Between Us, vol. 15
Wedding guest dresses that will make you want to RSVP yes, Father's Day gifts worth giving, a bag edit for every summer occasion, and a link list sure to stop your scroll.
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Hi friends!
Fourteen years of doing something publicly teaches you a lot, but maybe nothing more than this: the scary thing is usually the right thing.
I shared something on Instagram this week that felt worth bringing here too. I’ve been thinking about pivots, about fear, about what it means to step into something new when you don’t yet feel ready. My take: lead with curiosity, work hard, do the scary thing, and believe in yourself. There really is magic on the other side. It’s something I have to remind myself of every single day right now, and if you’ve ever stood at the edge of something big and talked yourself out of it, I think you’ll relate.
Personally, what has inspired this conversation, is Shepherd & Co., which many of you know about already. But, I haven’t really been sharing it with my wider audience on Instagram, which is something I usually would never do. I’ve always shown up and shared boldly and have never cared what people thought but, it’s been really hard for me to boldly step into this new role publicly for some reason so, instead of waiting to share that years from now after I’ve overcome it … I thought I would just be honest about it now because, it does seem like there are a lot of shifts happening for a lot of people.
On Instagram lately, I’ve been seeing a lot of content being shared around ‘the best ways to make a living as a content creator’ from new content creators, who have only been sharing content for a few months. As a longtime content creator, who has seen massive financial success through putting myself out there online, it’d be easy to judge and look down on these creators thinking they have no business posturing themselves as well-versed enough within the industry to know anything. But, I actually think the opposite. They are putting themselves out there and sharing what they have learned and, even if they haven’t learned all the lessons or mastered the craft to perfection, fortune favors the bold. They’re not letting the fact that there have been literally hundreds of thousands of creators who have been doing this for over a decade intimidate them or keep them from sharing what they’ve taken away in a short time.
So, I’m inspired and I’m sharing that in case you are also wanting to do something outside of your comfort zone or start over in a new line of work or in a new community or place. You’ve got this. Put your blinders on and put yourself out there!
And if you have travel coming up this summer or are quietly manifesting some, submit your Shepherd & Co. inquiry here. I’d be more than happy to help!
Okay, here’s what I have for you guys in today’s newsletter:
+ Summer Wedding Wardrobe
+ Father’s Day Gift Guide
+ Lovely Link List
+ New In: Favorites from Amazon
+ Summer Bag Edit
Summer Wedding Wardrobe
floral chiffon | green & red floral | ruffle strapless | yellow one shoulder | blue flower halter | yellow midi | blue print halter | yellow pleated midi | sage strapless | yellow maxi | one shoulder ruched
Wedding season is fully underway, I even have one this weekend. I pulled three options from Revolve, all very different, all very good, and I'll be back to tell you which one I actually wore. If you've got a summer wedding on the calendar and the "what do I wear" spiral has already started, hopefully this helps - I mean look at them.
Bravo, Tuckernuck, this yellow number has so many fun elements to it. The details are very specific and I love that because it sets it apart from the usual wedding dress options.
This is the dress you wear when you want to be remembered at the wedding [NEVER to overshadow the bride of course]. It has so much personality and pulls it off, which is harder to find than it sounds at this price point. A great one to have on your radar if you have multiple weddings this summer.
Norma Kamali has been dressing women for decades this dress is another example of why she still has our full attention and why I chose it this weekend.
You can shop these dresses and more over on ShopMy & LTK.
Father’s Day Gift Guide
blue and white stripe shorts | beige lounge trousers | marshall mini bluetooth speaker | on cloudnova sneakers | classic leather strap watch | classic fit 3-pack ralph lauren boxers | dad book | yeti roadie cooler | therabody mini muscle massage device
Father’s Day is coming up fast and I wanted to put together a round up of things I’d feel good about gifting, not just the usual suspects. Whether you’re shopping for a husband, dad, or father figure in your life, I tried to think about what would get used and appreciated rather than just look good wrapped up.
I leaned into a mix of practical and fun this year. Things like swim trunks and a Yeti cooler for the dad who’s always outside, and a coffee subscription for the one who takes his morning cup very seriously. I’m thinking of grabbing this classic watch for John. It’s a timeless option if you’re looking to splurge a little, and a nice pair of boxers is one of those things guys never buy for themselves but always love receiving.
I also included a few things that check the box whether you’re shopping for a minimalist or someone who’s hard to buy for. Father’s Day is June 15th so you still have a little time, but some of these ship slower than others FYI.
Lovely Link List
A few things from around the internet worth your time this week. Sweet, useful, and a little random. This is always one of my favorite sections to put together because it's made up of all the good stuff that stopped me mid-scroll.
This Instagram account is exactly what the internet needs.
One application will last you all night, love this color.
If your important papers are living in a pile somewhere [no judgment, that’s why I bought this] here’s your sign to get organized.
… aaaaand actual footage of me trying to get through organizing aforementioned files without getting distracted.
Currently on my watchlist and I think it should be on yours too.
Also looking so gorgeous at the premiere. Credit Vogue. Apparently, Taylor wrote this song for Jessie and I’m trying to hold it together.
I was just scrolling along, minding my business when THESE immediately stopped me in my tracks.
A helpful bit of travel info as you begin to map out your summer and fall plans.
New In: Favorites from Amazon
photo box organizer | statement necklace | gingham set | portable speaker | document binder
Amazon can feel like a lot. The scroll is endless and it’s hard to know what’s worth it. But every so often the right things surface, and I’ve been rounding up my recent favorites. These are the finds I’ve been using, sending to friends, and adding to my own cart without a second thought.
I’ve also got some other picks I’m excited to share as we’re nearing Prime Day on June 25-26, so stay tuned for that!
Continuing with the organization trend happening in our household, I found this photo organizer that I couldn’t pass up. I’ve been trying to be more intentional about printing photos and not using the classic shoebox method for storage.
I thought last weeks set was good, wait until you see this one. It appears I have an eye for brown gingham, but how could you not. This set will serve triple duty for coffee shop mornings, brunch, and dinner with the family.
Louie LOVES music, so I grabbed this speaker to bring with us to the UK. Very small, easy to pack and will withstand [insert Louie’s favorite song] on repeat.
Summer Bag Edit
jelly clutch | yellow jelly bag | beaded bag | chocolate raffia tote | straw tote w/ gingham handles | blue fringe bag | scalloped edge tote | mint crossbody | brown pearl crossbody | wood bead top handle bag | yellow bucket bag
The summer months are such a fun time for bags. Whether it be beach, travel, a rooftop dinner you didn’t plan for. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about what’s worth investing in this season versus what’s really only fun to look at, and this edit reflects both. If you’re looking for something to live in all summer or just want one great going-out bag, there’s definitely something in here for you.
» The blue, the fringe, the gold chain. This is the bag you bring when you want people to ask about it. It’s a full moment for summer and it works whether you are going to brunch or a rooftop.
» A bag under $75 has no business being this good. The yellow is the color of the summer and the removable chain strap means you have options wherever the day takes you.
» Straw totes have a way of outlasting every trend around them and this stripe version is why. The leather straps and the structured shape make it the bag you’ll grab for the next five summers.
You can shop the full collection on ShopMy & LTK
Thanks for being here ladies. If anything caught your eye, let me know!
x H.
Alyson Haley is a longtime style and travel writer focused on helping you create a wardrobe you love and travel more confidently and competently. After 10 years of living between and just outside of London, she shares curated recommendations and insider insight on her favorite city and other destinations she knows and loves. She is currently building a bespoke travel boutique centered around beautifully designed, meaningful escapes. For more, be sure to follow her on Instagram.