Sunday Snaps
Recap and Recs for April
Making this one snappy as I’m wrapping up a big work project and need all the time I can get before deadline! Welcome new subscribers! Thank you for being here! And now, just a few bits and bobs…
The Spring
We are now in month four of The Spring, and things are definitely progressing. Any surprising revelations you didn’t see coming? Let me know in the comments! This month there were extra music tracks added to the Spotify playlist, plus I put together a chapter index that has all of the chapters in order in one place. If you want to catch up on The Spring, please start there:
Seen. Heard. Enjoyed. Still Thinking About.
The month began with me being my friend Kim’s plus-one to the de Young Gala Late Nite party - the fun after party to it’s fundraising gala. It was absolutely freezing that night, especially in Golden Gate Park, so I topped my dress with a dark grey cashmere crewneck to make sure I would stay comfortable. I wore this dress only once before — to Vogue World London last September. It’s exactly the same outfit but for the sweater! (Norma Kamali dress, Alessandra Rich jewelry, Giuseppe Zanotti boots, Alexander McQueen bag.) Really fun event with dance troupes, unique music, photo booths, and delicious food. Also finally got to see the Irving Penn exhibit, as well as the Fashioning San Francisco: A Century of Style. Both are beautiful and inspiring. It was wonderful to see the original Dior Junon and Venus gowns once again; the first time I saw them was at a fashion exhibit at the de Young in 1989 called The New Look to Now - it was when I really first fell in love with fashion.
Congratulations to Marcia “TableHopper” Gagliardi on her Bohemian Sunday celebration at The Savoy Tivoli in North Beach! Such a fun event to celebrate 18 years of this strictly insiders’ newsletter for all things food and San Francisco. Loved the custom cocktails, especially The Boothby (rye & sweet vermouth finished with a champagne floater), and the best platters of North Beach charcuterie. Oh, and did I mention the burlesque? A very fun Sunday.
So grateful to attend a Passover Seder for the first time in years last Monday. Hosted by my friend Justine, it was a beautiful table full of friendship, spirit, beautiful spring flowers, and tasty Passover food. The matzoh ball soup was particularly gorgeous. Traditions don’t need to be fussy or formal; in fact, we can make them what we want them to be, with our own chosen families. I feel so privileged to have been a part of this “family” table.
For TV/streaming, haven’t been diving into too much newness due to time, but LOVED The Gentlemen in full, and cannot wait for the final episodes of Palm Royale - both are so fun and stylish.
I’ve really been enjoying Ripley — the cinematography is absolutely stunning, especially because it’s such a silent show. There are full minutes of silence where you’re simply watching Ripley do his thing, and the camerawork makes it all the more intense and beautiful. This is actually much more like The Talented Mister Ripley of Patricia Highsmith’s book in that he’s much more internal and uncertain, with very methodical actions. Even so, he’s always a little bit afraid of his own con, not to mention himself. It creates much more tension and intensity than the 1999 film, but that is definitely a favorite, along with the French version: Plein Soleil from 1960.
Otherwise, gave a quick rewatch of Bridgerton season 2 to get ready for season 3 starting in mid-May. Looking forward to getting into Under the Bridge on Hulu with Riley Keough and Lily Gladstone, as well as finally getting to Shogun.
Tried and Liked
Okay, these are kind of simple and basic, but that’s kind of the point of this segment. Three things I really do use and love…
I bought these grey pillar candles at the top of the year at Pottery Barn and I love them. They’re a fresh update on the usual white or ivory and just add a tad of sophistication. I have a lot of gray/silver in my apartment decor, so these are perfect, and garner lots of compliments.
What else gets compliments? Boursin. Yup. It’s simple, it’s cheap, it’s delicious, it’s found just about everywhere. I often have friends popping by for impromptu wine or cocktails, and the Boursin is my stand-by for a little go-with. I enjoy it with Mary’s Gone Crackers - the hearty crisp crackers are the perfect texture against the soft cheese, and the size of the cracker is perfect too. (Sometimes this turns into a girl dinner, but that’s fine.) What’s more, my friends love it too, and it does feel like the perfect blend of casual/fancy for when friends show up. Give it a try.
I absolutely love Alexis Smart Flower Remedies. These are all-natural, drug-free floral distillations that help alleviate any number of symptoms in the human body. I can’t tell you how many bottles of the Unburden I’ve gone through - particularly good for stressful times. I’ve even gifted it to friends when they’re going through something and it really helps. I’ve used a number of her tinctures, and always keep a First Aid Kit with me when traveling too. It really helps with travel days and helps keep everything calm. Also, Alexis’ Instagram account is full of insights and recommendations for a homeopathic lifestyle. She’s wise and wonderful.
Until May! Hope everyone has a wonderful month!