This & That

It’s all about our gardens right now. Last weekend, at a lecture by landscape designer Leslie Needham, I met Page Dickey and Frances Palmer — both women are incredibly talented and I’m endlessly inspired by their work. I’ve even considered trying my hand at ceramics à la Ms. Palmer, and Page Dickey is my true north when it comes to garden design.  Catie Marron, an ex-Vogue colleague, wrote Becoming A Gardener and it’s next up in my gardening books queue. I just read Jennifer Egan’s A Visit From The Goon Squad and The Candy House back-to-back. They are both incredible works of fiction and really one long book. Next up, This Time Tomorrow by a fave author Emma Straub. This New York Times recipe for polenta with peas, asparagus, and mint looks insanely yummy and I picked up the ingredients earlier today. We are going to Paris in September so I thought I’d brush up on my French by watching the film France — it got great reviews. And, summer makes me a bit of a magpie — love the gold trim on these Malone Souliers slides, and hoping these Aerin coasters come back in stock.

A Simple Silk Scarf

It’s been ages since I’ve had a yen for a new silk scarf. In my drawer are some lovely, but rarely worn, Hermès scarves in beautiful prints. These The Row scarves caught my eye — I love the neutral colors. SS22 sales are about to start, which means PF22 is trickling into the shops — and Pre-Fall is my favorite season.

Grey, black, and buttercream.

Gisele!

British Vogue Editor-in-Chief Edward Enninful has been posting images of Gisele, the June cover star. Steven Meisel’s pictures of the now 41-year-old mega-model are stunning and I’m excited for the issue to drop May 24.

Summer In Black & White

This A.P.C. straw tote caught my eye — not sure I’ve seen black trim before and it’s super chic. I love the clear frame on my Saint Laurent glasses, so I ordered these Ray-Bans with darker lenses. And, I’m on a bit of a Tod’s kick and considering the Gommino Driving Shoes in white — they look great with denim in the summer.

Shopping in the Wild

I don’t like shopping as an activity, but there is a lot to be said for doing just that. While cruising Tod’s men’s department with my husband, I found sunglasses that fit like a charm. I would not have found nor tried them from the website. You have to go to a Santa Maria Novella Farmacia, not just for the memorable experience, but to find the scent you’ll love — then you can order refills online. And, while doing a quick pass through Saint Laurent, I found my dream sandals.  Shopping in the wild is about discovery, and discovery is what makes shopping as an activity fun.

Summer Tunes

New music from Florence + the Machine, The Black Keys, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Arcade Fire = a summer of great tunes. I’m one happy camper.

Summer Vibes

Lots of summer style emails in my inbox, which, I must admit, are getting me excited to be poolside. I love these items above: Lack of Color hat, Celine sunglasses, Khaite crocheted dress, Loewe slides, Loewe leather bracelet, Saint Laurent chain belt, and Eres swimsuit.

Competitive Packing

The Rimowa carry-on is everything I’d hoped it would be. I packed for a six day trip, with a wide range of temperatures and rain forecasted, and had plenty to wear. The best advice, from a post the week before last, was to take fewer shoes. However, at the airport coming home, a woman with the same suitcase told me, proudly, that she fit ten days worth of stuff into hers. And there it was, competitive packing — I was one-upped and slightly shamed. Next trip, I’ll pack fewer sweaters…

Tod’s Today

When I worked in an office, I kept a drawerful of comfy shoes. Tod’s Gommino Driving Moccasins were a staple. They were great indoors, outdoors not so much — the nubs wore off too quickly and the lack of support was an issue. A few days ago, I popped into a Tod’s store and discovered the City Gommino Driving Shoe, which has a rubber sole — aha! Not as slouchy as the original, but just as good-looking. I bought two pairs for my daughter and a pair is on its way to me.

Mamma Mia

I’m in Rome visiting my daughter. I’ve only ever been to Rome with my mother; we would stop here for a day or two on our way to someplace else (like Egypt or China). As we wander around the city, I think about those earlier trips and how I am doing many of the same things that Mother did with me — it makes life feel like a lovely continuum. When I bought a pair of Tod’s loafers for my daughter this morning, I knew that they would become a memento of this trip, a tangible memory like the Gucci bag my mother bought for me ages ago. And, it’s the memories that really matter in the end. Thinking of you, mum. xjp