At A Glance, March

What I find new and notable for the month.

House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson. I always know how much I like a book by how disappointed I am when it’s finished. House of Eve is the story of two accomplished black women in the late 1940’s with respect to the times in which they lived-including poverty, privilege, racism, colorism, sexism. There are additional themes of motherhood, family, trust and love woven throughout this very enjoyable book.
Tory Burch I love this little cross body tote in an incredible green (aptly named Patina.) It does come in other colors. It has a little magnetic security strap inside and separated sections.
Vince. I saw these sneakers in person and thought at first they were just regular gum soled sneakers until I got close up and saw they are clear, rubber dipped. They also come in pink and blue. So fun.
Vince
Vince
Tory Burch top and Tory Burch skirt. This set is lovely. Of course, the pieces can work separately with other things in your closet. Check out a similar set below at a gentler price point.
Kate Spade top, Kate Spade skirt. While there is a bit of a price difference of the two, I think they both achieve a fresh ethereal look.
J. Crew. I have been looking to replace of long jeans that were too tight in the thigh. This one is perfect.
Chloé. This shoe would add a pop to a more understated outfit or work well mixing textures in a more complex one.
Succession is back on HBO Max. This is the final season and I am enthusiastically here for it. I was in NYC last summer when they filming all over Manhattan, so it’s fun to see the locations so many months later.

At A Glance, February

What is new and notable for the month.

Bouchon Bakery Chocolate Chunk and Chip Cookies.
The House of Gucci by Sara Gay Forden. I had seen the movie but this book is much more fun. I haven’t even gotten half way through but it’s very detailed and juicy about the epic lifestyle and fighting of the Gucci family. A fun read.
3.1 Phillip Lim This is a denim slip dress. Brilliant.
Visit the 2023 Kips Bay Decorator Show House, Palm Beach. February 24th to March 19, 2023. The Kips Bay Decorator Show House Palm Beach is actually in West Palm Beach. It benefits the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club. Each room is decorated by an established or upcoming talented designer. There is so much to look at. Don’t miss it if you are in the area. Tickets can be found here. I volunteer as a docent every year. Some of the designers hang in their rooms and will answer questions about their designs and process. Fascinating.

Elevated Deck Shoe

There are certain shoes that are the epitome of their category. The Loro Piana’s Summer Charms Walk Loafer carries that title in the elevated deck shoe group. It can also be known as a yacht shoe. That sounds a bit elitist. I have neither a yacht nor a boat, but I do like these deck shoes. They are more polished than their casual cousins like Sperry or L.L. Bean.

I would style them for warmer weather with cropped trousers, drawstring linen pants, a midi skirt and or a Bermuda short.

Recently, I saw that a couple of other brands were making their version. I had to investigate.

Loro Piana The iconic Summer Charms Walk Suede Moccasin. Warm beige sole. Cross band with dangling silver toned charms.
I visited the Loro Piana store in NYC last summer to find out my size. I should have written it down because now I don’t remember!
M. Gemi This shoe looks less elongated than the iconic Loro Piana. Tassles replace the charms on a thicker cross band. The white sole is more spare.
Johnston & Murphy This shoe maintains some of the elongated lines of the LP. Again, the tassels replace the charms, this time no cross band.) I ordered this one and will do a review when they arrive. It may be a while as they are back ordered.
Scarosso The lines of this shoe resemble the Loro Piana ones more closely minus the cross band and the charms.
The Iconic Loro Piana Summer Charms Walk Loafer

Trend: Cargo

The cargo trend is coming on strong. Full disclosure that I don’t usually gravitate toward cargo. Maybe it’s because the pockets can add bulk both physically and visually. I chose pieces here that speak to the trend while not weighing down the outfit.

Fabiana Fillipi
Isabel Marant
Joe’s Jeans
Banana Republic
Triarchy
Target
Michael Kors
Staud
Frame
Sunday In Brooklyn
Veronica Beard
Faherty
Triarchy
Derek Lam
Derek Lam

Ralph Lauren

At A Glance, January

What I find new and notable for the month.

Cucumber Salad (Serves 6)

3 Large English Cucumbers (any cucumbers will do)
Pinch of Kosher Salt

Sauce
3 Tablespoons soy sauce
2 Cloves minced garlic
3 Tablespoons of rice vinegar
1 Tablespoon of white or brown sugar or honey
2 Teaspoons of sesame oil
1 Teaspoon of chili paste or red pepper flakes
1 Teaspoons of sesame seeds (optional)
Bunch of scallions

Cut cucumbers in slices, sprinkle salt them over paper towels for 5 minutes. Rinse with water and pat dry.
Mix sauce then add cucumbers and let sit for a few minutes. They will continue to marinate when you keep them in the refrigerator. Adjust sauce ingredients for your preferences.
Ulla Johnson. These lean more feminine than the usual combat boot. I like the color blocking.
Nili Lotan. I am not sure gaucho pants or culottes will be universally accepted but I like they have the look of a skirt while maintaining what is easy about wearing pants.
Mrs. Harris Goes To Paris is a light and fluffy movie streaming on Peacock. Was it realistic? No. Was it sweet? Yes. It’s not high brow but if you need something to watch that is non threatening, or scary before you go to sleep-this is the ticket.
Faherty velvet overalls. I just finished a collaboration with Faherty. If you use my link with the code, Harrow20 you will get 20% off your purchase.
Tiffany & Co. The silver modernizes the pearls in this necklace. I will be using the combination for inspiration with my silver and pearl pieces.
Gap. I am loving these wide leg jeans that are wide through the leg but contour the waist and butt. My eye is even more accustomed to the wider leg style and I think I am heading even wider.

At A Glance, December

What I find notable for the month.

December is always a notable month for me not because of the major holidays but because it’s my birthday and my wedding anniversary. I am not a birthday cake person. My favorite cakes always lean toward coffee cake types. Plain rather than rich. Sour cream, apple, milk, chocolate loaf, chocolate chip crunch (recipe below.) I don’t need them to be fancy–in fact, I prefer a cake that looks imperfect. Far better to slice a piece off as I walk by it as it sits on the counter.

Chocolate Chip Crunch Cake
The Fabelmans. This is Steven Spielberg’s newest film. While it’s a semi autobiographical take on his childhood- it also is a story of marriage, family, loyalty and passion. It was long- but I saw the length as a necessary device to make sure that I slowed down enough to take in all the details to note-of which there are many. I enjoyed this film.
Christian Dior I really love a spectator shoe. This one has such a square toe. I wonder if it will be become timeless or dated.
I am listening to this biography of Mike Nichols b.1931, d.2014. I love biographies-they remind me that icons and legends are just humans. Mike Nichols had an epic life story as a theatre and film director, actor, producer and comedian. Some of the details of his life go deeply where I have no interest but since I am listening to this book as I fall asleep at night I will say that is actually a good thing.

Subtle Metallic

Not all metallics are blinding or loud. Choosing a subtle metallic accessory or piece of clothing adds dimension to your outfits when wearing black is too harsh.

Chie Mihara
Versace
Loeffler Randall

All Saints
Sarah Flint
7 for All Mankind
Stuart Weitzman
AS by DF
Stuart Weitzman
Brooch Walker Top, The trousers are sold out.
Something Bleu
Johnston and Murphy

Square Buckle Shoe

The square buckle does not hark back to the Pilgrims-that is a historic fallacy and fashion fantasy. I think fashion cognoscenti would agree that Roger Vivier was the square buckle originator in 1965. It was made famous and iconic in the 1967 Catherine Deneuve film “Belle de Jour.” It is no less than jewelry for the foot.

Roger Vivier “Belle Vivier”
Roger Vivier
Saint Laurent
Roger Vivier
Roger Vivier
Sam Edelman
Rupert Sanders
Ann Mashburn
Tory Burch
Roger Vivier
Gianvito Rossi

At A Glance, October

What I find notable for the month.

leena for Mac Dougal, also available here. I saw this dress on a woman on TikTok and had a immediate “I want that reaction.” The color in this pic is a bit dull but when I saw it on the video it’s very chartreuse and vibrant. I don’t have an event to even consider buying it, but I want to.
This is a classic I had never read. Written in 1943, A Tree Grows In Brooklyn shares the life a a young girl at the turn of the century in Brooklyn. I didn’t actually read it. I listened to this book narrated by the wonderful actor, Kate Burton. At bedtime, I often set the timer on the audiocast and fell asleep listening so I had to go back and re-listen quite a few times. Each time I went back, I picked up details that I had missed the first time.
Gucci Westman’s Westman Atelier is a favorite makeup of mine. I am not really a makeup person but I like that her formulas don’t irritate my skin. It’s lightweight and I adore the way it’s packaged. This Vital Skincare Complexion Drops is a new addition.
I just finished reading I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy. Jennette was a child star on Nickelodeon. Her writing is tight, funny and easy to read- which belies how abusive her childhood is portrayed. However disturbing I still enjoyed reading it.
PINKO. More of my obsession with silk charmeuse. I have own silk charmeuse blouses and I inevitably spill some sort of oil on them.
This Sergio Hudson tailored blazer was part of the designer collaboration that Target just had with Sergio Hudson, La Ligne and Kika Vargas. I didn’t notice it until I was in store and picked it up as a lark. It’s a well designed and well made piece. I am glad I didn’t miss it.
The Row. What is it with me and shiny objects this month? I love practical brown, black and cordovan but if I were to splurge on an alternate, I would pick this loafer.
Brooks Brothers cotton blouse. I am a sucker for a white cotton blouse and I love a tie neck. I find that button downs can have a masculine vibe and it’s nice to have one or two or three with a more feminine slant. It creates a polished look with very little effort. No jewelry or scarf required.
“Heartstopper” on Netflix. I loved this charming love story/friendship story. I don’t want to ruin it by describing it.