Away We Go

Dear YOU + ME*,

I am getting ready for a trip to Italy and am having the hardest time finding good shoes for the amount of walking that we are going to do and a purse/bag (preferably a crossbody bag even though it is not my favorite style). Tennis shoes for 10 days sounds miserable, so I need some cute alternatives that won't give me blisters after 2 hours. Any suggestions?

Thanks!
G.

Dear G.,

First of all, let's just establish that we're green with envy over your upcoming travels to Italy. Do gorge yourself on pasta and red wine and get your exercise by pretending to chase down a swarthy gladiator in the Colosseum for us, ok?

Now back to your question. We've seen those impeccably dressed Italian women just oozing chic on the Sartorialist. No need to compete with them, at least not on your daytime sightseeing adventures. We would never suggest tromping through Milan in your workout shoes wearing a fanny pack and talking VERY LOUDLY to anyone who didn't seem to understand English, but it's safe to say that the Italian women in their four inch heels aren't spending eight hours of their day stomping across the city. If you plan on walking around all day, you may as well be cute, blister-free, and unencumbered by a handbag that constantly slips off your shoulder. Here are our suggestions:

These Tretorn Mia Mesh flats are my absolute favorites for walking around New York all day long. Although they've logged some serious hours doing everything from hours of errands across town to chasing my daughter on the playground, my feet have never complained. They go with absolutely everything and I've gotten loads of compliments every time I've worn them. I'm pretty sure they're discontinued, but lucky for you, that means you can snap them up for practically nothing right here.

Bensimon sneakers (top row) are to Europe what Converse are to the States, so although they're sneakers, you'll still look cool wearing them. Wearing moccasins always puts a little spring in my step (maybe it's the jaunty little bow, but they make me smile every time I look at my feet). The bottom left moccasins by Darlingtonia are simple and cute (I think I've seen them on A Cup of Jo), as are the Alex Camp moccasins by Frye (in leather here and in suede here).

When it comes to cross-body purses, you have tons of options. Valhalla Brooklyn's purses come in a wide range of styles and colors, plus they have removable cross body straps (in case you would rather go back to your usual style when you return home). It's a little thing, but it makes me oh so happy: you also get to pick the lining! Clockwise from top: Okinawa bag in putty, Willow bag in graphite, and Larch bag in cement.

Good old J. Crew has also come through with a great looking cross body bag (love the zippers!). This is the new Exhibitor tote in beechwood.

Finally, if I could be a handbag this is the one I'd be. Ah, the simplicity of Clare Vivier's messenger tote. DId you hear that? It was me sighing with adoration.

Ciao!

YOU + ME*

Thoughtful (but inexpensive) Wedding Gifts

 

Dear YOU + ME*,

I'm a bridesmaid in my friend's late summer wedding, but have been struggling to come up with a gift idea. After buying presents for multiple bridal showers, chipping in for her bachelorette party, and purchasing my bridesmaid dress + accessories, I find myself with a very limited budget. Although my friend told all of us that gifts aren't necessary, I would really like to mark this momentous occasion with a gift that says, "Yay, you're getting married! I'm so happy you found each other." Any ideas?

Thanks,
L.

Dear L.,

We appreciate you wanting to get your friend a gift to show her and her new husband how happy you are about their marriage. Though sometimes it's tempting to turn to the registry when shopping for a wedding gift, somehow a colander doesn't really have that sentimental spark that you were going for. Fear not! With just a little imagination, you can give your friend a meaningful and thoughtful gift that doesn't have to break your budget.

Here are a few ideas:
If your friend and her new husband have a restaurant that is special to them, you can consider buying them a cookbook from that restaurant.

clockwise from top left: The French Laundry Cookbook, Chez Panisse Cafe Cookbook, and The New Brooklyn Cookbook: Recipes and Stories From 31 Restauraunts That Put Brooklyn On The Culinary Map, All at amazon.com (but if you can support your local bookseller, that would be awesome, too!)

Vintage linens are pretty, and can be really inexpensive. Check out these tea towels that I found in New Hampshire last summer--they were $8 for 12. Make sure when you are looking that you find sets that are in excellent shape. You want them to read "vintage" and not "thrift store." You can also try searching for monogrammed pieces. A set of 12 mis-matched napkins with the same monogram would be super fun.

clockwise from top: Cocktail Napkins at thevintagethread; Linen Vintage Napkins at LinenWallflowers; a flea market find

Going with the vintage vibe, if your friend and her betrothed are cake lovers (and if they aren't you should seriously reconsider your friendship with them), consider a super cool vintage cake plate or a simple and modern cupcake stand with a playful set of cake forks.

clockwise from top left: Bird Ceramic Cupcake Stand by whitneysmith; Vintage Silverware Mr. and Mrs. forks by BeachHouseLiving; Vintage Milk Glass Platter by highstreetmarket

Last but not least, if you have a talent that you can offer, that can be a great present. Elisabeth had an architect friend sketch the barn where she got married, and the sketch ended up on their wedding stationary and website, and on a platter that another friend ordered for them for their wedding. I recently designed a friend's wedding stationary as a gift. It cost me nothing but time, and he and his fiance were able to have custom stationary without the custom price tag.

Have an amazing time at your friend's wedding, and rock on with your bridesmaid's dress!
Love,
You + ME*

Camping, Sans Bears

Dear YOU + ME*,
It just doesn't seem like summer without a camping trip, but every time I suggest one, my fiancé comes up with a list of excuses. The frustrating part is that I actually think she'd have a great time. She loves the outdoors and I know she'd find it romantic to cook over an open fire with a glass of wine and a sky full of stars. How can I introduce her to the joys of camping without pressuring her?
Thanks, R.

Dear R.,
We commend you for your romantic vision of camping. Is it possible your fiancé is hesitant to give up the comfort of her luxurious bed to retire on an aero mattress? As long as it's only a mild aversion to sleeping under the stars and not a fundamental distaste for nature, we think you have a good chance of turning things around. Here's your game plan: create an idyllic backyard campout, but give her a break and slumber inside (with the windows wide open for a more al fresco experience). When she marvels at your handiwork and commends you for planning such an enchanted evening, make sure you express that this was nothing compared to what you do for a real camping trip. We think she'll be so eager to see what other tricks you have up those rugged sleeves that you may be hitching the trailer up to the car the next weekend. Here are some goodies to get you started:

Clockwise from top right: Enamelware at Napa Style; Toasted Coconut Marshmallows at Have It Confections; Rolla Roaster Forks at L.L. Bean; Portable Fire Box at Napa Style; Graham Crackers at Bread Farm; Barcelona Chocolate Bar at Vosges
Clockwise from top right: Italian Waiter's Corkscrew at Williams Sonoma; Wishing Well Wine Bucket at Anthropologie; Wine Barrel Stave Side Table at Viva Terra; Picardie Glass Tumbler at Mighty Nest; Silver Camper Tea Towel at Tiny Peepers
Clockwise from top right: Roost Ash Lanterns at Velocity; Backyard Guide to the Night Sky at Amazon; Jacquard Hammock at Graham and Green; Pendelton Flagstaff Vintage Collection Blanket at the Oregon Store

Conclude your camping trip the next morning with some homemade blueberry pancakes cooked in a cast iron pan (recipe coming Thursday).

xo, ME*

You + Me* + You

This question comes from a lovely lady in Nashville, TN who is one of the founders/owners of the newly established Jackalope Brewing Company (keep your eyes out for Jackalope--it's going to be awesome!):

Dear You + Me*, Perhaps it's because I own a brewery, but I tend to get invited to a lot of dinners at other people's houses. While people are perfectly happy to see me show up with beer every time I go to a dinner, I would like to mix it up a bit. Do you have any suggestions for small hostess gifts for dinner parties? Thanks, R.

Dear R.,
First of all, congrats on your brewery! We have no doubt that it is your charming personality and witty banter that gets you invited to dinner, and not the promise of free beer. Hostess gifts (especially for a dinner party) are one of the trickier gifts to manage--most folks understandably play it safe with a bottle of wine (or beer). While a bottle of wine (or beer) is never frowned upon in our book, here are a few options that are a little bit less run-of-the mill. You might try one of these picks if your hostess (or host):


top to bottom: cino wine bottle holder; cool jewels ice cube tray (both at unicahome); citrus slip-on coasters by dimmalim home
clockwise from top left: flying dachshund canvas tote by mis nopales art; moka express tea towel by mengsel; manhattan wine tote by maptoteclockwise from top left: fukushu kumquat topiary at vivaterra; herb garden markers by just work; dark titanium zinc rectangles at jamali garden; 12 rooted succulents at succulents galore

We hope this little roundup helps! Now off to dinner with you!
Love,
ME*