Issue 02: Rain Check

A summer cocktail, some light shopping, and a very uncomfortable podcast.

Jul 14, 2021

I’m not sure about where you live, but it’s been raining for a week straight here in Atlanta thanks to Tropical Storm Elsa. Pool days, long walks and outdoor socialization have been pulled back, so we’ve been racing the dog in and out between storms, cooking, reading and generally being hunkered down at home (or under the shelter of a restaurant’s roof) for the last stretch. Not that there is anything wrong with a little rainy day downtime. I’ve also been using these wet days to make little car trips around the city and re-explore post-COVID.

To drink >> One such exploring trip led me to Elemental Spirits, a super-charming independent wine and spirits shop down the street from my loft. I was in there with my boyfriend, and our mission was beer because he wanted a Saison. We walked out with a lot more than that, of which I think the prize was a bottle of Cappelletti, a “concession” I thought I was making because Aperol was out of stock. Like Aperol, Cappelletti is a crimson-hued, herbal aperitif a little on the bitter side (but not Campari bitter) that’s a touch sweet and citrus-y. In short: it’s a lot like Aperol. But better. Make your Spritz with this, y’all — same way you’d make it with Aperol: just remember, 3-2-1. 3 ounces Prosecco, 2 ounces Cappelletti, 1 ounce club soda. Over ice, garnish with an orange slice. (We came across dehydrated, sugared orange slices by Blue Henry Spirits at the shop, so we used those.)
To try >> One of my favorite people to follow on the socials is skincare guru @charlotteparler. She slashes through fear-based beauty marketing with zero BS. When she vouches for a product, I listen — which is how I came to own the About-Face Light Lock highlighter (shade: Shaken or Stirred) and Matte Fluid Eye Paint (shade: Terracotta). I like a liquid eyeshadow because it’s easy. About-Face’s is ultra-pigmented and blends, blends, blends. But the real star of the show is Light Lock. WOW. The *glow*. People keep asking me what I’ve been doing to my skin, and I swear it’s just a few dots of this highlighter on top of my makeup. (Interesting factoid: the brand is owned by superstar singer Halsey.)
To shop >> If you follow literally any influencer, then you’ve already been brow-beaten about the forthcoming Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. I’ve received DM’s on Instagram asking if I will be sharing any kind of roundup of sale picks, and the answer is mostly no. But don’t misunderstand me: while I know we all get fatigued hearing about it, content creators are heavily incentivized to push this sale, either by direct partnerships with the retailer or through big commission cuts via the affiliate networks like RewardStyle and ShopStyle Collective because is a high-earning time for them. So if it’s a creator you want to support, try to use their links — it’s a lot of work putting those guides together. And by the way, Nordstrom is an awesome company. Working there was my first big-girl job. I loved it then, and I still love what they stand for now (case in point: their recent 15% Pledge commitment). I remember how even back when I was there (pre-”influencer”, as we know it) people got so genuinely excited for this sale every year. It’s fun! The seasoned amongst us know that beauty items go the fastest because they rarely go on sale. I picked through and found a few things I actually wholeheartedly recommend, below. (For a super-thorough rundown of the sale, visit my friend Merritt’s blog, The Style Scribe. She’s a much better resource for this.)
Necessaire body wash and lotion set // Boy Smells votive set // Paula’s Choice Jumbo-Size Exfoliate (this is a deal!!) // Le Labo Jumbo Hinoki Hand Soap (omg, this fragrance.) // I’m one of those silk pillow case people. // Yes, the NuFace totally works. No, you won’t see any results from it if you don’t use it daily.
To plan >> I like to start shopping for fall/winter now. I know! It’s hot! But you get great prices on anything you didn’t get around to last season, and first crack at the good stuff starting to trickle out. I got a great deal on these Khaite boots from last season (literally for 1/3 original price!) and went ahead and grabbed a few things I feel sure will sell out by the time it’s cold enough to wear them, like this Totême turtleneck.
To shop >> But for now, while it’s hot and muggy, I’ve been living in basics from H&M, especially when they make cute sets, knit dresses that hearken The Row, and an oversized linen-blend white blazer that looks great over something like this.
To listen >> The uncomfortable Leandra Medine episode of The Cutting Room Floor podcast is an important listen, especially if you are in media. Pay the three bucks for the Patreon extras. A good follow-up is the You’re Wrong About episode about Cancel Culture.
To make >> The Breville Nespresso Creatista Plus gives me everything I need from at-home coffee: it’s a fast, good-looking machine, and making a drink is straightforward. Compatible illy pods make flavorful coffee, and recycling said pods is simple.
L: Atlanta’s Elemental Spirits Co. // R: Cappelletti Spritz
To watch >> Without spoiling anything here, I’ll say I liked HBO’s Gossip Girl reboot — at least, as far as episode one! Did you watch? Tell me what you thought.
To nest >> Jo Malone’s Glowing Embers candle comes in a beautiful creamy white ceramic vessel and smells somewhere between burning Palo Santo and a freshly blown-out match. If warmth was a fragrance, this would be it.
To visit [local] >> In Atlanta, I’ve taken to the rooftop at Estrella lately. Most importantly, I can walk there. But also: great city views, nice light, good…enough drinks (ha!) and a high-energy vibe without being rowdy. More new haunts I like here.