To encourage myself to post at least once a week, I’m going to (try to) do a weekly write-up of my favourite things I’ve found online, in my every day life or just heard about on the grapevine. That should be easy enough, I hope. But my discipline and motivation has been known to waiver. So fingers crossed this will keep me accountable with some sort of deadline to work to. Here’s the round-up of this week’s Kind of Cool things of note:
The Le Labo Solid Perfume
and it’s beautiful metal container. I am so sad this was discontinued because it is the most chic, coolest perfume solid I’ve seen so far. And to think I found it just floating around Pinterest ready to get my minimalism-loving hopes up, just to let them come crashing down instantaneously. I’ve had the Glossier You solid in my possession twice - because of the faulty formula that dries up and the pink paint that flakes off the palm-shaped receptacle - but it is juvenile in comparison. And also kind of crap if I’m honest. Especially after their reformulation of pretty much every product that was originally good enough. Don’t get me started on the Glossier You perfume, which used to be a favourite long-lasting scent and is now basically the lolly water of fragrance.
Le Labo, however, is miles above Glossier standards in many ways, including this beautiful but long gone piece-of-art perfume solid. What I would give to have this swimming around lost in my bag containing Another 13 - my favourite scent by Le Labo and a more mature, refined upgrade from Glossier You that really lasts on the skin. And at that price it better. Le Labo if you’re reading this please resurrect this luxurious, weighty perfume format or at least send me one of the deadstock I know you have hidden away. I won’t tell anyone I promise.
Brandy Melville Navy Tote Bag
Next up is THE perfect tote bag. I’m serious. I’m as shocked as you are that it’s from Brandy Melville of all places. The store where size diversity goes to die because we’re all one size; Californian teenage girl size. But trust me, I would never endorse Brandy if it wasn’t important to the mundane carting around of your prized possessions. I wrote about finding the dream everyday bag and though this isn’t exactly it, it has many attributes that make it a fine contender. It’s like if an art gallery tote and an L.L. Bean boat tote had a baby. The quality is incredibly high, especially for Brandy who seem to make tops out of a material akin to paper napkins. The straps are thick, durable, and reinforced by a lot of overlocking - like the hems of good denim jeans. They’re also shorter than your average tote handles which makes for a lot less shoulder stress when carrying your entire world in your bag. The colour is a perfect navy, so naturally goes with every single thing I own thanks to my love of neutrals. My favourite feature is the pop fasteners on either far side of the handles which I have never seen on a tote before, and seem to keep the bag securely on your shoulder to avoid the frustrating slip-down strap situation I have encountered many times.
And to validate it’s “coolness” - which is subjective of course - it was seen on Cindy Crawford Jr., Kaia Gerber, a cool-california-model-off-duty style icon. I would like to note that I bought it a week before she was seen with it, so maybe we bought it at the same time. Imagine. Great minds think (and accessorise) alike obviously. Best £18 I’ve ever spent, though I can’t remember the other times I’ve spent exactly £18.
Sunburn by Dominic Fike
This album was recommended to me by a friend and rightfully so. It is so good from start to finish. I listen to it at least once a day. It’s my favourite for looking out of windows and contemplating life or wandering around a big city as a young woman, a small part of something bigger. We all have those moments. And the next time you’re feeling existential and contemplative this should be your soundtrack. It’s just good. And that’s all I want from music at this point.
Notable song mention: Ant Pile - I started off finding this funny and it’s become one of my favourites.
The New J. Crew Campaign
J. Crew is one of my favourite 1990s brands and one of my favourite brand revivals as of late. Headed up by the ever-stylish Olympia Gayot, the recent overhaul of the brand harks back to the glory days of J. Crew, and brings those glory days to people like me who never got to shop in the 90s. This new ad campaign shot by Geordie Wood, featuring models Jordan Daniels and Liv Walters, appears to reference one of my favourite shoots by Tim Walker for Vogue Italia September 1999 entitled “Don’t Shoot”. From the dry cleaning to the movement of the city behind the modern-day J. Crew woman, there is a bounty of 90s-everyday-aesthetic references woven into each image. And that is my bread and butter. This campaign not only makes me want to drop my (lack of) funds on J. Crew, but more surprisingly has me intrigued by sequins which are not usually on my radar. But that green set for the festive season? Absolutely.
The papery texture overlaying each image is evocative of the numerous magazine scans from 1980-2010 that I have saved on a *secret* Pinterest board. This is the kind of campaign that makes me want to take photos which, for me, is a sign of the return of really good fashion advertising. Thank god for Olympia Gayot.
Metal Hair Jewellery
By now it’s clear I like minimalism. A lot. I’m a regular user of claw clips but they’re starting to get a little boring and monotonous which is a bit too minimal, even for me. I’d never thought to use jewellery-style accessories in my hair, but then I saw these examples and now I suddenly want to do more with my auburn tresses, even if it’s just for days filled by running errands. The silver Kurumi Amano options are my favourite as a silver jewellery girlie myself, but I love the bullet/bar barrette shape of the gold ones from Lelet and how they sit off of the hairstyle a little. So elegant.
I’m about to be an office-based corporate gal two days a week and in the search for elevated-but-cool office outfitting, these could work perfectly to make a good (and chic) impression.
Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew
Finally, what is a Kind of Cool post without a Starbies mention. Low and behold, the perfect coffee beverage to take you from summer iced drinks to autumn pumpkin spice land - my version of disneyland. This is my top choice for a *little treat* when I feel the girlish urge, IYKYK. It’s not super sweet or super strong. It’s just right. And I’m Goldilocks.
That’s it for my Of Notes this week. See you next week for more not-so-random and kind of cool finds.
Inspiring 🤍
love love LOVE this
thank you for reminding me to order my l.l.bean!!