Month: October 2022

Scent Split

Diptyque’s Eau Duelle was first featured on this blog on November 16, 2020 in a collage called Shopping in Paris. I believe in investments, but at 115 USD for a 50 ml bottle, I kept delaying my purchase …that is until now.

I recently came across Scent Split, a company that decants luxury scents into 1, 2, 5, and 9 ml bottles. Unfamiliar with the name, I scoured the internet for proof of the company’s legitimacy. The logo, white, cursive text against a black background, was reminiscent of the one Tom Carnese created in 1973 for Saks Fifth Avenue. A semi-annoying pop-up in the lower left corner announced recent sales.

After watching a few vlogger reviews (all positive) on YouTube, I felt comfortable placing my first order. The checkout interface was so user-friendly that I gladly paid an extra 98 cents for shipping protection. The 9 ml bottle of Eau Duelle arrived encased generously in bubble wrap in a small padded mailer.

The glass bottle itself lends itself to travel and looks elegant when displayed on a tray.

Works Sighted

Eau Duelle by Diptyque (decanted by Scent Split)

Charade (1963): A Paris Collage

When American expat Regina Lampert (Audrey Hepburn) returns to Paris after vacationing in the French Alps, she finds her apartment empty, her husband dead, and a number of dangerous characters out to get her. But she also finds protection and company in Peter Joshua (Cary Grant), a fellow American she meets at the Megève ski resort. The most iconic scence (my favorite) culminates with Regina running for her life through the colonnades of the Palais Royale at night.

Works Sighted

pillbox hat // leather gloves // wine // pearl earrings // sunglasses // ice cream

coat // shift dress // sheath dress // trench coat // handbag

flats // stamp 1 // telephone and address book // record player // stamp 2 // correspondence cards // stamp 3 // envelope

The Ironic Boat and Tote

I never get tired of looking at pictures of L.L.Bean’s iconic Boat and Tote. I take notice when I see them out in public. When I’m home, I conduct my search for vintage and one-of-a-kind totes via the #boatandtote Instagram feed. (Apparently, they are a hot commodity in Japan.) But these days, I’ve been gravitating to another hashtag. Scrolling through the #ironicboatandtote feed has proven therapeutic. I don’t believe in trends, but there’s a way to turn this one classic.

Although Air-Mail-writer Gracie Wiener wasn’t the first person to have her Boat and Totes monogrammed with text other than her name, she has made the trend viral. I wouldn’t be so bold as to emblazon The Heiress or PRADA on a timeless accessory, but I don’t see anything wrong with requesting a non-name monogram that is equally as timeless. The text should be carefully selected. Does this monogram have personal meaning? Will I tote it around next year? What about the year after? Is it crass? (A winning answer key: yes; yes; yes; no.)

Opting again for the Editrix monogram, I finally purchased the L.L.Bean medium Boat and Tote with long handles. You may recall that I had my eyes on it in April 2021. This is my second Boat and Tote with this monogram (the extra-large tote being the first). I have a few other classic monograms in mind, but this one means the most.

Works Sighted

L.L.Bean medium Boat and Tote with long handles

The Bigger Carry-On by AWAY

Further Reading

The Boat and Tote and Me (Air Mail)

A Preppy Staple Got an Ironic Makeover This Summer (Vogue)

The Rise of the Ironic Boat and Tote (Harper’s Bazaar)

Falling for Faherty

I came across the Faherty Cayman tee dress while window shopping at Out There Outfitters. It’s made of thick cotton, and, as you can see, has perfectly-spaced stripes and charismatic side vents.

I didn’t purchase the dress right away due to the steep price—it was originally $128. But then I saw a woman wearing it in Suburban Square, which reminded me that I’d be distraught if the item sold out before I had an opportunity to try it on.

Per tradition, I ordered two sizes directly from Faherty. The larger of the two sold out before my order shipped, and I felt that the smaller size wasn’t roomy enough and returned it. I found the dress in my preferred size on Nordstrom’s website after a quick Google search. Et Voila ! I ordered the dress, it arrived, and I wore it on a recent trip to Tampa. (The item has since sold out in every size on Nordstrom’s website.)

These days, I rarely buy all my clothes from one brand and often find items that suit me in unexpected places. I’d describe Faherty’s aesthetic as classic-casual, nature-appropriate, and bohemian. I prefer strong lines and polished silhouettes to floral, flowy dresses; the classic Cayman tee dress was a pleasant surprise.

Although I ended up purchasing the dress that I kept at a sale price, I would have paid full price for it. Faherty’s products are made to last. I plan to wear this dress repeatedly when the weather turns warm again in the Northeast. Until then, I’ll be searching for more elevated casual staples from the small family-owned brand and beyond.

Works Sighted

Faherty Cayman tee dress // Castañer Carina 60mm wedge espadrille

Inktober

Every October, members of the global art community commit to drawing in ink for 31 days. The Inktober movement, started by artist Jake Parker, is meant to cultivate the habit of drawing. Instead of sharing my work on social media like many participants, I plan to showcase my drawings to a small group of artists from work. We’ve taken up the challenge together.

I often engaged in process-driven art as a child. But, when I enrolled in art classes in college, I began to focus more on the content rather than the process. My professor graded my finished product, not the process that led me to it. I’ve only recently rediscovered the joy of drawing without a plan.

I find it difficult to draw from memory and need a visual. Flipping through the September 2022 issue of Town & Country, I drew/traced a collage of a few products that caught my eye. I’m actually looking forward to picking up my notebook tomorrow and turning to a fresh page of neat, little dots.

Works Sighted

Moleskine notebook (large, soft cover, dotted pages)

Uni-ball Vision Elite rollerball pen (0.5mm)

Town & Country (September 2022 issue)

Larousse unabridged French/English dictionary