Long Weekend Vibe

My 2021 New Year’s resolution, to create a home where I can entertain spontaneously, has extended to the outdoors. This small patio is off the kitchen, which makes it easy to dine al fresco. We are here this weekend awaiting an excavator to come collapse our 18th century root cellar — it’s under the lump at the tree line. There is a lovely fieldstone wall behind it that will finally be visible from the house. The meadow, at the right of this picture leading up to the barn, will then extend behind the pool. My husband and daughter are building a tuleur/teepee for the near right corner of the fenced garden — perfect for peas. Then we’ll start work on the back side of the hill that goes down to a river. My husband changes the subject every time I suggest a paddle court…

I hope everyone has a safe and restful long weekend.

Buy Now, Wear Later

My inbox is so full of sale emails that I created a dedicated mailbox for them. NET-A-PORTER was the first to alert me so I perused the site and found a lot of great stuff for fall. I’ve bucked the chunky chain necklace trend, but love the links on this one and it’s such a steal.

Hat, necklace, gloves, cardigan sweater, sunglasses, sneakers, chain belt, pea coat.

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 garden 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, white, 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…