Down-To-Earth

I can’t think of a better way to spend Earth Day than working in the garden. As we head into our fourth summer stewarding this property, it’s rewarding to see plantings maturing. This weekend we are taking stock of what’s thriving and, more importantly, what’s not. Next week I’m going to hear famed landscape designer Edwina von Gal speak about sustainable and natural design — she is one of my garden heroes. In a few years I would like to commission artist Leslie Wortmann to capture our hard work. Above are the perfect gifts for fellow gardeners: Sophie Conran tools for Burgon & Ball (here in the US), a wooden trug, slate plant markers, and the seed packets from Hudson Valley Seed Co. are mini works of art.

Happy Earth Day!

Saint Laurent: Le 37 Bucket

Oh boy, another irresistible Saint Laurent bag also here —  a shiny calf bucket, no less. I wear the SL hobos all the time; this one is tempting for sure.

‘Bright Sparks’

Photography by Frederike Helwig Styling by Kyoko Tamoto

This image from Konfekt Issue 10 is on my inspiration board. The Prada top and skirt are sublime and I love the sandals, which are credited to Uniqlo.

Items I’m Eyeing

A spring jacket always seems like a good idea, but I’m not sure how often I’d wear it. I think I would wear this one by Remain Birger Christensen a lot. After the sublime appliquéd skirts came down the Prada runway, I’ve been keeping an eye out for more appliquéd items. This oversized Oscar de la Renta straw tote is incredible. A basic Boden polo is a solid wardrobe staple, as are the Chloé sandals.

Sandals Season Has Started

We are in the midst of a mini heatwave so I pulled out my bin of flat sandals. Some of them are bordering on ancient, but I still love and wear them all. If I needed a new pair (I don’t) I would try these by Saint Laurent — the whole look is downright chic. More sizes here.

Bits & Bobs

Some folks say they impulsively buy more when shopping online. Alas, I am easily tempted when shopping in a store. Last week I went to Bergdorf Goodman to return a pair of Bottega Veneta pumps and did a quick pass through the store. The visit to the Saint Laurent department resulted in a short sleeve wool polo that is truly a forever piece, and a harlequin print scarf that looks good with everything. I would not have bought either online. Perfumer H has a new candle, Château Leboscq, with fragrance notes of vine fruit, green leaf, pine needle, bois des landes and cedar wood, and the Christope Robin hair products with rose extracts smell wonderful too. And I can’t wait to see the Georgia O’Keeffe show at MoMA and the Jaune Quick-to-See Smith: Memory Map at The Whitney. O happy spring.

Three Easy Pieces

Untied at the neck, this Honorine cotton dress is much less prim. The Re/Done x Dr. Scholl’s collaboration is a nice update to the classic slides. And the roomy Khaite straw tote is good-looking and functional — I’m a fan of the single handle, it stays on your shoulder.

Harper’s Bazaar France

A dear friend just brought me the premiere issue of Harper’s Bazaar France and it is très chic. The second issue is out, maybe it’s a good time to go to Paris…

O April!

I ❤️ April— asparagus and rhubarb abound. Dumplings with asparagus and snap peas looks scrumptious and rhubarb compote is easy to make, keeps in the fridge, and is yummy on just about anything. I am eagerly awaiting Phaidon’s monograph on the brilliant Dutch landscape designer, Piet Oudolf, out April 12, and Curtis Sittenfeld’s new novel, Romantic Comedy, will be released Tuesday. A new pair of Belgian Shoes always puts a spring in my step and, even though it was released last September, I’m still loving “Burning” by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

It’s a Wrap!

Kendall Conrad makes the best leather accessories and I especially love her wrist wraps — they are majorly chic. The bracelet over the cuff is a nice bit of styling that I will try to imitate. A leather wrist wrap, made-by-hand-in-Greece style sandals, and a straw market basket are the ne plus ultra of summer accessories.