Tiny Thrills Tuesday: 30 Dec.
Quickie love bombs to inspire, from 'tini time to toddler toys, with a stop-off at bespoke menswear vibes from Mayfair to North Carolina.
In this series, I quick fire the inspiration making my week a tiny bit more thrilling, from “add to cart” to “food for thought.”
4 minute read
From 'Tini Time… — Part of the “Re-Launch of Myself” project is to have more fun, and what better way than to make martinis my personality. But don’t write me off as an alchy, because this is more strategic than you’d think: the few times I go out in the evening, a glass of soporific wine will send me straight to snooze town, and a flute of fizzy champagne isn’t as tasty as you’d think unless it’s super primo. What better alternative than to order one perfectly gorgeous, ice cold, slightly dirty martini and sip on it for the entire outing?! I’ve tested out my new ’tini time hobbie thrice over the past few weeks, and each was a smashing success. I had something delicious and festive in front of me, without Mr. Sandman sidling up, and it just lends a flair of fabulous to the general vibe. Next step is to identify the perfect vodka to request with obnoxious specificity. Which do you think is “the best” vodka? Let me know…
…To Toddler Time — Taking a hard left turn from ’Tini Time, LOL… I’ve hit a stride finding on-the-go toys that will keep Cosima’s hands and mind busy for, oh, twelve to forty minutes. These have come in handy at church now that she says the playroom “is for babies,” as well as in our standing brunch booth. The trick is of course to hide-and-rotate the loot, whipping one out at a time with fake aplomb for a specific outing. So far, the “Grab and Go Dough Jars” from Young, Wild & Friedman are our favorites and, because they’re entirely sold out post-Christmas, can be hunted down on individual retailers’ sites like this one. The Magna-Tiles “Micro-Mag” travel box is a big hit to build scenes on the magnetic tray, and the “Magneti Book” had Cosima’s attention for an entire leisurely meal out the first time I revealed it (also works great as a carseat toy). Let me know if you have more ideas for my list.
A Bandana Bandit — Silk scarves in the smaller “bandana” square have been a tiny thrill for me, adding the classicism of a silk scarf with the hipness of the easier to wrangle dimensions. This $60 Madewell scarf—now $30 with code “winter”—is high on my hit list for its groovy geometric design reminding me of the Philip Johnson designed inlaid floor at my own N.Y.U. undergrad library. Similarly, this $200 Mulberry scarf has been calling my name for weeks, with its sophisticated black-on-navy leopard print. Silk scarves are a wonderful item to start collecting for yourself, adding to your stash each special occasion to create a wardrobe to impress your future octogenarian self.
Bespoke and Beguiling — My obsession with custom suiting content, from the textile mills of Florence to the cutting benches of Mayfair (and, most especially, this bloke’s cerebral take on traditional English men’s wear), lead me down a rabbit hole closer to home. Namely, to Serna bespoke, a North Carolina based leather atelier fabricating limited run bags, briefcases and belts. The “Chanel” and “Maritime Canvas Tote” caught my eye and I’m getting a tiny thrill from following along with Joshua Serna and his eponymous leather grained adventures. (PS: Speaking of pastoral adventures and bespoke creations, above is a photo of the “Regency views” panoramic mural wallpaper we’re having installed in the dining room soon. I cannot wait to show you on Instagram.)
Try my choice, as originally concocted by Ian Fleming:
Three measures of Gordon’s Gin, one measure of any Russian (potato) vodka, one half measure of Lillet Blanc ( Kina Lillet is no longer produced ), or Cocchi Americano, shaken over cracked ice and topped with a large thinly sliced lemon peel.
In later years his protagonist suggests to a barman it would be slightly improved by substituting a rice based vodka. The birth of “THE VESPER“.