mothering

‘Mother’ is a way of being; we are all mothers. Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!

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On My Inspiration Board

I’ve already emailed Chanel a request for an evening cape from the Cruise 2021/22 collection (she thinks I’m nuts, but hey). The chain belt is so good dressed up or down. This Cartier image is from my new favorite Instagram feed @marchelineisabelle, and I’m following her recently launched eponymous blog, Marcheline Isabelle, too. And my friend Gigi sent me the image lower left, it’s her summer evening inspiration — chic.

Sunglass Wardrobe

After years of wearing just traditional aviators and wayfarers, I’ve been collecting more fashion-forward styles — I’m building a sunglass wardrobe, if you will. It’s amazing how switching up sunglasses can completely change a look. It’s the little things.

Saint Laurent and here, Ray-Ban, Loewe

Chain Belt 🖤

The Saint Laurent FW21 collection film debuted this morning and it’s filled with chain belts. I’m glad I got a jump on this trend and will wear the SS21 SL belt often. I bought the smaller size because I want it to be trim with a dress, yet, it’s still slouchy over pants and skirts — a win-win.

Find My…

During its product launch yesterday, Apple announced a new Bluetooth tracking device, the AirTag, developed to help folks find handbags/luggage/keys/etc. through its Find My app. Hermès designed leather cases — a key ring, bag charm, and luggage tag — for a version of the trackers that will also be engraved with the house’s Clou de Selle logo —now that’s chic and functional. Available April 30.

Mussels at Home

I went to a birthday lunch for a dear friend yesterday. All the guests were vaccinated and it was, for each of us, the first time dining in a restaurant with a group. The awkwardness of reemergence was a hot topic and it’s real — I felt completely out of social practice. However, good food and great friends were the perfect excuse to get back out there.

Like many, I cooked at home almost exclusively this past year, but I did not make mussels. They’re one of my all-time favorite dishes, and when on the menu, I order them. They were an extra treat yesterday since I haven’t had them in ages. Even though I’ve posted on mussels before, I’ve yet to make them myself. There’s a simple recipe in Soupology that looks easy and delicious.

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Scent Collecting

To justify multiple purchases, i.e. the same bag in three different colors, I think of myself as a collector. I know, I know. But consider this: I’ve been searching for a new signature scent (get loads of samples before you commit, was the best advice) and realized that maybe having more than one, like a perfume wardrobe, could be modern. This is coming from someone who doesn’t own a lipstick and hasn’t really worn a fragrance in 20 years. To date, I’ve found two that I love —  Carthusia Mediterraneo and Louis Vuitton’s On The Beach — the start of a perfume collection.

Flying In Style

Jodi Peckman’s homage to the golden age of air travel, Come Fly With Me: Flying in Style, will hopefully inspire a bit more effort in presentation when traveling — the vintage celebrity snaps are memorable. Before I go anywhere, I need a new carry-on. My Louis Vuitton wheelie is the first iteration and was designed to roll in just one direction. And, after my last flight to Paris, I’m getting noise canceling headphones, stat. Packing a favorite scent for the hotel room is brilliant and something I should’ve been doing all along.

Master & Dynamic headphones, Aviteur suitcase, Diptyque room spray.

Fashion From The Past

Vogue predicts that there will be a surge of interest in vintage Gucci — pre-Tom Ford era 1994-2004 — thanks to the upcoming film House of Gucci. The film is based on the infamous Italian family from the ’70s to mid ’90s. So, to get a jump on this trend, I dug deep into my closet and unearthed my first Gucci bag. Mother let me pick out a bag on a trip to Rome in 1978 and I chose the one above. A camel hobo, unsurprisingly. Since it’s firmly in my never-changing wheelhouse, I’m going to drop it at Leather Spa and let them do their magic. Will I carry it again? Very possibly.

The bottom three are from the early ’90s. They had bamboo handles, which I removed the moment I purchased them and looped the messenger strap instead. I wore these to death and I’m not sure any amount of TLC can revive them.

Walk The Talk

If you’ve ever wondered if I buy the items I post on, here you go:

After I admitted that I’m color challenged, Heather Clawson aka Habitually Chic recommended that I start with a blue shirt. This Ann Mashburn Boyfriend Shirt fits shockingly well. I always thought a button-down should be boxy, which I now realize was idiotic. And, Heather was spot-on, blue is fab. I’ll never have to stress about an evening look thanks to this Totême shift paired with Chanel heels — so easy. I’ve been wearing the Maison Mayle coat non-stop this spring, and the Hermès clogs in black and beige just make me happy.