Trying (and Failing) to Ignore Online Shopping's Biggest Day
Trying (and Failing) to Ignore Online Shopping's Biggest Day
Credibility? Questionable. Usefulness? High!
If one is going to undertake the task of writing “a newsletter about the culture of shopping” (this one) then it’s hard to ignore a behemoth like Amazon Prime Day. But I’m always conflicted about sending out round-ups on days like this because I know they annoy people; mostly because they feel like a cheap money grab, which to some degree, they totally are!
There are people like Grace who have found elegant solutions to this publishing conundrum, like donating 50% of Prime Day sales to charity, and other writers whose newsletters I notice gloss over it altogether. From the likes of Vogue or other legacy pubs, I’ve already recieved three emails about it this morning alone. I feel caught somewhere in the middle of that. I want The Love List to have credibility, but it also needs to make money.
When I lived in Atlanta, I was the monthly style columnist for Atlanta Magazine, a publication I contributed to for almost ten years and will miss so much now that I’m in New York. (It’s one of the rare city magazines left that hasn’t sold its soul to pay-to-play nonsense that turns its Editorial team into salespeople.) These kinds of written-through shopping guides are something I can do in my sleep because of that experience. That column was really the impetus for this newsletter. But I always put a lot of thought into the things I sourced/called in. So doing something like Prime Day feels a little like cheating.
At the other end of the spectrum, I get an overwhelming amount of emails and Instagram DMs requesting this very kind of content. And The Love List — while very much a pet project — needs to meet the demands of you, its audience. Perhaps one day we’ll get to enough paid subscribers where I have the luxury of ignoring Prime Day too, but even then, why would I ignore a service readers want when the readers are the most important part of this project? After all, helping people is cool.
Anywho, let’s talk about the overwhelming cascade of stuff available at markdown for this, the new self-appointed Black Friday. I picked through a lot of drudgery. But there are gems.
For example, this goop Scalp Scrub, which in my opinion is the leader in its category because it really does detox your scalp without leaving your hair strawlike. It’s like a back scratch for your head. And of course, the French Pharmacy staple Bioderma Micellar Water, which is still my favorite way to remove eye makeup and also give skin a quick morning cleanse. Everyone should have this stuff in their bathroom.
Below is a quick, tight edit of other things worth a look:
Mighty Patch is a leader in a vast category of zit stickers and among the best. (The CosRX brand is also great). Place ‘em on the offending blemish and overnight, these stickers will shrink it down and pull out the goo, leaving a rather satisfying pull-off moment in the morning when you can see everything they’ve drawn out.
Avene Mist is a staple for those who want to counter the summer heat with some degree of grace — Venita included it in her makeup bag spill last year on this newsletter, and I saw her whip it out of her bag last July Fourth and spritz her visage with it. Sweaty? No. Dewy? Yes!
I think everyone needs a great black bikini. This one has bottoms with some coverage for the girls who actually need to move in their swimwear and not just lay about.
I’m not the biggest Ulla Johnson fan, and I’ll tell you why. (Beware, my reason is bitchy.) Most of her print dresses say to me, Millenial who is stuck in a sorority-era fashion rut. They’re like the next step after that strapless Lilly dress you had three of. (I am guilty of this too!) But this dress is really chic — and adult — in a crispy white cotton perfect for these hot-as-hell days.
I also think this is a really beautiful, practical white dress for murderously hot weather. Here’s a really pretty Altuzarra mini shirt dress and a chic white Proenza shirt dress in that same practical-for-right-now vein.
An under $15 cutaway racer tank. Essential basic.
These particular nipple covers stay on without a lot of coaxing, which, if you are the kind of person who uses such things (like me) then you know that’s worth something. The same brand’s boob tape is also excellent (by which I specifically mean, no residue). Both good things to keep in your underwear drawer so they’re at the ready when the moment arises.
The Little Green Cleaning Machine is so not on-brand for this newsletter, but I can’t not mention it as the owner of two dogs. I have no idea what I would do without this thing. (I guess spend a lot of money having my rugs and upholstery cleaned.)
These JW Pei bags look so much more expensive than they are. I like the saddle style.
Also in the “person with dogs” category, a Dyson Air Purifier. I wish I’d waited until Prime Day to buy mine, but it makes such a difference for my guy’s Asthma.
J.Law single-handedly brought Ray-Ban Wayfarers back a few weeks ago when she rocked them (while positively dripping in The Row) on the streets of NYC during a press tour. I put a pair on and Kevin was like “Whoa babe, I really like those on you.” Which, to elicit a response other than “Yeah looks cute.” is big. Anyway, they’re 30% off.
Also not terribly on-brand — but definitely the time to buy electronics — is a Frame TV, which is the only TV I would own. (I say that because I currently don’t have a TV, I watch The Bear on my laptop). TVs are just aesthetically an eye sore to me, but this one attacks the issue by cleverly camouflaging itself as art. ‘Tis also the time to get things like Airpods Max, if you’ve been waiting.
A nice, big fat claw clip. Essential.
If you’ve been following along for a minute, you know I recently moved (hi Gramercy Park!) so things like velvet hangers and drawer organizers are paramount (and actively in my cart). We have a whole letter about the care and keeping of your clothes, for more ideas in this vein.
Here are the Bottega Drop Earring knockoffs so many have been waiting for, for $11, no less.
An alo sports bra to flatter all. I have two of these!
A chic knit midi dress by Mara Hoffman for 30% off, great worn now with sandals and later with boots.
I am devoted to my Theragun mini. It is a genuine wellness tool, to me. It lives in my bedside drawer and I hit my sore neck with it before bed or post-workout legs with it. Sometimes I’ll even run it lightly over my fingers when they’re sore from typing. If I have a knot in my shoulder blade, I hand it to my guy and he lets it rumble over the sore spot. I love it, I need it, I’ll never be without it.