The List: Figs & Cigs, Botox, Baskets, and Beauty Bulletpoints.

Boxers and Bode, too.

Thanks for letting me rest. Between my guy’s Master’s program graduation (his entire family is in town), client drama, and a big Alex Mill party at my apartment (more on that in a few days), my life has been dominated by taking care of other people. I have missed all the fun events for two weeks straight and I look as tired as I feel. Writing is a big way I take care of myself, and that slid to the back burner for a spell. It’s feeling great to dive back in.

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Style, Lately.

In less relatable news, I’ve been consumed by the arrival of The Row’s summer pieces. These clothes armor me in a way that nothing else does, so I’ve been living in them. However, people on the Internet get really salty about The Row. I have a few buddies who geek out with me, but sharing my outfits, in this case, feels like the last thing anyone else wants to see. So let’s think of it in a tried-and-true formula instead — this formula — shorts + jacket + flats.

For a farmer’s market run: The Row Gunty short, Amira top, Frank jacket, and mesh sock flat (more sizes). Underwater Weaving big shopper tote, Westman Atelier matte lip

A weatherproof spring look for windy beach walks or spitty city days: The Row Dune jacket, Gunty shorts, Sporty pouch. Ancient Greek jelly flip flops, Farah Homidi lip palette

I’ve been totally bananas for Erede ever since my friend Victoria at

The Stax

introduced me to their founder, Talia a few weeks ago. I ordered one of her absolutely dreamboat signet rings in a whopper 2.5 carats, something I’d never be able to afford were it not a lab-grown diamond.

Other glinty treats from London-based CompletedWorks have caught my eye lately, especially the ear pieces, ceremoniously named things like “How to Get a Low Score at Tetris,” “The Depths of Time,” and “The Bit of Bubble Wrap that Got Stuck in the Vaccum.”

Little Liffner introduced new demi-fine jewelry, leading with a substantive, chic chain bracelet with a dramatic banana clasp that I’ve been getting lots of wear from.

I’ve made no secret of my deep and unabiding love for The Row’s jelly flats. Y’all were VERY divided on them in our chat, which, honestly, I love to see the debate. The fact that one shoe can get people so riled up is such an interesting display of the algorithmic K-hole we find ourselves in, isn’t it?

They’re sold out on the retailer’s website right now, but if you want some, don’t worry; the wholesalers like Net-a-Porter, MyTheresa, and FWRD will all have them in stock very soon. (Sidebar, might two of these retailers become one?) And the red has yet to come in as well! I’d be honest with you if they were uncomfortable, but I wore them all over the city right out of the box and can report nary a blister. The cork sole is really smart.

As I’ve written previously, there are lots of good alts out there at many prices if you want to embrace the trend but not the price.

Frame sent me their ‘The Easy’ denim shorts and I do declare they’ve got another banger on their hands (you’ll remember I also love their Palazzo jeans). These are the kind of give-it-no-thought, pull-on-and-go garments I crave as soon as the weather begins to warm.

These shorts strike a different chord than most of their marketable counterparts in that they’re loose without being overly baggy, with a slim cut through the hip but a generous leg opening — a design triumph if there ever was one, as denim is tough to get exactly right. The inseam is longer without looking frumpy. I really, really like them and think they’re worth your try. They’re the kind of shorts that work even on people who have sworn-off shorts.

I’ve also expanded my tote collection kind of accidentally. They just keep happening to me. I’m not really complaining given how much I am lugging things from the greenmarket, but I think Kevin’s starting to wonder. There’s my trusty favorite Bode bag, but after having a meeting of the minds with Daniel at Alimentari Flaneur, he gave me one of his perfect “wellness” totes. Mansur Gavriel also chipped in with a cheerful leather-strapped Pascucci Vacanza number perfect for abroad.

Oh and did you hear Gap did a collab with Doen? Just kidding. Of course, you did. They sent me a tote, too! (In all sincerity, the puff-sleeve jean jacket is very good.)

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Beauty Bulletpoints.

jessnellgraves

A post shared by @jessnellgraves

• Treatments! I went for a great afternoon of R&R with

  Joyce Lee
  at the Chelsea Hotel Spa, where we got massages, drank tea, and roasted in their sauna. Hair and makeup have not been something I’ve had the time to coddle lately, so I invested in a Keratin treatment at David Mallett to make my hair more wash-and-go, and it worked like a charm. Now I have that cool, undone air-dry hair I’m always craving but can never nail. And I had a lovely Botox touch-up from the ladies at The Brightwood on the UES who use a light hand and get you in and out. Nails have been a no-polish manicure with a swish of The Manicurists’ Active Glow.

• Since my life has not been my own lately, makeup has been stripped back even more as well. But that’s okay, because I take great care of my skin. De Mamiel sent me a decadent delivery of products after a friend (shout out Kelly) passed along that I was running low on my favorite serum by the brand. Now I’m gaga over their cleanser and oil, too. I’ve been stacking it intermittently with Dr. Diamond’s Metacine serum which is making visible headway with their whole “lift and tone” promise.

At The Brightwood.

• For makeup, it’s a solid five-minute face. After a layer of my favorite Innbeauty moisturizer, I’ve been relying heavily on U-Beauty’s skin tint for that glowy, hydrated look that always gets me compliments. (I mix in a bit of the Goop bronzing gel lately to warm my visage up.) I touch up any dark spots with Make Beauty’s Skin Mimetic concealer. Eye makeup? Forget it. No time. I do always do a cheek, though, and lately, I’ve been using Jillian Dempsey’s a lot because the ‘Rosy’ pink is so youthful and pretty. For lips, Ami Cole’s new lip liner stays on all day, which I top with a quick swipe of the brand’s sheer gloss.

• Also, here are some discount codes for the brands above: THELOVELIST20 for InnBeauty, JESS20 for U-Beauty, and GRAVES20 for Ami Cole.

• I am a bath person. I always try to make time for a hot soak at the end of the day, no matter how late. I can’t sleep without it. And bath time has been dominated this week by Le Labo. I use a tiny squeeze of body wash as bubble bath and sink in. There’s always a simultaneous seance on my tub rim. I’ve been burning Nette’s summery tomato candle and Sidia’s citrusy WIRED candle. Putting on these cutie pie boxers from Cozyland after has been a treat, especially with a sweater thrown over.

Back in a few days with party recaps, playlists, and some fun guest editors. ‘Til then, see you in the group chat!