Cart Curator #21 - Crushing on Coco Gauff
A Ganni doop, trialling Hailey Bieber's lip liner and where to get your hand's on 818 Tequilia.
Hi CC friends,
We’ve had quite a few new people join us over the last couple of weeks so just wanted to take a secon to say hi to our new subscribers, it’s so nice to have you here.
In the theme of Spring Cleaning, Nicole is cleaning up her screen time, adding downtime limits between 10PM - 6.30AM, alongside individual app restrictions. She’s also trying to squash the constant desire to purchase new pieces of clothing by discovering new ways to wear what she currently owns. Watch this space - tips incoming.
Jess is Spring Cleaning her sleep, taking time off her phone pre bed and switching to reading (on the Kindle of course) and using red light on her devices in the lead to shut eye.
Is anyone else dying to get their hands on Marisa Meltzer’s upcoming book on OG #girlboss Emily Weiss? While we eagerly await shipping times, have a read of Amy Odell’s newsletter on the Glossier & Into the Gloss founder.
As always let us know your thoughts or any feedback and keep those you asked for it suggestions coming in!
Enjoy,
You Asked for It
This week you asked to see phone case suggestions, which has actually been a topic of conversation recently in our group chat. Disclaimer, we are going to assume you have an iPhone, but most brands suggested offer a Samsung sizing.
Starting off with a few affordable options (as we know that the CC friends love these).
You literally can’t go wrong with Kmart, H&M, Cotton On or Amazon. Kmart’s range is super limited, so our pick is a simple clear case. Boring we know, but since many iPhone’s are already coloured you may as well show if off, and we also love the idea of adding your own personal touch to the back - such as a polaroid or stickers. They also do a great silicone option, like this Lavender colour.
H&M’s online offering is lacking, but their physical stores have an excellent line-up of colours, print and accessories, so worth a visit if you can get into a store.
At a mid tier, I (Nic) have had this case from Swedish brand Ateljé on my wishlist for a while. I love the combination of the chunkier hard case and the feminine pearl strap. Louve also do similar strap cases, such as this cross body phone chain in gold, which is both practical and chic.
On the top (top, top, top) end, Jess has her eyes on the Rimowa Aluminum Case. At $265 this falls into a Lottery Win recommendation, but we will say it looks very sturdy and the silver is undoubtedly on trend at the moment.
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Have a YAFI? Leave a comment or reach out directly via email at cartcuratorsubstack@gmail.com.
Popshop
Our favourite pop culture or industry moment of the week.
Here we are again with another Open to bring us an injection of pop-culture. As you would know from our Wimbledon Popshop, there is nothing like the tennis to help celebrities announce their current relationship statuses, remind us of their sartorial strengths and reassure us of their relevance.
We will be honest with you as, the US Open is our least favourite of the circuit. Namely because the style feels less sophisticated than that of French or Wimbledon, and because we’re biased with Australia. There is also something extra special about seeing celebrities we don’t normally see come out as they do with the other countries, whereas American celebrities would go to the opening of an envelope - as long as Backgrid are there.
Nonetheless, in true CC fashion, here is our comprehensive list of our favourite moments, star spottings and style from the Open to date.
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American celebrity culture is so foreign to us. Ben Stiller and Jake Paul should never be in the same fame category.
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A rare sighting of Leo without a girlfriend, someone check on the man.
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Emma Watson is our spectator mood (except we’re on the couch, and most definitely not sat next to Anna Wintour)
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Our pea bladders could NEVER.
Mindy in Coastal Grandma Chic.
You would know by now that Tinx is our number one.
Of course, we have to discuss Kylothee again, who have quickly won over doubters of their relo with their chemistry and cute-ness. Could Kylie in fact be doing a Kourtney? Is Timothee her Travis (Barker, of course)?
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Lastly, WE LOVE COCO.
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Sass inspo.
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Add to Cart
What’s sitting in carts, or what’s been checked out.
Jess
Lululemon Daily Multi-Pocket Canvas Tote Bag
I am notorious for trying to carry everything possible in my hands for the gym - which always includes, but is certainly not limited to, phone, keys, lip balm, inhaler, towel, Kindle and water bottle. As you can imagine this often makes for an entertaining scene and results in many dints in my water bottle.
Gym bags have never been something I was into (I know it’s supposed to be practical, not a fashion statement) but since finding this canvas tote bag from Lululemon I think it’s something I can get around investing in.
The design of this seems to be leaning heavily into the sort of “athleisure club” aesthetic made famous by Emily Oberg and Sporty & Rich, but I’m not mad about it.
H&M Frill Trim Linen Blend Blouse
I’ve had my eye on the Ganni Cotton Poplin Blouse (haven’t we all) and I’ve been umming and ahhing over spending the $200+ on it as we come into the warmer months. As I was trawling the H&M app, I think I might have found a suitable substitute. This is by no means a straight up dupe, but this Frill Trim Linen Blend Blouse still gives a feminine silhouette with puff sleeves and some frills, albeit in different places. And perhaps overall a better option for our climate given it’s linen.
I love the idea of styling this with straight leg blue jeans or longer denim shorts with a ballet flat, as the temperature rises. Iin my head these are definitely the Ganni Wide Welt Buckle Ballerinas if you could be lucky enough to get your hands on them.
Nicole
Dresses make up a huge portion of my wardrobe and without a doubt achieve the best cost per wear. I’ll happily spend a little more on dress, especially if it’s a silk blend, which is my preference. Steele is a brand I haven’t really gravitated to in the past (particularly not for a slinky dress number, that is usually reserved for Réalisation Par), so when this dress popped up on my IG page I was pleasantly surprised when I was directed to the brand’s website.
I love the check pattern and the unique pink/yellow/blue combination, and feel that the style gives it flexibility for both a dressier or relaxed combination if you pair with the right accessories and shoes.
Last week Coles announced that they are finally bringing Kendall Jenner’s tequila brand 818 to Australia. I’m sure you're all familiar with the brand, having seen every KarJenner and anyone in their orbit tout this on social media.
I know what you’re thinking, it’s just another Kardashian venture. But, the brand actually won a bunch of serious Tequila Awards after it was anonymously entered pre-launch - well before Kendall’s name was attached to it. I haven’t tried it for myself (yet), as Tequila for me is more of an entertaining alcohol, so I’m adding this to my bar cart to allow me to serve up a tray of Margs or Paloma’s (v into these for summer) when I next host.
Exclusively available at Liquorland, you can now get your hands on the Blanco, Anejo and Reposado versions online and in-stores. The merch however, is sadly nowhere to be seen so this is a formal request for Coles to at the very least stock the cap.
Beauty Counter
Prod of the week.
Jess
Make Up For Ever Artist Colour Pencil in Anywhere Caffeine
I have deliberated over this purchase for quite a while after seeing Hailey Bieber use it on TikTok last year. Most because I’m not really a lip product person and hate how many lip products feel and look (unless it’s the Summer Friday’s Lip Butter Balm I mentioned in a previous newsletter). I can try and get around lip liners because of how weightless most feel and how blendable they are however I just hadn’t been able to find the perfect shade with many of them throwing too salmon, grey or pink.
When I popped into Sephora over the weekend and was able to test this and actually get my hands on it I thought why not give it a go and can I just tell you thank god I did. This is the perfect liner shade and applies/looks exactly as it does on Hailey which was one of the main issues I have encountered with products previously.
Will definitely be purchasing another one of these as a backup for when I inevitably lose this one and from now on I don’t think I could be without it.
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Nicole
Who is Elijah Wall Street + Rebel Rose
I have both of these unisex perfumes from Australian brand Who is Elijah and had been wearing them individually (as you tend to do). It wasn’t until I came across a TikTok from the brand that I realised that they were actually designed with the intention to be layered together for full impact.
Rebel Rose is the more feminine of the two, I’d describe it as an edgier version of a typical Rose scent. Think less Grandma, more Le Labo. In comparison, Wall Street is woody and smoky, with a slightly sweet lingering smell. When worn together the two not only complement each other, but bring a whole new dimension to their individual profiles. I’d describe the final product as musky, complex and sophisticated.
Look, my fragrance descriptions aren’t that great, so I’d remember you take yourself into one of the brand’s stockists (of which include Sephora and David Jones) to get a whiff yourself. Alternatively they also conveniently sell their perfumes in a 2ml trial vial, so you can ascertain not only if you like the scent but how it wears on you (very important).
One to Try
Recent openings and discoveries of the food and beverage kind.
Luke Avenue, located in Newtown Sydney, has apparently been in the cookie business since 2006 - but new on our radar. Their iconic chunky cookies are giving New York and their wider menu has everything from giant cookies to “stuffed and rolled” brownie cookies.
We’ll take one of everything.
Lottery Win
A girl can dream.
I (Jess) love a baggy jean and this Maison Margiela pair are exactly that. The side leg cut outs with the tapered leg give these jeans an ultra-cool shape that you can envision on any it girl. Fine, throw in the Tabi’s too.
IYKYK
Super specific recs and niche hyper-fixations.
Honestly, thank f**k Tony’s Chocolonely is so expensive, because it’s pretty much the only deterrent stopping us from buying a block a day (in particular the milk chocolate pretzel toffee flavour). I (Nic) have an extreme sweet tooth, specifically for chocolate, and always need a treat after lunch and dinner, and this has been a new favourite. Apparently, this ALDI Pretzel Chocolate is pretty similar, and at $3.49, that could be a problem.