Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer in the US but it’s looking a lot different than usual this year. Since most people can’t travel, many people will be spending time at home or very close by. I’ll be picnicking in the park and going on more walks with friends while observing social distancing. Obviously we’d all rather be at the beach or on vacation but I’m trying to embrace the slower pace. I still haven’t cleaned out my closet yet but tomorrow’s rainy forecast seems like the perfect time to finally tackle that project. I’ve put together some things to watch, read, and shop if need some ideas of what to do this weekend.

I already binged The Great on Hulu. The “an occasionally true story” is a 10 part series loosely based on the rise of Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia, and her machinations to overthrow her husband, Emperor Peter, for the good of Russia. The bawdy dark comedy starring Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult was created by Tony McNamara who was one of the writers of The Favourite. If you didn’t like The Favourite, you won’t like The Great so you’ve been warned but the costumes and palace backdrops made it worth watching in my opinion.

In general, I’ve been trying to avoid binge watching and have instead been watching old films from the 60s, 70s, and 80s a few times a week. Earlier this week, I watched Jagged Edge with a very young Glenn Close and a very handsome Jeff Bridges. I posted it in my Instagram Stories and many of my followers suggested I watch Against All Odds next. After seeing pics of how hunky Jeff Bridges looked in the movie photos, I complied. I don’t think I ever saw it before and it’s definitely worth checking out. I’m going to post a full list of my favorite films soon but until then, you can find what I’ve been watching lately in my saved Films highlight on my bio page on Instagram.

I usually like to read physical books but I’ve been buying a few to read on the Kindle App lately because my apartment doesn’t really have any room for more books. This week, I started The Chiffon Trenches: A Memoir by André Leon Talley. It’s getting a lot of buzz for his memories of Ann Wintour but so far, I’m enjoying his stories of what it was like to work in the fashion worlds of New York and Paris early in his career. How many people can say they were friends with Andy Warhol, Yves Saint Laurent, and Karl Lagerfeld?

I really have nowhere to go except the grocery store and walks in Central Park but that hasn’t stopped me buying new clothes. It’s finally dress weather in New York and I’m very excited to stop wearing my quarantine uniform of grey cashmere sweaters and jeans. I recently bought the white Puff-sleeved Cotton Dress, striped Viscose Kaftan, black Eyelet Embroidery Dress, and black Crinkled Cotton Dress. Even if I don’t wear them now, I’ll have them for my next vacation. I’m still not sure if I can pull off sneakers with dresses but I just bought these Jack Purcell Sneakers to give it a try. Espadrilles like these wraparound canvas & jute espadrilles are always a comfortable option for walking.

I just did my root touch up and hair gloss so my hair is looking much better than many of the women I’ve seen on the street lately. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, check out my post My at Home Hair and Beauty Secrets. Another product that I recently started using is Oribe Supershine Moisturizing Cream. It’s a luxe reinvention of leave-in conditioner that quenches “the thirstiest hair, calming frizz, elevating shine and restoring hair to supernatural softness.” I use the cream on my hair before blow drying and a little bit after to smooth down areas prone to frizz. I love that it doesn’t weigh down my hair and keeps it soft and bouncy.

If you need some new sunscreen or other beauty products for summer, Dermstore is offering up to 20% off on select skin care and beauty products with the code SUMMER.

Today is a new moon which is the perfect time to set intentions for the coming month. I already sat down and wrote out my list in one of my Papier notebooks. I don’t need any more stationery or blank books but I can’t stop buying them. Is there a 12-step program for paper products?

It’s been hard not been able to shop in any store during the last two months but we’re lucky that online retailers are still shipping and many of them are having Memorial Day Weekend Sales. You can get a jump start on your Father’s Day shopping too.

ANN TAYLOR – 60% your purchase with code SUMMERTIME (Exclusions apply)

ANTHROPOLOGIE – 25% off all clothing, shoes, and accessories. Free shipping on orders over $50.

BANANA REPUBLIC – Up to 75% off everything including new arrivals. No code needed. Some exclusions apply.

BLOOMINGDALES – Save 30-50% off large selection of regular price items and extra 50% off clearance items labeled extra 50% off. And save 30-50% off on select designer fashions.

BODEN – Save 30% off until Monday with code F9M5.

CLUB MONACO – 25% off everything with code LONGWEEKEND

CRATE AND BARREL – 40% off sitewide. Indoor furniture and select items excluded.

DERMSTORE – Save up to 20% off select hair and beauty products with code SUMMER

FRONTGATE – 20% off sitewide + free shipping

GAP – 50% off everything with code WARM. Excludes daily deals.

J.MCLAUGHLIN – Up to 50% off sale

MAISONETTE – Up to 20% off decor and furniture

MARK & GRAHAM – Save 20% off your order with code SUMMER

MATCHESFASHION – Up to 50% off fashions

MODA OPERANDI – Save up to 50% off summer fashions

NET-A-PORTER – There is no sale at the moment but their warehouse is open and they are shipping again.

NORDSTROM – Shop summer staples under $100 for the entire family.

ONE KINGS LANE – 20% off sitewide. Exceptions apply. Prices as marked.

POTTERY BARN – Buy more, save more sale with code SAVEMORE

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE – Up to 50% off designer sale

SERENA AND LILY – Save 20% off with code LIVEWELL

TARGET – Various sales and BOGO offers

THE WHITE COMPANY – 20% off when you spend $200, 15% off when you spend $100 with the code MEMORIAL

TUCKERNUCK – 25% off all markdowns with code BERRY25

VINCE – 25% off sitewide with code MAY25

WILLIAMS-SONOMA – Various Memorial Day Discounts

WILLIAMS-SONOMA HOME – 25% off your order with code HOME

WAYFAIR – Up to 70% off Memorial Day Clearance

Bon week-end!

XOXO,

HC