Daylight savings made us buy it!
Featuring indoor clothes, cute candles and celebrity memoirs.
Hi friends!
In issue #3, we discuss winter beauty buys, some cool jewelry/handbag brands you should know about and a fun rundown of hotel and restaurant recs in Carmel, Portland, NYC, Montréal and Philly!
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Happy shopping/eating/reading!
Rach + Cait
Open Tabs
RKH: It’s definitely thanks to daylight savings time and the overall shift into coziness, but I’m shopping for indoor clothes! The hotel robe from Hill House is currently in my cart, and I’m debating adding another pair of the Sleeper pajamas to the rotation - specifically the pink pastel oversized pant and shirt with the red piping. I have the oversized pinstripe in both black and lavender, and I feel like someone’s rich aunt who knows all the secrets to being successful when I wear them.
CP: That feels very “Mom, I am a rich man!” adjacent and I love it! Not as chic, but just as cozy — I’ve been eyeing a chocolate-y brown sweat set from Eterne, and this cashmere-ish one from the Gap! I also love how lush this Deiji Studios set looks. Hygge season is here!
RKH: Also on track with that cozy vibe, I can’t stop pinning ceramic candle holders - the cuter and girlier the better - and right now I NEED the big bow from All Kinds. Patiently waiting for the drop! In line with the bow theme - the taper candle with bow from Gohar World. Well, really everything from Gohar World if I’m being honest. If this shop was not already on your radar, I’m sorry but also you’re welcome. The Bernadette candle holders are also on my list - the pink one makes me feel cute aggression!! Not on the candle holder track but gives me a similar feeling … these organza cord covers from IKO IKO. Since discovering these just the simple *sight* of an exposed cord is giving me THE ICK! All cords are ruined for me now.
CP: Having just visited the new Gohar store in Soho, can confirm everything they stock is dreamy!
As a first time caller, long-time Bernadette fan girl, my vote goes to their candle holders! Their lily of the valley robe is a mainstay on my wishlist and their slip dress (I have the black, because of course) is one of my most worn summer items. Not NOT considering making a stop in Antwerp during our spring European trip next year because of how cool they make it seem!
RKH: You have to go and pack an extra suitcase for gifts (for me, specifically.). A new jewelry brand on my radar - Cece Jewellery! If I had a spare $3K lying around, I’d be spending it on these horseclip hoops or on this Pretty in Pink bow pendant (it really feels like bows are everywhere right now, doesn’t it?). It may be the fact that we spend half the year drenched in Portland, but the monsoon earrings by Rachel Quinn are calling to me … they are just so dainty and cute. They also represent perfectly my opinion of rain - should be cute, light and up to me to decide when I want it on my body!!
A few more random tabs I’m considering … the Soft Services Theraplush hand cream, these martini olive cords from Lisa Says Gah (how cute for holiday parties?), SHEER DRIFT: the Snake newsletters collection, A Mia Vesper layering choker (torn between Punk Rocks and Salad), the Cult Gaia bombon puffer in spearmint metallic, and some new base layers for the upcoming snowboarding season from Halfdays.
CP: Got served an ad for that hand cream this morning! Ye olde algorithm does it again! As for other winterized skincare, I’ve been thinking about trying the Activist manuka honey mask that I spotted at Carrie Lindsey’s boutique, who is my NYC north star for all things beauty and vintage.
It’s about that time where I start the hunt for a “holiday red” lip! Not to be confused with the “summer red” lip from Merit that I highlighted in Issue #1 (which has sadly now been discontinued!). I’m compelled by the colors/compacts Fara Homidi recently came out with. Their branding is killer and the Red 2 is maybe calling my name. I also am curious about the Sunnies Face Lip Dip in LYSM, a true cherry red. I have one of their Fluffmate lipsticks (in Major) and love the wearability of it!
I recently discovered the London-based brand Yuzefi (again, on my dream closet to raid Jessie Bush’s page) and have just been hyper-fixated on their Mini Fortune Cookie Bag in Oatmeal for months now. The structure and craftsmanship feel special but also functional, and I love that it’s not a CRISP white.
I’m also checking Instagram at an alarming rate for any news about when I will be able to eat at Chrissy’s Pizza and Little Grenaj, both of which had soft openings but are yet to be full-on ready for business. In the meantime, I am so excited for the Dear Annie pop up at Fulgrances! I’ll follow the team from Rebel Rebel anywhere, especially if it’s just a quick G train ride away.
Closed Tabs
RKH: So many closed tabs from the month of October that I have to recommend - the first being the literal works of art TumTum creates and calls “cakes.” I had her make one for a friend’s baby shower, and then we also had a VERY cute one for my little birthday celebration at Dogwood (peep our Instagram to see her!). Tessa is so kind and just beyond talented. 10/10 would order again!
We had *such* a nice time at Le Petit Pali in Carmel when we were in town for a friend’s wedding. Beautifully designed, such great service and every little detail was so carefully considered - champagne breakfast, nightly homemade cookies, and a mini fridge stocked with Scribe and La Colombe … say less! I love the Palisociety hotels in general (honorable mention to Little Bitter Bar in Portland’s Hotel Grand Stark!), and the bed and breakfast concept is just so sweet! Apparently there is a Le Petit Pali coming to St. Helena which I’m very excited about! Carmel was also just so nice in general - is there anything better than a beach walk on a gorgeous day?
A noteworthy recent meal in Portland - Xiao Ye was worth the buzz it’s been getting, IMO. The tomato toast was to DIE for and we got lucky enough to go on the last day of its time on the menu. Will be counting down until it’s back! I’m also very sad about the forever closed tab of Woodsman Tavern (again!) but so excited about the new Los Burros Supremos making Mission-style burritos in the space. We’ve yet to find our favorite burrito in Portland (sorry but they just don’t make them here like they do in SF! El Rancho Grande, I miss you so much. IYKYK!), and hoping that this is a contender!
I pulled the trigger on the Makeup by Mario Ethereal Eyes palette during the last restock, and so far it seems to be living up to the hype. The glittery shades make me miss Urban Decay Space Cowboy (wondering if I need to add that back into my life). I do feel like the Pat McGrath glitter is much more concentrated and think I’ll still reach for the Rose Divine 2 over Mario’s, *but* I’m glad that I got it and I’m excited to play with it for some holiday looks. Still in stock at Sephora!!
CP: Portland’s hottest club has gotta be Xiao Ye! I keep hearing about how incredible it is. Adding to my list for our Christmas visit.
Save for a few adhoc purchases (a vintage trench at Colbo, Sam Youkilis’ new photography book, Create Dinners’ magazine/guide to holiday hosting Cin Cin, Matiere Premiere Neroli Oranger perfume, a really good jasmine candle from my favorite NYC matcha spot, Enly) most of my “closed tabs” have been literal closed tabs at restaurants! Specifically, fun lunches.
In NYC, we recently had an incredible omakase experience at Sushi Oku — the new sushi place in the back of old Scarrs. The lunch service has a slightly more accessible price point, the vibe is decidedly not stuffy and the fish was excellent! I want to go back and try their new sister sandwich shop that’s in the front of the space — Clubhouse.
Two other light’s-out lunches were at Gia Vin & Grill and Èpicerie Pumpui in Montreal. Gia was a phenomenal rec from Jess (owner of my all-time favorite Portland bar, Someday) and it truly delivered. Incredible food, the sweetest staff and a thoughtfully designed space. I’ll dream of the seafood emulsion spaghetti (think — a warm, buttery lobster roll-type flavor but over pasta) forever! On the other side of town, we had a phenomenal prawn panang curry with celeriac and maybe the best cider I’ve ever had (Les Fleurs L’Ete Brûlant) at Pumpui.
We also met up with my brother and sister-in-law in Philly this month, where we stayed at the Yowie hotel and were able to share what is still one of my top pizzas of all time (the Beddia #1) with them. Honorable mention goes to the incredible mezcal cocktail we had after at Middle Child Clubhouse, where the team behind the bar convinced us (me) to get their key lime pie, even though we had already had dessert. It and it’s ritz cracker crust did not disappoint!
I have many more Montreal/Philly thoughts/feels and can share a veryyy type A Google map of pinned places with anyone who wants the scoop on where we went to get a cocktail with Drake’s face stenciled in foam etc.!
RKH: Aubrey’s second mention in Open Tabs?! I love this for him. I will absolutely be subscribing to your Montreal guide!
Open Books
RKH: I recently devoured Julia Fox’s memoir, Down the Drain - I had no idea of all that she’d been through and what a life she’s lived. It’s honestly very hard for me to comprehend that we’re the same age. For fans of How To Murder Your Life or Thirteen, it’s a must read. I also really enjoyed Marisa Meltzer’s Glossy (I think our mutual love of all things Glossier culture over the years was a real key element of our friendship!!) - it took me back to obsessively reading every new post on Into The Gloss and dreaming of the day I could afford Vintner's Daughter serum from my cubicle as a lowly PR coordinator. One of my holy grail products to this day was actually from Elsa Hosk’s recommendation - Skinceuticals Phyto Corrective Gel. Anyway, I digress … reading this felt like a mix of information I already knew but had forgotten about, as well as adding so much nuance and context to what I was experiencing as a consumer and fan of the brand throughout my 20s. I will always love Glossier (my three hoodies prove this point - also, remember this Julia Fox x Glossier crossover?! ), and Marisa paints a picture of the company and Emily that is worth a read, IMO! Currently reading I Have Some Questions For You - was in a dark academia mystery mood - and am excited to read both Death Valley and Britney’s memoir next!
CP: The real question is, will you be listening to Michelle Williams read Britney’s book?? Give that lady the EGOT she so deserves, already!
This month, I sped through a short collection of poetry called I Do Everything I’m Told and then read Fourth Wing even faster. To all the friends who told me it was a must — you were very right! I, of course, also had to order Dolly’s latest, Good Material, which I hope will fill the High Fidelity getting canceled too soon hole in my heart, since she mentioned it highly references Nick Hornby. The title feels very “everything is copy” to me and I’m sure that’s intentional!
Open Obsessions
RKH: I’m done gatekeeping! Miami Sample. If you don’t already subscribe, it’s a must. They curate sample sales from a range of Instagram’s favorite brands (recent successful purchases were a few Emi Jay clips and a Blackbough bikini), and I think it’s worth taking a peek every time a new sale drops! This also begs the question I constantly have to ask avoid - do I actually want this, or is it just available for a limited time only? Let’s agree not to answer that. Also totally unrelated, and this obsession is completely basic and not unique to me - but literally can’t get enough of Taylor and Travis. I’m obsessed. Every breadcrumb of news we get is a DELICIOUS treat. We need MORE.
CP: A true treat! Even if it’s *allegedly* a Tree Paine concocted one! Which feels like an opportunity to endorse Hunter Harris’ pitch of an Amy Adams-helmed Tree biopic. Paging Greta Gerwig!!
Also not unique to me, but I’ve recently discovered the podcast and surrounding cinematic universe of Pia Baroncini. She’s like the knowledgeable big sister I always wanted/never had! Her podcast dives into dense topics like cycle syncing or managing blood sugar spikes in a way that is useful and approachable — I’ve learned so much! I love how many big, wrinkley dogs she has (my dream!), I love her Nancy Meyers house, I love that she manifested her marriage. I went so far as to order some Baroncini olive oil to try, because I’m very much (actually) buying what she’s selling!
RKH: Absolutely co-sign - she also somehow makes filming yourself eating pasta cute, and that’s aspirational in itself!
That’s all for issue #3! To check out our visual diary of the meals, trips and purchases we talked about here, follow our Instagram @opentabsletter. Or, to see an archive of the products we linked to, follow our *new* Pinterest board!
