A New Proper Day Shoe

Sneakers, clogs, slides, and sandals I have aplenty. It’s an updated, proper day shoe that has eluded me for a few years. For a lunch in May I wore a pair of Valentino Tangos purchased in 2012. The Chloé Perry T-strap from 2017 is my alternate to the Tango. I still wear a number of classic Manolo Blahnik styles, they never get tired. And, my new Chanel T-straps with a platform got me reaching for my Saint Laurent Tributes. Old school is great and I’m delighted they’ve gone the distance, but I’m on the hunt for something new. To be continued.

A Cloth Coat

I never need a new coat, but if there’s one I can’t resist, I’ll go there. I have 25-year-old, beloved and timeless coats that get pulled out every fall. The Hermès cashmere parka in chestnut above left and the camel Louis Vuitton on Naomi Osaka are stunning forever pieces — much like the navy Saint Laurent in an earlier post.

Image left August British Vogue — photography by Scott Trindle & styling by Kate Phelan

Image right August Vogue Japan — photography by Zoey Grossman & styling by Patti Wilson

Summer Updates

Here are a few of my summer 2021 tweaks: We brought back our favorite cheeses from the Grey Barn in Chilmark — they are available online and make an excellent hostess gift. The week was teeming with family and events so I didn’t get a chance to read. Now back home, I’ve just started The Last Thing He Told Me. It’s no secret that I’m obsessed with Carthusia’s Mediterraneo citrusy scent — perfume, body lotion, and soap — and recently added the candle to my repertoire. Continuing with the citrus theme, ginger limeade is my drink this summer. Here is a good recipe, but Califa Farms is easy and delicious, too. A swimsuit and fisherman knit sweater are my favorite evening-at-the-beach attire. Starting Monday, Tori Jones will have a pop-up on Block Island filled with vintage and one-of-a-kind finds; I reached out to her about these sweaters. And, I finally found shallow, individual wooden salad bowls at an outdoor market on Martha’s Vineyard; they will be perfect with my new white linen tablecloth that I picked up at the Grey Barn.

I Made The Cut

I bought this Gabriela Hearst skirt in January intending to shorten it. Then I posted that I’d wear it midi-length with heels. But, after months of never reaching for it, off to Alteration Specialists it went. Now, this cotton-drill wrap skirt with matching knit top will be a fall go-to look. Easy peasy.

I, also, shortened an aRossGirl skirt and wear it all the time.

Feeling Blue

I don’t own a navy coat, not sure I ever have. This Saint Laurent and here (it’s belted, too!) stopped me in my tracks and, even though it comes in my go-to black, it’s magnificent in navy. Oh, boy.

Summer Sauces

Summer means simple, super fresh, and often grilled dishes. But, when I saw this article in this weekend’s New York Times, I had an ‘aha’ moment. Simple is good, but these sauces would up the tasty factor.

Really Random Bits

Eyeliner is beyond my beauty capabilities, however, Chanel claims the Stylo Yeux is easy to apply — I’m game. The recently released Women on Waves: A Cultural History of Surfing by Jim Kempton is on my bedside table. The author’s article in Air Mail is really good. The fanaticism surrounding the Kardashians mystified me until I saw a WSJ. Magazine interview with Kris Jenner — it’s all business. And Skims, the bodywear line launched by Kim and fronted by Kate Moss is pretty brilliant. Sam McKnight’s hair and Val Garland’s makeup on Kate are sublime. I just got back from the Vineyard where, for the first time in my life, I stayed in a hotel. The Charlotte Inn in Edgartown was home for a week and it was wonderful. The bathrooms are stocked with Bulgari au thé vert products and the citrus scent is perfect after a day at the beach — I’m addicted. And, I loved the white boots in the Fendi couture show, happy this trend is sticking around for another season.

The Rumors Were True: Phoebe Philo Launching Own Fashion House

According to WWD, former Celine creative director Phoebe Philo is launching her own namesake house. Out of the spotlight since 2017, Philo’s return with her own eponymous brand is exciting. Oh happy day.

Packing List: These Three Are Coming With Me

Packing for the Vineyard is a challenge this summer. Years past, I threw swimsuits, tennis gear, and my summer go-tos into an L.L. Bean tote and that was that. In addition to the habitual standbys, for this trip I’ll need dressy outfits for a cocktail at the beach and a small dinner I’m hosting at our hotel. I dug deep into my closet for inspiration for the cocktail party and pulled out a Valentino black lace shift that I will cinch with the Saint Laurent chain belt. The K. Jacques bikini sandals will make the look a bit more relaxed. For the dinner, my Louboutin sandals, similar to the ones Jeanne Damas wore to a Louis Vuitton event top, will jazz up a simple cropped Matteau top and Anine Bing midi-length satin skirt combo. And, the beige Hermès clogs were the best purchase of SS21, I pretty much live in them.

Chanel Couture, Sigh

I love the Chanel Fall-Winter 2021/22 haute couture collection that was presented on Tuesday at the entrance to the Palais Galliera in Paris. These shoes and knee-length skirt make my heart sing.