Month: February 2023

Paris Bookcase Inventory

Leave a Comment / Books, Lifestyle / By / February 26, 2023

Now seems like as good a time as any to take inventory of the collection of books in my Paris bookcase; my upcoming trip will present many opportunities to purchase more I’m sure. Despite the name I’ve aptly given it, the case also contains books pertaining to other areas of France and French culture as a whole. I’m open to recommendations and disagreements in the comments section. A library should be highly curated after all.

Style

Scenic Paris

The Table

Biography and Memoir

History and Culture


Language Learning

Further Reading

My French Soul: An Introduction

Wine Totes

Leave a Comment / Bags, Style / By / February 17, 2023

That sinking feeling when we arrive at a Main-Line restaurant for dinner without a bottle of wine. Everyone else will surely have theirs. Some even bring two. We’ve left our Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc at home—again. Maybe a wine tote would have reminded us to bring our own bottle as the acronym says. The Main Line is dotted with BYOBs, and life here requires a wine tote. I intend to acquire one soon; displaying it artfully by the front door seems like a good idea.

Works Sighted

Olive St Leather leather wine carrier // Mark & Graham canvas double wine tote // Awl of the Small Things leather wine bottle carrier // Mark & Graham leather wine tote

Mark & Graham essential wine tote /// Uashmama wine bag carrying tote // Elizabeth and Marin personalized two bottle wine tote // Preferred Nation dual wine dual bottle wine caddy carrier

Picnic Time bottle basket // Uncommon Goods recycled cotton bottle bag // Silver Crafts leather wine holder // Sprinkled with Pink shadow monogram wine bag

The L.L.Bean Ultralight 850 Down Hooded Coat

Leave a Comment / Style / By / February 9, 2023

I began my search for a puffer coat with defined criteria. The ideal coat would have a two-way zipper, protect against the cold, and be polished enough for New York City.

The J.Crew parka I purchased in 2018 served me well for a few years, but eventually, the tape ends of the zipper became damaged. This prevented it from functioning properly, and I started snapping the coat closed or not closing it at all. A two-way zipper would have enabled me to unzip the coat from the bottom when sitting on the train, which would have allowed for more mobility and prevented stress on the fastening. Thus, I considered a double zipper an indispensable feature this time around.

Puffer coats vary in quality and intended temperature. I decided that one made of down would be the warmest option and black the most elegant color. The thought of splurging on a Moncler or Canada Goose coat crossed my mind, and had I not discovered the L.L.Bean Ultralight 850, I may have continued to consider options out of my preferred price range.

I’m not sure why I hadn’t discovered this gem of a coat on L.L.Bean’s website sooner. It seemed to have appeared unexpectedly one day…maybe it did. I ordered three sizes and selected the one that could be worn with a tee shirt and could also accommodate a blazer or sweater underneath. (The other two were returned.)

I was concerned that I wouldn’t feel polished enough if I wore the 850 on outings in Manhattan, but as long as I don’t pair it with leggings and gym sneakers, it doesn’t give running-to-the-grocery-store-at-11-PM vibes. The coat feels like a warm sweater, mobile, not restrictive. It’s lightweight and folds into a pocket for easy stowing; here are instructions for how to do so. I’ve been wearing it on my commute to and from the office—so has everyone else (in various variations) on the Main Line—but it could also complement a workout outfit to and from the gym.

Works Sighted

L.L. Bean Ultralight 850 down hooded coat

Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961): Holly Golightly’s World

Leave a Comment / Cinematic, Style / By / February 2, 2023

Ambitious Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn) lives in New York City with her sweet orange cat. She spends much of her time in the company of others; some of her acquaintances are well-known members of society. Holly prefers to leave her less-than-glamorous past in the past. She recognizes the woman she has become in Manhattan but is open to self-improvement and emotional healing. She appreciates the finer things in life like a midday White Angel and browsing at Tiffany. She quickly assembles her polished outfits with minimal effort.

Works Sighted

bag // sunglasses // hat // cat mask // tassel earrings

pearl earrings // lipstick // perfume

croissant // tiara // dress // trench coat // nightshirt // sleep mask // guitar

paper cup // cat dish // whiskey // Champagne // heels // Kangaroo Fern // phone

silk flowers // diamond necklace // piñata // book