The Way Life Should Be

The Staple, June 18th

Now that it’s just about officially summer, it’s time to simplify, simplify! I’m cutting back on all excess frills in every single aspect of life. Things are streamlined: easy dinners, my favorite summer uniforms, carry on only! Summer playlists with the windows open, sleeveless polos, lots of freckles. Floating through the season. Summer at its finest!

There’s something special when everything is pared down to its elements. These long, hot days, I’m coming to realize, are really the “fewer and better” days of the year. I don’t want to do, wear, or eat anything that isn’t, quite simply, worth the effort.

Here’s what is:

Outdoor showers with a glass of wine.

Shadows and sunshine along the winding road leading onto Centre Island.

Waiting for the drawbridge in Oyster Bay, a perfect summer song playing.

Glimpsing the water as you drive along West Shore Road.

Peach and blueberry pies from our local farmstand.

Just-picked raspberries from the garden at my late grandfather’s house.

Fresh eggs from Armstrong Farm, cooked over-easy and served with sourdough toast spread with tomato jam from our local farm.

The taste of an ice from the Bonanza Stand.

The moment when you loose yourself from the mooring and the sails fill with wind.

A lazy afternoon on the porch with the southerly coming in.

Many of these things are specific to my area, which has been my summer home all my life. It’s something very special to me to brush up against all my past lives and all my past selves here, in the same places: to feel the gentle, supporting weight of the years here. And not just me: it’s my family too. A typical summer day sees me having lunch at the same table where we celebrated my grandmother’s seventieth birthday, sitting on the porch where my family used to spend hours every summer: reading the Sunday paper; relaxing after a day on the water; watching the children run out their energy on the lawn or the old tennis courts before bedtime at home. I’ll walk the same trails at Sagamore Hill that my grandfather did for years; I’ll swim at the same beaches; I’ll drive the same roads and pick up the same types of pies that they did. I’ll stick money in the honor box and pick up a dozen eggs from a local farmer. I’ll make Southsides and sip them, feeling the same heat and humidity settle in. It is the place where I feel closest to so many people. It is a place I love so much, and summer is when it all comes together.

Where is your summer home, spiritual or otherwise?

---

The “Fewer & Better” Summer Edit

Five pieces I absolutely cannot live without.

I am all about simplicity, particularly when it comes to summer: here’s what I can’t live without.

A crisp white shirt

I tend towards separates (although I love the one-and-done look of a dress!), so a crisp white shirt is really a must in the summer. I love Lands’ End’s no-iron sleeveless shirt, Brooks Brothers’ men’s shirts, With Nothing Underneath’s boyfriend shirt, and Ann Mashburn’s popovers. A crisp white shirt goes with anything: denim shorts, a pareo, white jeans (with a braided leather belt, perfection!), a silk skirt, a cotton skirt, drawstring pants, regular jeans… the list goes on. Truly an incredible building block for a summer wardrobe.

A great straw hat

Find the style that works best for you and wear it everywhere. More people should wear hats! I try to wear mine all summer long, even in the city: it’s worth it for the skin protection alone, and the style points are obviously a huge draw as well. I have a great older hat from Madewell that’s finally starting to lose its shape (I still wear it to the beach!), so I need a replacement with a stiffer brim for this year. I’m eyeing this Peter Beaton, this Hat Attack style, and this one from Lola Hats. Nordstrom also has a great selection of straw hats that I’m seriously eyeing. For a purchase where I’m not sure of sizing, I prefer to buy from a retailer with a great return policy so I don’t need to stress if it doesn’t work!

Julia Amory pareo, J. Crew gauze shirt, Bermuda bag, March Hare watch, and Ancient Greek sandals

A pareo

I’m new-ish to the pareo-as-a-skirt game, but now that I’m here I’m never going back. It’s such an easy-breezy way to get dressed, particularly during the dog days of summer. I’m loving Julia Amory’s collection. Send me any other favorite brands you have!

Barely-there sandals

I prioritize shoes in my shopping budget—I really want to buy only the best, because your feet are so important to your life! Prioritize their health. I have a pair of Ancient Greek sandals that I *love*, and I added these Margaux wrap sandals to my wardrobe this summer at the behest of my friend

Heather Davey Fusco

, who swears by them. I can’t tell you how comfortable (and chic!) they are! The foam padding is particularly great for walking long distances. (Thank you to Margaux for sending these over!) Finally, the Ann Mashburn team sent me these sandals which will be perfect for more casual outfits.

A signature bag

Finding one great bag that works for you—a clutch, a tote, whatever—is just the height of perfection. My signature bag is my Bermuda bag and it’s all I use when I’m at home. When I need to carry “more stuff,” I’ll toss my Bermuda bag into my boat & tote or my Cuyana tote. Having all the essentials in one place makes getting out the door a thousand times easier! Plus, it’s great when your signature bag works with everything in your closet. No need to keep thinking about your clothes when you know your accessories will work!

---

What’s in My Cart

Five things I’m eyeing and buying.

Everyone on Substack is talking about tanks, so now I’m thinking I need one. This seems to fit the bill for me: a little preppy, LINEN, and a great shade of blue. Also seriously eyeing this one from SoldOutNYC (they make my favorite tees so I’m sure their tanks are perfect.)

These new Sarah Flint shoes are gorgeous!

If we were entertaining for the Fourth of July this year, I’d be setting the table with these Rifle Paper Co. plates. (I will probably get them anyway, for next year!)

This sleeveless shirt just arrived and I’m SO glad it did… if only the weather would cooperate so I can wear it!

I finally navigated over to Buck Mason and I love the look of this linen tee and this dress.

---

Discount Codes

If you are shopping and need a discount code, mine are below!

NEW:

Laundry Sauce 15% off your order with FEWERANDBETTER15

Soludos 20% off your order with FEWERANDBETTER20

Abby Alley 15% off your order with SARAH15

Aurate 20% off your order with FEWERANDBETTER20

Bardelia 15% off with FEWERANDBETTER

Boulevard Bags 15% off with SARAHC15

By. Merryn 20% off non-sale items with SARAH20

The Checkroom $100 off your purchase with FEWERBETTER100

Dempsey & Carroll 10% off your purchase with SARAHC

Faherty 20% off with SARAH20

Finding Ferdinand 10% off with FEWERANDBETTER10

Frame 15% off non-sale items with FEWER15

Lake & Skye 15% off with FEWERANDBETTER15

La Ligne 10% off your first order with FEWERBETTER10

March Hare 20% off your purchase with FEWERBETTER20

Material 20% off your purchase with FANDBMATERIAL

MM LaFleur 15% off with FEWERANDBETTER

Nori 15% off with FEWERANDBETTER15

Rifle Paper Co. 20% off with FEWERBETTER20

Sarah Flint 20% off your purchase with SF-FEWER&BETTER-20