More Beauty Please

Catching up and rambling.

Oh hello!

Summer certainly has made a steamy arrival in New York City, which I can’t say has been good for motivation to do anything but scroll and stay inside. Things have been exceedingly busy and I find myself a little tapped out these days, whether I’m dropping off of text threads, or being so delinquent in picking up a prescription that CVS is sending me shame-y texts. There’s only so much one brain can process and do in a day, and I’m trying to look at it like everything that needs to get done will, so I feel less guilt about struggling to remember to post beautiful things I see, interesting stories I read, the terrific work my colleagues do at T&C to Instagram and the such. So that’s what I’m going to try to catch up on with this newsletter today.

I’m trying to be better, but I’m also trying to find what works for my brand and that very much is a slow process. Speaking of terrific work by my colleagues, the summer issue, all about Paris, is out and it is a beaut. I am in Paris often and have learned quite a bit from flipping through. Actually, I’m next off to France in about a week or so, returning for a Miss Dior event in Paris and then going to the Art of Color during the Arles Photo Festival, which I attended last year and I’m grateful to be going back. Not only is Arles fantastic, but it is nice to get outside of the usual fashion-beauty world, and engage with other people’s creativity a bit differently. I can’t wait.

Speaking of beauty, something I have been thinking about this article my dad sent me a few weeks back about neuroaesthetics and why engaging in creative acts helps build new neural pathways and keeps our brains healthy, as does looking at/experiencing beauty in whatever form it comes in for you. I spend a great deal of time in the service of seeking out and curating beauty, whether through what I share here, report on at work, or post to my various social platforms. Reading something like this is both motivating and honestly underscores to me the importance beauty as a means of enjoyment and cultivating happiness. So I’m hoping I get a little more consistent about sharing what I think is beautiful, regardless of engagement or outcome, because the act of it does bring joy. For example, I saw these amazing vases at the Normal Market last weekend and completely forgot to post them, but I wish I had. They’re just so good! And, it would seem, still available!

As it would happen the notion that feeling good is not a frivolous pursuit is the core premise of Glynnis MacNicol’s new book, which we excerpted in the summer issue, and is now on bookstands. My copy arrived in the mail the other day and I cannot wait to tuck in. As it happens, I bought a ticket to an event she is doing with Marisa Meltzer next week, but it looks like I won’t be here for it, so if anyone wants my ticket, please holler!

A moment of beauty worth marveling at happened just yesterday when the inimitable Dries Van Noten took his last bow at his eponymous label, a moment that I felt emotional about even though I was just watching it over Instagram feeds. To have created something so distinct and colorful and joyful with his designs—but also to have known it was time for him to call it—is so admirable. The show itself is worth watching, especially if you, like me, are wondering how you’re going to acquire a bit of his genius (in limited supply), and most importantly, what will emerge now that DVN has made space for it in his retirement.

At risk of things getting a bit long and rambley, I’ll share a few things here that I am loving and might make a difference in your day to day. I’m unabashedly admitting that I love my Amazon dupe mesh shoes so much that I bought them in black, too. They are not wildly uncomfortable and are really fun and interesting to look at, and they add a little edge to outfits on days where I’m wearing a glorified burlap sack? And the fact that they were 20 bucks doesn’t hurt either, but I can’t say I will make a habit out of shopping dupes, either. Also, if you’re looking for a nice candle to burn during the summer months, I would suggest any of the milky white florals that Diptyque do spectacularly. When I was in Paris with them a few months ago, I rediscovered both the gardenia and jasmine candle, both are sumptuous and soft and floral without being overpowering, just like walking around LA in the spring with the nightblooming jasmine is at its peak. I bought both when I got back to New York, and I’ve been burning gardenia as a treat because it reminds me of being somewhere tropical, without being cloying. And if you’re looking for a good movie to watch, might I suggest In the Mood for Love? Talk about a buffet of absolutely gorgeous viewing. Maybe if you’re feeling really indulgent, light the candle and watch the movie at the same time. How sumptuous!

I’m off to get myself sorted for the week ahead, but hoping that I’ve lead you to a little joy. If you even got this far!

More soon,

Roxy