Don't Take This The Wrong Way
Thanksgiving at Sunset Tower, MyTheresa unboxing, recent work on film, Neutra VDL, Max & Helen’s + more..
After cooking the whole feast last year, I happily traded my apron for a seat at Sunset Tower with my husband’s family this Thanksgiving. It was fab. I was having such a good time I completely forgot to grab a proper outfit photo, but I did manage to snag an awkward little fit check and posted it here. The boots are vintage Gucci (Tom Ford era) exact ones here, the trench is a Net-A-Porter steal, and underneath (though you couldn’t really see it) I wore a Toteme cotton-satin maxi skirt with a thin ribbed cashmere Prada V-neck I scored on The RealReal (exact one here).
Technically this package landed on my doorstep at the beginning of November, and it’s only now making its debut on Substack. I’m loving the silver MyTheresa box—but more importantly, I’m obsessed with this tassel loafer that’s been on my wishlist forever. For the record, I’ve mentioned this on Instagram before, but I went to private school and wore loafers daily… and honestly, it scarred me. Happy to report I’m one step closer to healing the loafer-related PTSD in these.
Sakara did a limited collaboration with Doen, and I was lucky enough to shoot content for it! The Holloway Pouch is something I’d genuinely buy on my own and will treasure for years. I can’t speak on the supplements just yet, but I’m sure they’ll come in handy as we head into peak holiday chaos. You might want to grab yours…
I’m no stranger to the Neutra VDL House, but I’d never seen the rooftop reflecting pool actually filled. They only do it for special installations or events, so we’d never caught it in all its glory until this last visit. I also happened to snag a baseball cap on my way out, and it’s easily my new favorite in the collection.
A now-infamous diner just opened in my childhood (and current) neighborhood, and it’s stirred up some feelings I’d been keeping tucked away, so I need to get them off my chest. While I’m thrilled that Larchmont has gained so many amazing spots over the past few years, I miss the old favorites I grew up with. I miss the simplicity of grabbing toiletries at Rite Aid (now closed) or enjoying a coconut ice cream with my mom at Thrifties on our way out. I miss picking up a magazine with my coffee at Above the Fold (also recently closed). I still remember my first date with my high school crush at Baskin Robbins like it was yesterday. I miss reading a book at Le Petit Greek right before the dinner rush while eating Spanakopita and people-watching. I miss the old owner of Larchmont Pizzeria. I miss when The Bungalow used to be the spot and the juicery still existed a few doors down. I miss when Larchmont wasn’t this “cool”, it was just charming, thriving on a tight-knit, loving community.
This might sound silly coming from someone who shares her life online constantly, but I have a love/hate relationship with social media. On one hand, I know it opens so many doors for businesses and people alike, and I love discovering new spots and ideas online myself. On the other hand, I hate it when things get over-saturated and everyone rushes to try the same thing at once—like Max & Helen’s, for example. I went on opening night because I live in the neighborhood and it was still under the radar, no crazy line yet. Now? You can’t even find parking to go to the bank. Same thing happened when Levain opened in 2023.
I promise I’m not a hater, nor do I fear change. I just wish there were a way for things to feel balanced, not so over the top. I’m probably adding to the hype by saying the food is actually great (I still believe it’s the best thing that’s happened to the neighborhood in a long time), and I can’t wait for the frenzy to die down so it can earn its place as a neighborhood institution—like the Beauty Store, Larchmont Wine & Cheese, and Chevalier Books—all of which are thankfully still standing. No matter what changes come to the neighborhood, my hope is that some of that old-school magic always sticks around.
Now that I’ve gotten that off my chest (hope I didn’t offend anyone in the process), let’s move on to the lippies I’m currently loving from Mary Phillips. I currently own Overdrive, a sheer cool taupe brown, and First Base, a sheer cool mauve. They glide on smoothly and are the perfect size to keep in any bag.
In other news, my point-and-shoot finally gave out after four years. I had an Olympus Stylus Epic Zoom 80, and although I really loved how the pictures turned out, someone recently told me they tend to give out easily. If you have a better recommendation for a point-and-shoot, send it my way! I’ll leave you with a self-portrait; I’m still on the journey of trying to master the art of the air-dry.
Till next time!
X, LPR1
*Some posts may contain affiliate links and I may receive a small commission from a sale.