Heat Wave Hodge Podge
Styling thoughts, things I bought, beach reads, farmers market eats--a random assortment of summer centric ideas.
Summer kicked off with a furnace blast here in New York, and I immediately got into slowdown mode. Usually it takes time for the days to feel long and languid, so that you feel kind of driftless in the best sense of the word—maybe you want to read a bit, take a nap, cook something, take a walk in the evening when it cools down, those kind of days. I excel at being driftless and am embracing its early onset.
What does that have to do with this post? The amalgam of things below mostly have lazy, hot summer days in common.
Unbutton Your Button-Down
I find button-down shirts are a no-brainer heat wave option. But really you have to let loose a bit. If you want to play it safe, only three buttons like Louise Trotter above, or go risqué and just do one like MVB below. My favorite way is in the middle, button two and be ok with the fact that if the wind blows, someone might see your belly button. If that seems too much, put a tank top underneath and then close one or two buttons, so your shirt is like a coverup/shacket. I typically like a simple black bralette under any button down so it looks intentional when it shows.
In my Add to Cart list to make this look: This lightweight Alex Mill blazer (I tried it on, it’s quite decent, but more navy than black), the matching Suzie Kondi Kappa shirt and bankers boxers; Emme Parsons Laurie slides; my new Knife Edge Stacking Rings; Hunting Season’s small basket.
Things I Bought
The Splurge: The red Mel Clutch from The Row. I love a red accessory, both shoes and handbags. Last Spring, I missed out on The Row Dahlia bag in red which I could only find at resale at more-than-retail prices. I have been hemming and hawing about the Mel, because it looks small and it has no strap. Because it has a flat bottom, it is roomier than it appears. I can fit my phone, reading glasses, sunglasses, lipstick, keys and and IDs comfortably. I think it will also be a good bag-in-bag piece. Red makes me happy and I pull out my old red accessories so doubt this would be any different.
The Deal: Speaking of The Row influence (and red again), I read a fun guest edit post on Andrea Linett’s Sub (she is an old Bazaar/Lucky colleague and friend) by Melissa Coker and she mentioned these Teva Voya Infinity’s that Mary Kate is wearing above. Sold! I bought black and the Sesame/Birch color. Maybe I will move beyond Birkenstocks as my casual shoe this summer. These aren’t new, per se, but neither are Birks so….
More Major Styling Moves
Leandra Medine Cohen (another Sub writer I subscribe to—her more-is-more aesthetic does spark ideas, and her writing is superb) posted Jalil Johnson’s Outfit Ideas Post in her Notes this morning. It’s so good. I would wear every single thing he does (except the more feminine stuff at the end). And while I’m not walking around with a towel around my neck a la The Row, his version is genius. And now I have more ideas on how to wear this Uniqlo sweater I recently bought.
Oh and on an aside, these parachute Uniqlo shorts are great for super casual runaround (my daughter says everyone is wearing them in Brooklyn—meaning people a lot younger than I, but it won’t stop me).
Summer Reads
These are the books I’m reading, switching off between a novel followed by a memoir, to keep my interest: Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner by the author of Fleishman Is in Trouble (which my daughter read and enjoyed and is also by my bedside), Table for Two by Amor Towles (I read The Gentleman in Moscow and Rules of Civility and thoroughly enjoyed both), The Friday Afternoon Club by Griffin Dunne (anything that has to do with Joan Didion, I’m in. Did you see his documentary on his aunt, The Center Will Not Hold? So, so good. I went to the premiere in NYC and she was there. I cried.) And finally, Do Something by Guy Trebay. Guy is a style writer for NY Times, whom I used to see when I was at Bazaar. Guy reminds me of a NYC type you don’t see very often anymore whom I always found fascinating—men and women with quiet demeanors and pedigreed backgrounds (and usually very classic, bordering on preppy style) who had a very “downtown” edge to them. I worked for two editors like that at Details when it was an edgy downtown magazine in the 80s, and there were several people at Interview when I was the receptionist there and in Warhol’s office, who naturally, and most likely were, the OG of this type. (Answering phones at Interview was one of my first jobs when the Factory was in a ConEd building on 33rd, post Warhol’s death). Maybe I’m reading into Guy, but am intrigued.
Currently Cooking
I hardly ever (have I even ever?) post about food. I’m an ok cook. Nothing too fancy. But I do love reading cookbooks. These are two recipes inspired me to branch out of my Pastis chicken paillard kick (which don’t get me wrong, is also an easy, excellent summery meal; I double the sauce recipe).
This beet, feta, chickpea, orange salad from the John Pawson cookbook my friend Kelley Estes gave me. I plan on making it this week. (Notice they forgot to include feta in the ingredients list. LOL.) Recipe below.
Last night I made this Tian, from Le Sud by Rebekah Peppler. Cooking note: I left mine in another 15 minutes and lowered the temp after the first 5 extra minutes. It didn’t come out this crispy looking, which means I probably should have left the heat up/ Added a smidge of tomato sauce to bottom as suggested. The flavors were excellent. Served with crusty baguette and a Falanghina white wine.
See I already got the page dirty. =:)
And don’t worry, TFI will not be turning into a recipe/food Substack. That’s probably all I’ve got for the season. Next up, long weekend summer wardrobes.
x Jennifer
I’d love sources and fashion ideas for women with pedigreed lifestyles bordering on preppy with a downtown, or not ) edge. It’s not easy to find, especially sources for it. One of the main stipulations would be natural fibers wouldn’t it? And it’s almost impossible to find unless looking for vintage. I used to subscribe to Vanity Fair years ago;before it changed so drastically) when Dominique Dunne would write as a guess author. Boy those were some fun magazine days. I will definitely read his son’s book.
Loved Table for Two as well as all his previous novels. Also enjoyed Colm Tóbin’s new novel Long Island.