our summer fashion staples the clothes that make us feel great and keeps us cool

Fashion & Beauty

Our Summer Fashion Staples: The Clothes That Make Us Feel Great And Keeps Us Cool

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Now that we are about a month into summer, Marlee posed the question the other day, “What are everyone’s summer staples?” A big gab sesh started so naturally, we then thought that it was a pretty great blog post idea. So here we are! And much like a capsule wardrobe, it’s helpful to really pinpoint what types of pieces we gravitate towards and can wear with what we already own. It makes us better buyers and happier in the long run. No more “I’m sure I’ll find a place to wear this” and then never do. Each of us on the team has our own little style variations, so hopefully you’ll find some good inspo and/or pieces that will help you beat the heat. First up, our fearless leader…

Emily

Overall Summer Style:

I’m living casually per usual, but dialing in things that make me feel cute enough around town.

Great Flats – I’m still loving the Dolce Vita mesh leopard ballet flats – they strangely go with everything and are super flexible (not stiff, and therefore comfortable). The bright blue Nike sneakers are solid, and my new pointy clear jellies are strangely flattering and comfortable, and still loving these brown sandals from Anthropologie.

Jean Shorts (Multiple Lengths!) – We are all going baggier than we used to, and I’m still loving these Agolde shorties and the longer Gap Bermudas (I have in both white and light denim).

Blousy Tops – I really like the new one from Nordstroms I’m wearing in the opening shot. But my go-tos tend to be either Doen or Love Tomas (Emerson Fry). The delicate cotton is so breathable, and they are just so pretty and yet casual.

Head Scarves – I can not stop wearing scarves on my head, either as a triangle or a headband. Alex Mill, Madewell, and Urban Outfitters all have great ones. This one is super cute.

Aviator Sunglasses – I go mostly for knockoffs, but my last pair (Fetch) was from Consign Couture in Multnomah Village, where I sell a lot of my clothes, and I love them. These are great too!

Pearls – I like a light strand around my neck at all times – pops just the right way.

Patterned Dress – I’m sad my Evereve dress is sold out (snag it if it comes back), but this new Madewell one is FANTASTIC. Such a great drape, comfortable and versatile (and the pattern makes it so forgiving).

Baseball Hat – This hat (in the opener photo), from Anthro, is my new absolute favorite. It’s a trucker hat with mesh backing and is so cute (despite being a fake souvenir hat, which I think is hilarious – but it’s such a good hat that I ignore it).

Jess

Overall Summer Style:

Oversized Button Up – This has been a staple for me for many summers. What’s easier than throwing on an oversized button-up with some shorts, over a swimsuit, as a nighttime extra layer? It’s so versatile and effortless. Now, I got my first Frank & Eileen button-up as a surprise for Christmas, and it has been in heavy rotation ever since. It’s pretty perfect. Of course, that one is not all that budget-friendly, so here’s a great alternative for a fraction of the price.

Activewear Shorts – I’m new to the love of “activewear” pull-on shorts that Emily and likely many of you have been on for a minute. Remember this post Em wrote a few years ago? Well, I’m finally here and I am happy as a clam. It started with my new bright green Lululemon shorts and soon expanded. I love throwing those on with my Frank & Eileen button-up with my ballet jelly flats. It’s easy, casual, and a little fun. The other pair I bought is super similar to these (except these are a little less “activewear” and more “cute summer shorts”).

Jean Shorts – A jean short is a staple for many of us, so no shocker here. But to get specific, like Gretchen, I am a sucker for these Agolde Parker shorts. They are just the perfect fit, the perfect wash, and regardless of what my waistline has been (I’ve fluctuated a few sizes over the past few years), I’ve always felt confident in them. They do have a longer version if that’s more your preference. And speaking of longer jean shorts, these will also be in HEAVY rotation this summer and beyond.

Baseball Hat -Any ole regular baseball hat will do, but what I keep grabbing are my “local merch” ones. I got a great one when I was in Oaxaca from a cafe called Onnno that just says “Sándwich”. It’s fun, silly, and reminds me of my incredible trip with my friends. But there are also places like Altadena Beverage & Market that were thankfully able to reopen after the fire. They are selling these “Altadena” baseball hats, where 100% of the proceeds are going to fire victims. Just a small way to feel a little more connected to our communities and the businesses that we want to uplift. (Also, if you live close enough, Altadena Beverage & Market has the most incredible wine selection, a vast non-alcoholic spread, and a bunch of other delicious goodies and gifts.)

Jelly Ballet Flats – The true winner of the summer! I want to wear these shoes EVERYWHERE. I bought them in clear after seeing our photographer, Kaitlin, wear them on our retreat, and I haven’t looked back. They go with everything, are so easy to slip on, and are fun but cool at the same time. Ok, I’ve talked myself into it, and I need to get the red ones now.

Fun Tee – What can I say? I love a fun tee! I prefer either pretty fitted or fairly oversized. This “oranges” one is fitted and so cute (and those oranges sit ABOVE your boobs, in case you were wondering:))! I’ve gotten a ton of compliments on it. I know it’s not cheap, but it’s made from 100% deadstock cotton in Los Angeles by a women-run brand and sizes up to 3x. Happy to support these kinds of companies when I can.

Honorable Mention – A flowy dress you can dress up-ish or down. This is a no-brainer, but I don’t own any that I can link up, but it had to be said in case you see me in the street in a flowy dress and think, “but that wasn’t on her summer staples list?!” ;)

Caitlin

Overall Summer Style:

THE Sunglasses – I know the all the cool kids are doing tiny sunglasses, but I DON’T CARE. Wayfarers are classic for a reason! They’re universally flattering (especially if you have a big ol’ round face, like I do), polarized for extra protection, and they never get caught in my hair.

Hair Clip – You know that whole “reject modernity, embrace tradition” meme? Well, reject your modern plastic claw clip and embrace the vintage slide barrette!!! This $9 fish-shaped hair stick has been my most-used purchase of 2025 – it’s the simplest way to elevate your look with absolutely no effort. (My greasy 3-day hair has never looked more polished.)

Fun Sandals – Have I been sharing these fresh flip-flop alternatives incessantly for the last several weeks? Yes. Do I have any plans on stopping? NO. My pair gets better and better with wear – the leather footbeds have now molded to my feet, they’re divine for long walks, and they’ve been garnering so many compliments from cool women on the street!! I can’t believe they’re under $70 – I would have happily paid double that price because I love them so much.

Thigh Saver – I buy a few Thigh Rescue minis every year and scatter them amongst my tote bags, suitcases, and purses. I know some women like to wear shorts to prevent chafing, but I run hot and can’t handle extra layers in the summer – Thigh Rescue keeps me comfortable and pain-free whenever I throw on a dress or a pair of shorts. (PS. I’ve been relying on it since 2019, so this recommendation comes with lots of experience!)

Pull-On Linen Pants – Take it from someone whose ancient apartment lacks insulation and regularly tops 95 degrees: these linen pants are a dream to wear on extra-hot days. Gap really does a great job here – the 3 pairs I grabbed last summer have held up beautifully over countless wash and dry cycles.

Skort Dress – I bought my first skort dress in 2023, and I’ll never go back. It’s breezy, it’s simple, you can go bra-less (!!!,) and it’ll keep you cool when it counts most. (Seriously – this is what I wore to explore the blistering Australian outback.) Dress her up for date night! Dress her down for the beach! Wear her in the middle of a desert! Anything goes! This dress gets perfect marks from me – it’s likely the most versatile piece I own.

Arlyn

Overall Summer Style:

Classic Huaraches – Who am I kidding? As a SoCal resident, I wear these year-round, but they are, of course, most appropriate for summer. I’ve had my Nisolo’s Huarache Sandles in Almond since we did a sponsored post with them like…six years ago? They are my go-to shoe for basically everything. I wear them with dresses, shorts, jeans, even leggings to run out to the store. Because they are so good quality, they’re still kicking after what is likely 50,000 miles on them. They can’t be beat, seriously.

Short-Sleeve Linen Shirt – Thus begins my “broken record” summer fashion list, because basically all I wear from May until November is some variation of a button down camp shirt. I’ll admit I do not have this *exact* shirt from Quince, but I have many just like it I bought a while back and wear on rotation. The price ($35) on these is at least half if not more of the camp shirts I used to get at Madewell. They are so easy to throw on, don’t stick to my body when we’re in heatwave territory, and look great with basically everything and on everyone.

Boyfriend Button Down – I’ve had maybe four (?!?) of these boyfriend button down shirts from Old Navy over the last five or so years, and the linen one I have is on regular rotation now. I tend to grab a few during one of their many 50% off sales and just wear them into the ground. The best part about their loose fit is that you basically don’t even feel them touch your body, which is high on my priority list for summer attire. They are very roomy, so I’d size down if you don’t want to look like you’re wearing a parachute (though you do do!).

Barely There Cotton Blouse – Annnnd more button downs. I ended up at Kohl’s about a month or two ago hunting down the only Winnie the Pooh quilt I could find for my daughter’s upcoming big girl bed (at her request), and found this striped number which I’ve wear over and over again since I scooped it up. It weighs practically NOTHING, which ranks as #2 on that priority summer attire list I just mentioned above. Fair warning: the buttons are spaced further apart them I’m used to, but even with my large chest, it’s totally fine as long as you’re in the right size (I got a large).

Flowy Sun Dress – I have to take a break from all those buttons at some point, right? New to my wardrobe is this 100% cotton shell-print dress from a store called City Chic that sells sizes 12 – 24. I’ve never bought from them before but I was pleased with the quality and fit of this one I got on sale for about $50. In fact, the fit works so well on me that I just might venture out into the world…ready for it…sleeveless! ::Gasp:: (I am being serious, as someone who has hidden their arms away for decades.) Oh, and don’t even THINK of forgetting some thigh protection because giant chafing-induced inner thigh welts are no good for anyone. I love these cooling short from ThighSociety because they don’t squeeze you like shapewear, which is inconceivable on a 90-degree day. They come in three lengths (5″, 7″, 9″) and sizes from XS to 6x.

Chambray Button Down – Back to my regularly scheduled button down programming, this time with some chambray. I’ve bought this one from Loft twice already (and honestly, I should just go ahead and get a third one while it’s on sale right now because I wear it THAT much). I find some chambray to be either too heavy, too structured or too wispy, but this one is just right. The sides are a little higher than the front and back which results in more movement for any Hippy Helens out there (I just made that up, not sure it’s working but I’ll let it marinate).

Mallory

Overall Summer Style:

Jean Shorts – I reach for these jean shorts on the weekly (if not daily) during the summer. I love these so much, I snagged them in two different colors (also note I cut them to make them a bit shorter). They’re so roomy and not too tight on the thighs, but they fit perfectly at the waist (which has always been hard for me to find).

Lightweight Knit Shirts – I am a knit shirt lover, and that’s because they’re breezy and easy to walk around town in without sweating uncontrollably. I have a few different ones in my rotation, but currently I’m rocking this black and white one with the prettiest details and this affordable one from H&M (that has matching shorts!)

Statement Vacation-y Dress – I go to Palm Springs a lot, and when I do, I generally wear something from Farm Rio, so in the summers, if I have any fun vacations or getaways planned, I like to grab something fun, flowy, and statement-y from them. This year, I went to Hawaii (and truly had the vacation of a lifetime!!), so I snagged this dress, which I actually can’t stop wearing. It’s great for a fun brunch or resorty dinner, and I absolutely love how farm rio dresses can be casual or fancy depending on how you style them.

Button Down – I’ve always loved a button down (especially for bathing suit cover-ups!!) I have a blue pinstripe, a red pinstripe, and an electric blue color that I rotate between constantly throughout the summer. I usually buy mine secondhand at crossroads (they always have great options!) and bonus, you can always shop men’s shirts and they’re sometimes cheaper…but for an online resource that’s affordable, this one from Old Navy looks exactly like the one I have!

Gretchen

Overall Summer Style:

Jean Short – I reach for these shorts so often I may as well sleep in them. Yes, they are annoyingly expensive, but they’ve truly become my summer staple pair and I wear them SO OFTEN I’ve far surpassed the cost per wear. They are the perfect length, perfect distress, hug my butt just right and have a great button fly. A size 31 fits me just right!

Gauze Pants – I’ve been wearing these perfect pants since LAST summer and they have remained my go-to breezy pant option. And actually, I do wear these to bed from time to time. They are so soft and flowy and the gauze-y texture just hangs so nicely. They wash up really well and I think they get better the more you wear them. LL Bean has a variety of matching “Cloud Gauze” tops to make it a cute set as well! And I just saw that they also offer the pants in a really great, bright French Blue, and mysteriously, they’ve just found their way into my cart (I like a size large and am normally about a 12 in pants).

Canvas Cap – Nine times out of ten you will catch me wearing a baseball or trucker hat. I don’t know what it is about them but they seem to have a chokehold on me. Especially in the summer. Whether they’re working overtime to disguise a sweaty/bad hair day or just functioning to block out the sun, these Carhartt Canvas caps are ones I reach for all the time. They are simple, comfy, affordable, durable, easy to adjust–I could go on. I have them in a few different colors and love them all.

Sunglasses – I was gifted a pair of these polarized Ray Ban Wayfarers and just absolutely love them. Hard to go wrong with a classic! While I could never justify spending hundreds of dollars on say a Gucci pair of sunglasses or something similar, I would spend the money on these if I had to. They’re nice and heavy–great quality–and the polarized lenses are just the best. I grab for these every single day!

Sandals – I just bought these and like I predicted, am already wearing them to DEATH. I am a Birks-since-birth kind of gal because my dad was a big fan of them growing up. Like him, once I find a comfortable (and cute) shoe to wear, it becomes a daily staple. I really love the bigger buckle on these and that it’s not a shiny gold. The light leather goes with everything and I can wear them allllll day long without comfortability complaints. I’m a size 9.5 typically and the 40 is my preferred Birks size.

Bikini Top – This bikini top isn’t anything too special, but it IS inexpensive and also very cute! Comes in a lot of cute colors and patterns. I love wearing it with jean shorts and an open button-up in the summertime. Obviously great to wear in the water too! Lately, I’ve been tying the top so the straps each connect/tie to the back strap, rather than around my neck, and I love how it looks–slightly more comfy for the girls too.

Marlee

Overall Summer Style:

Sunglasses – I got these sunglasses in the spring and have not worn a different pair since. I’ve always loved Madewell sunglasses, but I think that the quality of them has gone up recently because these feel way less glare-y than pairs I’ve had from them in the past. I love the shape of these – they’re a smaller shape but not too small, wide enough to not feel like you’re wearing glasses made for a toddler!

Turkish Towels – I am deeply passionate about swimming as often as possible in the summer, which usually means packing a bag for a Sunday swim, then not unpacking it and just bringing the same bag for a quick river dip on a Monday after work. These towels are my favorite for these swims because they’re incredibly lightweight and they dry FAST. AKA no moldy wet towels in my bag:) They’re also just so fun and come in an infinite amount of colors.

Leave In Conditioner – This is also a bag essential – whenever I have wet river hair, I love to spray a few spritzes of this on my hair as it air dries. It smells so so yummy and is a super nice, lighter product that enhances my curls and reduces frizz. Highly recommend for anyone, but especially if you have wavier fine hair. It doesn’t weigh it down like other leave-ins.

Body Lotion – This is my favorite favorite summer lotion that I’ve been using for as long as I can remember. It’s such a yummy classic coconut scent and is super lightweight and “watery,” so it’s incredibly easy to layer and absorb. There’s no better feeling than showing after a day in the sun and then putting this lotion on with clean pajamas:)

Summer Shoes – These are some of my favorite summer shoes for river days (and just walking around). I have them in white, but they come in SO many fun colors. I feel like they stay on better than flip flops, which is great for trekking down to a swim spot. They’re also waterproof, so you can take them in the water or just hose them off if they get dirty. I’ve had the same pair for at least the last 6 years, and they’re still in amazing condition.

Summer Dress – My favorite summer dress is one that I’ve had for 4+ years, so it’s sadly not available – but my love for it is less about the specific dress and more about the shape + vibe. Enter shift dresses! Especially as a swim cover-up. I love how lightweight and breezy they are, and even though it’s so simple and has no shape to it, it screams “berry picking and then getting slurpees after,” which is incredibly specific but exactly what I want my summers to feel like. This one is the most similar to mine (love the ties), but I also LOVE this Doen x Gap dress and this one. Also, this – ah, there’s so many!

Hope this was fun and made you think more about your staples. Here’s to a happy and cool summer.

Love you, mean it.

Is It Too Late to Cut Back Hydrangeas? Everything You Need to Know Before Risking Next Year’s Blooms

New wood hydrangeas can be cut in late fall to early spring; old wood types should only be cut right after blooming. Trimming old wood hydrangeas too late removes next year’s buds, so timing is key to avoid losing flowers. Pruning isn’t required, but helps shape the plant, boost growth, and prevent leggy, untidy stems. The abundant, round blooms of hydrangeas are a classic sight of summer. Their blue, pink, and purple flowers are a cheerful and reliable perennial that seems to quickly sprout out of nothing but bare sticks in spring. After the bloom season is over, you've probably seen gardeners cut hydrangeas all the way back to the ground; when is it too late to cut back hydrangeas? And do you need to cut hydrangeas back at all? Here's exactly what you need to know about when to cut back your hydrangeas and when it's too late to prune hydrangeas. The Best Time of Year to Prune Hydrangeas Most hydrangeas benefit from some pruning to help them keep their classic round, bushy shape, but not every hydrangea should be cut back all the way to the ground. It all depends on the type of hydrangea you have growing in your garden. Some hydrangeas are new wood hydrangeas: These bloom on new wood each season, and their buds won't form until spring, weeks ahead of their summer bloom season. Old wood hydrangeas actually produce their blooms seasons ahead of the iconic summer flowers. Those buds could first appear in fall or winter, meaning a hard prune could accidentally remove all of the potential blooms for the next summer. Want more gardening tips? Sign up for our free gardening newsletter for our best-growing tips, troubleshooting hacks, and more! New Wood Hydrangeas New wood hydrangeas include panicle (peegee) hydrangeas and smooth hydrangeas. Because these hydrangeas don't form their blooms until the spring—just before their summer flowering season—you have more flexibility in when you choose to prune. If you want to get rid of the old blooms and dead leaves during the winter, then that is a great time to cut back your hydrangeas ahead of the spring growing season. However, you can also wait until spring as long as you prune before the first summer buds appear. When you're pruning, you can cut as far as roughly a foot above the ground. However, be sure not to prune too close to the ground or you could end up damaging the plant. Old Wood Hydrangeas Old wood hydrangeas are much more finicky when it comes to pruning. These include oakleaf hydrangeas, climbing hydrangeas, and big leaf hydrangeas. Old wood hydrangeas bloom on old wood; rather than growing an entirely new shrub each year, they grow back on the same stems. Their buds begin to form in the late summer, nearly a year before their bloom season. This means your ideal time to prune is short-lived; prune your old wood hydrangeas right after summer's blooms have faded. Wait too long, and you could risk trimming off next year's blooms. Visual test To determine whether it's too late to prune your hydrangeas, make a small cut into a stem. If you see green, leave it be. If you see brown, cut it down. Why Do You Need to Prune Hydrangeas? Hydrangeas do not actually need to be pruned in terms of their own health and maintenance. For old wood hydrangeas, pruning helps to keep a more compact shape. If you don't prune them (and you don't have to), they'll grow taller each year. If you do not prune at all, the hydrangea will eventually become leggy, with woody stems reaching out in every direction. Blooms may also become smaller. Pruning new wood hydrangeas helps stimulate growth for the following season, as well as clean up the plant to keep it neat and tidy. Again, pruning is not necessary, but it will give your hydrangeas a more tailored look. How to Prune Hydrangeas Different hydrangeas have different requirements for how to prune, and, while there are some varieties have specific nuances around pruning, they can generally be split into old wood versus new wood. How to Prune Old Wood Hydrangeas Here's how to prune old wood hydrangeas in summer after the blooms have faded. Prune spent blooms: Remove any dried blooms to keep the plant looking tidy. Remove dead stems: Nick stems to see if they are alive (green inside) or dead (brown inside). Remove the dead stems. Prune for shape: The only time to remove stems with blooms is when you're pruning for shape to keep your hydrangea from getting too tall, leggy, or wide. How to Prune New Wood Hydrangeas Here's how to prune new wood hydrangeas ahead of their growth season in the spring. Remove dead branches: Remove any dead branches. These can be cut down to the ground. Prune for shape: New wood hydrangeas will grow back fully year after year, but you can also prune for shape with a light trimming. Prune back hard-to-encourage growth: If you want to encourage the largest blooms and most growth, prune back the hydrangea to just a foot off the ground. You might feel like you're pruning too far, but you're not—it will grow back.

6 Tips for Preventing Travel Constipation

Taking a vacation can really knock us off our routines, and that includes how often we go to the bathroom. For many people, traveling can really back things up. In fact, it happens so often there’s even a name for it: travel constipation. Although it isn’t a medical term, it is used to describe a complaint among people who can’t poop when they’re away from home for extended periods of time (we’re talking more than just being out for the day). It’s really common. "The person sitting next to you on the airplane, or someone on the flight crew, or another person you’re meeting likely has the same issue,” says David M. Poppers, MD PhD, and professor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology at NYU Langone Health. Constipation is uncomfortable regardless of when it happens, but no one wants it to ruin their vacation. Try these expert tips if you experience travel constipation. David M. Poppers, MD PhD, and professor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology at NYU Langone Health Wendi LeBrett, MD, a Los Angeles-based gastroenterologist What Is Travel Constipation? Anything that disrupts your routine can affect bowel function, Dr. Poppers says. “And travel disrupts routine,” Dr. Poppers says. You’re likely not eating the same things, drinking the same amount of water, or getting the same amount of sleep, all of which affects bowel movement. How do you know if you're constipated, anyway? You'll have no more than three bowel movements a week, according to the National Institute of Health. Further, you may have hard, painful stool and feel like your movements are incomplete, or like you didn't finish. So the phrase "travel constipation" simply refers to not having bowel movements when you're away from home—we're talking for more than just an afternoon. How to Stay Regular While Traveling Be Sure to Poop Before You Leave “Prevention is the best remedy,” says Wendi LeBrett, MD, a Los Angeles-based gastroenterologist. You don't want to head into your trip backed up! She recommends increasing your fiber and liquid intake (more on both ahead) about two to three days before you’re set to leave, as they are two of the most important tools in fighting constipation. Sneak in Your Fiber As we mentioned, getting enough fiber is one of the most important things you can do, because it helps form your stool and makes it easier to pass, Dr. Poppers says. Fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains may not be your ideal vacation foods, but they are all high-fiber foods. Try eating some fruits and vegetables at every meal when you’re traveling, Dr. LeBrett advises. They don’t need to make up the entirety of your diet, but getting a serving every time you eat can help you get to your daily fiber goal, which is set at 14 grams per 1,000 calories of food per the USDA dietary guidelines. As a precaution, include a package of prunes or dried kiwi into your carry-on bag for snacking, both of which can help you poop, Dr. LeBrett says. “Prunes are a classic option, but kiwi is also really effective for helping with constipation,” Dr. LeBrett says. “There are a number of studies showing that eating two kiwis a day is equivalent to some of the more traditional laxatives.” Stop Neglecting Your Fluids You probably don’t realize you’re doing it, but many people drink far less liquid while traveling, Dr. LeBrett says from her experience working with patients. And that’s a problem, because dehydration makes constipation worse. “When people are traveling and out sightseeing, they naturally tend to drink less water because they don't have access to a public restroom as easily,” Dr. LeBrett says. Recommended fluid intake is dependent on a variety of factors including a person’s activity level, size, and where they are located. Generally, women need an average of approximately 2.7 liters of water, which can come from food and beverages too, and men need an average of 3.7 liters of water, according to the The National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine. You may want to drink more if you’re in a warmer climate or if you’re drinking more alcohol than you typically would, Dr. Poppers says. If you're flying, it's important to know that air travel can cause dehydration because plane cabins can have low humidity. Keep this in mind when the flight attendant comes around with the beverage cart! Get Moving This can include traditional exercise, but it doesn’t have to. For example, you can walk instead of taking public transportation when sightseeing. Regardless of the specifics, getting plenty of movement can get things moving, Dr. Poppers says. “Activity increases motility, and with that, the intestinal tract has less time to absorb water,” he explains. Although it may seem counterintuitive, you actually develop dry, hard stools when your colon absorbs too much liquid. “So you get a more lubricated stool after exercising,” Dr. Poppers says. Going out of your way to exercise can feel like a chore, so try Dr. LeBrett’s favorite way of slipping it in. “I'm a big advocate for walking after a meal,” she says. “It helps with the digestion process, so it can prevent constipation, gas, and bloating,” Dr. LeBrett says. Maintain Your Routine As much as it’s possible, you want to keep up the habits that keep you pooping regularly (assuming you do. Otherwise, that's a different story!). “Our guts are creatures of habit,” Dr. LeBrett says. “They’re used to the same diet, the same routine, and the same sleep patterns,” she says. You don’t need to adhere to a strict schedule, but at least be mindful of how drastically you’re veering away from a typical day. For example, if you normally sleep a solid eight hours, never drink alcohol, eat from all colors of the rainbow (meaning you probably get loads of fiber), and start your morning with a workout, then you don’t want to do the exact opposite when you’re away from home. Think about ways you can enjoy your trip and practice moderation, by say, having one less glass of wine with dinner, drinking plenty of water, and taking that post-meal walk. Try Stretching (on the Toilet) If you are hit with traveler’s constipation, Dr. LeBrett recommends trying the piriformis stretch, named after the muscle being stretched, which is located in the gluteal region. This stretch can help relax your pelvic floor muscles, making it easier to have a bowel movement. You can see how to do the stretch on Dr. LeBrett’s TikTok page. Alternatively, Dr. LeBrett says a toilet stool can help relax your pelvic floor muscles as well.

Should You Really Use Coffee Grounds for Tomato Plants? What to Know

Tomato plants are the most popular vegetable grown in the home garden, so all we want is for them to thrive and produce a bountiful harvest.1 There are several ways to support tomatoes as they grow, but could coffee grounds be the secret ingredient to growing tomato plants successfully? The answer is no, but if composted properly, it won't hurt the plants. We share everything you need to know about using coffee grounds for tomato plants in the garden. Why Coffee Grounds Can Work for Tomatoes Coffee grounds contain nitrogen (about two percent) and trace amounts of phosphorus and potassium necessary for plant growth. But, scattering coffee grounds on the top of the soil or even working it in slightly is not effective. The caffeine residues in the used coffee grounds can actually suppress germination and slow the growth of some plants. The grounds don't release their beneficial components until organisms in the soil break them down—that can take months in a compost pile. The best way to use coffee grounds for tomato plants is to add them to your compost pile of leaves, grass clippings, and vegetable trimmings. Turn the compost pile often, and then use the organically rich mixture to enrich the garden or container soil before you add the tomato plants. Should You Use Coffee Grounds to Fertilize Tomatoes? Coffee grounds should not be used as the sole fertilizer for tomato plants. The grounds do not contain the nutrient balance that tomatoes need to thrive, and adding too many grounds will affect the soil's pH. Tomato plants can tolerate slightly acid soils, as low as pH 5.5. But plants are the healthiest and most productive when the soil pH is 6.0 to 6.8. Suppose you use organically rich soil (that can contain some composted coffee grounds). In that case, you may not need to add a great deal of fertilizer when planting tomatoes or throughout the growing season. Benefits of Traditional Fertilizer vs. Coffee Grounds Coffee grounds contain just two percent nitrogen and mere traces of phosphorus and potassium, and it takes weeks or months for the grounds to break down enough to release these nutrients into the soil. Most tomato plants benefit from the application of a balanced NPK fertilizer a few times throughout the growing season. Avoid using a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen (N), as you will get excessive leaf formation and less fruit. Appropriate levels of potassium and phosphorus have positive effects on fruit sugar and acid content. Proper fertilization also produced tomatoes with more health-promoting carotenoids and red lycopene beneficial to human nutrition. Adequate plant nutrition is important in producing tasty tomatoes with better flavor and appearance.

A Quick MOTO Bedroom Update: Caitlin And Jess Have Fun New Additions But Also Need Some Help!

Hello!!! We promise we haven’t forgotten you or our bedrooms. But admittedly, Caitlin and I both know we haven’t been as on top of our bedroom progress as we had hoped. SO SORRY!! However, progress has been made (I actually have a very exciting announcement:))!! So today we wanted to give a little update on the progress and ask y’alls opinion about a couple of things we are a little stuck on. Design should always be collaborative! So we’ll spare you a long intro and just get right to it. Caitlin take it away… Caitlin Before we get into it – everyone, please wish Jess a happy birthday! I couldn’t ask for a better work wife, friend, confidant, or inspiration. I was nervous meeting Jess for the first time – I was intimidated by how cool she was! – and was pleasantly surprised to discover the kindest person I’ve ever known. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BUNGO! I know. I KNOW! I know what you’re thinking. “Caitlin, you’ve been working on this space for over a year. What’s the holdup?” It’s a fair ask, so I’d like to see your question and raise you an inquiry of my own: am I, uh, dumb? Because guys – I can’t figure out how to go faster. How are you managing your decorating budget with your more necessary expenditures? Am I totally missing something? (Seriously, I’m asking.) Maybe you can relate – it just feels like a struggle to prioritize my own home when there are birthday presents to buy, destination bachelorette parties and weddings to attend, cross-country moves to pay off, car payments, medical bill installments…it all adds up so fast! So time and time again, this (functional, livable, halfway-finished) space is pushed to the back burner. I’ve been struck by the curse of the “good enough for now” room – has anyone else been afflicted? PLEASE ADVISE. But it’s not all doom and gloom! Over the past few months, I was able to stash away a seemingly-paltry sum – just over $1,000 – which I spent on a few essential upgrades. My biggest splurge was on this vintage Danish teak and mahogany gentleman’s chest. It’s perfectly sized for the space (4′ wide and nearly 4′ tall!) with an ultra-functional combination of dressers and shelves. I paid $750 in total for this one – including delivery from the Palm Desert area, over two hours away! – so it wasn’t cheap, but it was well worth the wait. But it’s not all doom and gloom! Over the past few months, I was able to stash away a seemingly-paltry sum – just over $1,000 – which I spent on a few essential upgrades. My biggest splurge was on this vintage Danish teak and mahogany gentleman’s chest. It’s perfectly sized for the space (4′ wide and nearly 4′ tall!) with an ultra-functional combination of dressers and shelves. I paid $750 in total for this one – including delivery from the Palm Desert area, over two hours away! – so it wasn’t cheap, but it was well worth the wait. Looking into the room, you may clock two new additions: plug-in Stilnovo-style sconces! The damage? $127.45 for the pair, and $84.73 for the TaskRabbit who mounted them to the plaster wall. The shipping took an eternity and we had to manually assemble each sconce, but I couldn’t be more pleased with the finished product. I still need to mask the cords a bit (using this tutorial from Sara, bless her), but I’m holding off until we land on a paint color. To that end: help! The cognac/cobalt/olive/gold color palette is MUCH more flexible than I’d anticipated – it looks good with every paint color I’ve thrown into my mockup! When all of your options are good options, how do you decide? (I’m open to suggestions. Begging for them, even!) It wouldn’t be an update post without an admission of regret: I don’t think I made the right nightstand call. I grabbed these Serena & Lily-style side tables at TJ Maxx, and they’re a perfect fit in so many ways…but now, after the addition of the wood dresser, they look a little out of place. Too coastal? Too glam? Too fussy? These nightstands do technically check all of my boxes – the right size, the right shape, the right functionality – but something is off. Am I overthinking, or do you agree? Man – the room gets more and more unhinged as we go! DON’T JUDGE ME, PLEASE. This is my dresser, stylishly adorned with the 12-year-old television from my first apartment in LA. I love having two TVs in the house – Dennis can play EAFC with his friends in the living room while I binge Investigation Discovery in the bedroom – but this placement is GARBAGE. Den’s view of the TV is often blocked; I’m essentially parallel with the screen, which is surprisingly not conducive to productive viewing; and, most importantly, I’m wasting SO MUCH GOOD STYLING SPACE. The flat surface that houses our monstrous black box will soon play host to 9 square feet of art, trinkets, and ephemera. Just you wait!!! Which brings us to our final wall: a big, blank, shoe-corralling YAWNFEST. I’m imagining a Frame TV hiding up here, mixed amongst some sort of gallery wall. (A TV we can both watch while laying in bed at night, no strange positioning required! Can you imagine?) Ideally, I’d like to move the shoe storage out of the bedroom entirely – we have a lot of hall space, and I think I could figure out a way to hide them with some sort of skirted table – but I am very open to suggestions. I know that this all doesn’t seem like much, but it’s felt like a lot of progress to me! I do still have a few large expenses looming: a good vintage light fixture (and an electrician to install it – our building still has the original wiring, and I know my skill level), the Frame TV, high-quality framing for a few precious art pieces, and maybe some swapped nightstands…but I can (truly) see the light at the end of the tunnel! I know I can DIY some window treatments; I know we can handle painting; I know that eventually, it’ll cool down enough to warrant making the bed with more than a sheet. It’s getting there! But man, I’ll take all the feedback I can get. What say you??? Jess Alright, first things first… I NO LONGER AM SLEEPING ON THE FLOOR!! Let me tell you that I. Feel. Different. More together. More distinguished. Maybe less embarrassed to have friends see my bedroom. It’s been amazing. The first night was wild. It was like I was sleeping on a tower overseeing all of my land. After that, I nearly set up an office in my bed but knew I’d have no chance of actual productivity. But man, between my new custom Buildlane bed (saying that is still a dream come true) and my Tuft & Needle mattress, you can’t tell me that when I’m in that room I’m not a full-blown freaking princess. Here is a sneak peek. AHHH!! BUT WAIT. Please please know that literally 95% of the bedding and the rug will change! Right now this room is a hundred shades of beige but NOT in a way I think is good and to me it just looks drab. So avert your eyes from those things and focus on that beautiful bed and incredible bench:) Can you stand it!? I have a bed and it’s one that I know I’ll love forever. I said it in my last post about the design process, but the goal was not only to design exactly what I wanted for this room but to also make sure this bed was versatile style-wise for the future. I chose fabrics and colors I’ve loved my whole life so regardless of what room and style I put with this bed, it will work. I will also steam it a little more before the shoot I promise. But I kinda love the lived-in look. This is a much better representation of what the colors look like in person. Warm but elevated (that’s at least what I’m telling myself the vibe is). As a reminder, I got these incredible fabrics from Kravet. The velvet is Clarke & Clarke in “Honey” and the linen is Kravet Basics x Thom Filicia in Sweeting – Ivory. I also couldn’t be happier with Buildlane’s construction! It’s exactly what I envisioned. If you are a designer that needs custom furniture I can’t recommend either of these companies more. Oh, and that little wall sticker in the first bedroom photo is the paint color I’ve chosen! White Flour by Sherwin-Williams. If you can believe it allllll of these sticker samples are white. Like white, white! But as you can see, in my room some go blue, purple, and even yellow. Wild, right?? I even ordered the one that Sara used in her living and dining room and it’s the top middle one. It’s so blue in my room but perfect and happy in hers. Before I ordered the samples I was sure that was going to be the one before I put it up on my wall. That’s why testing is sooooo important in the space you are painting. Recs are great but it’s impossible to make a final call without getting a swatch in the actual room. DON’T DO IT, K?? I know that painting it a different white seems a little nuts to some but that’s exactly what I did in my last apartment and it made all the difference. It felt brand new in the best way so I am pumped to get this color up on these walls! Plus, since I’ve lived there for almost 4 years my wonderful landlord is paying for the painter. Thank the lord since I legit have 11 doors in my bedroom (french doors and screens to the balcony) as well as all that trim. So could I do it myself?? Technically yes but it’s a no for me dawg. Now, let’s hear it for the bench! I am still pinching myself that I, Jessica A. Bunge, have a Katy Skelton piece in my home. Due to some back-ordering issues for the original Kelly Wearster patterned fabric that I had picked out, I decided to go solid with the main bench fabric. I matched the color to the off-white in the Gaston Y Daniela green check fabric which turned out to be this Kravet Basics. It’s actually so so perfect and gives me a lot more room to play with pattern on the bedding. Plus if I’m totally honest, I was getting a little “square happy” and very grateful to have been pushed to pull back a little:) Look, your girl loves a square shape and sometimes I need to be saved from myself! So again, PLEASE ignore the bedding and rug you see. It’s NOT how it will look when it’s done. Can you tell I’m extremely nervous people will think that I think this looks good?? It just doesn’t do the bed or bench any justice! Now, I have two questions on a different topic. I’m not sold on what I should do for my curtains. Question #1: I love the lightness of my simple linen IKEA panels but have dreams of them being a soft warm taupe. Should I get new ones or try to stain them with maybe tea?? My only concern is that I do really like them as-is and could save them for the future. The I could just get new panels in the color I want. Oh, and here’s yet another ask to please pardon the mess that was my bedroom last year! This was the only decent picture I had to show the curtains. I also realized I’m going to have to get them hemmed if I don’t raise the rod which is annoying but not the end of the world. See next question… Question #2: I’m undecided about where I would hang my curtain rod. As you can see it’s currently it’s on the window moulding. I’ve always intended to raise it above to give the room more height. But since this is a 110-year-old building maybe that’s not the move? But I’m also planning on doing a tile border under the crown moulding so covering the majority of that side might look strange? Thoughts?? Now, I typed this question and then I made these graphics and I’m more torn. I way prefer the rod above the moulding (I realized I did in my living room lol) but picturing the tile and having them under the rod does seem odd. I just don’t know. I guess I’ll tile first and then decide?? Again, thoughts? Ok, that’s where we’re at and again, we promise we are moving as fast as we can! Any thoughts on our questions would greatly be appreciated:) BYEEEE