While You Were Sleeping…

Affordable little luxuries under $250

Since Subtack is the new LiveJournal, this feels like a safe space to reveal that I shop when I can't sleep. After a week of anxiety-induced sleeplessness, my carts are full of affordable and fashionable finds that prove the age-old advice “sleep on it” need not apply. 

Girls In White Dresses

My nocturnal shopping is no doubt influenced by whatever I do to pass the time, and somewhere between sleepless night number one (spent half-watching Picnic at Hanging Rock) and number three (when I reorganized my screenshots folder), I was inspired to add to my collection of little white dresses. Whether you’re taking cues from iconic French girl Jane Birkin or channeling Elizabeth Bennet or Brigitte Bardot, there’s a pretty white dress priced under $200.00 for everyone! 

Asymmetrical Embroidered Cotton Dress $199.00, Pintuck Dress $54, Cotton Linen Embroidered Detail Dress $138, Bow Strap Mini Dress $42.00, Cotton Slip Dress with Rustic Detail $169, Doen Puff Sleeve Mini Dress $134, Ivory Halter Corset Midi Dress $200, Off the Shoulder Midi Dress $180.

Plus:

Little linen shift: 

• Linen Shift Dress $98.00

• Linen Ultra Mini Shift $148

Victorian-inspired vibes:  

• Lace Midi Dress $70

An ode to Jane Birkin:

• Cotton Nightgown with openwork details $54

• 20s eyelet dress $160

• Antique Organza Mini Dress $240

• Babydoll Lace Mini $180

Glass Engraved Messenger Necklace $150, Monument Blue Glass Ring with Amethyst $220, Lalique Glass Heart Pendant Necklace $92, Glass Ridge Cuff $115, Thin Lucid Clear and Purple Bangle $150, Upcycled Glass Heart Dangling Ring $125, Multicolor Glass Ball Ring $75, Murano Glass Bud Vases $42, Upcycled Glass Wave Ring $90, Single Glass Ball Ring $46, Glass Signet Ring $92 and engraveable version $135, Turquoise and amber glass wave flower ring $77.

Glass Act

Yes, my middle-of-the-night Instagram doom scroll is responsible for the bags under my eyes -- but it is also responsible for introducing me to Gennaro Pepe, the Mediterranean glass master and jewelry designer. Transparent treasures like these will be my go-to accessory statement this summer.

Pink Shell Necklace and in pearl here $126, Sequined Organza Midi Skirt and in black $272.00, Shell Box Clutch $70, Shell Mermaid Claw Clip $12, Ammonite & Abalone Shell Ring $118, Colorful SeaShell Glass from $41, Shell Jewelry Dish $18, Shell Shimmer Transparent Vase $75, Blue Conch Ring $113, Meet Me In Hydra Earrings $96, Vintage Shell Art DecoLamp $96.

Sea for Yourshellf.

The ocean? For summer? Groundbreaking. Last year was all about shell necklaces, but after a night spent binging Palm Royale and booking summer travel, I decided I wanted to dive even deeper this season. Doubling down on all things Oceanic, I'll add pieces like this shimmering scale-inspired skirt, a pearlized shell purse, and accessories for both the hair and the home to my collection. While some say #seashellcore and #mermaidcore peaked last summer, I will ride this wave well into the fall. 

Floral Applique Mule $175, Poppy Cardigan $108, Straw Rosette Bag $55, Apple Print Midi Dress $90, Garden of Eden Tulip Bag and in black $150, FlowerRing $93 also see here $200, Embroidered Mesh Flat $150, Butterfly & Bee Hair Clip Set $28, Poppy Skirt $108, Enamel Flower Brooch $45, Apple Print Midi Dress $90.

A Garden Variety

My package from The Garden Museum, containing a copy of the “Fashion & Gardens” catalog from the 2014 exhibition of the same name, arrived just in time for sleepless night two. If you’re like me and have a deep love for all things floral, you’ll enjoy these freshly picked fashion finds.

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