3 Things

My May favorites.

1. All Fours, by Miranda July

This book is getting a lot of attention right now, but I want to give it my two cents. I don’t know much about publishing, but I feel like you have to sell a lot of books to have a best seller, so let’s hope she sells a kajillion.

I read it on trains, planes & automobiles throughout Europe. It’s witty, honest & very funny. July hits many touch points on the topic of marriage, motherhood, dealing with trauma, sex, and perimenopause in thoughtful and unexpected ways. All with a touch of humor.

I also love how she writes about friendship. The relationship with her bestie Jordi is such a lovely look at the supportive, non judgmental, unconditional love we might be lucky enough to receive from our bff’s. These podcasts are great add-ons if you loved the book: The New Midlife Crisis by Critics At Large & Miranda July’s New Novel Takes On Marriage, Desire & Perimenopause by Radio Hour.

Here I am in St. Calais in our Clare V. sweatshirt we made for Miranda July’s film Kajillionaire a few years ago. My glasses are Caddis.

On a TGV heading to St. Calais with my Turnlock Louis

2. Sardines

First off - sardines always have the best branding. So cute. The photo above I snapped at the airport in Porto, Portugal, last week. Second - they might be one of the healthiest things we could eat. Packed with protein, calcium, B12, and Omegas! Third - you can just keep ‘em in your cabinet and they’ll get you out of many desperate meal situations.

When we arrived at our house in St. Calais a few days ago it was nighttime, and after a few months of being away we had no food in the house. Thierry’s mom was nice enough to drop off baguette, butter, and milk so at least we’d have something for the morning, but besides that rien (nada, zilch, zero). We weighed the two options of either going out somewhere - but that was iffy since many restaurants in the area will not take you if you do not have reservations - OR to eat a tin of sardines we had in our cabinet with butter and a baguette, paired with a bottle of red wine from the cellar.

We opted for the latter. Maybe it was the simplicity of the slightly fishy sardines with the salty butter and fresh bread, with a glass of Pinot d’Aunis, or the fact we were so happy to be back at our house in France and didn’t have to get back in the car…it was one of the best meals I’ve had in a long time.

3. A Denim Blazer

A few Sundays ago, I was packing my suitcases for this 3 week trip in Europe, when I took a break to go to an event at the Row DTLA. While there I ran into my friend Annie. She was wearing this denim blazer from Maison Mayle, and I had a realization that this type of jacket was the missing piece that I absolutely needed for my trip. It is casual, summery, and a little more dressed up than a regular jean jacket.

Luckily the event I was at was right next door to the great vintage store Arcade. I quickly left my event and ran to Arcade, headed right to the denim section and located two denim blazers. One was perfect.

Making outfits while packing for Europe

It is vintage Brittania Sportswear. It had black buttons that were a little bit of a bummer, so I brought two old vintage brass ones and a sewing kit and changed them on the airplane.

I have to say, sometimes when you go into a vintage store with a clear idea of what you need, you find it! This is strangely close to the Mayle blazer Annie was wearing.

I’ve been wearing it non-stop on my trip. My little denim blazer has been a mainstay in Porto, Florence, St. Calais and is currently on its way with me to the South of France. Highly recommend something like this for your summer wardrobe - look at your nearest vintage store - or just get the amazing Mayle version.