An ‘Aha’ Moment

I had an ‘aha’ moment recently when I read a Habitually Chic post on signet ring etiquette. Like Sylvana Ward Durrett in this 2011 Vogue image above, I’ve always worn my signet on my right ring finger and a Cartier Trinity on the adjacent pinky. After reading Heather’s piece, I had my signet ring sized down to wear on the little finger of my left hand, which I now know is customary. I love having it next to my wedding band — feels right. Thanks, HC.

‘Face Values’ by Navaz Batliwalla

Navaz Batliwalla’s first book, The New Garconne: How to be a Modern Gentlewoman, is my all-time favorite style bible and I refer to it often. Her new book, Face Values, can be pre-ordered on her site Disneyrollergirl. Well done, Navaz!

August!

August, the Sunday of Summer. I postponed a trip to Maine until September, however, London and Amsterdam (no Paris, got tricky) at the end of the month will hopefully be a go. Until then, roaming the Hudson Valley and lazing by the pool are the activities du jour. A straw market basket, Havaianas flip-flops, and a gold cuff are a few of my August essentials.

A Cool & Quirky Knit

When I spied the chunky knit hood in JW Anderson’s Pre-Fall lookbook in February top, I posted that it would one day be mine. It’s actually a hood and snood combo where each can be worn separately. I have both the grey and white winging their way to me.

A Cool Knit

A gorgeous knit dress, like this one by Gabriela Hearst for Chloé in August Vogue Paris, is a special, yet wearable, piece. I love Ms. Hearst’s color palette in her eponymous collection and now for Chloé, too.

Photography by Henrik Purienne   Styling by Emmanuelle Alt

Think Tank

This post is pretty straight forward. A large Cartier Tank on a leather strap has been on my wish list for a very long time. When I spied Suzi de Givenchy’s watch (Santos?), it leapt to the top of said list.

Santos Dumont?, Tank MC, Tank Americaine.

A New Proper Day Shoe

Sneakers, clogs, slides, and sandals I have aplenty. It’s an updated, proper day shoe that has eluded me for a few years. For a lunch in May I wore a pair of Valentino Tangos purchased in 2012. The Chloé Perry T-strap from 2017 is my alternate to the Tango. I still wear a number of classic Manolo Blahnik styles, they never get tired. And, my new Chanel T-straps with a platform got me reaching for my Saint Laurent Tributes. Old school is great and I’m delighted these shoes have gone the distance, but I’m on the hunt for something new. To be continued.

A Cloth Coat

I never need a new coat, but if there’s one I can’t resist, I’ll go there. I have 25-year-old, beloved and timeless coats that get pulled out every fall. The Hermès cashmere parka in chestnut above left and the camel Louis Vuitton on Naomi Osaka are stunning forever pieces — much like the navy Saint Laurent in an earlier post.

Image left August British Vogue — photography by Scott Trindle & styling by Kate Phelan

Image right August Vogue Japan — photography by Zoey Grossman & styling by Patti Wilson

Summer Updates

Here are a few of my summer 2021 tweaks: We brought back our favorite cheeses from the Grey Barn in Chilmark — they are available online and make an excellent hostess gift. The week was teeming with family and events so I didn’t get a chance to read. Now back home, I’ve just started The Last Thing He Told Me. It’s no secret that I’m obsessed with Carthusia’s Mediterraneo citrusy scent — perfume, body lotion, and soap — and recently added the candle to my repertoire. Continuing with the citrus theme, ginger limeade is my drink this summer. Here is a good recipe, but Califa Farms is easy and delicious, too. A swimsuit and fisherman knit sweater are my favorite evening-at-the-beach attire. Starting Monday, Tori Jones will have a pop-up on Block Island filled with vintage and one-of-a-kind finds; I reached out to her about these sweaters. And, I finally found shallow, individual wooden salad bowls at an outdoor market on Martha’s Vineyard; they will be perfect with my new white linen tablecloth that I picked up at the Grey Barn.

I Made The Cut

I bought this Gabriela Hearst skirt in January intending to shorten it. Then I posted that I’d wear it midi-length with heels. But, after months of never reaching for it, off to Alteration Specialists it went. Now, this cotton-drill wrap skirt with matching knit top will be a fall go-to look. Easy peasy.

I, also, shortened an aRossGirl skirt and wear it all the time.