September always feels like a gentle transition as I get settled into the slower, cozier rhythm of fall. From little comforts and life hacks to things inspiring me as the seasons shift, this month’s Founder Fixations are all about embracing the change and leaning into what makes this time of year feel so good.
Where I Ate: Chez Mar
This month, one of my LA besties and I popped into the new SoCal bistro and raw bar, Chez Mar, for a Sunday brunch. The setup is super laid back (you order at the counter, can’t make a rez, et cetera), so it’s the perfect tiny spot for a casual yet delicious bite. We sat on the patio and I ordered their omelet (topped with caviar) à la Julia Child, and it was delish.
What I Did: Went to Alex's Reweaving
I’ve been going to Alex’s Reweaving for nearly decades now, and I recently returned so they could rescue one of my favorite vintage-inspired tees. While the place doesn’t look fancy from the outside, deliver the warmest welcome and impeccable work from the inside. It’s run by the loveliest sisters, Ingrid and Janet, who are experts in the art of invisible re-weaving. They can repair everything from moth holes to tears so the damage is nearly impossible to see. 100/10 quality!
What I Listened To: Happy Hour with Ina Garten
I worship Ina Garten, so naturally when I learned her visual podcast, Happy Hour, was launching on September 16, I jumped to subscribe. She invites guests into her New York City home, and it feels so quintessentially warm Ina. Her first guests were Kate McKinnon, followed by Sofia Coppola and I just can’t get enough. Not to mention, I find it incredibly inspiring that she’s constantly reinventing herself and creating an entirely new vertical at this stage of her life.
What I Read: CR Fashion Book by Carine Ro
Like all things cooking and baking, fashion makes my heart skip a beat. So whenever the biannual CR Fashion Book is released, I swoon. I used to go get the latest at my local magazine kiosk, Casa Magazines (which we mentioned last month) when I was living in the West Village. That feels like such a different era now. Now that I’ve finished reading the spring issue, I’ve been counting down the days until I can get lost in my fall copy. There’s something so nostalgic about sitting down with a physical magazine and letting yourself actually linger over every beautiful page.
Where I Shopped: Monsieur Marcel Gourmet Market
I can get completely lost in Monsieur Marcel Gourmet Market. It’s so French, so fun, so food-focused — and somehow always leads me to things I absolutely did not go in looking for. This time, I picked up my Lakrids by Bülow in my favorite Sour Strawberry flavor. They’re red licorice covered in white chocolate, but before you knock them, you seriously have to try them. They’re addictive! It’s also my go-to for my Mariage Frères Marco Polo tea. Naturally, though, I went in for the one item and found about 10 other things. This market is truly heaven on earth.
What I Watched: U.S. Open Tennis Championships
As with every year, I was fully invested in the U.S. Open. Not only do I love Coco Gauff, but I’ve officially decided I love Ben Shelton, too. So, as you can imagine, I was very sad that they didn’t win. Regardless of the outcome, there’s something about watching tennis that can make me completely forget my phone exists for a few hours, which feels like a gift these days.
What I Wore: Holé Button Covers
A very niche find that I’m genuinely obsessed with: Holé Button Covers. They’re little silicone covers I’ve been using forever. They’re designed to protect your thin cashmere, expensive T-shirts, and all your other tops against mysterious holes on the front bottom of your garment. Whenever I forget to wear my Holé covers, I’m telling you, I end up back at Alex’s Reweaving. They’re lifesavers. Basically, it’s a tiny solution to a very specific fashion problem — one of my favorite kinds of discoveries.
Come back to The Smish on the last Sunday of every month for the latest in our new Founder Fixations series.
