Drive up to our house right now and you’d swear nothing has changed. But once you step inside you can see the transformation… from wood framing bones to something beautiful and completely ours.

The best part is watching things we selected for the house years ago finally arrive. The petite unlacquered brass doorknobs going onto doors. Polished nickel faucets going back into bathrooms, the same classic pieces we loved the first time around. And allll the millwork. The trim profiles our architect designed (some specifically for our house) installed by our skilled trim carpenters, taking rooms from fine to finished to stunning.

It’s all wonderful to see. It also feels incredibly slow… because it is!

The family room

Our family room, where we’ll spend all our time, is wrapped in solid wood boards from ceiling to base, beams included. I recently asked our team about the time that room took to finish… we estimate roughly 240 hours from our trim carpenters ALONE. That’s not the back priming of the wood boards, the puttying all the nail holes or a drop of paint. So when people ask why it takes so long to build… the family room is a microcosm for the reality that it’s absolutely a marathon, not a sprint. Just think, we’d move in months earlier if we were simply slapping up drywall in every room, or if our house were less “rambling” as we call it, but that’s not what we ultimately wanted. So we exercise patience. Now that room is finally getting painted, and it’s one of the first rooms that truly feels finished.

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1. Fall Family Photos, Solved

I put everything (and I do mean everything) I had into making family photos less stressful for us. There are four themes, and for each one you can either shop my exact picks for you, your husband and the kids (little and big), or use my formula to pull pieces yourself, with brands across price points that have the right things in stock right now. This one is for paid subscribers. If your photos are coming up, a one-month subscription gets you the whole guide, and I really think it’ll save you hours. Here’s one of the family looks I suggest in the themes:

2. Miron Crosby Boots

Five years ago I bought a pair of silver cowboy boots and thought I’d lost my mind. They’re the Maggie style, and I’d been thinking about them for months before I pulled the trigger. It turns out silver reads as a neutral, and these are so clearly handmade and hand-stitched that the pattern alone stops people. I’ve worn them SO OFTEN - to concerts, on game days, stood in them for hours, walked all over mountain towns and they’ve held up better than I deserve. They make western look elegant, never costume-y. Pair two is going to have to be the Marianne in espresso. It’s a shorty with a deep scalloped collar, and that rich brown will go with everything I own this fall. If you’ve been circling a pair but not sure if they’re worth it, let this be your sign that they, in fact, are.

3. Farmacy Honey Cloud Barrier Repair Moisturizer

I’m a few days out from microneedling and fully in the my-face-is-peeling-off stage. (We love the glow up but hate this downtime, ugh.) The last two days I wanted to wear just a touch of makeup and needed something that would calm my flaky, sensitive skin underneath it. I remembered that I had this little pot of gold, and yall, I’m so impressed. It caused zero stinging on skin that’s about as sensitive as it gets, it kept the flakes away for hours and hours, alleviated that tight feeling across my face and my skin stayed hydrated while still feeling like it could breathe. You know the difference. I highly recommend keeping one in your cabinet for after treatments or anytime your barrier needs some TLC. Bonus! Currently 20% off!

That’s all for now. Happy weekend, friends!

I skipped family photos last year. The year before, we’d sent out our cards around NYE with the title “New Home for the New Year”… so you can understand why, at 6.5 months pregnant and absolutely not living in that new home, I wasn’t feeling super compelled to take photos or send a Christmas card. Of course I regret that now. So about a month ago I took to Pinterest to start pulling great photos of families (real or editorial ones, hah) to get inspired for my own. This year, I’m channeling the favorite images I found into an easy photo session without all the stress.

Every fall I watch friends and my personal styling clients spiral over this. Not the photographer, not the location... always the outfits. Pick the one theme below that feels like your family, then use the formula (or my exact links) so there’s zero overthinking it.

What you get: four looks, from easy denim to a black-and-white moment I’m completely obsessed with, an outfit formula for every person in the family, and my shopping map of the brands I’d actually pull from for women, men and kids (and not what everyone else is panic-pulling for their own photos).

A note on older girls: around 12, most kids’ brands stop working, in size and in attitude. Don’t fight it. Size her into Sézane, RL or even ME+EM petites and pull from mom’s look. It photographs more cohesively anyway.

1. The Black-and-White Holiday Moment

This is the one I’m most obsessed with, and it’s the least expected. Kids in their finest, everyone inside, a little dressed up, and the whole thing shot in black and white. It feels like a scene out of The Holiday. Polished, a little bit party and completely timeless.

The formula

• Her: a black velvet or sharply tailored dress, sheer tights, a polished flat or interesting heel

• Him: a dark fine-gauge knit over a crisp collar, or a soft tailored jacket

• Girls: velvet, or a dress with a white collar, tights, patent shoes

• Boys: a cream cable knit, or a little blazer over a collared shirt

• Baby: anything with texture (velvet, cable knit, smocking)

Why it works: black and white editing hides color clashing entirely. Everyone can wear the thing they feel best in and it still looks cohesive. Texture does the heavy lifting instead of color. AND, you can rewear these outfits throughout the season because no one remembers your look from a black and white photo the way they do in a color one!

A note on the men’s front (throughout this post) because I’m biased here and I’ll own it. Lots of Billy Reid. I worked for Billy Reid back in 2009, when he moved his company to Florence, my hometown. I’ve walked in his Shindig show and hosted events at the store with him. I’ve loved this brand since before most people knew it existed, and it’s still the first place I send every husband who “doesn’t care what he wears.” Matt owns and wears so many of his pieces and I’ve never introduced a man to the brand who wasn’t a repeat customer.

My picks

• Her: ME+EM tux mini dress in winter cream, $495, with Wolford Individual 10 tights in black, about $60, and the Manolo Blahnik Petronia Mary Jane pumps, on sale for around $750 (sale prices move fast, so grab them if they’re in your size). Look for less: Mango does a great version of this whole look every holiday season, from the structured cream mini to the strappy pump.

• Her (another option): ME+EM polka dot fit and flare midi dress in wine red and cream, with sheer black tights and a pointed flat (a midi option, easier if you’ll be on the floor with the kids)

• Him: Billy Reid Step Jacquard sweater polo in charcoal, $248, with Billy Reid flat front trouser in charcoal, $368, and the Billy Reid Single Monk in black, $498

• Girl: Pepa London The Icon hand smocked Peter Pan collar dress in racing green, with white tights and gold or white mary janes

• Boy: Pepa London velvet hand smocked Peter Pan collar two-piece set in burgundy (18 months to 4 years)

• Big boy (5 and up): Janie and Jack velvet blazer, $140, with the matching velvet pant, $82, and a crisp white shirt

• Older girl (8–12): Rachel Riley Navy Satin Bow Velvet Dress, $125, sizes to 12. Velvet next to her siblings’ smocking and velvet is all the texture this theme needs.

Where I’d shop this look

• Women: ME+EM, L’Agence, Róhe (so many fab textures/separates), Dôen, Totême

• Men: Billy Reid, Oliver Spencer, De Bonne Facture, Drake’s

• Kids: Pepa London, Janie and Jack, Crewcuts, La Coqueta, Caramel

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What this post covers: why plain white subway tile is one of the smartest places to save in a build, and the handful of details that decide whether it looks timeless or looks like a rental.

What you’ll get: my subway tile spec checklist, the exact questions to ask your tile installer before a single piece goes on the wall and what your tile schedule should include to keep everyone on the same (organized) page.

Why subway tile is our save

Every build has a budget, and every budget forces you to decide where your money actually shows. Tile is one of the easiest places to bleed money without noticing. Handmade zellige, hand-glazed terracotta, a marble mosaic: all gorgeous, all priced like it.

Subway tile is the opposite. It’s been on walls for over a hundred years (it literally started in the New York subway in 1904), and it has never fully gone out of style because it was never trying to be in style. It’s a background. It lets custom cabinetry, great hardware, the stone, the wallpaper and the light do the talking.

That’s exactly why we used it in so many spaces: kids bathrooms, guest bathrooms, my office, the kitchen (a nice upgrade from plain white subway tile though, more on that in a bit) and a brilliant use of it in the spa area of the basement (again, more on that later). Those are spaces where we wanted clean, bright and durable, and where we knew we’d rather put the money toward the pretty things: marble countertop slabs and tub surrounds, basketweave marble tile flooring, and high quality polished nickel or unlacquered brass plumbing fixtures. Fun fact, we also put white subway tile all over the place in our first home we built back in 2016 and we never regretted it for one second. It looked classic and clean, always.

Here’s the part people miss, though. Subway tile is only a save if you install it like you meant it. The tile itself is cheap. The details are what make it look expensive, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend more. You’ve just got to be intentional.

The remainder of this post is for paid subscribers to Worth It. Below, I'm walking you through exactly what we did: the real cost math, the six details that separate timeless from builder-grade, our actual grout colors, a peek at our tile schedule, and a printable checklist to bring to your installer and a tile schedule template you can make your own to keep everyone in your project organized and on the same page.

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1. OPI’s Lincoln Park at Midnight

If you’re a Lincoln Park After Dark fan, you need this on your nails asap!! It’s the original’s shimmery sister from 2006, retired years ago and finally back as part of OPI’s 45th anniversary vault collection. Let’s give a round of applause for some things coming back from ‘06… let’s also bring back Ridin’ by Chamillionaire for some real nostalgia?? Anyway. This polish is the same moody, near-black plummy purple, but the shimmer gives it more personality and lightness. It reads almost black at night and turns a gorgeous plum-violet in daylight. A perfect October shade, and even though it’s dark it looks plenty sophisticated on short, manicured nails. I’m wearing it now and have gotten numerous compliments.

2. Veere Grenney & Amy Astley in Conversation

During the exquisite weekend that is Antiques at the Gardens (celebrating its 20th year and going on right now!), I had the great pleasure of sitting in on a conversation yesterday between the ridiculously talented, fantastically entertaining designer Veere Grenney and his friend, Editor in Chief of Architectural Digest Amy Astley. Both have books out, his Seeking Beauty and her AD at Home, and I left with signed copies of each.

Grenney was so generous in sharing details of his own residences and his method of “adding bits,” as he put it: layering a space with color, pattern, personality, and furniture styles drawn from different parts of the world. It was endlessly fascinating and truly an education. My favorite moment came when he talked about what a privilege and delight it is to love one’s home and to be able to cut from one’s own garden. I got emotional more than once, because I just LOVE the feeling of home: entertaining, making memories, cozying up, cooking your favorite things. I’m SO looking forward to having a cutting garden and vegetable garden at the new house, and he reawakened all of those feelings in me. He is such a lovely human and a true talent and I’m still feeling so thankful I got to hear him speak.

Amy’s AD at Home (with a foreword by Anna Wintour) goes inside celebrities’ private homes. I’m not much of a pop culture person, but what struck me was her point about trust, and what it means for someone to open their most personal spaces to a publication and its photographers. Some of the images are simply breathtaking. One of Dakota Johnson that she showed has really stuck with me. And Amy was just such a joy to listen to and meet in person. Having worked with magazine editors over the years (Elle most notably), I know not everyone in that seat is so generous. I stood in line behind a group of younger women who were having Astley sign their books, and watching her take real time with them (who I learned were University of Alabama journalism students), genuinely trying to inspire and encourage them, was so cool to see.

I showed Matt my favorite images from both books after dinner last night, and he was in awe (I’m not just saying that). I can’t recommend them enough to inspire and inform your interiors.

3. Sisley Paris Friends & Family Sale

A favorite this time of year each year…. Sisley is 20% off sitewide right now, including skincare, makeup, hair and fragrance. They haven’t said when it ends, so don’t wait! All nine of my favorites are in the graphic below, but a few standouts:

• Hair Rituel Volumizing Spray. One of the best hair products ever made, full stop. It’s made a previous edition of Three Things before I am so convinced by it. It’s extremely expensive, but it’s formulated without a bunch of junk and genuinely gives volume at the roots so I say scoop it up on sale if you’ve been interested.

• Phyto-Noir Mascara. My number one. It’s epic and makes your lashes look incredible. I always come back to it (and always try to find it on sale because it’s also pricey) because it not only adds really beautiful volume to lashes it’s also packed with lash-growing botanicals. Naturally I’m restocking while it’s on sale.

• The Exfoliating Enzyme Mask and Black Rose Cream Mask. Two skincare treats that are absolutely worth it at 20% off. I always have both of these products on hand (and Black Rose is my ultimate travel face mask because it just fixes everything).

  

That’s it! I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed sharing it. Happiest Saturday!

This article is an honest look at the wild world of natural stone slabs and tile, and why it’s imperative to push until you find something you like, because, it’s tough out there. Picking our stone for building the same house, round two, was a bit of a struggle, whereas a few years ago it felt easy and dreamy. Here’s my take and how I approached the process along with some nuggets (seven specific points to screenshot or remember at the end) for you if you’re embarking on a marble-picking journey.

There are a lot of positives about building the same house twice… the biggest one being problem-solving. There were a plethora of little issues that popped up (plethora is a nice word tbh, endless is a bit more spot-on) throughout the process that needed to be worked through the first time around. The second time around, for the most part, those issues just kind of magically got solved. Same team building the same house… we’ve been there, done that, we don’t have to stress over it. Consider those problems (mostly) sorted. That’s been nice.

One problem I didn’t see coming at all was the re-selection of our natural stone materials throughout the house. Turns out, some types of marble are getting harder to find and source, especially if you’re looking for something a bit more special. Research will tell you that the number of quarry faces producing true gold-veined material is small, the best material often never reaches open inventory (more on that in a bit), and 2025’s tariff volatility added some supply chain unpredictability on top of an already scarce category. So if you’re reading this and feeling frustrated, it’s not just you, you aren’t being “too picky” and you don’t have bad luck. Like I said, it’s tough out there!

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1. The Belt I Cannot Stop Thinking About

If you've been looking for one belt to punch up every fall outfit, this is it. It's the Veronica Beard Embellished Arch Belt in Cypress/Silver. It’s suede, it’s embellished, it has silver hardware and silver grommets set with earth-toned stones… it’s cool. The color is technically called Cypress Gold, but on the belt it reads as this gorgeous olive. It's slightly Western without tipping into costume territory, and it hits that sweet spot of not too casual, not too dressy. I can't get it out of my head. If you’re looking for a fabulous accessory or belt to add to your fall wardrobe, this is a great option.

2. The Kosas Revealer Extra Bright, shade Magic

Makeup days or no makeup days, I do not skip a dot of this under my eyes. I have very visible veins that make my undereye area read darker than it actually is (even when I'm well rested) and this is genuinely magic for that. It's an instant brighten with none of the heavy, cakey, multi-step application. Layer concealer over it and dark circles are essentially erased. If you really want to get in the weeds here I like to use this first, then foundation or tinted moisturizer, then a touch of concealer. I’ve spoken about this before on IG but it’s time it earned a spot here on Substack.

I use the shade Magic (pink, for very light to light skin tones), and I'm curious about Pink Peach for myself too… I just haven't tried it because I already use a peachy concelaer from Natasha Denona and try not to double up on beauty products I don't need. Side note: I'm not a huge fan of the Kosas concealer itself, but this color corrector is incredible. Can't recommend it enough.

3. The Aritzia Crepette fabric … buy anything made from it

This one's a little different because I'm not talking about a single item. Crepette comes in pants, jackets, pullovers and tops. I can only speak to jackets and pants, but I now own three pairs of pants in this fabric (whoops): the Lodge Pant in cream, the Radius Balloon Pant in navy, and The Effortless Pant (pleated front, dress pant) in chocolate brown. I'm wearing the Effortless Pant writing this post as we speak.

If you're a working woman or someone who travels a lot, this fabric is fantastic because you can sit at a desk (or on a plane) all day and it doesn't wrinkle. I wore the Radius Balloon Pant in navy on our very long travel day out to Telluride, and the pants looked perfect when we landed. I was comfortable the whole flight and still felt pulled together, especially paired with the matching half-zip jacket. This was a random discovery for me and now I'm fully obsessed. I mean it when I say I think it deserves a spot in everyone's closet. Full collection of it is here if you’re interested in the range.

That's three things (kind of) for this Friday. Hope everyone has a great weekend … football, family, whatever you're up to. And as always, thanks so much for reading my Substack!

The winners emerged fairly obviously. But then I wanted to see if the new Fall arrivals were matching the great work those same brands did with their summer lines. No surprise, they’re crushing it. So here are my picks from my most-worn brands lately. Hours of scrolling, looking at fabrics used to make the garments and deciding what was worth a look (and worth our hard-earned dollars). I love doing a deep dive so you don’t have to. Let’s get into it…

MARGAUX

If you were to look back at my photos, you’d spot a pattern VERY quickly with shoes. 70% of the sandals I wore on repeat this summer were from Margaux. No surprise there, I’ve been singing the praises of the construction and comfort of the shoes from this brand for years. So here are my picks from their latest crop of new arrivals:

SIMKHAI

I honestly have been so impressed with the quality and wearability of Simkhai for the last few years. Gowns? The brand totally gets modern formal dressing. A cool white dress in an unexpected cut? Done. Knitwear that feels compact and incredibly comfortable yet dressy? Nailing it. Crisp cotton, cool accessories, the list goes on. I’m a fan. I find that every time I invest in a Simkhai piece I wear it again and again. But this Fall line… yall… it’s worth splurging on at least one piece. Good luck choosing which one, though.

REFORMATION

I wore several Ref pieces over and over again this summer and honestly I feel like the brand continues to exceed my expectations season after season lately. I like the price point, I like the designs and I like the mix of fun and practical they’re putting out there. A few things I’m obsessed with (and have already shared with some besties prior to publishing this) …

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A subscription gets you:

• Subscriber-only posts and full archive

• House: Behind-the-scenes access to the rebuild (real decisions/mistakes/advice)

• Style Notes + The Beauty Edit: my fashion and beauty picks, deconstructed

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Pre-Fall Beauty Swaps

Mid-September is the time I typically start easing out of my summer rotation without swapping to full-on dark shades overnight. A few things I’m reaching for right now:

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When we built our first home back in 2016, I’m not sure insulation came up much more than once. There weren’t a lot of proposed options or, frankly, questions from Matt and me, and so we ended up with the basic pink fiberglass stuff you picture when you hear the word “insulation.” It totally worked, but that was the last time we’d view insulating a house as such a simple endeavor.

When this build started (the first time, back in 2023) we were having numerous conversations about noise control, insulation types and strategies. Credit obviously goes to our builder, Robert Fry, for knowing how to really get the details right in a home and not just take the simplest (or cheapest) path. I also credit us (Matt and me) for wanting to solve more minor annoyances that we’d observed living in our first build and get things right with this one. So instead of doing the obvious thing, slap up insulation as the next step, we set out to install a deliberate mix of three different products depending on what each part of the house needed to do.

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1. The new Whoop straps in Italian mesh.

I’ve been waiting for this one. I discovered and started wearing my Whoop all through pregnancy and still lean on it. I love that it automatically logs walks and workouts, and the sleep tracking has taught me a lot about what actually correlates to a good night versus a rough one. My only complaint this whole time has been the strap: it’s always looked too sporty for my wrist and my overall style. This beautiful Italian mesh version finally fixes that. It wears like a bracelet now, stacks easily with other bracelets, and I couldn’t resist ordering the rose gold. Thank you Whoop I am obsessed! Worth noting that you can’t use the charger on this version. But that’s a minor detail worth the extra effort IMO.

2. Ylang d’Or perfume.

I’m an ylang-ylang girl through and through, but almost nothing gets it totally right. Most versions read too heavy or too musky. This one is not. The notes are bergamot, pink pepper and cardamom up top, ylang-ylang, tuberose and jasmine with a touch of coconut in the heart, cedar and musk underneath… which is a combination that’s rich but never overpowering. It’s the closest thing I’ve found to the ylang scent from the candles/room spay at Eden Rock in St. Barths, which I’ve been chasing in a perfume for years. It’s not an exact match to that scent (IYKYK) but it hits the right notes. Seasonless, unique enough that people always ask what it is and it’s never once fallen flat. High time it made into a spot in three things here!

3. My Maison du Sabre bucket bag in burgundy, with their charms.

The craftsmanship on this bag is a real cut above. It’s perfectly lightweight and, a crucial detail, the strap is cut at a length that actually stays put on your shoulder instead of sliding off, which sounds small until you’ve dealt with the alternative. The charms are what push it over the edge for me: you can mix and match them (I love my orange/tan bag lock and red lipstick case combo against the burgundy color (which they call plum nude). So the result is a very sophisticated, serious bag that gets to have a playful side too. You can remove said charms, obviously. Handcrafted, no logo tax (we’re all moving away from that more and more these days with the ridiculous designer price hikes, right?). I love finding non-designer bags with this much of a point of view, and I already know this won’t be my last one from them. Shockingly, this pitch-perfect shade for fall is currently on sale!! Scoop it up!

It’s the tale as old as time (for people who love great paint colors). You fell in love with a Farrow & Ball color. Maybe it was just one color for a room, maybe it was several colors for highly important rooms (our case). You matched your design scheme to the paint. You matched the paint to a fabric you just KNEW was perfect for the room and nothing else would do. And listen, there’s a reason so many of us have found ourselves in this predicament. Some of the F&B colors are just simply unmatched. There’s a reason we’re all so gravitated to them. They’re rich, classic and read as expensive and design-minded in a way that’s hard to fake.

Then comes the actual painting stage. Your painter, or builder (or both), say some version of: we don’t love this paint.

They’ll question the durability. So you (if you’re like me) go do your own research to prove them wrong to instead discover that they’re not really wrong. This is not a fringe opinion. It’s actually one of the most consistent threads across decorator forums online, professional reviews and been-there-done-that homeowner complaints… Farrow & Ball’s Estate Emulsion (this formula in particular) is known for a host of frustrating things like scuffing easily and being nearly impossible to touch up. My mom has a super cool friend who is a paint expert in England and she says it’s as simple as just brushing up against a wall to do damage. I don’t know about y’all but I have kids, a dog and in general (am trying to finish building) a house that gets thoroughly lived in, not something that’s made for photographs. So these offenses are worth knowing before you’re committing an entire home to a paint that’s not going to stand the test of time.

So, ultimately, you make the call. You agree to use a different paint company, color matched to Farrow & Ball color(s) that you love and have planned around. But here’s the thing no one told me going in: you will likely never get a 100% match. Not because anyone is doing it wrong, but because it’s not really possible. Different brands, different pigments and different formulas. At this point this is sounding depressing but what I’m here to tell you is what you’re actually chasing is “close enough” and that you can get to the point where you’re thrilled with the match enough to really not see the difference.

I’ve walked through this process twice now. The only subcontractor that didn’t join us in build two, the rebuild, (why? thats a story for a different day that I’m still not sure I’m fully ready to tell) is our painter. So now we’ve gone through this process again. Same colors, same matches we’re going for, new team. Here’s what I’ve learned and four steps you can take to get your near-perfect match, too.

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Here’s our story:

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1. Natura Bissé Diamond Extreme Molecular Acid Peel-Mask

Natura Bissé just launched their Diamond Extreme Molecular Acid Peel-Mask, an 8-pack of single-use sheet masks, $220 for the box, so yeah, an investment up front but, at about $27/mask, we aren’t too mad about it. This is genuinely one of the most high-performing masks I’ve tried. My skin looks better after 10-15 minutes with one of these than it does after a very expensive spa facial. I’m not exaggerating.

It’s powered by four acids: glycolic, pyruvic, lactic, and tranexamic. So it’s brightening and resurfacing while also hydrating, which is the combination that actually matters. There’s a real difference between a mask that makes your skin look plump for an hour and one that visibly changes your skin. This is the second kind.

I tested these ahead of launch and I’m already planning to reorder with my own money. That’s the only review that counts. If you’re someone who does a mask before a big event, or just wants a reset without booking a med spa appointment, you’re going to be obsessed.

2. Aritzia’s Regent Short Trench

If you’re looking for one pre-fall piece that styles a hundred ways, dressed up, dressed down, and is a layer that is actually useful… this is it. Mine is in Cola Taupe, a rich, minky brown, and I love it infinitely more than yet another tan trench.

The fabric is sourced from Italy, 100% cotton, and it’s the specific kind of cotton that gives it that structured, slightly stiff shape without feeling stiff to wear. It’s also water repellent. Adjustable tabs on the back and sleeves let you cinch it in or let it hang looser. It’s single-breasted, no fuss, goes with everything. Under $250 for construction this good is genuinely a great deal.

3. OWYN dark chocolate protein shakes

This one might already be on your radar, but if it’s not: OWYN’s dairy-free protein shakes, dark chocolate flavor, have become a weekday morning lifeline. Between lunches, bottles, water bottles, snacks, and getting everyone dressed and fed, my mornings move fast, and I’m hungry the whole time. This isn’t my full breakfast, but it’s what I grab and drink while I’m doing everything else, with something more substantial once I’m home. Clean, tastes genuinely good, and gets some protein in before the day runs off without me.

That’s three things. Hope you love these, and I’ll be back with more next Friday.

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But this update is a little different than the ones before it. Because for the first time in a while, walking into the house doesn’t feel like walking into a project. It feels like walking into a home again.

I noticed it the other day, standing in the house, looking down the line to the fireplace in the family room, the transoms finally installed, the millwork everywhere I turn. It’s the kind of detail-by-detail progress that’s hard to explain in photos, but standing in it, you can just feel it start to click. It’s starting to look like the place I pictured. Like the place we lost.

Here’s what’s actually been happening:

Paint. We’ve been working through samples for weeks (no small task, since almost everything we’re pulling is a Farrow & Ball color, but we’re not actually using Farrow & Ball paint). Paid subscribers, this one’s coming your way soon: my full approach to adapting those colors onto a totally different paint line, because you don’t get it 100% exact, but you can get it to a custom color that feels exactly right. They’ve been painting directly on our walls so we can see it in real light, in real space, and once it’s a yes, it’s a yes. A few of the upstairs rooms are finished enough (doors, millwork, everything) that we’re about to start painting them for real.

Stone. This was the hardest one. Round one, the stone was perfect, almost too easy. This time, it’s been a real lesson in what natural material actually means. No two slabs are the same, and we couldn’t just rinse and repeat what worked before. We had to find something that made us feel that same joy and still worked with everything we’d already picked (furniture, fabric, colors that have been sitting in a folder for years waiting to be used). I’ll be sharing the slabs we landed on soon, the ones we already had and the new picks, if you want to see where we ended up.

The exterior. Still working the limewash, literally taking paint back off the brick in places, on purpose, because nothing about this house is supposed to look symmetrical or perfectly even. It’s supposed to look like it’s always been here.

Millwork. Our carpenters are there every single day right now (concealed doors, swing doors off the kitchen, casings, crown, trim, case openings). One small but genuinely happy change: we didn’t love how the baseboard was running down a stair hall, so we swapped it for a case opening instead, more formal, more intentional. A great catch from our builder, and one of those small decisions that ends up mattering more than you’d expect.

And, the room formerly known as the cold plunge room. Tile’s almost finished in there, but the cold plunge isn’t happening this time. What is going in instead is something I think you’re going to be really excited about. More on that soon.

There’s a real list of things to get through in the next six to eight weeks, and it’s genuinely exciting watching it change by the day. The deeper, nitty-gritty version of all of this (the full process, the real decisions, the stuff for anyone building or renovating themselves) is going to live in a paid space here on Substack soon.

Until then: tell me what you want to see next.

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1. The Skinny Confidential Face Roller

I genuinely don’t know why I haven’t talked about this more, y’all! It’s a product I reach for essentially every single day, and it works fast. I love a more intense microcurrent device for serious sculpting (we can get into my favorite in that category and why another time), but my morning doesn’t always have time for that full routine. This is my go-to instead. It stays cool, and the two-ball shape (a bigger ball for cheeks and jaw, a smaller one for under-eyes and brow bone) grips the face and moves fluid without any tugging or pulling. Jawline, cheekbones, brow bone — it depuffs all of it in under a minute. This is criminally underrated. If you need a fast way to layer on a little skincare and snatch your face before you’re out the door, you’re going to love it.

Editing to add that the amazing team over at The Skinny Confidential sent us a special discount code! Use code HANNAHB for 15% off.

2. Lunya Pajamas

I’ve worn Lunya for over a decade. My first purchase was The Robe, back in 2016 I believe. Next came the washable silk pajamas, and I know I’ve had those since before 2018 because they fit me through my entire pregnancy with Teddy. Almost a decade later: no pilling, no rips, still look brand new. The silk sets from Lunya are the kind of simple luxury I don’t want to sleep in anything else over. But I genuinely love any of the brand’s matching sets, including their softer than soft cotton. The cost per wear makes the price a non-issue here because when something lasts this long and still feels this good against your skin, it’s worth every penny. Sliding into good pajamas at the end of a long week, pouring a glass of wine or a sparkling water, and settling in for the night… that feeling is irreplaceable. Long overdue for Lunya to make it into Three Things.

3. Ontu Your Hands & Heels Miracle Moisturizing Treatment

Under $15 at Target. My heels take a beating every summer, but this year thanks to long-haul flights to and from Portugal, a summer of flat sandals, and brutal dry heat during travels they were the worst I’ve ever seen them. Cracked, peeling, sandal-embarrassing. I googled my way into this cream, saw the reviews, and grabbed it at Target. It worked extremely fast. My heels haven’t looked this good in years, seriously. If your feet need a little TLC before summer wraps, this is it.

Hope this makes someone’s week a little better. Happy self-care shopping, and happy weekend.

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Charity Gala in New Orleans

This is a dress I purchased in 2021 or 2022 I believe… and I have lost count of how many times I have worn it! It’s so great to have a few reliable occasion pieces that you can freshen up with new accessories. That way you aren’t always having to invest in amazing dresses to only end up wearing them once! What a shame.

While this dress in this color is no longer available they currently have it in white which would be EPIC for a fun bridal look!

Lunch Date with Matt

Y’all…this dress was my steal of the summer! Most sizes are still on sale if you have any more summer trips planned or are thinking ahead to a fun resort trip later this year. This brand (Escvdo) is known for the impeccable quality of their knit pieces and I can now say that is totally true in my experience. Snag your size HERE if it’s still available!

Meet the Teacher

The Sea New York set that just keeps on giving and giving. It’s been the best purchase and I get so many compliments every time I wear it! With the black color way I know I will be wearing this into the Fall before temps drop. Shop both pieces HERE.

First day of school gathering for moms

Such a great, easy late-summer dress for these incredibly hot days that just seem to never end. Adding a metallic sandal to dress it up slightly but still be daytime appropriate. Still fully stocked HERE!

Work from home day

My first full day with all three kids in school and I was able to really focus on work and catch up on some admin things. These shorts (still stocked) I purchased earlier this summer but I KNOW I will be wearing these for years to come. Great structure, easy color to style, and superb quality. Paired with an old white blouse and new (on sale still!!) espadrilles that you have no doubt heard me talk about if you follow me on Instagram 😂

Errands & work meetings

Name a better accessory than a happy baby smiling ear to ear?! This dress I got recently from Few Moda and I just have to say…y’all should be shopping on Few Moda! They have lots of great styles at a very reasonable price. Everything I have ever gotten from there is good quality!

Pool with the fam

This La Veste coverup is totally doubling as an outfit with shorts for pool days. I love it so much!

8AM PTO Meeting

All Spanx unintentionally and absolutely not mad about it! A friend told me a while ago about Spanx activewear and I have been hooked ever since I purchased a pair of leggings. Don’t sleep on Spanx!

Lunch Out and WFH

On days where I need something quick, easy, and versatile I find it helpful to start with a monochromatic base and add some pops of color with a third piece and my accessories. This super cute sweater (that I will be wearing all FW) is also a Few Moda find!

Babyshower

I got this Simkhai dress (in stock and on sale no less) in the Spring and have gotten so much wear out of it! It was perfect for a late summer baby shower paired with my absolute favorite new metallic sandals.

Church

I went to the Birmingham store opening for Love Shack Fancy a few weeks ago and brought Francie as my date, who proceeded to bamboozle me into matching outfits 🤣 BUT I have to say I am actually obsessed with this skirt and have already worn it a few times. She comes by it honestly! Paired with my tried and true Margaux heels that are the perfect height and have never hurt my feet.

& that’s a wrap on last week! Let me know which outfit was your favorite below.

Shop All Outfits Here

ONE: The lip product I was apparently the last person to discover

Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Plump

Okay, am I the last person on earth to figure out how good this is?!

Tarte sent this to me in PR, and I chose Rosy Beige because obviously. I’ve watched approximately one million people apply these over the years and for whatever reason never felt compelled to try one myself.

I was wrong.

It’s basically a lipstick hack: a nice wash of color, a little plumping, and that super juicy, glossy finish in ONE product. No lipstick + liner + gloss situation required. It doesn’t dry my lips out, it lasts surprisingly well, and Rosy Beige is so easy and flattering.

It has officially achieved purse status, which is saying something. I’m already contemplating ordering another to keep in my makeup drawer for busy mornings so I don’t have to go digging through said purse.

And now, naturally, I need to know which color I need next

.

TWO: How I’m faking a blowout in no time

BondiBoost Infrared Thermal Brush — 1.65”

I’ve tried several versions of this kind of tool, including a very popular one from Amazon, and I’ve never understood the hype. My very fine hair looks good for approximately five minutes and then falls completely flat.

THIS ONE IS DIFFERENT.

I have the 1.65-inch BondiBoost Infrared Thermal Brush, and it gives me that lengthy, bouncy blowout look in almost no time.

I rough-dry my hair first (NOTE: it needs to be completely dry before going to this brush!) and then finish with this. I’ve used it horizontally just to give the ends that big, bouncy bend, and I’ve held it vertically and wrapped sections away from my face for more of a curl. Both ways: amazing.

It uses infrared heat, but what I really care about is that it’s quick, my hair looks GOOD, and the result actually lasts. On my fine hair, that is huge.

THREE: The one-pan dinner everyone ate

Sheet-Pan Chicken Thigh Fajitas

ChatGPT and I recently went several rounds building a weeknight dinner rotation for the month based on what my family actually likes, with a few requirements: healthy-ish, minimal cleanup, not terribly labor-intensive, and ideally something I can prep ahead when I have a quiet minute.

These sheet-pan chicken thigh fajitas were one of the results, and EVERYONE DEVOURED THEM.

There’s no recipe I’m adapting or linking here, we literally built this one from scratch based on what works for our family. I added poblano because I love them, but this is incredibly forgiving. Swap peppers, use red onion instead of yellow, make bowls instead of tacos…do whatever works for your people.

Sheet-Pan Chicken Thigh Fajitas

This fed three adults + two kids with leftovers.

• 1.5–2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, sliced into strips

• 2 bell peppers, sliced (I used one yellow + one red)

• 1 poblano pepper, sliced

• 1 yellow or red onion, sliced

• Olive oil

• 1 packet McCormick Fajita Seasoning
  OR: chili powder + cumin + smoked paprika + garlic powder + kosher salt, to taste

• 1–2 fresh limes

To serve:

• Warm flour tortillas

• Black beans

• Shredded cheese

• Guacamole

• Fresh cilantro

• Extra lime

Heat the oven to 425°F.

Add the chicken, peppers, poblano and onion to a large sheet pan. Drizzle generously with olive oil, add the fajita seasoning (or your own spice blend), and toss everything together really well. Spread it out into as close to a single layer as possible.

Roast for about 20–25 minutes, tossing halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender and starting to brown.

Then switch the oven to broil for about 3 minutes at the end. Keep an eye on it, but don’t skip this part! It gives everything those delicious browned, slightly charred edges.

Finish with plenty of fresh lime while it’s fresh from the oven.

I served ours with warm flour tortillas, black beans, shredded cheese, homemade guacamole and lots of cilantro. You could just as easily skip the tortillas and make bowls.

And my one strong opinion: use the chicken thighs. This is not the moment for chicken breasts. They stay so much juicier and are perfect with that final blast under the broiler.

One pan. Everyone ate it. We had leftovers. A WIN.

And that’s Three Things for this week! We’re finally getting back into the swing of things around here and, I have to say, a little routine feels pretty great right now.

See you next week. 🤍

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Instead, I put together a handful of outfit formulas built around things you probably already have hanging in your closet. Your favorite white tee. An oversized button down. Easy elastic waist shorts. A simple tank. The idea is to start with a familiar foundation, then add a few intentional accessories or one fresh piece to make it feel pulled together for whatever is on the agenda. School drop off then straight to your desk. Pilates followed by a coffee catch up. Working from home until it’s time to head to lunch. Real outfits for real mornings that don’t require overthinking or an entirely new wardrobe.

School Drop Off to Grocery Run to Playground

There's something about an oversized button down that makes even the simplest outfit feel intentional. Throw it over your favorite tank or tee with easy shorts, slide into comfortable sandals, and you're ready for whatever the morning throws your way. From school drop off to a grocery run to an impromptu playground stop, this is the kind of outfit that keeps up without sacrificing style.

OUTFIT FORMULA
Start with: Your favorite oversized button down.
Add: Neutral shorts, flat sandals, and an elevated bag.

Coffee Date to Farmers Market

A simple white tee and denim skirt are two pieces you'll wear on repeat through the end of summer. The polished silhouette feels put together, while playful accessories keep it from taking itself too seriously. Comfortable enough for wandering the farmers market, cute enough to say yes when someone suggests grabbing brunch after.

OUTFIT FORMULA
Start with: A white tee.
Add: A denim skirt, fun flats, and a structured tote.

Work From Home to Lunch Meeting

Matching sets are basically the cheat code for looking polished with almost zero effort. Throw one on, add a great bag and leather sandals, and suddenly you're ready for whatever pops onto the calendar. It feels considered without looking like you spent any time thinking about it.

OUTFIT FORMULA
Start with: An easy matching set.
Add: Leather sandals and one beautiful handbag.

Pilates to Coffee Catch Up

Athleisure doesn't have to mean looking like you forgot to change. A striped rugby instantly elevates leggings and sneakers, making the whole outfit feel intentional instead of purely functional. Perfect for the mornings when one thing turns into four and you're not making a stop back home in between.

OUTFIT FORMULA
Start with: Your favorite leggings.
Add: An oversized rugby, sneakers, and a tote.

Running Errands to Patio Dinner

Sometimes all a great outfit needs is one unexpected piece. A classic cream tee keeps things grounded, while chartreuse silk pants do all the talking. Finish it with simple sandals and a woven tote, and you’ve got an outfit that’s comfortable enough for daytime but interesting enough to roll straight into dinner.

OUTFIT FORMULA
Start with: Your favorite cream tee.
Add: A statement pant, simple sandals, and a woven tote.

Lunch Meeting to School Event

If there's one piece worth keeping in your closet forever, it's a crisp white button down. Pair it with printed shorts and an interesting bag, and suddenly a classic staple feels fresh again. It's proof that sometimes all an outfit needs is one familiar piece styled a little differently than last time.

OUTFIT FORMULA
Start with: A crisp white button down.
Add: Printed shorts, simple sandals, and one statement accessory.

Volunteer Hour to Lunch with Friends

Tailored shorts are one of those pieces that instantly make a simple tank feel more polished. Add a woven tote, a statement belt, and a pair of patent flats, and suddenly you're wearing an outfit that feels intentional without trying too hard. It's the kind of look that can take you from volunteering at school to lunch with friends without a second thought.

OUTFIT FORMULA
Start with: A fitted tank.
Add: Tailored shorts, a belt, polished flats, and a woven tote.

I hope this was as helpful for you as it was for me putting these all together! What is your go-to outfit formula for busy mornings that needs a revamp? Let me know in the comments below.

- Hannah

I was thoroughly enjoying Hope Is a Scary Thing when the final portion of the song hit me like a brick wall. Suddenly, tears were rolling down my cheeks and I couldn’t stop them.

I have no idea what, exactly, that song is about. But I knew exactly what I was crying about.

The house.

We bought the beautiful property that we hope will be our future home in August of 2021. For five years now, I have held so much hope in that place and in making it our home.

And building the same house a second time, let me tell you, is a weird lesson in hope.

When you’re designing every inch of every room with your architect, designer and builder, you’re not just working through what works. Every single decision, big and small, becomes attached to an imagined future.

Christmas morning will happen here.

The kids will always do their homework here.

Family dinners will be here.

We’ll love entertaining here.

This is where we’ll watch the kids grow up.

Our names are written behind these walls.

Being three weeks away from all of those dreams becoming reality, only to watch it all quite literally burn to the ground, does something to you.

It’s not grief all the time. It’s not constant sadness or fear or despair. It’s more that once something you assumed was certain disappears overnight, you realize how attached you were not just to the house itself, but to the life you had already imagined happening inside it.

And you realize that none of it was guaranteed at all.

Now we stand in the same rooms we stood in once before, and they look more and more finished every week. We know what they will ultimately look like because we’ve already seen them covered in fresh paint and wallpaper, with working appliances and great lighting.

Same plans. Same rooms. Same selections.

Except, of course, for the addition of baby Emmett’s room—the hero of this whole story.

The first time we built this house, we assumed we’d just live there. Period.

Now we know better.

Sure, the chances that another freak accident will take the dream away from us a second time seem incredibly slim. But unfortunately, we now know the difference between incredibly likely and certain.

I see those beautiful white oak hardwood floors down again. The marble going up in our primary shower. The way the light hits the kitchen late in the day. And I can picture us there again.

I can see all five of us laying our heads there every night. I can imagine Christmas morning and homework at the kitchen counter and friends around the table and all of the completely ordinary moments I have wanted in that house for so long.

And I want them so badly.

But loving something and being promised it aren’t the same thing.

Maybe that is the part I understand differently now.

I know that I serve a God who is merciful and wonderful. I also know that He makes zero guarantees that I get my idea of a happy ending. Faith doesn’t mean that the story ends exactly the way I want it to, on the timeline I want it to, with every person I love safe and healthy inside the home I spent years dreaming about.

What it gives me is something better than certainty about my own plans: the knowledge that God is good even when His plans look nothing like mine.

I know for sure that He brought us the sweetest, smiliest baby in the midst of our grief—the baby who defied all odds and truly should not be here in the first place, and who has become the GREATEST blessing to our entire family.

I don’t have to know His exact plan. I don’t have to control every scenario or every moment of every day because He is in control.

Hallelujah. There is so much rest in that.

And I think that’s why the song got me so much.

Because I am excited about rebuilding the same house a second time. I’m excited about the tile and the furniture and the paint colors. All of it.

We GET to rebuild.

This is a fixable problem. A temporary setback. I know how incredibly fortunate we are to be able to say that.

But knowing those things doesn’t completely alleviate the feelings that creep in when I walk through the house and it starts looking like a home again.

Because there is SO much hope tied up in the everyday moments we get to have at home, right?

A house matters because of what happens inside it. Because of the people who come through the door. The dinners and baths and bedtimes. The holidays and arguments and sick days. The backpacks dropped on the floor. The entire extended family there with us for a rare weekend together. The babies who somehow become big kids in rooms you remember choosing paint colors for.

That’s what makes it a home.

And maybe hope, for me right now, is allowing myself to imagine those things again.

To walk into that kitchen and picture us living there, even though I now understand in a way I wish I didn’t that I am not promised any of it.

To love the house again.

To get excited when the marble goes in.

To imagine Christmas morning.

To let myself want the ordinary life inside those walls without needing a guarantee that it will happen exactly the way I picture it.

I’m realizing hope isn’t believing that everything will work out the way I planned. It’s trusting God enough to make the plans anyway.

To dream about the life ahead of us, knowing I’m not the one ultimately writing the story.

And to believe that whatever happens next, He is already there.

Thank you, Jesus, for hope.