Scratch Pad

very important room service when I landed in new york last monday eve! Weekend Readingis up on the blog. It’s a really fun list this week — a little shorter than usual but tons of great things, especially if you are a fellow media addict — so many great book, TV, and film recs! Why is it so hard to make plans with friends? Gloria Steinem’s fashion and feminism. A few great home tours and an interview with Jennifer Lawrence.

hello! Once again, it is 9 pm on Thursday, and I am writing this newsletter, cursing myself for not being further ahead. Yesterday was a weird day — first day back after the trip, and it felt like we just had fire drill after fire drill! There was a big WordPress update, and it caused one of our plugins to crash, and we couldn’t edit any of our blog posts. I had to pester my developer and beg him to fix it for us, then realized I had a deadline I totally forgot about.

Warby Parker Sunglasses, Brinker & Eliza Necklace, Me + Em Track Pants, Loeffler Randall Heels, Vestirsi Clutch Hello! I am back in Charleston after the whirlwind of L.A. and then New York. I'm feeling a little ragged, if I’m being honest. Completely my own fault but whew. I landed at noon yesterday, dropped my bag, showered, put on my cute dress, and ran over to meet the Boden team at their pop-up. Then work catch-up followed by so much cleaning and unpacking. It was a late night but worth it.

I get back to Charleston (from LA and then New York) tomorrow, so I’m proudly staying put for the long weekend. My dream weekend looks like lots of pool time, maybe a trip to the beach, taking my favorite Sunday 6 pm Pilates class (there’s a juicy 20-minute stretch at the end, the besssst), some time with my niece, and lots of books. I plan on living in track shorts and my bathing suit — fingers crossed that the thunderstorms give us a little break.

Today’s send is created in partnership with CHANEL Beauty. I don’t think we give the word “crush” enough credit. A crush isn’t just a person, it’s a feeling. And that feeling can have absolutely nothing to do with romance. It’s an unexpected jolt; it’s something you didn’t plan for that catches you off guard shifts everything else around. A crush can be a restaurant you didn’t think you’d love that ends up becoming a regular spot. It can be a single sentence in a book . . .

Hi from the West Coast. Weekend Reading is up on the blog. Topping the list is Bon Appetit’s list of best new restaurants and Vanity Fair’s fall movie guide. The trailer for the new season of The Gilded Age, how good taste is getting weirder (yay), the best places to go this Fall, how to spend a bookish afternoon in Brooklyn. A romcom I’m excited for, how to make a crybaby cocktail, does dressing your age still matter?

As I write to you, it is Thursday afternoon, and I am up in the air, en route to LA for a few nights and then New York after that. The person behind me is sneezing and coughing profusely; I wish I’d thought to pack a mask. Hindsight! Masks have been ordered to Geoff’s house for the remainder of my travels—looking like a weirdo beats getting sick any day. I don’t miss the mask mandate, but I like having one in my bag just in case.

Anthropologie Plisse Top + Jeans, Jennifer Behr long and short turquoise necklaces, Muun bag, Warby sunglasses, Alaia sandals This week, I was back from the lake, back to work and being a productive human. Daily showers! Getting dressed! It felt good. I definitely thrive when I am at home and in my routine. (Though I also get bored if I’m home for too long — hey: it’s all about balance!) This was one of those weeks where I had jusssst enough social activity to fill my cup. More? I’d be overwhelmed.

Think of this as a mini-editor’s letter: what I loved most this month. This month? Fourteen standout products across beauty, home, and fashion. Tell me your favorite things from August in the comments section . . . I love getting your recs! Donni Gingham Shorts: These are so soft and comfy. The sort of short you can wear out or lounge in at home. I size up in these; they run a bit short and tight in my opinion. Olehenriksen Eye Creme. This was one of those old favorites that I’d forgotten about.

Hi and happy Saturday! Weekend Readingis up on the blog. A list of books about rich people behaving badly. High-protein, no-cook dinner recipes. It’s time for brands to invest in women who lift. The six key trends for Fall to know about. “A time for female monsters.” Tory Burch’s revival. How fashion learned to fear a newsletter. Everything we know about the Ocean’s Eleven prequel (!!) Several gorgeous home tours. Loads of shopping finds. And more — enjoy.