Issue Fourteen

Merrily We Roll Along

Hi, Everyone! Happy December. If you’re like us, you can’t even think about the holidays (or shopping for the holidays) until Thanksgiving is officially over. Well, we made it through Turkey Day, and now it’s full steam ahead! We’ve been talking a lot about how overwhelmed we feel this year and how there just doesn’t seem to be enough time. So, if you haven’t bought any presents, have no idea how you’re dressing yourself, your children or your holiday table, this one’s for you!

With sanity and streamlining in mind, Issue Fourteen is our cheat sheet to making December a month of magic instead of madness. Below you’ll find four categories: party clothes (and PJS) for the kids, party clothes for you and party clothes for your table. And, of course gifts. But why do we have to think of so many?! This year, we’re each giving ONE great, universal present to just about everyone on our list (barring children and spouses). Boring? Soulless? We don’t think so. And just imagine: in one swift click you're basically donezo! Leaving more time for admiring twinkly lights, having bubbly with buddies and sitting by the fire, wrapping and watching movies (what could be better!)

And last but not least, we’ve done our very first collaboration, which you can read about below. We hope you love it…and all the the wild and wonderful things this month brings.

Alexa, Aaron & Courtney

Introducing MORIARTY x THE PERFECT, our first ever little collaboration! We’ve designed a limited run of ski hats with the iconic Stowe, Vermont brand, which was started in 1950 by Anabel Moriarty and is now run by her grandchildren. Each hat is hand-knit by a Vermonter in 100% American-milled wool and is lined with a cozy fleece ear warmer. With Moriarty’s signature peak and stripe in our favorite Nantucket red and navy hues, this hard-wearing wooly wonder will fast become your favorite thing. It’s already ours.

FESTIVE, FORMAL ENSEMBLES AND JAMMIES WITH SOME SPIRIT FOR THE KIDS!

1. Crewcuts Velvet Blazer

2. Band of the Wild Eco-Friendly Santa Hat

3. Amaia Velvet Broderie Anglaise Trimmed Dress

4. Velvet Hair Bow

5. Joy Street Nutcracker Pajamas

6. Amaia Razorbill Coat

7. Le Monde Beryl Kids Venetian Slippers

8. MooChic Blockprint Star Pyjamas

9. Amaia Hooded Cape

10. Childrenchic Velvet Mary Janes

GOODIES FOR YOUR HOLIDAY TABLE

1. Esencial Hogar Tablecloth

2. Rebecca Brown Pigeon Terrines

3. Pink Linen Napkin

4. Astier de Villatte Silverware

5. Meri Meri Snowmen Crackers

6. Paper Crowns

7. Los Vasos de Agua Clara Handpainted Glassware

8. Tin Cat, Scallop & Mussel Ornaments

9. Glitter Table Trees

10. Match Pewter Gallic Charger, Match Pewter Dinner Plate, Match Pewter Bread Plate

PARTY DRESSING FOR THE LADIES: All you need is love…and a velvet suit and rib-knit skirt set that you can mix and match on repeat all month long (and for the rest of the winter!) Add in the ultimate Manolo, our most favorite sparkly purple eyeliner, a TDF pendant necklace and you’re good to go. And don’t forget potent electrolyte gummies for the morning after (these things work)!

1. Bella Freud Trousers and 2. Jacket

3. Irene Neuwirth Long Tassel Necklace

4. Ulla Johnson Rib Knit Aster Top and 5. Vera Skirt

6. Trace Electrolyte Gummies

7. Charlotte Tilbury Amethyst Eyeshadow Pencil

8. Manolo Blahnik Maysale Velvet Mules

PARTY DRESSING FOR THE GENTS: A plaid chore jacket is comfier and more versatile than your traditional blazer and can instantly holiday-ify any outfit you throw it over. Dress it up with some Belgian slippers, cashmere socks, the ultimate pocket square and some truly excellent salt spray in your hair (for texture).

1. Drakes Melton Wool Donkey Jacket

2. Anderson & Sheppard Wool Silk Pocket Square

3. Captain Blankenship Sea Salt Hair Spray

4. Bombas Merino Cashmere Ribbed Socks

5. Belgian Shoes Velvet Loafer

ONE GENIUS GIFT FOR (ALMOST) EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST!

1. CUSTOM BOAT AND TOTE The most versatile, useful, last-a-lifetime gift is always a custom Boat and Tote from L.L. Bean. Aaron’s embroidering hers with funny one liners and inside jokes for all of her friends this year. If you’re out of ideas, we all got a good laugh out of “Vodka” during our many brainstorming sessions on the subject. (Runners-up included: IDK, OOC and DUM).

2. TROMPE-L’OEIL CANDLE We can’t imagine opening a more unexpected and delightful gift than one of John Derian’s trompe-l’oeil faux food candles, which are hand-crafted from 100% paraffin wax by Cereria Introna, a sixth-generation Italian company. Courtney’s picking out an assortment for everyone on her list, and especially loves the Doughnut, Lobster Pasta and Pecorino Cheese.

3. REAL FRENCH MUSTARD This pot of Maille Maison Moutarde L’Original au Vin Blanc comes straight from the tap at the company’s shop in Paris. It’s not like the jars of Maille mustard you’ll find at the supermarket, which, if you’re living in the USA, are actually bottled in Canada and dumbed-down for the American palate. It’s genuine strong, sharp, shoot-up-your-nose mustard that’s served with steak frites at a Parisian bistro. And it will transform the way you cook just about everything—from roast chicken and steak to salad dressings and marinades. It comes in ceramic cork-topped jar sizes of 125g (4.4 oz), 250g (8.8 oz) or the giant 500g (17.6 oz). Alexa’s choice is the latter, which will last even the most enthusiastic mustard consumer at least 6 months and costs about $150 including shipping. To order, email your size preference and shipping address to: Maille-Boutique.Paris@unilever.com and they’ll send you a secure link to purchase. Bon appétit!

Feel free to share this issue with friends by restacking us on Substack or by taking a screenshot of something you love here and posting it on Instagram. Tag us @theperfectshoppe !

As always, all of our illustrations are original and hand-drawn in ink by Courtney Broadwater

Visit us at our shop www.thisistheperfect.com for our collections of vintage clothing and antique treasures for the home! And our new ShopMy page for items from past newsletters all in one shoppable place.

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