Coming at you live from New York, reflecting on things you can do and get for yourself to celebrate yourself, because - let’s be honest, you should set your expectations low from a partner on V-day. It’s a very minor “holiday” with sky-high expectations, so as if you needed permission - but here’s your permission to treat yourself to something silly.
SOMETHING SOFT AS HELL
Ok, so maybe this is because at the time of writing I just left the VERY FUN Lisa Yang x Beverly Nguyen dinner at Mr. Chow, but I spent the whole night swaddled in Lisa Yang cashmere. As of late, I’ve been most inclined towards a cotton knit, but of all the cashmere I’ve ever bought, Lisa Yang’s is my favorite. It doesn’t pill, the shapes and colors are sophisticated and interesting, and the brand is under-the-radar enough that when people ask you where you got your sweater you can give them a surprising answer. Lisa Yang
MY FAVORITE SWEATPANTS
Listen. I love a good pair of sweatpants, and it took me until my mid-late 30s to get there. This pair from Donni fits well, washes in well, and is super soft. They look more polished and less schlubby than most brands. Donni, $144
A FANCY PANTS BAG
It is ~the most beautiful~ and you deserve it, and nobody is going to buy it for you, so go get that bag yourself! It’s the most practical, but also most beautiful bag of all time. It can lug your computer, your gym clothes, a bottle or two of champagne, whatever you need to get you though the day, and still look not just presentable, but elegant. The ultimate tote! The Row, $2,390
A REALLY GOOD LIP BALM FOR EVERY BAG
Speaking of bags, every bag you have needs a perfect lip balm - this is my absolute favorite, at the moment. I’m allergic to beeswax, and I’m prone to chapped lips, so I’ve tried SO MANY THINGS. This is the best I’ve found recently - super moisturizing, no flavor, no scent, and just a light glossy texture and the right amount of slip. Ilia, $24
SOMETHING GOOD TO READ
Ultimately, the number 1 thing I want as a gesture of love, is time to read quietly alone. I love reading! And! I would recommend:
My Last Innocent Year - beautifully written, and a very juicy and gripping story. It was a perfect balance of style and substance.
Lauren Sherman’s Newsletter, Line Sheet - If you enjoy great writing and a deeper understanding of the fashion industry (with a nice undercurrent of gossip) you must read Lauren Sherman’s perfect newsletter for Puck, Line Sheet. I don’t have a single friend now who a) isn’t subscribed and b) doesn’t read every last word, every single time.
The Wild Robot Series - Ok, so we started listening to this series for my kids in the car, but I ended up so invested and so deep in the story it became more for me than for them. I’ve always had a soft spot for great YA fiction, but this one….oh man, broke my heart open! If you have kids 6+, read it with them, or just read it yourself and feel how big and weird and wild and perfect, tragic, beautiful the world can be.
THAT’S IT for this week. Coming to you next week with thoughts/notions on New York Fashion Week, and being a person with weird feelings out in the world.
Your friend,
Laurel
Fun pics! The Lisa Yang sweater is the perfect bright red. Lauren Sherman’s Line Sheet is A+
Yes to Line Sheet!!! Can’t get enough.