Love Letter #003: Tasting Twenty Seven
Peach mocktails, vacation wear + more things I loved in July.
Like a brand new comforter, I’ve been settling into 27.
Something I’ve been thinking about as I’ve gotten older is a question; what is my taste? And how has it changed in the last 7 years ago until now? At 20, I put no effort into figuring out what I want — it felt unimportant and trivial when the world was telling me to go to school, build my career and plan my life.
My main goal as of right now isn’t to achieve all my wildest career goals or craziest ambitions — rather I want to become better in tune with what I want, what I like…what I enjoy wholeheartedly. There’s a couple ways you can do this; you can experience, you can observe or you jump on the right moments.
27 says: It’s time to make your closet work for you, rather than against you. It’s time to embrace a daily uniform. It’s time to figure out which fragrance you like. It’s time to learn how to care for your clothes and linens. It’s time to know exactly which rings, earrings and necklace are your everyday armor for the day. It’s time to find the romance in the routine. These things — small and seemingly insignificant — are the routines that carry us into each day.
I think ultimately what I want out of 27 is to feel sophisticated and mature — but not in a way that feels like I’m completely done growing up either. There’s a certain wisdom to finding peace in our unfinished-ness. And I have a feeling that before I solidify my taste, I need to accept that it’s ever-changing.
💌 A LOVE LETTER TO…
Things I’m loving this month.
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Two fragrances to end the summer strong: Jazz Club by Replica, a cozier scent that feels appropriate for a dim-lit bar and an orange hued cocktail. And Ambery Cedarwood, a Dossier perfume inspired by Mugler’s “Alien”, which smells like a hot day on an overgrown patio.
The new 2022 Resort collection from Maryam Nassir Zadeh feels like an effervescent summer dream. The use of unexpected sheer pieces, disco-like textures and pops of vibrancy against simple beiges and grays reinvents the way I look at vacation wear (I’ve never been a huge floral gal, anyway).
A non-alcoholic peach Bellini from Cipriani came to me on a hot July afternoon when I needed to make my lunch break a little more romantic. It worked like a charm, and now I need to immediately get more of it, or find another peach drink that compares.
This man who is currently living his best main character life in New York is currently my blueprint for the rest of the summer.
The vintage runway shows I’ve been fixating on this month consist of something I like to call elegant utility … or maybe utilitarian elegance. None exemplify this vibe better than ‘90s Miu Miu — especially this SS 1999 show where each look could be worn by space cadets that are also chic museum owners on the side.
Miu Miu Spring/Summer 1998 Allison Bornstein’s TikTok account, which has essentially become mine (and many people’s) new styling bible. Sometimes, I don’t want to listen to influencers anymore, I just want to listen to stylish people who are rooted in absolute certainty about how they get dressed every day. Some days, I don’t desire a specific piece or shoe — rather, I want to acquire the unshakeable confidence of having a wardrobe you love.
“Analisi scientifche” by Giuliano Sorgini and “Easy Lovers” by Piero Piccioni are two tracks that I’ve added to my playlist titled, INSTRUMENTAL FEELINGS — which I curated due to a desire to have music that can put me in a musical hypnosis while also helping me focus on work and writing. Both of these tracks have a lot of similarities, including a soft, rambling flute and an easy rhythm that makes you feel like you’re in an endless sunset.
As I gear up for my first real, restful and long vacation getaway in over two years, it hit me — I need to find a perfectly fitting crochet dress. This led me down a rabbit hole of endless knitted dresses that fit every summer mood you’re in: 90s flirt, goth heiress or maybe a 1970’s peach moment.
The 2016 anime film, Your Name — which is a story about serendipitous fate, surfing new dimensions and earnest love — left me in a puddle of tears after it ended.
Your Name (2016)
🔖 REQUIRED READING
Words I read and loved
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Waking Up From The Nap Dress - Matthew Schneider, The Cut
Dreamers in Broad Daylight: 10 Conversations — Leslie Jameson, Astra Magazine
Fashion Has Abandoned Human Taste — Amanda Mull, The Atlantic
Yours, Exclusively — Rachel Tashjian, System Magazine