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All The Lifestyle, Wellbeing & Experience Picks R29 Loved In August
Fashion
Usage Guide
Published September 3, 2026 · Category: Fashion
Overview
At least once a week — let’s face it, at least once every day — the writers and editors across Refinery29 discuss the latest and greatest products in our lives, from some cool new water bottle that’s been absolutely saving our lives to a state-of-the-art sleep product that’s changed our eight hours for the better. And gatekeeping isn’t in our vocabulary, so we’re here to share the wealth and highlight our favorite products, just for you, each month.
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.
Susan Devaney, Lifestyle Director
Image Courtesy of Susan DevaneyIs there anyone else out there who just loves a quirky sandal? Okay, come join me. For many years I’ve always worn a pair of Birkenstocks come summer (long before they became the It-girl sandal), but a new breathable, comfy walking sandal has now entered my life: KEEN’s Uneek. To me, they wouldn’t look out of place on the streets of Tokyo, but they’re actually the creation of a brand from Portland, Oregon — not Japan. Next month I’m off to Greece and I think I’ve found the perfect sandal for walking around the country’s hilly, rocky islands.
KEEN KEEN's UNEEK Sandal, $, available at KEEN FootwearImage Courtesy of KEENLondon has had one long, hot summer. Not to moan, but apparently a sixth heatwave will come our way in September (Note: Brits can’t cope with the heat!). So, I felt it was time I equipped myself with a proper fan in case it does arrive. Thanks to Refinery29’s shopping director, Alexis Bennett Parker’s, recommendation in our July lifestyle picks, I’m now in possession of a Dyson Hushjet Mini Cool. It’s lightweight, so I just pop it in my bag, hop on London’s tube (where, believe it or not, there’s no aircon), and then use it the whole journey, keeping cool as I go — bliss!
Dyson Dyson HushJet™ Mini Cool fan, $, available at DysonImage Courtesy of DysonJust a few months ago, Mitsu announced its opening in London's Shoreditch with a roaring party. The kind of party we're in need of (or, so I've heard, as I sadly couldn't make it). Not one to miss out though, I popped in to see what all the fuss was about a few weeks ago instead. From their Wagu sando and soy-glazed salmon skewers to seafood dumplings, the menu was a delight. I also loved sitting in a roomy booth, which is pretty unusual for an overcrowded city like London. Not to mention, their cocktails were fabulous — and their whiskey highball, too!
You can book a table here. Image Courtesy of MITSU Restaurant
Jacqueline Kilikita, Beauty Director
Image Courtesy of Jacqueline KilikitaBy now, you probably know I’m a massive Tudor history nerd, and I’ll lap up anything about the wronged Queen Anne Boleyn. It’s safe to say historian Hayley Nolan is just as obsessed — if not more so — with the tragic figure. This is the second of her books to delve into the myths and lies that centuries have told us about Anne. This time, though, Nolan turns her attention to Elizabeth Barton, a nun whose prophecies helped prevent Henry VIII’s marriage to Anne for seven long years. We often attribute Anne’s infamous downfall to other historical figures, but could Barton have been the catalyst? I’ve preordered it and can’t wait to dive in. If nothing else, I’m sure it’ll make me look learned on my bookshelf.
Barnes & Noble Notorious by Hayley Nolan, $, available at Barnes and NobleImage Courtesy of Barnes & NobleI treat my partner to an AIRE spa experience every birthday — it’s the only thing he asks for — because nothing else quite compares. (That’s coming from a beauty director who has visited her fair share of spas.) AIRE feels like stepping back in time and finding yourself in a Roman bathhouse. Think swimming through exposed brick and decorative amphorae while someone plays the lute and another tends to your every need. Truly magical. This year, we tried the Orange Garden experience, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. The treatment combines an invigorating, energizing orange aromatherapy massage with a full-body treatment that includes the face (think cooling gua sha, a sheet mask, and an abundance of softening oils), plus the feet and scalp. No stone is left unturned, and we felt brand-new afterward. Then comes the thermal tour, where you can move between AIRE’s many baths, from the Flotarium — a salt bath that lets you float into peaceful oblivion — to the Caldarium, a 104-degree pool that can only be described as restorative. We’re regulars at the London spa, but there are also two AIRE locations in New York, with another opening soon in Los Angeles.
Details
Aire Ancient Baths AIRE Orange Garden, $, available at Aire Ancient BathsImage Courtesy of AIRE Ancient Baths
Victoria Montalti, Senior Fashion Commerce Writer
Image Courtesy of Victoria MontaltiI’ve been a Heated Rivalry fan since watching the series, but I was late to the game when it came to the books. And as a huge Scott and Kip shipper (that episode was my favorite!), I was gifted the Game Changer book, the first of the series that cover their relationship. As someone who used to religiously read, I fell off once writing became a full-time job, wanting nothing less than to look at more words after work. But truly, this has been the one book that I was excited to pick up every night and fully make it through. It made me so giddy, giggling and gasping like I did when watching on screen. And now I’m eager to continue the series. Image Courtesy of AmazonI had a huge gripe with the OG Béis weekender bag — it was so heavy, chunky, and didn’t fit as much as I’d like. The top frame with the main zipper folded over the sides and removed so much storage space. So when Béis announced that it took in all the feedback from customers over the years and came up with an improved version, I was intrigued. With the new updates, the frame is removed, so I can pack all the way to the top and some bulky hardware is also gone, lightening the bag a bit. And as per usual, I appreciate the bottom compartment for storing shoes or dirty clothes as well as the adjustable "trolley pass-through" that can double as a sleeve that secures around suitcase or an extra-large pocket. While I previously wouldn’t reach for the OG version, this one has become a staple for short trips. Image Courtesy of BéisMy tile-floored basement has been needing a serious refresh, and a new rug seemed to be the solution. The tile can get pretty cold in the winter, so to prepare for the incoming cold weather, I chose a Ruggable style because the brand has always come highly recommended. Ruggable rugs are washable (which is ideal because this basement has been through its fair share of flooding) and the newer tufted all-in-one styles have textured, non-slip bottoms that don’t require a separate pad. This design in particular, co-designed by Katseye’s creative director Humberto Leon, called to me because it has a funky mix of scattered paisley, moon, and floral prints plus cherubs that feel quirky enough for my taste while still looking refined and versatile for a shared space. Image Courtesy of Ruggable
Raquel Reichard, Somos Director
Image Courtesy of Raquel ReichardPast Midnight’s The Frame Burgundy, $225: My eyesight is 20/20, but my eye strain can reach level 100 if I don’t keep up with my routine: lots of water, vegan Omega-3s, preservative-free hydrating eye drops, a heated eye mask, and, of course, blue light glasses. I have a pair in every room where there’s a screen, from my office to my living room, so they’re always within reach. Right now, I’m loving Past Midnight’s The Frame blue light glasses. The burgundy frame feels bold and sophisticated, while the glasses themselves are lightweight, offer 100% UVA and UVB protection, and are scratch-resistant. Even more, the brand, seen on Jennifer Lopez, Jenna Dewan, and Jalen Hurts, is Latina-owned. So I look cute wearing them, feel comfortable in them, and love knowing I’m supporting a Latina-founded brand.Image Courtesy of Past MidnightEvery week, I decline invitations to events in Miami. It’s not that I don’t want to attend. Instead, it’s that getting there isn’t exactly easy or quick. I live in Orlando, which is about a four-hour car ride away from South Florida — and I don’t drive (I know, I know!). Flying cuts the travel time down to about 45 minutes in the air, but there’s another hour and a half to two hours spent getting to and through the airport and a round-trip ticket that can easily run me around $300. I haven’t been invited to an event worth that kind of money or effort, yet. But, as I remembered this summer during the World Cup, Brightline, Florida’s intercity passenger rail service, connects Orlando to South Florida, including stops in West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Aventura, and Miami, in about three hours. During the third-place game between England and France, I finally said yes to a Miami invitation and took the yellow high-speed train to get there. It was genuinely a game-changer. SMART tickets start at $39, while PREMIUM starts at $150. While the latter can match the price of a flight, the amenities, especially when you’re traveling for work, make the splurge feel more worthwhile. For instance, PREMIUM got me comfy leather seats, Wi-Fi, power outlets, lounge access, and complimentary meals, snacks, and drinks. So I was able to open my laptop, get work done, and then snack out when I wrapped up. I’ll definitely be doing that again, though maybe not for every invite.
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