It felt so good to get out of the city last weekend and visit a place I’ve never been before. I feel very refreshed and inspired. I’m hoping that I can go on one trip per month as long as Covid-19 levels stay low in the Northeast. This week, I’ve put together some things to do for those who want to venture out and for those who prefer to stay home.

My Instagram friend Brian Branton lives in Alexandria, Virgina and posted beautiful photos from the Degas at the Opéra exhibition at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. which runs through October 12, 2020. He said some people weren’t socially distancing so it makes me a little nervous to go to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York when it reopens on August 24, 2020.

Available to rent now On Demand and Amazon Prime is Made in Italy. Liam Neeson stars in the heart-warming story about a father traveling to Tuscany with his estranged son to repair their old family villa, as well as their relationship. His real life son, Micheál Richardson, plays his son in the film. I started watching it tonight and it reminds me of A Good Year.

Turner Classic Movies has a Summer Under the Stars event this August where they air movies starring a different star every day for the entire month. Friday was devoted to Steve McQueen and included the Original Thomas Crown Affair from 1968. Sunday is devoted to Cary Grant and August 31st will feature Alain Delon. Other stars include Eva Marie Saint, Natalie Wood, and Olivia de Havilland.

Fashion designer Martin Margiela is an elusive and enigmatic designer whose revolutionary creations changed the face of fashion while remaining completely anonymous until 2008 when he decided to leave the fashion world. In Martin Margiela: In His Own Words, Margiela digs into his meticulous and idiosyncratic personal archives to reflect on his revolutionary career and legacy. It can be rented online via Film Forum.

I recently ordered Paul and Bunny Mellon: Visual Biographies from the Oak Spring Foundation. The book provides a fascinating insight into the private world and intellectual passions of the renowned philanthropists Paul and Bunny Mellon through the two trompe l’oeil paintings that they commissioned for their main residence at Oak Spring, Virginia. The Mellons were avid collectors of art and rare books who also enjoyed and understood the genre of trompe l’oeil. It’s a great gift for yourself and the Bunny Mellon lover in your life.

Just a reminder that the Nordtrom Anniversary Sale opens to everyone on August 19th. You can preview the sale and add what you want to your Wish List so you are ready to go at 9:30am on Wednesday.

Seeing as gyms may not open for a while in New York and even when they do, I’m not sure I want to workout in them so I hired a personal trainer to come to my apartment. I thought I should buy some new workout clothes but didn’t want to spend a lot. Luckily, I found everything I needed at Old Navy at ridiculously low sale prices. I ordered the Lightweight Racerback Performance Tank, Jersey Mesh-Trim Shirttail-Hem Tank Top, Lightweight Boat-Neck Long-Sleeve Performance Top, and High-Waisted Elevate Built-In Sculpt 7/8-Length Compression Leggings. Because everything was so inexpensive, I ordered multiple colors of each item. I also ordered the Vintage Crew-Neck Sweatshirt in multiple colors for my cooler weather walks.

While I was staying at The Inn at Kenmore Hall, I fell in love with the Santa Maria Novella Pot Pourri so I ordered two bags. It’s very strong when it’s brand new so I had to relegate it to muslin bags to tuck into drawers and tie onto hangers in my closet. Everyone on Instagram recommended the Melograno in Terracotta too.

Bon Week-end!

XOXO,

HC