Shopping My Closet

There are some super closet clean-out tutorials in the blogosphere right now.  I edit when I pull out the next season’s clothes. Swimsuits that have lost a bit of their stretch, too short shorts, yellowed T-shirts, etc. get the heave-ho.

Instead of a closet overhaul, I have challenged myself to wear items that only see the light of day once in a blue moon.  And by doing so, I’ve fallen in love, again, with things that I already own. I’m looking pretty sharp on the Whole Foods runs…

I never saw my mother in yoga pants outside of an exercise class, and she always wore lipstick, even in a Nor’easter.  I’m taking a page out of her book, helps keep my spirits up.

The Skinny Belt

This picture is from a story titled ‘Flowers’ in April Vogue Paris. My  favorite part of this Celine look is the belt. I’ve been wearing an old, skinny Classic 3 Passants Saint Laurent belt and will try it with a dress.

Photography by Sam Rock  Styling by Aleksandra Woroniecka

It Can Wait

Many readers bought clothes for upcoming graduations, weddings, and special events (now canceled or postponed) then sent me pictures of the dresses hanging in their closets. My friend Amy bought a number of items from ARossGirl❤️Soler and posted with the hashtag #whatiwasgoingtowear. Thankfully, Amanda Ross Bacon’s designs are not trendy, they are timeless classics that will look great for years to come.

I know that many folks aren’t buying right now, but I want to help support small designers.

It’s The Discovery

Once upon a time in a galaxy far far away, I loved to cook. But when my children were little, cooking was more for sustenance and felt like a chore. I lost interest. Ironically, both girls are now foodies.

Today, with the grocery stores stripped of my go-to products, I’ve been forced to buy what’s there — and by doing so, I’ve fallen in love with cooking again. It’s the discovery. Like going to TJ Maxx for a dog bed and coming out with a Celine coat; going to Whole Foods is a similar experience. I bought tahini, never on my list, and scored the most delicious quinoa and flax bread because it was the sole loaf left.

Deliciously Ella‘s Insta feed has the most ingenious recipes for all the sweet potatoes, beans, and pasta packed into my cupboards. Ella loves Tahini, which is why I now have a tin on my shelf.

A New Blue

New address, new shade of blue. Smythson’s Nile Blue has been my stationery color forever, and I still have a number of cards left. But, I needed to put the new address on the envelopes and a change felt right. Smythson closed their stores indefinitely, but you can still shop online and place bespoke orders.

Well Said

Lisa Scully, owner of the Locust Valley Bookstore, sent out this germane Mason Cooley quote.  When I log off and tune out the news, I’ve been reading. Movies are great, but by evening I need a screen break. My book club is meeting via Zoom next month and I’m determined to finish Jeanine Cummins’ American Dirt. Ironically, we read A Gentleman in Moscow last month and the author, Amor Towles, came to our meeting.

Book recommendations are always welcome.

Fall Wish List

I turned off the news and stopped unpacking — a fashion break is in order.

There were lots of beautiful looks in the FW20 shows and I’ve put the items above on my wish list. The Valentino dress is a timeless piece, as is the Celine coat, which will be the perfect length on me (to my knee), and the camel headscarf at Marc Jacobs has my name on it.

Green at Miu Miu and Valentino — swoon.

New Digs

New office with a few of my old things — starting to feel like home. I’ve had the Swedish desk since our Fifth Avenue apartment and, even though it’s seen better days, I’m reluctant to have it refinished. Plenty of room for Mother’s white leather Mies van der Rohe chairs and stool, too. Now I can get back to work (and ignore the mountain of boxes to be unpacked).

Hope everyone is well.

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Homework

Left:Janklow home; Right:Aerin Lauder’s home

Working from home has its pros and cons. It is certainly easy and economical, but it requires dedicating a space to be an office that still looks good in your home. A Gracie or de Gournay wallpaper would be gorgeous in a small space.

Here are the mistakes I make working at home:

I get up at 5am and start working. A better plan would be to exercise, shower, and eat breakfast first. I am dressed before the deliveries come in, which I learned the hard way…

I work all the time and have to remind myself that it’s okay to log off.

Grazing as I pass through the kitchen is a big problem.

Beige is Tops, cont.

It was 70º yesterday and I was kicking myself for having packed my shorts. The Saint Laurent pair above or Agolde‘s are my preferred length for SS20. Paired with a beige henley, sneakers, and Ray-Bans is my kind of chic.