Everything I loved in March
Here comes the sun!
Hi everyone,
I’m on my way back from a short snowboarding trip which was heaven! This was meant to be my first time fully unplugged for 4 days in a very long time, but unfortunately I failed to stay away from my computer. Still, my friends and I got so lucky with the snow and I feel physically exhausted and mentally recharged - my favorite state. I am bubbling with new ideas and have a renewed sense of excitement and hope for the next few months at Ghia: I am (finally) done with fundraising, and we are heads down working on our next product launch, landing this summer. This phase is my favorite phase of launching a product, when we are finessing the last 10% of the formula in the lab but the liquid already tastes delicious. I can focus on dreaming up the eco-system around the product while Henry, my work better half, works with our ingredient suppliers and co-packer to bring it to life in commercial form. By then, the hard work is done and the fun begins, and usually the only thing we argue about is carbonation level.
I’m kee today short and sweet by sharing a few things that I loved this week! As always, I love to hear about yours.
Have a nice Sunday!
Melanie
1. Taking baths!
I shared a little bit in previous Substacks my quest to get my adrenals and body back in a healthy place after last year took its toll on me. I’ve been on a tight program to force myself to rest and relax. Five weeks in and I am already feeling so much better. Part of my new routine is taking a bath at least once a week and indulge in a hair mask, face mask, etc. I love this whey milk bath by Susanne Kaufmann, currently on sale for 30% off on NAP. The whole beauty sale there is actually a trove, from Dennis Gross to Tan Luxe.
2. Health Nut by Jess Damuck
My friend Jess is a super talented chef, great hostess, and the author of Salad Freak. She just launched Health Nut and I’ve been loving her recipes. Some books teach you how to cook and some books give you inspiration - this one is the latter: it is filled with easy recipes to get you chopping delicious meals that will leave you feeling good.
3. A Barn Jacket with a Twist
I have been on the hunt for both a picnic print (this set… swoon!) and a transitional spring jacket that isn’t too precious. I love most of what Barbour makes but this one really stopped me in the scroll
4. Bobbi Brown’s New Substack, and this note from a reader
Which really resonated. I love that Substack makes people feel accessible, in the same way instagram used to. I have my own thoughts about writing a Substack as a founder, but generally echo the sentiment that I do not want to see brands here, even if most of the Substacks I read are shopping focused. Curation > Promotion.
5. Alissa Bell Stationary
Some of you may know, I’ve been deep in the rabbit hole of renovating my place in Paris. It’s my first apartment and it’s small (though not so small for Paris, ~600sf) so I leaned in on built-ins to make it feel special. I fantasize about the day, hopefully before summer, when all the renovation bills are paid and I can sit at my little wooden desk - it has a drawer! I was so delighted when Alissa Bell offered to send me some of her gorgeous stationary, in a stainless steel holder, with my new address on it. I had wanted a set for a long time, and it’s even more beautiful in real life. Lead time is approx 3 weeks so if you’re considering this for Mother’s Day, you still have some time.
6. Suzie Kondi Terry Set
Suzie is a bit of a Hamptons icon. I have been following her for a while, but it’s only after she posted this picture that I felt extremely drawn to her velour tracksuit. It was like seeing an old friend in a new light, with a crush? I’m hoping to manifest this feeling on a human, not a velour ensemble, but I digress!
Maybe it’s the terry fabric, or the more fitted cut of her new collections, which make the whole look feel less like a Juicy Couture revival, and more like a cute, 70s fit for a coquette on the go.
I love how practical it is. I’ll be wearing the navy set all spring and pairing mine with my new Rebecca flats. They’re possibly my favorite shoes I’ve ever owned, but I can’t justify another pair so here are some really good dupes (also on my site where I log all the outfits I get asked about on instagram - peak cringe).
7. These espadrilles!
These are ballerina flats x espadrilles fusion and I love their shape and the ivory color, something about the canvas being lighter than the sole makes them less casual than traditional espadrilles. They remind me of these Prada ones I regret selling. I know it’s still cold in New York *sigh* but the spring days are near and my Mary Jane’s could use a little break.
8. Agnelli
It is so rare that I watch any television and even more rare that I enjoy it, but I loved this documentary about the owner of Fiat - he was a famous figure even in the South of France where my family lives. Stylish outfits, Italian history, the Mediterranean and nice cars, what’s there not to love?
9. Dimes Pepper Mill
I’m agonizing over which pepper mill to get for Paris. I’m serious! Pepper mills are one of my favorite design objects, and probably deserve their own newsletter at some point. I have this vintage one in LA, a vintage Dansk (model 897) I hunted down for months. it’s beautiful but doesn’t grind *that* well. I’ve had my eyes on the one from Dimes for a while - it feels fun and Memphis without being overkill like this guy.
10. Studded Earrings
These looks like Easter eggs, and fill the Bottega drop shaped hole in my heart without breaking the bank (too much).
Some of these links may earn me a small affiliate commission, at no cost to you! It certainly doesn’t justify all the time I spend on this newsletter ;) but I love writing it. xx
As an avid, and excited (!) consumer of all the content you post, thank you for your dedication to this platform! 💘
I just joined Substack, and I love your work! Interacting with more thoughtfully formed creative content is so refreshing after being in the Instagram/ TikTok whirlwind for so long.