The DM | Issue Forty Three
Or the one where we get just a little bit basic
Hey, team! It’s Devon, reporting live from what might just be the loveliest of all the falls I’ve experienced in my sevenish years of living in Denver. So lovely that I think it’s making *everyone* shamelessly turn their camera rolls into a golden wave of reds, yellows, and oranges. I’m super guilty of it - allow me to offer Exhibit A into evidence, Your Honor:
(To all those who live in a place where such a season doesn't exist, I’m sorry - cover your ears and your eyes, head straight to the beach, and forget everything I just said.)
This week, Meg is meandering through the colorful streets of Marrakesh and being all glam, eating croissants in Parisian bistros. I’m not a bit jealous (lol, jk, I’m jealous); however, I do miss her, so hurry on home, si vous plait, and merci!
In the meantime, I’m straight-up giddy to welcome two dear friends of the DM as our guest writers for Issue 43, Jake and Lauren. Give them a friendly virtual round of applause, won’t you?
And, while I’d really just love for all of us to be sitting on the couch in sweats, leaning into the cliche that we are and chatting at length about how much *we love fall*, or perhaps analyzing each new Taylor Swift song while simultaneously obsessing over the cover of Alison Roman’s forthcoming dessert cookbook, I know that’s not what you (necessarily) came here for, so - on with the show!
From Devon
Lol-ing: at this quirky shop, and considering adding-to-cart the ‘Honk if you're Ina Garten’ sticker for myself and the ‘Le Midwest’ dad hat for holiday gifting.
Listening to: Sons of East, Sure Sure, and new St. Lucia.
Heading to the kitchen to make: an easy breakfast bowl, cinnamon maple whiskey sours, and a kabocha, olive oil, and bittersweet chocolate cake, perhaps even in that order. I’m also intrigued by DIY French dips, but I will likely (read: definitely) just keep going to Hillstone restaurants for the gold standard instead.
Pre-ordering: a holiday rom-com roast kit because ‘tis almost the season though, Halloween, Imma let you finish, and by finish, I mean finish all the candy).
Loving: penny loafers, an astrologist with a sense of humor, and a pastel lavender coat.
Also:
From Jake
Originally hailing from New York, Jake is the owner of Denver's finest (no questions here, we're 100% biased but 100% correct) establishments and a stylish knower of all that is good in this world.
Reading: Design of the 20th Century. It is a rare box this book does not check...from Charles Eames to Philipe Starck, Charlotte & Peter Fielle have created a gem of a compendium of benchmark architecture, interior design trends, furniture and trademarks from the last 100 years that holds its own on your coffee table. Whether you are furnishing your apartment, designing an office, need a quick reference guide when at a garage sale, or just something to look at when drinking whiskey, this book over-delivers.
Coveting: Seiko 5 Day/Date. This watch is the best $38 I have ever spent. Though the price has gone up in the last couple of years, the Seiko 5 is a quintessential example of bulletproof engineering and timeless aesthetic. The movement has been manufactured by Seiko since the 1950's and you can immediately tell why...pair that with a milled steel housing and bracelet and you will have it forever. Another benefit is that this watch is a clone of one of my favorite Rolex timepieces, the Datejust. Regardless of context or price point, no other timepiece can anchor a wardrobe like a steel oyster band on your wrist.
Wanting to: Expand your mind. Legal hallucinogens, decades of clinical research, and a historic five star Jamaican resort all in one? Sign me the F up! Beckley Retreats is the cutting edge of science-backed Psilocybin tourism. A week of meditation, clean eating, nature, breathwork, and mindful movement all get my vote for the DM company retreat.
Also, wanting to: Expand your heart. The war and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine is a tragedy of our generation. Please donate to Ukrainians of Colorado, it is a non-profit that is volunteer operated so that 100% of your donation goes towards making a difference. Medical supplies, government outreach and education are just a few of the areas U of C specializes in and shares their results via newsletters and social media.
Wearing: Kiriko Jeans. Kiriko is a lifestyle brand that embraces the Japanese value of Mottainai that one must waste nothing and recycle everything. Though the mission may sound a bit crunchy, they produce an incredible pair of raw denim lined with printed Japanese cotton that were pretty much made for the fall. Kiriko also has multiple lines of apparel, housewares, and accessories all made from upcycled materials that show up broken in and full of character, proving that everything gets better with age.
From Lauren
A resident of my favorite Colorado mountain town, Steamboat Springs, Lauren (or LDC) is an inspirational marketing genius and avid adventurer with a knack for finding stellar design and the best bevvies everywhere she goes.
Reading: In a very special 1-person October tradition, I'm currently (re)reading Frankenstein. It's fabulous on Audio, but I also like to curl up under a blanket with this beautiful leatherbound paperback from my local Steamboat book store, Off The Beaten Path. Bonus fun fact (for those of you with a fierce competitive spirit) Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein in 1816 in a competition with her husband (Percey Shelley) and Lord Byron to see who could write the best horror story; suffice it to say, she won.
Wearing: this horse-girl cardigan. As a self-proclaimed non-horse girl, I'll be staying cozy this fall in this fashionable fit adorned with horseshoes and a dream catcher? on the sleeve. I’m perfectly happy with this being the closest I'll get to #barnlife.
Loving: my own personal GlamSquad. As an avid RHOBH watcher, I am channeling my inner Dorit for an upcoming wedding in Brooklyn and getting my glam on. (Sadly, this is not yet in Denver, but a wonderful travel perk for sure!)
Drinking: As a true House of Dragon fan and an overwatcher of this groovy exchange between the powerful leading ladies, I’ve been very into Negroni Sbagliatos (best served in these Moroccan beauties). Another fun fact: Sbagliato loosely means “mistake” in Italian and refers to the act of using prosecco in place of gin and soda water (ala traditional Negroni). I don’t know about you, but any “mistake” involving prosecco is a mistake I am fully behind. You might want to try these other “incorrect” Negronis too.
Excited: to try these Olive and June press-ons. As a salon-mani regular, this is a big step for me, but the convenience, cost-savings, and variety (extra short? Yes please!) all have me feeling like I might just ditch my monthly mani for these pretty pressies.