Spring Flowers, Issue Seven
Happy March, everyone! After what feels like a very long winter, we’re starting to feel a little buzz in the air. In our chilly part of the world, purply green hellebore, cerulean crocus and snowdrops with their perfect white whorls are emerging—early signs that something new is on its way. That promise of spring inspired us for this issue. We’re trying new cocktails, lipsticks and scents. We focused on practical things like the best-ever foul-weather gear, an unexpected place to put your fancy bar soap and an accessory that will work overtime for you until summer. Because we’re all taking off for warmer climates soon, at the very end of the newsletter our paid subscribers will find a little treat on what we’re bringing with us. No matter where you are this month, we hope the ideas in this issue put you in a sunshine state of mind.
Frothy and earthy-salty-sweet, it goes down easy anywhere, anytime. We discovered this celery margarita on our travels to Charleston, South Carolina at Lowland, a cozy new restaurant helmed by James Beard award-winning chef Jason Stanhope. They call it the Easy Wind. We call it insanely delicious (and possibly healthy?) We love the electric green color the celery juice in this drink yields, and we’re enjoying it in place of a bloody mary or as a special-occasion alternative to our lazy man’s margarita. Try it in these green tinted glasses from Porta, which are hand-blown in the South of France.
Recipe courtesy of Lowland and Natasha David
Easy Wind
2 oz Blanco Tequila
1 oz lime juice
0.5 oz celery syrup
1 tsp. Kalani coconut
Method: Shake, strain
Glass: Double OF w/ big rock
Garnish: smoked salt rim + celery twist
Celery Syrup
Combine equal parts fresh celery with sugar in a blender, and blend on high until sugar has dissolved. Store in fridge. For best results use within 3 days.
Smoked Salt Rim
Combine 2 parts kosher salt with 1 part Smoked Maldon Salt
NOTE: If you can’t find Kalani, we’ve done this without (or with a dash of Coco López) and it’s still perfection.
Through the rhythm of daily life, it travels with you, its patina and beauty only increasing. You’ll have and love Métier’s PERRIAND CITY BAG forever. Unlike most leathers that have been stamped and coated for texture, the cognac-colored buffalo leather of this exceptional handbag will naturally become much more supple over time. We are very careful when recommending a substantial investment such as this, and we feel strongly that this carryall is the absolute best in its class. Métier’s meticulous and stylish founder Melissa Morris designs with herself in mind, considering what a woman wants and needs, so there’s a snap-out zipper clutch in the center that can be removed and carried on its own or worn with the crossbody strap. There’s also handy compartments with magnetic closures for everything from your phone to a 13” laptop.
A little bit of a sunburn, a clean shave, a freshly washed Oxford and the intoxicating scent of clove, bay leaf and spicy dark island rum. ROYALL BAY RHUM by Royall Lyme of Bermuda is an extremely understated eau de toilette; one that can only be detected when you’re very, very close. And that’s as it should be. Created by a Bermudan sailor in the 1950s, it first left the tropics ten years later when Brooks Brothers started carrying it in their stores. Two of our grandfathers wore it, we’ve all bought it for our husbands and have even doused our own wrists with it over the years.
You wear it as a reminder of what you hold dear. Timeless, elegant and gamine, the JUMBO BRACELET from Hermès never goes out of style. This braided calfskin bracelet with its iconic gold-plated closure is one of those rare things we’ve been wearing—and adoring—for decades. We like it nuzzled underneath the sleeve of a cozy Aran cardigan (the ultimate spring jacket, btw!) or peeking out from beneath the cuff of a great white shirt with breeches and boots. The bracelet above is available only at Hermès stores. Other Jumbo styles are available online.
You reach for a beautiful bar of soap and the merriment of vacations past is revealed. The HOTEL ASHTRAY-AS-SOAP-DISH is a clever design trick you should try. It will surprise visitors to a powder room—and remind you of your favorite far-off places. Ashtrays are often available to buy directly from the hotels themselves if you ask while you’re there. And if you want to commemorate an escape you’ve already had, you can find lots of hotel ashtrays on eBay, Etsy and Chairish, including stellar vintage versions from when smoking inside was a thing.
When your visage needs a lift or a slick of sophistication, it magically transforms. After decades of red lips reigning supreme, DEEP MAUVE LIPSTICK feels very new…but also very 90s in an excellent way. Darker (even brown) versions have popped up all over the runways, but we love Turned On from Nars for its subtlety and because it reminds us of a 22 year-old Sofia Coppola in all her glory.
Lying amongst the spring grasses, the scent of buds so faintly in the air, nature—and our hearts—are finally coming alive again. These five limited-edition VINTAGE PENDLETON BLANKETS have been hand-picked by us for optimum picnicking and game-watching, and for their old fashioned and grounding earth tones. From one of the greatest and longest continuously operating woolen mills in the USA, these one-of-a-kind plaid textiles are embroidered with our logo and are 100% wool, providing a soft and water-resistant barrier between you and soggy playing fields.
The thunder cracks and the sky opens up. But you’re prepared. Instead of lugging an umbrella around with you on wet days, why not fold Grundén’s Fisherman’s RAIN HAT in your tote? It’s light, takes up almost no room, and is lined in flannel. While you’re at it, try the matching slicker, which is, like the hat, 100% waterproof and tough enough for commercial fisherman.
It’s a mild and sunny morning…one of the first in a while…and you stride along the sidewalk with a new spring in your step. A SNAKESKIN SHOE brings maximum oomph with minimum effort. Here’s why: with all that texture and pattern, the rest of your ensemble can be extremely simple, an afterthought even. Minimalist but striking. The late great beauty Carolyn Bessette Kennedy—pictured above wearing block-heeled Prada loafers in a mustard snakeskin with a great pair of bootleg jeans, a simple sweater and jacket—really understood this formula. There’s lots of fun python-style footwear available now, from this very similar style from Rochas, these by Tom Ford, these from Tory Burch and these slingbacks, high boots, and fab mules all from Khaite. And if you’re just looking for that classic Prada loafer shape minus the snake effect, here it is..
As an end note, and in celebration of spring vacays, we thought it would be fun to share what we are (and wish we were) packing, in case you’re doing the same sometime soon.
If you’re not a paid subscriber, you’ve hit our paywall. If you’d like to support the work we do and get some special posts from us in between our monthly issues—including our warm-weather shopping guide below—consider signing up. Or don’t. We’re just happy to have you here with us.