5 SUMMER LOOKS FOR UNDER $50

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g e t t h e l o o k

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The last couple of weeks have been HOT in Connecticut! I’m not complaining…this is what we’ve been waiting for on the East Coast. I find myself reaching for my light, white, and breezy pieces lately like this skirt from Walmart Fashion. Their Scoop line offers an amazing variety of on-trend classics at affordable prices, without scarifying quality. I bought this blouse a few weeks ago and can’t stop wearing it! Love styling it with layered necklaces and a pair of denim shorts.

Time and Tru is another favorite of mine. They offer the best basics like this t-shirt and this ivory linen jacket (and this olive field jacket). I also love this easy to wear white eyelet dress. Looking for beautiful Summer pieces this summer that won’t break the bank? Head to Walmart Fashion to look great while beating the heat this season!

PS I’ve had my eye on these AMAZING Celine tortoise sunnies since last Spring!

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thank you Walmart for sponsoring this post

THE SUNDAY SECTION - 06.27.20

t h e s u n d a y s e c t i o n

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w h o

goop - What to Wear Now That You’re the “Outdoorsy” Type. Finding yourself outside a whole lot more? Here are some outfit ideas for looking good while breaking a sweat.

National Geographic - Here’s hot to stop the virus from winning. The only reason we have been able to “open” back up on the East Coast is because we all spent three months in quarantine. The masks and the distance MUST continue through the summer to prevent another major quarantine this Fall.

Architectural Digest - I call this kitchen porn. Love the mix of open shelving and cabinets. Feels like a happy median that would save my marriage LOL.

Harper’s Bazaar - Keedron Bryant - “The 12-year-old “I Just Wanna Live” singer, who recently signed with Warner Records, opens up about fighting racial injustice, getting name-checked by President Obama, and why making music gives him hope”.

Elle - Everything You Need To Know About The Newly Formed Black In Fashion Council.

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w o r e

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w h a t

watch - Knives Out - Frank put this on the other night (after seeing it got a 97% on rotten tomatoes) and it was really good! Murder mystery with a twist - a film you can’t stop watching until the end. Highly recommend!

landscape - we’ve been going back and forth on what to do in our back yard. At the beginning of Spring I made a case for a “French courtyard vibe” using pea stone gravel and a bistro set. Our back yard is very tiny so the thought of losing almost all the grass has had me a touch concerned and I haven’t been able to fully commit! Click here for some beautiful inspo I stumbled upon during one of my many late night google seshes.

clean - Linking this again because I’ve received so many questions recently! Here is the power washer we used. Before and after post coming soon to the blog!

dress - Found this little black Ulla Johnson dress on sale and I love it! It’s the perfect mix of sweet and chic for summer and you can wear it into Fall.

bake - I know its Summer and not really baking season anymore but I can’t help but look at my overly ripe bananas and think banana bread. Can’t remember if I’ve shared this one on my blog yet so here it is - the best banana bread, ever.

shorts - The under $60 shorts I can’t stop wearing.

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w h e r e

Throw a Chic, Safe Summer Party—with Help from an Epidemiologist and an Event Planner

Click here to read more

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WHAT TO WEAR - UNDER YOUR SUMMER WHITES

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Summer is here which means lots of sun, spending time outside, and my favorite, wearing white dresses! I always get asked about undergarments and without the right slips in your closet, getting dressed can be a challenge. This one is my tried and true go-to for myself and my clients. Treat your undergarments very well and they will last for a long time (I’ve had this one for 5+ years). I wash mine by hand and always hang to dry!

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dress slip

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skirt slip

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blouse slip

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shape wear

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THE SUNDAY SECTION - 06.20.2020

THE SUNDAY SECTION

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w h o

PBS - Ten Little Known Black History Facts. As I continue to educate myself, I found PBS to be a great resource for articles and short films like this one.

National Geographic - Remembering ‘Red Summer,’ when white mobs massacred Blacks from Tulsa to D.C.

goop - Understanding Environmental Racism and How to Fight It.

GQ - How to Do More Push Ups in Just Two Weeks!

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w o r e

I am SO excited to share that I’ve become a Jenni Kayne Ambassador! This means I’ll be sharing one to two of my favorite pieces each month with you AND you can use my discount code ArtemisT20 for 20% off every time you order! Everything Jenni Kayne designs is timelessly classic and effortlessly chic. The quality is incredible and I love knowing that I’m investing in pieces I’ll have for a long time like these mules. I also love this simple style that comes in three colors.

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Did you know Jenni Kayne also has a collection for Home? This is one of my favorite coffee table books of all time! It makes the best housewarming gift. I also love this basketweave throw. We’ve had it on our bed but I just moved it to a basket downstairs for the boys to use (pictured above!).

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w h a t

Juneteenth - June 19th may be over but the work we need to do to make it a Federal holiday is not. This website was created specifically to educate people on what Juneteenth means and how to spread the word about its importance in your local community.

watch -There are shows that I put on in the background while working at night and then there are shows that I shut my computer for. Still on the fence about The Order on Netflix but I will say it was tough not to watch (and binge). I love starting a show that has two seasons. Less waiting time! Click here to watch the trailer. I would describe it as Twilight meets Dawson’s Creek.

spray - This is the natural spray I use on our family to combat ticks. We also have our lawn sprayed with a natural oil once a month but the best prevention is still a bath or shower every night along with a tick check!

shop - I recently discovered Trouva, a website that shares 100s of small and independent boutiques across the UK and Europe. I was looking for stockists for a new to me brand called Studio Noos and found their “Teddy Mom Bag” at a boutique in London. Immediately went down a rabbit hole! How lovely is this framed poster for a children’s room?

dress - I wore this dress to the beach the other night and it is perfect! It’s under $100 and selling out quickly so be sure to check it out fast! It runs big (I’m wearing a size 2) and is a lovely light material for summer. The white one is lined!

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w h e r e

Happy Summer!

inspiration via pinterest // follow me here

RATTAN & FLORAL

a favorite summer combination

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GARDENING ESSENTIALS AND INSPIRATION

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Over the last month I’ve taken some time to clear out a little piece of our front yard and turn it into something more. Honestly, I can’t even remember what it looked like last Spring/Summer! It’s amazing all the things we notice now that we’re spending 95% of our time at home. The front of our house is landscaped with boxwoods (they were here when we moved in and have done very well year over year) which I love but for this new spot I wanted something a little more “organic” and natural looking. I LOVE lavender but It is pretty hard to grow on the East Coast so I set out to find something similar that would thrive in our location. After a few weeks of pinning, I was able to piece together the look I wanted and started planting! Today I’m sharing the perennials I planted and the tools I’ve been using the most!

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FULL SUN PERENNIALS

salvia - I love salvia. it looks very similar to lavender but is much easier to grow. there are many variations but I used blue marble and april night.

lavender - I have found lavender hard to grow and mine didn’t come back this year so i’m trying it out in a pot instead. stay tuned!

sage - I planted russian sage last year and it came back this season and looks great. i love the smell of it and overall sage is very hearty and easy to grow.

grasses - I used ornamental feather reed and switch grass or panicum.

cone flower (I prefer purple) - this is not deer REPELLENT so you will need to spray it. I purchased an organic one from our local garden center which contains things like garlic, egg whites, and cloves.

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my most used garden tools

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for more garden and outdoor inspiration, follow me here on pinterest

THE SUNDAY SECTION - 06.14.2020

t h e s u n d a y s e c t i o n

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w h o

goop - Interpreting Weird and Stressful Dreams. Before having children I struggled with sleep insomnia and falling asleep. After I had Luke they all just went away. For the last five years, once my head hits the pillow, I’m out! But not this past month.

The New York Times - The Joy of Vegan Cooking, 60 Seconds at a Time. I found Tabitha Brown’s instagram account last week and LOVE her. First off, her videos are so great and you can’t help but smile when you hear her voice because it is so calming and happy! Brown is a vegan chef and creates easy to follow and delicious recipes.

National Geographic - What I discovered traveling the world as a Black woman. On a 65-day trip to 32 countries and in wake of devastating loss, a writer finds sisterhood and healing in daring journeys.

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w o r e

steal vs. splurge

Love the Hermes Oran sandals but not the hefty price tag? I found these almost identical style for $150.

currently loving

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w h a t

rattan chair - I’ve had my eye on this driftwood chair. Its definitely a splurge but because our back yard is too small for an outdoor sitting area (other than the dining table) I think this would be a nice alternative for sitting in the grass and working, reading, hanging out.

clean - I’m going to do a complete post on our front entry makeover on a budget, BUT I have to share this power washer with you. We did our back patio and front walkway and the difference is crazy! I can’t believe I never realized how dirty they were.

recipe - Sick of banana bread? This swirled blueberry lemon thyme cake looks delicious!

watch - If you haven’t already, you need to watch the documentary 13th on Netflix. It is an eyeing opening look at post-slavery America, the 13th amendment, and the loop hole that was used to create a system of mass incarceration and fear.

kid-proof - This mattress topper - we are FINALLY buying a new sofa for the family room (I feel like i’ve said this a million times already) and because its our highest traffic area I’ve been looking for a way to make it more family friendly. I saw “toppers” on sofas when I was in Europe and loved the look.

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w h e r e

My love for rattan continues…

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BEACH READY ON A BUDGET

bikinis

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bathing suits

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coverups

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accessories

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THE SUNDAY SECTION - 06.07.2020

the sunday section

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who

Harper’s Bazaar - Why You Need to Stop Saying "All Lives Matter". “Let me be clear: stating that black lives matter doesn’t insinuate that other lives don’t.” by Rachel Elizabeth Cargle.

Brené Brown - Brené talks to Ibram X. Kendi on How to Be an Antiracist. Kendi is a New York Times bestselling author of How to Be an Antiracist and the Director of the Antiracist Research and Policy Center at American University.

Marie Claire - These 10 quotes on race and racism are important.

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wore

Here a few new-to-me accounts that I followed because I was inspired by their fashion and loved their style:

babba - Babba C Rivera

aurorajames - Aurora James

nycxclothes - Shelcy & Christy

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what

jewelry - I LOVE this New York based jewelry company, Oma The Label. They are nearly sold out after their launch yesterday and after one look at the collection, you can see why! These simple gold hoops are PERFECT for everyday wear. I also have had my eye on this “mama” necklace from BYCHARI.

linens - I was so happy to discover this amazing linen brand based in Westchester, NY (a few towns over from where I grew up!). Linoto is a small business and offers customers an incredible assortment from bedding to towels to smaller gifts. I ordered two sets of these linen coasters.

listen - This goop podcast on investigating instead of reacting. “Investigating what’s underneath the rage can help us then articulate—more clearly—our values,” says Rhonda V. Magee, professor of law at the University of San Francisco and author of The Inner Work of Racial Justice. 

design - If you’re a neutral/minimalist lover like I am you’ll love following designer Kelly-Ann Baptiste from Pure Collected Living. Follow along here. I love this recent post of hers - I’ve been wanting to cut branches for a large vase in our dining room and she just inspired me!

shave - in an effort to be more sustainable, I have been investing in products that last longer or products that offer refills with biodegradable or compostable components. This week I learned about the Oui the People razor - it is an award-winning, made for sensitive skin, AND lasts (a long time). Purchase the razor now and order refills later. No throwing out a plastic one every couple of months.

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where

A curated list of brands that I’ve loved for a while and some new to me this week. Support them online:

golde - obsessed with their turmeric cacao blend for a couple of years now. Add it to smoothies or make a latte!

The Koop - New York based. Candles made from coconut and soy wax with recyclable vessels or can be used as a beverage glass after use.

Bolé Road Textiles - Beautiful pillows and blankets. Love this collection of grey and ivory styles.

nom. - Beautiful art made of string fibers and wood. Love this piece.

Tove - An absolutely stunning clothing brand. Follow their gorgeous feed here. Shop the line in the US via Net-A-Porter.

Ebi - Plant-based postpartum care.

Very Lovely Soles - Love these simple black sandals!

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‘Racism in America is like dust in the air. It seems invisible – until you let the sun in. Then you see it’s everywhere. As long as we keep shining that light, we have a chance of cleaning it’ – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

WHAT I AM DOING TO BE ACTIVELY ANTI-RACIST

image created by Danielle Coke ohhappidani

“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” - Nelson Mandela

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READ/FOLLOW

Why you need to stop saying, “All Lives Matter” an article by Rachel Cargel. Click here to follow Rachel on Instagram.

The Conscious Kid

Chrissy Rutherford

ohhappydani

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DONATE

Black Visions Collective

NAACP

Minnesota Freedom Fund

George Floyd Memorial Fund

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SIGN PETITION

If you haven’t already, sign this petition on change.org for justice for George Floyd. You may think that your one signature doesn’t matter, but it does. There are now almost 12 million signatures. TOGETHER we can bring about change.

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AT HOME

A book for me - I’m not a big reader. I wish I was. Of course I read online and articles on my phone all day long, but I never just sit down with a book. So for me, instead of ordering White Fragility from Amazon with the risk that I wouldn’t read the entire thing, I purchased the audiobook here so I can listen to it (while I’m cooking, driving, walking, etc.). If you are not like me a prefer a physical book, I have found White Fragility in stock HERE.

Books for the boys - Change starts at home with our children. I will continue to have age appropriate conversations with both Luke and Harrison. Click here to read this NPR piece on talking about race with young children.

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This is just the start. This is only three days of reading and researching, googling, and listening, clicking, and reflecting. This is only the beginning. It is not enough to be anti-racist, we must be actively anti-racist. The killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery are crimes against humanity. As difficult as it can be to find the right words to say it pales in comparison to the suffering of BIPOC in this country. Today I am committing to these two things:

1. The Sunday Section - Sharing more books, recipes, podcasts, brands, and small businesses by and owned by BIPOC in this weekly blogpost.

2. For the rest of 2020 I will make a $50 donation each month to the NAACP and a $50 donation to Black Visions Collective.

Again, this is just the beginning. This is not just about one instagram post or one blog post for me. I’m committed to being an active voice in the fight against racism in America. I hope you’ll join me.