Hi everyone and happy almost fourth of July! The summer solstice was last week, and with it came the longest day of the year. So it’s official, we’re finally in full summer mode! This issue is all about embracing that busy bee energy: swimming, hosting, sunning, dressing-up and dressing down. We’re rehashing old summer favorites, like the original (original) boat shoe and the tennis skirts time forgot. We’re talking about some new things we think should be in your summer repertoire forever, from frozen drink machines to the truly ultimate black bikini. And we’re also feeling a little nostalgic…looking back on the year that’s passed, and how far we’ve come since our first little newsletter was published last August. When we read Issue One now, we still feel excited about each and every item we wrote about. That’s at the heart of what we’re doing here. This newsletter will always be about things that last, that will not lose their sparkle and that will make your life just a little bit sunnier. So, as much as we hope you’ll like what we have in store for you this month, we also hope you’ll have a second (or first) look at the issue that started it all.
As always, thank you for taking a moment out of your day to spend some time with us. It means the world (and the sun, moon and stars.)
Happy summer,
Alexa, Aaron & Courtney
At sunrise, when the air is still cool, you slip them on and lace them up, soft and sun-bleached from so many good days. SPERRY’S CVO SNEAKERS actually pre-date the New England-based brand’s better-known leather boat shoe and are the true and first ‘Top-Sider’. Soon after their invention in 1935 by Connecticut sailor and businessman Paul Sperry, these non-slip deck shoes were adopted by the US Navy during WWII and went on to be favorites of a staggering number of cool gents. JFK wore them on the Victura, the artist and Cape Cod resident Edward Gorey wore them almost every day of his adult life (including with fur coats and with his collection of frog figurines). Talking Heads frontman David Byrne wore them in his iconic Stop Making Sense film (Burning Down the House!); Richard Dreyfuss and Steven Spielberg both sported them during the filming of Jaws in Martha’s Vineyard; and Paul Newman (above), the patron saint of good looks, good times (and our favorite limeade and Cesar salad dressing), wore them throughout the 50s and 60s. We’d like to also point out these sneaks are unisex, and look pretty fabulous with tan legs, a mini-caftan and a messy ponytail.
Freshly showered from the beach, shades on, you clink your drink with an old friend. A giant INTAGLIO-STYLE COCKTAIL RING is the ultimate summer accessory that can be seen every time you raise your glass. It also allows the rest of your ensemble to be so very simple (enter the linen jumpsuit!!). This antique carnelian and enamel intaglio ring by Marie Zimmermann, the mid-century American designer whose studio was in the National Arts Club in NYC, is our budget-breaking favorite. But we also love this one from Gabriella Kiss, these customizable ones on Etsy and this men’s pinky signet from David Yurman, which have a similar ancient glamour and will go swimmingly with a tall, ice cold Campari, soda and lime.
Every June, it comes out to play, a reminder of slow foggy afternoons spent on the red clay. They don’t make tennis skirts like they used to. These days, they’re all nylon and spandex, which often stretch and stain beyond repair after just one season. Some of our best-looking skirts are our oldest, from back in the 90s when they used more durable fabrics. That’s why we’re buying VINTAGE TENNIS SKIRTS this summer from eBay, Etsy and beyond. They’re more affordable and infinitely more stylish. We particularly love this button-up-the-side Prince beauty, this A-line lime striped one, and this Adidas mini. And what better excuse to bring back cute tennis underwear?!
A hot day spent mingling with the honey bees and a bucket full of freshly-picked strawberries. The only thing better than eating berries warmed by the sun is making ice cream with them. And we love this RAINBOW TEASPOON SET from London designer Matilda Goad for making a little ritual of serving it up at home. The colors are very kid friendly and Goad also offers full cutlery sets in the same fun glossy colors, which are perfect for dinners and lunches al fresco.
Its soothing herbal scent says you are ready to welcome the sun. Most facial sunscreens make you break out, release a host of scary micro plastics and toxins into your skin, or both. This SPF 30 PRATIMA NEEM ROSE FACE SUNSCREEN is made by one of our all-time favorite ayurvedic spas in New York City which is now sadly closed. Founder Dr. Pratima Raichur thankfully still does virtual consultations on Ayurvedic wellness and skin health and sells her excellent skincare products online. We have used this screen religiously for decades because it works, doesn’t irritate even the most sensitive skin and has only the good stuff in it: organic botanicals with non-nano zinc oxide (18.65%).
For dancing in the moonlight. For a special dinner in town. With a fantastic beach party dress. Loeffler Randall’s RAFFIA MIKEL SANDALS are those wear-with-anything, bring-with-you-everywhere summer sandals that are endlessly useful. The small block heel gives you just enough height but is almost as comfortable as wearing a flat. The bow at the toe makes these feel a little bit more interesting than your basic summer heel and also magically slims the leg. Simply put: we love these so very much.
The sound of whizzing and whirling says it’s 5 o’clock somewhere. Want to know how to make any old backyard party feel like a special occasion? Get a MARGARITAVILLE FROZEN DRINK MAKER made by the late great Jimmy Buffett’s provisions company. This buzzy little machine blends up two pitchers worth of drinks with the smooth consistency of a bevvy from your favorite beach bar. This summer, we’re making Beergaritas: a pint glass with a 50/50 mix of ice-cold Corona and freshly blended Lazy Man’s Margarita. Trust us, this merry-making drink is a tangy, bubbly—and most importantly—frosty delight you will be so glad to have in your arsenal.
Your eyes are closed, your body is warm against your towel, the sound of waves, seagulls and giggling children is faint. A supremely comfortable and flattering black bikini is the holy grail of swimwear. It can take a lifetime to find one, but once you do, you just don’t want to wear anything else. We bought MARYSIA SWIM’S LEHI BIKINI four years ago and were instantly surprised by how good it looks on, by how silky and comfortable it is to wear and by how durable the fabric is—even when we slip-up and run it through the washing machine. When we can’t find this suit on a beach day, panic ensues. It is classic with an old Hollywood twist and is made from the swim brand’s lesser-known “smooth” fabric, which is just perfect. They offer the style each season in just two sensible colors. Now that we have black, we need white!
After a home-cooked dinner of grilled swordfish, clams and sweet corn, the table is cleared and a melody of crickets and Louis Armstrong plays. There is nothing better than a summer night at home that ends with a game of Gin Rummy around the dining table. It’s so much better than a movie (but if you’re going to watch something, please see this and then read this and this). SMYTHSON’S TWIN PLAYING CARDS SET comes in a nice case in the London stationer’s signature blue nile hue and is also a wonderful host gift. We recommend starting a family score card that runs all summer, with a special prize awarded to the winner on Labor Day.
As always, all of our illustrations are original and hand-drawn in ink by Courtney Broadwater
Visit us on Instagram @theperfectshoppe and at our shop www.thisistheperfect.com for more perfect things!
BTW: we may get a small commission from some of the things you buy here. No extra cost to you! Thank you so much for supporting our work and ideas.