Un Morceau Vol. No. 4 — September 2024
The beauty of summer has quietly faded away and as my heart is drawn towards autumn, I no longer crave the flush of heat or long al fresco evenings. The lingering summertime haze has finally given way to a shift in seasons. The golden glow of autumn is upon us. Nighttime strolls have a new crispness to them, and the longer shadows bring about a promise of darker, cozy nights. The allure of the season ahead is beginning to inspire my palette, my menus and my wardrobe. I cannot wait to tuck into pot pies and cozy layers of oversized coats with cable knit sweaters and indulge in a plethora of daydream strolls along crunchy, leaf laden paths.
When Harry Met Sally 1989
What is inspiring me.
I pull endless inspiration from feelings, flashes of memories, nostalgia and favorite movies. For me, creating is all about evoking a feeling, playing on memories, transporting myself and my guests… To build a world in which you can find joy and comfort and nourishment. Whether I am constructing a dinner party theme or indulging in a solo date, it is all done with intention and care, for a wondrous experience that tugs on one's heart strings is my deepest and purest love language.
“Don’t you love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address.
”
Freshly sharpened pencils.
Plaid blankets for autumnal picnics and upcoming cozy nights by the fire.
Longer shadows and dusky walks.
Mustard yellow and rich chocolate tones.
Reading books by candlelight.
Layers of trench coats, sweaters and boots.
The memory of ghost stories and flickering candles.
School pictures.
Packed gourmet lunches.
My favorite seasonal films:
Baby Boom
Starring Diane Keaton as C.J. Walker, a Manhattan management consultant who is happily focused on her demanding, high-profile job, is handed the ultimate derailment when she discovers that a long-lost cousin has died, leaving her a fourteen-month-old baby girl as inheritance. Determined to maintain her career driven life, this “tiger lady” will have to balance sudden motherhood with the demands of her New York City lifestyle… Will baby Elizabeth or the job win her heart?
When Harry Met Sally
Can two friends sleep together and still love each other in the morning? A friendship that starts off to prove that men and women cannot actually be friend, Harry Burns (Billy Crystal) and Sally Albright (Meg Ryan) overcome the odds of opposite sex friendship for over a decade, but will things get a bit too complicated and rip them apart?
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s (Sorcerer's) Stone
Based on the 1997 novel Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by author J. K. Rowling. This film is the first installment in the epic Harry Potter movie series and takes us on a journey of young Harry as he enters his first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Unbeknownst to Harry, he is actually a famous wizard and not an unwanted orphan and is about to embark on endless journeys and trials. As he enters his formal magical education, a whirlwind of adventures and risks for Harry and his new friends arise, testing their skills and wizardry smarts.
You’ve Got Mail
A romantic comedy starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, It tells the story of two people who end up in an online romance. Unaware they are also business rivals, the two develop a deep bond over email while in person chance encounters ruffle feathers and evoke disdain. How could these two possibly come together romantically IRL?
Style Icon du Jour:
Autumn fashion is truly my favorite. Not yet drowned by the rain, there is an exuberance as we settle into the art of layering, pairing classic silhouettes with cozy touches and flourishes of killer accessories. Before we have to bundle up in parkas, hiding under umbrellas and tucking our chins into scarves, we are able to venture out onto the streets with unbuttoned trenches, showing off pops of plaids, stylish suiting, equestrian flairs, elegant boots and handmade cable knit sweaters.
A few links to inspire your autumnal style.
To achieve a bit of this autumnal dream look, click around on the links above and below and be inspired by some tweed, riding boots and oversized coats perfectly for layering.
For an elegant autumnal look: Oversized trench for layering with a chic turtleneck and classic menswear trousers, finished with a pair of smart loafers.
For an equestrian flair: A tweed blazer to pair with knee high riding style boots. Or possibly pair riding boots with a tweed skirt and blazer set.
For a chic black vibe: Snag an oversized leather bomber for a bit of an Amelia Earhart vibe. Pair with a turtleneck bodysuit and riding breeches, or an amazingly chic skirt.
Flavor of the month:
Cozy Black Tea
Black tea steeped in oat milk with dried apples, rose petals and honey.
8 oz milk of your choosing
2 teaspoons loose black tea (or 1 bag of black tea)
1 tablespoon rose petals
3 slices of dried apples
2 teaspoons honey
Bring 8 oz of milk with rose petals and dried apple slices to a simmer. After about 5 minutes, turn off heat and add the black tea and let steep for an additional 5 minutes. Pour over a tea strainer and into a tea cup or mug and stir in honey. Enjoy Xx
An iconic cable knit sweater moment via Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal for When Harry Met Sally.