Exploring heritage’s role in fashion houses today.
How’s this for a business cautionary tale? Kodak created the digital camera in 1975, but didn’t pursue digital photography products in fear that it would siphon money from analog film. The market was saturated by the time Kodak decided to throw its hat in the ring 15 years later.
A fun quiz for identifying your interior aesthetic. I got retro, which I don’t think is entirely true, but I do like a vintage moment.
I adore this striped sweater!
I finished watching Stylish With Jenna Lyons over the weekend and it’s a trainwreck. As this piece suggests, the show is bit of a documentary of a wealthy woman going through a mid-life crisis. On the positive side, it does give the viewer plenty of tips on how not to manage people in the workplace. (That said, I do think Jenna is a style icon. This show, however, did nothing to improve her personal brand.)
I can get on board with lördagsgodis, Sweden’s tradition of eating sweets on Saturdays.
An interview with the co-founders of Mansur Gavriel.
A modern-meets-vintage necklace.
I feel like we’ll see Blair Eadie in this statement-making gingham dress sometime this year!
My parents gave me an Instant Pot for Christmas and I’m trying it out this week with chicken tikka masala.
In case you missed it:
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2020. Was. A. Year.
I know we can’t let out a sigh of relief just yet, but turning the calendar to 2021 feels like we’ve hit a major milestone in leaving behind the worst of year of our generation. (Fingers crossed.) And, yet, there was some good that came out of our collective “gap year.” We learned to slow down. We grew green onions on our windowsills. We lovingly raised sourdough starters. We relished the simplicity of walks. We watched so much TV (and still raise an eyebrow when Carole Baskin comes up). We cherished family and friends, and cared for them by social distancing. We supported the restaurant industry by ordering contactless pickup and delivery. We stayed home to ease the burden on healthcare workers. We masked because we cared for more than just ourselves. We pushed the reset button on our lives and identified our priorities.
It was a tough year, but in some respects, a year we needed.
I was thinking back to a year ago when blogs and Instagram accounts were littered with ambitious to-do lists, grandiose travel plans, and annual one-word mantras. No one knew what 2020 had in store for us and how it would force us to adapt to change and live more intentionally. While I’m thrilled to finally have 2020 behind us, I hope to bring some of that flexibility and thoughtfulness to the new year. In 2021, I’m approaching annual planning a bit differently this time around and taking it one quarter at a time. (I was dangerously close to a Fast and the Furious reference there.)
Here are my goals for the first quarter of the new year:
What’s on deck for you in 2021? Are you looking at the year as a whole or breaking it down into smaller chunks?
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It’s time for an annual review of my favorite products from the past year! Below, you’ll find the noteworthy standouts that brought joy in an extremely difficult year.
Paravel Cabana Tote | This generously sized tote bag has already been a workhorse with plenty of room to keep daytrip essentials at hand. It’s made of recycled plastic bottles and the material repels stains and dirt. I’m considering treating myself to the matching travel organizers.
Ikea Tekla Dish Towels | At just $0.79 each, these are perfect to use as cloth napkins for a relaxed, bistro-inspired look. At that price point, you won’t feel bad about relegating them to dish duty or rags once they’re stained.
J.Crew Supersoft Turtleneck Sweater | I swear, I’m going to continue signing praises of this sweater until you all purchase one. I added two more to my collection this year. They’re incredibly soft with a slight oversize fit that’s remarkably slimming. Get one. Wear it with #PandemicPants now and jeans later.
Tory Burch Facemasks | Going into 2020, no one would have expected facemasks to be the “It” item of the year! Tory Burch’s masks are my favorite for the ample face covering, the metal nose piece, and the breathability. They’re on the pricier side, but they’re worth it.
Cole Haan Insulated Hiker Boots | I normally don’t add such recent purchases to my favorites of the year, but these have already passed muster keeping my feet warm and dry while shoveling snow the other day. Plus, they’re very cute! You can also get them here.
Blissun Patio Umbrella | After our neighbors cut down a mature tree in their yard, our deck received so much more sunlight in the evening when we wanted to be outside for our WFH happy hour. We didn’t want to spend a fortune on a patio umbrella and found this one, opting for the black and white stripe. We took it down each evening, so it’s still in pristine condition.
Schoolhouse Blooming Field Duvet Cover | I can’t get over how pretty this print is. I bought the pillow shams last year, thinking that’d be enough to sate my desire for the bedding set. Not even close. The duvet cover is everything I hoped it would be.
Tory Burch Georgia Snakeskin Ballet Flats | I was due for a new pair of black flats after my pointed-toe J.Crew pair started to show more wear and tear than I’d like. These are a splurge, but absolutely worth it. They’re classic, the squared-toe is an unexpected update to your standard-issue flat, and the snakeskin gives it just the right amount of shine. They run true to size.
The Elements of a Home | This is a fun little book that shares the history of common household items.
J.Crew Perfect Rain Jacket | While it’s considered a rain jacket, I don’t think it’ll do much in a downpour. However, it’s the perfect lightweight jacket and the cinched waist makes it flattering.
Stutterheim Mosebacke Rain Coat | Now this is what you need for an actual rainy day. Stutterheim rain coats are a splurge, but they have semi-annual sales to make the price more palatable. I like the A-line design of the Mosebacke version, which makes it an attractive, feminine alternative to a regular slicker. A warning, though, mine had a strong rubber smell when it arrived and I had to air it out for a month before adding it to the coat closet.
West Elm Hudson Drink Table | Admittedly, this just arrived yesterday after being on backorder for the better half of the year. However, it’s so darn pretty and I’m already in love! The small size allows you to move it around to where it’s needed or you can use it as a plant stand on days you don’t need additional space to perch a cocktail. I bought the one with the walnut base.
Loloi II Layla Area Rug | We would have preferred a vintage rug in our living room, this was a wonderful — and affordable — alternative. Read more in my full review here.
Birkenstock Madrid Slide Sandal | Clearly comfort dressing won out this year, but there was no need to sacrifice all sense of style. I was nervous about the narrow width, but that’s akin to a normal width in any other brand. I go down to the equivalent of a 6.5 in Birkenstock slides, which is a half size down from my normal 7.
Inkbird Sous Vide | We didn’t want to spend a lot on our first foray into sous vide cooking and chose this more affordable version. It’s done an impressive job so far with steaks and a roast.
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Reminder: Enter to win $50 to spend on artisanal goods at NOVICA!
This post is in partnership with NOVICA.
I think we can call agree that this year has been incredibly challenging. I miss so much about pre-COVID normalcy, not the least of which is being able to travel unfettered whether it’s to an international destination or just to a friend’s house in the neighborhood. I miss museums, exploring new cultures and cities, trying new food, and having a break from the monotony of what’s become a very humdrum work-from-home lifestyle. While it may be some time before borders reopen and travel restrictions lift, you satisfy some of that wanderlust with artisan goods from NOVICA. (And, below, there’s a chance to win a $50 to get you started!)
If you’re not already familiar with NOVICA, it’s a marketplace that connects international artisans directly to consumers. NOVICA works with other social organizations such as National Geographic and KIVA to support fair-trade practices to empower artisans and uplift communities across the globe. I’ve collaborating with NOVICA a few times over the years and each time I’m blown away by the beauty of the items I’ve selected and the care that goes into each package — there’s even an insert that shares more information about the artist. This time around, I picked out a pair of earrings (pictured above) from Desi Antari, a jeweler from Bali and Java. They are intricate, pick up the light beautifully, and make me incredibly eager to pack a suitcase for a warm destination with these as my only piece of jewelry.
Here are some other items I love:
The randomly selected winner will receive a $50 code to use on the NOVICA website. It will be emailed the day after the giveaway closes, so be sure to include your email address when you enter! The code expires on January 31, 2021.
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