#1 For the Love of...
21 things for the closet and home including: a "plant" I can't kill, stair inspo, and life lately
Hello and welcome to “For the love of…”, a grab bag segment with everything that drew me in this month. Self indulgent, I know. It’ll be the best place for me (and you!) to revisit when that inevitable shopping itch festers.
Okay, so more dangerous than indulgent…
Categories will span from spaces I adore to homeware sitting in my shopping cart (pleading to be saved), fashion, an occasional food pic, and chit chat to catch up on. This won’t be a weekly post reminiscent of “Friday Favs” on Instagram, instead it’ll be monthly. This way it feels less surface level or a last-minute spin to meet a weekly deadline I’ve put on myself. My strategy is that a monthly version will better reflect pieces I’ve been yearning for or a thought I’ve sat with for several weeks.
Why am I nervous??
This isn’t new to me. I’ve seen every version of a Friday Fav on IG and this isn’t that far off, yet somehow teetering near intimidating to post… Is it because Substack feels more substantial (content wise at least) than Instagram? There’s an uncomfortable but thrilling permanence here (says the one who’s already unpublished a post).
And then there’s my subconscious. That rat. I listen closer and hear its hum that some day my (currently nonexistent) children could read “For the love of…” and decide the type of person I am or was, based on interests or style of writing here. Too soon to add an 18+ age limit wall? Maybe I’ll wait till they exist.
Most kids wouldn’t care, right? My siblings hardly glanced through our parents’ yearbooks and instead formed an opinion of mom and dad based on actions in the years they knew them. Fair. But growing up, I obsessed over knowing who those two people we came from were all about. I ate up every polaroid picture and listened wide-eyed to dad’s good old day stories.
It was tougher getting a read on my biological mom. She didn’t raise me but would pop in and out every few years, offering a glimpse of who she was or more so who she wanted to be.
Journals, though, were a consistent accessory when she appeared and (don’t tell, but) I was a nosy kid with a bad habit of peaking in her diaries whenever she waltzed back in our lives.
Curiosity slowly killing this cat.
What she wrote aside, I loved seeing her bubble letters bounce along a page, always in pink or purple glitter ink, and remember every other word being misspelled. It showed me how childlike she remained – a reason she usually wasn’t around – and how she spilled so much of herself on those pages, filling hundreds of books over the years. And although misspelled, her words formed insightful musings that usually wound down a creative path and helped me see another side of her.
So if my kids are anything like me, they’ll look back on these posts and I have no idea what they may think, nor what you the reader may think… oh gosh, I’m entering a rabbit hole. I’m sure of one thing - it’s pretty public (not private like my poor mom’s, shame on me. I swear I’ve changed) and that all I can do is be honest. Share what I love or long for today, rather than a trend, and hope it ages well. If not, well, it’s not that serious and this Substack will remain a reflection of who I am today and I think that’s okay.
🙂
Shopping wise, I’ll uncover my eyes and admit I have expensive taste (with a wallet struggling to catch up; NYC spoiled me). So there will be links to what I’ll soon purchase as well as what I need to pinch my pennies for. As they say, “quality over quantity” - a lesson I’ve learned the hard way (exhibit A being the mountain of cheap tops I wore in college that have slowly exited the chat).
Besides, I believe it’s all about the mix. Highs and lows, baby – even if those highs require baby steps.
Enjoy!
Closet pieces I’m pulling out for Spring
MARNI Green Leather Fussbett sandals for $795
I think I’d wear these everyday. They perfectly combine comfort, coverage enough of my non modelesque feet, gorgeous hardware, and no one does leather shoes better than the Italians - I have a pair of short leather heels from Florence that I’ve walked for miles in. This is me convincing myself to make the investment if you can’t tell.
NET-A-PORTER / FAITHFUL THE BRAND Nahna linen maxi dress for $370
Okay hear me out, I know at first glance this SEEMS like your average linen dress, nothing special, but click in to see the video. The way it moves… the clean silhouette, rope detail on the back, and flattering length… a staple for sure.
SAINT FIG Chicken Feet Earrings for $164
Long overdue, actually I’m adding to my cart right now. Not only are they obviously incredible - the accessory that’ll have all the girlies asking for a link - they’re also responsibly sourced with organic freshwater pearl, and handmade (with love) by a sweet friend of mine in NYC. She’s actually a corporate law girly who’s pivoted to her passion for fine jewelry and I couldn’t be more proud.
ROUJE Gio Top for $90
It took 27 years, but I finally found the perfect long sleeve fitting brown top. I believe this would be flattering on anyone and plan to pair it with a colorful miniskirt, pleated white shorts, really anything currently in my closet. I love the warmth of color, neckline detail, and simplicity.
TOP: RAY-BAN Frank sunglasses for $171
As we go on, you’ll discover my love for green. With every purchase I’m closer to becoming that green lady in NYC. But I especially gravitate towards olive green, all thanks to one girl in high school saying that was my color. I haven’t questioned her judgment since and these glasses would now go with everything I own.
BOTTOM: ERIKA M. POWELL The Sloane Gerty’s Dot for $85
I interned for Erika a few times in college and one of those years she launched her textiles line and leather goods. That was back in… 2017? 2018? They gifted me this clutch and I’ve used it everyday since, I’m not kidding. The only weathered part of it is the inside where I’ve kept Chapstick, credit cards, pens, a tape measure, bobby pins, you name it. It lived in my backpack in college, has fit easily in any purse, and as you can see is pretty enough to stand on its own and through it all not a single Gerty’s Dot faded. I rave about this piece to everyone because it’s so well-made. 10/10 !
NA NIN Townes Linen Cotton Trouser for $248
Look, I live in Florida now, so expect a lot of linen. Bonus points for being made in the USA.
CALAJADE MISU Umber Shoulder Bag, Medium for $555.39
Yay! A shoulder bag of quality form + function that’s not a million dollars. I love how subtle this piece is with texture to layer with your fit and this rich brown color to die for. I think I recall it being closer to $300 a few months ago, so not the best kept secret any more but still stunning.
ZARA Vinyl Slide Sandals for $35.90
Last pair of shoes I post before this becomes a feet pic substack, in which case a pay wall is going up. If you’ve ever seen the state of my toes, you would advise against these shoes. But life is short and toenail polish cheap!
PIGLET Gingham Linen Pajama Shorts for $65
100% linen and so fun. I wear these almost every night and they only get better with each wear
A few items for the home, because you know me
LEFT: GUY WOLFF POTTERY English Loving Cup, price upon request
No better way to welcome Spring than this planter by Martha Stewart’s favorite potter.
RIGHT: CASA GUSTO Tole Potted Geranium, price upon request
The only flowers I should ever be allowed — everything I touch has a 3-month life expectancy, tops — these are hand painted and hand made from metal. Gorgeous. I think they mentioned pricing around $175, but double check.
ZARA HOME Irregular Acacia Centre Coffee Table for $358
This is your guy if you’re looking for a solid coffee table with raw material at the right price point. It doesn’t scream Zara Home at all and I love the contemporary form and circulation it allows in a space. Would work well in a small living room or between two armchairs.
LEFT: AXS DESIGN French Tea Towel for 20 Euros
One of my favorite Paris purchases. A soft linen and cotton blend, vintage but new aka never been used. If not these, then IKEA sells 100% cotton dish towels for less than a dollar which is wild.
RIGHT: SUNDAY SHOP Walnut Cooking Utensils starting at $26/each
Every home needs good wooden spoons, and the dark walnut of these would look so pretty against a lighter kitchen backsplash. Swoon.
Okay, this was a vintage Etsy find I’ve taken off the market, so here’s a few similar options:
NATHALEE PAOLINELLI Coral Composition Vessel for $1,622
One of the many lessons I took from my time as a designer in Manhattan is that these are the pieces that elevate your home and get you in the magazine. Consider this porcelain piece as usable art, which it is. A piece of art you can transform with the seasons and move around your home as you wish.
LEFT: VIA COQUINA X STAMPERIA BERTOZZI BORDO Dessert Plate for $85
MIDDLE: VIA COQUINA X STAMPERIA BERTOZZI BORDO Bowl for $80
RIGHT: SABRE Bistrot Flatware Collection
The color combo speaks for itself.
ETSY / PHILIPPE STARCK COSTES Set of 4 1980s Black chairs for $995
I may come back and omit this one because I want them so bad. My mantra right now being “sharing is caring” - the only reason I’ve added them. Ugh. Gorg. Get them before I do.
The Art of Home by Sara Story for $35.99
Sara Story, a genius when it comes to mixing contemporary forms with vintage pieces and brilliant color. Every space is as unique as the client and project location. I’m so grateful to have played a part in this story, and this may be biased but it’s the perfect coffee table book. Lucky you, it’s been on sale for a while now.
BOUTIQUE RUGS 9x12 Bran Area Rug for $1,099
You can’t go wrong with a Tuareg mat, which is a handwoven mix of jute and leather. I usually source them from my Moroccan vendors, but this is a great find. Love the pattern and color for the price.
A space I can’t quit staring at:
Urban Grace Interiors, founded by Erika M. Powell, is responsible for the stunning staircase before you. Their Seagrove project, which you’d be remiss for not clicking into, is a work of art. Simple as that. I can’t imagine the time it took to complete, and every detail was accounted for - from the form to the wrought iron spindles. Magnifique!
Lately…
This month checked bucket list boxes. I launched Wendie Power Interiors (woo!), Design Wise, made my first pilgrimage to PARIS with the love of my life (!), had a good friend (aka war buddy from previous job) fly down for a weekend… only good things. Here were a few miscellaneous in between moments:
Drooled over Lauren Liess’ Modern Country house tour for the full 43 minutes. Did everyone but me know about her? She does beige well and nothings made me want to pack our bags and move to the prairie lands more.
Lord, bless Bryan, because the last guest hosted here (before I was wifed up) slept on a pullout sofa with sheets from his college days… mortifying for this interior designer and wannabe hostess. I will say the man did his research and the pull-out sofa is top of the line comfort wise. But those sheets plus our meager living room throw had to go. Kristine, our first overnight guest this year, was flying in, so I scurried and zig-zagged from Target to the nearest Home Good(s) in hopes to level up our hosting skills. I ended up returning most finds, found a great set of patterned sheets and paired them with this coverlet off Amazon (100% cotton, so #score). I threw a few tulips by the bed and voilà! Call me Martha.
I’ve tossed most skincare products realizing there’s always a new gimmick and honestly worried one of the 1,000 ingredients will do me in. For the past two months I’ve worn nada or a little bit of coconut oil, but I’m eyeing this Beef Tallow with Coffee for the under eyes only because the ingredients are so clean.
Toby Keith passed away in February but I still have “should’ve been a cowboy” on repeat.
Any good workout playlist or song recs? Current playlist ranges from Fergie to Dom Dolla, Beastie Boys, Ludacris, Heart (Barracuda is a banger), and Elderbrook. It’s chaotic but we love options.
The last week of Feb./early March I broke down and got bangs. It’s a love-hate relationship because some days I feel 70s chic and other days I’m painfully aware that my face is too short to pull this off. Stay tuned.
Alright, that's all for now! I’m off to figure out a reward for not swiping the credit card with each entry. Talk about a haul. Let me know if you found anything here helpful or have a good rec with similar vibes!
And kids, if you’re reading this 1) hi!!! and 2) know this post would’ve been 10x better in pink glitter.
Xoxo
Wendie