Our "Best of 2023" List!
Also, must watch winter TV, cameras as wristlets and “elite” English muffins
Hi friends!
In our last issue of 2023, we’re recovering from holiday food comas by reminiscing on our favorite purchases, books, shows, movies, etc. of the year! Plus, we get a little sentimental with our best overall closed tabs and manifestations for 2024.
Pardon us for being earnest for a sec … thank you so much for being early readers of Open Tabs! Putting this together each month is so much fun for us, and to be totally honest — it still feels surreal that we have a little community who loves an open tab as much as we do! We’re very much looking forward to 2024 and growing this newsletter with you. We’d love if you’d share Open Tabs with a friend, or join follow along with our visual diary on Instagram.
Whether you’re celebrating tonight with fun dinner plans, a good old fashioned house party or caviar and champagne on your couch, we wish you a very Happy New Year!!
xoxo,
Rach + Cait
Open Tabs
RKH: As always, so many open tabs! My current fixations, in no particular order really: a Cozy Ghost pink sweatsuit (or this similar one from Gap), a digital camera (of course the Canon G7 X is all over my FYP - and the thought of a little point and shoot dangling from my wrist a la 2008 really makes me lol, but I see the appeal!), the cosmic cardigan from Society Mano (or this or this from Hope Macaulay!), these mugs from Stacey’s Ceramics, the celestin jewelry box at Jonny Was, and this trinket tray from Musae Studio. I’m also dreaming of this pink bow puffer from My Mum Made It or the Coachtopia quilted puffer in the sky blue Twilight color. I also can’t stop thinking about the head in the clouds puff dress from Selkie - the mini is sooo cute! Currently drawn to puff sleeves, likely due to Poor Things and Emma Stone’s gorgeous wardrobe!
CP: A digital camera wristlet was basically required when studying abroad in a post-Amanda Knox era! Take me back.
I recently read this article (I subscribe to anything Hannah Richtman says/does!) about making your closet “a place of peace” and have been really taking it to heart! Trying to narrow in on colors, fabrics and silhouettes that I actually wear and feel like myself in, versus buying something that looks great on someone else. For me, that’s something drapey (silky or oversized), wide leg and a mixture of textures. Fewer, better purchases etc etc.! Lately I’ve had my eye on this Bernadette wrap dress that I think would be so good year-round, this Hereu black patent bag, this creamy Aeyde alpaca scarf (Hat Attack makes a nice alt) and these Attersee hammered silk pants.
I’m also excited to go to some cozy, holiday-y lunches this month! Raouls (my first time!), The Odeon, Gage + Tollner. Anywhere with good fries and a martini that potentially has garlands hanging from the light fixtures is feeling right!
Closed Tabs
RKH: Does anyone else buy and wrap Christmas gifts for themselves? This year I gifted me the Prada Runway 49mm sunglasses in tortoise and these fun sparkly hoops from Nadri in silver! For a favorite things party in early December, I gave everyone a Princess House pressed glass mug from the Fantasia poinsettia collection, and also grabbed a set of four for myself! Festive and chic! On that same vintage shopping trip, also snagged the cutest La Regale silver beaded bag. Similar styles here, here & here! We went to Vegas for the Pac 12 championship the first weekend of December (Sporty Spice reporting for duty!), and I’m still thinking about the fried chicken and caviar bao bun I had at Momofuku. For my fellow WAGs (of Fantasy Football team owners, to be clear), I also got so many compliments on this sequined jacket. Other recent closed tabs worth highlighting - eating most of the menu at Janken, a fantastic brunch at Proud Mary (their ricotta hotcake is just *to die* for), and afternoon wreath-making in Oregon Wine Country!
CP: Co-sign the Proud Mary hotcake. It’s a perpetual “must” whenever I’m home!
I saved this candle by Dolores to burn in the winter and I’m so glad I did! The black wax is cool to me, the scent is great and the name (Critically Acclaimed Sexual Psycho Thriller with a Strong Female Lead) is obviously a conversation starter! I also bought the Gucci Westman lip gloss/oil in Pipsqueak during a Sephora sale and the texture is lush! Beyond that, my focus has been on holiday party outfits. I got these vintage earrings to jazz up an all black outfit (this AGolde bodysuit and these Frankie Shop trousers), picked up this bodysuit from Great Eros to layer under a blazer, these fun Acne Studios sling-backs, a gold flat chain from Fallon and am compelled by this Zara sequin skirt that Christene Barberich posted about!
Restaurant-wise, we had the best time at Bangkok Supper Club earlier this month. Every dish was a knock-out, the service was warm, we walked in to available bar seats — 10/10! I also had the most *elite* (as the youths say) sourdough English muffins from As You Are’s Saturday bread pickup. If you’re in Brooklyn, cannot recommend these enough. We also finally got to try some goods by Guest Check! I’ll be dreaming of that tahini concord grape cake probably forever now!
Open Books
RKH: I devoured Britney’s memoir - literally read it in one day. What a life! I feel like we knew, but we didn’t *know* - you know? Also recently read and liked the short story collection, Tomb Sweeping, and a frankly depressing story about a range of characters at a Marin high school called The Most Dangerous Place on Earth. Would also recommend A Certain Hunger for my fellow “weird book” / women behaving badly genre lovers (perfect for fans of Animal, Nightbitch, etc.). Reading Death Valley now and loving it!
CP: We support women’s rights and women’s wrongs here at OT! Will need to add that to my “to be read” pile.
I just finished and really liked The Art Thief, a non-fiction look at the most prolific art thief in history. So fascinating! Which was a Georgia Hardstark rec, I believe, for any murderinos out there. I also liked Moonflower Murders for a little fast-paced “who done it” and I had to pick up Iron Flame to have a silly fantasy story to dig into during holiday travel.
Open Obsessions
RKH: This is so random, but I’ve recently been so obsessed with the image search function in the Google Chrome app. I’ve found it especially useful when vintage shopping, particularly when you can’t chat with the seller about the item. Snapping a photo and searching for the same item listed elsewhere and comparing prices, learning more about its history, etc., has been so helpful! And for better or worse, leads me into new rabbit holes and obsessions. For example, I was experiencing major vintage regrets recently when a necklace I didn’t buy was snatched up a few days later, and I found its twin on eBay! The more you know.
CP: A hot tip! It reminds me of the “find similar items” visual search function on Etsy, which always unearths more things I don’t need but must have!
I’ve been on a real TV kick during these dark months! I’m currently obsessed with Murder at the End of the World — it’s both a mystery but also such an interesting reflection on AI (topical!) and the acting by Emma Corrin and Harris Dickinson is excellent. We also just started the latest season of Fargo and I love seeing Keeley and Winnie the Bish team up to fight crime! Looking ahead to the new year, I’m PUMPED for the trailers that just dropped for the new seasons of The Boys and House of the Dragon (HOTD for all my fellow Alt Shift X nerds out there!). This sent me down a nostalgic GOT YouTube rabbit hole and reminded me of my personal Roman Empire, this video of the Stark sisters’ carpool karaoke circa SXSW 2017!
RKH: Absolutely co-sign Murder at the End of the World and the new Fargo! I love seeing Keeley living her new life in Minnesota.
Best of 2023
We’re already feeling nostalgic for the year we just had, so we thought it would be fun to compile a “best of” list for 2023, rapid-fire question style!
Best Investment:
RKH: Absolutely has to be therapy. I’ve sporadically seen therapists over the years, but at the end of 2022 I finally found someone who I really connect with. My bi-weekly sessions with her plus my 2x/week Pilates routine are my non-negotiables, $$-wise, and although I’ve spent the majority of 2023 unemployed, it’s worth it for my mental health! My therapist also encouraged me to do The Artist’s Way at the beginning of this year, and I’m so glad that I gave myself the investment of time in doing that all the way through! It had such a profound impact on me that I’m considering doing it again in early 2024.
CP: Freezing my eggs! What better investment is there than one that gives you autonomy for your future! As for an investment “thing,” honestly upgrading our carry ons this year to Rimowa was $$$ but worth every penny. It really is an exceptional product and something I’m sure we will have for the rest of our lives.
Most Used Purchase:
RKH: Oddly, the majority of my purchases this year were totally impractical and not really candidates for most used (just kidding, those of you who know me know this is not odd at all, lol). A few of those things did get used more than once, specifically the Cult Gaia Solene bag in pink (currently sold out, but available in pale sage - so cute!), this heart necklace, and a beaded vintage jacket I found at Valencia Street Vintage in SF. Not a purchase actually, but a gift that I have used every day since my friend Karly gave it to me, is a candle warmer! And more practically, my most used items this year were probably my customized Moleskine notebooks (I love the smiley face and the rhinestone!), my vintage marble task/up light lamp (the exact one I have is avail here and here!), my laptop, and my AmEx. ;)
CP: A Porto pouch in black, Celine sunglasses in tortoise + black, and this Aligheri pearl necklace. Truly, incredible cost-per-wear on all of these — girl math!
Best Beauty Buy:
RKH: I mentioned this in our gifting issue, but the Mason Pearson! I’ve had the Popular brush for years, but bought the pocket brush this summer so I think I’m allowed to count it here (plus gives me an excuse to talk about it again!). We’ve been on a 90s movie kick this year, and recently watched The Pelican Brief with Julia Roberts - if you haven’t seen it (I had not!), Julia’s character is on the run, and one of the only personal items she has with her is her Mason Pearson, which feels accurate to me in terms of its importance. It’s a desert island item!! Honorable mentions also go to my Canopy humidifier with the Laneige Spa Water essential oil, the dae Monsoon Moisture Mask, the Osea Undaria Algae Body Oil and Dior Lip Glow Oil, specifically in the color Mahogany.
CP: I don’t exaggerate when I say Dieux products changed my skin! After a few months of consistent use with Air Angel, I see a noticeable difference in hydration, even amid the brutal winter air and heat fully blasting! Deliverance is also a forever MVP on my shelf. Not so much a “buy” but I also got a lash lift for the first time this summer (s/o Catherine at Carrie Lindsey!) and loved the results so much that I want to try to include it in my extended routine at least twice a year!
Best Book:
RKH: Hello Beautiful! A must read if you love a complex family story (and really, a must read for anyone, It’s a gorgeous book!). I cried so much reading it I couldn’t even see the page! The only other book that made me feel that way this year was Shark Heart - a weird, beautiful, imaginative love story.
CP: Ah! A three-way tie —The Rachel Incident made me sentimental (pun intended) for the mess and joy of your early 20s in a way that was so sharply observed. Portrait of a Thief was probably my favorite overall (especially as someone who considers Ocean’s 11 in my top 5 movies of all time) but I also loved House in the Cerulean Sea — so sweet, I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to read it.
Best Show:
RKH: I was so sad when Ted Lasso wrapped this year! It’s just such a happy show. I wish I could Men in Black-style wipe it from my memory and watch it again.
CP: This is sneaky the hardest category for me! I have to say… Succession. That episode (you know the one) was maybe the most well-acted episode of TV I’ve ever seen?? Honorable mention goes to The Bear (specifically the Ramy-directed Copenhagen episode and Olivia Colman’s scene-stealing cameo), The Lost Kitchen for brain balm, and RIP to two of my very favorites that got canceled this year — The Great and Shadow & Bone!
Best Movie:
RKH: Oh this is so hard! New release-wise, I think it’s gotta be Barbie! Barbie and everything it ushered in culturally. As part of the 90s/00s movie kick I mentioned, also recently watched for the first time and LOVED The Thomas Crown Affair (the 1999 version). It’s about an art thief and the investigator on his tail - I won’t spoil it, except to say that it’s worth watching for style inspo from Rene Russo’s character alone. The basically see through black Halston dress lives rent free in my mind!!
CP: Past Lives, hands down! It’s Greta Lee’s cheekbones world and we just live in it!
Best New-To-You Restaurant:
RKH: Our entire experience at Acre in San Jose del Cabo was unbelievable, and the restaurant was no exception! We had breakfast, lunch and dinner there (twice!) and would have happily gone a third time, The ceviche, spicy mezcalitas, specifically the ranchera sauce they serve with the huevos rancheros … everything was so good, plus of course the vibes were immaculate (and, puppies!). Honorable mention to Flora Farms just down the road for the summer farm gazpacho and farmarita (carrot juice marg!). We also had the best lunch at Bear, the restaurant at Stanly Ranch in Napa. Also happened to be seated across from Nick Kroll when we were there (and he made this TikTok later that day! Relatable content). Dreaming of warmer days dining al fresco!
CP: Gotta categorize this — for neighborhoody, Margot here in Brooklyn, Forsythia in Manhattan or Gia in Montreal. For a more formal vibe, I loved Em in Mexico City. For feeling cozy, Stissing House was incredible. Most special meal overall was probably at Ballymaloe in Cork — heartwarming, unforgettable!
Best Dish:
RKH: The Italian American sandwich at Palm City in SF is easily the thing I ate in 2023 that I miss the most! Literally salivating thinking about it.
CP: If I had to pick just one, the confit tomato dessert at Lev. But, other noms include the grilled eggplant dish at Vino Vero in Lisbon, the ode to a McDonald’s burger at Swoony’s in Brooklyn and the crepes at Cafe Mutton in Hudson.
Best Drink:
RKH: Oh this is tough! Probably a tie between the tequila/tomato water/peach cocktail at Tusk that I mentioned in our August issue (reminds me of my best cocktail of ‘22, the caprese cocktail at Macondray in SF), or the Goodbye Butterfly cocktail at Boka in Chicago - tequila, mezcal, red miso and cardamom!
CP: The cocktails at Bar 1661 in Dublin! I will never be the same!
2023 Best Overall Closed Tab
RKH: The theme of this year for me was really self-exploration! I feel grateful and lucky that I was able to spend so much time reflecting on what I’m interested in, trying new creative endeavors (like this!) and just generally taking a step back to evaluate what is most important to me. It’s been a very difficult and very wonderful year simultaneously, and I’m excited for 2024!
CP: Starting this newsletter with you, obviously!! But besides that, planning trips to new places with friends + family. At risk of sounding cheesy, I really will treasure the fun, silly, stressful moments when abroad, in new cities, in rental cars, dealing with lost luggage or non-existent trains because of the people we were with. It’s core-memory stuff!
RKH: AW!!! I love you.
2024 Open Tab Manifestation/Prediction:
RKH: Shopping-wise, I’m manifesting the perfect vintage watch! And life-wise, can we manifest limitless credit cards and abundant opportunity?!
CP: Amen to that! I’m eyeballing trips to Miami, New Orleans, London/Amsterdam/Berlin and also potentially moving within NYC! 🫠 So, let’s putting positive apartment vibes into the universe for this spring. I also can’t wait to see what 2024 brings for us — both with our freelance work but also what we take on in terms of other creative projects. Not to be vague but “watch this space”!
That’s all for issue #4!