17: What I'm Eyeing/Buying
The return of one of my favourite sub-headers.
So far on Meja we have the following series: Personal Notes (observations and insights), The Beauty Edit (quarterly beauty favourites), Objects of Affection (case studies on an obsession/idea), Perfect Things (another quarterly lifestyle update, if only on the endless pursuit of taste), and now this. What I’m Eyeing/Buying used to be a sub-header on a monthly Substack I’d release, but I figured it deserved its own segment. I’m a firm believer in putting your money where your mouth is. In an influencer world where everything seems sponsored, it’s hard to know what recommendations are actually trustworthy. I take pride in buying what I believe in and only sharing gifts I receive that are in line with my personal ethos. If I’m posting it, I know it’s worth it. So this series is for sharing everything I believe to be worth it.
I just got back from Ottawa. If you’re a friend from down South and you’re like ???, it’s the capital city of Canada. It feels like a city that’s been 3-D printed and is exceptionally snowy!!!!! I wore sweatpants the entire time (who am I!).
I was visiting my sister (because that cures just about everything), so I hopped on a train and we went to the spa Nordik in Chelsea, Quebec, about a 30 minute drive from Ottawa. It was awesome. We cold plunged and sauna’d and ate really good food and drank wine surrounded by piles of snow three feet high. Thank god for sisters.
Anyway. It is, in essence, my job to shop, and to know what to buy. That being said, I’ve never been particularly good at spending based on other peoples’ taste. I know what I like and what I want. If you happen to like that as well, you’re in the right place.
I put this segment off because, for a while, I really wasn’t inspired by much. I truly am content with my wardrobe, but I also believe in cycling things in and out and letting go of things that are gathering dust. Our tastes change, and it’s okay to change with it. When I went to Japan and New York, my heart was pounding with excitement because I was finally excited by clothes again. Everyone was chic, everyone was so well dressed, and it made me excited to get dressed. I’ve gone a little bit crazy with the vintage shopping, but it feels well worth it to me because each piece I’ve sourced is distinct and unique and utterly wearable.
A note: for the vintage items, I’ll link similar items here where I see fit. So without further ado:
What I’m eyeing/buying
Vintage Manolo kitten heels: two pairs have caught my eye so far this year. My friend Sam found the perfect pair of deep red kitten heels with a heart-shaped top lift, and I found the most dainty baby pink suede pair with a little ‘v’ cutout detail. Similar ones here (vintage and <$200!), here (20% off), here, and here (also vintage, though not suede it’s a pretty pale pink colour)
Suede jackets: this deserves a subcategory of its own. The thing about suede jackets is that they translate across seasons - it’s a cardigan in the winter, a functional jacket in the spring/fall, and an evening accessory in the summer, depending on the length and lining. I love how they pair easily with everything from denim to a sheer skirt. I seem to have stumbled upon four that I really like so far this year:
A very long Penny Lane jacket: I found mine for <$200 (above), which felt like such a steal. I saw Diana Bartlett wearing a black floor length shearling coat paired with Uggs and a slick bun and she looked like so chic in an unpolished, effortless way, and I hadn’t seen a jacket like that in a while. I went for a slightly more polished animal print version, but love the shagginess of this iteration as well.
A vintage pink suede zip-up: I bought this because it so distinctly reminded me of an MNZ version (and I love MNZ), and the colour is so unique. This one is going to look outstanding with my summer tan. Here’s an interesting one on eBay for US$53.
A black vintage patchwork jacket with crochet detail: I found this one at a hidden store in Tokyo, and someone at the bar asked if I was wearing Bode. Enough said. I found a nearly exact one on Etsy for CAD$75 (mine doesn’t have the fringe at the bottom but I think it’s kinda neat).
Doên Nolan Jacket: Honestly, the perfect oversized butter soft leather jacket that’s not vintage. It’s lined so it’s pretty warm, it’s not stiff like a lot of the leather jackets I’m seeing out there, and is the perfect colour of camel (read: not too red, not too grey. The perfect amount of warm).
Thalo denim: my friends Sophia and Heartleigh (of Heart & Lou’s in NYC, iykyk!) launched the perfect denim line that fits the way I wish my vintage Levi’s 501 jeans would. They have two completely separate sizing lines (the curve line is currently sold out!), and I actually went up two sizes (it seems to me that sizing is similar to vintage 501’s, where you do size up). I normally am a size 26, and I went with a 28 straight. The result is the perfect straight leg jean with minimal stretch, so the structure holds beautifully. They’re priced at $255 per pair, rivalling some other independent denim brands I love.
Vintage Calvin Klein boots: I love Le Monde Beryl’s Luna booties, so when I saw these at Sorbara’s with a similar flat sole and the addition of a unique perforated detail, I knew they needed a place in my wardrobe.
Velvet skirt suit: this seemed like a bit more of a frivolous purchase until I reminded myself that I could wear the skirt and jacket separately. In fact, the long skirt was the main draw as I find most skirt suits come with those awkward length skirts. It’s made in a structured velvet with a sexy leg slit detail to boot. Don’t sleep on vintage Barney’s house label! This black velvet suit has a shorter skirt but the scalloped blazer makes up for it (CAD$134!), this long velvet vintage Emanuel Ungaro skirt is US$45, and there’s always this Reformation skirt.
Leset Kyoto Carpenter Pant: I’ve loved watching Leset grow since its launch a few years ago. They’ve really perfected their fit and their silhouettes, and I find myself consistently reaching for their pieces on a daily basis. This carpenter pant is the perfect cropped, low rise silhouette, and I have them in two colours now. The navy is my latest obsession.
Saie Super Suede blush: this changed me from a strictly cream blush girl. I don’t love powder - I find that it normally makes me look dry and cakey in person. This one, however, does not. There are no compromises with Saie - you look and feel dewy, yet the suede blush finish is a whole other level of sophistication. It’s out on February 25 (pre-order is open now), and I’m eyeing the other shades that’ll be available (I only tried Stella!)
Salt Salon x Unisecon Saria Pleated wrap: this is an apron! Isn’t that exciting! it also doubles as a belt with hidden pockets. I host so often and it’s nice to have things like bottle openers, spoons, etc. on hand, and this is such a sweet piece designed by NY-based brand Unisecon in collaboration with my internet friend Sarah, co-founder of Salt Salon.
Long leather gloves: I somehow lost my one pair in New York (at the TWP show…). I decided I simply couldn’t live without them and so ordered another pair from Banana Republic (on sale). There’s nothing chicer than a long coat with the sleeves slightly bunched and a good amount of the glove length showing. I also loved how the Michael Kors show styled long gloves with short sleeves (which is what I would be wearing underneath the aforementioned coat. Who said the gloves must be removed along with the jacket? The gloves stay.
Plenty of sizes left for these here, and they fit true to size. For shipping to Canada, no extra duties charges!!! Toteme red suede sandals: I hate that I needed these. But they’re so good. The crazy thing is I’ve never regretted a Totême shoe purchases (plenty of clothing, surely, but never shoes). If you’re not ready to drop the ball on these, here are alternate options from Anthropologie, Browns, and Tkees.
Ere Perez Oat Milk Foundation: I know I’m not necessarily drinking oat milk, but I love the light silky texture it conjures in my coffee. The same goes for this foundation. I wanted something that was a bit stronger than Glossier’s skin tint and a bit lighter than Saie’s Foundation (holy grail for events), without the oiliness of Slip Tint. I used to be a huge stan of Lara Worthington’s Share The Base and the whipped texture of the LB cream - I went through at least four bottles before the brand shuttered (though it’s soon to be relaunched under a different name, I’m nostalgic for the simplicity of the old packaging). This Oat Milk Foundation is my newest obsession. If I was on Eyewitness Beauty, this would be my product of the week. I don’t know how else to describe it other than what I think the solution is (to everything?). Each time I go to Paris I’m astounded by how naturally beautiful everyone is, though I’m sure there’s some witchcraft there. It’s products like these that make me understand because it really looks like I’m not wearing anything but are still doing so much. Make sure your skin is well exfoliated and hydrated, as per usual
In The Kusina by Woldy Reyes: I met Woldy last year at Camp Saie and he is one of the kindest, most genuine, most talented humans I’ve ever had the honour of encountering. He’s also launching his latest cookbook featuring seasonal Filipino cooking.
Flamingo Estate Adriatic Muscatel Sage candle: I included this in an upcoming ‘Into the Fridge’ segment with
(stay tuned!), but this candle possesses healing powers I swear. I know we all rave about the tomato candle but there’s something about this that’s deeply peaceful and feels like being by a quiet sea at dusk. Or in the wide open fields of a ranch. Take your pick.
Patchwork coat and scalloped jacket wow - I love reading about the way you see details. Not as immersed in the world of fashion but wow your writing helps shape what I see!!
Maybe random but makes the zip open striped bag you have your skincare in? Seems very practical!