This & That is a new post series covering a round up of things I find interesting, moments of inspiration, links to articles I’m reading, and whatever’s on my mind. Here’s the first edition:
1. Morning Leaves: Reflections on Loss, Grief, and Connection by Laing F. Rikkers – Ten days before my father passed away, Laing F. Rikkers, the author of Morning Leaves, sent me a note about her newly released book and asked if I’d like a copy. It sounded like a beautiful book from the description and I gladly said yes. The timing was surreal. My father’s health took a sudden turn, and a week after I received the book, he passed. Grief takes on many forms and I immediately connected with the gentle tone and lovely illustrations in Morning Leaves. Poems and verses on nature provoke thought on connection with others and a moment for introspection. I love this book. It remains on my desk and I like taking a break to re-read a page or two. I’m purchasing several and will send to friends when they unfortunately experience a loss. Lately, more and more friends in my age group are dealing with aging parents and their passing. I’ll be happy to have Morning Leaves to share with them.
2. I still receive a handful of print magazines – some I subscribe to and others from I don’t know where. I don’t get nearly as excited to read them as before. Unfortunately, the fashion bibles of my youth have moved in a different direction with more celebrity, politics and culture than fashion and style. What I enjoy lately are magazines that have a narrow focus rather than trying to cover everything. Departures (American Express) for example sends me down a rabbit hole of wanderlust and occasionally an editorial in Town & Country (not the social commentary or society bits) will remind me of the good old days with beautiful photography featuring classic, luxury goods. Magazines are a mini escape and I like to be taken on a journey, to aspire and dream a little. Veranda, Frederic and Milieu offer this beautifully in the interiors world. YOLO Journal and Departures provide an escape for travel. Easy, elegant reading on a quality printed page. I look at all of these publications digitally too but there’s something special about sitting down with a magazine and slowly perusing the pages without any jarring pop up ads or links to read more.
My current favorites: Veranda, Milieu, Frederic, Departures, YOLO Journal. The fashion tidbits in these magazines provide more inspiration than an entire issue of Vogue or Harper’s Bazaar. If there’s a fashion/style focused magazine, you’d recommend, I’m all ears.
3. I’m not a gardener. I like to imagine spending the day trimming foliage and cutting flowers, but realistically it’s not me. I’m not committed to putting in the time to create and maintain a beautiful garden. Mine is low key and simple. But, I love to peruse gardens online and in books. The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is a recent digital adventure. I’m especially fond of this Iris filled garden and the deep purple black hue in the Black Jack Agapanthus. For the ultimate dreamy garden with paths inviting exploration, check out the garden of Casa Gusto’s Cris Briger in San Miguel de Allende. Tap here.
4. Loro Piana Summer Charms are the epitome of quiet elegance. The loafers and flat sandals are my two favorites. The Loro Piana online shop has a good range of sizes in the sandal which are sparsely available elsewhere. Loafer sizing has a good run on BG and NM.
5. Where to next? I have a long list of places to go but one that’s hovering near the top is Egypt. I traveled to Cairo and Luxor decades ago but would like to see them again with fresh, older eyes. I absolutely want to indulge on a Nile cruise too. I’d love to hear if you have recommendations.
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Kristin Middleton
Look at Indagare’s Egypt trip as includes cruise down the Nile.
Karima
Thank you! I will!
Marlene
I agree with you about fashion magazines. They are not about fashion anymore and I no longer subscribe to them. If I want to read about politics or celebrities I could pick up The Atlantic or People.
I would add “Interiors” to your list of decorating magazines. It’s an English publication printed on quality stock and focusing on quirky decor.
Ann
Love World of Interiors and Home and Garden (UK) as well.
Karima
Thank you for the recommendations!
Danielle
Someone needs to start a print magazine about lovely fashion. I cancelled Vogue, Bazaar and Elle and had subscribed since I was a young teen. I will still pick up British Harpers Bazaar at the bookstore or newsstand but American Vogue and Harpers had veered way too far off topic. And I do still enjoy a good Tatler although even that isn’t as good as it used to be. Frederic is fantastic!
Karima
Agree. Anyone remember Mirabella magazine? That was a favorite!
Kathy Lacey
https://www.abercrombiekent.com/tours/luxury-small-group-journeys/2023/petra-to-the-pyramids-and-a-nile-yacht-cruise
Happy 4th of July!
Karima
Thank you Kathy.
Kim
Agree on “fashion” magazines, although I am enjoying Harper’s Bazaar a bit Moore since Samir Nasr took over.
Karima, love your pants and sweater, but especially love seeing those Birks. I bought mine after seeing them in your blog and still cherish them. Wishing you peace after your Father’s passing.
Karima
Thank you for your condolences and comment. I’m glad your enjoying your Birks as much as me!
I had high hopes for HB when Nasr stepped in but the last few issues have been weak. Personally, I miss the elegance of the older magazines in terms of layout, photography, and content. Current magazines are lacking in that category. There’s a new market they appear to be hyper focused on while leaving out their older, dedicated fans. Times have changed.
Terry
Hello, can you links those blacks Birks?
Thank you
Karima
Mine are from several years ago, but these are very similar: HERE, and HERE. They’re both Birkenstock 1774, which is a little more refined than the basic Arizona Birkenstock HERE. Big price difference though.
Kelly
Love this new post series! I subscribe to those same magazines and love them all! Cabana is also one I enjoy and keep.
The Abercrombie trip to Egypt is on our list. We tried to go in December but the stars did not align. Talk to their reps. They were extremely helpful in trying to plan.
R
Cabana has beautiful images. The magazine was ruined for me after the Cabana founder had an affair with her godson’s father, while the man’s wife was pregnant. I don’t follow celebrity gossip, but this news crossed my path and stayed unfortunately memorable. The errant couple went on to become an official couple.
Karima
Thank you. Abercrombie is highly rated and one I’ll look into. I forgot about Cabana. It’s great too!
disneyrollergirl
Sorry to hear about your father. I’m experiencing the same in my age group – illness, care and death. It’s inevitable but we never really know how to deal with it. (Esp when we’re usually juggling all the other stuff as well.)
I agree on magazines – plus not enough time to read them! I buy Apartamento and sometimes World of Interiors. How To Spend It with the FT is frequently great and isn’t too content-heavy. Konfekt is VERY content-dense but has endless travel and food inspo and recommends lots of indie fashion/accessory brands. Everything is beautifully shot. US Vogue is too thin and UK Vogue too full of advertorials to excite me much these days. Oh, the French men’s magazine L’Etiquette is great and they’ve just launched a women’s version which I’ve been looking out for.
Where is your stripy sweater from?
Karima
I love those magazine suggestions, especially L’Etiquette! I’ll have to try and track it down. I also like the content in FT How to Spend It and Jo Ellison’s monthly editorial. It feels original and authentic. My sweater is Zara from about 5 years ago. It’s held up remarkably well. Thank you for commenting. I always enjoy your posts on DRG.