The Biweekly Blister, Vol. 02: Mermaid Skin, Wedding Bands, & My New Go-To Podcast
Everything I'm Buying, Loving, In Search Of, Sick Of, Trying, Eating, and Reading right now.
OK, so the Biweekly Blister won’t actually be biweekly. I’ve quickly realized that two Blisters a month won’t leave much room for our other favorite tentpoles, so I’m looking at every three weeks. Should we keep referring to it as Biweekly to be cheeky and not lose the alliteration? Let me know what you think!
I’ve also quickly realized that you guys love the name, and do indeed want stickers. I’m totally geeked out. It’s giving “you like me, you really like me!” energy. Working on it!!!
All this brings us to the Biweekly Blister, Vol. 2, in which we’ll cover what I’m Buying, Loving, In search of, Sick of, Trying, Eating, and Reading. And from podcast and Substack recs to body care and fashion picks, this one’s jam-packed with goodness!
Today’s Blister is particularly exciting because it includes a paid advertorial from one of my favorite bodycare brands, OSEA, for their summer-ready Body Hydration Heroes Set. The brand first hit my radar around five years ago when I borrowed a few pumps of Undaria Algae Body Oil from my mom’s vanity (she’s always prioritized bodycare over skincare), and I got to know their team a bit better during a sunset boat ride on an Ulta Beauty press trip back in 2023. I’ve been a mega fan ever since.
Lately, two of their hero products have earned a particularly special spot in my bathroom — but I’m getting ahead of myself. More on OSEA below (and a discount code for your use towards the bottom!).
Happy reading, Blisters!
BUYING restocks of my two favorite body products from OSEA, now available together via the Body Hydration Heroes Set ($84, was $100): the Undaria Algae Body Oil and the Hyaluronic Body Serum. I can occasionally be the girl that slacks on bodycare and overdoes it with skincare, but summer is when I really start to lock in and show my limbs some love. I won’t be showing skin unless that skin is properly hydrated and moisturized, thank you very much! OSEA products are great year-round, but their formulations really scream summer, so they always end up back in my routine right about now. Mermaid skin, pending!
I gravitate most towards the Hyaluronic Body Serum for fresh-out-of-the-shower hydration, because I love that it’s lightweight and extremely fast-absorbing (I hate walking around sticky). A barrier-nourishing ingredient list of niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, nutrient-rich algaes, and aloe definitely doesn’t hurt, either.
My other favorite way to treat my skin lately is by utilizing lymphatic drainage tools, particularly on my legs. Whether it’s a body cup or gua sha, I oil up with the Undaria Body Oil and let it glide. It feels so amazing — and in the process, I get to really work in the formula, which boasts Undaria seaweed, white lupin, and a botanical oil blend to help skin look and feel more supple.
LOVING headkerchiefs, she says after wearing one, once. I hope the above image of me in my cutie checkered Vince ‘fit isn’t feeling too repetitive at this point! The entire time I wore it, I kept remarking about how nice it was to throw on the kerchief and have an instant good hair day. I tend to use less heat on my hair in the summer, and in addition to claw clips and sunhats, I plan to add kerchiefs to my seasonal headware rotation — especially when they match a full ensemble, like my Vince one and this stripey one from VRG GRL. I’m also keen to try a crochet version for a beach day, as well as this Lele Sadoughi headband version that gives the look with a lot more structure for comfortable wear. Genius!
IN SEARCH OF sandals and other summer footwear that go beyond the basic flip flop. I know it’s trending, but I’ll stick to my Old Navy pairs instead of investing in the same thing with a fancier label sewn on! As for when I’m not in thongs, I need some other options in addition to my beloved espadrilles (Did you see my espadrille roundup go live on InStyle last week?) A few pairs on my radar: Miista Palmira Red Sandals ($260), Larroudé Python Stella Mules ($186, were $265), Tory Burch Patos Slingbacks ($378), Jeffrey Campbell Romee-Fs ($230), Loeffler Randall Two-Band Sandals ($325), and Farm Rio Flower Jelly Kitten Sandals ($198).
SICK OF mindlessly doom-scrolling Instagram and TikTok. Especially first thing in the morning and late at night. I need more meaningful stimulation! Instead, I’ve been trying to up my podcast listening time, and switch over from yap-centric pods to ones that are a bit more thoughtful. I’ve been easing in with Emma Grede’s Aspire — I so admire her career, creativity, and work ethic, and the episodes are casual but informative. My top recs: 10 Principles That Can Change Your Life, Why Being Early Is Better Than Being Liked with Gwyneth Paltrow, How To Turn Principles Into Power Plays with Karlie Kloss, and most recently, How Not Talking About Money Is Stopping You From Making It with Nicole Lapin.
TRYING to pick out a wedding band, which I’ve learned is even harder than picking an engagement ring, because I like my current ring as is. My vintage stone is extremely low set, and my diamond is protected by ten chunky prongs, so it’s impossible to find a wedding band that will sit flush against it. I’ll have to get one custom made — but I’m debating wearing it on my other hand regardless. On my radar are teeny, tiny baguettes, a minimalist diamond inlay, or even something like this pavé cigar band from Ring Concierge. Let me know your thoughts; I’m very open to opinions right now.
EATING at La Marchande, The Wall Street Hotel’s deeply underrated restaurant, and my new go-to for breakfast meetings. I spend the majority of my mornings dining with publicists or fellow editors, and too often we settle on the same old spots. Lately, I’ve been loving hanging around FiDi again (I’m a Printemps junkie!) and The Wall Street Hotel is just a few blocks away. This self-described “modernized French brasserie” is the kind of beautiful setting that doesn’t make me lament dropping way too much money on scrambled eggs and drip coffee. I’m also a fan of popping into the hotel itself after to work from the gorgeous, gorgeous lobby. See you there soon?
READING a plethora of hit-the-spot essays on Substack This goes right along with my Sick Of re: a desire to scroll less and stimulate more. I still visit some of my favorite traditional lifestyle publications to see what features they’re churning out, but some of the best little thinkpieces I’ve read recently have been right here on Substack. Here, a few ‘stacks I bookmarked last week and loved: I want to do everything, so I do nothing via
, Maybe you’re not Actually Trying via , the intimacy of never talking again via , and The Status Flex Of Being Busy via .And that’s a wrap on this (not so) Biweekly Blister. Big shout out once again to our sponsor, OSEA! If you’re looking to stock up for summer, you can use code “BELLAG10” for 10% off OSEA site-wide.
I’m thinking I may look into their facial skincare next — perhaps the Dream Night Serum ($88) with bio-retinol? LMK if you place an order, too.
x BG
love love love this format of newsletter!