On The Hunt For
At lunch last week with two of my dearest friends we raved about Sonia Purnell’s biography of Pamela Harriman, Kingmaker. This led to Pamela’s personal style and her love of silk dresses — I’ve been searching for a new silk dress like the one I bought at A.P.C. Surplus. Soon after, I spied Aerin Lauder in an Oscar de la Renta, and another very chic and dear friend in a stunning green LK Bennett dress. Gucci has a few nice silk dresses, too. Sabato De Sarno may have hit the right note after all…
The hunt is on.
Celine dress above from a number of years ago. Image courtesy of W.
On My Mind
Nothing makes me happier than seeing items that I wore and loved being worn and loved by my daughters and friends. Makes spring cleaning a bit sweeter.
It Items
It’s been a very cold spring; there was frost on the windshield yesterday morning. When I posted on the Hermès Jumping Boots last September I noted “(t)hey will be delivered mid-March, which will give me a month of wear before I store them for summer.” This is precisely what has happened, it’s been a month of unusually low temps — perfect boots-without-tights weather. It’s the same story with the Proenza Schouler leather skirt, the grey The Row skirt and brown booties — I am still wearing all of them well into April.
It Item
When I posted this Soeur tote a few weeks ago I was certain it would be ridiculously large on me. Not so! Lightweight and good-looking, this bag is a win-win.
On My Mind
It’s been in the 50s/60s in both NYC and Paris. I’ve been living in trim jeans, Ann Mashburn’s black knit Parker Jacket, a big scarf, and Chloe flats. A similar vibe to Barbara Martelo‘s outfit in the snap from 2019, except, I am carrying an Hermès Picotin.
Even when overcast I burn, and eltaMD has been my go-to sunblock for ages. However, I want to give Augustinus Bader’s Mineral Sunscreen a try.
Rose Abricoté is still my favorite Hermès Rosy lip enhancer shade.
In a brilliant move, Cartier made a hinged version of the classic Love Bracelet “for those who prefer to put it on and take it off by themselves.” Going through airport security will be a lot easier.
I bought the Toteme FW24 shearling knowing that I will wear it even more often next fall. Now I am considering a pair of Khaite boots and here for the same reason.
My new favorite spot to hideout is the Rose Bakery at Maison de Balzac in the 16th, it’s a hidden gem.
To further cement my expat tradwife status, I took a macaron workshop at the recently opened Cordon Bleu outpost at the Hôtel de la Marine — it was very fun. Tomorrow I will learn how to make eclairs.
Ta!
Styling Tips
I 🤍 this Sacai FW25 look and wish it were available today — it would be perfect for spring. And, I’m inspired by the seemingly careless styling on these W25 The Row looks, also good for spring.
On My Mind
For months now I’ve been banging on about why I shelved my Adidas and only wear sneakers for working out. However, long hauls around the city in Belgians or boots got old fast. So, yesterday I tried a pair of canvas sneakers by The Row, but felt like a toddler and returned them. The ballet-sneaker mashup caught my eye, and no one did them better than Mrs. Prada. The ones above are featherweight, and comfortable right out of the box — I could not be happier.
Anyone else try the TikTok hack of using primer to help perfume last longer than a minute? I did, and it works!
And, I’ve put off a bunch of home projects long enough, no time like the present.
Happy spring!
On My Mind
Preston, do you and your readers have any “last licks” for their winter clothes? Yesterday, I went to the Whitney with my older son and husband. I wanted to wear something more fun than I usually wore and pulled out a red, Ann Mashburn cashmere collared sweater I had bought in November and wore once in December. I loved the sweater but it felt too festive and bright to wear all the time (I usually wear navy and black.) I realized I had better get some wear out of it before the weather warms up. Do other people have winter clothing they’ve forgotten about that they are now determined to get wear out of before spring sets in?
Laura
Great question, Laura!
My last lick is this Carolina Herrera cape that I spied on the runway mid-February 2024, then purchased in August. I wore it only a handful of times before one of the coldest winters on record set in. I’d hoped a chunky sweater underneath would extend its wearability into the colder months, however, the freezing temps came early and only just recently abated. A spring coat is often joked about because it’s worn once, maybe twice, before it’s too warm. However, I intend to wear the cape as often as possible in the coming weeks.
I am sure many readers have overlooked winter items they are pulling out before it’s too warm to wear them.
It Items
Phoebe Philo’s latest drop from the B Collection: great sandals that I will try in Paris later this week, and I love the gold hardware on this trifold clutch, the silver clasps on her other bags look cheap to my eye. I have a similar old Céline clutch that I wear all the time.
Collections
Love the doubling down on equestrian codes — the house’s heritage first and foremost — in the Hermès FW25 collection. The show even felt like it was held in an indoor ring. I don’t usually like palladium hardware, but it looks magnificent here. The belted coat and Birkin 35(?) make me happy.
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