Rima Suqi

I have been in love with this Vivianna watch (in silver, stainless, black, whatever version) ever since I first saw it (I won’t say how many years ago) on my friend Deborah’s wrist. While perusing the Georg Jensen website today for a completely different reason, I saw it in their sale section in black. Black is a huge “color” this fall in fashion, which makes me really happy. And this watch is now $720. It was $2,400. Not that $720 is super cheap but all things considered, a bargain.

I love the way J. Crew rediscovered Timex watches, pairing them with ribbon bands and celebrating them in their catalogs. If you like the look but want to find another option that not everyone is wearing, check out Smart Turnout. You get a watch and four straps for $249 – the straps (sold individually for $29 each) come in military colors and US school colors (Harvard, Brown, Princeton…you get the idea). Very preppy but pretty cool.

Some options. I like the solids (also in bright solids like orange, lime green):

but some of the stripes are great:

Don’t get me wrong, I love my Chuckie T’s but when it’s hot outside those suckers are (a) warm and (b) smelly. This plimsol by Generic Surplus (cheaper line from super-cool, every man must wear brand Generic Man) is my new dream shoe. Purchased at Undefeated in Silver Lake but available online at the GS website, here.Three colors in lace-up, more in the slip-on.

My excursion to Homenature in Southampton ended up being fortuitous on many levels. Not only did I get to test drive a chair I’ve been eyeing online, and get the scoop on a cool modern adirondack chair I also spotted a fabulously gigantic denim beach bag by Michael Kors.  And I mean, it’s huge. I was with a friend who brought along his French bulldog, and we could’ve fit 3 of those farty b-tches (as we lovingly call her) in this bag. That’s a whole lotta bag for $78.

Buy it here.

After spending a week in Tanzania, I return to find out that a photographer friend, originally from South Africa, is making these super-cute pendants that can also be worn on a charm bracelet. Coincidence?

Available in 10 or 14k, here.

I’m not always a big fan of the Target collaborations but when they get it right, it’s pretty awesome. I think the Temple St. Clair collection, which hits stores in August, just might hit it. I haven’t seen these in person, but I’ve seen similar things at Target that were pretty good.

Charm bracelet, $39.99

ring, $29.99

necklace, $49.99

cuff, $39.99

earrings, $29.99

My friend Meg swears by nude shoes. She says they make her legs look longer. I was always “meh” about it. Being olive skinned, the nude color thing doesn’t always work. But I’m all into embracing a grey shoe, and J. Crew just introduced one at a pretty friendly price that is on-trend but not too trendy.

Knotted macrame heels, $225

I also loved these, which aren’t nude or grey. But the navy looked pretty fab and fresh….

Suede Averil, $238

Smythson introduced products in two new colors: a gorgeous deep purple and an orange they call Amber. Also a few new bags, not in those colors. Scroll through….

Places to store jewelry

A really big jewelry box

notebooks (left), new notecards w/spiders and wallets (right)

detail of spider notecards (loved them)

Amber items

new clutches

new handbag

I am not someone who loves summer in NYC. Every time I need to go to a meeting on a 100% humidity day, I have outfit agita, with half my closet ending up on the floor in my attempt to figure out what I can wear that will hold up in the sweaty weather and look cute on me at the same time.

Time and time again I have been saved by pieces from Lilla P. In the interests of full disclosure, you should know that the company is owned by good friends of mine. That said, their stuff rocks. These are not-so-basic basics I wear almost every day and travel with all the time. Here are two of my favorites dresses for the coming season (in black, of course). I love the simple design because it means I can add some serious jewelry…!

Ruffle V Neck dress, $135

Ruched waist dress, $135

The silver necklace, above, is made from stainless steel which is 75% recycled material and 100% recyclable, and is $74.95

The gold necklace, below, is made from brass which is 100% recycled material and is $94.95. Both by Polli.