AUGUST
19, 2021
It may only be the 19th, but summer is OVER! What a shitshow it was, worst summer ever if you ask me. Grab your backpacks (you’re going to need a big one), because it’s time for my twisted version of back-to-school essentials.
Fiachetteria. I love Fiachetteria. A plate of proscuitto, a glass of white wine, and a bowl of Pappardelle al Ragu. Nothing can ever beat such a classic meal. It has been a summer of fiachetteria-ing.
The best birthday present ever. I have been so busy with this. 200 chances to curse Will Shortz’s name - you cannot put a price on that.
Another great birthday gift. I am a firm believer in nice lighters. If you’re a smoker, why would you not have a nice lighter? For fear of losing it? Grow up! The Elsa Peretti bean lighter is perfect (obviously). It is smooth and sexy and easy to fill (I’m looking at you Cartier!) It’s all about the experience! Forever favorite.
Bisexuality. Everyone seemed to drop into their bisexuality this summer, and I love it. The more the merrier. “The more people or things there are, the better or more enjoyable a situation will be” - that is definitely true about this sexual orientation.
This month, I have had an insatiable hunger for the Wonka ‘Push Up’ popsicles, and I cannot find them anywhere in Manhattan! I feel like I am losing my mind as I have been checking deli after deli all month. This was my go-to treat when my parents took me with them to get cigarettes. They are so good, I believe it has something to do with their cardboard wrapping. If you know where to find these, please let me know.
Pig knuckles. Nón Lá on E 4th has the best bun bo hue in the city and they give you a slice of pig knuckle that is delectable. It is my favorite part of the soup, but I was always a little too afraid to ask what it is, I am glad I did because now I know that pig knuckles are an August Favorite, go figure!
Annie’s Cheesy Ravioli. Another thing I have craved for months, that I cannot find on this island from hell!! Weeks ago when my cheesy rav cravings’ struck I found a singular can in stock at a Long Island City Target, but I just couldn’t muster up the courage to go get it. Is this a west coast thing? Why does no grocery store in New York carry this?
The Salad. I was going to hold off on this one and post a recipe but it’s an August Favorite above all else. You guys should know by now that the monthly Favorites are synced up with my menstrual cycle. This month I was lacking some serious Iron. When you feel horrible, like you are dying from something, you have got to head to Google and see what WebMd thinks. They listed some Iron packed foods, including tuna and tofu, so I whipped up this salad, had it three nights in a row, it’s delicious and I feel better. I know it doesn’t look like much, but this salad saved my life.
And now I am obsessed with Tofu.
Referring to the Covid-19 Delta variant as “delties” (del-tees). Courtesy of Myles Xavier.
This Zara set. I wanted to buy this at the beginning of summer but I was all “ugh Zara, I will find it somewhere else, yada yada.” I did not find it somewhere else, and now it is sold out!! My great friend Quinn has this bra and it is the cutest, most comfortable little thing. I am infinitely jealous, deeply resentful, and full of regret. What is even worse is that I can’t find it second market either, God. This was my August fuck up. Now, I must search for a tailor who can make me these for double the f-ing price... Two can play at this game Zara!
This spring 2001 miu miu set that I just bought. I have wanted this (iconic) top for the longest, this version (the print) never made it’s way to the runway, but the skirt did! And I found it on The Real Real for only $32? I found these two seperately, god level work, and the top came new with tags. I love the print, it is unique, and so underrated in this collection, plus I think it looks amazing on me.
The Tee shirt Knot. Let’s tap back into this.
Super rare The Hellp - Tu tu Neurotic shirt. As co-stars, Quinn and I have been sharing this tee, but it has long overstayed it’s welcome at mine, so I declare it an August Favorite before the changing of hands. The Hellp is an August Favorite too, how compelling those two are.
Sequin tops. I never go to vintage stores in the city but I had time to kill and found this fabulous place having a going out of business sale. I think everyone needs a sequin top like this.
My new bag, also from the vintage store. It is calf hair, and it is the perfect size. I carry a lot of shit.
These Br*ndy M*lville sweat shorts... I am no longer an asset to brandy and I hate spending money there - hate it. But $18 sweat shorts? Fine, I caved. I wanted a pair of white shorts to wear when I run errands or sit at home and I couldn’t find white soffee shorts anywhere. Checked brandy, found these, caved. Actually my favorite comfy shorts now.
This mesh Fendi baguette with silver/pearl hardware. Such a serve, but I simply cannot rationalize spending $625 on Mesh. If you are someone who doesn’t give a fuck about justification and has a little Fendi baguette disposable income laying around - here is the link. Enjoy, I will live vicariously through you.
“Yoga pants” are back. In 2020, Lululemon generated 4.4 billion dollars in net revenue, #workfromhome. Be it bootcut or skinny, b*tches love active wear, and it will never die, so I am finally on board. They are comfortable and they make your ass look great. Give me until December to actually wear them out of the house, but just know - I am wearing them. Maybe they will even inspire me to try pilates!
My Wet Seal tulip dress. Are those tulips? Can a botanist chime in? Either way, this is one of my all time favorite purchases. Wet Seal was way ahead of their time, so many legendary designs, but this takes the cake, above and beyond. I love a printed dress, and I love Wet Seal, long live.
My great friend Quinn. She is always on the Favorites list, she is a one in a million gal, but when she returns from extended periods of time in Europe, I appreciate her so much. We always have the best time. She just gets it.
This tweeted and deleted sentiment by Myles Xavier.
Tumblr. I used to only use tumblr to communicate with you, my loyal readers, and I still enjoy doing that, (kind of, you guys can be real assholes) but I have realized the value in shitposting the things you like on this beautiful, nostalgic, website. @bellamlucio (go figure!)
Depop. This August I have decided that the only way to sustain a (now mild) shopping addiction, is to profit off of the items you purchased in your (previously not mild) shopping addiction. And it’s actually kind of fun to list stuff. Once again, @bellamlucio.
Mint Juul pods. I went out one night this August and it semed as if everyone was smoking mint pods, but how?? They’re banned in the U.S.?? O Canada, O Canada! Nothing is every banned after all.. You can find them in (many) smoke shops across Manhattan, but it seems as if everyone is also paying a pretty penny for these things. So yes, I bought a pack, for research, and nostalgia.
The economic and political systems. No, Capitalism is not an August Favorite, nor is Communism, nor is Socialism. The concept and ideologies around these economic and political systems is an August Favorite. I have thought about them much this Month.
Japanese “firkins” (fake birkins) I think they’re so sick. I am bulding a nice little collection over here. It took me a while to warm up to this camo (I am not a camo girl!) I have now embraced it, I have even found that it somehow suits my style. I edited out the logo on this one because unfortunately I will be gatekeeping, and even if I wasn’t you would never be able to find one.
This may be the only real back-to-school essential. Notebooks! I love a reason to buy new notebooks, I have an un-natural obsession with these things. Bottom one is massively sexy, “Bindewerk” it’s got a linen semi-hardcover. Middle book is “Midori” MD Notebook, made in Japan, also sexy (I have multiple). Top one is red! It’s moleskine and it’s an 18th month planner, didn’t even know they made those! Praying to God these help me in my pursuit of higher education.
The works of Jan Švankmajer. His stop-motion animations are creepy, beautiful, and awesome. He created the most twisted, intriguing Alice and Wonderland titled Alice (1988). His sculptures are cool too, his work spans several medias and I highly recommend watching some of his shorts on YouTube, it becomes a real rabbit hole.
Grey’s Anatomy. There is no greater sign of depression in a 16 year old girl than a deep obsession with greys anatomy. I got back into it this summer and it is still just heart wrenching and iconic as it was when I first watched it. And fun fact, after watching 17 seasons I can hold a conversation with any American med student.
The Twilight Saga, obviously. Now on Netflix, how could I not get back into it? If you haven’t watched at least one of the twilight movies this August, you need to. My personal favorite is breaking dawn* part 1, and part 2, because you have to watch them together.
Outer Banks. I was very opposed to this show when it came out last year, I thought it looked super corny. But when I got covid in March of this year everyone told me to watch outer banks and at that point I had nothing to lose! About two episodes in I was sold, it is corny, but it is so good that the corniess can be overlooked. I finished season two in three days.
‘Young, Wild & Free’ by Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa. When they dropped the Mac and Devin go to High School soundtrack in 2011, this song quite literally inspired me to smoke weed for the first time. I am revisiting it this August because it is timeless, and influencial. They knew exactly what they were doing when they made this song.