The former Mayor of Malibu is a guy named Skylar Peak, he’s been described as being a “womb to tomb citizen of Malibu.” In 2008 he was arrested after confronting a paparazzo who harassed and photographed actor Matthew McConaughey near his home; he now owns a popular electric company... I just found out that his late father AND young daughter are both named DUSTY PEAK. My brain is a ping pong ball.

Zoe’s call of duty this week was to help John Early and Nithya Raman pick out skirt suits from The Real Real, irrespective of each other. She was in full conversation texting her driver named Tammy and her neighbor named Tommy when suddenly there was lightbulb moment: Temple Grandin in a men’s editorial, the note she jotted was “that cowgirl is hot and has so much swagger!”

If you live in Los Angeles, please vote (for Nithya Raman) on Tuesday. I don’t know why the world wants to reiterate that she’s not Mamdani (no shit!) Mamdani is also not a woman, a mother to twins, he doesn’t have a Masters degree in Urban Planning from MIT… I could go on. The point is she has beautiful ideas for the city of LA and her opponent is a corrupt serial politician whose only priority seems to be lining certain individuals’ pockets around the upcoming Olympics…

Buckle up rotters because you’re in for a treat. Starting next week, guest editors will be joining me for the rest of the year. The edits will loosely be centered around gifts, but you guys don’t need gift guides, you’re just horny for stuff right? Like, you really don’t need a GUIDE to buy things, that’s sad! Regardless here’s the 2026 GIFT SHOPPE that will be updated every week. And if you feel like going deep here’s the one we made last year: 2025 GIFT SHOPPE.

Lastly, I have heard multiple people this week reference that email is dead and no one reads their inbox anymore…(sources include an unemployed trustfunder to my all star publicist.)

For those of you who came to our halloween party, thank you, you looked gorgeous. All of this is to say, I want you to feel as distracted and frenzied as I am: you’re getting an edit of Bird feeders this week!

TOE UPDATE: still shriveled purple little grape like appendage. Any sort of heel is off the table. My digidoc advises that I wear a boot OR if I need air to consider a Chaco around the house….Life is all about compromises, so I’m looking to find a cute shoe, with no pitch, a wide toe bed, it can’t be too floppy nor can it be too tight. In other words, THESE. these are all bad ideas:

ARCIPEDIGO- KNIT PORTUGESE NURSING SHOES. I HAVE IN 3 COLORS.

AIRMAX DOLCE

MOON SHOE IN SATIN

KOOPS SUEDE TRAINER

AIR MAX PHENOMENA MAKES ME A WEE BIT FEARFUL TOWARDS THE FUTURE

KEEN JASPER MIGHT BE THE RIGHT ROUND GNOME SHAPE IN THE FRONT

I TRIED THESE ON IN FRONT OF ERICA AT THE DRIES STORE A FEW WEEKS AGO AND HER IMMEDIATE RESPONSE WAS “HARD NO.” I STILL LIKE THEM.

MARGIELA WIDE ASS FLOPPY TOE IN BLACK SUEDE

I LIKE THE BAUBLES ON THESE, LIKE A DECORATED CAST.

MY FAVORITE YANKEE GUCCI LOAFERS. IM CONSIDERING THE DODGERS OR MAYBE THE SILVER YANKEES

IM LOOKING INTO SAS AND MAYBE I’VE LOST THE PLOT BUT FINDING MYSELF ATTRACTED TO THESE RED PUPPIES AND CLASSIC WHITES

TICKING ALL THE BOXES BUT UNFORTUNATELY LOOKS LIKE A CYBERTRUCK.

MARTINE SALIERES HEEL DROPS MIGHT BE THE ANSWER TO ALL OF OUR PROBLEMS?

CERAMIC BIRD HOUSE IN MANY COLORS

CALIFORNIA WILDFLOWER MIX

NOW THIS IS A DOUBLE DOME CAGE, BUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF YOU LEFT THE DOORS OPEN? (PHILISOPHICAL QUESTION)

SHELL ENCRUSTED OPTION

STAN BITTERS FUNKY CERAMIC

PIGEONNIER’S DOLLHOUSE…

CLASSIC GOURD (AN EXCELLENT DIY GIFT IDEA)

100 YEAR OLD BARN

FOR THE MODERN CRAFTSMAN

FOR THE SKI BUM

Read more

It’s been a real life Richard Scarry’s Busy World these days. Today I’m tired enough to believe an HVAC subcontractor is actually a fox in overalls.

On tuesday Emma Price and I flew to NYC together to to complete phase 1 of the new Eckhaus Latta New York store. Emma is my oldest friend, we met on the first day of freshman orientation in high school and she hasn’t been able to get rid of me since. She is an exceptional crossword writer and Architect. She has created every space Eckhaus Latta has inhabited as well as the house I currently live in.

This store has been a long time coming and a labor of love from so many people dear to me- Sophie Stone who’s floral arrangements and art works serve as the decor for this phase. David Lê who has been part consultant, part auction scourer, part psychoanalyst… Camilla Deterre who may be my muse visually but you should see her put a contractor in his place, or give you her POV on an electrical choice. The always charming Jeff Joyal paints signs (hire him for any of your painting needs.) Ben Duarte fabricated amazing hooks. And Mike, oh Mike, the engine I feel fortune to be buckled to, full steam ahead at all times, in love and in war.

At one point this version of country road was playing on the speaker, Mike, David and Emma were hanging disco ball motors from the ceiling in the front window, Sophie was constructing trees out of datura and Camilla was upside down on a ladder taking stickers off of conduit. We ate Chinese food off of paper plates and tried giving ourselves tattoos with our new inkjet printer gun.

I don’t know what the word for this is but I’ve caught myself being nostalgic in live time this week. Knowing that constructing this space, with my brilliant friends and our very own hands, is a rare moment in time I will cherish for years to come.

I want to thank the EL Team: Jake Jake and Jake! Micaela, Ikee, Jules and Chris! Lizzie, Callista, Avery and Greta! What would our world be without them! And thank you to John our illusive and hardworking contractor.

The store isn’t finished, nor will it ever be. Its doors are now open in what we’re calling phase 1. Make your way down, open everyday 12-7:

27 Ludlow NY NY 10002.

So for this week I give you byproducts of the store, some of the clothes you’ll find inside of it AND then randomly a study on what I call SCRUBS but you might call Pull On Pants, Easy Pants, Pajamas… a style of pant I have seen run rampant and wanted to put my finger on.

-We ended up making most things custom but used shearling from my favorite guy in Santa Cruz to make this shearling pad with Valley Studio to put on top of a chaise that David found.

-David also found the best Willy Guhl planters on auction from Circa and I wish I could unlearn that that place exists. Like this or this but ours are better and different and we didn’t pay that much… There was also a dog house in the auction that went for a song and I have regrets!

-I found a stool called the Aeris Motion Swooper on FBMarket Place. Sitting on it feels like a visit to the chiropractor, I didn’t realize there was a whole cult around it.

-Almost bought a Dyson but was convinced by my staff that the Shark was better.

-Sophie and I passed back and forth many a vase idea but ended up going with a pewter one from her collection. Contenders were: YELLOW SHORTY, PINK OPALINE AND CREAM, SMALL PITCHER, SILVER TALL GLASS.

-I should do a whole different edit for lights… we ended up sourcing something locally (what a gift to have a construction project adjacent to the lighting district of NYC) but looked at sooooo many things. Thoughts included: what if! This 24k lamp, a beautiful flushmount, a ramen sconce… Phase 2 has more statement lighting plans…

-Layered provided these expansive New Zealand Merino rugs: GREEN UMBER for the store and SAGE for the studio.

- FLOKATI was purchased for the dressing room but am honestly still hunting for the perfect small rugs. I’m also looking at this.

-We used disco ball motors for the window display and telescoping electrical hooks to hold the clothes.

-Farrow and Ball allowed us to paint the entire space NEW WHITE (which I would call butter) and the Floor LAMP ROOM GRAY.

Toscana Coat in black!

My beloved base group has been restocked

Baggy jean in Camo wash

The racer cardigan

I noticed 1 or 2 SNAPs in ORANGE and NAVY are left in stock, if you have had eyes for them I suggest grabbing now.

The bullseye polo

Bend jean in black ink

Puzzle Long Sleeve

Knot zip hoodie

Grid sweater

there will always be more…

To what level of elegance can scrubs hold? I see you all out there asking these questions and pushing these limits. I myself had an era of wearing COTTON BROADCLOTH PJS to work most days last summer. Now I see this happening in shiny tafetas and satins, being worn to weddings and funerals… not sure where I stand here but here is a survey of the offerings.

Read more

Previously that day I visited my favorite colon hydrotherapist, who is as much a philosopher as she is a health practitioner. She left me empty and ready to be filled again in every way possible. Here’s some art on the piano in her office:

The final fever dream of the week was the premiere of Kate Berlant’s HBO special Parmesan. It’s a work of pure genius, I blacked out laughing sitting next to Loren Kramer and Patrik Sandberg. The rest of the crowd was so elaborately famous, it felt like a dream to cry laughing alongside Molly Shannon who was sitting next to Nathan Fielder behind the cast of Hacks, The Bear and Succession. Cousin Greg slapping his knee next to Paul Downs and Paul Thomas Anderson and Chappell Roan just cackling in the dark together. At the end of the night Riley said it aptly “Celebrities are just like us- they all love Kate Berlant.”

Somewhere in this head trip, I seem to have broken my toe in entirely uneventful way (I stepped on it?) Perfect timing as I head to NYC tomorrow and can show off my new portly gate and try to find a shoe that can house my new clubbed foot (edit forthcoming)

Mike and I are unveiling something that has taken us years to make. Someone else has a press exclusive on the actual announcement, but I can say that we’re opening a new store, and I can’t wait to show it to you all.

For now I give you byproducts of genuine hunts I have been on including: RUGS, STRETCH LACE and WAGONS.

time travel top 10: hometown mall’s Frederick’s of Hollywood, 1999.

ARAKS STRETCH LACE IS SUCH A FANTASTIC FABRIC 10/10

SURPRISED BY HOW FAB THIS LACE CAMI PANTY SET IS FROM…. SPANX.

CALEDONIA BLUE CAMI!

ALWAYSSSSS LOVE A TUBE IN BUTTER YELLOW

I HAVE A FEELING THIS PACKAGE WILL BE AN EXCELLENT INVESTMENT

A SLEEVELESS TURTLENECK

TEMPTED BY THIS NARSTY RED BUTTONDOWN

PINK STIRRUP LEGGING, WIDE LEG SHORT OR WAITLISTED CAPRI

THIS YELLOW TRIM TO JUST HAVE AND STYLE WITH…

LOVE THEM JUST WRAPPING THE YARDAGE AROUND AS A SKIRT

JUST A GOOD LACE TEE

I MIGHT STYLE IT DIFFERENTLY BUT I SUPPORT THIS!

ICE SKATER HALTER JUST LIKE MY PURPLE BUT IN BLACK

SMOOTH TALK CAMI

YOU KNOW I LOVE A BODY SOCK…

BEBE LITTLE COPPER BUTTONDOWN

This professional schlepper is ready to invest in a wagon. Personal parameters are something that can be all terrain, hold a heavy load and fold up to a low profile. I can’t decide between the Gregory or the MacSports big wheel.

A CLASSIC RADIO FLYER

FOR THOSE OF US IN SOUTHER CALIFORNIA, EMMA PRICE, (JOY’S GODMOTHER) IDENTIFIED AND PURCHASED FROM THIS GUY WHO REFURBISHES RADIO FLYERS

LL BEAN LAUNDRY CART

STEELE SKINNY LAUNDRY CARTS

THIS IS THE ONE ALL THE SHOPPING RAGS VOTE FOR BUT I THINK ITS BORING

I PREFER THE BALLOON WHEELED STEP SISTER OF THE POPULAR ONE

“USSR STYLE” ROLLING FOLDING BAR CART

A WICKER BASKET ON WHEELS!

IDK WHY WE WOULD NEED TO LOCK THIS BUT YOU COULD

LOVE THIS OR THIS CLASSIC FOLDING GROCERY DOLLYS

THIS ONE BECOMES A TABLE

I ENJOY THE RED

SORRY I THINK PEOPLE CARRYING THEIR KIDS IN THESE LOOK LIKE LOSERS

THE MOST CHIC LOOKING AWARD GOES TO….

THIS ONE COMES WITH A CANOPY!

scratching an itch

Read more

the one note I took this week for this letter is:

ADMIN REVEAL: I’m a primate.

maybe I should skip this week’s letter?

My takeaways from the Bay Area this week are

1- the 280 is an underrated highway

2- I saw the future in Jalgalchi Daly City.

3-I also saw a line of tech bros wearing JMM Dealen glasses in line for savory greek froyo that’s covered in olive oil and salt.

It’s my birthday so I’m publishing the letter anyway. We’re picking apples and camping. Sounding really annoying even to myself when I conjure sentences like “We’re just cosplaying the compound over here…”

Joy took a picture of me and Grace and after seeing it, seeing the babies recognizable and obvious beauty next to the ghost I have become: I’m ready to buy my ticket to Turkey and design a new face. 39 years with this one has been fab, why not try something new?

This week I have an edit of things I want or got for my birthday….Also an edit on the techniques I use to reverse age, without knives. Lastly you get some cozy stuff because you guys like that stuff.

Subscribe now

RILEY GOT ME SOME MAJOR UPGRADE HOTEL STYLE PILLOWS

SO NOW I WANT THESE D PORTHAULT KNOCK OFF SHEETS

WHICH MAKES ME THINK ABOUT THESE SCALLOPED NAPKINS.

JUST IN TIME, THE ATLAS GLASSES ARE COMING BACK IN STOCK THIS MONTH….

A BEADED SHEER TUNIC DRESS

TWISTED MONK STRAP LONG TOES

WONDERING ABOUT A ONE SHOULDER TOP

MY MOM GOT ME GLASSES FROM GLASS BLOWER PETER VISUZZI

OR A GRACEFUL COTTON COAT

STILL THINKING ABOUT THESE STUDDED FLATS BUT I ALREADY BLEW MY WAD ON…

THE ESPRESSO MACHINE.

LORETTA CAPONI LACE PANTS

RANDOM BUT PERFECT LACE TOP

SC103 SUMMIT PANTS

THIS GALLIANO PIRATE’S SHIRT

HEATHER GREY ORGANIC COTTON FRENCH CUT PANTIES

MY SISTER IN LAW GOT ME GORGEOUS PERFUMED JAPANESE HAIR OIL

MY AYURVEDIC PILATES INSTRUCTOR INFORMED BE THAT MY TIME IS UP AND I MUST BE SLEEPING ON MY BACK AND BREATHING THROUGH MY NOSE FROM NOW ON SO WE BEGIN A NEW JOURNEY OF MOUTH TAPE AND THIS OMNIA PILLOW.

I ALSO NEED TO BE IN A LAYING BUTTERFLY POSITION WITH SMALL PILLOWS PROPPING UP EACH LEG SO ALL OF THE BLOOD GRADUALLY FLOWS TO MY UTERUS AND STOMACH (in order to cultivate my vitality)

NUTRAFOL: 2-IN-1 SHAMPOO/CONDITIONER, HAIR SUPPLEMENTS, HAIR GROWTH SERUM

RITUAL: CREATINE GREENS AND PROTEIN POWDER

UBEAUTY: EYE CREAM, NECK CREAM, BARRIER MIST

COCOLAB: CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE DENTAL FLOSS, FLOSS ON THE GO, MAKES IT MORE FUN.

MOVING FROM PRIMARY TO MIDLIFE SUPPLEMENTS THIS YEAR FOR BONE HEALTH.

TATA HARPER: REJUVINATING SERUM

The truth is that my routine usually involves waking up in the dark to the sound of the baby crying. Nursing a sunburn, jet lag or occasional hangover. Going about the day putting out various small fires, brushing teeth and jumping in the ocean or pool at some point, eating kids leftovers and passing out with lights on, sometimes on the floor next to the crib, my phone or a magazine plastered to my face.

Read more

Anyway at the PTA meeting: Hendrix, Lennon, Lamsey, Ramsey, Ainsley and Pax all got something called an “ESSIE” Award for random acts of kindness. One parent noted that their child asked to have TOTO toilets installed at the school. They’ll be giving away candy out of the trunks of their G-wagons in the parking lot for halloween. I missed most of the agenda because I was feeding Grace banana muffins from the snack table outside. His vocabulary has now extended to include “quack quack” “closet” and “banana muffin.”

Halloween is really the only holiday my family celebrates in earnest. (Riley and I had a Halloween wedding where we dressed up as a bride and groom.) I saved a lot of things this summer that can either be normal clothes on the other 364 days of the year, or are just very fun things for the actual day.

We’re still deciding what to be in our household. Joy is petitioning for either Charybdis or a Water Dragon (god help me.) Grace is already resembling Paul Newman in Cool Hand Luke so I might just take his shirt off and call it a day.

Below the paywall this week I have a collection of Clown costumes and some smoking hot Public Service Announcements…

Subscribe now

THE “FLORIST:” PASTEL SILK, SILK SUNFLOWERS, TRIPPY WIDE LEGS, GET READY TO ANSWER SOME QUESTIONS PANTS, EMBROIDERED GARDEN PANTS, PANSY EARRING, BROWN SCARF, BUNNIES IN WHEAT, WILDFLOWER SCARF

THE “ART WORK”: FUNKY SILK BD 1, FUNKY SILK BD 2, BLOBS ON A TUBE HAS A LOT OF USES,

THE “LANDSCAPE”: GEOLOGICAL BD, JUNGLE BOB MACKIE, JUNGLE SWEATS, DEGRADING SKIRT

“YASSIFIED WINNIE THE POOH”: NIKE SKIMS TNECK AND LEGGINGS; RED SHORTSLEEVE SWEATER

CORNUCOPIA: JACQUARD WOVEN PANTS, I WISH THIS SWEATER WAS MY SIZE, ESPRESSO CHIFFON TUX BD, BROWN FAIRISLE SWEATER

THE SEX CLOWN: STRIPED PLEATS, LACROIX WILD STYLE TEE, JOCKEY JACKET, MESH KNEE HIGHS,

WITCH: SEXY LITTLE EVIL BOOT, I SWEAR I SAW SOMEONE WEARING THIS IN DIMES SQUARE, BOO! DRESS,

5T EMBROIDERED COWGIRL

HAUNTING GREY CAT

GUMMO BUNNY

HUMBLE GREY MOUSE

ANOTHER HUMBLE GREY MOUSE

CABBAGE PATCH KID

BILL MURRAY WAS SO HOT IN GHOST BUSTERS (I THINK ABOUT THIS SCENE A LOT)

SOMEONE SHOULD BUY THESE FLOWER HATS IMMEDIATELY COMES WITH A LION AND ELEPHANT!

MONCHICHI

COUSIN IT

BABY TOMATO(SUE ME!) OR DUCK

POSSIBLY PROBLEMATIC THRILLER JACKET KIDS SIZE REAL LEATHER

JUST GO TO THE FARMERS MARKET AND GET YOURSELF A FUNKY GOURD!

ENGLISH RING NECK PHEASANT FEATHERS AS BOUQUET

HEAVY DUTY FOG MACHINE IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA

DOLL LIMBS AS TABLE TOP DECOR

THESE BEAUTIFUL MASKS

BLACK GARLAND

MACKENZIE CHILDS THINKS OF EVERYTHING….

ANAMATRONIC GIRL WITH AN UMBRELLA

FAKE MAGNOLIA GARLAND WITHOUT FLOWERS

WOLF FURSUIT HAT

PAPER MACHIER FROG MASK

HUMAN SKIN APRON

GARLIC HAT

REALISTIC SQUIRREL MASK OR TAIL

QUILTED WITCH HAT (THIS IS HARD FOR ME)

SNAIL MASK OR BACKPACK

EYEBALL ONESIE

I WISH LEE MCQUEEN WAS AROUND TO SEE THESE

A SIMPLE BROOM

CHINLESS CYCLOPS MASK

NEEDLE FELTED BUNNY MASK

KRAMPUS LATEX MASK

CONEHEADS CHOKER

Read more

I should come out in saying that one of the main reasons Rotting on the Vine is here is for the affiliate links, which are really getting a bad rap these days.

This letter has become a way for me to monetize my curiosity in the face of the giant financial wave that is raising two small children and one small business in 2026. I could hike the paywall up higher each letter, but I would rather share the treats I have gleaned than make it mandatory for you to pay to watch me toil… That said there’s a playlist behind the paywall this week.

I use affiliates both ways. As a designer and retailer myself I would much rather give an individual a cut of a sale for bringing me a customer over a retailer taking 60% of my margin… While I still love and cherish my wholesale accounts (who are also paying those creators/stylists commissions on sales…) I do think the future of online retail is embedded somewhere in this affiliate model.

It makes sense that Jonah and Erin, Emilia etc would all vow against affiliate links/gifting/brand trips as they have journalistic integrity to keep up. I, on the other hand, am a mere merchant, peddling virtual ideas for you to take or leave. Half the things I post here on this letter are objects I’ve never seen before but find interesting. If you choose to buy something and I get a cut, are you offended?

To just put it all out there, I also receive (and give) gifts! Truthfully, I only really say yes to the ones that seem interesting, and then only write about the ones I believe in… most of them I just give away. For example, I was just gifted this Rolls Royce of a high chair and you know what- it rocks! is she an influencer or a guinea pig? you can vote with your dollar.

onto the stuff!

Still on a tear where I’m attracted to ways of being that feel radically different than this. This week’s obsession is Houseplants for the Purple Thumb.

I’ve entered into the houseplant communities of reddit and Etsy. It’s beautiful to see how much time some people have to devote to plants. They don’t feed you or get you high, just share the air and keep you company.

It’s truly a miracle that Riley and I keep ourselves, the children and the dog alive, much less the plants. I have one hearty CHAIN OF HEARTS that came from a clipping of my (dead, beloved) Dad’s plant. I’m shocked this part of the plant is still alive. I find it to be one of the most exquisite things in my possession. The answer to the question of how the hell are the rest of the plants alive is: I keep them all in water, as though they’re being propagated, but will never actually find soil. A novice’s hydroponic eden. This method excludes most plants (like cacti or succulents) I’m expanding my water bottle garden this week, here’s what I found:

-HARMONY’S SPACE FAIRY

-BEGONIA LAMOONS

-REX BEGONIA “HOT SPOT”

-RARE BEGONIA MACULATA PINK POLKA DOT

-5 MANGROVES RED

-EMERALD ICE

-REX BEGONIA “MACARENA”

-FITTONIA FIRE TAIL NERVE PLANT

-HYPOESTES ROSE POLKA DOT PLANT

-ALTERNANTHERA PARTY TIME NEON MAGENTA

-PHILODENDRON PINK PRINCESS PPP

-PEACE LILY

-CURLY SPIDER

-CARNIVOROUS 5 PACK (these need dirt)

-BALTIC PATHOS

-N’JOY POTHOS

-CEBU BLUE PATHOS

-PHILODENDRON ATABAPOENSE

-NEON WARSCEWICZII AUREA

-TORTUM

-BELLE ISLE

-TRUE PINK MICANS

-RARE BUNDLE PROPAGATION BOX

-ROYAL ALMOST BLACK QUEEN

-I WISH I HAD THE STAINED GLASS DOLL HOUSE

-I keep all the plants water in jars and bottles on a SPICE RACK mounted below the window (the roots grow algae if you put them in direct sunlight)

-I bought some CLEAR XMAS LIGHT HOOKS to hang vines on the wall but then I found these “CLASSY” SILVERTONE WALL MOUNTS FOR VINING PLANTS.

-LITERATURE: HOUSE PLANTS FOR THE PURPLE THUMB AND THE SECRET LIFE OF PLANTS

-Extremely dorky CANVAS GARDENER STORAGE that said, I would buy anything with the NIWAKI logo on it.

-I haven’t tried these things but will be experimenting with PLANTBIOTIC NUTRIENT BOOST AND ORGANIC PLANT FOOD. The people in the community seem to also like this ANTIFUNGAL and this ANTI INSECT

-Which then leads me to need some sort of esoteric spray bottle: imagine THIS THIS THIS OR THIS.

-HAVING NOTHING TO DO WITH PLANTS, THIS HYPOCHLOROUS ACID SPRAY HAS BEEN POPPING UP AROUND ME IN EVERY DIRECTION. IT’S THE NEW MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING WINDEX OF THE SEASON. USES I HAVE SEEN IT USED FOR: SPILLING BOILED FISH ON A COUCH, POLISHING A BALD MAN’S HEAD, HAND SANITIZATION AFTER SHAKING A SNEEZED IN HAND.

-GIANT MILK BOTTLE (unsure how giant)

-MERCURY GLASS VASE

-OPPOSING DIRECTIONS VASE

-FLARED VASE IN SHORT

-SQUARE GLASS VASE

-HOOSIER SWIRL VASE

-RUFFLE RIM WITH RAINBOW RIBBON

-BUTTERFLY AND DAFFODIL

-BRAIDED EDGES

-THE PERFECT VASE DOESN’T EXIS….

-JUST A NICE BASIC ORB

-WHY AM I ONLY DISCOVERING THE IDEA OF A WALL POCKET AT THE RIPE AGE OF 38

-SAME WITH THIS MCM PROPAGATION CONCEPT HERE HERE AND HERE

-ONE COULD PROPAGATE IN THIS R FORM HAIR STICK

-NICE HOBNAIL EGG

-SQUARE JAR, METAL TRIANGLE

-IMAGINE TWIN VINES EMERGING FROM TWIN BALL VASES

-THICK CLEAR GLASS WITH A FOLDED RIM

Read more

HI GUYS!!!

Fashion week is over, I am no longer obliged to wear heels or close toed shoes (note that obligations are always negotiable; I was in flip flops in some technicolor water on Canal Street at some point last week)

After a fashion show, I usually have an insatiable urge to shop, obtain, look at stuff I didn’t make, fill the cup back up. This week the urge she came, but with a little more defiance than usual. Maybe as a pendulum swing from making things so precisely sexy and desirable and special, I’m finding an attraction to a more crass and confused wardrobe. I’m not going to analyze this for you but here are some saved links that I’ll share so I don’t buy them.

I’m bookmarking stuff that’s giving “fuck you pay me” “don’t touch me” and “cross the street if you see me coming.” I am considering making some potentially huge mistakes.

These clothes are what a certain Kiwi gay I know might describe as “mumsy”: Pajamas at drop off not in an Italian way, but more “is she ok?” way. I want to feel nearly nothing on my body, feel powerful in a way that might scare some (like the barefooted white guy with dreadlocks I saw meditating outside of Erewhon yesterday.)

You think she’s lost the plot. She’s flying over the cuckoos nest. She’s counting the days to PARMESAN. She’s listening to this song.

Here is a transgressive edit into haute comfort kook lewks:

LOVE THIS KAFTAN ON THE GROUND, I WONDER HOW IT WORKS ON THE BODY

IM NORMALLY ANTI POLY BUT WOULD DO ANYTHING TO LIVE IN THIS LAVA LAMP WORLD

FOR MY SCORPIOS WHO LONG TO GET LOST

WE’RE GOING PLACES

“THANKS, IT’S FROM TUCKERNUCK” LENTIL DUPIONI DOLL DRESS

THIS OVER AN ENTIRE OUTFIT BUT STILL ALLOWING NIPS OUT

COME AWAY WITH ME…. LINEN MADE TO MEASURE KAFTAN

SC103 NAUGHTY NURSE

DARE I USE THE WORD GODDESS?

THE G WORD ALSO APPLICABLE HERE

GRETA GARMEL’S SEASIDE DRESS

FOR PRESCHOOL PICKUP?

I DARE ME TO WEAR THIS TO A KIDS BEACH BIRTHDAY PARTY

REITERATING THAT THIS IS THE BEST DRESS I’VE EVER WORN (GOOD WITH OPERA GLOVES)

A SKIRT FOR STEFF YOTKA WITH INSTRUCTIONS

VOLUNTEERS AT THE MALIBU ELEMENTARY SCIENCE LAB ONCE….

I AM ONCE AGAIN LOOKING AT THESE TERRY TRACK PANTS MAYBE ITS ABOUT THE SHORTS?

ODD JOGGERS

I LIKE HOW THIS SKIRT LOOKS LIKE A DRAWING

VOILE FLORAL TROUSERS

NOT SURE WHO THESE ARE FOR BUT I WANT TO KNOW HER

MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE ORDERED THESE IN BOTH COLORS

YES IT’S FROM FOREVER 21 AND YES IT ROCKS

AS I SAID WE’RE GOING WAY BEYOND THE CUCKOOS NEST

FAR FAR BEYOND TO PLACES WE’VE NEVER BEEN

I’VE NOTICED A NUMBER OF INTELLIGENT FRIENDS OF MINE BUYING BLOOMERS ON AMAZON?

WHEN STRAIGHT WOMEN SAY “COZY BOOTS”

MARINA MOSCONE IS A MISSONI BUT SHE SEEMS LIKE SHE CAN HANDLE A WOVEN

I LIKE THE IDEA OF THIS DRESSED DOWN WITH A NASTY TEE

THIS VELVET NUMBER TOO

WE ALREADY KNOW ABOUT THESE BUT THE SCRUBS ELEMENT SERVES A PURPOSE HERE

FOR THOSE WHO DON’T NEED A WAIST BAND

THE TROUT SKIN PRINT SKIRT WE MADE FOR MANGO FITS HERE AND IS BACK IN STOCK AND EVERYTHING IS ON SALE THERE THIS WEEKEND.

NGL DOOKIE BROWN POPLIN LOOKS FRESH.

INTIMISSI: BEIGE CAMI, BLACK SHEER TANK, WRAP TOP, RED BOAT NECK

PURPLE LACE BAGGY HALTER WITH BIKINI OVER SWEATPANTS

WE’RE ASKING QUESTIONS HERE!

THIS IS JUST A GOOD T SHIRT FOR WHO EVER WANTS TO STAY PLANTED ON EARTH.

TIME= LUXURY SO JUST COSPLAY AS A RETIREE

40,000 OF THESE PLEASE (SEARCH TERMS INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO “SILKIE”, “TRASHED”, “THRASHED”, “MOTH EATEN” AND “DISINTEGRATING”)

IM READING YESTERYEAR AND AM HAVING A BELATED INTEREST IN THE PASTORAL

A GOOD STRIPED BUTTONDOWN (I THINK THERE ARE A FEW OF THESE LEFT)

THE FUTURE IS NOW

WHAT IF THE REAL BIKINI WENT ON TOP OF THE FAKE BIKINI

Read more

Mike and I have been working on this collection for quite a few months. I would be lying if I said it wasn’t incredibly FUN. There are 10 million more items from the J Crew archive we could have riffed on but this collection was whittled and hewn into the perfect distillation of 27 pieces that represent the essen…

Read more

Go easy on me this week, I’ve been in NYC for more than 7 days in a row and mere moments ago returned back home.

The fruit at Citarella may be rotten but at least it comes with a tiny fork. Rich people enjoy the ritual of shopping at Citarella to set dress their fridge. A few days later they pay their housekeepers to throw it out so they can do it all again. It doesn’t matter if the contents are rotten as long as it looks good.

Our show was on Friday night. I’m tired. There were 195 people working backstage this season. I owe my uprightness to these incredible people including Mike Eckhaus, Micaela! Lizzie! Ikee! 3 Jakes (including the one who also makes all the collages for this letter!!!) Camilla! ERICA. Jules <3, two Sophias! Chris! Thistle! Mike Jr! Krystle and Kristin and Jordan for wrangling this rodeo! DLX! the J Crew Design Team! Riley and his beautiful family for sharing the duty of child rearing with me! countless others thank you I love you.

Every season Mike and I write a poem together. We both share the words we’ve been collecting throughout the season and in the days leading up to the show, we make a sort of mash up of the sentiments. Our show was at the end of the day on the 25th anniversary of 9/11 care needed to be taken in what we said and Mike felt strongly that we edit the poem to a more reduced sentiment (It was the right choice.) Lucky for me I have my own publishing platform so here is the Eckhaus Latta SS27 poem in its unabridged form:

To the intern drinking Sisyphus’ iced tea.

Does she even own a computer?

The flat feet on naked floors and the cashmere socks on the humid sidewalk

Carrying the papercutter like a purse

Its feels good to sweat inorder to sweat again

This piece of paper is an affiliate link

My master asks: “is there a poem for me to read?”

…Our J Crew collab comes out next week and I will be sharing an exclusive (1 hour) early shopping link next week for paid subs. Will have more to say on all of the stuff then.

Here are some regulardegular Eckhaus Latta gems that you can buy right now as we have a hard time keeping them in stock:

BASE LONG SLEEVE IN MINT

LAPPED BABY CREWNECK TEE

PUZZLE LONG SLEEVE

BULLS EYE POLO

ENVELOPE TOP (LIANA AND I DISCUSSED THIS STRIPE LAST WEEK)

LAPPED BABY TEE

GRID SWEATER

DOUBLE SKIRT

TOSCANA COAT

CHAP JEAN

THE SNAP IN PEWTER

THE RACER CARDIGAN IN BLACK

I stayed at a particularly nice apartment this week. Joy described it as having 3 cases of stairs. I expire after 3 days or so in a hotel and crave the ability to cook an egg or make a weak cup of coffee in my underwear. without being a creep there is a certian level of auditing that must happen when staying at other people’s homes. This edit remains anonymous because I would like to continue to be invited over and spans a few different households i’ve visited in the past few months:

Tiny spoon in the tiny salt dish this this or this

Needlepoint leopard print pillows. Or roses. noting to self to go into a needle point hole soon.

Giant akari lamps (JUMBO ONLY)

a potted Geranium by the window

Enamel Tupperware OR STEEL

CARBON NON STICK FRYING PAN the kinds chef use, in stacks, no fucking around.

Banana shampoo

A bunch of clear glass bottles filled with filtered water in the fridge. RTG.

A steel ice tray like the one in Talented Mr Ripley

Positioning a couch at the end of a bed

A clear glass cup on a clear glass coaster

Red rimmed white plates, in droves.

Uchino towels- waffle on one side and terry on the other.

David Le, my friend and favorite substacker who I occasionally get to work with, was in studio with me this week. Many topics were discussed including his quest for men’s shoes that are not hideous and not sneakers. Shoes that can offer support but not neuter the wearer. (He ended up caving and getting solomons directly after we spoke.) Honestly I was not sold on anything in this quest, but here are some things I found:

KEEN UTILITY SLIP ONS

SO UGLY THEY’RE BEAUTIFUL (AND OFFER NO SUPPORT) SANDALS

BIRKINSTOCK AMSTERDAM LOAFER

ARC’TYERX KRAGG SLIP ON

ALAINPAUL MARY JANES

MARSELL GOMEII ODD LOAFERS OR THESE BROTHERS

AN URBAN WATER SHOE?

THIS IS A GOOD SEX CLOWN TOE

STOFFA OLD SCHOOL SLIPPERS

KORINE KRINKLED LEATHER

PERISIAN MINIMALIST HAND MADE DERBYS FROM ETSY

LEMAIRE SOCK LEATHER SLIPPERS OR LEATHER PIPED SLIPPERS

CONSIDER THE KURU KIVI, (IM SHRUGGING AS I WRITE THIS)

DANSKO XP PROFESSIONAL

Read more

Thank god Joy and I left Malibu to put a delay on our personal lobster fest. We’ve been having a little too much fun in the sun, his freckles are melding together and my lizarding practice has rapidly accelerated. I’m not laying out in any sort of fancy way, just spending hours applying sunscreen to my children and forgetting to apply it to myself.

so many things to happening this week. I’m excited to share this last taste of summer as my nose gets closer to the grinder…

Earlier this year Dena Yago gave us big dumb hats and we’ve discussed sunscreen many times. Now that I’m in lizard land, I update some thoughts on the topic:

-SARONGS, I am still hunting but I haven’t hunted like this in a while:

• FIJIAN MEN’S SARONGS ANYONE?

• This is beautiful and technically a sari

• I really want this Khadi cloth but the shipping is steep.

-STILL MY NUMBER ONE FACE SUNSCREEN (not sporty enough though)

-Going strong with this hard working ghost paste for the kids (spray all the way)

-A friend made this hat look deceptively chic, Dena described it earlier as being “Nancy Meyers” big cotton hat

-Never have I ever considered a beach capelet, until now.

-ZINKA the kids put this on themselves with pleasure, like a finger pace paint situation.

-Looking into a sort of big visor situation so I can still use my children’s Blonde spray.

-A sort of loose Head scarf, with a baseball cap over it (Daphne coded):

• Valentino trippy blue floral

• Pucci ribbons(!!!)

• Pink paisley

• Diving naked ladies

-About to try this Kheils Mineral 50+ because I tried it at JFK and I’m still thinking about it

-Skin Food chapstick or homeoplasmine. I don’t think either protects but both keep moist.

-NAUGHTY THOUGHT: I’ve never tried but looks good if you need a tan in a hurry: CARROT OIL.

-speaking of carrots, consider this scalloped umbrella

-First one must scrub with salt to get the salt and sand off: OSEA SALT OF THE EARTH SCRUB. Followed by May Lindstrom The Good Stuff + shimmer to amplify the glow

-MICRODERMABRASION FACIAL to get truly RAW.

-For the burns: We’ve gone through 1 jumbo tube of BIAFANE in one month…I also love this Aesop gel but loved it better in the yellow tube. Spray soothing BABO for the kids.

-Was just gifted this lip renewal mask and it may be the best gift of 2026. Pure renewal.

-Also looking into ICE MASKS if only to scare my children.

-Just acquired a set of PLUSH grey bath towels, (the opposite of my collection of thread bare vintage technicolor dishrags.) The feeling of using one apres sun shower is next to godliness.

I have dabbled into the bed in previous edits. It’s a space I take very seriously.

-I like a crisper sheet for the bed (BROOKLINEN OR BUFFY) and splurge on something more luxe and soft (SFERRA OR COYUCHI) for the pillowcase.

-Been hearing and seeing a lot of (good looking) hype around SUKU HOME and MILLAUX

-We’ve discussed D Porthault and Loretta Caponi at length, but here’s a reminder.

-UZBEKI SUZANI BEDSPREAD FROM HUMAN ASSEMBLY. ANOTHER HERE OR BIG YELLOW HERE

-My kids share a room that seems to need a new configuration every 3 months. We just got this Helix double sided mattress and a lofted Oeuf Perch bed (off marketplace FYI.) This bland and sturdy crib and montessori bookshelf goes underneath… its working.

-We have an AVOCADO. This purchase changed my life and might mark the day I felt like an adult?

Read more

Fast times out here in Malibu. Kindergarten gets out at 12:45 so my ROTV time has been gobbled up by play dates, unpacking projects and forcefully trying to settle.

The baby pulled the eyelashes off of Annabelle and I found one stuck to his face in the night. After dropping him off at school, I joined a 105 degree Infrared Pilates class. I went places I haven’t been since a journey on DMT in Providence c. 2006. My neighbor (in class and in home,) was splashing me with his sweat, a service I am sure many people would have paid a lot of money for. He had the hair of Erling the lacquered body of a young Arnold and a face that resembled the DSquared twins. He was straight (referenced “the wife” and wore grey leopard print shorts.)

I’m getting used to a bird flying into the window at dawn as my alarm clock. Between that and a teething baby I personally haven’t needed to set an alarm in months. Alas, the harvest is upon us, and Riley (bless him) has a way of waking up the entire household at odd hours of the morning with stock iPhone alarms. We’re both trying and failing to get the phones out of the bedroom so I bring you this week: ALARM CLOCKS. Lastly, because you asked many times the BELT edit is here. I mostly found culturally appropriative decorative options. Enjoy!

Im back in NY next week as fashion week is upon us so expect less of me.

Here we go with some

-We’re raffling off 2 spots to our show (you +1) on September 11th for those who sign up to the Eckhaus Latta Newsletter between now and then. Tell your friends. (We’re also having a secret sale this week for subscribers only.)

-I JUST DID A DWR HAUL AND YOU SHOULD KNOW THE CONPONIBILIS AND HANG IT ALLS ARE ON SALE (as is everything else for the month.)

-COYUCHI is also having a sale and I am drawn to these Castaway style reusable fruit bags.

-MOLLY YOUNG (who just wrote a very fun profile on Johnny Knoxville in the NYer) is selling her child’s clothes on Depop. Watch this space: MOLLY’S CHILD IS GROWING

-MARLEY WHITE makes these goat hoof door stops that you can buy from the Perfect Nothing Catalog’s penthouse.

-THE KHAITE JUDITH DRESS it tattooed to the back of my eyelids.

-SOMEONE SHOULD BUY THIS BIKKENBERGS SHIRT OR SNEAKERS

-NEW PANTY ALERT: CLOUD COTTON OUT PERFORMS THE REST (ALTHOUGH WHIPPED AND SIEVE ARE USEFUL IN THIS HEAT WAVE)

-One of my favorite former students who then worked for me for years now works at Ruggable and the patterns got cute. There are times in one’s life where a washable rug is needed, I got this one for Grace’s Nursery School.

-A MEDITATION CANDLE and a hemp teeshirt (goes to malibu once…)

-IKEA is up to some weird stuff including this very spooky night light, this nearly free charming shelf and (hemorrhoid pillow vibe) a mirror for the kids’ bath.

-I UPDATED THE COUPON BOOKLET HERE. I GUESS PEOPLE LOVE A DISCOUNT ON LABOR DAY?

AURORA COLLECTORS BEAUTY

ARMY STYLE OLD METAL NUMBER

DROOLING OVER EUROPA TRAVEL MODEL

OLD SCHOOL FLIP CLOCK I BET IT MAKES A NASTY LITTLE NOISE

NOW THAT I LIVE IN MALIBU THE TASTE IS CHANGING.. CONSIDERING THIS ONE

THIS ONE IS SUPPOSED TO GET YOU OFF YOUR PHONE, BY BEING ANOTHER PHONE THAT SITS ON YOUR NIGHTSTAND

BEST THING I’VE FOUND IN MONTHS, NEW AGE CHIME

THE MILLENIAL’S FAVORITE REAL INTERNAL CHIME, ARC

THIS ONE COMES WITH A MARIE KONDO FARADAY BOX FOR YOUR PHONE.

THIS IS FOR HEAVY SLEEPERS, YOU HAVE TO STEP ON IT TO TURN IT OFF (HELL ON EARTH)

SILENT VIBRATING ALARM FOR UNDER THE PILLOW, MIGHT BE MY WINNER

I ACTUALLY DONT THINK THIS HAS AN ALARM, BUT IT’S CHIC

CLASSIC BRAUN NEVER FAILS THIS ONE TOO

I HAVE THIS SOMEWHERE NEED TO UNPACK IT, IT IS WONDERFUL, WAKE UP TO CLASSIC RADIO

Read more

Staring down the gun that is: when you move with children, you’ll be unpacking until it’s time to start packing again. I’m starting off today’s letter with a journey to the PANTRY because mines getting a perpetual makeover.

After a jaunt around Soho, I’m a bit appalled at how the trend cycle is working these days. The streets are just smothered with people who look like they came from a casting of FAME or Brokeback Mountain. I think I saw 20,000 pairs of the capri sweatpant and I wish I could unlearn what a POPOVER is.

Sonya Cohen put me up to today’s edit, which toes a fine moral line. While my livelihood is dependent on people supporting my original ideas, I am also fully aware of the lifecycle of such ideas. The speed of the cycle has accelerated so quickly within my career, I’m afraid I wasn’t paying attention and missed the climax… the robot is fully slurring, eyes are rolling back into its head…

The edit of DUPES was more an exercise in pattern recognition over a desire to have you not support independent designers, take what you will from it and bless you all for being here.

GOING IN ON THIS BASKET FOR MY PANTRY OVERHAUL

I LIKE THIS COLLAGEN BRANDING, FEELS HONEST TO THE POINT IT COULD BE A HOAX?

WE ALWAYS NEED GUT SUPPORT

THE FAVE PROTEIN POWDER IS ON SALE

I WISH I NEVER TASTED THIS EXQUISITE AIR DRIED STEAK

COFFEE I ADORE IS A TIE BETWEEN THE TULIP HOUSE AND REWILD

BULK FREEZE DRIED STRAWBERRY POWDER

MOVED BY WHAT THIS BLACK TAHINI LOOKS LIKE ON TOAST WITH A RASPBERRY

ON THE TOPIC OF NUT BUTTER- WILDERNESS POETS RAW PISTACHIO SHMEAR

GARLIC NUGGETS: PURCHASED FROM EREWHON FOR THE DESIGN, REPURCHASED ON AMAZON FOR THE FLAVOR

GOPAL’S RAWMESEAN

MOUTARDE FORTE

I GOT THIS FISHWIFE STARTERPACK AND I AM CONVERTED

TURMERIC SPICE DUST

OBSERVATION: TARGET RANDOMLY HAS GREAT PRICES ON BALL JARS

ALEX SEGRETI MADE ME A CANAL STREET GOYARD BAG THAT WAS MONOGRAMED WITH “HA!” HERE ARE SOME NICE OTHER COLOR OPTIONS

CELINE ORTHOPEDIC OR JUST NORMAL ORTHOPEDIC WHITE SNEAKERS

CLASSIC SCROTUMY ROW LOAFERS OR A FLOPPIER DUPE IN HORSE LEATHER

PHEOBE HIGH CHOKE GATHERED FLAT OR THESE ROMANTIC PATENT VERSIONS OR THESE MORE STRUCTURED GALS

KHAITES PERPETUALLY SOLD OUT 1967C VS THISTLES ALSO PERPETUALLY SOLD OUT ALTAS VS THE LESS CURVY MORE COP LIKE AELA

CHLOE JELLIES WITH A BOW OR THE SHEIN VERSION (credit due here to Sonya Cohen, as is most good stuff in my life)

Read more

I’ve mostly been unpacking so don’t have much to report on my new scene. I did see Caitlyn Jenner eyeing laundry detergent at Costco, someone earnestly wearing this hat and Joy made his first friend, a boy named Barron. The only other parents I know here are influencers and I’m not sure if this is a coincidence but I did just start drinking this protein powder and am trying this or this next…

I’m in NYC this weekend, can’t wait to screw my head back on and tell you what Mike and I are cooking.

Here’s some fantastic stuff:

I love when there’s this ubiquitous mass market thing that the general public gathers around and modifies in their own way, even if it’s gross looking or dorky.

A mom friend once drove by a mutual acquaintance of ours (another mom) screaming and attacking her 2x3 KALLAX unit with a hammer in her front yard. I understand… I’m not condoning this furniture as something worth looking at, but I have had a version of it kicking around my life for decades. I have never purchased one new and find them to be nearly free on craigslist or marketplace. I currently have two in my studio, one in the kids room and one in the garage. I think I’ll let the boys adorn theirs with some acrylic paint. Here are some more mods:

3 OR 4 SET OF BOXES THAT NEST WITHIN ONE CELL

HANDWOVEN SQUARE BASKET

STEEL POWDER COATED FEET

BEECHWOOD ARTISTS STORAGE DRAWERS

CUSTOM CUSHION TO CONVERT INTO BENCH

I AM NOT A CAT PERSON BUT THIS IS A RATTAN OPTION FOR THE CATS

A MIRRORED FACE IF THAT’S YOUR KINK

FOR DORMROOM STYLE WINE STORAGE

USE THESE WHITE PAPER ONES TO MIMIC A SORT OF MARGIELA STUDIO

GIANT LEGO DOORS

IF YOU HAVE AN UNDERSTANDABLE AVERSION TO THE PARTICLE BOARD- EASILY OBTAINED IN WOOD

JOY WOULD KILL FOR THIS HEINOUS THING

THE HORNY PAPER STORAGE FOR ALL MY SCRAPBOOKERS

THE WIRE VERSION THAT ASSEMBLES MORE LIKE JEWELRY

ONE DAY I WILL MAKE MY OWN WILLY GUHL VERSION

POWDERCOATED METAL BASKETS THAT TAKE MAGNETS WELL….

FRIEND OF THE STACK BETSY ONCE GIFTED MY CHILDREN THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOODEN MAGNETIC MARBLE RUN AND I WILL FOREVER BE LOOKING FOR COMPONENTS THAT GO WITH IT. LIKE THIS BUT WAY MORE MAGICAL.

MAGNETIC POETRY, AN INSPIRED TOY. THIS AND THIS KIT COMBINED.

HEMATITE GROUNDING ANXIETY RELIEF

MAGNET LAB DIRECTIONAL CLASSROOM SET

BLUEBERRIES

I HAD A DREAM ABOUT THIS MAGNET

CLIPS

DIAKON SCISSORS (OR CARROT)

LOVE THE RACK, LOVE THE SHELF

THIS TOY MAKES ME GO CRAZYYYYY AS DOES THIS ONE

LOL

KINETIC GEARS

“DOPAMINE COLOR FRIDGE” CERAMIC BALLS

PASTA OR PANTY DRYING RACK

NO TOY HAS EVER BEEN USED MORE IN MY HOUSEHOLD

WOODEN ALPHABET (IS ACTUALLY HARD TO FIND)

Read more

I’m calling in the professionals today because the movers are knocking on the door and I’m not sure where I’m moving to.

Chances are if you like someone’s haircut in Los Angeles, Kate Schlichter had something to do with it. She either did it herself or taught the person who cut the hair how to do it. She has disciples, devotees, mega fans and NDAs swarming all

around her. Her salon, Lost Hills, has always been a IYKYK destination, but now, she’s launched the best hair product ever and the cat’s out of the bag.

I met Kate at my kid’s preschool. Both of our sons graduate this week. It is profoundly painful to love a place this much, and then outgrow it’s offering and be forced to move on. Kate and I are trauma bonded forever.

This edit comes late in my Rotting career because I do believe somethings should be kept secret. It’s no secret that I hoard hair, have a ton of it and do very little to take care of it, aside from getting it periodically thinned and trimmed by Kate. Now that she’s bottled some of her magic to sell, I’m happy to get to share it with you guys.

1. TSOL

2. Love this giant hair pin for a easy bubble bath French twist or any hair fork

3. Best curl brush

4. Mason Pearson always & forever, my nanny bought me one when I was a baby and I still have it ! Love the baby ones.

5. Avene to rewet hair especially curls and especially if you live in LA or any other place with terrible water.

6. Water filter. A must. Aquabliss the hard water one.

7. Any brand you think but always Velcro rollers.

8. Blue and green solid hair balm

9. My most favorite body oil of all time (I love it on my face too) had to include because good skin makes hair better.

10. R&Co bleu: Hair powder! And Conditioning serum! essential shampoo & conditioner and also bleu sprays (all of them.) Actually, the whole line is amazing. R&Co was created by Garren, an American hairstylist who has worked in the fashion industry since the 1970s. Has worked with top models like Doutzen Kroes, Jessica Stam, and Gisele.

11. No vacancy hair balm- From the legend of NYC Masami Hosono.

12. Flat hair clips always.

13. Small hair clips for air drying to add volume like this but doesn’t need to be any brand

14. Simply because I want this to become a thing:I can never find cute driving gloves (well, these are sort of cute)

thank you Dear Kate!!!!

I have vested interest in rescuing my scalp

I once had a roommate who had the best, most beautiful supermodel luscious hair and this is the only thing she ever used, once a week.

I cannot speak to this water filter but know a lot of Angelinos who can.

I like this stuff and it smells like rich people

The perfect kit for traveling with hair

Shampoo concentrate

Silicone scalp brush that looks sort of memphis

I use this children’s lovely scented detangler spray after the pool.

Spirulina conditioner Works fine but makes any shower look 10 million times cuter.

I strongly believe all you really need is some shampoo, some conditioner and best hair product ever.

Cream and gold Bobby set (they’re actually $68)

Black wood french pin or black acetate french pin

Malachite hair brush

A french pony in poppy

Mini bauble pony cuff

Red white and blue old actually french clips

Steel hair claw (I have and love this)

An heirloom barrette in algae

Many thick haired goddesses (thank you ms. Cox!) have referred to this timeless classic to me: J Crew’s french made Tokyo Italian Tortoise Acetate claw.

Red celluloid hands

Beaded scrunchie in gingham

Two tone banana comb pony holder

Could you comb you hair with this and a straight face?

Japanese coral hair fork

Primary resin barrette

Red zig zag headband

A blobby crescent claw

Comb and brush holder

rForm Tear Drop Vase Hair Pin

Read more

I’m taking orders this week. As per some Rot’s requests, I made a Summer Playlist… it enhances energetically throughout its course so don’t be discouraged by the suicidal opening tracks, I must always include this sort of music as <60 it is my preferred BPM (see my Herd Sunday’s contribution from last year.) Highlights include some world music, female vocalists, chipmunk vocalists, Kaitlin and Charli’s proclaimed songs of the summer and a reintroduction to Scat. There’s also a new (to me) track that sounds like Raffi for unstable adults. Available down below for my paid subs. Bless you.

Otherwise I address quandaries related to BEDSIDE LIGHTS, SUMMER RUGS AND a stab at ( I can and will go harder later on this topic) SUMMER DRESSES.

RED PLASTIC VANITY LIGHTS

ORANGE ITALIAN SPOT LIGHTS

FLOW GUSTAVE LIGHT, I sort of wish I was never gifted one because now I just want another one? Like in The Other Sister when Julliette Lewis is at the mall and she gets half a face of makeup, but they want to charge her for the second half. (To be clear Flos didn’t intentionally do this to me, I did this to myself.)

FUNKY FLORAL TWO ARMED WALL MOUNTS

PROUVE VITRA CLASSIC I thought I could find a deal on a used one but turns out they only increase in value!

I hate THIS FEATHER THING. like a lot.

COCOON SCONCES

VTG IKEA LOD LIGHTS

TWIRLYWHIRLY TASSLE DUO

FOLK ART FISH LIGHTS FOR A SONG

LUCITE DUO

BOHEMIAN PAINTED BOUDOIR

a compulsion.

CELERY INTRICATE TURKISH WOOL

RED BROWN ROMANCE RUG

VARIOUS COLORS OF MELON OUSHAK

PURPLE OVER DYE COULD MAKE ANY ROOM

I SEE AN AERIAL VIEW OF A SOOTHING WALLED GARDEN

CONFLICTING FEELINGS ABOUT SHARING THIS ONE

NEARLY FREE ORANGE MOMENT TO POP

VIBRANCY ON NEUTRAL HEAVY TOKE GORGOSITY RUG

NORA CALLED THIS ONE “TENDER”

OTTOMAN INSPIRED 1940S AMERICAN HOOKED RUG

ABRUPTLY ENDED TURKISH FLORAL GARLAND RUNNER

NICE FOR A SOMBER CHILD MATHEMETICIAN

BABY BLUE WITH 4 ORANGE BRIEF MOMENTS

SPEECHLESS “TRIBAL ANIMAL” (OH GOD, THERE ARE MORE)

A HAIRY MESS

THIS IS A SPECIAL WARP FOR A RAG RUG

I WOULDN’T MIND LIVING WITH HER FOR THE REST OF MY DAYS

JUST A BIRD ON A ROSE OVER AND OVER AGAIN

AND MAYBE THIS Black jute braided rug IS ALL I EVER NEEDED?

Erin Wylie quoted Schiaparelli earlier this week in saying “When will women learn that it is better to be smart than fashionable, and that smartness makes fashion?” if you could only see us now Dear Elsa, you would run straight back to the grave.

When I asked what the Rotters wanted, many asked for summer dresses. Some alluded to not wanting to feel like a milk maiden or trad wife (their words not mine.) No-no words were included such as swampy and bodycon. Linen and Breezy were asked for but not too granola or nightie. They expressed wanting to wear a bra with it. (fine but just talk to Liana.)

These are TALL ORDERS! here’s a stab:

Read more

They better be fucking in the locker room.

much to my dismay when I sat down to write this newsletter, banking on the memory of the lightbulb moment, but not remembering what the thought actually was, I was a bit disappointed! anyway, that’s all you get for thoughts this week.

__________

Change is afoot in my town; both my children are moving schools, we’re moving in with my in-laws, from Highland Park to Malibu- two very different flavors of granola. Mainlining this and this while I hydroplane through this shift.

A bit of an experiment: A number of the brands I speak of on ROTV have offered discount codes for my Rots… I finally got around to compiling them. Consider this a sort of coupon booklet at the end of the paper? I’ll be updating this doc periodically as things come and go:

ROTV CUPON CODES.

This week, I share a hoard of things I’ve saved for the children. Truth be told, I rarely buy my kids clothes but trust in an epic pipeline of hand-me-downs. I also take extreme pleasure in passing the gems on. On occasion, I’ll buy a few things second hand and of course, I’m always looking… below are the bowels of saved searches.

My 5 year old has developed his own sense of style, something I should embrace more but instead do things like disappear paw patrol shorts and replace them with Missoni culottes. The baby is much more my bloodline (thicc) so both of my children are the same size waist, with drastically different inseams. This allows for a lot of choose your own destiny dressing: Shirts can be dresses, dresses can be shirts. I’m certain all of this will change once the claws of kindergarten hit so I’m allowing myself a bit of kook control before the school year starts.

A CHARMING PENCIL CASE

WHERE’S WALDO BACKPACK

FIRE RED FRANCESCO BIASIA NYLON BACK PACK

PERFECT DEADSTOCK BROWN BACKPACK WITH A REFLECTOR

LITTLE PRADA PENCIL CASE

HERMES PERFECT GREEN LEATHER WITH ORANGE STITCHING NOTEBOOK

MOSCHINO KIDS KEY RING

BLUE POLKADOT LUNCH BOX

PERFECT BABY LUNCHBOX

PAUL FRANK IN SPACE BACKPACK

EASIEST BENTO BOX SITUATION

LIVE A LITTLE AND GET THEM A HOLSTER

IM REALIZING NOW THIS IS A SLEEPINGBAG BACK PACK. I STILL STAND BY IT.

GREEN CORDS WITH DEEP POCKETS

GUCCI STIRUP JOGGERS

GALLIANO NEWSPAPER PANTS (MATCHING TEE!)

PSYCHEDELLIC BURBERRY PLAID TIGHTS

HANKY PRINTED BLUE PANTS

PULL ON BLUE CORDS

MASKINGTAPE TRACK PANTS

BLUE BRANDED TRACK PANTS

ORANGE LINEN CORTINO SHORTS

D&G BRANDED MAGENTA LEGGINGS

DISTRESSED POLO RL DENIM SHORTS

GUCCI SPORT SHORTS

POLKADOT MIME BLOOMERS

SPECIAL LOT OF 70S LONG SLEEVE BOYS TOPS

FOR MY MALIBU KINDERGARTENER :’-|

SOMEONE SMART WOULD MAKE THIS 18 MONTH TEE FOR AN ADULT

JEMIMA’S ROSE BABY TEE

GALLIANO TEEN NEWSPAPER TEE AND MATCHING PANTS!

DOLCE AND GABBANA POLO ONESIE FOR THE GUNCLES

FUNKY FLORAL TANK

A NICE TERRACOTTA AND TEAL STRIPE

I APE FOR YOU SHIRT

Read more

In other news extracted from roadside signs, marquees or billboards: Tori Amos is playing at the mid-state fair and Interpol is playing at the Warfield. First ROTV IRL event?

Something funky happened last week and it seems this letter did not take flight as intended… I’m trying again here, sorry if you get it twice but the treasures are too good to hide.

I’ve included a plain white tshirt survey below the paywall for my high profile Rots incase you already digested this content last week.

While I purged the kids book shelves, I decided to make an edit of the heavy hitters. I hit up fellow rotter, mother and world class illustrator Joana Avillez for her “top 3 off the dome” kids books… she blew me out of the water and provided her top 20, with explanation. We are not worthy so today’s letter is free in the spirit of her generosity.

I’m embarrassed to say that maybe I’ve already shared my shock in that E.B. White was a man? If you’re looking to name something or someone, look no further than the Author’s names of timeless children’s books: Elwyn! Esphyr! Doro! Wanda! Tove! Byrd! Garth! Beatrice! Ruth! Bruce!

(in order of age relevance.)

TAMARA SHOPSIN A PILE OF LEAVES- wordless transparent gorgeous pile of leaves.

BRUCE DEGEN JAMBERRY- total nonsense. the baby chuckles out loud at this one and there’s an illustration of a pony holding a ribbon that makes be feel like I’m 1 years old.

ALEXANDRA DAY CARL GOES SHOPPING AS PART OF GOOD DOG CARL- I don’t like rottweilers but I do like their secret lives depicted in colored pencils without words.

JUSTIN RICHARDSON, PETER PARNELL AND HENRY COLE AND TANGO MAKES THREE- true story about gay penguins in the central park zoo adopting a daughter, Tango.

REMY CHARLIP AND JERRY JOINER THIRTEEN- the all knowing Lee Manning gave me this abstract beautiful book that I still don’t understand but we all enjoy immensely.

WANDA GAG- THE FUNNY THING- legendary literature

KAYA DOI AND YUKI KANEKO CHIRRI AND CHIRRA VOL 1 BUT YOU NEED ALL OF THEM… jinx with Joana below.

ESTHER AVERILL PICKLES THE FIRE CAT AND JENNY’S BIRTHDAY BOOK- Pickles and Jenny have only ripened with age for me. I love how Mrs Goodkind is sort of postured like an R.Crumb Character… love a thicc gal drawn.

ETHEL AND LEONARD KESSLER- STAN THE HOTDOG MAN we found this one in a free library and have read it maybe 1000x… I don’t know why my son enjoys this tale about a baker who retires, then opens a hot dog stand but I’m here to support him.

DR. SEUSS- WHACKY WEDNESDAY this one can last a long game, is easy to savor and is also an eye spy.

DORO GOBEL EL BARCO POR EL RIO- wordless narrative of a boat filled with sheep on a journey down a river. A book and illiterate person can read on their own.

PHOEBE WHAL LITTLE WITCH HAZEL- twee, thicc witch (and midwife) goddess Hazel moves through the seasons with her friends in the forest.

NIKI DE SAINT PHALLE AIDS- YOU CANT CATCH IT FROM HOLDING HANDS- this was being sold on the street outside my studio and I wish Niki made more Children’s books.

EVE BUNTING SUNFLOWER HOUSE- my childhood friend Anna is Eve’s grand daughter. Her stories are exceptional.

ALICE B. MCGINTY BATHE THE CAT- gay dads enduring torture from a cat who rearranges their todo list.

BYRD BAYLOR AMIGO- makes me cry everytime. Little boy gets a prairie dog instead of a dog.

GEORGE MENDOZA AND DORIS SUSAN SMITH NEED A HOUSE? CALL MISS MOUSE- other childhood friend and architect Emma Price got us this one and it’s a household favorite.

TOVE JANSSON WHO WILL COMFORT TOFFLE?- my moomin fave. Weirdly translated so it can rhyme, I find its wordiness very fun to read.

MARK ALAN STANATY WHO NEEDS DONUTS?- given to me by the aforementioned Anna Bunting. Illustrations to entertain for centuries.

TOM CRESTODINA WORKING BOATS- I never thought I could be this interested in a Salmon Trawler or crab boat.

LAURA KNETZGER BUG BOYS - a new departure into graphic novels. Heavy, existential and still fun for parents.

passing the mic to Ms. Avillez

1. Little fur family I talk about this book TOO much, but it transcends all art forms. It’s like the pinnacle to me. The highest and deepest point… within… myself. It’s the scale shift. The tenderness. The wild coziness.

2. moomins - the big ass collected box set. My son was OBSESSED w reading them, and still is. Somehow tove jansson’s black and white line drawings and the uproarious nuance of each cell was comprehensible to someone who can’t wipe his bum.

3. The tale of Mrs tittle mouse. All beatrix potter books but this one is fabulous and has no animal children being struck with a switch stick. This one also lends itself to do doing great voices when read aloud. I also love Two Bad Mice and the Tale of Jeremy Fischer. Samuel Whiskers and the rolly poly pudding is… so crazy.

4. ABC Bunny, and the very well known, Millions of Cats. By Wanda Gág. - her drawings, her loopy perfection. Her books feel like they were born in a cabbage patch. Also google her haircut.

5. KIKA by Altan. This metallic anvil was given to me when my son was a baby and it was the most essential and grounding and fun book in our new world. It was like looking at the horizon line when you’re nauseous in the car and suddenly feeling better. Francesco Tullio Altan is an Italian cartoonist and the creator of PIMPA. Who is basically a red polka-dotted world leader in Italy. These are stories he created for his daughter. They are wonderfully graphic and also convinced me think I was fluent.

6. Du Iz Tak by Carson Ellis. This is one of the greats. The new cannon. IMHO!! Flowers bloom. Stick men reveal themselves. Spiderwebs and plants are broken. Ladybugs party. Our world ceases to exist. This one gives us a new language to speak.

7. Monday’s Troll by Jack Prelutsky, illustrated by Peter Sís. Insane devious magic. They have some other collaborations we love, like The Dragon’s Are Singing Tonight.

8. Frog & Toad. Period.

9. George & Martha. Similar vein to F&T in that it’ sweet dynamism. There is also something about the small of eyes of James Marshall’s characters that always hit me.

10. Moon Man by Toni Ungerer. The best.

11. All William Steig. Could read these and only these forever. The Rotten Island is a personal favorite. There is a spread of all the crazy hairy colorful farting deranged monsters and it is very fun to go through each one with a child, coming up what sound you’d think they’d make.

12. The Friendly Book. By Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Garth Williams. No idea why but I weep at the end here. It strikes a chord - a snapped, ragged, squiggly chord - somehow it still makes music! Also, The Sailor Dog, by the same heralded team.

13. Angelina Ballerina. Especially Angelina’s Birthday. The store scene is essential viewing.

14. All chirri and Chirra. Very micro-dose plus mochi.

15. Kermit the Hermit by Bill Peet. I love this book and relish the sort of deft illustration style chutzpahed by early Disney animators. Peet literally worked on Snow White and the seven dwarfs. His line work is a sashay coming my way.

16. Madeline. Forever. Also a reminder to not overwork something. Freshness means forever.

17. Sam’s Sandwich. A banger.

18. Everything by Italian illustrator and author Beatrice Alemagne. Especially: Cicciapellicia (English title: the wonderful fluffy little squishy) and Manco Per Sogno (English: Never, Not Ever!). Her drawings are riddled neon mud. I think she’s the best new children’s book author of our time, whatever the hell that means!!!

19. Stuart Little, Charlotte’s Web. We are just getting to long form and I’m excited. The format of these books is my favorite—black line drawings and spots enmeshed within text—and was the direct inspo and reference for my recent illustrated edition of Joseph Mitchell’s The Bottom of the Harbor, which multiple friends told me they’re reading to their children! Also My Father’s Dragon is in this same camp.

20. Goodnight Moon by the GOAT and my great-grandma’s girlfriend, Margaret Wise Brown. As Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen have pointed out, it’s the weirdest, freaky-deakiest one out there. Goodnight!!!

____________________________

WHAT A GENEROUS WOMAN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO HUMANITY JOANA.

A PERFECT RED FRAMED RAG RUG

THIS CREDIT CARD OF A SERIPHANITE STONE

UNSCENTED DEODORANT BALM IN AN ALUMINUM TUBE

I TOOK A BREAK BUT NOW I’M BACK ON MY SNAKE OIL GAME. TAKING THESE FATTY 15 GUMMIES FOR A SPIN AND FEEDING THESE TO JOY.

TATA HARPER BODY OIL AND REJUVINATING SERUM…. I hear she has her own lab she converted from a barn in VT.

THIS CHEEKY LACE PANTY BIKINI AND BODY SUIT BECAUSE THE LACE BREATHES

BLUE AND WHITE SNUFF VASE OF 100 BOYS (OR CLOWNS)

THESE ROSALIA LAMBORGHINI NIKE KITTEN HEELS. I LOVE HOW COMPLETELY ODD SHE IS.

SKIRT HUNT CONTINUES: ORGANIC BASICS FOLD OVER MINI OR SUE ME! I LIKE THIS COTTAGE READY BLUE LACE NUMBER OR BLESS THIS HOMEMADE GERMAN CIRCUS SKIRT

RED BOTTOM OLIVE CLEO BAG- I CAN’T SHUT UP ABOUT HER!

Read more

Buzzing around purging this week. This summer is messy and it’s not worth the energy trying to hide it. I survived a trip to the desert to pick up an airstream trailer, identified and moved into a storage unit and filled the garage up with crap I’m parting with… details for our yard sale on the 12th are below the paywall today. Come one, Come all.

FOR MY ROTS: Diving deep into a SUNGLASSES hole and some byproducts of my current rehoming project:

FRANK GEHRY GRANDPA BEAVER CHAIR

BABY BLUE AND PINK 80S IKEA SCONCES

THIS JENNY LIND SPINDLE BED ALWAYS GETS ME GOING. IN SINISTER, TWEE AND EDISON BULBISH (HEADBOARD IS HEINOUS)

SUMMER CAMP BUNK BED

DR PEPPER FOR SCALE

SPAGHETTI CHAIR SET 3 BLACK ONE RED

POSSIBLY LOSING MY MIND LOOKING INTO FIBER OPTIC LIGHT ART?

PINK SPLATTER BULB SET

“Vintage Venetinaire Vinyl Valance”

FARROW AND BALL’S CHURLISH GREEN

COCO LAB THIN FLOSS OR EVERYTHING SET

PRIMARY + CHROME DREAM CHAIR PAIR

DANISH TEAK WINDMILL OVERPRICED SOMEONE SHOULD MAKE THIS

I USUALLY DON’T LINK TO FB MARKETPLACE BUT ITS CURRENTLY GOING OFF IN LA MAYBE BECAUSE EVERYONE’S LEAVING?

MARBLES ARE BEING LOST

Here are 4 groups of glasses for you. I’ve had IRL visits with Jacques Marie Mage and Garret Leight recently and can safely say that the freaks are alive and well out there. If you can take care of your stuff, I highly encourage investing in a pair of glasses from either LA based, made in Japan brand.

Read more

I will definitely be augmenting my behavior in the months to come in honor of this new reader. I start by sharing something personal I have been keeping private for the past few months:

I am moving to a little town a few miles north called Malibu… Watch this space to see how far out, leathery and MAHA I become in the coming seasons.

My family of 4 will be squeezing into a much smaller home, which is small in LA terms and palatial in NY terms. I am not complaining, just purging. For this reason a Sunday or two might go without a letter while I tend to my hoard.

As any true hoarder would, I have been spending a little too much time on the Airstream Marketplace in anticipation of my move. I just learned about “rebound clutter” described as a “psychological phenomenon where empty spaces trigger an urge to fill them”… maybe I’ll do a Gutted Trailer edit for my Rots soon. (Can you tell I haven’t hired a new therapist since Dear Kathi retired?)

Feeling inspired by David’s Arcades transmission earlier this week titled “You Don’t Need That.” He explores the philosopher Tran Duc Thao’s observation “that ownership simply is the right of exclusion. It is not use, or enjoyment, which can swing free from ownership. Its positive content is simply that other people cannot use or enjoy it. Or: their use and enjoyment is a privilege you bestow. In this light, the real kink of ownership comes into view—the pleasure is all mine, but you can have it if I say so. The drive to own is, above all else, a means of warding off the pleasure of others.”

There will be a yard sale on July 11th- PM me for details.

This week I bring you BACKPACKS, KNOBS, and ROOM DIVIDERS and below the paywall I give you my favorite Ecce Homo look alike (you’re welcome Kathi!)

SWIRL BLOWN GLASS

PUG.

HAND CARVED BONE FLOWER

PEWTER ANGELED PULL

BLACK AND RED POLKA DOT VTG

BLUE AND ORANGE PERFECT NIPPLE

PINK AMELIE WITH WHITE FLOWERS

BLUE PLASTIC DECO HOLLYMADE CALIFORNIA VIBES

WHITE BALL PORCELIN

METAL BOLA KNOB

BONE AGAIN LIKE A SUN HAT

TURQUOISE SLAB FOR “BOHEMIAN APPEAL”

SPICE AND LEGUME RESIN CAST KNOBS

TAHQUAMENON POMO CARAMEL

FROSTED GREEN CABINET REPRODUCTION KNOBS

ROCKS FROM LAKE SUPERIOR

BLUE STRIPE DRAWER PULLS

DESIGN LOOP REPRO LIZ’S

MARBLE BLACK AND WHITE PILL SHAPE

Contending with a shift from many small rooms to a few large rooms.

WE ALREADY INSTALLED A LOFT NET FOR THE DANGEROUS PART….

PERFECT HANKY HANGING FROM THE CEILING?

WHITE KINKY LATERAL FILE FOR ALL YOUR FILES?

I LOVE HOW THIS TAMBOUR HAS A CLOSURE

A SHELIA HETI MET A COMB?

COLOUR CABINET

I DONT KNOW WHY THIS IS SO EXPENSIVE, WOULD BE A SHAME TO HAVE TO LOOK AT

FASCINATING DECO ULTRAWIDE WITH A HAND CARVED OPIUM POPPY?

J’ADORE LEATHER ITALIAN SUSPENDED 60S PANELS

IM THINKING ABOUT LAYING SOME TRACK MAYBE WITH THESE LINEN TRIMMED CURTIANS?

AN EGGPLANT AND LAVENDER NOREN

A KILIM BENCH?

CHARMED BY THE SIMPLICITY OF THIS MEMPHIS NUMBER

REBAR MOMENT

took another stab at this request of Zoe Dubno’s (that brave woman) as I wrap up my bindles.

Read more

RILEY, You’re the best dad in the world.

In NY this week riding bikes around, trying to keep up with the energizer bunny that is Mike Eckhaus… a note in my phone after my daily martini dose reads:

Huffing the high they’re all riding. NYers seeming unaware of their own avarice, it’s all getting a little too cool over here…Mamdani and the graphic design on his key to the city and his flossed wife.

I also get to celebrate two dear friends’ 40th birthdays this week. I won’t name names because they’re both passing as not a day older than 28 and I don’t want to out them. Combing through old pictures of them has been invigorating. It’s magical to watch women grow UP.

In their honor, I have an edit of Gifts For Women From Women (such insufferable behavior, like “look what presents I didn’t get you!”) and then for the sake of being sentimental, I have a PICTURE FRAME edit. Lastly, some SKIRTS I’ve passed along the way on my quest for a technicolor skirt that doesn’t clock me as an aging hippy.

Considering spoiling them with: A stuffed CRESCENT BAG with HONEY MUD, GUMMIES and RESIN FLOWER HAIR THING. Also considering MagnesiOM, Arnica Roller, HIKING PANTS, CALMING CREAM, A BOAR HAIR BRUSH Feels like a risky thing to give but they’re not too much $$$, these deadstock tortoiseshell SUNGLASSES (for a small face.) I find these old BUTTONS to be ineffably charming (chanted “LOCK HER UP” to myself as I typed that.) I noticed Joanna gave her BFF a pair of Martiniano Glove flats for her 40th. POWERFUL FRIENDSHIP! This SILK SLIP, feels like the kind of decadent thing one might not get for herself, but would enjoy for the ages. Gnarled HARVEST SCISSORS, GUMBY GLOVES, INSENCE MATCHES.

Another (older) friend is going through chemo treatments and I got her some CRISP WHITE COOLING EUCALYPTUS SHEETS and my favorite GLASS STRAWS. Another friend is finally cruising along in her pregnancy after a harrowing few miscarriages, she got a TEA LIBRARY.

I could do this for days….

A mommy in my mommy chat asked for this edit and it was fun to think about. This probably isn’t the assortment she was asking for:

ELEGANT SILVER PLATE WITH ROUND EDGES

OCTAGANAL ACTUAL TORTOISESHELL

RUSTED STEEL STUDDED

CLASSIC TRAMP 1 AND CLASSIC TRAMP 2

ITALIAN MICRO MOSAIC

MILLEFIORE ROUND FOR A BABY’S FACE

SPONGE PAINTED VICTORIAN

POSSIBLY BAKELITE BLUE WITH SILVER TRIM

MINI MOSAIC MICRO MINI FRAME

SEASHELL ENCRUSTED

1880 BLACK FOREST ENCRUSTED

BOHEMIAN POLISHED HORN

PETITE BRASS PIGGY

RICH BROWN LEATHER, COULD BE SCENTED

ITALIAN STANDING FRAME

SINGLE STRAND OF FRENCH WIRE

DECO OAK STANDS

MILKY CELLULOID GOOD FOR A FULL BODY

a visual quest:

Read more