Un Morceau Vol. No. 2 — June 2024
Summer is beginning to sizzle! From the chicest heat wave worthy styles, to the sun-drenched flicks of Hollywood’s Golden Age, you have found your spot for seasonal inspiration. Quench your summertime thirst with June’s Un Morceau de Fromage. Xx
Marilyn Monroe in a candid moment with photographer Mischa Pelz during a shoot for Deeco Furniture, 1953
Summer has arrived and I am instantly transported by the scent of sunscreen and salty skin to a land of poolside chaise longues and golden hour aépros al fresco. ‘Tis the season to indulge in flirty backyard barbecues, chic breezy attire and lazy daydreams under nautical striped umbrellas. With the scene of summer coming quickly into view, it is the perfect time to elegantly swan dive into some aqua tinted inspiration…
My current must watch films for that summertime feeling:
During this chapter of the year, I simply must smell the suntan lotion and feel the evening heat emanating from a summery flick du jour. And these films are sure to do exactly that! Melt into your couch with a bowl of buttery popcorn and an ice cold beverage, and enjoy a summer holiday via the Golden Age of Hollywood.
To pair with my previous film recommendations mentioned in the premiere edition of Un Morceau de Fromage, I have added a couple more favorites to set the tone for the heat drench months ahead. Transport yourself to the summer style capital of the world – the French Riviera, find comedic relief from a heat wave in 1950’s New York City, fall in love with a mysterious yachtsman, or zip around Rome on a Vespa. Dime the lights, snag some snacks and enjoy the show!
To Catch a Thief
A romantic thriller set in the French Riviera, directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Cary Grant (John Robie) and Grace Kelly (Frances Stevens).
American expat and reformed jewel thief, John Robie becomes entangled in a new wave of jewel heists. To preserve his innocence, he must catch this copycat before it’s too late. High on his list of expected targets is Jessica Stevens, a millionaire widower on a tour of Europe playing matchmaker to her daughter, Frances Stevens. Be swept away by the elegance and wit of Grace Kelly as Frances and fall madly in love with the bad boy charm of notorious jewel thief, John ‘The Cat’ Robie.
Will they catch the new jewel thief or has this cat used up all of his nine lives?
Some Like it Hot
After two Chicago musicians, Joe and Jerry (Curtis and Lemmon), witness the St. Valentine's Day massacre, they are forced to quickly get out of town or risk the wrath of notorious gangster, Spats Colombo. Desperate to get a gig far away from their Chicago life, the duo adopt the disguise of a lifetime and join an all-girl band heading to Florida. Showing up at the train station as Josephine and Daphne, the replacement saxophone and bass players, they charm their way into the band of bombshells and begin a wild adventure of music, wooing and millionaires. Mayhem ensues as the two men try to keep their true identities hidden when Spats Colombo and his crew arrive in Florida for what can only be described as a gangster convention.
Have these musician played their last song, or will they once again avoid a dance with the infamous Tommy Gun?
The Seven Year Itch
This quirky sex farce takes you through the wild imagination of so far faithful husband (Tom Ewell) as he fantasizes about being an illustrious ladies man. His wife and son have just been shipped off to Maine to escape the stifling New York City heat when new neighbor, ‘the girl’ (Marily Monroe), enters the picture. Stunned by her innocent charm and captivating beauty, the two begin a neighborly relationship over air conditioning, champagne, potato chips, and a Rachmaninoff record. Will this husband's imagination get the best of him, or will he remain loyal and devoted? Watch this hot summer comedy and find out!
Hot day pro tip: Make like ‘the girl’ (Marilyn Monroe) in The Seven Year Itch and keep your potato chips and underwear in the ice box.
*minus the first 5 (pointless and racist) minutes
Roman Holiday
Audrey Hepburn absolutely steals the show (and hearts) with her film debut in Roman Holiday!
Princess Ann (Hepburn) escapes the confines of her sheltered and strictly scheduled royal existence for a night in Rome, only to be rescued by reporter, Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck). Bradley, upon realizing who this mystery woman is, senses a scoop and seeks to charm the Princess into a priceless story. However, this is a classic tale of the Princess and the commoner, and love inevitable blooms. In an adventure of seemingly mundane things – the beauty of a quant café, getting a life changing haircut, savoring Italian gelato, dancing the night away on a riverboat – Joe finds himself infatuated and no longer willing to sell her out to the tabloids.
Upon her return to royal life, will Princess Ann be faced with a scandal, or simply left with wonderful memories of her time in Rome?
Style Icon du Jour:
As the temperatures soar, it is essential to immerse yourself in a world of sundresses, linens and chic sunglasses. Casual summertime looks inspired by iconic summery films is simply the best way to embark on a heat wave style journey. You need only to bring your favorite sundresses, a Riviera inspired coverup and a pair of your chicest, yet dramatic sunglasses. Plus a statement hat or two.
With style icons such as Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly, I proclaim that the summer of 2024 will be a Golden Era sensation.
For an epic French Riviera look, your go-to muse simply must be, To Catch a Thief. The chic garb of Grace Kelly as Frances is unbeatable. Her beachside attire is the perfect combination of smart and breezy while her evening attire is simply to die for. My favorite casual-ish ensemble being her stunning black halter bathing suit paired with black pedal pushers all accentuated by a white open front skirt with black trim, a white wide brim hat and the perfect white bag. I managed to find a reproduction of the skirt, and now I am preparing to make my own Grace Kelly moment in Italy next month.
As a summertime rule, one simply cannot beat a classic sundress. With endless styles that flatter any taste or figure, the options are infinite. A few of my favorite looks come from Marilyn in The Seven Year Itch and Audrey’s in Roman Holiday. The classic halter dress style seen on Marilyn throughout the film is a stunning silhouette, befit for a daytime look with simple sandals or dressed up with heels for an evening effect. And Audrey Hepburn in a belted full midi skirt paired with a feminine blouse is one of my most favorite breezy styles for summer.
A few links to inspire your Golden Era Summer.
For a Marilyn inspired look, I love – This classic white halter, perfect to dress up or down. I simply adore this dress for a little summery wow-factor! A sweet linen dress is not only perfect for summer, but the one linked reminds me of a famous blue and white dot sundress that Marilyn was once photographed in.
A piece of Audrey’s summertime style – I am obsessed with this breezy midi skirt, it feels utterly perfect for gelato in Rome! Pair the skirt with a simple white blouse or with the matching top pictured… wear with sandals or heels… It is wonderfully versatile and a timeless piece to add to any collection.
Grace Kelly moments — I am in love with this chic white dress, perfect for effortless yet elegant summer days and/or nights. And for a poolside or beach setting, everyone needs to take a page straight from Grace’s style book and possess an incredibly chic swimsuit, or two… I love this classic black one piece, this jaw dropping black and white number and this Riviera worth bikini.
My Favorite ‘Haute-Hosting-Tip’ at the moment:
Sink bar! I can imagine Marilyn Monroe perching effortlessly next to an ice filled sink, popping a bottle of champagne and absentmindedly dipping her potato chips into a coupe of ice cold bubbly during a flirty cocktail hour. If only I could time travel.
Marilyn Monroe as ‘the girl’ in the Seven Year Itch - dipping her chilled potato chips in champagne
Sink bar - A stylized solution to hosting in a tiny space
If, like me, you have microscopic countertops, this haute-hosting-tip will turn your latest soirée endeavor on its head — Transform your sink into the bar! Fill the basin with ice, tuck in your bottles of wine, water and assorted libations, maybe sprinkle in a few oysters to be shucked, and you have yourself a chic set up for guests to access an assortment of beverages all night long. Plus the ice will self dain throughout the night. No messy condensation to mop up or ice to dump at the end of the soirée. It is a chic and stylish win for any dinner party of festive fête.
Flavor of the month:
Champagne. Champagne and potato chips, champagne butter, champagne cocktails.
Fortum & Mason’s champagne butter to pair with breakfast pastries, waffles or a midnight baguette craving.
A classic French 75 or any spritz for a summer-y cocktail hour.
Salty snacks paired with the dry, effervescent bubbles of champagne – Perfection!
Grace Kelly photographed by Howell Conant in Montego Bay, Jamaica, 1955