Obsession: JW Anderson’s Chain Mules

I love the color green and these are a gorgeous wear-everywhere neutral. Also: I am blogging from my phone, and will adjust if necessary from my computer eventually.

On the Other Hand: a Devotion Dress I Love

 And here is it, in two colorways: 

Rachel's Pink Dress: Devotion Twinning, Anyone?

I confess: I did look for the Devotion Twins pink dress worn by Rachel in the final episode of The White Lotus. It was easy enough to find and, that night, was still in stock. The next morning, though, gone.

I don't have any lack-of-buying remorse, though. Would I really want to wear something that this trapped character wore? And then there's the fit: it's short and voluminous, which is not necessarily flattering.

Still, this is a very popular dress. I first noticed it a month or so ago while browsing Anthropologie (see their Petra dress) and even own something similar (with short sleeves) from Roller Rabbit (the Pamela dress). In fact, voluminous dresses have been having a moment over the past year, whether for ease and comfort or perhaps love of textile: it's pretty to see all those flounces swirling about.

But the Rachel dress? Like the Rachel hair, better enjoyed from the filter of a screen (for me). Plus, if Rachel is hopelessly devoted to Shane, I can't be Devotion Twinning with her.

Petra from Anthro

My Pamela from Roller Rabbit

Rachel in her dress; image from wornontv.com

Quilting Olympics

It’s a bit of a tradition that during the Olympics I make something. 

Once during the Winter Olympics when I was working on my PhD qualifying exams in the US and Mr C was on a Fulbright in Iceland, I made a lopi peysa out of some beautiful wool he mailed me. I can focus on the sports when I want, and tune out the commentators and interviewers by focusing on my project.

with Marilla, in my rather generous lopi peysa (1994)

This Olympics I have taken apart a quilt top that I made a few years ago but could never finish because it wasn’t right. Here is the original post in which I introduce the fabric—from 2013!

I removed the elaborate border that was in place and added this solid, simple one. The main fabric is, fittingly, from Japan, and really more of an upholstery weight. The inlay stripe (one at each end of the quilt top) is from Liberty. Everything is (and will be) hand stitched.

Here it is, in the top corner, folded over our garden gate. (This is why I do not take photographs for my blog.)

Now I must venture into my armoire to see if I can find the quilt back I made—again: some years ago.

Should I quilt it in rings?

Woven Bags (Via Mail Bag, Colombia Collective) and Salt Straps

Remember that 2019 article in the NYT about Park Slope mums' new uniform: clogs and Salt bag straps? It came to mind the other day when I saw a gorgeous collection of woven totes from Italy, each with a Salt-like strap.

I do love woven totes. I purchased my most beloved one at a long-gone boutique on Sparks Street. It had a generous woven bowl and the final third was soft leather, secured by a drawstring. The tote had two long handles that I could put each arm through and carry the tote as a modified backpack as I biked through town. I carried my workout gear in it and even my schoolbooks, until it finally wore out.

These first two totes (above and below) are more refined (I wouldn't stuff them with workout gear) as they look to be more for wallets, etc. They are by ViaMailBag and I discovered them, ironically enough, considering yesterday's post, through a pop-up ad for Mirta on social media.

The next totes are by Colombia Collective and come as an oversized basket (think laundry hamper) or a carry tote. These I discovered this morning through Vanity Fair, as they are a favorite of Hermés creative director.

Have any readers adopted a Salt strap for their bag? I have a slim, fairly large LV mailbag that I'm considering one for. My strap isn't removable, so I guess I'd just tuck it inside the roomy bag itself.  So: add some salt or is the bag seasoned enough?

Online Sales Strategies: Passive Aggressive and Personification

As I've been more active on fashion websites these past weeks, I've increasingly noticed how different sites attempt to convince one to sign up for emails or texts: through the promise of 10–15% off a purchase. 

I've signed up for these on occasion, usually if I'm buying my children clothing or a gift but more often than not, I want to bypass and simply go to the site. 

The problem is that some of these sites are passive aggressive, offering a "Yes, I'll take 15% off" option or a "No, I don't want to save money on my purchase" option, the latter of which is designed to make the potential customer feel foolish and coerce them into signing up for emails they don't want.

The other tactic I've noticed is the overly intimate pop-up--usually when I'm scrolling through social media. One business admonishes "Don't forget about me!" which I find particularly invasive. This company uses personification, so a handbag either makes a plea (as above) or appears in stalkerish fashion: "Me again!" It's the 2021 corollary to Clippy.

While I enjoy the freedom of online browsing, I don't like when it's accompanied by a soupçon of guilt or talking products. How do gentle readers approach/experience such online sales strategies?

Those Chanel Tipped Colorful Cardigans from Summer 2019

I'm not the biggest fan of wearing logos in earnest: I like my Gucci watchstrap precisely because it's made from a recycled bag and looks somewhat ridiculous on my tech-y boxy watch. 

Still, I have been coveting these Chanel logo cardigans ever since I saw them on not one but two Real Housewives. (Actually a third has one but she doesn't inspire me.)

I love this one tipped in blue on Gizelle (from RHOP)

and this one tipped in red on Garcelle (from RHOBH) is a close second.

It may seem illogical, but these logos represent logos to my fashion eye.