the [stupid simple] recipe that won me a pie contest 🥧
plus, my first ever GIFT GUIDES!!
before we get into the fun, this edition of the sunday series is too long for email, so I’d recommend clicking out to read in browser or even better, in the substack app, where you can like and comment!
hi, friends!
for starters, I can’t thank you enough for understanding that last Sunday warranted my first one off writing the newsletter since June. this past weekend was a milestone one for my family between my sister getting married (!!) at the Inns of Aurora (pictured above) and an epic Bills’ win. what a whirlwind to go from being the officiant at my favorite person on the planet’s wedding to screaming our heads off at the stadium on Sunday, high on love and WNY’s insane commitment to the Buffalo Bills.
my sis hasn’t shared pics yet, and I don’t want to scoop her (le DUHHH), so instead, I’ll share the above photo of me and my stepsister! my outfit details are linked on my newly launched ShopMy here with a specific wedding collection to which I’ve added a couple other looks I’m eying for weddings next year. for my specific outfit from last weekend, there are a couple swap outs, including the black velvet blazer link (mine was a Jean-Paul Gaultier that I thrifted at the RealReal) and my shoes now that SJP Shoes is no more (RIP). regardless, the dress was a winner, and Saks is definitely running sales right now! and as if you needed one more reminder about shopping, I have something I’m super excited to share with you…
hot off the press: gift guides quite literally @curatedbykayla
after an obscene number of hours combing the internet, I’m thrilled to be launching my FIRST-EVER gift guides. with a series of seven categories that spoke to me as an avid traveler, reader, and New Yorker, I’ve got you covered with creative ideas for your difficult-to-buy-for loved ones across the following categories:
for the one who’s asking Santa for Delta Diamond status
for the hotel snob
for the ultimate hostess
for the one who had a Goodreads goal
for the one who says ‘ciao’ unironically
for the francophile
for the New Yorker at heart
for the one who’s asking santa for Delta Diamond status
some faves linked below, plus, a few more finds featured over on my ShopMy!
gift guide: for the hotel snob
some faves linked below, plus, a few more finds featured over on my ShopMy!
STONEY CLOVER LANE | The Beverly Hills Hotel Embroidered Flat Pouch
SLIM AARONS | Guests by the pool at the Hotel du Cap Eden-Roc, Antibes, France, 1976
gift guide for the ultimate hostess
some faves linked below, plus, a few more finds featured over on my ShopMy!
gift guide for the one who has a Goodreads goal
some faves linked below, plus, a few more finds featured over on my ShopMy!
gift guide for the one who says ‘ciao’ unironically
some faves linked below, plus, a few more finds featured over on my ShopMy!
BIALETTI X DOLCE & GABBANA | 2 Cup Moka Pot With Porcelain Cups And Golden Stirrers
SANTA MARIA NOVELLA | Angeli Di Firenze Room Fragrance Diffuser
BOOKSHOP.ORG | The Negroni: A Love Affair with a Classic Cocktail
gift guide for the francophile
some faves linked below, plus, a few more finds featured over on my ShopMy!
OFFICINE UNIVERSELLE BULY | The Great Traveller’s Beauty Kit
GUERLAIN | Rouge G Customizable Lipstick Case and Rouge G de Limited-Edition Lipstick Refill
SAINT LAURENT | Envelope Small YSL Flap Wallet in Grained Leather
MAISON FRANCIS KURKDJIAN | Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait de Parfum
gift guide for the New Yorker at heart
some faves linked below, plus, a few more finds featured over on my ShopMy!
RALPH LAUREN | Kid's Small Flag Sweater Plush Polo Teddy Bear
KATE SPADE NEW YORK | Slice Crystal Embellished 3D Pizza Crossbody
now, directly from our New York-themed gift guide to a bucket list New York moment that I got to experience on Tuesday. freshly landed at LGA, I dropped my bags and went straight to the New York Public Library where West Village Book Club was invited for a private tour of The Polonsky Exhibition. afterwards, we got unprecedented early access to one of New York City’s most iconic locations—the majestic Rose Main Reading Room. it was a true *PINCH ME* moment to experience alongside my girls! if you’re headed to NY soon, a stop here is always worthwhile.
on Wednesday, WVBC met for our annual friendsgiving where I got to both bring a beloved family recipe for cranberry sauce (included below for paid subscribers!) and an Ina Garten recipe for stuffing. we read Ina’s memoir, WHEN THE LUCK HAPPENS, and to keep the theme going, everyone brought something from one of her cookbooks! as my first attempt at stuffing, I found her Cornbread Stuffing super approachable and delish. highly recommend!
the holiday fun continues this week as we head into Thanksgiving, which just so happens to be one of my favorite days of the entire year. this Wednesday, I’m headed down to my godmother’s house in Virginia where I’ll celebrate with my cousins and their kids. I can’t wait to be immersed back into some of our oldest traditions after a few years post-COVID where we switched up our usual Thanksgiving routine. and by the time I write to you next Sunday, I’ll be back in France! but, I’m getting ahead of myself…one thing at at time.
for paid subscribers, I’ll wrap today’s newsletter with two standout recipes: one that was beloved at book club and the other that was last night’s Pie-A-Thon winner!
my mom’s cranberry sauce
double recipe (we always double it!!!!)
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