Who, besides me, doesn’t want to think seriously about fall clothes yet? Maybe you can pull out a cashmere sweater at night when it’s cool, but we have another month of hot weather, so I’m going to ease into fall and not rush it.
This has been a hard month for me, my stepfather was in the hospital twice and I had to fly out to CA to help my mom and sister, which is why I haven’t posted much. Thankfully he is at home recovering. Social media is such an odd venue–on one hand, I am a fairly private person and would rather not share too much, while on the other, life is not always vacations and new clothes. There are highs and lows and sometimes just having a regular day feels really good. So, a few things I have to share….
My summer reading list. I managed to get through more books than usual (lots of long flights). First before I went to Italy, I reread Elena Ferrante’s first book of her four volume Neapolitan series, My Brilliant Friend, followed by the much longer (and better in my opinion) The Story of a New Name. (Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay and The Story of the Lost Child are books three and four, which I will get to.) I find there are few books these days that have well-developed characters that you care about, these do. That said, it takes a while to keep all the characters straight. The test of a good book for me is does it stay on my book shelf after I read it in case I want to reread it again (which I did), or share it with someone. These books are keepers.
Then I read The Guest by Emma Cline on Heidi Wynne’s suggestion. Definitely a buzzy book and a page turner. I am sure the movie rights are in the works. It reminds me of Gone Girl, in that it’s fairly well written and highly entertaining. Is Gone Girl on my bookshelf? No. Will I keep The Guest, no.
Next I read Francoise Gilot’s book Life with Picasso. After she passed away recently, I wanted to find out more, because Gilot struck me as an interesting, intelligent woman who lived a full life. I ordered an old copy of the book, but it got lost in the mail, hence a paperback. It is a different read, because Gilot delves into Picasso and his work ethic and art process, which is not what I expected. I found some of it inspirational. I also realized that while Picasso has been dismissed by many for his treatment of women, it seems he was relatively monstrous to everyone in some respect. He lived for his art and everything and everyone else was a side story. Gilot seems to have been the one woman who stood up to him. This one stays on the shelf.
Nothing Special was another summer read by a new (Irish) writer, Nicole Flattery, about a girl and Andy Warhol’s factory that people were excited about. Another quick read. Kind of on same level as The Guest. Not bookshelf worthy.
Which leads me to Avedon by Norma Stevens, a book my mother gave me two Christmases ago and I never got into. It is on my bookshelf, and I’m only 50 pages in so we’ll see but so far, so good.
I bought two clothing items this month, one being a pair of 2021 Prada rose detailed mules on Resee. They were one-third the cost of a new pair and look like they’ve been worn once or twice.
I am going to start incorporating more vintage finds on TFI, because Fewer Better Things also means adding some Not New items to your wardrobe. I used to find looking at What’s New on Net-a-Porter and Matches Fashion overwhelming (and still do), but now that applies to many sites/blogs/newsletters I follow as well. It’s addictive looking at all that newness every week, but then you start second-guessing purchases you already made, because maybe you need something else. Nice clothes cost a lot now, but I feel like they are treated in an ephemeral throw-away manner that feels yucky and indulgent in the wrong way. No one needs that many new clothes that often. I could go on and probably will for fall, because I think about it a lot.
The one new thing I did buy is a Natalie Martin broderie anglaise white top (it is roomy, I bought an XS…here and here). Broderie Anglaise is one feminine thing I am repeatedly drawn to (though I would say those Prada mules are feminine too). I bought the same top for my sister. I will wear mine with denim…a forever inspo being Daria Werbowy for French Vogue eons ago. We do not condone smoking here at TFI, but frilly tops and denim? Always. Enjoy these last days of summer!
One of the best books I’ve read in ages is The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese. It is definitely bookcase worthy.
Reading it now and loving it. I also loved his previous book, Cutting for Stone
Thanks for that Josanne!
Thanks for the recommendation!
Thanks for sharing even the not so great times, and yay for summer reading. Can you remind us how to send someone to your closet rehab course? Happy cashmere sweaters thrown over your shoulders (maybe at the beach).
Hi Robyn,
It is on my site on the right sidebar. And yes, I’m always excited to finally pull out the cashmere!
Jennifer
I love your blog by the way and your attitude about fashion. So many pretty things to look at!
But the question is what do I need and what will I wear. As I get older, less is more, quality over
quantity. Love the photo of Jackie O because that is a reminder to me of timeless elegance.
By the way, sorry about your father, glad he is recovering. Thank you for posting something that is
relevant and real. Not every day is a perfect day or an Instagram shot of filtered “perfection”.
Quality over quality always! And thank you.
Jennifer
Loved this post, Jennifer! Always looking for fiction recommendations. I just finished Donna Tartt’s “The Secret History” and enjoyed it. Happy to hear your step father is on the mend!
That’s so funny because my older daughter asked me if I had that book the other day–I used to, but couldn’t find it. She is now reading. The Goldfinch is also good. Different but good.
Enjoy!
Books, these aren’t recent but some favorites: Lauren Goff, Fates and Furies really anything by her, Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver, for an ethereal winter read, The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey it was a Pulitzer runner up.
Ok, now I have months worth of reading to do. Enjoying this reader’s reading list. Thanks!
Jennifer, I hope your stepfather recovers well. Anyone facing health challenges like this is lucky to be surrounded by supportive family.
I like your bookshelf system of reviewing books—and am enjoying working through recommendations here. In the nonfiction category, I read All the Beauty in the World earlier this year, where the author processes losing his brother while he works as a Met guard. I don’t know that it is a bookshelf staple for everyone, but lines from the book have stayed with me.
It seems that fashion can be forever leaning forward, looking at the next season or even just the shirt on the next woman over. I like that your post acknowledges the current season, in terms of the weather that we are currently physically experiencing, and just parks here. It’s refreshing. And I think that being present does help foster a mentality of fewer, better things.
Thanks! That sentiment really rings true. Being present does help create a better mentality. In fact, I was just reading a NY Times op ed about how longing for things and the fear of not having basic security but also those status symbols we all feel we need, creates anxiety and stress. As if we need any more of that in the world!
There will always be more clothes.
Jennifer
I’ve often wondered why it’s so ingrained in our DNA to feel we need new clothes for a new season? I think it’s maybe because it was true when we were young, and growing out of our clothes, so it was necessary to replace clothes for a new school year?
I’ve read Cutting for Stone which is absolutely one of the best books ever, and deep into The Covenant of Water, which is just as good.
Hope your stepfather is on the mend, and I love your priorities, in all things.
Just popping in to express gratitude for your blog and your attitude towards fashion and life. How we figure out how to get through life with a sense of grace is indeed an important part of how we style ourselves, so I appreciate your candor.