It Item
Since my last post, the devastating fires broke out in LA. My husband is from Bel Air and his entire family is on evacuation alert. Friends have lost their homes, businesses, schools, and churches. Our hearts go out to everyone affected.
A chocolate brown Hermès Picotin Lock 26 Bag zoomed to the top of my wishlist when I spied it on the SS25 runway top right. However, there is nary a 26 in any of the three Hermès boutiques in Paris, nor have they had one in a while. I hope this changes with the multitude of Picotins in the spring show and I will check when I’m back in March. However, I picked up a black 22 and have worn it nonstop — it holds far more than it looks. The Picotin is less expensive when purchased new — the ones I’ve seen on resale sites are priced considerably higher. It’s not a waitlist item and is available in stores — I walked in and bought it then and there. My Picotin 22 cost less than the Bottega Jodie I bought for my daughter in London a few weeks ago…
Travel
Finally, Paris seems back to its regular schedule — most tourists have gone home and the children are back in school. However, the spectacular holiday decorations are still up and the city is gleaming from its pre-Olympics spiffing up. It’s been years since I’ve seen the Opéra Garnier sans scaffolding and it looks amazing. I know I say this every January, but it’s truly a wonderful time to be here.
We’re in an apartment that looks onto the Hotel Bristol pool and up to Sacré Coeur. From the upstairs bedroom you can see the Eiffel Tower and the Grand Palais, which is lit up at night for the ice skaters. I’ve decided that this is a non-cooking trip and have booked a number of Michelin starred restaurants in our neighborhood. There are two in the Bristol, which was an easy place to start.
First stop is always the Bourse de Commerce. This time I picked up two Anri Sala prints from his exhibition in 2022-2023. The catalogue has had pride of place on my coffee table for the past two years. I am very excited to tour the recently reopened Notre Dame, then, the Tina Barney retrospective, Family Ties, at the Jeu de Paume is next on the list.
Last fall I shelved my sneakers save a pair of Common Projects that look like Converse. The ubiquitous Adidas Sambas went into the bin. Flats, Belgian Shoes, and boots are now my everyday footwear of choice. I want to check out the new The Row store and try these booties.
Finally, I couldn’t resist snapping this chic Parisienne’s outfit — neutrals perfected. And, I brought my Fendi Mamma Baguette that I purchased in 1998. The hardware was silver and they kindly swapped it to gold — I wonder if they would do that today. Still looks current to my eye #Don’tOverpurge.
And, an enormous thank you for all of the sweet comments on my last post. I did not expect such an outpouring of support and it was the encouragement I needed.
Warmly, Preston
Beauty
I am not sad to see 2024 come to a close. Too many commitments overwhelmed me and, thankfully, some are coming to an end. I, also, lost my way a bit with kic. However, the best thing I did in 2024 was to focus on my skin — the Biologique Recherche products and facials have made a noticeable difference. When a dear friend recommended the incredible Condensé line, I happily added these two to my skincare routine. I’m about to board a flight to Paris and the above moisturizer and Glossier perfume solid are in my handbag.
Wishing everyone a very happy new year! xp
On My Mind
For me, time— and more specifically, time to read and hang with my family — is a true luxury. For the last two years my younger daughter and I have planned numerous trips, only to cancel at the last minute. We are going to London next week for a few days and, this time, I will not let life get in the way. I am looking forward to the Van Gogh exhibition at the National Gallery. The friend who encouraged me to start a journal gave me a beautiful watercolor set for Christmas. Delphine designer Tanya Taylor’s word portraits are my journaling goal. I want to pick up this travel watercolor set at the National Gallery shop so I can easily paint on the go. For the last few months I’ve been reading classics and I’m currently midway through Anthony Powell’s twelve-volume masterpiece, “A Dance to the Music of Time.” The next book in the queue — a relatively new release– is “A Northern Light in Provence”, a novel by Elizabeth Birkelund. My dear friend who recommended it said it’s a wonderful read. Another friend recommended “A World Within A World: The bay Houses of Long Island” to watch on the plane. ‘Tis the season to diligently moisturize and Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse in neroli makes it easy. It does double duty as my fragrance, too. Another shoutout for the extremely comfortable Bally pumps, this time in burgundy. They look just fine after a very rainy walk to the Riverkeeper fundraiser on the Hudson River the other evening. I am doing a Riverkeeper Sweep in May if anyone would like to join me. And, finally, this gold, past-season Bottega Veneta bag looks chic worn casually, not just for evening.
- Re. the Bally pumps purchased on the Bally site, if you are a 7.5, order a 7. If you buy them elsewhere, if you are a 7.5, buy the 37.5
On My Mind
At a Maria McManus trunk show last week, I found the skirt. Softly pleated with an elastic waist and pockets — it’s the easiest piece. The Bally pumps in my last post are so comfortable (and now on sale), that I bought a similar pair in cream. Grey + cream = one of my favorite color combos. Last trip to Paris I picked up a Biologique Recherche concealer and it is the perfect amount of coverage for the occasional spot.
Luna Luna was fun, especially with good friends. I am wearing Frame jeans, not the High Sport pants.
On My Mind
This circa 2000 Lanvin coat and skirt set is out of the closet and on the clothing rack with items that I am currently wearing often. I’m a wee bit tired of kitten heels, and when I pulled out these Gucci pumps (I’d removed the GGs), I realized that I miss a block heel. Bally has a lot of great shoes in the FW24 collection and I’m going to give the Emblem Pumps a try.
I keep the top image on my inspiration board to remind myself that it’s possible to wear a shorter coat over a longer skirt and look chic, something I have not mastered.
On My Mind
November is zooming along and Thanksgiving is around the corner. Found a yummy sweet potato recipe on W. Icons — always nice to find a new way to prepare them. I read Shred Sisters by Betsy Lerner in a day, it’s very good. Marc Jacobs guest edited the December issue of Vogue and my favorite of the two covers of Kaia Gerber is the portrait painted by Anna Weyant. A dear friend got us tickets for opening day to Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy at The Shed NYC, a wonderful present. I will wear my new (and first) pair of High Sport pants. The fit of this style suits me — trim, but not leggings.
Travel
The Charleston Literary Festival was incredible! Paul Murray talked about his novel The Bee Sting, Claire Messud, one of my favorite authors of all time, spoke about her recent book, This Strange Eventful History, and Emily Wilson read from her translation of Homer’s The Iliad. All the talks were first-rate.
A big thank you to my friends, the writers Kate Betts and Dorothy Spears, for letting me tag along on this adventure. Besides the litfest, we had lunch at Chez Nous, which was exceptionally good, dinner at The Ordinary, also delicious, shopped Hampden and Wentworth, and wandered. Kate and Dorothy did the walking tour with Tommy Dew and said it’s a must. The people of Charleston were lovely and I am excited to return with my husband. Next trip, we will stay at The Dewberry or Zero George and I will add Fig, and the other restaurants recommended, to the list. Savannah, too.
Thank you, again, for all of the great suggestions, they made the trip memorable.
xPreston
Travel
Dear Readers,
I am heading to Charleston, South Carolina for a literary festival and have never been. Everyone raves about this beautiful city so, please, any and all recommendations are welcome!
xPreston
A heartfelt thank you for all of the wonderful suggestions! Shopping, siteseeing, and a lot of walking will be my activities outside of the festival talks. I am thinking of this as a scouting trip for a future trip with my husband, when we can plan properly. As Dawn recommends, next time I will “…book dinners, then hotel, then flights…” Again, thank you for the Charleston intel!
On My Mind
When I mentioned to my dear friend, an ex-Vogue colleague, that I wanted to post on my annoyance with In Vogue: The 90s — for instance, Tonne Goodman didn’t join Vogue until 1999, she was at the competitor Harper’s Bazaar — my friend said ‘you don’t do negative on kic.’ This is true, but I had to slip in my incredulity in some small way… This same friend recommended journaling, which has been life altering. Once I found the perfect journal and pen, I was off and running. Jotting down bits of conversations, name and context when I’m introduced to someone (super helpful), and ideas that often get lost by the end of the day has helped me organize my thoughts tremendously. For example, I have been collecting vintage Tiffany bangles and often wonder about the previous owner(s). Was the bracelet a gift? Passed down? Loved and lost? When I wrote these musings in my journal, I was reminded of one of my favorite books, The Engagements by J. Courtney Sullivan. The story follows an engagement ring through a series of times and owners. Reading is my passion, especially at this stage in my life, and I found I was only reading in two spots because of the lighting. So, I bought a rechargeable lamp that moves with me. I also bought a few for the nooks and crannies in my office and closet that have no electrical outlets. It’s always good to shine a light in those dark corners.
10 comments