Luce Ends: June 26th

Our new reality and some reality TV thoughts.

Welp, we’ve officially lived here 6(?) days (? because I’m not entirely sure what day it is at this point) and this house is starting to feel less like a mess than when we started!!!

JK, it’s a mess.

We all know I am not an organizer. And I am certainly not a planner. I like to think of myself as a visionary…with a VIVID imagination, paired with a tendency to get a little overwhelmed in the face of an extra long to-do list that I’ve created for myself. And the current to-do list is….extensive.

It’s especially challenging with my kids following me around asking me which box a very specific toy (that I hopefully didn’t just toss) is in. It once again gives me a deep appreciation for the stay-at-home moms—I do not have it in me to entertain toddlers on a daily basis and am so grateful that school starts next week. But with that comes this expectation of a routine and normalcy that we’ll be falling into that I just don’t feel yet? Since we got the house, I’ve begun to think I left Chicago in the dead of the night! Just ran away without looking back, which isn’t the case, but I don’t think I’ll believe we did this for a while. Maybe when all the clothes are unpacked or artwork has been hung, but even then….

I just keep reminding myself of all the “tools” my therapist left in my “toolbox”—I can do hard things, multiple feelings can exist at once and I need to go easy on myself.

Also Chicago is not Kansas and vice versa and I need to not compare….which is hard when you realize Kansas doesn’t have Vienna Beef Hotdogs. A tragedy.

Luckily, I have managed to keep up with a few pressing news headlines during this busy time and I know that’s what you’re here for and not me rambling for the third week in a row about this move.

So without further ado!

This week’s Luce Ends…

• Love Island (Mostly UK) Thoughts

• How the West Was Loss: Summer House Updates

• Ladies of London on Pause

• Links (of course)

• Prime Day Links

Love Island (Mostly UK) Thoughts

As promised, I have rambled below about my Love Island (mostly UK) thoughts, with some sprinklings of USA. In a nutshell, I can’t get enough of UK and think USA is going through a really weird season and the only saving grace is being in the know online. But it’s UK that holds my heart and that’s before we even get to Casa.

SPOILER: This was recorded after I wished Thursday, June 25th’s USA episode and a little bit of UK’s episode. I don’t say really any spoilers about USA (what’s to spoil), but I do talk about UK’s most recent elimination so….far warning.

West Wilson’s White Board Session

Just when I think I’m done talking about this fool….he speaks out on another forum that is not Bravo related and I’m forced to think back to my Psych 101 freshmen year class and analyze how this man continues to be so obtuse and justify the oddest things that aren’t the main issue.

This week, we got a reunion between him and his White Board friends whose careers he also potentially ruined and I have SEVERAL thoughts. If you want to watch it, click here (there are somehow two parts??) If you just want to hear me rant…

• Have to say his friends did a good job—sure, they let him off easy at some points, but overall they felt appropriately disappointed and confused by many of his choices

• Amanda did give approval for this interview but was anxious about it (so I guess she does have some common sense in that noggin of hers)

• I THINK he inadvertently admitted to being on beta blockers AND Xanax during the reunion and I’m pretty sure he then confirmed Amanda was dabbling in the same combo but I’m sure they’ll back track that whenever they do another random podcast

• I don’t think he cares about Ciara at all OR believes this was shit to do to her, minus when he commented on her photo in March “trying to be normal”…it’s really so odd? I know I’m delusional, but the reason we were all so invested is because there was a friendship there and it’s sort of diabolical how nonchalant he is about that. I’m just not sure what the truth is anymore, other than he might be pure evil.

• He seems to feel the most “guilt” about Meija and how that played out. Has been in contact with her trying to apologize for that which I’m sure Amanda LOVES

• Jen Fessler is a nice lady and he ironically repeats the phrase that got him in trouble on WWHL when he spoke about Amanda and says “that’s a friend there”…..which is a choice?

• HE ADDRESSES THE SUPER BOWL AND CHICKEN FRIED RICE SAYING…..he probably told her Amanda was single and hot and then she relayed it incorrectly?? I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I need Dave and Chicken Fried Rice to clarify what I already know—LIES.

• He and Amanda were spitting olives into each other’s mouths in Italy

• They didn’t have sex until after their statement, but they were “making out and having sleepovers longgggggg before then….” and now I need to know what that even means because we yet again have conflicting storylines

• He made the first move and their first kiss was in public at a bar…insanely bold

• He can’t speak to where he sees he and Amanda in two years (because they won’t be together) and does some silly dance around the word love and where his feelings stand

There’s probably more than that, but, again, these were two VERY LONG videos and I don’t have the energy to rewatch — I like these White Board guys and I wish them well, but it’s a good thing they got most of their recaps out of the way before this scandal because I think they’re fucked.

Ladies of London Update

When we didn’t get a Ladies of London shoutout in the NBCU Upfronts, I knew shit was bad. People tried to explain it away, tried to say maybe it had to do with Misse, who lost her the father of her child tragically only a few week’s prior, but deep down I felt that Bravo was holding out for other reasons.

And now we’ve learn that Ladies of London is officially “on pause”.

This is some low grade bullshit. It makes zero sense. And to pause a show after one season? Well, it’s deeply concerning and my book and is just a nice way of saying this party is over. And after what they did to Real Housewives of Miami?? It’s inexcusable!

Now, many of you have DMed me that some man over on TikTok (did I tell you all I deleted TikTok? Probably over six months ago, so I’m a loser and don’t know this man) said that the real reason the show is “on pause” is because Margo is suing the network. Allegedly.

This theory does make the most sense to me—and again, is very reminiscent of RHOM where I think Bravo had to hit pause because Tom and Alexia are secretly back together all while Tom has being suing the network…doesn’t make filming easy now does it?

My thing is…I was okay with Margo coming back! We need a villain! I love everyone else, it’s a gorgeous program and I was excited to give them the 18 episode season and two-part reunion they deserve. And now this. LADY EMMA WENT TO THE MET GALA FOR GOD’S SAKE, THESE PEOPLE NEED TO BE ON TV.

As if this news wasn’t bad enough, we were hit with another blow when Martha posted an IG video that same day announcing poor Hecate had drowned. She and the rest of the LOL family are now in even deeper mourning and I would like to give her some good news (and a paycheck) so she can foster more eye pecking birds that sit on her head during tea time.

RIP Hecate and….let’s be honest….RIP Ladies of London. Again.

I’ve been a ball of chaos over on the gram, especially when it comes to links. I do think it’ll calm down in July (considering I won’t be buying another house the same week as Prime Days), but as always thank you for click/shopping/ just humoring me until we get through the dashiness. I appreciate it.

This Week’s Links

Obviously there are a LOT of sales happening this week to combat the Prime Deals and I’m compiling some of my favorites here, including some recent orders for the house.

• ANTHRO 20% Orders $100+ (Code LUCY20): I have gotten some great home items from Anthro lately, plus a few favorites that I can’t not recommend while this code is live

  • These curtains I’m eying for the girls’ room….I LOVE THEM

  • These melamine plates for outside entertaining — we got them plus the serving pieces and got so many compliments on our first (makeshift) grill out

  • This little brown bag has gotten me SOOOO many compliments

  • The Tobie Dress is a MUST if you haven’t purchased already (also there’s a sleeveless, drop waist version that I’m eyeing for next summer)

  • We got these new plates for everyday use (upgraded from our old Ikea plates)

  • Towels!!! I love these floral ones we got and the polka dot for the girls!

• SPANX Up to 50% Off:

  • I LOVE THE BOOTY BOOST LEGGINGS

  • Anything Air Essentials is sooo comfortable

• Coco’s New Big Girl Bed: Not on sale BUT I had people asking so confirming we went with this one form Pottery Barn in the French white—she loves it, mom loves it more (the toy chest that matches is on sale)

• Hill House 20% Off: I love the pattern of this dress

• Nursery Chair ($159 off!!!): we all know I do NOT need more chairs….but I love the gingham design and it’s gender neutral so I feel like it’s perfect for the nursery that I will design one week before the baby get there (currently a storage room)

• Velvet Caviar 20% Off with Code PRIME!

• Brooklinen (20% Off PLUS 50% off bundles): I LOVEEEE THE LUXE SATEEN SHEETS. They are a splurge but if you’re in a treat yo self mood….I do love them

  • If not, we have these Amazon ones as well and they’ve served us very very well.

• Margaux Archive Sale ($100 off my fave leopard flats!)

• Drink Willies CBD/THC Drinks (Code Lucy10 for 10% off!)…Bill also loves the cans!

Prime Day Links

For all my Prime Day finds, see here—and below are the ones I own/ am purchasing this time around!

• My favorite dress—the brown one above (35% off!!): I didn’t think this was on sale but through one of the many sellers it is!!!! Only a few colors, but one is the brow so I must recommend…AGAIN.

• The viral boxer shorts (checkered pattern only $9.99!)

• Tache Fine Lines Stick (30% off): my best seller for multiple Prime Days, this stick is never on sale and removes fine lines — I’ve seen people call it Botox in a stick!

• Frost Buddy Koozie (52% off): this is the only thing Bill asked for this Christmas and you all went crazy for it

• This checkered dupe dress ($200 less than the Tuckernuck Dupe)

• My Migraine Mask (20% off): If there’s one thing you get….let it be this

• Our Kid Splash Table (18% off): A MUST HAVE FOR SUMMER!!!

• Tarte Shape Tape (40%): This is always a go-to (this is my FAVORITE Tarte product but sadly not on sale!!)

• The Donna Karen Deodorant (15% off): truly the besttttttt deodorant

• Medicube toner pads —here are the gentle ones—( 38% off PLUS 10% coupon)

• Hatch Alarm Clocks (20% off): We are so excited to get these clocks up and live for our room and the baby’s room

• Acne Cream (30% off): I saw Lindsay Silberman swear up and down about this acne cream so I feel like it’s not a want, it’s a need!

• Downy Unstoppables (25% off): Apparently THIS is the scent I need to try

📊 I’ve been loving catching up on some of the panels and activations out of Cannes this week — both this Hollywood Reporter post and this AdWeek post do a good job of recapping the hot topics

🕶 I’m getting a new pair of Warby Parkers and I can’t decide between these or these

🏡 Andy Cohen’s Architectural Digest Tour is so fun

🤸‍♀️ Allegedly doing five minutes of physical activity every hour can push off fatigue and boost productivity—READ HERE

👸 More out of Cannes — Rachel Zoe on creating a lasting impression in the world of content creation

🗣️ I need to know if any of you follow/know about this woman who is making a business out of teaching people the art of yapping on camera when it comes to social media and growing your audience. My cousin’s want me to join the July challenge but I need to understand if this is legit?? I’m a good yapper, this we know, but she studies the psychology around it and it does seem interesting!