On My Radar — November
It’s been a while! Here are some things I’ve been noticing, loving, and getting inspired by.
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1. Buttons! Buttons! Buttons!
I’ve been obsessed with button embellishments for a while now, especially mother of pearl/shell buttons. My favourite vintage cashmere cardigans and silk blouses feature these mordern-mermaid touches, and more recently Paloma Wool presented these button-adorned looks that excited me.
2. Anthems
Every year I make a playlist of the songs that feel important and encapsulate that age. I rarely end up listening to them, usually treating them more like a time capsule for the future, but have been enjoying my 24 playlist a lot lately. There’s something sweet about celebrating this moment in time before it passes, just trying to soak up and process this year as much as I can before it’s over.
3. The Perfect Nothing Catalog
Whimsical, medieval, embellished objects using gems, stones, and shells. @Theperfectnothingcatalog is one of my favourite accounts to follow, I love that they turn everyday objects into something fun and special.
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4. Digital Rituals
As much as I would love to report that I’m reading more books than ever or ‘logging off’ as often as I can, in reality I’ve been starting and ending my days with an attempt at more ‘mindful’ media consumption (lol). I’ve enjoyed Maria Popova’s free newsletter The Marginalian for a few years and often read it alongside my morning coffee. It’s a great curation of short essays, poems, and other musings on influential writers, artists, scientists and more. The newsletters are short and sweet, and they link some great related readings from her archive if you want to go down the rabbit hole.
A newer addition to my routine, I finally committed to a NYT subscription to play the crossword every night before bed when I feel the urge to scroll TikTok endlessly. It’s been a great social media replacement, and small ego boost when I beat my personal best time.
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5. Daily Uniforms
I’ve recently added some pieces to my wardrobe that I can’t stop wearing:
This trench coat from Aligne and the matching hood (kindly gifted by the brand),
The vintage navy wool coat of my dreams,
A red wool hand knit penny scarf I got from the sweetest craft market held by a local Senior’s Centre,
The perfect pleated chinos from KOTN (also gifted),
This incredible leather crossbody bag from my dear friend and thrift-expert Alberta,
and these Plasticana hemp clogs that are perfect for beach walks.
6. Reading Slump
I recently finished ‘Breasts and Eggs’ by Mariko Kieweko after reading it on and off for years. I’ve been stuck in choosing my next book, after chipping away at the 480 page novel for so long. I’m itching to get a library card in my new city, so I can remove the weight of choice/cost that I often feel crushed by when buying books new.
I’ve been carrying ‘Rattlebone’ by Maxine Clair and ‘Let Me Tell You What I Mean’ by Joan Didion in my bag for weeks now but have yet to start either of them.
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7. Shiny Things
Like everyone else lately, I’ve been very drawn to accents of silver and chrome in both fashion and interiors. I’ve even started mixing silver jewelry into my daily stack, which I’m loving and will definitely continue doing beyond the trend. I’ve been looking for some small silver trinkets for my home, and have been loving the idea of vintage/antique bottle openers and baking mold pans as decor.
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8. Sculptural Silhouettes
This year my personal style feels more genuine and pared-down than ever. I know my colour palette. I know what feels comfortable when I’m out existing in my clothes. A major style pillar for me is Sculptural Silhouettes — uniquely tailored garments that add visual interest without adding colour or pattern.
As I get older, I’m focusing less on trying to show off or ‘flatter’ my body. Experimenting with new silhouettes has been a great tool as I continue to define my style, and I have a lot of fun searching for these special pieces while thrifting!
9. Lastly, it’s extremely important to stay informed and vocal about what’s happening in Palestine and Gaza right now. Here are some resources that I’ve found helpful.
— Tell Your MP to Demand an Immediate Ceasefire.
— Email template: “Stop the Genocide in Palestine”
— All the Walls Will Fall: 2023 Palestine Liberation Resource List
That’s all for now! See you next time.
P.S. There’s a new vintage collection dropping Sunday at 10:00am PT!