The Shopping List: JUNE
Ten things we love this month, featuring a dream pair of winter flats, earrings to transform any outfit and a rug with big nesting energy.
We’re making it through by the skin of our teeth at the moment — Sophie is a million years pregnant and I’m working the kind of hours that normally come with a health warning. We actually meant to send this particular Shopping List dispatch during the last days of May (we release one of these lists per month), but such is the chaos right now that it’s coming to you bright and early in June instead. Don’t put it past us to create two Shopping List editions this month to make up for it…because even in our current swamps, we’re still unearthing things we both need and want. How, we don’t know. It’s a gift!
I always think these Shopping Lists are a kind of psychological ‘tell’ for where we’re both at in our inner lives, and what you’ll find below is no exception (hello face-covering sunglasses, hi dopamine-dosing tiger rug). But we’re not immune to the influence of the outside world, too. There is SO much opulence and embellishment in fashion and interiors right now — it’s all tassels, silk, fringing, velvet and ornate jewellery. It might just be a course correction from the hyper-minimalism of years gone by, but I think it reflects that we’re yearning for expressive aesthetics that feel human, joyful, artistic and just plain old beautiful. It’s tempting to over-pathologise trends, but when everyone we know is struggling to find time to have fun, the current shift towards maximalism and playfulness makes perfect sense.
Today’s newsletter is free, but this month our paid subscribers have access exclusive discount codes at Friends With Frank, Elka Collective and A.EMERY. You can become a free or paid subscriber (for $8 a month) below.
Sophie
RUGGABLE / Tigre Gold Rug by Scalamandre (150cm x 215cm) — $699
The nesting continues. I’ve been eyeing rugs for two years now, since having Viv and moving into our first home together (the same week, trauma!). To say I put a lot of thought into my purchases is an understatement, and it’s regardless of the price tag. It honestly pains me to spend any level of money on something that I don’t adore. It can be good practice but it can also be so fucking annoying. Like just buy a rug you idiot woman.
But in this case I think i’m happy I waited for the right rug to pop into my consciousness. I’ve been moodboarding how I’d like my bedroom to end up this postpartum period (something along the below) and I think this Ruggable washable tiger print rug could be a perfect addition. Firstly, it’s washable. So the current and incoming tipped bottles wont be an issue. It’s the perfect print clash to the tapestry print I just bought on Etsy. And the tone doesn’t compete with my beautiful Sheet Society bedding (now on sale — more on these below). And whats more classic than animal print really. I’m excited about this purchase, at a time when it’s hard to feel great in my clothes, mainly because ‘sweatpants are all that fit me right now!’, — homewares are really feeding me.
Side note: Sheet Society bedding is elite. The fitted sheet sides are wide set so it’s not painful to make the bed even solo at 35 weeks preg. The pillows don’t poke out of their covers for one second between washes AND there’s hidden zips on the quilt covers instead of buttons. Genius. If I listed off every annoying thing about bedding and making a bed, they’ve addressed and fixed it.
Annie
COURTNEY ZHENG / Elis Supima Cotton Boxy Tuck Tee — $290
I would go to a black tie affair in a t-shirt if it were socially acceptable, such is my devotion to them as a minimalist who loathes anything tight around my torso. This one, by my dream designer Courtney Zheng, pushes the genre just enough to feel elevated. The lovely knot at the side is one thing, but what really sells it for me is the dropped shoulder and sleeve length — it’s kind of…romantic? The khaki colour way is neutral enough to wear with everything and anything, from jeans to a floor scraping skirt as styled above. Also comes in black and white.
Sophie
JAC & JACK / Davies Long Sleeve Tee & Baby Tee in Pickle — $120 + $190
Will we tire of the double layered basic? Sure, but that time is not yet now. It makes a basic more interesting, especially when it’s just a flat colour or tone.
I desperately wanted this baby tee originally (I own it in so many shades) but baby fits are not my friend right now, they’re more like crop tops. But with the more classic long sleeve style underneath, consider my belly concealed. Green is very much the colour of the moment, specifically in shades like this pickle or chartreuse. I’m currently moodboarding this set with a navy trackpant because i’m a realist and in my trackpant season of life: for better or worse.
Annie
COMPLETED WORKS / Zirconia and Recycled Silver Earrings — $679
Apropos of those aforementioned events, sometimes the best thing to do is to wear a well-cut white t-shirt, a pair of loosely tailored black wool trousers, heels with a POV, and a pair of earrings like these. Very chic to let your jewellery do all the work.
I adore the way these earrings are kind of a hot mess. They say the human eye is drawn to symmetry, but IMO, the human eye is actually drawn to an asymmetric cascade of diamonds (ahem, zirconias).
Sophie
CHRISTOPHER ESBER / Paolo 96 Sunglasses — $350
I personally deem these style of sunglasses the monobrow look. I’ve been apprehensive to engage with them because they can feel quite harsh / hard on a face and can look a little trendy. But big and square is not my vibe and i’m looking for a frame that covers quite a bit of realestate as looming sleep deprivation approaches. They tick the lighter coloured lens box i’ve been seeking and will cover all impending baggage. Big time ‘cool mom’ vibes.
Annie
ZARA / Asymmetric Satin Lace Dress — $105
Ok, I know I am very late to the asymmetric, lace-trim silky layering piece party. And I am sure there plenty will roll their eyes at yet another version of this dress (truth by told, I thought I was done with this trend too). And yet, I think what I was looking for was just a thicker lace trim to dial up the intention. I also think this piece (and others like it) only works now when the lace is the same colour as the layer underneath so it feels a little more harmonious and — I don’t know how else to say this — refined.
I plan to wear layered with these satin jacquard trousers and an old season Elka Collective leather jacket.
Sophie
GEM TOTEM / Night & Light Necklace — $195
I’ve been getting a little bored of my predictable beaded necklaces though I still love the look and my next jewellery iteration hasn’t fully revealed itself yet (i’ll explore where i’m leaning below) but this gorgeous Gem Totem set feels interesting to me without pushing too far into ‘quirky’ territory. It’s neutral but not so will go with everything and is bound to lift the very basic outfits that i’ll be donning as I stomp the postpartum pavement.
I am toying with longer styles, in sets of beads, rope / leather, or a heavier long gold chain to hang a few pendants off, but I have not yet done the research — Laurel Pantin is my current inspiration though I think i’d simplify slightly. I did also like piece from Oroton.
Annie
ASSIEDS TOII / Mushroom Stool (Standard) — From $1290
File under preposterously expensive and utterly delightful things I will never buy but will covet obsessively. Here’s me meticulously considering every last pattern and colour like they are different flavours of yoghurt in my Uber Eats app.
These magic little mushroom stools are the brainchild of Haya Hizami and Isabella Townsley. In an interview with Tatler about a year ago, they spoke about wanting to create a homewares piece that felt as desirable as a luxury handbag. It’s easy to see how they’ve deployed prestige pricing, visual marketing cues and product seeding work to influence desirability. I’ve recently been consulting to an Australian furniture brand, so this is all very top of mind for me. You’d think I’d therefore be somewhat immune to the charms of Hizami and Townsley’s work, but it’s hard to deny how delightful it all is. The extra mini ones would make such a sweet present.
Sophie
ESSEN x WHITE STORY / Shearling Flat — $485
The search for the perfect, interesting-winter-flat-that-isn’t-a -loafer-or-typical-ballet-flat style, continues. Or does it? I have loved these furry numbers from Essēn since I first laid eyes on the black iteration a couple of years back, but the black felt too heavy for my usual looks and the light neutral I know I would ruin in three seconds flat. So the brown from this White Story collab feels so very right - I will be going to try on in store. Stay tuned.
Annie
MOTHER / The Footballer tee — $325
On days I am exclusively mum-ing, I find myself wincing at my many black things, feeling like they are all a bit too self-important for the job at hand. I own a t-shirt from Cortana that is embroidered with a little lamb, which my son loves. Let’s just say “Where’s the sheep on mummy?” has been successfully uttered as a pram-buckling distraction more than once. Never thought an expensive t-shirt could make my life easier, but there you have it: proof that my sometimes silly little whims are actually paying dividends.
That’s all for this week, but if you missed our latest newsletters, take a look below! A bonanza for your feet.
See you next week!
Annie & Soph
xoxo