UNIFORM | Labor Day Weekend

Last weekend of summer, make it a good one!

Allyn Scura sunglasses ($245); Wm. J. Mills flight bag ($149); Epice scarf from Lost & Found; Vans Mesh Slip-Ons ($65); Nantucket Reds sailing shorts ($75); Oyster shell belt buckle ($75); GANT Round Collar shirt.

SCENE | Beetlebung Farm

On the southwestern edge of Martha's Vineyard sits Beetlebung Farm, a five-acre property that sells produce and occasionally hosts communal greenhouse dinners for a very lucky few. I can say with confidence and utterly no hyperbole, that this is one of the most special places where I've ever had the privilege of dining. The food was glorious and rustically-yet-masterfully prepared, but beyond the food, it was the atmosphere. We were served by friendly barefoot hosts on a dirt floor sitting on wood benches and rusted metal chairs under a roof of stars and a garland of Jerusalem artichoke leaves. The aroma of the farm vegetables lingering with the salty Atlantic air was almost as intoxicating as the burrata, the kale salad served over a fried egg, the sugary sweet perfect tomatoes with squid, the pork tossed with pasta and basil, and a buttery slice of cantaloupe to finish it all off—a simple and perfect dessert, just like Beetlebung itself.


Emma Young, the lovely barefoot hostess, farmhand, and letterpress pro, wearing a vintage monogrammed shift dress (not her initials, which I love), a signet ring, and no shoes. She is rad.



Chef Chris Fischer, a Mario Batali protégé and 12th generation native of Martha's Vineyard. He's a bad ass.






An after dinner puzzle in the kitchen.

Q&A | Ann Mashburn

I've never been to Atlanta, but I would bet the ranch that if I lived there, I'd visit Ann Mashburn's store on a weekly basis. In a fresh new space adjacent to her husband, Sid Mashburn's, store (which she may steal a belt or two from on occasion), the Mashburns co-own Sid & Ann Mashburn, his and hers clothiers that divide yet meld the masculine and feminine in as chic a way as any. In addition to being Atlanta's it tastemaker, Mrs. Mashburn is also a designer and, oh yeah, a mother of five daughters (no biggie!). From what I've heard from Atlantans and seen from Mashburn's website, I am so desperate to book a flight from LAX to ATL.

If not in Atlanta, I would live in...Florence, Italy.

My dream holiday would be to...anywhere with my family with beautiful scenery, great sheets, and no Internet.

My current obsessions are...

Food: Natilla, this fantastic Colombian custard with cinnamon that Sid brings to me from Taqueria del Sol.

Music: I just inherited my parents’ old album collection and we found Glen Cambell's Wichita Lineman. It was the first album I ever owned. I think I was eight and it was a gift for my mother. There is one song on it called ANN which is very silly and very sweet and has given us a few good laughs.

Fashion: I'm feeling anything cowboy right now. My own version of a Western shirt is in production as we speak. I also sell this perfect cowboy boot that Lucchese custom-makes for us.

Retail Store: My new shop. We just moved in a few weeks ago and I really, really love the way it turned out.

I channel my childhood self when I...swim in a lake. I grew up in the Midwest and that's what summer was to me. On a recent trip to Italy for work, my favorite part was (actually) swimming in Lake Como.

The fictional character I most relate to is...The Little Cottontail Mother in The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes. She is such a feminist. Everyone makes fun of her for having so many children, but she teaches them to do everything and then is able to sit back and be like the CEO (of Easter!). It is perfect, and so ahead of its time.

If I had to be outdoors all day I would...hope I was on a ski slope.

My favorite quality in a man is...goodness.

My favorite quality in a woman is...resourcefulness.

I'm terrified of...not having grandchildren.

My dream car is a...one that I've already owned. I had a black 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser that all seven of us happily packed into for years. My next one would be hunter green.

My cocktail of choice is...this summer it's just been rosé, but I’m not picky.

My celebrity crush is...are you kidding? I am married to him. He is sometimes celebrated (but not often enough by me). My beauty product of choice is...Bobbi Brown bronzer and fuchsia lipstick.

My friends and I like to...not talk for months and then send long, ellipses-ridden emails about how crazy our lives are and how much we love each other.

If I could go back in time for one decade it would be...the 1980s when I met my husband. Bad for fashion but great for romance—I would love to re-live a few of those days.

As a teenager I was totally into...home sewing. I made quite a few bikinis on boring Saturday afternoons.

I tend to splurge on...silk scarves.

My ability to get ready for any occasion in under ten minutes...is what makes me have Tomboy Style.

GEAR | Clare Vivier Monogrammed Clutch

Word is starting to spread that Silver Lake-based handbag empress Clare Vivier is taking custom monogram orders by phone. The hand-embossed and painted monogram costs an extra $50—a reasonable price for a bespoke look that Goyard charges two limbs and a sacrificial lamb for. I am so stoked how my striped clutch ($184) came out that I can barely stand it. It's been going everywhere with me, especially as a passenger in my bike basket. Vive la Vivier!

NOISE | Poliça

 
Photos by Eric Charbonneau.

Last night at the Levi's Haus in West Hollywood, Minneapolis-based indie/electronic/R&B band Poliça played a set from their newly released album Give You The Ghost. With the glow of Chateau Marmont's neon sign in the distance and palm trees punctuating the bright cloudy night sky, it was easy to melt right into the moment. Justin Vernon of Bon Iver has called Poliça "the best band he's ever heard" and Jay-Z has similarly noted that they're his favorite indie band. Indeed, the combination of two synchronized drummers, a solid bass line, and the enchanting ghostly voice of lead singer Channy Leaneagh is definitely a winning one.
We spotted some great tomboy outfits on the grounds at Levi's Haus too, including one of my favorite tomboys of all time, Ellen Page—bringing the mesh hat back.

GEAR | Alice Park wallets

I've been spotting these great card cases around town (at places like OK in Los Angeles) by California architect and designer Alice Park. I did a little card case round up last year, and I'd like to officially add these to the list. They run about $60, and here's a list of her retailers.

UNIFORM | August in Provence

Photo of Helene and Pitou Roux at La Colombe d'Or in Provence scanned from La Colombe d'Or.

Boast classic polo ($68); Chance cord beach short ($75); K.Jaques sandals ($270).

NOISE | Johnny and Mary by KISSES

My pals Zinzi and Jesse of KISSES have done it again with the Robert Palmer cover Johnny and Mary, shot while on tour in Brazil. Their new single, Funny Heartbeat, just dropped too. Radicality all around.

GEAR | Ernest Alexander Women's Collection

I've adored Ernest Alexander for a long time, they get it right, like really right/all the time. My husband has been using one of their waxed canvas work bags on the daily for years now (I'm pretty sure I had something to do with that). You may have remembered a year ago or so, I noticed the lack of work bags marketed to women. Seems like Ernest Alexander was listening, because today they launched their inaugural women's collection. Yes! Finally a brand with a great aesthetic that is making a dedicated women's work bag that isn't an over-sized glossy purse-type-contraption. The new collection isn't all that different than their men's stuff (thankfully)—just thinner, elongated straps with a bit more of a delicate silhouette, and a few tweaks here and there. There's four styles in three colorways and I couldn't decide which I liked best, so I'm showing you all of them. Ahh, a nice grid. Oh, and all of Ernest Alexander's goods are made in the US of A. Prices range from $195 for the utility tote to $525 for the weekender.

UNIFORM | J.Crew Fall 2012

Speaking of Vogue...I had to share this iota from the massive tome that is this year's American September issue. Tomboy icon and J.Crew creative director Jenna Lyons noted Tomboy Style as inspiration for their Fall collection! What!?

My Fall J.Crew pick is definitely this Jacquard dot popover ($88), definitely buttoned to the top.

ICON | Carine Roitfeld

Photo of CR in Los Angeles scanned from Carine Roitfeld: Irreverent. 

Ok, so, former French Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld isn't usually seen in pants, but she's got that inherent spirit, that je ne sais quoi that a lot of tomboy icons share. I'm so looking forward to the launch of her own magazine, CR Fashion book, next month.

NOISE | Anti-Pioneer by Feist

Feist: Anti-Pioneer directed by Martin de Thurah on Nowness.com.

Winding down the week with this slow serenade by Leslie Feist which premiered today, I believe.

SCENE | Oasis Leisure Centre, London

 
Photo of Girls Reading Comics at an Open Air Pool in London in 1956 scanned from the 2012 Summer Taschen catalog.

A place to cool off in the heart of London since 1853.

UNIFORM | GnR sweatshirt

Photo scanned from the Early Fall 2012 Urban Outfitters catalog. 

My first concert? Guns 'N' Roses. It was October 1989 at the L.A. Coliseum. I guess the only thing notable about that was that I was 6. Talk about Welcome to the Jungle. It's a long story, but let's just say my mom was an Axl fan. I didn't get a concert tee that night, but thankfully Urban Outfitters is making it easy for me to relive the magic with this sweet GnR sweatshirt ($59).

What was your first concert?

SCENE | Poolside at The Chateau

Photo of the Chateau Marmont pool by Simons Finnerty.

It's offically August, so I'm taking a little summer siesta from the blog. Back in a week!

Anyone doing anything fun or adventurous this summer? Or just laying low?