A (Re) Introduction + What Caught My Eye (No. 42)
I’m doing this newsletter a tad bit differently, as I realize I have a lot of new subscribers over the past week or so. Because of this, I thought now might be a good time to give a reintroduction of sorts for those new comers, or for those who may have forgotten about little ol’ me.
So, here are five quick facts to get better acquainted with me.
I think one of the things that is both surprising — and sometimes confusing — for people to know is that I live in rural Pennsylvania, about an hour’s drive from Pittsburgh. Yes, it was on purpose. No, it was not some pandemic-induced move. We bought this five-acre farm when I was 24 and it’s perfect for my three dogs. At my core, I’m not much of a city person, truth be told.
For longtime readers and first-timers alike, you are hereby warned: I talk a lot about work. I have a full-time job in the luxury pens industry as a marketing director, but that’s just one facet of my career. I’m also a freelance menswear and lifestyle writer, brand consultant and PR strategist, and novelist. I average about 70 hours of work a week and secretly love staying busy. Though I do bitch about it quite a bit, rest assured this is a ploy devised solely to garner sympathy and attention.
I have a novel coming out in May. It’s a work of fiction, heavily influenced by British writers like Waugh and Murdoch and is best categorized as a picaresque novel. I’d love for you to pre-order if you’d be so kind.
You will undoubtedly hear me talk about languages. I’m mad for them. But I also bounce around way too much to ever commit fully (I believe this is an undiagnosed medical issue, but that’s neither here nor there). If you hear me mention French, Spanish, German, Italian, or Norwegian, know that I’m great at ordering in any of these languages and clam up the minute I get a response. As with everything I do, it’s much less impressive than it sounds.
The purpose of this newsletter is to simply share. Please don’t confuse my interest in luxury goods with a desire for an unattainable lifestyle. Instead, this newsletter is meant to be a way to look into my own hobbies, see where I take inspiration from, and how to save money from time to time on getting, say, a Louis Vuitton bag for $200. It’s meant to be a way to inspire others, at the very least. I do hope you enjoy it, too.
The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann
I’m putting this one back in my reading list, though I make no promises that, once I get going, I’ll actually finish. I read this within the last five years and, truthfully, have no recollection of large portions of it. But I do love Mann’s work (whose Confessions of Felix Krull was a big inspiration for my own novel), so I think this time I’ll persevere — and maybe retain a bit more.
Buy: Here
Farer World Timer
I recently wrote about the release of this watch by Farer and just think it’s gorgeous. While it also comes in a blue and green dial option, I find the white version (Markham II, to be exact) to be the loveliest. With just one glance, I’d be able to tell the times in Rio, Honolulu, and Tokyo — a very helpful tool for my daydreams, I can assure you.
Buy: Here
Ettinger Chelsea Tote
I’m a bag person. Always have been, always will be. I came across this tote from a brand I’ve admired for years, Ettinger, and instantly fell in love. The simplicity, the shape, the lack of any branding — it’s a perfect option for lugging all my various papers, notebooks, and computers from my home to my studio.
Buy: Here
Dreyden x Mr. Slowboy Sweaters
Mr. Slowboy has designed a few collections for luxury brand, Dreyden, in the past, so these releases are always on my radar. The latest is just as pitch-perfect as previous collaborations. This collection features three designs inspired by cafe culture in Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Paris against a backdrop of cashmere.
Buy: Here
Ini Ceramique Vases
If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll already know that I love the playful take on classical Greek vases from Ini Ceramique. Slightly irreverent with a nod to classicism is right up my alley — and any fan of Luke Edward Hall’s work is sure to love them, too.
Buy: Here
L’Etiquette
As you may already know, one of my favourite magazines out there right now is L’Etiquette. While the early issues were only in French and solely about menswear, the magazine has since offered bilingual editions and expanded into womenswear , too. But, most brilliant of all, is that their archive is now available for download! I’d take advantage of this offering as it’s been hard to get some of the issues at a reasonable price (the digital editions are about $5).
Buy/Download: Here
Holiday Magazine
In a CBD-filled stupor, I purchased a handful of Holiday back-issues off eBay the other week. Holiday remains one of my all-time favourite magazines, for its global perspective, classic photography, and unbiased reportage. It stopped production in 1977, and I don’t think any magazine has been able to fill the gap it left behind. It truly was a standard-bearer in the golden age of journalism.
Composition Notebooks
After seeing a photo of Jane Birkin with her namesake bag overflowing, there was something incredibly chic about a regular ol’ composition notebook peeking out of the top. As my German classes have wound down and Italian starting on Wednesday, I’ve went ahead and ordered a couple of these notebooks to help with my homework (or should I say, i miei compiti).
Oxford Mini Ruled Index Cards
This might be the silliest little thing I’ve included here in a while, but I picked up these half-sized index cards at the grocery store the other day and have loved how convenient they are for scribbling little notes and taping them into my planner. I find Post-Its to sometimes be too bothersome and a full-sized index card too big, so — like Goldilocks — these are juuuust right.
Buy: Here
World Clock Placards from Etsy
On my Instagram, you’ll have seen these placards for the five world clocks I put up in my office: Los Angeles, Buenos Aires, Pittsburgh, Berlin, and London. I got my set on Etsy for a great price — just $30 for five! — and shipping was fast. Can’t recommend it enough.
Buy: Here