Okie dokie – onto today’s rabbit hole.

Not that long ago I owned a single scarf. Actually it was a large grey shawl that was my security blanket during the long months of winter.

But 18 months ago, something in me shifted and suddenly, I began searching for and acquiring vintage scarves with abandon. Short scarves, long scarves, fringe scarves, primary color scarves, silk scarves, and hair scarves. All of them felt necessary.

I’ve started to think about why and as I’ve mulled this over in my head, I realized that scarves can add the dash of personality that I’m looking for. Clothing right now feels a it meh to me but accessories feel like the right way to switch things up. I’ve been wanting the things I already own and love to feel new and the easiest way to do that seems to be through a scarf wrapped around my neck or tied around my waist (something wrote about this week and showed a number of great ways to do this so this post feels timely!)

The world of scarves is vast and what you are looking to use the scarf for will drive which one is best for you.

Large square scarves work best over a coat (I like them folded like a triangle and the ends hanging over my lapel). As 12” wide scarf is the ideal width if you want to wear it around your neck or waist. Most scarves are around 60” in length but many come longer. A 70” one allows you to easily wrap and tie around your waist 2x which creates that true cummerbund look. A shorter scarf is great around your neck, ends hanging down, as a necklace alternative. I know some wear scarves as shirts, I am not one of those people.

But, if we are being honest, don’t over think scarves – they should be fun and easy. The one I’ve been gravitating towards the most is a silk jacquard Armani one. The texture adds a lot to my mostly black wardrobe and the size makes it easy to throw on and go.

ALRIGHT – let’s dive in. I tried to group the scarves together so you can easily sort based on your need.

vintage Kasmiri shawl in a light green (yaser shaw for less but just as good - wear like zoe) / vintage Christian Dior velvet scarf (obsessed with the texture on this) / vintage Saks beaded shawl (imagine this over a turtleneck!!!!) / Dries Van Noten Scarf (the color and embroidery on this is stunning) / Jil Sander cashmere scarf (just very easy and very good and under $50) / Issey Miyake wool scarf (love the texture on this - its rare to see that in a wool scarf)

Neiman Marcus cashmere scarf (you can be Zoe!) / Issey Miyake silk scarf (love the plaid in blue/pink on this) / vintage embroidered shawl (another Yaser-esq look - this blue is stunning) / Issey Miyake silk scarf (the subtle plaid pattern!)

black vintage embroidered shawl (the embroidery on this is stunning - imagine over a wool coat) / large Armani silk chiffon shawl (the size on this is so good - love the idea of it over a tailored trench)

Armani velvet floral scarf (I am obsessed with the floral pattern on this - it feels just the right amount of quirky) / Armani grey silk chiffon (the sheerness is what makes this interesting) / Armani black silk chiffon (I love the contrast edging - it grounds it in such a beautiful way) / Armani silk jaquard with fringe (looks to be the black version of my favorite white scarf)

Enjoy the final weeks of summer! Eat tomatoes! Lots of them! xx

I may earn a small commission from the links shared in this post. All photos are my own, from the screenshots folder on my phone, or Pinterest.

I knew it so well because I had purchased it from TRR and returned it (it was returned because the ties were not attached the garment and all I could imagine was me loosing them after my first wear thus making the blouse unwearable and me annoyed).

The blouse in questions was 90’s Armani and the toggle closure was extremely unique. Now I can’t say with any degree of certainty that this blouse was in fact the same one as the the one I returned on TRR but needless to say, I feel fairly confident.

This led me to wonder if Kendall was also spending her free time browsing TRR. Did she log in at drop times? Was she a casual browser? Was this a one off occurrence? I had a lot of questions that I knew would never get answered and kind of left it at that.

Subscribe now

Until this week.

This week I saw a photo of Kendall and Jacob in London and she was wearing a blue button down over a white tee. I recognized the blue shirt as The Row Lulu shirt which which I had seen on TRR not that long ago. This shirt is an older season The Row shirt (2022) and not one that pops up often. This shade of blue is quite memorable and probably why it jogged my memory so quickly.

So now, here I was left with two pieces of evidence that she does in fact shop on TRR.

And it tracks. If you’ve seen her Vogue closet walk through, its clear she loves vintage and second-hand clothing (Donna Karan!). Whether its her doing the actual browsing and buying I don’t know, but this feels like one of those “celebrities are just like us moments” (maybe she isn’t as obsessive as me about First Look drop times but you never know).

I realize this is a completely unscientific study based on the smallest sample size possible (I did my best to find more then 2 photos worth of evidence). It’s also very much a who cares kind of thing but I do think it matters because it may make others more comfortable with the idea of buying second-hand.

I’ve always bought used but over the last year, I’ve shifted more and more of my purchasing to second-hand. Some is true vintage, some is very lucky second-hand finds (I’m looking at you The Row Crocodile loafers that were brand new and scored for 80% off retail) and all of it I love dearly. I like the waiting game! I like the hunt! I’m still buying things new but I’ve been more selective because eventually, everything, and I mean everything, shows up second-hand as long as you are willing to wait.

So be like Kendall and shop second-hand! Here’s a round-up of things I think she would like and I imagine most of you will like as well. Happy hunting! Xx (and Kendall, if you ever read this, and need someone to source for you, call me!)

Bergdorf Goodman Jacket (100% wool and $30 - you’re welcome) / Ralph Lauren Collection Shrunken Blazer (with a tee, jeans, and loafers) / Christen Loafers (HOW ARE THESE STILL HERE - if you are a size 40, grab them) / Jil Sander sweater (love the long sleeves) / Donna Karan white leather blazer (ignore the condition because its about the lining and the outside looks incredible) / 80’s Alaia Jacket (looks so similar to the grey one Kendall is wearing above)

Vintage Hermes shell (wear over a tee shirt) / Donna Karan Wool Coat (literally the perfect throw on piece for errands) / Jill Sander Top (a great shade of red to pair with other neutrals) / Donna Karan Leather Blazer (a very good fitted blazer!)

Vintage Prada Crocodile Bag (I’ve been lusting over this for months) / 90’s Calvin Klein dress (not cheap but basically you would never need another event dress again - just change your accessories) / Vintage Celine Pinstripe pants (with a ballet flat and a sweater - I may buy these) / The Row Sweater Vest (over a henley, tee-shirt, or a button-down - the possibilities are endless) / Armani pants (the perfect shade!!) / Vintage Armani Suede Jacket (I’ve shared this before and need someone to put me out of my misery because its too small for my chest. Wear it as a shirt over a wide legged pant!!)

Armani silk scarf (GREAT pattern - great size - imagine over a jacket tied at your neck) / Vintage Gucci shoulder bag (a lovely size for day or evening) / The Row bucket bag (a shot of color is a good thing!) / La Collection pants (a pant everyone should own and La Collection quality is superb)

Have a great weekend!

It all started when I saw The Row Esteban top and Frima pant. These pieces dropped as part of the summer collection back in late May and I was left wondering why velvet in summer? What’s happening here? I think of velvet as the Christmas fabric of my childhood (velvet maryjanes with white tights and a frilly shouldered red velvet dress with a big bow at the waist and a headband in my hair was the look). It’s a fabric I’ve steered away from for a while now because I see it as such a seasonal material and I don’t love owning things that I reserve for ultra specific periods of time.

But The Row look altered my thinking.

And then I saw this look which is what really stopped me. IT FLIPPED ME ON MY HEAD! I lost my mind! The pairing of utilitarian khaki with a velvet top and flip flops?! It doesn’t make sense but then it does because it’s a study in contrast.

Which is to say, this lead me to a place where I’ve suddenly seen velvet everywhere and all I can think is that it’s the perfect fabric for now. Want to make the white pants you’ve been wearing weekly for the better part of the last 3 months feel suddenly different? Swap the cotton tee for a velvet shell. Velvet shoes with a chino? A brilliant pairing. A slip dress with a velvet bag! Leave your guazy scarf at home and wear a velvet one instead! The list goes on.

So today is all about velvet. A fabric you can wear now and then into the dead of winter. So versatile!

I’ll note that you cannot easily search for velvet on TRR. Actually almost every piece I’m sharing here came from me zooming in trying to discern if it is actually velvet. So when your browse these pieces, just know this was A LOT OF WORK. I’ll be remiss if I didn’t mention that velvet comes in a lot of fabric varieties – silk velvet is the crème de la crème but is not easy to find (the velvet piece I bought earlier this summer is a vintage Yohji scarf/jacket hybrid in a silk velvet and IT’S A DREAM). If you can find silk velvet you absolutely should buy it. What is much more common now is viscose silk velvet (which is what The Row is using). It’s good because it holds color better but not as breathable. There is also nylon velvet (more shiny), cotton velvet (more matte) among many other combinations.

Alright, on to the pieces!

90’s Donna Karan Duster (talk about a piece to elevate jeans and a tee) / The Row Velvet clutch (I am in love with this shade of marigold) / Vintage YSL jacket (quintessential YSL and such a wearable piece!!) / Vintage Emporio Armani (with a graphic tee underneath)

1980’s Krizia Jacket ($45 if you want to dip your toes into velvet!) / 1995 Yohji (love the look clasp in the jacket - would look great over a turtleneck later) / 1990’s Donna Karan jacket (really like the knee length and fitted waist - wear as a top or as a dress!) / Armani velvet skirt (just add a fitted tee and a flip flop) / Calvin Klein Vintage velvet (a more a-line skirt if you want less fitted) / Calvin Klein 90’s Dress (this has The Row all over it - also CBK wore a 1994 velvet dress like this and just saying it could be the same…)

Vintage Chado by Ralph Rucci (a bonkers good dress for an event - the top! the wrap detail!)

90’s Calvin Klein Velvet Burnout Top (this is such a good top if you want a lot of texture - wear open over a tank!) / Calvin Klein Jacket (condition looks incredible for the age) / Calvin Klein Crushed Velvet Skirt (obsessed with this with a long sleeve tee)

Catherine Bacon velvet top (so easy with a chino) / Prada 1997 Velvet Bag (such a good shape!) / Vintage Bergdorf Goodman top (with a loose pant)

Vintage Bergdorf Goodman scarf (the embroidery makes this so special) / Vintage Bergdorf Goodman Duster (a statement piece!! Love the toggle closure)

Armani velvet button front top (I think I’d also wear it backwards!) / Prada velvet bag (looks a lot like what Valesque is doing right now) / Armani velvet bag (the drawstring closures are so cute) / 90’s Armani velvet top (CHEF’S KISS and one I’m contemplating for myself if no one else gets it - with a loose white jean)

Enjoy the rest of summer because it’s not over!! xx

The patterned skirt is a new one for me. One of those items that has creeped up suddenly. I’m a person who is good at recognizing patterns and then, once a pattern is recognized, I suddenly see it everywhere. That is how it feels with this skirt.

The skirt in question is a very specific piece – vaguely paisley, often times in muted or jewel tone colors. I describe them as Dries Van Noten adjacent – they work best with a simple tee for August but I keep imagining them in September and into October with a sweater, long thin coat, and flip flops – this is the window of dressing that I live for. As someone who typically shies away from pattern, I find the idea of them so appealing because they create an element of joy that I come to crave as we move from high summer to the tail end of summer. They kind of say it ain’t over until it’s over but with a nod towards what’s to come.

Emanuel Ungaro silk skirt (just saying it would look great with a tall boot later) / Emanuel Ungaro silk skirt #2 (one of my favorites) / Dries Van Noten 90’s skirt (the skirt that started me down this path - it’s a lot but its so good)

Emanuel Ungaro Plaid skirt (feels like 90’s grunge meets The Row) / Issey Miyake skirt (loving this pattern - with a cropped long sleeve tee)

A trio of very good Prada Skirts - Prada Skirt #1 (the hint of metallic is what I love in this one) / Prada Skirt #2 (the straight fit with the abstract pattern - I want to see it with a snug vneck sweater) / Prada Skirt #3 (another great pattern - with a pale blue button down!)

Dries Van Noten Skirt (the embelishments!!!) / 90’s Calvin Klein (get yourself a slip and be your best version of Kate Moss) / Escada skirt (love the florals on this - later with a tall black boot a long sweater)

Armani silk skirt (some may say its too formal, I say its the right amount) / Armani gold floral skirt (with a sweater and a loafer later and a tee and a ballet flat now) / Comme des Garcons skirt (love the color story on this!) / Armani cotton skirt (reminds me of Prada - I love how the pattern kind of fades into the background)

90’s Romeo Gigli (the pleating! - love the texture on this) / 90’s Dries Van Noten (if this is gone by the time you read this its because I bought it - UPDATE - I bought it UPDATE #2 Seller cancelled my order because it was bought else where and now I am sad)

I think I’ve found myself in more rabbit holes then normal because my obsessions have taken on life of their own. In starting a Substack, I’ve become fixated on the idea of needing to provide high value to the people who support this space. Sharing things that make me swoon isn’t enough. Now I need to feel I combed every last corner of the internet to find the thing. I don’t see myself as authoritative when it comes to fashion – I’m a person who just knows what she likes and I keep struggling to know if that is enough. This is the same conversation I’ve had with myself my entire career. Am I doing enough? Can I push myself more? Can I compete with the boys/others who exude “expertise” (love imposter syndrome!)? Or am I too…pick your acronym – loud, direct, etc? And then when you factor in the married with no kids (and no plans to have them), I feel even more self-conscious around how much I do. It’s a vicious cycle one that articulated nicely in her latest post.

Always look good. Bet never appear to be trying. Be exceptional at work. But fully present at home. Always have time for friends, but never complain you’re tired. Be on the board of some company, also lead a charity, but don’t look at your phone past 8PM. Be in great shape, but don’t use your work or family hours for it. Be interesting, but don’t voice opinions. Be independent, but quietly. Be brave in trying new things, but don’t you dare to ever fail.

All of this is exhausting but on the flip side, this is the most invigorated I’ve felt in a while. I have a passion project where all my hyper fixations can have an outlet and a day job where I can be analytical and I’m figuring out how to do both. Right now it works and maybe at some point it won’t but I’m going to push myself here because I like how it feels to be doing something so completely different then what I’m used to.

Which leads me…beaded bags (perhaps not the smoothest transition but let’s go with it). When I was a kid I had a beaded jewelry business where I bought vintage beads from a bead shop in Nyack, NY and sold necklaces I made at craft fairs. I did well 12 year old self, but eventually that business went by the wayside. During the pandemic my sister and I had a mask and beaded chain business that did remarkably well. I would host meetings while also beading chains - multitasking at its finest. All of this is to say seed beads have been a part of my life for a long time.

Over the last 8ish months I’ve seen an uptick in people using antique reticule bags. They usually have a drawstring and ornate beading. Sometimes they include beaded fringe or a beaded tassel. And then in the early part of the summer they were everywhere - every antique shop I went into, every picture on Pinterest. They seemed too feminine for me but I also felt that maybe, I needed that in my wardrobe and thus, I entered a rabbit hole.

So here I am, sharing what has been an epic 6 weeks of hunting across the internet to find the bags that feel like they fit the bill - feminine but not overly girly (we want mature florals/designs), light on the use of tassel and fringe (too much fringe can read costumey to me), and obviously vintage though many of these are over 100 years old which makes them antiques. I’ve dipped my toes in sharing some bags before but this feels like my most exhaustive share yet. Not all bags fit the exact reticule criteria (rabbit holes lead to other places) but all have that same feel.

beige bag with black tassel handle (the short fringe with the tassel handle is so good together) / black bag with red florals (I’d remove the bottom fringe with a seam ripper but otherwise its perfect!) / cream drawstring bag (I love the abstract design on this bag and how simple the shape is)

grey and black bag (superb design - so architectural) / black bag with blue and orange design (this would look great with chinos!) /white clutch (this is obviously different then the others but I loved the design too much!) / 1930’s art deco bag (so easy ! looks brand new) / antique french bag (this is one of my favorites!! the design is just so unique) / 1920’s floral bag (with a white jean and a tee !)

1920’s gold bag (wildly special - could see at preclothed!) / beaded floral purse (love how graphic this one is) / royal blue drawstring bag (the beaded balls at the end of the handles!) / floral vine bag (the one I am closest to pulling the trigger on and will be buying if no one else does!)

Thank you for being here!! xx

All pictures via Pinterest. I may earn a small commission on the links shared within this post.

Levis 501’s have been my go-to jean for as long as I can remember. I thrifted pairs in college and turned them into micro-shorts (hurts every time I think about all the pairs I ruined). In the years since, I always boomerang back to them. I have tried many brands of jeans from the legacy houses (Goldsign, Citizens of Humanity) to the new brands (Ruadh, Ossou) but none of them do it for me the way a 501 does.

There is an exception to the 501 rule and that is the Auralee Hard Twist jean which is very good (they are unisex which is probably why I love them). Ideal dark wash, fitted (my preference), perfect length on me. These are jeans that work when you need a more dressed up jean (the office, dinner out). I love the Auralee jeans so much I own them in two sizes – my regular size (size 28) for a very fitted silhouette and one size up for a kind of loose/relaxed fit. If you like a fitted 501, you will probably like Auralee.

There are a lot of places that sell 501’s that have been sourced. And I love those spots because they make the shopping easy but I also really love making things hard for myself. I love a deal which is what you get when you find yourself on page 10 of an eBay search. My favorite Levi’s have always come from time spent deep in a denim rabbit hole (the pair I just tore came from Depop and were a wonderful $45). Shopping for denim online is not for the faint of heart. You really need to know your measurements, you also need to ignore the labels and look at the ACTUAL measurements (Levis shrink a lot and all over the board – I’ve seen a jean tagged 32x32 have actual measurements of anywhere from 28 inches to 32 – how I do not know), and last you REALLY NEED TO KNOW how you like your jeans to fit. In my mind, there are two camps when it comes to 501 wearers – the folks who love them loose and a little low (think Olsens or Courtney Grow) and those that love them fitted (think Tylynn above or even CBK). I am in the fitted camp but I do own a couple of looser pairs and some pairs I’ve had so long they have basically become loose. Moral of the story is you need to know what you like and use that to guide your purchase. Also ask yourself if you are willing to tailor. I will tailor a lot of things but tailoring jeans puts the fear of god in me. I do it (albeit very begrudgingly) and this includes hemming jeans, taking the waist in, and making the legs narrower. For the right jean I will do a lot to make it perfect. If it’s perfect you will wear it until you can’t anymore – this is the goal.

Outside the measurements, the wash is VERY IMPORTANT (maybe even more important because you can’t tailor the wash). I am psychotic about denim washes and on most new jeans they all look so manufactured (I have so many gripes!) for whatever reason (Levis magic??), it’s possible to get a good fade on a Levis jean. With that being said, I personally prefer jeans with low to no fading so then end up fading with my wear. Buy what looks good to you, this is personal.

Let’s dive into the world of denim. I tried to pull jeans that were all under $100 though there may be a couple of at the $125 mark since they were very good. Don’t start looking at these jeans until you have your measurements in hand. All jeans are 501s and Made in the USA (so 80’s/90’s and maybe some early 2000’s).

black denim (38x34) / light wash (my favorite wash - 30x32) / mid wash #1 (33 x29) / mid wash #2 (39X28) / dark wash #1 (34 x34 but doesn’t have actual measurements so ask!) / dark wash #2 (33x34)

dark wash (26x32 - love the seam line fade) / light wash (36x36 and less then $40) / black jeans (26 x26)

mid wash (28x28) / light wash (29x32 - love these so much) / mid wash #2 (31 x 32)

mid wash #1 (31x29) / mid wash #2 (30x30 - If these are gone I bought them) / washed black (30x29) / light wash (33x30 - great fade) / black (25 x28 - great if you are tiny!) / light wash #2 (34 x29)

mid blue (32x30) / light blue (26x30) / mid blue (31x29)

Happy jean shopping! Don’t be stressed! Jeans can be fun and easy. I leave you with me attempting to create Dakota Johnson’s excellent denim look that I tried to recreate with my own vintage Levi’s. I’m happy with the result!

All images via my phone screenshots folder (except for the photo of me). I may earn a small commission on the links shared in this post.

We are driving to Maine on Saturday! We will be hitting some of my favorite haunts and I have a handful of new places that I am deeply excited to visit. I love Maine in July – it always reminds me of when Tyler and I first started dating and I visited him there in the summer between Junior and Senior year of college. I have deep nostalgia for that time – there is nothing like falling in love. But I love it now because it such a familiar place, it’s very much become a part of me.

With that being said, I am giving myself permission to be off next week. Something I haven’t done since I’ve started this thing (what this thing is still not known to me). I am not good at being off, at doing less. My slow walking is most people’s power walking. I just have always operated at a speed of needing to do as much as possible but I’ve come to realize I need a break because I don’t want this to turn into a job. I want it to be a passion project. I want it to remain FUN. So next week I will be off and in Maine antiquing until my heart’s content, eating lots of wild blueberries, and hopefully swimming in lakes and reading a ton. I hope it’s everything I need.

Alright – onto my brain dump of things that have been occupying my mind (besides stablecoins and I promise not to bore you with that).

Widow’s Bay – This is the best show I have watched in a very, very, long time (Apple TV!). It’s about a New England mayor (played by the absolutely amazing Matthew Rhys) who is trying to boost tourism on his island while navigating strange events suggesting it might be cursed. The premise sounds meh but it is so kooky and beyond hilarious. I’d call it a suspenseful comedy (is that a thing?) – its creepy and dark but the comedic timing in this show is absolutely perfect. Tyler and I are both adoring it. A very good summer TV show. And if you watch this, and end up adoring Matthew Rhys like me, please go and watch the Americans which is one of the best TV shows ever made (plus you can watch Matthew and Kerri Russell have the best chemistry which is why they are now together in real-life.)

Little Wonder – I finished this book a couple of weeks back and was absolutely bawling at the end. But happy tears! It’s the story of a musical prodigy and his mother spend years searching for each other in Beijing after being separated from one another at the train station. It’s a stunning book about hope and love. I always love Oprah Book Club recommendations and this is another excellent one.

June was an epic Coat Month – Did I need another coat (ahem 2 coats)? No, absolutely did not. But sometimes the heart knows when it seems something special and you just can’t walk away. One 90’s era washed silk Donna Karan coat in the most beautiful shade I have ever seen. Putting this on felt like wearing liquid silk. It’s a thing of beauty. The second is a black Armani duster thing – stretch wool – feels like an evening coat but would also be at home over a tee-shirt and jeans. I absolutely love it. There were also 2 bags purchased. I am not a bag person but when I saw this vintage Helmut Lang silk shopping bag I felt like I finally found my evening bag – the shape is adorable and it feels current but also different. Last was a vintage snakeskin Bottega Veneta. I’ve been needing something smaller that wasn’t a tote shape. This one is perfect for that. Looks very good with the Donna coat. Makes me feel grown-up.

Assembling and not Cooking – Come June, we move into my favorite season of assembling ingredients and not cooking. It’s the absolute best. We’ve been eating a lot of fruit salads which is not your typical fruit salad but is instead stone fruits with burrata, drizzle of good olive oil, salt and pepper, and a mix of pistachios and basil chopped up finely together. Because of the heat, tomatoes have come in early this year which means tomato salads have arrived. My latest version involves big slices of tomatoes topped with chopped olives, tinned salmon or trout, herb, olive oil, salt and pepper. I could eat it every day – ideally with crusty sesame seed bread. For dessert, it’s been a riff on Nigel Slater’s blueberry pudding which is like a clafoutis which is one of my all time favorite deserts. Even if you don’t bake you can make this. It’s so easy.

Bar Miller – I love sushi. I really love omakase. What I do not love is how un-sustainable sushi is – flying fish in daily from Japan is kind of wild and not something I can’t get onboard with. A couple of years ago a sushi restaurant opened in NYC called Rosella which highlighted often overlooked, domestic species with an emphasis on sustainability by offering locally caught fish and shellfish. Their focus on working with local farmers to source rice and miso and fish was everything I wanted a sushi restaurant to be (not to mention the food is really good). They have since opened a sister restaurant called Bar Miller which is where they offer their omakase dinner (Rosella is now a more casual sushi restaurant rather then omakase). Bar Miller is probably my favorite special occasion spot – super tiny (8 seats!) but totally intimate and special. It’s nice without being too “fancy”. The food is INCREDIBLE. Hyper seasonal! And it’s just really lovely eating fish that normally wouldn’t get it’s time to shine. We’ve spent my last couple of birthdays eating there along with our anniversary. I recommend it whole heartedly.

I leave you with a collection of pieces that have been consuming my mind.

2001 Chanel silk skirt (absolutely obsessed with the pattern on this - feels super easy with a black or white tank top and a kitten heel) / Vintage Felt Miu Miu bag (I love a non-leather bag - sometimes leather feels too heavy for the outfit especially if you are wearing a leather jacket. This reminds me of The Row Bindle bag but in a non leather fabric!) / Vintage Prada Nylon Track Pants (these are my ideal track pant because the leg is narrower. A great travel pant - wish they were my size.)

2001 Chanel Top (Like the windowpane pattern on this as it gives dimension to the top - would be good under a blazer) / Vintage Gucci shoes size 38 (look like a shoe every designer is currently selling - love with a straight pant) / Vintage Silk Prada Sport Blazer (what a shade!!! With a white tee and dark denim)

Prada Striped Bag (this feels so fun but also so easy and I love a striped bag!) / Vintage Tiffany Brooch (I am still bullish on brooches and this one would be really good on both a lapel or the waist of a skirt) / Ralph Lauren Silk Scarf (the color and sheen on this is really incredible - would look so good with a tonal outfit)

Tom Ford for Gucci skirt (love the silk overlay - rare to see this era in a color other then black. Looks tiny! More like a 4/6. Wear with a baby tee and flip flops) / Zoran Silk Top (the neckline on this! I don’t love dresses and would wear this with a black pant as my event wear) / Armani Wool Blazer (looks like 1995 Prada. At under $75 this is a steal. I love snug blazers as tops!)

Vintage Prada Pants (These are $42 and probably best for a size 4 or 6. Dress them down with a black tee.) / Yoehlee Silk Top (Love this - very into a fitted shirt with a straight leg pant and a kitten heel) / Vintage Armani Pants (These are runway pants - I believe SS 1999. Super good. Would wear with a one-button button-down.)

While there will be no post next week, there will still be things shared in the chat for all paid subscribers because I can only turn myself off so much! Xx

The one constant in my life during this period was thrifted men’s button-down shirts. I loved everything about them. The way they billowed around me – not clinging to the areas I didn’t want people to see. I loved that I could buy the brands I saw in magazines (Dior, Armani, Yves Saint Laurent - the perk of growing up in an affluent town is that our thrift stores were a gold mine) for less than an hour of babysitting money. There were so many patterns and the cotton was crisp yet silky something I now realize is a sign of a really good fabric. But the best part was that the sizes on the shirts didn’t mean anything to me. As someone who was fixated on the fact that I required XL clothing, being able to buy a button down with measurements of neck/chest/sleeve meant I was sizeless - an incredibly freeing experience when very little made me feel free.

A lot has changed since I was 16. Most notably that I am far more comfortable in my skin (again, therapy helps!). But what hasn’t changed is my love of men’s button downs. Throw me on a desert island with a suitcase of books and button downs and I’ll probably be good. I love them as beach coverups. I love them worn open over a tee. I love them tucked into a skirt. I love them over a turtleneck. I love how even wrinkled they somehow give off an air of put-togetherness. I love how they give me that borrowed from the boys look. I love how they work dressed up and dressed down. I love how they always, and I repeat always, make me feel good no matter what my head is saying about my body. That kind of piece of clothing will forever have a place in my wardrobe. I will never stop buying them.

When I first thought about starting a Substack, I put together a list of things I wanted to write about. Button down shirts was at the top of that list. It took me a while to get here – I found myself circling around writing this because while I love them, the why I love them is complicated and as discussed above, rooted in a lot of things I personally prefer to not think about. But loving something is a complicated thing – the reasons why you love something can grow, mature, and evolve. Now, button-downs are less of a security blanket and more of a power move, especially, at the office. They make me feel secure but in an “I’m confident, I’ve got this, fake it till you make it” kind of way. I like that our relationship has changed.

If you are new to the world of men’s shirts this is what you should know. They come in Neck/Chest/Arm measurements. I rarely care about neck since I don’t usually wear my men’s shirts buttoned all the way up but I do care deeply about chest. Arm I am hit or miss on since I often wear my shirt sleeves rolled-up. Many men’s shirts have French cuffs and boy do I love those. Wear them open, cuff links be dammed. As someone who loves an element of theatrics in her look, an open, extra long sleeve does just that. For chest measurements, if you are looking for an oversized look (i.e. The Row shirting), you want around a 44-45 inch chest if you typically wear a size 6. For a size 0/2 you are looking for around 40 inches. For size 10/12 around 48 inches and up. These measurements are approximate and it all depends on how you want to wear the shirt. For shirts I want to use as beach coverups, I’ve gone closer to 49 inches so the cotton floats around me which is what I want when I’m hot and sandy. For a more fitted 90’s look, I’ll do a 40/41 inch (I am a size 6). I typically only buy cotton but not opposed to a fabric mix (cotton/silk or cotton/wool). On TRR they label the items as S/M/L - these labels are meaningless, look at the measurements. Lastly, if you have guy in your life, buy the shirt "for him and borrow (fun fact - I wore my now husbands shirt for our rehearsal dinner with a pair of leather pants - probably the most me I felt the whole wedding weekend).

Alright onto the shirts!

Brioni Pink Shirt (missed The Row Attica? - this looks identical - great with dark brown) / Charvet striped shirt (tucked into dark denim but equally at home as a beach cover-up)

Luciano Barbera Stripes (Basically The Row Sisilia from last fall) / Brioni Stripes (a wide stripe! great with whites - very New England) / Sheer Prada (not a button down per se but I couldn’t leave it behind - wear over a bralette or a bathing suit with a fun pant)

Gucci plaid (I know its hard to think about fall but it will return and this shirt would be great then!!) / Charvet light blue (EVERYONE needs a light blue shirt - it works with everything - I particularly love it with dark denim)

Charvet stripes (another shirt with an excellent pattern that doesn’t scream pattern - thrown on with a washed black jean to tone down the preppiness) / Charvet windowpane shirt (The Row is doing a similar pattern this season - this is a good alternative and an easy way to do pattern)

A Ralph Lauren Purple Label Trifecta !! Turquoise Blue (I’ve always loved this color since it plays well with my predominantly neutral wardrobe) / Brick Red (the high collar on this is excellent - this will wear well open over a tee shirt) / Lime Green Linen (Really love open over an all white look and also as my dream beach cover-up)

Massimo Alba Silk/Linen (If this is gone by the time of publish it’s because I bought it to wear when we are in Maine) / Jacob Cohen Stripes (The oversized pocket is what sets this apart) / Stefano Ricci Stripes (as classic as it gets)

Vintage Issey Miyake (adore the Madarian collar on this and the hidden placket) / Salvatore Piccolo Stripes (basically what a chic Italian man wears in the summer)

Giorgio Armani Linen (the sheen on this is unreal - this looks to be an incredible linen - like a lot with a long skirt and the sleeves rolled-up) / Giorgio Armani Tuxedo shirt (sexiest thing a woman can wear!!!)

That’s it! I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that I’m going to continue to make these posts free for all subscribers but the chat, where I share a never ending brain dump of all the best pieces I come across is only for paid. This includes but is not limited to vintage silk brocade bags, 90’s Donna Karan for under $40, and skirts that look like this season High Sport. If that is up your alley, come join the party. xx

All images via the Screenshots folder on my phone or Pinterest. I may earn on small commission on the links shared in this post

I realize the irony of talking about consumption but I wanted to bring it up because what I am trying to create is a space for you to find things that make your wardrobe and your life better. It is not about buying every single piece (I really, really don’t want that). What I want is for you to be selective and thoughtful. I’m trying to be a filter for what is worth it because there is a lot that is worth it! But, pieces are only worth something to you and to your wardrobe if you need them or if you see it and have a full body reaction (I’m looking at you latest coat purchases). My job is to share what looks good – good for weekends, good for events, good for work, and good for when you just want a piece that makes you feel like your best self (i.e. HOT). Your job is to train your brain to buy THE thing and not everything and definitely not the thing that is 95% what you want (if the shoes are the right shape and wrong color DO NOT BUY. Again, speaking from experience). Telling yourself no is just as important if not more important as telling yourself yes to a piece.

Consumption goes hand in hand with sustainability and lately I’ve been reading about brands in a better attempt to understand how they approach sustainability. One brand that is doing it right is Dosa. Founded in 1984 by Christina Kim, the brand is built on the foundation of handcrafted textiles, long-term artisan partnerships, natural materials, and minimizing waste. All of the good things. Not only that, but the pieces are meant for summer. They have an ease and effortless feel to them. So many silk pieces in the most beautiful colors. They are pieces that move and sit away from the body which is what we all want when it’s nearing 100 degrees.

Christina has said about the brand that her focus is more about materials, process, and longevity. She studied painting and art history and that background comes through in what she designs. There is a real sense of artistry. Everything feels almost one-of-a kind and in a world where there is so much sameness, this feels remarkably refreshing. If you are looking for new pieces, you can find the brand at The Row in Amagansett and online at La Garconne and A’maree’s (all stores I love). Now onto the second-hand pieces.

silk pants (we love a color I can’t describe!) / frog closure jacket (wear with dark denim!!!) / orange silk slip dress (wear with a tan and I don’t think you need much else)

pink silk skirt (wear with a flat mule and a black tee) / plaid silk skirt (this is 90’s in the best possible way - with a white tank!)

cotton tank top (with a pair of levis and a black cardigan) / silk skirt (love the layers on this and would do with a vintage manolo and a strappy tank) / midi dress (a dream color story!!) / silk top (I’d wear open over a tee shirt)

sheer tank (I love the idea of this over a white tee to add texture to an outfit) / frog closure top (love this color with a white pant) / sheer long sleeve top (great date night top!!) / midi length dress (so perfect for a beach vacation)

That’s it from me. I hope everyone has a wonderful long weekend (I will spend part of it eating fruit deserts a la mode and seeing friends.)

I may earn a small commission from the pieces I shared!

What feels like me is being overdressed (I am currently writing this on the way to the office in a vintage silk Donna Karan bubble skirt that could skew evening but I wanted to wear it so we are making it work within the confines of corporate America). I LOVE being dressed up. 90% of the time if you see my husband and I together you would think we were on our way to two entirely different events but alas, we are heading to the same place with just different ideas of what is outfit appropriate. All of this is to say that dressing for summer is hard for me. Those people that love elastic waist bottoms with a tank top and flip flop? I salute you but I cannot do it. I feel like I’m still in my pajamas. I need an element of dressed up with the dressed down. I need juxtaposition and tension and something that skews formal with the casual.

Last weekend, I wore an outfit that embodied everything I want in a summer outfit – it felt dressed up but still easy! It was an outfit I had in my head since early spring and when I finally wore it, I felt as in my whole body exhaled. A washed black vintage tee, a long black skirt, flip flops, diamond earrings, and a silk top handle bag (I stupidly did not get a photo of it with the silk bag but you get the idea). There was tension! There was ease! There was so much vintage! It was just so me.

I don’t believe in outfit formulas but I do believe strongly in knowing a silhouette that you can rely on and pieces that can be pulled together in a way that allow you to run out of the door at a moment’s notice. Today, is an ode to the pieces that make my favorite look and make getting dressed feel easy. The look doesn’t need to be all black (I love whites!) but it does need the formalness of the skirt and bag to offset the flip flops and tee.

I challenged myself to make mini outfits which isn’t how I generally approach shopping but it was a fun exercise! I hope it shows you new ways to think about pieces you may already own but limit to work wear or weekend wear!

The Row Skirt (straight, great neutral color) / CHRISTEN shoes (these are expensive BUT VERY GOOD) / Vintage Prada Velvet Top Handle Bag (for texture!) / 1960’s Greece Souvenir Tee (I love the thinner collar and how well the red pairs with the grey)

Chateau Marmont Tee (The Hotel written so tiny is so good) / Jamie Haller flats (the toe ring is why I love these) / Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier skirt (looks slinky which is my preference) / YSL Lizard Top Handle Bag (great shade of brown and no hardware which is what I love!!)

1960’s Banner Lodge Tee (I love the chest graphic!) / Vintage Miu Miu Snakeskin Bag (the top handle clasp!!!) / Jamie Haller String Sandal (these look more sporty which is nice to ground the more feminine bag) / 1998 Comme des Garcons Cotton Wrap Skirt (absolutely obsessed with the eyelet at the hem)

Vintage 80’s Jaguar T-Shirt (the right shade of grey with an excellent graphic) / Emme Parsons Flats (I live in Emme Parsons sandals - these are good!) / Hermes 2001 Bag (will never not love contrast stitching on a bag) / Dosa Silk Skirt (this is such a superb shade of green)

That’s it from me! I want to thank everyone who’s become a paid subscriber. The chat and having an outlet to share daily finds brings me SO MUCH JOY.

I may take next week off from a post but I’m also terrible at being off so it will be a game time decision. Regardless, happy start of July! xx

I feel like my last couple of posts have been word heavy (I’ve had a lot to say). In the spirit of summer and being light and breezy (or my best attempt at light and breezy) we are going to focus today’s post on what I like to refer to as CHEAP THRILLS -clothing and pieces that pack a punch, that look good and feel good, and make you feel as if you can be whatever warm weather version of yourself that lives inside you (because I fully believe we all have a warm weather version of ourselves) without skewing so outside our comfort zone.

With that being said let’s try and skew slightly outside of our comfort zone! Let’s try something a little different. LET’S HAVE SOME FUN.

1940’s Japanese velvet bag (such an easy way to add pattern to your outfit) / vintage woven raffia bag (SUPERB size for work or play) / silk plaid clutch (looks like The Row plaid - would wear with a graphic tee and drawstring pants a la Becky Malinsky or Courtney Grow who know how to pattern mix) / vintage Hong Kong gold clutch (the texture!!) / red raffia bag (love the contrasting handle) / vintage black velvet bag (OBSESSED with this pattern)

yellow silk Gucci scarf (I’d pair with grey!) / Dosa orange silk top (bathing suit cover-up???) / Escada silk top (I’m quite obsessed with this and would pair with drawstring pants or a skirt) / Gucci pants (THE BUCKLE!! Just add a white tee and flip flops)

Donna Karan Silk Linen skirt (the color and the fabric makes this a no brainer) / Prada raw edge skirt (look at the subtle check patter on this !! Insane) / Calvin Klein Silk Top (confused why no one has purchase this. Pair with Galas and a low slung belt) / Escada Wool Top (perfect for work or weekend - I like with a low skirt or pant) / Bergdorf Goodman Velvet Pants (where with a baby tee and slung low - probably best for a 4) / Escada wool pants (looks similar to the pants Kallmeyer showed for Fall 2026)

Claude Montana Linen Pants (these are an XL but just tie them so you can a lot of pleating - will be so good) / 90’s Celine top (looks like the perfect going out top with a black pant) / Gucci Suede Bucket Hat (feels very Zoe Kravitz Part 1) / 90’s Celine Red shirt (great shade of red especially with khaki!) / 2001 Prada Silk Top (with a pencil skirt or a cropped pant!) / Bergdorf Goodman Silk Shorts (feels very Zoe Kravitz Part 2!)

Last I leave you with this vintage Donna Karan Fish Brooch which would be amazing on the waist band of your skirt or on the strap of your tank

Enjoy the weekend - xx

My dad is notoriously cheap. You may say I am exaggerating but I’ll give you some examples. All our clothes were purchased 2-3 sizes too big so we could grow into them. I don’t think I wore a coat where you saw my hands until I started buying my own clothes. Going out for ice cream meant going to the supermarket or drug store and buying a box of ice cream bars from which we each got 1 (trying to get 4 kids to agree on 1 flavor of ice cream is a challenge and is probably why I am so compromising to this day). All of this is to say that we spent a lot of time antiquing because as a activity it was cheap for a family of 6. But now, as an adult, I’m capable of looking at it with a different lens. I think while yes it was a economical weekend adventure, it was also a chance for us to learn taste and quality and to see the potential in things.

I grew up in a small house with a big backyard. My sister and I shared a room and so did my brothers. All of the rooms were filled with old antique furniture. My mom is a painter and lot of the furniture my parents purchased, she ended up refinishing – sometimes staining other times painting. My mom saw anything and everything as a canvas. The house I grew up in was snug and chaotic and an explosion of color and old things. That environment has shaped my taste and my approach to spaces.

I’ve been wanting to do a small series on interior design because it’s another area of interest for me. I also happen to be related to one designer and friends with several others - showcasing their style has been something I’ve been interested in sharing because they all have such unique but somewhat overlapping points of view. That series is coming but I thought I could be fun to kick it off with a series on my own apartment - a space that is an absolute jewel box (at least to me) and so emblematic of what I love.

Tyler and I bought our apartment several years ago and when we moved in it was with a hodge podge of vintage items we had collected and a handful of new things were were forced to buy when our previous apartment flooded during Hurricane Sandy (a traumatic experience!!). We did a small kitchen renovation before we moved in (basically new counters). I wanted to renovate the bathroom too but money and time prevented that.

We survived the pandemic in our place. Some may loose their mind living with their partner in such a small space but I love small spaces. Lofts are my worst nightmare. I want cozy. I want to feel surrounded by my things. I need to have my people nearby. But the pandemic made me realize the space could work better and that was how a bathroom renovation turned into an entire apartment renovation.

The fortunate thing about my sister being an interior designer is she was able to turn my vision into a reality. I had a very specific idea in my mind - the feeling of a well worn Italian villa having landed in the middle of the city. I wanted layers and texture. I wanted a lot of vintage pieces and a slew of different materials (metal, stone, wood, ceramic). We started with a lot of pictures and from there Hayley turned it into something beyond my wildest imagination. You can read the article about it here - I am extremely proud of the work she did (I am Hayley’s number one cheerleader and if you are looking for a designer call her!). I am also extremely proud Tyler and I are still together after undergoing such a renovation. I learned a lot (!!) and have thoughts!

Don’t spend money on nice furniture and then skimp out on accessories. I never thought much about switch plates until we replaced every single light switch, outlet, and plate. You know what makes an apartment look really special? Having everything match. Especially in a small space. I thought this was crazy but now I love how finished such a change makes the entire place look. We used the basic brown plastic switches and unlacquered brass plates. Worth every penny.

Auction sites are your best friend. I love The Real Real but Live Auctioneers is where it is at when it comes to sourcing vintage and antique furniture. Auction sites like that require a bit of a learning curve (you pay a premium to the auction site beyond the price of the piece) but deals can be had and the inventory turns over constantly. Our bedroom nightstands are from there (mid-century Italian that I recently saw someone else selling for 4x what we bought ours for) and so is our coffee table (1940’s French marble! It has a crack in it and I love that). Be VERY AWARE of where the item is located before your bid. Can’t even begin to tell you how many things I had to walk away from because they were in the mid-west. Shipping furniture is expensive. With that being said…

Shipping furniture may be worth it if the pieces are very cheap to begin with. Our living room chairs came from a vintage store in Florida that I found on Chairish (they were upholstered in horrid fabric but we saw the potential). The chairs cost barely $300 which made shipping them more palatable - do a cost analysis in your head to figure out what makes sense. Those same chairs in NY would have probably been close to $1200 or more. Shipping came in around $400 and at 50% less then local, they became a deal.

Re-upholstering is eye-popping expensive. You know how I like nice fabrics? Well nice fabrics on a chair cost A LOT OF MONEY. Like a lot a lot. Be prepared for this but also know its entirely worth it. The colors are better, they age nicely, they feel good to sit on. You will cry while doing it but be happy later on. I love my Loro Piana fabric chairs!!

Make paint samples as big as possible and test them out in every room. Light changes how a color looks and you cannot tell that on those teeny tiny little paint samples they give you. Buy a small container of paint, paint some paper and hang it up. I tested close to 10 paint colors before finally settling on one and it required me looking at the colors over the course of several days to feel confident it was the right one.

Don’t buy anything you are going to be too precious with. I think this could be said for every aspect of your life but at the end of the day this is a house. Live in it. The dog sits on almost all our furniture and I want that. We have things deep cleaned periodically and that’s it. I want people to come in and feel like they can plop down. That’s what a home is to me.

Art can come from anywhere. I have paintings my mom made, things I’ve found on eBay, Etsy, and 1st Dibs, photo’s I’ve taken and framed, and art I’ve found at antique shops. Trust your gut and buy what you love. Invest in a good frame, it makes all the difference.

Your home is a living breathing thing. Treat it as such. The best spaces and the ones that inspire me the most are deeply layered. Layered comes from time and collecting. How our home looks today has evolved slightly from when these photos were taken because I’ve collected more things and also removed some things. Don’t expect when you renovate that you are done. Maybe you are with the building but time, travel, and discovering new things will make the space evolve. Enjoy the journey and the feeling of never being finished.

At some point I’ll be over the PTSD of renovating our place (do not recommend undergoing a renovation while working on a make or break career project along with it being the summer your sister gets married) but if you can survive that you can probably survive anything. Some day I will buy the dream house upstate (and maybe Maine too) and we will do this all again.

Sharing a couple of vintage home things that HAVE MY HEART.

LAMPS - I hate overhead lighting with every fiber of my being. We use a lot of lamps. Everyone looks good in lamp lighting. It makes things moody!!

1930’s French Lamps (Ideal on a fireplace mantle!) / 1960’s Chrome and Paper lamp (perfect for a desk or in a kitchen) / Rare 1920’s Bauhaus Lamps (be still my heart - you had me at rare) / Art Deco Bakelite and Hand Decorated Shade (the combination of materials is brilliant here) / Pyramid Table Lamp (I kind of want to buy this for our place) / Barovier and Toso Art Deco Glass Lamp (it looks like an urchin!)

ART - Art is subjective but these are some pieces I like.

1980’s Hatian Bar Scene (as someone who love street photography this feels like the painting version of that) / Sirio Pellegrini 1969 Self Portrait (the colors are so good here) / The Runaway Horse (simple but a statement) / Mid-Century Italian Watermelon (so dramatic and realistic looking - great in a kitchen) / French Landscape Mid-Century (I love how abstract this is - the blues are so vibrant too) French Landscape Take 2 (We have a similar painting above our TV) / Post Impressionist Fish Painting (I love a fish painting) / Ronda Gorge Spain Cliffside (moody in my favorite way) / German School Miniature Marie De’ Medici (I LOVE A MINIATURE PAINTING - I may get this for myself)

DECORATIVE OBJECTS- The easiest way to add personality to a space. I collect ceramics anywhere and everywhere. My collection is vast and I love them all.

1880’s Puglian Vase (Very similar to the one I got from Puglia! These are so special) / Vintage Chinese Lacquer Box with Gilt (This is such a good catch-all for your entry - I have a similar one in our bedroom for Tyler’s “collections”) / Art Nouveau Earthenware Vase (The red handles and geometric design make this so special) / Art Deco Wood And Chrome Centerpiece Bowl (For your mail!!) / 1920s French Art Deco Porcelain Vase By Camille Tharaud (This vase is my ideal color story. Would look great on a shelf or mantle) / Silver Plated Bauhaus Art Deco Shell Bowl (The chicest fruit bowl of all time? I think making the mundane beautiful is the way to go) / Mid Century Etrusca Vase (I love how hand made it looks) / Art Nouveau Vases, Disco Metal, Figurative Motifs, 1930 (Another perfect addition to a fireplace mantel) / Arabia flower ceramic vase (I saw a very similar vase for 4 figures on 1st dibs - with shipping this is under $100)

Hopefully this was a fun departure from clothing?! I think about antiques and vintage in every aspect of my life and wanted to show another way I incorporate it. I hope you liked it. We will be back to regularly scheduled programming next week. xx

All images via Pinterest or taken by William Jess Laird. I may earn a small commission from the links shared.

Alright, lets move away from introspective thoughts and towards the things that have been taking up my mind over the last month.

Yesteryear - Caro Claire Burke - This book is a wild ride. I still don’t know if I actually liked it but I also have talked about it with so many people that it’s worth reading just for the conversation aspect. It’s a satirical novel about a “tradwife” social media influencer who wakes up to find herself in 1855, forced to live the harsh, traditional farm life she only pretends to portray online. It hits on a lot of topics - what does a traditional woman’s role look like? What is social media doing to all of us? If you find yourself near a body of water and need something to read, this is a good choice.

Miami Rhapsody (1995) - The host of one of the pop culture podcasts I listen to is an absolute movie fanatic and always talking about movies I’ve never heard of. Recently they were discussing rom-coms and how kids of today probably think of rom-coms as the Hallmark Christmas movies which quite frankly horrifies me. He mentioned the movie Miami Rhapsody with Sarah Jessica Parker from 1995 and Tyler and I watched it last weekend. Is it good? It’s fine for a movie. Bu the fashion is a delight and you can see Sarah Jessica Parker beginning to create the Carrie Bradshaw character in this role. I’m now hunting for frilly hemmed tees after seeing her wear them.

It was a Donna Karan heavy The Real Real May. 3 silk pieces that will all be in heavy wardrobe rotation. I love that I am building an entire Donna Karan collection. The silk duster otherwise known as the hairdressers coat (Tyler’s comment) other wise know as a cape (my senior boss) elicits a lot of comments but I wear what I love. The skirt is just such a moment. And the pants will be my entire summer personality.

On the cooking front we are back in the cooking but not cooking period. The exception to that is baking of which I did a decent amount in May. Over Memorial Day weekend when it was pouring rain, I made a coffee crumb cake with a banana layer (scroll all the way down for the banana shmutz - you’ll use about 3/4 of it for the coffee cake - the rest is excellent in oatmeal). Tim Mazurek turned me onto this elite mash-up. I put most of it in the freezer but we enjoyed a wedge on Memorial Day while watching a home renovation show. On the food front, I’ve been into pasta salads and made Hetty Mckinnon’s Chard, Chickpea, and Feta salad but tossed it with chickpea pasta. VERY GOOD.

I’ve spoken at length about how I am a bakery fanatic. With my birthday being next week I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about cake and where I may want to procure a slice of cake. The beauty of New York is there is not shortage of cake slices to be had. If you like chocolate, over at Claude Bakery in the West Village, their blackout cake is wildly good (as are most of their croissants). Red Gate Bakery in NoHo (I think it’s NoHo) - has standard cake offerings and then some new fangled flavor they’ve been working on most days. All are good. I also like their cookies. I do not like the cupcakes at Billy’s Bakery but the Banana cake is STELLAR. If you want a cake that looks like a piece of art, Lysee is where to go. And if you are going out to eat and want to finish with a classic piece of cake, the yellow cake with chocolate frosting at Bar Bete is the absolute best in the world (everything they do is great - its a perfect restaurant). Honorable Mention goes to Yellow Rose which is a Tex Mex joint I adore. They make a great Texas sheet cake and have seasonal flavors in the summer. I will add that the best slice of cake remains the Passion Fruit Chocolate Chip Cake that Momofoku Milk Bar (when it wasn’t the chain it was today) did. I dream about that cake often. Nothing will top it.

I leave you with a collection of pieces that have been consuming my mind. Several are velvet because I suddenly feel drawn to the contrast between a heavy winter fabric and flip-flops or things that feel like summer.

Norma Kamali Vintage Velvet Bird Bag (If you click the link you can see it on the runway - love the idea of this with a long white skirt and a tank) / Jean Louis Scherrer Suede Bag with Deco Motifs (I think this is so special - may be a gift for myself!!) / Antique 1920 Black Silk Velvet Handbag (such a great clasp)

90’s Saint Laurent Velvet Maxi Skirt (My god this is stunning - with a fitted baby tee and flip flops!!!) / 1998 Dries Van Noten Silk Sequin Jacket (very very upset this is not my size) / Issey Miyake Crushed Velvet Overshirt (wear with black baggy jeans!!)

vintage Gucci dress (superb color and fit - hot girl summer is alive and well) / 2002 Fendi Python Bag (honestly shocked this is still here - great shape, great price for an exotic bag) / vintage Miu Miu dress (cotton!! this is super easy to just throw on - its doesn’t feel too cutesy which I like) / 90’s Calvin Klein Top (I think this is wool or silk and sheer and just a great throw on top with a tank and utility pant) / Christian Lacroix Vintage Anemone (have you seen the new Phoebe Philo drop? If not, she made an earring exactly like this and this is a good alternative!) / Issey Miyake 2004 top (looks like the chicest lace ever - wear with a black chino and a mule)

I’ll leave you here. I’m going out for dinner on Saturday night at my favorite special occasion restaurant (omakase Bar Miller!). Have been planning my outfit in my head all week! xx

All images via Pinterest. I may earn a small commission from the second-hand links.

recently wrote a post about Geminis and hit the nail on the head for me “The magic of Gemini is it’s ability to communicate. To take a vast, unending stream of information, chew on it and then reinterpret it as something meaningful….Day and night, through images and words, we are being bombarded by information. Crafty little Gemini can withstand that - and in fact, if channeled intentionally, can revel in the chaos.”

I’ve been thinking a lot about what I’ve been doing in this space. Taking pieces I see all over the internet and then bringing them to this group to show what they can be. Focusing your eye on something that you may have missed or didn’t even know was there. I hope I’m acting as a filter for what’s good in a world where there is so much meh. At the end of the day, I realize I’m trying to communicate through another channel, this time pieces of clothing/ accessories/jewelry that hopefully resonate with you, so you in turn can communicate your best self to the world. Clothes, and the things we wear, are how we communicate without words. They tell you something at a glance. They give you confidence and armor and hopefully demonstrate a point of view. In a world where so many are communicating sameness, focus on communicating a point of view. One of the best things about getting older is that my point of view feels so much more in-focus. It feels good to know myself.

The best gift I’ve given myself over the last year is taking the time to develop this space and this other side of me. I am a person who inherently gives their whole self to everyone else. I am always last - what I need does not matter as long as everyone else around me is happy and taken care of. I am a do-er, a fixer, the definition of someone who is execution focused but I’ve started to realize that maybe its OK to shift a little. Maybe I don’t need to try and juggle every ball. Maybe it’s time to juggle this ball and take a step back somewhere else. Maybe if I focus on one thing rather than everything, then the world around me will come into sharper focus. Maybe I’ll have more answers. I’m still figuring a lot out.

What I do know is what I like and what I like is jewelry. I’m married to a wonderful guy but he does not really believe in physical gifts. Experiences, trips, very delightful dinners, he’s all in (though those things still require me to plan them…), but something in a box and wrapped and god forbid new? No, not going to happen (vintage things are possible on very rare occasions - we are talking milestone events where I send him the exact link and then in that case I’ll get a text message back with a screenshot of the online receipt. Who says romance is dead?). I’ve come to understand and love how he communicates but man, one year I’d KILL to get a box. Talk about the ultimate surprise.

So here is to manifesting beautiful things. To getting older and wiser. To knowing yourself better than the year before. To making new friends! As an adult! And through the internet! Something I was told was basically impossible. (Unicorns do exist. Don’t let people tell you otherwise.)

THE ULTIMATE BIRTHDAY WISHLIST (and by wishlist I mean just one thing from the below - I’m a realist after all)

vintage diamond flower earrings (a suburst of delight and shine - would look so great with just a black cashmere sweater) / vintage Carlo Illario earrings and likely a bespoke pair made for Bulgari (these are my kind of every day earrings)

the ultimate pinky ring? Vintage Oscar Heyman 18k Gold & Platinum Checkerboard Sapphire Diamond Ring (just imagine with worn-in Levis and a sweatshirt - nothing like some high low) / Alessandro Fanfani Diamond Enamel Earrings In 18k Yellow Gold, 1.12 Carat (these just feel like the solution to all my “how do I make jeans and a tee feel more me”)

24k Gold Cabochon Blue Chalcedony Sculptural Ring (we love sculptural!!) / 70s Vintage Tiffany & Co Scorpio Ring Sz 3 18k Yellow Gold Zodiac Jewelry (I think we’ve established that I am not a scorpio but that does not stop me from absolutely loving this ring)

Tiffany & Co. 1960’s Enamel 18 Karat Yellow Gold Vintage Brooch (It looks like a geode?! I’ve never seen anything like it. Would look so great on a scarf too.)

Georg Jensen By Vivianna Torun Bracelet In Sterling & 55.80 Cts Chrysoprase (The shape and color of this stone makes it a work of art) / Italian Sterling Silver Sculptural Cut Out Cuff Bracelet By L. Ponte, 1980’s (I love a dramatic cuff with a collared shirt or a long dress and a tan)

Tiffany Co Vintage Diamond Etoile Twist Hoop Earrings (the twist keeps them feeling different) Tiffany Co Vintage Etoile Diamond Hoop Earclips (my ideal every day hoop - I am a gold hoop girl always and forever)

1960’s gold and jade ring (I LOVE JADE - what a statement cocktail ring)

If money is no object? Fantastic! I’ll take these Art Deco French coral, enamel, and diamond earrings. 1920’s stunners! Imagine with a black strapless dress. BEYOND

GOD THIS POST WAS FUN. Sometimes I have to remind myself that there is a just a lot of joy in understanding your eye and what you like. You don’t necessarily need the thing (though if anyone wants to text Tyler with a nudge, happy to share his phone number) but just looking at beautiful things and imagining how you would wear them is deeply satisfying.

Happy Gemini season !! xx

Reading. So much reading. Ideally in a bathing suit. Baked fruit desserts (clafoutis, buckles, crumbles, crisps but not pies because I don’t love pie crust and prefer a high ratio of fruit to topping) which goes hand in hand with spending all my money on very expensive local fruit. Vintage tees and drawstring pants. Early Sunday night BBQ’s at my friends rooftop pool where we potluck a meal filled with produce we bought from the weekend farmers market. Snack dinners otherwise known as seasonal salads, fancy cheese, homemade pickles, and really good bread. Button down shirts with only 1 or 2 buttons buttoned. SMORES. Day trips to antique stores.

Sandwiches. Usually focaccia sandwiches but as you know, I also love jambon-beurre. BLT’s but only during heirloom tomato season which usually begins in August. Tomato sandwiches on milk bread from ACQ bakery (but again only in August).

Movies in the park. Open knit sweaters. My version of soda which is Topo Chico mixed with whatever seasonal fruit shrub I just made. IT IS SO GOOD. Flip flops and pleated pants.

Summer dressing should be fun. It’s probably the only time in my life where I want something eclectic. I want a little weird. I want clothes that feel chill and loose. Occasionally I want color. Rarely pattern but it can happen. At night I want to feel a little sexy which is my version of sexy and involves slick backed hair, bronzed skin, red lip, and a sheer shirt. Sheer is summer. Slinky is summer.

Happy start of summer. Let loose, have fun, read a book. Eat a lot of tomatoes.

And a handful of vintage pieces to lean into the summer look.

90’s Donna Karan gold bucket bag (dying at how good this is for summer) / onyx necklace (keep it simple with a white tee) / vintage Prada beaded bag (the row cecily but vintage) / suede thong manolo blahniks (I love this color suede with white and grey) / vintage Hermes sandals (these are the outfit!! - with a midi skirt and oversized button down) / vintage Prada bag (the flowers in blue feel sophisticated and not cute) / brutalist earrings (love these with a long black dress and hair in a slick bun) / pendant collar necklace from the 70’s (throw on with a white button down) / 70’s thick gold collar (WITH A TUBE TOP!!)

vintage dolce and gabanna silk top (this is just the right amount of ecclectic I want for summer - with a loose white jean!!) / issey miyake top (I almost want to pair this with a capri and a kitten heel) / EXCELLENT vintage armani scarf (sheer! cotton! this abstract-ish floral design! its a way to layer without layers) / sheer prada sweater (perfect for summer nights)

It’s going to be a wet weekend for most of us but make the most of it. xx

In 1989, Vogue described Gigli as the “leading force in a new generation of designers proclaiming a different fashion sensibility”. I mean talk about a compliment. To me, at this time, both Armani and Gigli were leading a bit of a fashion Renaissance - they both knew what they liked and had strong points of view when it came to designing. Gigli loved a shawl collar and high waisted fitted bottoms that truly accentuated a woman’s body. He loved flats! Flats on the runway! Talk about groundbreaking.

According to the Vintage Fashion Guild, “His collections are said to combine Renaissance grandeur, disheveled street punk and Japanese conceptualism.”. Not three styles I would think to put together but with him at the helm of the brand, it all just worked.

Now a days, Gigli pieces can be found at many of the high-end vintage boutiques - Desert Vintage, Pre-Clothed, and even at The Row as part of their collaboration with Laila Vintage. Pairing a piece of Gigli with a pleated pant or a pair of jeans feels utterly modern. Most of the pieces found at those vintage spots come with high price tags which isn’t surprising - they are generally museum worthy pristine pieces. But in combing the online sites, it’s still possible to find deals.

Gigli had his own namesake line but also diffusion lines. While the namesake is the most valuable, its easy to find pieces that encompass his ethos within the diffusion brands. He also collaborated with other brands (Callaghan and Barneys!) so don’t limit yourself to just his namesake.

With that some pieces!

silk 1994 blazer (with dark denim jeans!!) / Romeo Gigli Iridescent Blouse (with black cigarette pants and a beaded bag) / 1997 button up top (if you want to only dip your toe into Gigli wear)

1990’s blouse (still depressed I can’t fit this - talk about a special top with white jeans and flip flops) / vintage 90’s dress (talk about quintessential Gigli! - similar dress is on 1stDibs for over $1600) / spring summer 2000 blouse (I’d wear exactly as modeled here) / 1989 plisse jacket (THIS IS BEYOND and the price reflects that - with a long skirt?!) / 90’s vintage silk jacket (so chic in white) / 90’s lace shirt (wear with a maxi skirt and wedges)

1995 silk and tulle jacket (looks like it could have inspired the row fall 2026!) / 1991 cotton jacket (this is the kind of thing you just throw on and you have an outfit) / 90’s body con striped skirt (there is some stretch to the skirt so you can move - probably my favorite of all the pieces - I’d wear with a slightly boxy tee-shirt)

silk tunic dress (this buttoned over a pair of jeans is the perfect night out look) / high waisted wrap skirt (temper the corporate nature with a graphic tee) / callaghan romeo gigli silk tunic (the color! the buttons! )

Happy Romeo Gigli hunting! xx

P.S. To those who have become paid subscribers. THANK YOU. Every day I walk around kind of amazed that there are people paying me for my time and work. If you are not paid, that is ok! But if you want first dibs on the really good TRR/Etsy/eBay finds, that is happening for all the paid subscribers on the chat! (We are talking 90’s Prada leather jackets! Donna Karan Silk pieces! And too many other things to name.)

All images via Pinterest. I may earn a small commission from the links in this post.

What I bought from TRR in April – I acquired 3 things this month. The most INCREDIBLE Donna Karan eel skin clutch in the most stunning color – a true evening bag though I like the idea of it with just jeans and a tee. I haven’t seen anything like it! A perfect 90’s era Prada silk sweater with the faintest boat neck and a cropped, slim fit. You don’t find fabric like this anymore. It’s kind of slinky and sexy but in an easy way. I don’t have any sweater like it so it should unlock a lot of my wardrobe in a new way for me (which is what the best purchases do). Last thing is these The Row pants which I own in white and LIVE IN ALL SUMMER. I found the white ones on eBay a couple of years ago and wished I also had black. I don’t love drawstrings and I prefer a wider/flat elastic band vs the slim elastic style. The fabric on these pants read fancier which makes them more wearable to me. The only thing that gave me pause is the person who sold them also shortened them. I was deeply upset about this but when they arrived I didn’t hate them shorter. I am now fully set with casual summer pants.

Six Seasons: A New Way with Vegetables – I’ve spoken about this cookbook before and I’m here to speak about it again because its spring and the farmers market is now filled with produce (bok choy! Ramps! Green Garlic!). If you eat seasonally, this book is organized in a way that you can find a recipe for basically any vegetable you’ve purchased (and then its laid out by season so you basically run through the year front to back!). All the recipes are fairly simple making it a good inter-week cookbook. Our weekly dinners usually involved a recipe from this book, good bread, a piece of cheese and maybe some sausage or a dip of some kind.

Best Baguette in NYC (and accoutrements to go with it) - In Paris (I promise a longer write-up is coming), Jen and I had the best jambon-beurre that we bought from a random cheese shop around the corner from our hotel. This made me realize that the best sandwiches are made at the stores that sell the crème-de-la-crème of ingredients. A French cheese shop is going to have the best comte and ham and therefore the best sandwich. We were only able to eat said sandwich once (it’s so very French to say we only make sandwiches 3 days a week in this 2 hour window) but we managed to get a second one from a different cheese shop after I showed up with a baguette and asked the cheesemonger in broken French if she would make me one. She laughed and agreed. All that is to say that this summer is going to be a big summer of picnic sandwiches with the best ingredients. If you are in NYC, the best baguette can be found at Partybus Bakeshop in the Lower East Side (they also make a FANTASTIC corn muffin that is super old school diner style and is best served toasted with butter and jam). From there, walk a couple of blocks up to Formaggio Kitchen in Essex Market to buy very good comte, ham, French butter, and cornishons (I will die on the hill that the pickles are necessary).

Margo’s Got Money Troubles on Apple – I read this book when it came out and loved it. This adaptation is fantastic – funny, charming, and with a great cast of characters (DOES MICHELLE PHIEFFER AGE??). If you haven’t read the book a synopsis for you – Margo, the daughter of a former Hooter’s waitress and an ex-pro wrestler, is a recent college dropout and aspiring writer. Faced with a new baby, mounting pile of bills, and dwindling number of ways to pay them, Margo must find a way forward. If you want something easy but delightful, I highly recommend – it’s just so fun.

Chris McMillan - The Glassy Smooth Blowdry Spray for Frizz – I have quasi frizzy slightly wavy hair. Taming it requires more effort then I am generally willing to spend. Over the winter when everything was dry and the frizz was out of control, I found myself In Sephora wandering around trying to figure out if there was anything I could buy to save my hair. The cashier recommended this and I decided to buy a mini bottle to try. THIS IS THE GREATEST SPRAY EVER MADE. I don’t know what voodoo magic is in it but it has made my hair shinier and smoother then I ever though was possible. I’m on my 2^nd big bottle of it. I won’t stop talking about it and everyone else who has bought it to try and shut me up feels the same way.

Things I’m Looking at and Like A Lot

suede Donna Karan clutch (same style as my eel one so I know the quality of this will be great) / vintage Genny jacket (love the pattern and shape of this) / 90’s Christian Dior blouse (EVERYTHING about this is good - with a grey pant and a little mule) / perfect manolo’s (very similar to the vintage ones I own and am always asked about) / gold earrings (I like jewelry that feels simple but is a little more - these with their swirls feel exactly that way) / A VERY VERY GOOD HERMES BAG (this bag is taunting me - reminds me of the Row Idaho bag but less recognizable and just prettier) / vintage Armani bag (so weird and so good - the style of this feels made for warm weather) / 90’s Zoran silk duster (when you want the jacket the outfit - Zoran is all one size so ignore the size suggestion) / 1994 Calvin Klein set (a 3 piece set that can be worn any numbers of way and mixed and matched with your existing wardrobe)

That’s it from me. Message me with any and all vintage questions!

xx

Deals can still be found, dreams can still be made, I love the fact that it connects you to all corners of America (and really the world). I love the insane way eBay sellers pack and send their products (their desire to reuse any and all forms of packing material is to be commended). I LOVE that you can always barter. I love that almost every order comes with some kind of crazy thank you note or a nugget of info on what you purchased (I have a pair of lights I bought and the owner sent me a page long note about how his parents made them on a date in the fifties - such a note moved me!). I love that you can buy a glue gun or an art deco pair of earrings. Everything you could ever want is on that site. I do not shop on Amazon (no shade to those that do) and if I need something that one would typically find on Amazon I can probably find it on eBay at the same price.

eBay is not for the impatient, it’s not for the ones who want things now. If you don’t like rabbit holes, it is probably not for you. But if you are willing to spend time scouring the site you will be rewarded.

The best way to search is to use the below eBay mad-libs. When I saw this I was like “oh someone laid out exactly out my brain works when I use eBay” – Thank you Tess Sullivan for putting together such a handy dandy guide.

what's mine is yours

How to shop eBay like a Pro

I spent three days on set this past week on set with one of my favorite makeup artist and WMIY readers (hi, Shannon!). She was asking me about something I was wearing and I shared that basically my entire outfit came from eBay…

Read more

6 months ago · 221 likes · 32 comments · Tess Sullivan

Vintage (decade) (brand/ genre/ place of origin) ( color) (material) (style)

This style mad-libs also works with jewelry or housewares or basically anything else you can possibly imagine.

Once you start your search journey and you see something your like, your best friend is the “You May Also Like Section” – this is probably the only time the algorithm ever works in your favor – it’s pretty good at finding similar items and that is usually where the rabbit hole starts for me. Clicking one item leads me to another and to another (you get the idea) and eventually it leads me to the item.

When I find the item I want, I always put in a offer. I’d say 95% of the time they accept it. The only time I don’t is if I see it’s in a number of peoples carts and I really want it or if I feel the price is fair. I’m not out here to try and haggle everyone for a couple of bucks. Most eBay sellers do this for a living and I respect what they do.

I generally go the “Buy it Now” route rather then the bid route. The only time I ever bid is if no one has hearted the item OR the difference between “Buy it Now” and “Bid” is astronomical. Make sure you put in a decent ceiling because 90% of the time you will forget about the upcoming auction. This will help ensure you get the item.

Don’t be afraid to ask sellers questions. If they don’t include measurements, feel free to ask. If you have questions on quality, ask! eBay sellers are truly the nicest most lovely people.

If you like an item, add it to your watchlist. Most of the time when you do so it triggers the seller sending you a discount code to purchase the item in the next 48 hours. This is helpful on two fronts. One you are getting a deal but two, if you don’t want the item as the discounted price you probably don’t really want or need the item. With eBay, it’s important to listen to your gut. There is a lot to see and so many things you can buy. Knowing what you are looking for keeps you from buying something that is not what you are looking for.

And lastly, eBay is my favorite tool for discovering no-name brand items. Unsigned things whether it be jewelry or ceramics are the best. They have a story and feel more unique – the prices are often better vs a signed item and you feel like you have something that no one else will have which is my favorite.

Alright - here is a look inside my eBay watchlist. I tried to group things together. I hope you find something you love!

Crocodile/Alligator Belts - There is no reason to buy an exotic belt new!

saks croc belt / neiman marcus alligator belt (with a great buckle) / neiman marcus alligator belt take 2 / ralph lauren croc belt

Zoran Jackets - Zoran is an American brand that was very popular in the 90’s. Super minimal with everything done in the most luxe fabrics. Saw an amazing jacket at Pre-Clothed in Paris which is why I back on the Zoran train. All of the jackets are made in just 1 size and all of them would look good over a sheer tee.

cotton jacket / black silk jacket / gold silk jacket / velvet jacket

Embroidered Scarves - So many scarves with personality! Make the scarf the outfit and just go simple with a tank and black chinos.

embroidered antique piano scarf / victorian embroidered sash / sue wong beaded scarf / victorian sash with silk floss

Deco Beaded Bags - As I’ve gotten older I realized that making an outfit evening simply requires switching of the bag. Deco beaded bags are so fun.

drawstring bag with beaded fringe / top handle bag / colorful bag (v. good!) / black bag

70’s Paper Thin Tees - There is an insatiable hunger for vintage tees and I get it, there is no better summer look then a vintage tee and a loose pant.

pink Vegas tee / Italy tee / slogan tee / red school tee

That is it! I hope you find yourself in an eBay rabbit hole! xx

All images via by phone screenshots and Pinterest. I may earn a small commission from the links shared in this post.

Now, my wardrobe is filled with pieces anywhere from a 4 to a 10. I’ve stopped looking at sizes all together and go solely by measurements (with that being said, sometimes the measurements on TRR seem…off and in that case use the size and your best judgement to make a decision). I’ve learned that I like things to fit a very specific way - I’m an hourglass, I want pants to fit at my waist, anything to low and I feel as if I have a giant arrow pointing at me with a neon sign above my head saying “WIDEST HERE”. This means I shop for pants that fit my hips and generally take in at my waist. The measurements help me determine if I can do that successfully. If the rise is lower (usually below 10 inches) it means I don’t have much wiggle room on the waist measurements to take in. Measure your favorite pieces. SAVE those measurements in your phone. It helps. A lot.

With that being said, taking things in isn’t terrible but taking things out more then 1/2 and inch is hard and not worth it. I generally don’t buy things that I know are a tiny bit too small because the process stresses me out too much. (Ask me how much I cried when the 90’s Silk Prada top I tried in a size too small fit but not in the way I wanted and I knew I had to leave it because I couldn’t bring myself to try and take it out.)

Lastly, when it comes to fit, I don’t always tailor things right away. Some may scoff at that and say you won’t wear it because you haven’t tailored it but I like to try my clothes with a variety of pieces to see how I want it to work on me - sometimes this means using safety pins for a couple of days to figure out proper placement. Other times I use double sided tape. The moral of the story is you should give yourself freedom to play around with your clothes. Sometimes figuring out fit takes time and sometimes you know right away.

As for gender – I don’t believe in it! The best sweaters are men’s. Men’s blazers somehow manage to be both fitted and oversized on a woman. The quality of men’s clothing is just better. They have a nonchalance and chillness that you don’t get from women’s clothing. A men’s sweater juxtaposed with a pencil skirt, is a perfect look – there is a reason we all love borrowed from the boys.

When shopping in the men’s department, the shoulder measurements are the most important - too wide and you will look like a linebacker (especially in jackets). Also be mindful of the length of the arms. On sweaters and shirts its less of an issue since you can push the arms up or roll up the sleeves but on a jacket, shortening can be expensive and a pain. Men’s belts are far superior! If they are too long, bring to a cobbler and they can add additional holes. I have a wonderful relationship with the cobbler in my office building – every time he sees me coming he knows it’s because I have a belt that needs more holes.

All of this is to say that you should shop with an eye for what you love and then use a tailor to make it what it can be.

Below an assortment of pieces in an assortment of sizes and gender for you browsing and shopping pleasure.

men’s 90’s Calvin Klein cotton sweater (perfect for summer dinners outside!!) / 90’s Prada blazer top (I love a hidden placket - this is a great shade of grey to pair with white) / 90’s Celine Jacket-Coat (this is great for the weird in-between weather we are having and I love Kors era Celine) / Armani Velvet Scarf (the purple-ish shade feels more wearable then other shades of purple) / 90’s Jil Sander Top (the sheer with the tank underneath!! I’d wear with a pleated trouser and flip-flops) / Christian Dior Dress (I think this is the platonic ideal of a beach cover-up) / Ralph Lauren Cardigan (looks like the Row) / Vintage Gucci Jacket (LINEN!!! - I love everything about this) / Charvet Shirt (this is a great teal-ish shade of blue - wear with a poplin pant)

90’s Donna Karan Leather Jacket (at Pre-Clothed in Paris they had a number of Donna pieces being sold for an eye-popping prices - I feel a Donna resurgence is coming) / Donna Karan Cardigan (I love this gold-ish color - for me cardigans in summer are best a little loose especially over a tank) / Bottega Veneta Raffia Bag (an easy summer bag to wear over everything) / Vintage Barneys Crocodile Belt (looks like the 4 figure one by the Row!!)

It’s going to rain most of the weekend in New York and I’m kind of looking forwarding to a weekend spent cooking. Have a good one - xx

All images via Pinterest. I may earn a small commission from the links shared in this post.

Today, I still wear them but how I wear them has evolved a great deal. My summer weekend uniform is a vintage tee, Comme Si Boxer Pants (in light blue or red) or Brooke Callahan tie pants, flip flops, and some kind of throw everything in and go tote (this Valesque one is going to be my new best friend - it’s so light and easy). It’s not glamorous but its perfect for farmers market runs, dog walks, and reading books on a blanket in the park. I also like them for a early casual dinner with a pleated pant – a little corporate/a little fun. All of these outfits channel that Zoe Kravitz kind of uptown/downtown look which I gravitate towards on weekends from April - September.

I still comb the thrift stores for tees (Maine, where my in-laws live, have the best stores) but EBay and Etsy are where I do most of my shopping now. Some of the prices are mind-boggling but there are still many gems to find. When shopping for shirts, you want to think about what style shirt you are looking for – form fitting or boxy. Form fitting is easier to find in shirts from the 70’s. Those are going to be a little thinner and more threadbare - they preferred a slim fit then. 90’s shirts, especially shirts from museums or concerts, are generally heavier-weight fabrics and more boxy. I own both styles and like most things, there is a time and place for both. I also want to call out, if you like a tee, and the fit isn’t right, you can tailor it which I have done! And lastly, if a tee isn’t as soft as you want, you can soak it in a mixture of vinegar and water for a couple of hours. Then rinse and wash. It wont soften it like crazy but it will help the process along.

Below is a round-up of tees that I think are great (a little quirky/a little chic/a little kitschy). If you like one of these BUY IT. 4 of the tees I had slotted for this post sold by the time I pulled this list together so clearly everyone is looking at tees.

New York Masters (excellent color story)/ Kentucky Horse Park / Stereo Center (obsessed with this font) / Easiest (the wide neck is great)

HBO tee / NYSE tee / Picasso tee (if this is gone by time of publish it’s because I bought it)

Frank Lloyd Wright Shirt (great graphics and good off white color)

Salvador Dali tee (this one is a lot but it’s perfect) / Picasso Tee (good smaller size) / 70’s Navy Track Tee (perfect faded grey)

Elvis The King Tee! / Chevy Car Tee / Sunbeam Lite (excellent graphics)

Elton John Breaking Hearts Tee (I have a tee from this concert tour and wear ALL THE TIME)

And since a King Kong tee started obsession a King Kong Tee to end this round-up

Some housekeeping - I’ve turned on paid subscriptions which feels big! My plan as of now is to keep the post’s free but by chat, where I drop the very special items (think snakeskin Armani bags, 90’s Prada!) that I think will go fast is going to go paid next week. If you like this space and the chat, please become a paid subscriber.

That’s it! I’m off to Paris end of this week for a lot of vintage/culture/ croissants. I’m traveling with an empty duffle that I expect will be filled with butter, bread, and clothing on the flight home - xx