The Modern Thank You Note

I still write thank you notes and love receiving them, but it’s frustrating that the host doesn’t hear from me until my note arrives days later in the mail. Delivering a note by hand the following day is not always feasible. Graydon Carter, former Vanity Fair editor in chief, was frustrated by the same snail mail delay and agrees that an email is not the modern manners solution. So he and his wife Anna founded Electragram, “a purveyor of stylish digital cards and stationery that seek to combine the feeling of an old-fashioned handwritten note with the speed and convenience of an email.”  FT has a wonderful story on the Carters at their Connecticut home.

More Fall Reads

Last December I posted on Claire Keegan’s Small Things Like These, which was so good that I gave it to a number of friends over the holidays. Keegan’s Foster is getting great reviews and is available in the U.S. November 1. The fall issues of Konfekt and Self Service are winging their way to me, and Carlos Mota’s Forever Green, out last week, is on my bedside table.

I 🖤🤍 This Sweater

This Officine Générale merino wool-blend sweater with cropped sleeves is the ideal weight for these chilly fall days. It’s soft and a bit oversized and I’ve been wearing the black one non-stop — I may need a spare.

To See, Watch, Hear, & Eat

This coming Friday, I’m previewing Edward Hopper’s New York at the Whitney Museum of American Art followed by a field trip to the Tin Building by Jean-Georges, the new marketplace that took over the former Fulton Fish Market at The Seaport. Also on Friday, the Red Hot Chili Peppers new studio album, Return of the Dream Canteen will be released and the tracks I’ve heard are fantastic. And, I want to see Ruben Östlund’s Palme d’Or winner, Triangle of Sadness.

Bits & Bobs

Here are a few things on my inspiration board: the SS23 Louis Vuitton bag is fun in a good way, I am a felted wool nut and love these Rier pieces in Amanda Brooks’s shop, the grey boots are a chic neutral, I became a huge fan of pink gold in recent years and have my eye on the Repossi ring, and Birkins and cowboy boots together have never been my thing, but these two pictures could sway me.

Image bottom left courtesy @yuliawave and right @vieffestyle

The Long Coat

The temperatures are in the 50s, which means it’s officially long coat season in New York. Like fashion consultant Barbara Martelo in Paris last March, I’ve been wearing my beloved ankle-length FW18 Miu Miu coat — changing the buttons was everything. I keep thinking about the stunning, floor-sweeping coats in the SS23 Saint Laurent collection shown last week, sigh.

Muse Miuccia

The Miu Miu SS23 collection is a lesson in layering and Lotta Volkova’s impeccable styling deserves recognition. But, as always, the best look was on Mrs. Prada herself — the brown leather skirt is a thing of beauty.

Captivated by Commission

Last July I posted on a grey pleated skirt by Commission and have been waiting for it to be released. While searching, I came across this Commission silver sequined tulle skirt — I love the extended lining, a similar idea to the SS23 Bottega Veneta skirt I posted on week before last. With a Balenciaga grey parka, white T-shirt, and the Chanel slingbacks I’ve been wearing non-stop would make for a modern evening look.

Tod’s For The Win

These Tod’s W.G. Lace-up ankle boots are good-looking and practical, just trying to find this color. I see only black calf in the women’s version — men’s come in a number of colors. To be continued.

Image courtesy @de.mooimaker

Reversing Regrets

I am a die-hard list person and alongside my lists of items bought over the years is a list of regrets. Thankfully, it’s a short list, but I still feel guilty when I look at it. I equate ill-considered purchases with wasted money and keep a running tally to remind myself to be more thoughtful and realistic before I commit to a pricey item.

The four pictures above are of purchases that top my list of regrets. However, one thing I’ve learned these last few years is to try to reverse my thinking on my mistakes and make lemonade out of lemons. So, I took out the Céline clutch and started carrying it. My assumption that it is cumbersome and heavy was quickly replaced by the realization that it holds a lot and it’s great in lieu of a shoulder bag over a bulky coat. Off the list it went. Next, the Prada dress that I could not live without and have only worn once because it grazes my ankles (it was produced much longer than shown), is going to the tailor. I’m confident that when it’s the same length on me as on the model on the runway, I will wear it often. And, the color skews brown, not grey, which is a nice change in my wardrobe. The Chanel headscarf, that makes me feel like the Flying Nun, and the insanely high Saint Laurent boots are still a challenge. I’m working on those.