In this monthly series, I will display 5 swoon-worthy finds. It may be an object, subject, or location – every month is a surprise.
CULTURE: “Bunny Mellon: The Life of an American Style Legend””
This a biography of Bunny Melon, American Style Icon and Aristocrat that designed the White House Rose Garden during Kennedy’s term. She had a natural eye for interiors, fashion, botany, all things aesthetic – a woman after my own heart! I won’t lie, I started this Audible last year. Not to say that it is a bad listen – quite the opposite! The story is so fascinating and the read is not only pleasant to listen too, but somehow her distinct accent is perfect for this tone. Almost like it’s Katherine Hepburn with a southern bell nod. So then why haven’t I finished it yet? Not only is the audiobook long, over 17 hours, but the detail is so inspiring that I want to pay attention to the story. This is a great listen for a commute and road trips. I still have 8 hours to go but maybe if I make some time here and there I could finish it this month? Here’s hoping!
STYLE: Tory Burch Fall 2020 Collection
I have been courting tones of blue passionately as of late. Sky Blue, Light Blue, China Blue, Periwinkle Blue, and Navy have been catching my eye for the longest time and have officially been added as my capsule wardrobe staples. When I saw Tory Burch’s new collection, I gushed! The Lee Radziwill Double Bag will be something I will be keeping an eye on. It also comes in Petite – so cute! The Madras Dickie Pullover is lovely as well – I will copy that look this fall.
EXPLORE: Orchard
One thing I want to do this September is go apple picking at an orchard. To be honest, I don’t think that I’ve ever been to an orchard, I’ve been to cider mills to collect fresh apples, but not the former. To be completely honest, I am not even sure how the orchards will be proceeding during this pandemic. Are we allowed to pick our own apples? Will we need to schedule a walk through the orchard? Not sure, but this is something I hope to experience this autumn. When I do, you will know!
EATS: Mastering A Charcuterie + Cheese Board
A friend of mine once told me that if you want to be a good host, master the art of a charcuterie and cheese board. Once that is done, you’re pretty much all set in impressing your guests! I would add, having a specialty drink in the mix portrays a more complete presentation. There are a few good resources that explain the process well. An article by Anthony St Clair on Fix even has an illustration (Yay for us visual learners) of the perfect setup. Joyful Healthy Eats also has an article worth studying on this subject – again, with visuals! If you want more visuals, this video by…….. In regards to what you need, I would hand select unique items. For a nice wooden board, I highly recommend the craftsmanship of Atelier Lignum by Daniel Jolta. Not one board is the same, which I find most beautiful. Anthropologie also has many options for cheese boards and knives. But I would prefer working with something more artisan like Atelier Lignum or vintage finds. Whichever fits your style best, search for key words like Charcuterie Boards, Cheese Boards, and Breakfast Boards
DWELL: September Gardening
I will be honest, I have no idea how to garden. I have been living in an apartment since moving to Romania and until the lockdown my plants didn’t survive well. Prior pandemic, I would rarely be home, thus forgetting I had botanical-pets to feed. Now that I am caring for my mother this season, I thought I could work on her garden since she hasn’t been able to. I have no idea where to start. I found this article from Costa Farms incredibly useful. It is important also the region where you are gardening (duh!), so I searched “September Gardening Tips in Michigan” and found this gem, straight-forward and to the point!
What are your thoughts on this month’s picks? What would be your own picks for each category? Please share! I’d love to hear from you.