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The Link Up: Em’s New Favorite Shoe Combo, A Great Light Jacket, And A Bralette We Keep Buying
Happy Sunday, everyone! In case you missed it, we launched our sofa and chair line, Room Service by Emily Henderson. We are SO PROUD of it and couldn’t be more excited to hopefully see some of the pieces in your homes. So if you haven’t checked it out yet, here’s the blog post where Em breaks it all down, and here is the landing page to potentially purchase (FYI the landing page is still getting dialed in with our pretty images coming first, but not in our control:) And if you are in California, trying to buy a sofa, its a Wayfair technical bug that they are desperately trying to fix asap (was supposed to be by today so I’m hoping tomorrow? I’m so sorry!!) Ok, links?
This week’s house tour is a warm but elegant English cabin that any of us would happily cozy up in. It’s 300 years old and needed A LOT of love. And love it got, and now we get to enjoy looking at it! The blue room might be our favorite. You?
From Emily: I’m FINALLY really “gettin” the 90s cross-trainer shoe + crew sock combo trend and really loving it (and getting so many compliments). I think it was all about finding the exact pair of shoes that worked with my wardrobe and the socks that are the perfect height (I was going too tall, y’all!!). I bought these socks in person as a non-member at Fabletics (still on a huge sale, BTW), but they are the ones that I want to wear with every shoe now (I just stocked up). They are men’s, size medium, with the perfect black stripe, and like I said, the height is what I’ve been looking for (so many are too high, or ankle socks are too low). Then I bought these Nikes and I’ve been wearing them all day with shorts and on my super long walks. They aren’t the bright white that is trendier (I love those, but I like how these are softer for fall), and they’re extremely comfortable, giving me some height, and I just feel stylish in them. I’m also very into these (in mustard and blue), which are way more affordable. And if you aren’t quite into the chunky white cross-trainer trend, I also love these. I think it’s really brought up a whole new vibe, which I love (you’ll see in an upcoming pickleball fashion post).
Also From Emily: The two very quick, engrossing summer books I read last week on vacation. First, I finished Anabelle Monaghan’s newest, It’s A Love Story, which was an easy-to-read romance, with smart, empathetic characters (a bit of an enemy-to-lovers), Hollywood adjacent, and with a lot of family themes (but light, nothing too traumatic). It was a perfect warm, easy romance that was so enjoyable with a very likable leading man. Then I opened Broken Country, which was hard to put down and extremely engrossing. A love story and mystery about a dead farmer in England in the 60s, where we go back to find out what happened. A few twists and turns I didn’t see coming (and some middle-of-the-night anxiety – it does involve a child dying, which always makes me spiral), and a love triangle with two very tempting leading men. I was SO SAD that the story was over and that I had to leave the world of the characters. I’m now onto Atmosphere (it’s taking a second to get into) and last night started the Rebel Blue Ranch Series (based on Beach Reads and Bubbles’ enthusiastic recommendations – I need something light right now, TBH).
From Gretchen: I’ve been on a bit of an Old Navy kick. Last week, I linked up an easy, breezy plaid mini dress from them, and can confirm, I’ve been grabbing for it quite a bit since. But this week I picked up something slightly more *scandalous*, and I’m kind of obsessed. It’s this new Mesh Cami Bra. It’s see-through on purpose and offers virtually no additional support/lift for the girls, BUT I just love the fit and how it looks peeking out from my top or yes, on its own as a bit of a lingerie/sexy pajama top moment. I don’t tend to wear a lot of underwire in general because it’s just not comfortable for me, so I’m already used to a little less lift and support with my normal bras. While this doesn’t provide much lift, it does fit me great, and the way it sits on the chest area is pretty perfect. Usually, with a top like this, there’s a solid chance I might, you know, pop out of it. But this one stays totally put! In normal bras, I’m like a 36 C, and a size large in the mesh cami fit me best. I’ve been wearing it nonstop because I bought it in three colors: black, sea foam, and lilac.
From Marlee: Last week, you may have seen Caitlin’s glowing review of this $34 bralette… in her words, “MIRACULOUS.” Well, she got me quite curious, so I ordered one and I’ve gotta back her up on this – I’ve been on the hunt for a nude bralette for a while, so I tried this one out and this thing is so dang comfy. It’s buttery, stretchy in the right places, the straps don’t dig into my shoulders, and true to size – also very reasonably priced! But that’s not what I’m here to tell you about. While I was at it, I also ordered the matching boy shorts to go with it… If you like to sleep in your underwear, THESE ARE THE ONES! They’re so incredibly soft, no wedgies, stretchy, and they have perfect coverage IMO. I’m going to have to order a few more pairs so I can wear them every night.
From Arlyn: My family has lost SO MANY HOURS of sleep thanks to my toddler being allergic to mosquito bites and waking up numerous times a night, numerous nights in a row, begging for my anti-itch cream for her bites. The mosquitoes are on the prowl where we are, and even with repellent stickers and proper clothing, they just get her over and over again. I’ve ordered everything you can think of to help: two kinds of anti-itch patches, anti-itch creams, and finally, something that has worked so far: That Bug Bite Thing. Yup, that’s the actual name of the product. It’s a small doohickey that suctions out mosquito saliva to prevent extended itching or any reactions. The key is to use it right away after a bite. I tried it on myself after I got absolutely attacked on my legs last weekend, and by the evening, my bites were basically gone. GET IT!!!
From Mallory: I snagged the PERFECT summer to fall transition light jacket – it’s lightweight and is a classic style but with a balloon sleeve that gives the perfect amount of edge. I’m planning on pairing it with a mini skirt and knee-high brown boots, and I know this will be my end-of-summer go-to look!
From Jess: In case your lips are feeling a bit dry right now, I want to call out my most favorite lip balm/gloss I’ve ever owned. It’s THE MOST hydrating. While I, of course, put it on during the day, I make sure to apply before I go to bed so I can wake up with soft (and slightly plump) lips. I love the color Strawberry Sorbet, but they are all wonderful.
From Caitlin: Can someone be honest with me? I need to know: Is a Mason Pearson brush really all it’s cracked up to be? My thin, fine, kinda stringy, very grease-prone hair has made some incredible strides over the past few years – I used to wash my hair daily, but I can now go 5 days (!!!) between washes, thanks to a combo of this $9 shampoo brush and the dry shampoo I will use for the rest of my life – so I think I’m ready to invest in a keep-forever hairbrush to finish off my trifecta. But is it really worth it? Is it that much better at redistributing the oils? If you know literally anything about brushes, I’m dying to hear it. (I’m also eyeing this very cute version, which seems to be made from 100% boar bristle – is that better? – or this slightly-more-affordable dupe. Help!!!)
Thanks for hanging out with us for a little while today, and see you tomorrow! xx
Opening Image Credits: Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: Announcing Our First Furniture Collection: ROOM SERVICE By Emily Henderson
I hated my mason Pearson hairbrush! I have very fine, straight hair, and it was the worst! It made my hair super staticy and didn’t get into my hair enough to actually brush it, it just skimmed along the top layer. It was a real disappointment, considering the price.
If you go for it, try to buy secondhand, or have someone ready to take your handmedowns. My mom was thrilled when I passed it along to her haha!
Excited to check out the bralette! The Rebel Blue Ranch series is one of my faves!
Thank you for the links! And for the sock and shoe recs especially! Can I beg, beg, BEG for a “how to wear socks and shoes with shorts, jeans, skirts, etc.” post? PLEASE? You ladies are my style gurus and even with these great links I have no idea how to style anything anymore. Especially when I have to wear longer shorts. Help a girl out?
Abby Arad from Your Stylist Says did a super helpful sock breakdown on her Substack!
Love the new pair of pants I bought – DAZE Sundaze High Waist Crop Straight Utility Pants in Hideaway (camo). They run big. They are available at Nordstrom (and lots of other sites) or direct on Daze Denim. If you don’t like camo prints, they also have cute check, colorblock and animal print choices.
Just curious—do you all know we can’t see any of the AD house tours? Or am I doing something wrong?
Oh, yes, I think a few people have mentioned it. I was able to find it when I searched for “Jobe Burns’s redesign of a 300-year-old house for a famous British artist celebrates the historic home’s past”.
Oh gosh! The bra/bralette search!! As a 60ish woman who is a solid size 12, I recommend the French brand Chantelle and their SoftStretch line. The bras are lightly padded, which is fine by me, since I don’t feel comfortable out and about with nipples showing.
I also appreciate their fused padding that stays in place when I wash and hang dry.
Hi Caitlin,
I bought Fendrihan boar brushes made in Germany or France. Much more affordable. I bought a few different types (coarse bristles, medium, you get the idea). My daughter has your hair type and it didn’t work for her at all. All of the three that I bought really feel like you are brushing just the top layer down. For me, I have medium thick, slightly wavy hair that I don’t brush through except before shampooing. I use the boar brush everyday for taming that top layer without brushing through all the waves. It smoothes it somewhat and then I put a little smoothing spray in to refresh it.
I bought L’ange brushes that she likes so much better. Why is it so hard to find the perfect brush?!
I Only wear Chantelle now. No going back. I especially love the front closure style.
Book recommendation: Wrong Place, Wrong Time by Gillian McCallister. It’s about a mother whose son commits murder. The next day, the mother wakes up the day before the murder. It was an absolutely incredible book, really more about motherhood than murder.
Loved this one!
Me too! Really good, and definitely more about motherhood.
Don’t give up on Atmosphere! Took me a minute too. But trust me, best book I’ve read in 2025. I don’t want to say too much because I don’t want to ruin anything for you. But it’s worth your while. :)
I’ll add another Mason Pearson opinion to the mix! I have very full, wavy hair, and I have loved mine… though, hot tip: I purchased mine (new, still in box) on eBay, and I got a better deal on the “Junior” rather than full size (it was plenty big enough for me).
Arlyn, glad you found something to help mosquitoe bites. That sounds awful! As an alternative, or if you run out of the product, I’ve found that immediately washing a bite with soap and water helps a lot. Essentially, it makes it go away for me. That’s my current strategy. I feel for you!
What’s the brand of lip gloss? I’m in New Zealand, and the Sephora links in these roundups never work, even though we have Sephora. It’s a different site so your links never go to the product. So frustrating!
OLEHENRIKSENPout Preserve Hydrating Peptide Lip TreatmentPeach Glaze High Shine Finish
Can Caitlin do a post about her hair journey?! I feel like I have the exact same type of hair and I am eager to hear how she went from showering once a day to going FIVE days between washes!!