It's All About Feeling Good
Hello everyone! Over the past two weeks I’ve been looking for inspiration. Funnily enough, one of the first things they teach you on a creative writing course is “don’t wait for inspiration, write”. Personally, this approach makes me miserable. For me inspiration is paramount. It’s the driving force, one of the great joys of life, raison d’être, if you like. Without it everything becomes a tedious job, and who wants that for a hobby? I don’t wait for inspiration though, I am constantly searching for it. So when my newsletter hits your email box, rest assured, it’s been written with inspiration at my side. Let’s see what made me feel good recently:
Lifestyle pick - Going out
Here we are, finally! Handing over our coats at the door and having our martinis stirred (not shaken) by a professional barman. Life has never been about social frenzy for me, yet I am up for anything absolutely fabulous right now. That’s why Giles Coren’s review of Kol in Marylebone couldn’t have come at a better time. I jumped at the chance of the last available table and truly enjoyed the experience. Not going to write another review of the restaurant though - can’t compete with Giles, obviously. But one thing I would like to add: with just two tasting menus on offer, I felt peculiarly comfortable to handle the choice - no post-lockdown anxiety here, if you are worried about it.
On the ‘food for thought’ menu, it’s David Hockney at the Royal Academy of Arts. At the request of the artist, photography isn’t allowed, so here you have to trust my word: best grass-green you can find outside Bottega Veneta store - that’s David Hockney for you, highly recommended. By coincidence, Bottega Veneta is one of the sponsors.
For those of us who are fans of classic, neutral and minimalistic, I would suggest to head to the Tate Modern for Rodin. Surprisingly, tickets are still available.
Fashion pick - Exuberance on sale
Who doesn’t like a sale? I don’t. The whole idea makes me cringe. After all, why would I want to dress in something “passé” when the next season is already showing its vigour? Normally, at this stage, I would start planning for pre-fall. Only it’s different this year. The third lockdown and a never-ending winter played their part. Forgive me, but I can’t think of boots, sweaters or coats at the moment, even if they come from a brand new pre-fall collection. I am not able to think of the future at all, to be honest. All I want now is to enjoy the moment of exuberance, optimism and escapism, channelled in SS21 collections, even more so when it comes with a discount. So I pack up my highly practical approach and embrace shopping for summer energy:
Farfetch - the trick is not to go to the designated Sale tab, instead, to choose a specific designer from the main menu. You would be surprised how many current items, still sold at full price elsewhere, have already been discounted at Farfetch. If you find something you really like buy it, don’t wait. Farfetch is known for removing discounts without a warning. Remember that Molly Goddard’s bag I mentioned last time? Just snapped it up with 30% off (the bag is pictured above).
LN_CC - another awesome destination for discounts. Register with them and keep checking your favourite designer, they might start tempting you with offers on the items you click on the most.
Khaite - this NYC brand has already started reducing the prices, but in Europe major on-line retailers still expect us to pay full price. Last year I ordered from Khaite directly and they covered both, the import duties and the shipping to the UK. Will they be that generous this year, honestly, I don’t know, but it’s worth checking.
My sale picks (found at the time of writing):
Furry slippers - fur yeti boots were on the AW21 runway. Get ahead of the season with these “furby” slides.
A-line dress - a simple, wearable cut. In grass-green it’s the sweetheart of the season
Frilly skirt and Striped top - this combo will transform your mood and that of everyone around you.
Bag Pick - Eager to dance? Danse Lente
My newsletter won’t be complete without a Bag Pick. I say so because it’s the easiest way to update that doesn’t require a full wardrobe rethink. Out of all the delights I came across recently, this Danse Lente bag shot to the top of my Wish List. Waltz with it in the city or sway it on the beach - it will refresh any look. I also feel a strong Bottega vibe here - the sensory pleasure of exquisite leather weave. What’s more, its size - a large basket bag - fits the new season’s brief and, hypothetically speaking, for the price of one small Bottega, you can have two of these in different colours. I am certainly looking for an excuse to lose myself in a dance this summer. It’s all about feeling good at the moment, isn’t it?