My Analog-ish Summer…

First, it was a land-line telephone, installed earlier this summer in our kitchen. Landon even selected a corded receiver, which felt like a throwaway decision at the time but has proven its charm and logic, too. There’s something interesting about just talking on the phone and not, say, simultaneously loading the dishwasher or clicking around on the computer. I’m all for multi-tasking and habit-stacking but maybe it’s a good thing to re-teach myself to accomplish one thing at a time, to force my hand by finding technologies that invite selective mono-tasking–especially when that task is listening to a loved one. I also like that the children are in earshot when using the phone, as Landon or I are nearly always in the kitchen or in his neighboring office when the kids are home. Granted, they only know how to dial their grandparents, Landon, and myself at the moment, but still. A good kind of wing-clipping, I think. (This is also step one in deferring the purchase of cell phones for our children for as long as humanly possible — ideally, college.)

Then, while we had friends in town two weekends ago, we played hours of a card game called “O Hell” (a maddening, competitive variation of Hearts). It felt distinctively nostalgic: how many times did I watch my mother play cards with my aunt and my grandmother play bridge with her friends when I was a child? I loved that our children saw us engrossed in such a simple pleasure, especially against the summer theater of birdsong, a late sunset, and fan-whirring. The only signal that we were, in fact, in 2026 was the portable speaker playing my “Dawn of Summer” playlist alongside us.

A week later, for my birthday, Landon bought me a turntable! This is something I’ve been pining after for some time (have written about it several times on the blog this year), and I am besotted with it. I love the specific quality of the sound. I’m no audiophile, but even I notice that it sounds warmer, softer. And it’s an entire multi-sensory experience, centering the listening in a new, screen-free way. I even like the fact that it asks you to flip the record, requiring you to be a more active participant in its play. This detail in fact surprised me, as I am an avid and daily user of Apple’s “infinity play” feature, where the system will auto-recommend songs similar to whatever you put on. I like the feature because I prefer to have music playing all the livelong day and it can get exhausting curating playlists and records, but I find myself frequently frustrated by the high-density of play that certain artists enjoy. This is a known issue; I’ve seen Reddit threads on the subject. For me, no matter what music I’m listening to, the infinity play invariably over-samples SZA and Ariana Grande. I love both of those artists, but I don’t need to hear SZA’s “Shirt” every single day and especially not after playing, say, Okonski’s jazzy “Entrance Music” album. (I believe this over-sampling has something to do with a pay-to-play arrangement. I’m curious – do you also hear too much Sza and Ariana or are you hearing other artists over-sampled? Maybe it changes based on your listening history. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, good for you — lol.)

What about you? Any other screen-free or throwback technology swaps you’ve been making for the summer? Is this a normal thing that happens when you hit your 40s (a de rigueur pining for simpler times) or is it specific to this 2026 moment, when some of the technologies and applications advancing around us (AI, social media) are raising red flags? It’s interesting because I wouldn’t say Landon and I are luddites — Landon is in fact always on the cutting edge, continuously working to improve our “home tech stack.” You wouldn’t believe his excitement over the new Eero outdoor WiFi extender he purchased via Prime Day last week. And we’re very bought in on “The Internet of Things” — our garage door opens automatically when we approach thanks to an app on our phones, and we can also control them via Siri; all of our lights are Hue and organized via our phones; etc. But it’s been interesting to look for “old-fashioned” solutions that obviate or attenuate certain contemporary issues and have improved and sophisticated their own workings, too. For example, my turntable (brand is Technics) is beautifully-designed (even the lid has a soft close) and connects with Landon’s hi-end/hi-tech speakers (brand is Kef).

What about you? Does this resonate?

Post-Scripts.

Landon gave me a starter record collection with some of my absolute favorite albums of all time – and he focused his selection on records that would be ideal for happy hour / evening relaxation. He nailed it. My exact collection below:

+Speaking of music: our secret work playlist and music for chores at home.

+What’s on your summer bingo card?

+Another analog-ish thing: my daughter has this instant-print camera (this was on sale during Prime Day but it’s still discounted to almost the same Prime Day sale price right now in case you missed it). I also got one of these screen free digital cameras for the Norway trip. They are super lightweight and can take 500 photos with a single charge. (The one downside of my daughter’s print camera: you only get so many shots before needing to buy new film. What a concept – LOL. But it has taken some trial and error for her to figure out what’s “camera worthy.” The CampSnap obviates that.)

Shopping Break.

+Want to live in short sets like this: these stripes with the matching button-down and Birks. I might wear the shirt unbuttoned with a pointelle tank beneath. I also finally ordered one of these best-selling Magpie dresses this week. I got it in the navy thinking it might be a good London/Norway dress (easy to pack and style).

+My Boden summer edit! So many vibrant summer goodies in linen here.

+Really love this Americana tank and athletic skirt combo (selling fast).

+Extra 25% off sale at VB! Can I implore you to check out this CHIC and three-season-appropriate blazer? Works for spring, summer, and fall; cinches at waist; insanely chic. Completely makes an outfit. I like to pair with white jeans or the Leset poplin pants right now. (Also, can I remind you that this PERFECT denim cropped blazer, also in my closet, is available in pristine condition in an XS on TRR for a song.)

+My other top rec from that sale: this tailored vest (or this denim one). Looks so good with jeans and/or — I just styled a similar vest recently with my favorite Ruti pants (I just ordered the walnut color — use code JEN20) for a pulled-together but comfortable travel day look.

+Re: Ruti pants — I just emailed the brand asking if they’d up our discount code, and they obliged! Through tomorrow, code JEN20 gets you 20% off sitewide!

+Further standouts from the VB sale: this more casual denim jacket, this paisley halter dress, and these cool sneakers.

+While I was sick last week, I slept most nights in the guest room so I wouldn’t bother Landon with coughing, nose-blowing, and just being generally awake. I can’t tell you how insanely good the new Helix mattress is up there. WOW. It’s like sleeping in a protective cloud. It sort of conforms to your body but feels divinely soft and just the right level of support. I’m jealous of our guests! Sharing because it’s 30% off right now — deepest discount I’ve seen on this brand.

+M.M. LaFleur is running a rare sale — these shorts we’ve been loving are included! Also love this white eyelet dress (Audrey Hepburn vibes) and this striped midi skirt.

+The one thing my brother told me to pack for our upcoming visit to Norway: rain gear. I already have my Varley ready to go (perfect blend of active / casual — but I like this Stutterheim style if you’re looking for something that’s more daywear vs hiking wear), but the kids were in need of new, high-quality ones having sized out of their last ones. I got them these (Emory’s in pink, Hill’s in the yellow). Debating whether or not in makes sense to take up space in the suitcases for these ankle rainboots, too.

+Mother is running a sale! These are my top rec from the sale section. I love Mother Denim and this silhouette is CHIC.

+LOVE this eyelet one-piece (go up one size), especially paired with this pareo or styled beneath this beach dress.

+If you like those Sezane shorts I mentioned last week but are looking for something less $$: consider this under-$50 pair. LOVE the color! Pair with a white button down.

+If you’re looking for a less expensive alt to the RDV totes I’ve been raving about (several on sale right now!), you must check out this style. Very RDV coded but under $140. (While you’re there, thought this sweatshirt was cute if you’re planning a late summer lake trip! And Evereve also has a full size run of my vintage-style dolphin hem shorts, which are currently sold out at PerfectWhiteTee!)

+Re: Norway, got myself these hiking socks in both the tall and ankle heights. Love the design. Will also be packing my favorite leggings for family walks/hikes!

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