Everything That Got Me Through October

Epic Servingware, a party dress for people who are always cold, soft winter feet.

October was not an easy month. Like the rest of the world, I am heartbroken, and trying to support my friends who are hurting the most. I believe during hard times it’s important to find delight in the little things, so here’s a list made up of everything that put a smile on my face during the month of October. I hope this newsletter is a bright spot in your day.

Fly By Jing, The Book of Sichuan Chili Crisp

I’ve always been intimidated at the idea of cooking flavors that are not the ones I grew up on. My friend Jing just launched this book and, like everything she does, it is extraordinary - simple, approachable, it requires few ingredients. We are planning the next Ghia team lunch with recipes exclusively from here.

Chan Luu Sheer, Sparkle Tunic

Human disco ball- or I don’t want it. This one seems versatile, easy to layer over pants and flats for dinner or slip over a slip and heels for all the holiday parties. I own a lot of Chan Luu pieces and can’t wait to wear this one.

Soft Services Theraplush

The best way to describe Thrapalush is P50 for your hands. It is the only product I have convinced my very French mother (read: loves the sun, refuses to even moisturize) to not only love, but use consistently. I had been saving my last charge of this special hand brightening treatment, as it’s been out of stock for months. Since getting the notification that it is coming back soon, I finally opened it.

Epic Servingware

My cooking game is better than my servingware game, which up until this October has simply sucked.  I’m a grown up with a gorgeous set of cheese knives and tongs.  I’m swooning over the Ice Bucket, and I wondered given my career path if it would be appropriate to expense it. My COO immediately shot this down, therefore it’s still on my Christmas list.

Clearstem

I’m on month 6 of the supplement that seems to have both cleared my skin completely and significantly reduced some of my PCOS symptoms and debilitating period pain. I cannot live without it. Clearstem is already on “Black Friday” sale with the code “wellness20” for 20% off. 

Highsport Pants

Yes, they’re worth it. I have them in 4 colors, which totally negates any cost-per-wear reasoning. Surprisingly, I wear my brightest ones the most: yellow, red, chocolate, black, in this order.

Ghia x Sophie Lou Jacobsen Totem Glasses

A few years ago, Sophie and I had drinks at The Nines in NY and I told her I wanted to design the perfect vessel to have a non-alcoholic spritz in. Colorful, fun, the opposite of traditional, maybe a stemless martini glass that looked like a totem pole? She sure as hell made it happen. I am so proud of how these turned out. We just launched a green / pink colorway called “Positano '' and “Portofino”. You can use MELANIE15 for 15% off. 

Gucci Mules

I have yet to pull the trigger, but these mules from Gucci are just the perfect shape and color. They have been living rent free in my head for the last month, it’s only a matter of time before I own them…

TenOverTen Foot Balm

This product appeared on my desk and it is MAGICAL. I live either barefoot or in ballet flats, therefore my heels are always cracked, which is not ideal for being out and about in Los Angeles. Three nights with this thing and I have soft feet. I’ll be buying it again. Especially if I buy the Gucci Mules.

Everything by Souliers Martinez?

I am trying to become someone who wears heels in real life! Although my future highest self  wears sandals year round, my job current job is sending me to both Minnesota and NYC during their coldest months. I love the chunky heels from this brand which seem encouraging but not trying too hard. I could also see myself in the sandals version, with chocolate tights. The boots are 30% off until Monday.

Salomon Xt-6 like my worst boyfriend

I’m trying to answer the question “What do I wear when I want to look cute AND walk 30,000 steps a day” - the title of an upcoming Substack, no doubt. I do love the colorway of these and since they tend to sell out, I bought 3 sizes in the hopes one would fit me. Stay tuned!

Simon Miller Knit Dress

This dress! I have worn so many times, always with flats (these The Row shoes make any outfit An Outfit but, not An Outfit, make sense?). At $325 it is “reasonable” and I appreciate the quality and softness of Simon Miller’s knits. I also have the top which I wore a ton as well. 

Eliou Benjie Earrings

I have been dying for the Sophie Buhai small teardrops, and intrigued by these $38 Anthropologie teardrops, but I’ve found myself wearing these more discreet Eliou earrings day to night, with three people and counting asking me if they’re Bottega. They’re really light, too! Best images here but 25% off at SSense here.

Bone Broth

After months on the road I am back home and back on my never ending gut-healing journey. I used to make a cup of coffee as soon as I woke up but I’ve finally managed to swap for bone broth and I. FEEL. BETTER. - I still have coffee, one cup only, a little later on my way to the office. Funny how the things we know are proven to be good for us are sometimes the hardest to implement. I make or buy broth at the farmers market but Brodo ships everywhere and is my go-to when I’m in NYC.

Fara Homidi Lip Liner, Hailey Bieber’s Peptide Everything

After enough people sent me a picture of Victoria Beckham’s Porsche in the 1990’s ~I recently bought my own as a (hopefully) good investment~ I watched the Beckham documentary. As soon as Posh came on screen, I immediately bought Fara Homidi’s Lip Liner in Minky. Like any good citizen of Los Angeles, I layer it under my Rhode Lip Treatment. Both have been an October staple in my car, on the seat since I do not have a cupholder.

See you soon!
Melanie