These can get long, so if you are reading via email you may need to click “view entire message” to read the whole thing. I suggest reading newsletters on the Substack app, though—it’s worth it!
I always kick the month off with a life update by way of a sample platter: what I’m reading, something I recently bought, what I’m working on, an artist I love…just a smattering of things to start the month off right. Next week is Side Order week, but the week after that I’m doing a Q+A newsletter where I’ll answer questions submitted by all of you guys! I started a thread in the chat where you can drop in anything you want to know, but feel free to DM me or email me your question if you’d rather keep it between us.
I finished Malibu Rising over the weekend…I’m still lukewarm on Taylor Jenkins Reid but it was a sea breeze to get through. I’ve read Evelyn Hugo and will probably eventually read Daisy Jones and Carrie Soto too just to officially close the loop.
I’m on a book-buying freeze until I get through at least a portion of my massive TBR pile, so next up is either Zadie Smith’s Swing Time or one of the other several-years-old books that have been hidden behind new releases on my shelf.
Despite the fact that I’m simply not a rustic person, there is a side of me that loves a lived-in, ranch-adjacent look in interiors. I don’t see myself ever embracing a totally rural lifestyle but I’m not opposed to owning a house that looks like there could be a horse grazing somewhere out back. Bonus points if it’s in France or Spain.
This property southwest of Madrid is a perfect example. Once an abandoned cowshed and now a chic country house, designer Belén Domecq somehow found the perfect middle ground between “animals live here” and “welcome to our summer home”.
I love the juxtaposition of the 400 year old olive trees, rugged wood beams, and the original fireplace with things like a 16th century Belgian tapestry and an antique chinoiserie screen. House and Garden’s Dominic Lutyens writes that the interior “oscillates between formality and informality”, something I think can be hard to do well. And what I wouldn’t do to sit by that pool…click through to the article for more.
I meant to just try these on and then return them but I loved them so much I just couldn’t bear it: the Olina Silk Pant from Reformation in sugar. I loveeee a silky pant and tried to make the more affordable rayon versions out there work for me but there just isn’t anything like 100% silk when it comes to quality. I’m excited to wear them with an oversized button-up all spring and with a giant fisherman sweater come fall.
I’ve been fixated on these Augusta mary janes for months and now that spring is nigh I think it might be time to pull the trigger. I’ve been fixated on the butter yellow/black combo but now I think I’m leaning towards the white and navy (hence why I continue to stall on a purchase). And they’d look so cute with those pants!!!
You may have caught on Instagram that my friend Sarah and I have started making our way down a list of delis here in LA and are judging their sandwiches on homemade scorecards. So far we’ve visited Ggiata in Melrose Hill (too soggy) and next up is Lady & Larder in Santa Monica. Follow along if you have any interest, and please, feel free to copy my scorecard and start your own club!!!
Malian photographer Malick Sidibé. Sidibé was known for dropping into late-night parties in Bamako throughout the ‘60s and ‘70s, sometimes four in a night, to shoot young people dancing, laughing, and rebelling against Mali’s repressive rules. He’d quickly return to his studio in the middle of the night to develop and hang the evening’s images out front so partygoers could see them the next morning.
Millennial sweetheart Dolly Alderton is speaking at Barnes & Noble at the Grove next week and obviously I will be in attendance. A testament to my love for Dolly and my dedication to The High Low’s fandom (RIP): I’ll drive across town to the world's most annoying mall in rush hour traffic to hear her talk about a book I’ve already read.
See you next week for a shopping round up inspired by my favorite corner of my house…
x
Ali
Ok please tell me about the shoes you will be wearing with your silky pants? And also, will you wear these pants ankle length or all the way to your shoes. I can’t seem to get out of the house in mine.
Thank you for the intro to Malick Sidibé. Such a treasure to find!