It Items
I am on a number of committees and have been working on them throughout the summer. Come September, I will need to hit the ground running and be ready to get dressed. The Proenza Schouler leather skirt is a keeper and the Carolina Herrera cape is on its way. Celine did not produce the black cape I’d wanted, so I had one made — more on that later. The Carven tunic is now in the shop, but it looks like it runs small so I will try it in Paris. No idea if the Dries van Noten dress will fit or suit me, but I like that it’s a bit louche and unlike anything I own. Lord knows I don’t need new shoes, but I keep eyeing these Liisa Pumps by The Row and may try them when they are in stores. After admiring my friend’s lip color, YSL 44 Nude Lavalliére, for the 100th time, she gave me one and it is now my favorite. And, a new piece of Sidney Garber jewelry is always a good idea.
Beauty
Thank you for all of the kind comments yesterday. Now that I am on antibiotics, I have to be more diligent about sunscreen. eltaMD is my go-to and I just bought the lip balm and stick to leave in the car and another set to carry in my bag. Wish the stick existed when the girls were younger — applying sunscreen at the beach was always a challenge.
On My Mind
Photo courtesy of Carol Bouyoucos @bouyoucos
Stasis? I have Lyme! 36 hours on antibiotics and I am revived and raring to have a memorable August. Wishing everyone a fantastic final month of summer full of “lightness, laughter, energy, vitality, invention, entrepreneurialism, (and) optimism.” Thank you for the timely reminder, Paula. xp
On My Radar
As we near the end of July, I am finally able to shake my state of stasis. From September to late May we were traveling a lot and, consequently, being in one place for the past two months lulled me into an unusual state of inactivity. I’m sure the heatwaves compounded this. Thankfully, I’ve snapped out of it. Credit goes to Foster The People’s “lost in Space” from their upcoming album, “Paradise State of Mind” — it’s the most upbeat and irresistible song of summer 2024.
On my radar: Daisy Edgar Jones’ outfits on the “Twisters” press tour are stunning, and the single bangle with the white Gucci dress is crazy chic. The Geranium Rose Body Oil by Augustinus Bader and Valentino’s white loafer slingbacks are en route. And, the Josef Albers screenprints at David Zwirner are calling my name.
It Item
In a comment on Gnothi Seauton, Sundae referred to her “multiple leather skirts” as staples. This led me down a rabbit hole of black leather skirts where I found the perfect one by Proenza Schouler. On sale, no less. I will try it with flats, like these Chloé T-Straps that I’ve been eyeing. The Valentino’s in brown went back, sadly.
It Items
A short sleeve knit at a kind price point? Yes, please! I am going to try the Valentino Mary Janes again, this time in brown and here. And a new Chanel mascara is always a good idea.
Collections
The Carven Pre-Fall 2024 lookbook dropped yesterday and the format is very The Row. It’s helpful to have the details noted on the images.
On My Mind
Do I know thyself? Or, am I in a rut. When I bought the beige Hermès Orans recently, I did wonder if I’ve settled into a humdrum personal style with a wardrobe of, predominantly, classics. Should I have considered The Row jellies? Miu Miu boat shoes? Alaia Mesh Ballet Flats? Perhaps. For now I’m going to stay the course; I’m confidant that I will continue to wear all of these shoes for years to come.
It Items
Summer is certainly zooming by — July fourth is already in the rearview. This is the second year that I’ve used the Diptyque Citronelle & Geranium Spray as bug repellent and it really works. Their seasonal Ilio line is lovely, too — especially the hair mist. I took instant pictures with this Leica Sofort 2 at a dinner and left them for the hostess as a gift. J. Courtney Sullivan is one of my favorite authors, and her recently released The Cliffs is next in the queue. And, Hermès joined the Mary Jane brigade with their Jane Ballet Flat. They’ll be great come fall.
On My Mind
My entire career has been in fashion editorial. From casting fashion editorials for Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, to sharing my thoughts on fashion and style via keep it chic, editorial is what I do. I love magazines, yet, these days, I find fewer and fewer stories and articles to highlight. Indie magazines are my go-tos for inspiration and Konfekt is in the top three. The editor’s letter, which frequently touches on something that’s been thrumming in my thoughts, is the first thing I read.
In Marcela Palek’s opinion piece in the Issue 93 newsletter, she talks about packing her favorite items for a recent holiday, and her controlled panic when her luggage was lost. Ms. Palek confirms why this is one of my biggest fears when she says “(a)ren’t certain items of clothing almost like trusty companions in life? Such good friends are hard to come by: it takes time to find them, to recognise their value. Then the friendship has to stand the test of time.”
Fortunately, the luggage was located and I am thankful to have her thoughtful story to share.
Dorothy’s comment gave me pause. I, too, have mostly beloved items that I’ve worn for decades, and would be crushed if they were lost. My biggest dilemma when packing for our month-long trips to Paris is deciding, which items go in a carry-on, and which items I am willing to lose. A hard choice, always. I think this is why I challenge myself to take pieces that I rarely wear, i.e. the least precious and most dispensable.
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