7 Things Worth Your Time, Money, and Consideration (aka Buy It, Try It, Trust It)
From a gochujang-forward recipe to an essential buy from the Gap, these are a few of my favorite things rn.
Greetings and salutations from 30,000 feet!
I’m currently writing this at an aggressively early hour whilst flying home from a work trip in New York, so forgive me if anything in this story is more nonsensical than usual.
It has been a minute since we’ve talked about current obsessions—and I have some, believe you me—so figured let’s jump right in? Cool cool cool.
MAKE: Sheet-Pan Gochujang Shrimp and Green Beans
I am always always always looking for low-fuss, high-impact recipes, and if it’s on the healthier side, great. This spicy shrimp sheet-pan recipe is everything I love: It’s insanely flavorful, can be fully made in approximately 10 minutes, and has a great nutritional profile.
As noted in one of the comments, to make it even better, swap the olive oil for sesame oil, but honestly it’s still great (albeit less authentic) with either option IMHO. Also: I don’t always use green beans. Sometimes I just do the shrimp solo and plop them down on a simple green salad, using some of the cooked marinade as dressing. I’ve also made it with little brussels sprouts before, and that was great.
I use Mother-in-Law’s Gochujang Paste, which is available at stores nationwide and no, my kids don’t eat this because it runs spicy. But that works because more for me!
STAY: Chateau Voltaire
Earlier this summer, I was in Paris for a work conference, and had one non-conference night before I was heading home. My luxury travel agent friend Rebecca suggested that I book the Chateau Voltaire, which I did, and cannot recommend enough. The hotel is small, charming, and has an excellent restaurant. The vibe is a little like if Wes Anderson and the Chateau Marmont had a French bebe. Think: Immaculately accessorized tiny in-room bars, a plate of textbook perfect cherries in your room, and the best house stationary you can imagine.
While I was having breakfast in the restaurant the next morning, I noticed fashion industry icon Sally Singer was checking in, then later in summer I spotted CV’s signature carpet in a number of other fashion people’s Instagram stories (including Revolve’s adored CMO Raissa Gerona, who knows a thing or twelve about travel), which made me realize what an industry gem the Voltaire is. It’s not a thrifty thrill (rooms in November start €630), but it’s still about a 1/4th of what you’ll pay for a room at nearby grande dames like the Crillon, George V, or the Meurice.
BUY: Gap Merino Wool Crewneck Sweater ($70)
For over two decades, I have been devoted to thin merino wool sweaters for work, the weekend, you name it. The requirements are simple: It must be lightweight, but still have enough heft so that I don’t feel like my body is on total display, a three-quarter sleeve is ideal, but not a dealbreaker, and the silhouette should be on the slightly narrow side, and preferably just a touch slouchy.
Along with a few other staples—t-shirts from The Great and Anine Bing, and cropped cashmere sweaters from J. Crew—these timeless wool sweaters are an essential for the office. They can be styled with everything from an updated full skirt (Prada’s remains the dream) to a relaxed wide-leg trouser, and work just as well with a leather skirt for drinks or a vintage pair of Levi’s for the weekend. (More on the latter in a moment!)
All of that said, my previous go-to merino wool sweater (a J.Crew style called the Tippi) is no longer being produced, and I was starting to panic, especially after my favorite black one was lightly lost to moths. So you can imagine my delight when I realize that the Gap (!!!) was making their own version of this staple, and that it’s good. Like, really, really good.
The Gap iteration is a little slouchy, long-ish in the body, and 11/10 worth the price. I bought the bottle green one in a small and the black in medium, and I love them so much and am certain you will too.
SHOP: J.Crew Collection Bubble Skirt Drop Waist Dress ($248) and Jodie Leather Lady Jacket ($598)
On Wednesday night, I co-hosted a dinner on the rooftop of Nine Orchard to celebrate Marie Claire’s new editor-in-chief, Nikki Ogunnaike. For the event, I wore two J.Crew pieces that I can’t stop thinking about, hence why I feel the need to discuss them both here.
First of all, the dress: If you’d asked me six months ago—or six years ago, or even sixteen years ago—if I would be wearing a drop waist dress with a bubble hem in the year 2023, I would have assumed you were high. But here we are. Not only did I wear it, I loved it. The fit? Impeccable. The slightly sporty neckline? Divine. The bubble hem? Subtle! Also worth noting that in the picture below, there’s an element of sheen that isn’t as noticeable in person (that’s on the flash photography).
Secondly, the jacket: To be perfectly honest, I have a few great leather jackets and wasn’t really in the market for another. But this one is special. Flap/patch pocket jackets are having a moment right now (see: Kate Moss), so we’re good there, plus this one has a small amount of ribbed trim on the back, which is really nice for fit (but also I like that it’s contained to the back because too much of that ribbing makes a jacket look more casual IMHO).
My incredible friend Jane Herman, who has a brilliant company called The Only Jane that makes perfect jumpsuits and jackets and more, writes one of my favorite newsletters—Jane on Jeans—and last week she published her second installment of how to buy vintage jeans online. When I tell you the two stories are amazing? I mean it with my whole heart.
Jane’s stories are so inspiring, I felt confident enough to buy vintage Levi’s online, something that has always interested me, but honestly seemed scary and not worth it. (My experience was formed in the late ‘90s when I’d thrift vintage 501s in San Diego at surplus stores. I remember trying on 30 pairs to find one that fit, and so I assumed online shopping for vintage Levi’s would be equally arduous, hence my lack of interest.)
In addition to sharing so many tips and tricks for identifying authentic vintage denim online, Jane also shared some of her favorite sources, including Eric Shrader’s Junkyard Jeans. Late one night, I surfed the site, found three pairs that looked promising, and bought them all. While my first foray wasn’t a hat trick, I did fall in love with a pair of vintage Levi’s 646 Bell Bottoms that I will adore just as much in 20 years as I do today.
I’m wearing them below with my Gap Merino Wool Sweater ($55, on sale) in bottle green in a small and an ancient pair of Chloe wood sandals from when Phoebe Philo led the brand in the early aughts.
DRINK: YETI Rambler 35 OZ Straw Mug ($42)
At some point in the not-so distant past (what is time?) I asked for your recommendations for drink vessels. And no, I have no idea why I called it a vessel; we say what we say. The main ones you all know (Simple Modern, Stanley, Yeti), and I bought and tried all three.
TL;DR: All are fine, but the one I like most is Yeti. Why? Well, the Stanley feels a bit “Live, Laugh, Love” meets TikTok to me, and as for Simple Modern, I am a little cautious about any brand where the founder/CEO worked for a decade for a Christian ministry that lobbied for Proposition 8 (which banned same-sex marriage in California) and is actively against reproductive autonomy.
Plus, the Yeti is a great product. Drinks stay cold. It’s easy to clean. The size feels like an appropriate drinking vessel, not a water chalice, which happens when you go to 40-oz plus cups. Win win.
Okay friends, that’s it for now. If you want to follow me on @hillarykerr, I’d love it. And if you have anything to say or ask (preferably nothing terribly mean), please drop me a note either via DM or in the comments below.
As always, thank you for taking the time to read this post. I’m truly so glad you’re here. If you like what you’re reading, please consider sharing this newsletter. All products mentioned are independently chosen, and some may be affiliate links. Your support is appreciated.
That J crew dress is absolutely stunning! 😍😍
You look fab in that photo! Thanks for the great, easy read ✨