Happy Halloween to all those who celebrate! Fingers crossed its not going to rain here in LA! So looking forward to walking the neighborhood with our lil girl for her first Halloween. If you need a last minute costume, I loved being Juliet (from Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo & Juliet. Def worth a rewatch btw) and it was pretty darn easy to pull together! You just need some wings, a white nightgown and a cross necklace! Angelic attitude sold separately.

It’s that time of year when I do a massive restock on my favorite beauty products during the Sephora sale. It’s on now for Rouge members and starts 11/3 for the rest of us. Save up to 30% through 11/9 with code ALLONSALE. I’m building my cart now so I can check out as soon as the sale hits!

• The VioletteFR bisou balm is a hit for a reason! Stocking up on Betisse.

• The new Saie eyeshadow looks so good! I’m ordering the bronzey shade Affogatto plus their double sided eyeshadow brush.

• The m.ph lip ciggy in Love Bites is SO great for fall! It gives a moody 90s black currant stain. I love wearing it with an all white outfit and no other makeup. I’m ordering her new gloss in Can’t Stop to try.

• My daily driver is the Tower28 Sunny Days in Montana, I’ve gone through maybe 5 bottles? Super sheer but evens me out plus a spf and very well priced. I also think their mascara punches way above its weight.

• Westman Atelier Hydrobalm is really that girl. Shades English Rose and Nectar are in heavy rotation and I can’t wait to try Glogg! I absolutely love the new Liquid foundation (I wear L4) . It’s perfect for a night out or when you’re going to be photographed!

• My forever faves Crown Affair silk scrunchies and clips are a must.

  

• I was an Oribe devotee for yearsssss and have since moved on for most hair products, but no one can beat their dry texturizing spray. I’m ready for a lil voluuuuume this fall!

• I’m on a major NARS kick. It’s a classic for a reason! Their liquid blush is a desert island product for me. Get the cult fave Orgasm or Que Calor, a dusty rose.

• I LIVE for Ultra Violette Future Screen! Mineral SPF50, very sheer tint, looks good all day. I leave this next to the door to apply for my walks!

• I’m a die hard ROZ girl. I go through their shampoo, conditioner + milk hair serum like water so definitely grabbing a restock!

• Obvi Fara Homidi anything and everything. The eye shadow is so special, the face compact and the lip pencils are some of my favorites.

• Perfect time to buy a few Laneige lip balms. Still my favorite!

• I like a thick moisturizer so I was excited to try Sophie Pavitt’s Omega Rich Cream. It delivers on promise! Also stocking up on their Micellar Pads, the best makeup remover wipe I’ve found!

• Little known fact… I don’t have a hairdryer and I kinda want one! I hear very good things about the T3 Aire ceramic dryer. Might be time to dive in!

It was a super fun week full of lots of events and a very quick trip to Napa. I can’t wait to share all the details soon! Thanks as always for being here. I’m so glad last week’s Course Corrector post resonated with so many of you! If you enjoy Amuse Bouche, give it a heart! It helps others discover my work. Until next week…

XO

Michèle

p.s. if you make a purchase using the links above, I may make a small commission at no cost to you! merci!

Around 9 years ago, I had just ended a relationship. It was a messy, dramatic breakup that left me wondering about my life choices as breakups in your 20s usually do. 9 months prior, I went through another BIG breakup so you could say I was on a roll. I found myself in Los Angeles staying with friends trying to make sense of my past, present, and future. I was doing allll the things such as speaking with energy healers, angel ladies, going to the Korean spa, Kundalini yoga, shopping, going out, yapping with all my girlfriends about it, and trying to regain my footing.

There’s obviously a lot of sadness during a breakup, but there’s also this sparkly, kinetic energy that reminds you that anything is possible and you can change your life whenever you want. I actually kind of love that blank slate feeling, a small silver lining among chaos and heartbreak.

So I’m having that week of emotional + spiritual rehab and my friend Lauren invites me out to dinner with a couple of her friends, who happen to be men. I immediately told her, ‘I know what you’re doing, I cannot be meeting any guys right now.’ She replied with, ‘You need better male figures in your life, one of them has a girlfriend and the other one is Ned! It will be super chill.’ I begrudgingly agreed and showed up grumpy, fragile, and the ‘first of our party to arrive’ lol.

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It’s been another jam packed week full of looks n friends n parties n babies! Here’s everything I’ve been wearing plus a few things I’d be wearing if I lived in a cooler climate. We’re getting seared out here in Cali, but we did have a morning of sweater weather this week, so that was FUN! Took full advantage of the occasion.

Y’all know I loooove a white jean (all year round ofc). I’m happy to say there’s a new fabulous pair in town from Jenni Kayne. They’re actually undyed cotton, so a little creamier than white. I love the Ojai straight leg. Size down!

I went to a really fun dinner for TOAST last week and it was so hot, but I wanted to wear their sweater so badly I just tied it around my waist. The guest list was really cool and I sat next to furniture designer Vince Skelly and jewelry designer Lili Monbouquette and was thoroughly entertained the whole evening!

One morning we woke up to a crisp chill in the air! A very exciting moment, so I had to put on my most sweatery-sweater and trusty black jeans. Of course it burned off by midday but it was fun while it lasted!

If I still lived in NY, this is what I would be wearing right now!

Clockwise from top left:

• I can’t stop wearing this nutmeg brown button down. It has the most amazing texture IRL!

• I saw a girl wearing these pants at the gym the other day and they looked so cute. I fear I may need to jump on that High Sport wagon!

• Tissue thin 100% cashmere long sleeve is my go-to right now.

• I just got these Sylvie earrings and I can’t take them off.

• Addicted to this nude gloss from Chanel.

• Beautiful bag from Mark Cross.

• These Toteme flats are pretty perfect right?

• Cashmere cotton socks y’all.

• Love this sumptuous toffee colored shearling coat. Plus it’s reversible!

• I think these Nike Moon shoes are fixing to be my fall sneaker.

• Chilled Red Fall, baby!

• My favorite grey sweatshirt is back in stock! Run!

For some reason I’m really drawn to these bubblegum party looks! I’m ready to RSVP.

Clockwise from top left:

• Coupe by Sophie Lou Jacobson.

• Feather brooch to put on anything and everything.

• Pink slip dress with blue straps!

• Still thinking about these Sophie Bille Brahe earrings I tried on last week.

• Westman Atelier Hydrobalm in Nectar.

• Prada silk pouch in the perfect green.

• The coolest Chan Luu coat to immediately make an amazing outfit.

• This strapless top would look great with baggy black jeans and a glass of champagne.

• Jude makes the best heels and these come in lotsa diff colors.

• This silky Doen dress in powder blue is STUNNING in person. I need it bad.

• These earrings convert into long dangly ones! So fun.

• Pink silk moire clutch from Rennk.

• Gold Gucci party heels on TRR!

• I’m enamored by this jacquard skirt and jacket by Renggli. It just makes me happy!!!

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Thanks to everyone for being here this week! Today we’re pouring wine at LA Loves Alex’s Lemonade, come by the wine tent and say hi if you’re there! Have a relaxing and safe weekend before all the Halloween madness sets in! If you enjoy reading Amuse Bouche, give it a heart or a comment, it makes my day!

xo

Michèle

p.s. if you make a purchase using the links above, I may make a small commission at no cost to you!

Another week has flown by and here I am scrambling to get the things I’ve been loving out of my head and onto this newsletter. This is a roundup of the best things I ate, wore, saw and did recently! Let’s get right into it!

Fashion

Paris Fashion Week has come to a close marking the end of Fashion Month! My highlight was this look from the Dior show. Need gold pants and a flowy blue top immediately! Also love the story of how @giverachelashot who has been recreating Chanel runway shows on the streets of Lagos on IG got cast for the show!!! This is the good side of social media and I am here for it! Also I am very inspired by show soundtracks, such a great way to discover new music. I loved the finale song for Celine - Know My Name by Johnny Nash and Tomo Katsurada. I was also delighted to hear our daughter’s bedtime routine song was used at Chanel right before being mixed into Gimme More. Iconic!

Beauty

It’s Violet Grey’s Put it in the Bag event which means 20% off the best in beauty! I’m stocking up on some of my faves like Westman Atelier Hydrabalm in Ballerine (back in stock finally!), Foundation and Susanne Kauffman Eye Cream. Also a great moment to try out some newer discoveries like these Kraum brushes which are changing the way I do makeup. J’Obsessed! Celisse is newly Violet Grey approved! Their Camisole shade is the perfect nude polish. Carte Blanche is multi hyphenate skincare, spf, and sheer coverage I’ve been testing out, love! This brand Atlas Atelier literally just launched in Paris last week and looks really gorgeous and luxe. I have my eye on the liquid liner and red lippie! Also, new fave gloss alert: Chanel Rouge Coco Hydragloss in shade Accessoire. Gorgeous, glossy nude, but not too glossy ya know.

Food

I finally made it to Chainsaw’s new-ish location in Melrose Hill. It was so cute and tropical and fun! Open from 9-3 which feels slightly random but I’m down with whatever they’re doing. We picked up some arepas, stonefruit salad, papas fritas and of course their infamous icebox pie. Food was so good it was gobbled up before I could snap a pic. Next time, I want to sit at one of the tables outside and enjoy the scene!

Our friend chef Brian Bornemann of Crudo e Nudo is about to open his new restaurant called Bar Fortuna on Main Street in Santa Monica. My husband and I hosted a little friends and family night this week and it was so fun! It’s a beautiful space with a great bar and pastas. What more do you want?! See you there.

P.S. I’m back hooked on my Dr. Stollberg nightly cuppa tea. It’s part of my wind down routine and the best way to cap off a night of indulging in the aforementioned arepas and pastas!

Jewels

I was a very lucky duck this week and got to spend the morning with the team from Sophie Bille Brahe while they were in LA. I have been a huge fan of the brand for years and even wore some of their pearl earrings for my wedding! I got to try on so many insane pieces it was actually a dream! Their initial rings are so cool. I’m forever a pearl girl. And that’s one hellllluva tennis necklace. If you’re looking for a mega treat, this would be a good place to start.

Watch

Everyone I know is obsessed with East of Eden… Me included!!! Period pieces usually aren’t really my thing but this is so raw and real, I can’t help but be captivated! It’s shot beautifully and has sparked some really great conversations among my friends and I. I can’t stop thinking about it which I believe is the mark of a great show. Are you watching?! LMK what you think! Bravo to our friend Zoe Kazan, a truly incredible piece of work.

Wear

I loved wearing this strapless top and grey asymmetrical skirt from St. Agni for dinner at The Platform the other night. A fun lewk! These flats are my new faves… Zero break in time and immediately in the rotation! Very cute with these cotton cashmere socks. Looks like we’re about to get a break in the heat for a few days and I’m very much looking forward to wearing this perfect sweatshirt and this sweater!

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That’s all I’ve got for you this week! Hope you have a lovely long weekend. I’m hoping to get Lucia to a pumpkin patch! Very excited for her first Halloween. A little jealous of the fall foliage I see on the east coast, but will try to catch the Cali version up north. Thanks, as always, for being here. If you enjoy reading Amuse Bouche, give it a lil heart or comment. Til next time!

Big kiss!

Michele

p.s. if you make a purchase using the links above, I may make a small commission at no cost to you! merci!

Hiya!

All of a sudden it’s October and my baby is 10 months old! They weren’t lying when they said time flies. Somehow, I’m nostalgic for moments with her as I’m living them. Becoming a new parent feels like learning a whole new language that changes every few weeks. My goal is to tap into my gut as a mother an…

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I didn’t necessarily have a set topic for the newsletter this week, but I’m always inspired by food (and can talk about it endlessly) so here we are! After being pregnant and postpartum, I’m finally feeling energized to get back in the kitchen. Cooking for myself and for the ones I love feels like a creative project that ideally results in something …

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September is really full of that back to school, back to work energy! Lots going on… A sharp contrast to the long lazy days of summer. Today’s letter is kind of like a transcript of a chit chat with my mom… All the little things I’m loving lately, the best bites I’ve had, what we’re watching, what I can’t stop wearing and more! I love how the…

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Last weekend we had the absolute pleasure to visit Rosewood Mandarina thanks to our friends at Jenni Kayne and let me just tell you… it was one of the best hotel experiences I’ve ever had in my life. And even more special, was the fact that we got to go as a family! It was our daughter’s first time to Mexico and let’s just say she loved it. We were…

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We’re coming up on the tail end of summer but there’s one last hurrah to be had… The US Open!! If you’ve been reading for a while, you know that I’m a tennis obsessive/amateur player/super fan. I wrote this letter a few months ago during Roland Garros and wanted to bring it back for the last Grand Slam of the season. I’m also on a fun little family getaway that I can’t wait to tell you about, so please enjoy this piece from the archives, still fresh as a new can of tennis balls :)

***If anyone ever wants to invite me to any tennis events, tournaments, US Open etc, I am IN! I’m familiar with every player in the top 100 and know all the tennis goss. I’m a passionate fan and I will post the hell out of it! Holla at me! ;)

It seems more and more people are watching, playing, and talking about tennis! We absolutely love that!! I come from a tennis loving family but I was a rebellious youth and waited until my 30s to properly pick up a racquet. I started taking lessons during COVID and got deeply hooked. My husband was on the team at Columbia so I have some catching up to do! Then I started watching all the tournaments on the Tennis Channel (I find it very meditative to have on in the background). Every morning I wake up and check the scores of the matches being played all around the world. I haven’t been in the scene for a long time, but I think I can safely say that I am a true tennis girlie.

What’s so great about tennis?

It’s the world’s healthiest sport! Playing tennis has actually changed my life for the better. Doing something simply for the fun of it and learning a new physical skill as an adult feels so good. I love that you have to stay so present and can’t dwell on the last shot. The ball is coming right back! They say playing racquet sports adds 9 years(!) onto one’s life and I can see why. It’s so good for your left and right brain, cardiovascular health and coordination. Plus the endorphins after running around in the sunshine smashing a lil yellow ball are hard to beat! If you’re nervous to start, find a beginner’s group to join. Yes, it’s soooo hard and humbling and you’ll have to practice, but who cares, it’s so much fun. Playing tennis has actually done wonders for my self-confidence. There’s no time to overthink and you just gotta go out there and do your thing. It doesn’t matter if you’re not good, it’s not that serious! Also it’s a really great way to meet new people. I’ve made some really cool tennis friends I wouldn’t have met otherwise and they’re all boss ass queens. Just sayin :)

So you’ve signed up for lessons… Now what to wear?!

I’ve had a bunch of girlfriends pick up tennis recently and they’ve been asking me what the hell do we wear?!! It can be hard to feel like yourself on the court, but it can be done! I personally like to look cool n sporty rather than cute n preppy when I play. So for me, that means a skirt, a graphic T, and a baseball hat! (The Amuse Bouche hat above doesn’t exist yet… but should it?! LMK!) I recommend choosing a skirt or shorts with a ball pocket. There are a few brands like Spence, Courting and Palmes shaking things up in the tennis gear department, so check them out! Let me know if there are any others I should know about. Sidenote: some clubs require certain dress codes so obvi adhere to them.

Most tennis shoes are notoriously ugly/sold out/uncool. But, wearing running shoes is a dead giveaway that you don’t know what you’re doing and you might mark up the court. Plus you can roll your ankle really easily, so get yourself some proper sneaks! I’ve been wearing some old Adidas for about 6 years and influenced myself to get a fresh pair. Got these all black Nikes! I also like the Coco Gauff x New Balance’s. If you like a white shoe (or your club requires them) go for The Roger. Alsoooo it appears that Kallmeyer is doing a collab with Nike?! Very intrigued.

What to wear to watch a tournament?

If you’re lucky to score tickets to a slam (or any pro tournament) you know it’s a little tricky to figure out what to wear. A few factors: The conditions! Could be HOT during the day AND you may catch a late five setter that goes well into the night! Also take into consideration the vibe of the tourney. You wouldn’t wear the same look to Wimbledon as you would to the US Open now would you?! Also, I don’t like when people dress as if they’re going to play tennis… it’s like, do you think someone’s gonna hand you a racquet and call you down to center court? Nah. You wanna look relaxed but chic, you could run into Anna Wintour for the love of god! I digress! Truly, just wear whatever you feel good in but here’s what I would do… Think elevated casual, like what you would wear to a nice lunch. Now add a sporty/preppy touch! Think a baseball hat, a cardi or cotton knit thrown over your shoulders and when in doubt, go for white on white. If you’re going to Wimby you can dress up even more! Don’t forget to accessorize with the signature snack like strawberries and cream, Coqodaq’s chicken nuggets with caviar or the Honeydeuce!

Look 1: Adorable striped tank and matching longsleeve paired with a tailored black short. These are similar to my Acne pair that I get a TON of wear from. Fun Chan Luu earrings and white flats. Perfect for a daytime session at the US Open.

Look 2: A colorful twist on a classic from Polo. Says, I know the rules but I wanna have fun! Wear with a relaxed white jean or even long shorts. Miu Miu moccasins plus Dehanche belt. I’m obsessed with this pearl and peridot anklet! Pot de Miel forever with my holy grail brow product tucked inside.

Look 3: I’d wear this to Wimbledon and feel like a chic bitch. Delectable chocolate brown dress with a raffia Celine half-moon bag, 1988 Rolex Oyster Perpetual. Sunglasses from Lie Studios, perfect earrings and the always trusty Felix hat. I just got these sandals and they’re really nice in person!

Look 4: I’m wearing a very old suit from Zara, but use it as inspo! Love this white linen blazer and short from Buck Mason. Or this very chic jacket and skirt suit from Posse! A white suit is a very useful thing to have in one’s closet. It always hits!

Wanna know more about tennis?

Here are some of my favorite follows for those of us who can’t get enough!

is one of my fave tennis culture newsletters (and IG follows) written by Jessica Schiffer. She’s also a Bravo-head which I deeply appreciate.

Served - Andy Roddick’s podcast is my religion. I love his insight as a former pro and he’s really quite skilled at interviews! Highly recommend his episode with Andre Agassi. Petitioning for him to commentate all slams s’il vous plait!

@Balanced_Tennis - Great tennis memes and daily tour updates.

Tennis Channel - My favorite app! It’s about $100/year for all ATP/WTA tour coverage outside the slams! I tune into all the matches from my phone.

Rafael Nadal Doc - Loveddd this. Fascinating look at a highly successful yet kind of heartbreaking career. If you didn’t know, he played nearly his entire career with a broken foot!!!

Novak Djokovic Doc - Just came out on Prime, haven’t seen it yet, but interested to see behind the scenes of his very interesting life!

Bring some tennis vibes to your coffee table with these stunning books: Paradise Courts by Emanuele D’Angelo, Tennis Courts by Karl Hab, Courtship by Laura Bailey.

Inner Game of Tennis - I deeply need to read this classic. Helps quiet the mind and encourages peak performance… in tennis and in life! Sign me up!

Thanks for tuning in y’all! I hope this inspired you to pick up a racquet this summer. If any of you wanna nerd out on tennis, my DM’s are open! I can’t wait to see how the tournament unfolds… Things are looking pretty wide open! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and I’ll see you next week!!

xo

Michèle

p.s. if you make a purchase using the links above, I may make a small commission! merci!

I’ve drummed up quite a few obsessions over the past few weeks and I’ve got to share! Read on for my fave lunches to make at home, the docuseries I’m bingeing, some really good jeans and my endorphin booster of late. Plus a recipe for an easy, breezy summer dinner party. Spoiler: There’s pasta involved! Let’s jump right in…

1. Making lunch… Ok so I know …

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I’m back in the swing of things after taking some time off… I was so touched by how my last letter resonated with many of you! Taking a moment to zoom out and live in the moment was a nice reset… especially during summer! Sweet, fleeting summer! Today I’m sharing a recap of our trip - everything I wore, the best things I ate, did, etc! This is a lo…

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We just got back from our Summer holiday and despite traveling with an 8 month old, it actually felt like my first ever vacation. I chose to give myself a break from my weekly publishing schedule and couldn’t be happier about it. And even though I didn’t go to college, I wholeheartedly agree with the below statement…

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We live in a time where anything a…

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This time of year is all about simple pleasures and serving sandwiches for dinner using peak tomatoes falls squarely into that category. Plus I find it fresh and cute and charming! Don’t eat meat? tempeh bacon can be so delicious too. The main reason why I wanted to make BLT’s was so I could make some fancy mayos. Not that you really need a recipe for the most self explanatory sandwich on the planet, but here’s what I did to make it especially good.

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The B: I picked up some bacon from Peads and Barnetts at the Santa Monica Farmers Market and then cooked it in the oven at 400° for about 25 mins to get it extra crispy. Next time I cook bacon, I might sprinkle some shichimi toragashi on top for a lil spice! We also had some tempeh bacon for anyone who wanted to keep it veg! One of my favorite sandwiches in the world is the TLT at Little Canal in NY, which uses tempeh so had to pay homage to them.

The L: I found some nice and crispy lettuce at SMFM but would use something that has a bit of crunch like romaine, butter leaf, little gem, or a classic iceberg. Wash, dry it, and separate into leaves.

The A: How to make a BLT even better… add avocado. Nuff said.

The T: I know I can’t shut up about tomatoes right now (see Apéro Time) but this is the moment! Did anyone else see this insanely beautiful tomato?! Wow. For your BLT, choose a few colorful heirloom tomatoes, slice them and season with salt. Very important, don’t forget the salt!

The Bread: In my opinion, the most important part of any sandwich is the bread. I envisioned nice thick slices of sourdough, so I got a loaf from Gjusta and it was exactly what I wanted. I would also enjoy a grainy sandwich bread, but that feels more lunchtime than dinnertime, know what I mean? If we’re doing sandwiches for dinner, we want to make it feel luxurious! To perfectly toast the bread, we brought out a big flat griddle, spread a light layer of mayo to both sides and let it sizzle til golden brown. I sliced the big pieces of bread in half to make it more manageable.

The Mayo(s): The actual reason this dinner came to be is that I wanted to make these bespoke mayos. Of course you can make your own mayo pretty easily, but store bought is fine :) I know everyone is obsessed with Duke’s, but I never see it in the stores here! Is it an East Coast thing? I used Suzie’s as the base for both of these and it was great! Mayo #1 was inspired by the iconic Basil Mayo by Annie Lucey. I wanted something a lil punchy so added a bunch of cilantro and a spoonful of yuzu kosho to her recipe. Turned out *chef’s kiss*!! Mayo #2 was a corn mayo I saw on Food52. Very easy to whip up and added a lot of flavor and dimension to the sandwich! Basically, you just char some corn, then roughly blend with mayo and salt. It was so good, my friend Sam ate it with a spoon. You know what could be really great is combining both of these recipes! An herby, corn mayo?! Not mad at it. BTW, I use this very handy mini food processor for these and making salsa verdes, dressings and more. Another great option is of course a spicy mayo, I usually just mix Cholula and mayo. Always bomb.

The Sides: I had grand plans of making a snap pea salad with radish, feta, mint and dill but that sounded like a hell of a lot of chopping and I wasn’t quite up for it. So instead, I was inspired by Logan and his viral cucumber salads. Because sometimes, you need to eat an entire cucumber! These are so easy to make, using a mandolin to slice the cucumber directly into a quart container, add the rest of the ingredients and shake shake shake! I made some quick pickles with cucumbers, green onion, garlic, sesame seeds, sesame oil, gochujang, soy, rice vinegar and cannot stop eating them! The perfect side to a BLT.

The Presentation: I was toying with making everyone’s sandwich ahead of time but thought building your own would be more fun and interactive! I arranged all the fixings on two enamelware platters, the lettuce, tomatoes, and avocado on one and the bacon and perfectly toasted bread on another. Separating wet and dry ingredients is key as sogginess is the enemy of a great sandwich. Put the mayos in my trusty Porta nesting bowls and voila! Everyone got to create their perfect BLAT - mine included both mayos and two diff colors of tomatoes. Divine! A summery dinner calls for summery wine, so we served Lorenza Rosé + Picpoul Blanc ofc. I used an old Liberty x J.Crew tablecloth but this one would have been cute too!

The Dessert: The vibe of this evening low key and easy, so I outsourced dessert asked my friend Sam to bring something. She came through with mango creamsicles that were SO good and the perfect end to our meal! Popsicles are a really cute treat to bring to hosts.

We really had so much fun with this. Sometimes, a great dinner party doesn’t need to be fancy, cost a lot, or require a lot of time and planning. Go ahead and delight your friends with a last min invite for everyone’s favorite sandwich and a true summer time staple. Judging by my IG dm’s, people are gonna be jazzed. Have a fave BLT in LA? Lemme know! I want to try Breadhead’s version. Their sandwiches are bomb and the bread is amazing. Even Padma is a fan.

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Thanks as always for being here. If you want to find me on IG, I’m @kissser and shop all my faves here! Happy summering and see ya soon!

XO,
Michèle

P.S. If you make a purchase using the links above, I may make a commission, thank you!

In case you missed it…

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Thought we’d do a lil catch up with some of my fits, faves and happenings from the past week or so. Let’s jump right in!

I had the pleasure of joining Merit for a beautiful dinner celebrating their new Clean Volume Mascara. It was at a gorgeous house in Beverly Hills and had a…

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It’s that magical weekend where it’s Wimbledon and F1 at Silverstone and the World Cup! Oh yeah… and the Fourth of July! A few weeks ago, my husband and I were talking about our Summer Bucket List and one of mine was to throw a World Cup party! While we love having people over, my hosting days have been on hiatus since the…

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What a week! The Knicks won in 5, Love Island UK is poppin’, the World Cup is on, my husband and I celebrated 5 years married, and now it’s officially Summer… Well technically tomorrow, but I can’t wait any longer! I saw something recently that said on average, we have about 80 summers in our lifetime. I hope that doesn’t stress an…

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A couple weeks ago, we packed up the car and headed north for my birthday! Seeing as we have a 6 month old baby, the days of a wild rager are on pause for the moment. I wanted to do something really low key and easy with a couple of friends. The Plan: eat great meals in a chill locale and make sure Miss Baby can have her naps. And maybe go for a swim…

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We’re coming up on the tail end of summer but there’s one last hurrah to be had… The US Open!! If you’ve been reading for a while, you know that I’m a tennis obsessive/amateur player/super fan. I wrote this letter a few months ago during Roland Garros and wanted to bring it back for the last Grand Slam of the season. I’m also on a fun little family getaway that I can’t wait to tell you about, so please enjoy this piece from the archives, still fresh as a new can of tennis balls :)

***If anyone ever wants to invite me to any tennis events, tournaments, US Open etc, I am IN! I’m familiar with every player in the top 100 and know all the tennis goss. I’m a passionate fan and I will post the hell out of it! Holla at me! ;)

It seems more and more people are watching, playing, and talking about tennis! We absolutely love that!! I come from a tennis loving family but I was a rebellious youth and waited until my 30s to properly pick up a racquet. I started taking lessons during COVID and got deeply hooked. My husband was on the team at Columbia so I have some catching up to do! Then I started watching all the tournaments on the Tennis Channel (I find it very meditative to have on in the background). Every morning I wake up and check the scores of the matches being played all around the world. I haven’t been in the scene for a long time, but I think I can safely say that I am a true tennis girlie.

What’s so great about tennis?

It’s the world’s healthiest sport! Playing tennis has actually changed my life for the better. Doing something simply for the fun of it and learning a new physical skill as an adult feels so good. I love that you have to stay so present and can’t dwell on the last shot. The ball is coming right back! They say playing racquet sports adds 9 years(!) onto one’s life and I can see why. It’s so good for your left and right brain, cardiovascular health and coordination. Plus the endorphins after running around in the sunshine smashing a lil yellow ball are hard to beat! If you’re nervous to start, find a beginner’s group to join. Yes, it’s soooo hard and humbling and you’ll have to practice, but who cares, it’s so much fun. Playing tennis has actually done wonders for my self-confidence. There’s no time to overthink and you just gotta go out there and do your thing. It doesn’t matter if you’re not good, it’s not that serious! Also it’s a really great way to meet new people. I’ve made some really cool tennis friends I wouldn’t have met otherwise and they’re all boss ass queens. Just sayin :)

So you’ve signed up for lessons… Now what to wear?!

I’ve had a bunch of girlfriends pick up tennis recently and they’ve been asking me what the hell do we wear?!! It can be hard to feel like yourself on the court, but it can be done! I personally like to look cool n sporty rather than cute n preppy when I play. So for me, that means a skirt, a graphic T, and a baseball hat! (The Amuse Bouche hat above doesn’t exist yet… but should it?! LMK!) I recommend choosing a skirt or shorts with a ball pocket. There are a few brands like Spence, Courting and Palmes shaking things up in the tennis gear department, so check them out! Let me know if there are any others I should know about. Sidenote: some clubs require certain dress codes so obvi adhere to them.

Most tennis shoes are notoriously ugly/sold out/uncool. But, wearing running shoes is a dead giveaway that you don’t know what you’re doing and you might mark up the court. Plus you can roll your ankle really easily, so get yourself some proper sneaks! I’ve been wearing some old Adidas for about 6 years and influenced myself to get a fresh pair. Got these all black Nikes! I also like the Coco Gauff x New Balance’s. If you like a white shoe (or your club requires them) go for The Roger. Alsoooo it appears that Kallmeyer is doing a collab with Nike?! Very intrigued.

What to wear to watch a tournament?

If you’re lucky to score tickets to a slam (or any pro tournament) you know it’s a little tricky to figure out what to wear. A few factors: The conditions! Could be HOT during the day AND you may catch a late five setter that goes well into the night! Also take into consideration the vibe of the tourney. You wouldn’t wear the same look to Wimbledon as you would to the US Open now would you?! Also, I don’t like when people dress as if they’re going to play tennis… it’s like, do you think someone’s gonna hand you a racquet and call you down to center court? Nah. You wanna look relaxed but chic, you could run into Anna Wintour for the love of god! I digress! Truly, just wear whatever you feel good in but here’s what I would do… Think elevated casual, like what you would wear to a nice lunch. Now add a sporty/preppy touch! Think a baseball hat, a cardi or cotton knit thrown over your shoulders and when in doubt, go for white on white. If you’re going to Wimby you can dress up even more! Don’t forget to accessorize with the signature snack like strawberries and cream, Coqodaq’s chicken nuggets with caviar or the Honeydeuce!

Look 1: Adorable striped tank and matching longsleeve paired with a tailored black short. These are similar to my Acne pair that I get a TON of wear from. Fun Chan Luu earrings and white flats. Perfect for a daytime session at the US Open.

Look 2: A colorful twist on a classic from Polo. Says, I know the rules but I wanna have fun! Wear with a relaxed white jean or even long shorts. Miu Miu moccasins plus Dehanche belt. I’m obsessed with this pearl and peridot anklet! Pot de Miel forever with my holy grail brow product tucked inside.

Look 3: I’d wear this to Wimbledon and feel like a chic bitch. Delectable chocolate brown dress with a raffia Celine half-moon bag, 1988 Rolex Oyster Perpetual. Sunglasses from Lie Studios, perfect earrings and the always trusty Felix hat. I just got these sandals and they’re really nice in person!

Look 4: I’m wearing a very old suit from Zara, but use it as inspo! Love this white linen blazer and short from Buck Mason. Or this very chic jacket and skirt suit from Posse! A white suit is a very useful thing to have in one’s closet. It always hits!

Wanna know more about tennis?

Here are some of my favorite follows for those of us who can’t get enough!

is one of my fave tennis culture newsletters (and IG follows) written by Jessica Schiffer. She’s also a Bravo-head which I deeply appreciate.

Served - Andy Roddick’s podcast is my religion. I love his insight as a former pro and he’s really quite skilled at interviews! Highly recommend his episode with Andre Agassi. Petitioning for him to commentate all slams s’il vous plait!

@Balanced_Tennis - Great tennis memes and daily tour updates.

Tennis Channel - My favorite app! It’s about $100/year for all ATP/WTA tour coverage outside the slams! I tune into all the matches from my phone.

Rafael Nadal Doc - Loveddd this. Fascinating look at a highly successful yet kind of heartbreaking career. If you didn’t know, he played nearly his entire career with a broken foot!!!

Novak Djokovic Doc - Just came out on Prime, haven’t seen it yet, but interested to see behind the scenes of his very interesting life!

Bring some tennis vibes to your coffee table with these stunning books: Paradise Courts by Emanuele D’Angelo, Tennis Courts by Karl Hab, Courtship by Laura Bailey.

Inner Game of Tennis - I deeply need to read this classic. Helps quiet the mind and encourages peak performance… in tennis and in life! Sign me up!

Thanks for tuning in y’all! I hope this inspired you to pick up a racquet this summer. If any of you wanna nerd out on tennis, my DM’s are open! I can’t wait to see how the tournament unfolds… Things are looking pretty wide open! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and I’ll see you next week!!

xo

Michèle

p.s. if you make a purchase using the links above, I may make a small commission! merci!