead shopping at Michael’s; The Empanada’s Box in Covington for a solo delicious lunch; visiting the Cincinnati Art Museum; and getting a massage and facial at the Woodhouse Spa (they also have locations in MD and VA).

Walking around Covington to admire pretty historic houses (and hydrangeas in full bloom) is definitely my whole vacation personality.

Hunt Slonem’s Bunny Wall at the Cincinnati Art Museum Terrace Cafe, where I enjoyed a “working lunch” as I wrote this post while tucking into a club sandwich and a raspberry iced tea.

Treasures from the Cincinnati Art Museum: Cat prints by local artist Beverly Erschell, Hunt Slonem’s Bunny Portrait Trinket Dish

I have two Little Luxuries to share today - Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen ($8.99) and the Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer ($15.99). I am always on a lookout for affordable beauty staples and both of these hit the mark! The TJs sunscreen has a cult following as it provides a non-greasy, matte coverage without any fragrance (who still remembers that coconut sunscreen vapor of your childhood?) This Business Insider review that compares the TJs version and the more expensive brand was a great read.

While the Vanicream moisturizer is easy to miss among other flashier packaging in the drugstore aisle, this unassuming cream has been highly recommended by dermatologists for sensitive skin. This Motherly review totally sold me on it: “In the past few years, I’ve tried countless moisturizers, hoping to find one that made my skin happy in all the ways. From the uber luxe La Mer (which frankly smells like old lady and did nothing impressive) to lightweight mid-range formulas like Tatcha Water Cream (still a fave), I feel confident saying Vanicream outshines every single one of them.” They also carry a body cream version, the Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream, which has over 40k+ positive reviews on Amazon. While Vanicream will not be winning any design awards for its frumpy packaging (and frankly its name invokes an athlete’s foot ointment rather than a decadent beauty item), but it is a good, basic staple for your daily beauty routine.

This week’s Friend Recommendation was inspired by a question I received about the best summer platform sandals. I think you can’t go wrong with a straw or rattan shoe for summer - and I’ve never met an espadrille I didn’t like (this Spanish one is super comfortable and goes with everything.) I rounded up a few options below. I own and love options 1-5 and option 6 is a cool Birk alternative for summer that I am strongly considering adding to my (rattan) arsenal.

(1) Margaux Woven Leather Demi Flat; (2) Birdies Coral Raffia Starling Flats; (3) Past season Sézane loafers, but similar here and here; (4) Mansur Gavriel Dream Ballerina Flat in Natural; (5) Steve Madden Bigmona Raffia Platform Sandal; (6) Sam Edelman Reina Slide Sandal.

What would a week off be without some TV binging? I watched From Scratch, an older Netflix show about an American art student, who falls in love with an Italian chef in Florence. (Thank you to my Italian-born friend at work for recommending this!) It’s like Netflix asked ChatGPT about the perfect recipe for TV series that would appeal to a lady of leisure on vacation. Beautiful Italian scenery? Check. Delicious food? Check. Love story? Check. The series is loosely based on Tembi Locke’s memoir, From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home. Have your tissue box at the ready and don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Presumed Innocent is the new Apple TV+ dramatic series about a prosecutor (Jake Gyllenhaal), who is accused of murder. Similarly, it is based on a novel by Scott Turow, which has been described as “the most suspenseful and compelling novel in decades.” If it sounds familiar, there was also a movie by the same name based on the same story that came out in 1990 starring Harrison Ford in the lead role. I definitely blew through all of the available episodes and now have to wait for new episodes to drop every Wednesday. One word of warning - things get pretty spicy behind closed doors, so not appropriate for family TV night.

For the Unexpected Treasure this week, I want to discuss the Frank & Eileen Mini Belfast Crop Peacoat. It is not cheap but believe me when I say it’s the perfect top layer for any outfit. At this point I’ve worn it to work on a casual Friday with jeans, lounging around the house on vacation, and during a roadtrip from DC to Kentucky. It’ll keep you comfortably warm in the frigid AC anywhere. A gas station attendant somewhere in the depths of Western Maryland complimented me on my jacket and noted that it would look equally stylish on vacation or in a boardroom. I love the cropped look, which seems both classic and modern at the same time. The material feels like a comfortable sweatshirt but also looks polished. It is truly the Goldilocks of summer jackets.

As a bonus patriotic section this week, I have American flag sweaters on my mind. Perfect for 4th of July celebrations, they can be casually worn throughout the summer with white pants or shorts to provide that additional layer on breezy nights or in aggressive AC situations. I rounded up a few options below, from the Ralph Lauren’s iconic sweater to a popular budget option.

Clockwise from top left: Ralph Lauren; Hollister; Tuckernuck, Old Navy.

Hope that you enjoyed this post and I will see you here on the Stack again next Sunday! Until then, you can follow Leave it to Anna on Instagram or Facebook. If you think your friends will like the recommendations that I sent your way, please share my newsletter. Leave it to Anna is also on Threads, so thread along here.

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