All Things Good This Summer

A recap and what kept me busy

I’ve said it enough times in my writing for it to sound redundant at this point, but I don’t like summer. I never have, and as the years have gone on I’ve tried to put up fronts, trying to psych myself into enjoying it.. Possibly through hypnotism or something but it just doesn’t work. Obviously as an existing person on this planet, I do have to live through it anyway and therefore I am going to share with you all things good from this summer.

To paint a picture of how this summer went down for me, well to be honest its already a distant haze even though we are still in it. Well, you are still in it. I am currently writing this while wearing a monochromatic black outfit, leather jacket and satin pants, and tracking the order of my new (vintage) suede boots. In Massachusetts the weather has dropped down to steady 70’s and therefore I have permission to pack up the summer clothes and start drinking hot coffee in peace.

My summer started with my boyfriend (D.R.) coming to stay with me here in the States. June was packed with my sisters graduation celebrations (I opted out of my own, the cap and gown isn’t really my style) which then proceeded the craze of preparing her for College- or University as the Brits call it. By July I was in England for my boyfriends theater performances. This was my first summer ever visiting England and I happened to be there during a heat wave. In some ways that was a win because the alternative is likely weather much colder than I’m ok with but at large the lack of air conditioning is jarring and this was the first summer I found myself actually sweating through my clothes. I also found myself treating us to ice cream from the trucks that are parked along the old estates. Picturesque sure, but I did throw my ice cream away as it was more of a dense whip cream that was oddly close to room temp.

Am I the only one against Mr. Whippy?

Through D.R.’s many social ventures, a friend, Lyn, put us on the guest list for a Live Aid reenactment that her husband was doing the sound for. I did of course show up over dressed. In fact I wore my Realisation Par Elton John dress so I could feel on theme. That was indeed a bizarre night but who doesn’t love a reenactment!(?) right….?

The duration of my time in England consisted of distancing myself from set as he had short films he was working on. I personally can’t stand being places I have no business being. I hate to seem like I’m imposing or an accessory and both feel true when I linger on sets D.R. is working on. Perhaps I’ll also blame it on the lack of welcoming chattiness that the brits claim that they practice.

After I returned to the states I spent all of my time working, and spending the money that I made on consignment. I.love.consignment. I actually think a significant amount of my joy would be diminished if I didn’t have the ability to buy second hand designer, if I’m going to be honest. Anyway, the point is this last leg of summer has been dedicated to keeping my head down and doing what I’m supposed to do, which is saving money for my impending move. No beach trips, no weekend getaways- except one to visit my best friend in New York where we were tragically rained out of our plans to go to a jazz bar.

Who doesn’t love a moody train ride?

So that was my summer, to sum it up really loosely with the wavering memory I have of it. In between all these happenings though, are things that I consumed, purchased, did and those were what was really good so let’s get into those.

1. Too Much

Now I’m not going to do a synopsis on this show because that’s what Google is for, but basically I decided to watch this show as someone overtly American also making their way in England. This show was phenomenal and that’s putting it lightly. This show got me and I got it in such an intense way that I had to question if I was somehow a contributing member of the writing team. Lena Dunham is a genius and I am waiting for an opportunity to be her next chosen star…. Lena, call me, please!!!!

2. The Adam Friedland Show

I watched this for the first time to tune into SJP’s episode with him and within the first five minutes I was thinking, where has this been all my life? Waiting in the suggested section on Youtube of course. So witty, so in control of the conversation which I know for many isn’t preferred but I find it hilarious. The range of guests is so vast and interesting and as someone who likes to be in the know without really being in the know, this is the perfect scenario for me.

3. In Vogue: The 90’s

I watch very few shows. I don’t own a T.V. and I like to keep my consumption of general media at a lull. So when I do decide to take a leap and start something new it’s usually after several months of deliberation and failed attempts at actually starting it. I am a true fashion lover, not in the way that I am tuning into the trend forecasters on social media or listening to The Run-Through with Vogue (because truthfully I find it unappealing) but in the way that I attended fashion school in the 2010’s and have had fashion magazine subscriptions for my almost entire conscious life. I saw the ad for this show in a Vogue magazine last year and thought, oh I’m going to watch that! And then it took me almost an entire year, but I’m here now and I’m happy! This show I find of particular interest because there is no better information or opinion than that of the insider and thats exactly what this show it about.

4. Anthropologie search term

Its no secret that about 85% of my wardrobe is second hand. I have such an affinity for garments that are no longer being made, a style that has been wrongfully abandoned. I’m always searching up new brands and search terms to find the perfect pieces. Late summer nights when I couldn’t sleep I found myself scrolling for a concerning amount of time under the search term ‘anthropologie’. Growing up I thought the coolest women shopped there, the most interesting brands and pieces. I would sort of describe it as classic meets kitschy in the best way possible. The little details and embellishments, nothing boring. Everything feels frozen in a particular time that I do yearn for.

5. Laugh Lines by The New Yorker

This is a somewhat new game added to The New Yorker and it’s absolutely adored by D.R. and I. I have previously shouted out the instagram account dedicated to all the comics from The New Yorker, so when this game launched I had to check the house for being bugged because I think they made this game specifically for me! Basically you have to organize comics on a timeline from when they were published and a Guy who loves cultural events and a Gal who is very detail oriented (and a history lover) we love this game and almost always get a perfect score… just saying.

6. Essie Sugar Daddy

I purchased this immediately after returning from my best friends house. Her nails were adorned with the absolute perfect pink. She told me the color and I added to the cart. I feel actual joy when I look at my nails while wearing this and I know this color had it’s heyday already but I missed the boat. I’m on now though and this will be the go-to color for possibly the rest of time.

7. Union Jackie-O

This is a fake favorite because I didn’t actually put much use to this alias… but I’m going to! I created this alias as a way to write as and portray this heightened version of myself if you will. Capturing the dynamic of an American and English couple and intertwining of the lives and cultures. Do go follow me on Instagram @unionjackie.o for this upcoming extensive commentary and documenting of all things transatlantic!

And I’ll wrap it there because I do want to be authentic with this list and not just add an abundance of things for the sake of creating a thorough list. This list is thorough though because it’s true. There aren’t many but these are the things I had uber appreciation for this summer and what has consumed my time in one way or another. Hopefully the fall will have many more, I am trying to somewhat expand my horizons!

MB xx.

In case you missed the last one…