Welcome to Round Two of the Notes from Home questionnaire I started over the Spring and Summer. Since we are (sadly indefinitely) spending more time at home, I wanted to share some thoughts that hopefully will provide some escape and inspiration. Stay tuned for other women. xx J
What do you love and look forward to most about fall? Fall is my favorite season, nature is at its finest and puts on a brilliant color show of changing leaves, the smell of burning firewood in homes when you walk through the neighborhood, the soft light from the sun, plus I could live in cashmere sweaters all year round.
What are your newest fave fall purchases? My Khaite knee-high boots (I haven’t bought a pair in years), a Proenza Schouler cashmere cardigan I got on major sale during the Spring (and haven’t worn yet), a dark gray Toteme blazer with oversized proportions I can use as a jacket, and my I Pezzi Dipinti scarves.
Something already in your closet you are pulling out for the cooler weather: My summer satin slip dresses and skirt to layer underneath sweaters, my Heidi Wynne fisherman sweater and the Acne Studios camel wrap coat I bought last year.
Fave Fall food and/or recipe: Bill Blass’s meat loaf. I kid you not, it’s fail proof. With mash potatoes and a salad. It is at the end of the biography Cathy Horyn wrote of him. It is a dinner for a chilly night when you want something substantial.
Fave Fall drink: A bourbon-based Manhattan with marinated cherries.
Fave Fall smell: Le Labo Palo Santo candle or pinon incense that reminds me of Santa Fe.
Fave Fall flower: A branch of turning leaves instead.
Favorite weekend activity: A walk through Central Park when the leaves are at their peak is a must. And then day trips to the country to hike. Fires inside or out at night.
Key elements for being cozy inside your home: We ordered a fire pit and two blankets designed by Pia Wallen (super comfy) so we can sit outside. Then inside lots of candles. I have these Henry Dean hurricanes from MatchSF and want these single holders from RW Guild. Because we recently moved, I need a lot of things for the home, starting with rugs, so one thing at a time.
New skill you’ve recently acquired: I am about to take on Paddle Tennis. It’s a cold weather tradition where we live, which I never got into before, but now I’m ready for family tournaments when everyone is home for the holidays.
Current mood booster: Having moved back to the suburbs in August, it is getting up in the morning and seeing trees and hearing birds. I bought my first bird feeder, now just trying to figure out where it can go without the squirrels taking it over.
Latest read: I just reread The Flame Throwers by Rachel Kushner. It is a favorite book and sometimes I like to go back and reread what I have loved. Next up is Rumaan Alam’s Leave the World Behind. He was at Lucky magazine eons ago when I was too; I love supporting colleagues and their successes. I am going to try to fall in love with poetry which is not my comfort zone. Am seeking out books by Louise Gluck who just won the Nobel Prize for Literature. I’m also taking suggestions, so…..
Current online rabbit hole: 1stdibs for everything home. And the NY Times perhaps too obsessively.
New Insta Discovery: Am currently interior obsessed so Lemieux et Cie (I interviewed Christiane a while back, and she just launched a new furniture collection), Beau Traps, The_London_List, and Juniper Tedhams.
Favorite hour of the day (and why): Cocktail time. I can’t help myself. Sometimes it’s celebratory, some days it’s because the news gets to me.
Where you are donating your money and/or time: Money to City Harvest, because no one should have to worry about putting food on the table, especially during a pandemic. My time goes to a local group called Destination College, which helps get kids ready for college. I work with three girls from Mount Vernon High School—two high school seniors and one first year college freshman, a couple of times a week. I love their enthusiasm. We’ve been super busy getting their applications finished; I hope schools are in person next year (for them and my daughter who will still be in school).
If you’ve had a chance to travel recently where did you go? If not, what will be your first trip? I made a trip mid-October to California to see my sister and 10-month old nephew and my mom and stepfather flew out. It was so hard to leave everyone and come home. It seemed a bit risky at the time but worth it because with current spikes, who knows when we will be together again.
What are your hopes for the post-pandemic future: That we all learn how important loving one another is and the divisiveness and anger that’s plaguing our country ends. Life is too short be miss its beauty because you’re concentrating on the negative.
I recently reread The Flame Throwers, and loved it even more the second time around!
I’d recommend another Rachel, Rachel Cusk’s Outline and Transit.
And for something a little off the hook, Die My Love, by Ariana Harwicz, a story of a woman losing her mind in the French countryside. Since I’m currently in the French countryside in confinement, well, hmmm ?!
Avis
I have been playing paddle tennis for about five years now. I’m obsessed. If I had to do it all again I would have learned the screens and lobs first. I’m a tennis player and still working hard not to go out there and play tennis–paddle is its own thing. Good luck and have fun!
(Also Luster is the best book I’ve read this year and Sally Rooney really is a good read)
What a cute child!
Loved everything about this post! Fall is my favorite time of the year! Congratulations on your adorable nephew. Thank you.
Just a great post in general, Jennifer! So much to love, plus, it’s always fun to learn a little more about a blog’s author. I’d suggest Mary Oliver for poetry. I know she’s well-known, but she’s good!
Your nephew is precious. Those golden curls!
I am so excited to have found you again.
Xx
Hello! xxxx