The DM | Issue Nineteen
Or the one where we make the great return
*Busts into the room in a neon pantsuit, spirit fingers, and a sing-song voice*
Oh helllloooo!
The DM is back and we are well-rested, well-fed, and well pretty great, thanks for asking.
While we were away, we ate all the things, we drank all the things, and we traveled across the world (for real though) and back again. And my, do we have a treasure trove of goodies to show you today.
Ok enough idle chit-chat. Let’s hop to it, shall we?
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From Meg
Postcards from August
In August, I went places! I did things! And most importantly, I got to do my most favorite activity which is, of course, staying at a boutique hotel that I’ve been quietly stalking all over the internet for months. I have two recs for you to write down. Grab some tab space, you’re going to need them.
The first is Hotel Kinsley in upstate New York which I recommend for their commitment to the history of their buildings (History nerd here, we stayed in a place that was legitimately built in the 17th century. It’s literally older than the constitution!) with an interior design that is as modern as it is vintage (That bathtub! The fireplace! Feigns swooning because it’s not the actual 17th century and I’m not wearing a corset).
Also recommended: their daily homemade pastries, their restaurant with a great local wine selection, and the town of Kingston which is a long weekend trip well worth the trek all to itself (See also: Kingston Wines, Brunette, River Mint Finery, and Le Canard Enchaine). Shoutout to my friend Carly for throwing a hell of a wedding party too.
The second hotel of note is the Santa Monica Proper which is a lesson in California luxury from my design crush Kelly Wearstler. While you won’t find much color in this hotel (neutral and beige forevs), it’s one of the most interesting and unique eye-catching places I’ve ever stayed at.
There’s a pool on the roof (I’ve been told the vibe is ‘The Bungalow for the Adults’, and if you know what that means, honey, you know what that means), three restaurants, a spa, and people watching/judging to your heart’s content. See also: Their espresso martinis, the Aesop freebies, and the most glamorous hotel gym I’ve ever been in. Shoutout to my friend Lisa, for having the low key elegant post-wedding party at Malibu Farm that prompted this delightful stay.
While you’re on the road
Anyone else try to rent a car these days? Yeah? Well then you know what a joy it’s been to find out you can rent your very own 2019 Honda Civic for a cool 300 dollars a day. For those of you who want to know more about why renting a car right now is so bad, you can do so here. For the rest of us, may I suggest Turo? We rented a car to go to upstate New York and were looking for a nicer option without the absurd price tag. Turo is basically Airbnb for cars and you can rent everything from a Ferrarito (yes) even a Honda Civic (for a ⅓ of the price as rental car companies, to boot!).
We had such a good experience with it that we’re considering getting a car to just rent out for all those fancy mountain visitors. Also yes, it’s my secret way of getting a car after nearly three years of riding around a bike exclusively. Keep you posted.
Let us lay
Between my travels from the Atlantic to the Pacific, I also did a lot of laying. And what goes great with a horizontal position? Sweatshirts and online shopping, of course. And so through my many hours in the fetal position, I have learned that athleisure drops are now apparently a thing. Maybe they were always a thing and I’m just an outdated Millennial? Gen Z, if you’re out there, hit a girl up on her couch.
Anyway, as I was saying, there’s this thing where boutique brands drop sweatshirts and hats and athletic-ish other things and people gobble them up like a cotton-related Thanksgiving celebration. This is bigger than Yeezy, y’all.
There’s Sporty and Rich. There’s the Museum of Peace and Quiet. There’s Kith. There’s Palo Santo Studios. There’s probably more and my drawers just literally can’t handle another graphic sweatshirt. The real question is though, if I buy a crew neck that says fitness on it, is that the same as going to the gym? Don’t answer that, thanks.
And finally, three other things to help you travel (or not travel) in style:
Not cheap but Megan Markle was onto something because THESE are the softest best-looking button downs I’ve ever had.
We just got CLEAR and Global Entry at the airport and let me tell you… dynamic duo game changer. Clear is just $149 a year and free with certain travel cards. I used to think it was so gimmicky but if you travel a lot, trust, it’s worth it. It’s the closest to VIP-service from the TSA you’re going to get and we all know that’s saying something.
And if you’re going to pack a robe (raise your hand if you live in yours, hello friends), it has to be this one.
From Devon
All tortoise (shell), no hare
While in Amsterdam a few weeks ago, I stopped into v cool coffee shop Toki (a recommendation from Meg), where lattes are served with little tortoise shell teaspoons that I was/am obsessed with (and, based on the numerous Instagram messages I received, everyone else was/is too). Sadly, Toki did not sell these cutie spoons, but luckily, the interwebs always provides. Just imagine how cute these would be at home to have for your morning coffee, or for when people come over for coffee, or for whatever really?!
Though I’m no stranger to the ‘shell, as 90% of sunglasses I’ve ever owned have been this color - this spoon discovery set me down a rabbit (or should I say hare) hole. Tortoise highball glasses! Makeup bags! Candles! A dress! Face masks (cause 2021)! You get it, I like tortoise shell, I’ll stop now.
Getting shrubby with it
One of my all-time favorite stores is Lady & Larder, a lady-owned specialty food shop in LA known for many things, including their gorgeous cheese cakes and swoon-worthy Instagram feed. On a recent shop visit, I came across Sideyard Shrubs aka California-made fruit vinegars that are great to drink with Topo Chico or add to tequila cocktails or mix into dressings. I sampled the Strawberry and Apricot flavors IRL (so.good.) and, always the sucker for good packing and fruity bevvies, I have a few bottles currently on their way to Denver - so, no judgment if a few suddenly make their way into your fridge, too.
When life hands you lemons
I drink lemon water every morning and, as such, I always have loads of lemon peels that I feel bad just tossing into the trash. Enter: a TikTok recommendation for making a natural citrus-infused cleaner that *almost* makes me love cleaning the kitchen.
Also on the list to try with all dem peels this fall: homemade preserved lemons, with the plan to use them in this, and maybe some ‘stovetop potpurri’.
Well, hello there
The vibe of Brad Pitt’s Fall/Winter 2021 video for Broni. That’s it, that’s the recommendation.
Vivre la vie
I didn’t initially set out for my second-to-last DM section to always be a bit somber, but here we are. It’s incredibly easy to forget but incredibly important to remember that we have but ‘one wild and precious life’ - a friend’s beloved and wonderful husband passed away very unexpectedly last week, and it’s been on my mind constantly. So, in honor of Charlie, vivre la vie this weekend - drink and snack like an Italian in your own backyard, seek out live music (or a playlist full of 1970s classics) and dance your ass off, make plans with friends and then bring them a stellar host gift (i.e. It’s It chipwiches), or simply just love the shit out of your people.
And, before you go, a snapshot of what I’m currently:
Making: Julia’s tomato and white cheddar tart with honey and thyme while tomatoes are still (barely) peaking
Listening to: Asa’s reggae-y/soul-y/jazz-y sounds / a groovy Fleetwood cover / ‘Chaise Lounge’ because it’s just so damn catchy!
Eyeing for fall: an oversized blazer, another slip dress, and Beyoncè’s take on the classic jeans-and-a-white-top lewk
Loving: this cheeky tote bag
Donating to: Act Blue, which splits contributions amongst several different Texas Abortion Funds