What I Love This Week: Hello, Summer Edition
With yesterday’s Solstice, summer has officially arrived. And we’ve been enjoying some beautiful, warm weather these last few days. Summer calls for ease, and few pieces deliver like a linen shirt. Lightweight, breathable, and effortlessly stylish, they’re a warm-weather essential I return to year after year. Here’s a recent favorite, plus a few similar women’s linen shirts to consider.
Lovely linen shirts
Back in May, I spent a few days in Milan with my blogger friend Greetje (No Fear of Fashion). One of the shops on our itinerary, Toosh Cashmere had been recommended by my friend Annie in London (and a friend of hers who lives in Milan). Claudia, the owner, is a lovely woman who exemplifies Italian relaxed elegance. In addition to luxurious scarves, she also designs several clothing styles which can be made to measure from luxury fabrics in hundreds of colors.
Both Greetje and I found styles of shirts that we loved, so we had our measurements taken, chose our favorite fabrics, and placed orders to be shipped within a few weeks. Mine just arrived this week, and I am delighted with it! The fit, the color, the linen fabric…all fabulous! I’m wearing here with my Eileen Fisher undyed linen trousers.
If you can’t get to Milan, here are a few shirts with a similar style or color:
No-show solutions
During the warmer months, you’ll usually find me in sandals, though I will occasionally wear closed shoes. Many of you have asked about no-show socks, so I wanted to share what I’ve been wearing.
For many years I relied on one style of no-show socks from Smartwool, but they changed the design and I found the new ones didn’t stay in place as well. After seeing ads for Ondo no-show socks and liners, I ordered some to try a few months ago. They’ve become my new go-to’s. For sneakers, oxfords, and other styles with more coverage, I like these merino wool liners. They stay in place, don’t pick up odors, and don’t cause my feet to overheat.
For more open shoe styles, these cotton-blend “low-cut” liners are perfect. They also stay in place and keep my feet comfortable. I wash both styles in the machine (cold water) and line dry.
Natural body care
A couple of months ago, I mentioned that I’d tried Salt & Stone aluminum-free deodorant and recommended it. It really works! The nice people at Salt & Stone send me a gift with some additional products to try.
These are the three products I’ve tried so far, and really like all of them! Yes, they all have some fragrance, but I don’t find any of them to be overpowering. As I mentioned earlier, the deodorant really works, and I find it lasts up to 24 hours. The fragrance is fresh, but dissipates quickly after application.
The body wash is lovely, and doesn’t feel drying on my skin. Again, the fragrance dissipates almost as soon as I rinse off. And the body mist is a very light “skin fragrance” that dries down to just a soft hint. The saffron and cedar fragrance is fresh, and kind of reminds me of walking among the cypress trees along the beach in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Natural pest control
I’m only half joking when I swear that California is built on a giant anthill. No matter where I’ve lived in the state, as soon as the weather warms up, the ants go marching (two by two…no hurrah.) I hate the idea of using toxic sprays or other pesticides, and have tried probably a dozen natural deterrents (including diatomaceous earth, sprinkling cinnamon or garlic) but with limited success. I recently read about using peppermint oil, and during my search found this pre-mixed spray.
This is the best non-toxic ant-icide and deterrent I’ve found so far! It also destroys the critters’ scent trail, so they don’t tend to keep re-infesting the same areas. It also smells nice, like fresh mint. In addition to this spray, I make a point to be sure to keep my counters clean and dishes washed, and any food containers sealed thoroughly. We’re just at the beginning of ant season, so fingers crossed this will continue to be effective.
What you love this week
Here’s what readers like you clicked on and shopped most this week.
Summer is all about feeling light, fresh, and a little more carefree. Whether it’s a beautifully made linen shirt, socks that actually stay put, or a body care routine that keeps things simple and natural, small upgrades can make everyday life feel a little more luxurious. Have you tried any products lately that you’re loving this season? I’d love to hear about your summer favorites—let me know in the comments below!
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Love that green on you! Also, according to the youngs, socks are back in style and I couldn’t be happier because I am much more comfortable in my sneakers and loafers with socks. We’re talking higher than anklets. I love Bombas for regular and support socks (a whole other topic). No toe seam.
That new green linen shirt is gorgeous on you. Almost wished I had chosen that one. But my choice of shirt has arrived too and I am happy with it. Just need some time to style it with the most perfect trousers. The shirt is made from a reasonably thick linen, heavier than yours, so I’ll probably wear it when it is a little cooler here. At the moment it is 86F (30C), which is hot in the Netherlands. Our heat is humid.
Anyway, you continue to look so good in your new shirt.
Greetje
What a beautiful linen shirt–it looks so lovely on you!
When you had mentioned Salt & Stone earlier, I decided to give it a try. A few years ago, the regular stuff just wasn’t working any more so I decided to give it a try. And you are so right…it works!! The fragrances are subtle but do fade away but it keeps on working. I haven’t tested it in warmer weather but with the upcoming heat wave we have heading our way in New England this week, it’ll be a true test! Love your green top! You wear colors that I don’t look good in but love so I live vicariously through your wardrobe! Lol!
Hi Susan The any spray link takes me to the Salt & Stone site, is that correct?
Thank you…mint oil deters mice and other rodents as well!
The shirt colour is 100% WOW!
thanks, I’ve updated the link. Here’s the correct one: https://bit.ly/3G7DiEg
*ant spray
I’m in Canada and have found a natural deodorant that I like from Beauty From Bees. They also carry other products and so far I have enjoyed all I have tried. I love your green shirt!
The green linen shirt looks good!
More beautiful choices Susan! I thought the Faherty shirt looked great but it was sold out. I might get the BR shirt in ‘red clay’. Our weather is very weird up here in Petaluma–the whole month has been extremely windy–and not that warm! I’m still hunting for a lightweight jacket and have my eye on the Quince chore jacket–it’s more casual than my JCrew jacket (quite structured) but it also looks lighter in weight. What do you think–too casual?
Your TOOSH blouse is fabulous! I started following her store on IG. She is indeed a very elegant woman!
I love the shirt you had made, it’s fabulous. That is a great keepsake from your trip as well. As for new products, it would have to be Le Bon socks. I love fun socks with my sneakers. The quality of Le Bon is fantastic, and they offer a wide selection to choose from. I’ve been interested in trying Hansel From Basel socks, too.
Thank you Susan for the “Ant Tip”. I ordered that immediately! Some years in my home town at the base of the High Sierra (Reno) we have no problems but this year is especially bad. I grew up in SoCal and remember these invasions. This last week I tried baited “traps”, and spraying around the kitchen with a mix of white vinegar and water but that has only slowed them down a bit. They are still “marching” in a military-precision line to the traps back and forth! Will give this a try! Priscilla
I love your new linen top. What a great way to add a beautiful new item to your wardrobe.
Natural deodorant never worked on me until I tried Lavilin. I have not tried Salt & Stone, though. I live in the hot desert and always needed a high-powered aluminum deodorant (and still do, if I’m out running errands in the heat), but on most days, Lavilin does the job. It’s available on Amazon.
Just a note to say peppermint oil is apparently toxic to cats, so watch what and where you spray it. I just read somewhere that using Windex with ammonia to wipe up an ant trail will erase the pheromone trail the ants are following. Another cat-toxic solution, but thought I’d mention it. A totally pet friendly solution is to dry your sink after use, and any other moisture. That’s what the ants are coming for. Haven’t tried it at home, but it worked a charm in a rental cottage.
You look spectacular in that wonderful green. Dazzling, in fact.
Thanks so much, Barbara!