Ciao, Instagram + What Caught My Eye (No. 61)
I’m taking another break from Instagram. A smaller one, as you very well know I’ll want to post all about my trip to California coming up. But it is one nonetheless. Deleted from my phone — out of sight, out of mind.
Ostensibly, it is to focus more. While I already limited myself to about an hour a day scrolling, that’s still an hour a day of doing nothing. And with the realization of how little and precious time I have left with my dogs, I don’t want to spend it hunched over my phone. I’m bad at multitasking but good at prioritizing. I need to step back for a bit and remember those things about myself.
While I do need to keep my account as it’s a way in which I make money, it doesn’t mean I enjoy it anymore. But, really, does anyone? I refuse to pivot to video and, anymore, I only see inane videos of couples pranking each other, food blogs with recycled recipes, and menswear influencers who nearly break their wrist trying to turn it enough to show off the Rolex logo on the clasp of their watch.
Of course, this is what it has always been, but I have much less time to suffer the same fools like I once did. So this little break will be welcomed and I will be back. And the best you’ll ever get from me is a half-assed photo upon my return, maybe with a caption, maybe with a song attached to a reel so you know I’m at least a little cool.
Try not to miss me too much (you won’t). And in the meantime, I’ll still be writing this silly little newsletter. Because what the hell else am I supposed to do? I live in rural Pennsylvania, after all.
Monsieur Magazine Issue 171
While we can all mourn the loss of physical magazines, for someone like me, a digital option is a godsend. I read Monsieur fairly religiously (please take “read” with a grain of salt - I’d say I grasp about 50% of the French) and always look forward to a new edition hitting my email upon release. I’m slowly chipping away at a pile of magazines with the windows open this week as it is, seeing as how I’m still experiencing this reading funk I’ve been bitching about for two months.
Buy: Here
The Chateau Marmont Hollywood Handbook
I’ll be in Los Angeles — well, more specifically Malibu, Hollywood, and Palm Springs — for about a week in April. First on the to do list is to check in at the Chateau Marmont for a couple nights, so imagine my delight to have this book arrive in the mail this week. Having spent my 21st birthday there — and subsequent drunken nights throughout my time in California — it’s nice to go back as a real, proper adult now (and not have to max out every credit card while I’m at it).
Buy: Here
The Royal Tenenbaums Lobby Cards
IDEA is a brilliant London-based shop that always seems to stock the most interesting little bits of ephemera. Take, for example, this set of French lobby cards to promote The Royal Tenenbaums. While I don’t feel like shelling out 150 quid (as the locals say), I know right where I’d put them in my writing studio if I did.
Buy: Here
Frances Featherstone’s Art
I’m sure you’ve seen Frances Featherstone’s art circulate your Instagram feed and for good reason — she’s fantastic. I love how she perfectly captured these cozy little moments of life in such a sumptuous, yet realistic, way. Now all I have to do is find a way for her and Tom Àdam to collaborate and my life’s work will be complete.
Learn More: Here
11-inch iPad Pro
Where is the line between a want and a need? Sometimes I have trouble differentiating the two. Take, for instance, this iPad. While I use my current one quite regularly, I have this vision of transitioning to using one as my go-to device for writing (paired, of course, with this sexy little keyboard). But will it make any difference in the end? Who knows. But am I also happy to take one off your hands? Oh, absolutely.
Buy: Here
Lindquist Rhodes Small Duffel
With both tentative and confirmed trips planned to California, Delaware, South Carolina, New York, British Virgin Islands, and Italy, I’m upgrading my luggage game. Currently, my go-to carry-on is a backpack I got from the time I worked for a wig company (!!!) and while I think dressing up for the airport is very wanky, I still needed a refresh. Lindquist’s Rhodes is exactly what the doctor ordered — and it happened to be a gift, which makes it all the better, if you ask me.
Buy: Here
Garrett Leight Wilson Sunglasses
It’s no secret that I’m very loyal to brands. For instance, I almost exclusively wear Persols or Ray-Bans when it comes to sunglasses. But I saw these sunnies in a PR email I was cc’d on and just thought they were fun. I’m very into round frames right now — as you may recall, my glasses right now are these from Serengeti. The jury is still out if they look good on me, but I like them, so that has to count for something.
Buy: Here
Håndværk Boxer Shorts
I like the idea of boxers, but I don’t like to wear them to bed or under jeans — too much bunching. As the weather warms up, though, I think having a few on-hand for lounging (preferably with the windows open, preferably with a dog by my side) may be in my near future. This Danish brand, håndværk, seems to have a firm grasp on perfecting the basics and I’m really loving the generous cut on this particular pair. I also love the little styling touch on tucking the white tee into the shorts, but that’s neither here nor there.
Buy: Here
Porta Natalia Espresso Cups
I think a kitchen renovation is in the near future. Or, that is to say, I’m willing it into existence. And with that will come some upgrades to our dishware. I drink anywhere from two to four espressos a day and while they’re usually served in any ol’ mug I reach for, I do think having these cuties would make that 3 o’clock crash all the more enjoyable.
Buy: Here
Fortnum & Mason Arthur Parkinson Mugs
And speaking of mugs, how cute are these by Arthur Parkinson for Fortnum? In this current iteration of my life, many of you may not know how deeply I adore chickens and this sentiment seems to be shared by Parkinson. I’d love to have a few of these in my cupboard — I don’t think I’d tire of them any time soon.
And speaking of chickens — I’m going to be putting a guide together on how to raise chickens. I do believe egg prices and bird flu should be of concern for many of us and being a little more self-sufficient in our food production is a necessity now, especially as our government is failing us tremendously. If you have any specific questions, do let me know.
Buy: Here
Omg thank you for sharing Frances Featherstone’s art - I adore. Also how great is her name?!