Weekly R.E.P.O.R.T: March 25-31, 2024
Alison Pegg
Have you ever been a regular somewhere?
The kind where someone knows your name? Or your drink order?
I’m stumbling to think about when the last time I was actually a regular somewhere. I’ve been a frequent plus one of someone else who’s a regular, but I don’t think I’ve ever actually been a regular, singular, for a long, long time.
I got to thinking about “regulars” as I was shopping and eating my way through my neighborhood this week. And how comforting it might be to have a “second family” at a local establishment. On the flip side, I think I like trying new things too much, new places to eat, new coffee shops, even local retail, to ever really become a regular at any one place.
Here is this week’s Weekly R.E.P.O.R.T.
Reading
The 2024 Trend Report (SSENSE)
Montreal-based SSENSE is one of my favourite retailers. I can afford like 20% or less of it, but their point of view is second to none in the fashion world. One glance at their 2024 Trend Report and you can see why. Before you even scroll through the words on the page, the layout catches your eye, (view it on your laptop if you can), but the intro really sets the tone for the whole thing.
“Style hacks, GRWM videos, algorithmic SEO recommendations, shopping newsletters optimized for affiliate revenue—it’s just noise...with each merciless refresh of the feed, one truth becomes clearer. The trend is in you. ”
SSENSE, of course, is an online retailer, so they do have actual product to push. So while the beginning is all about you, and their staff’s recommendation for trends, the rest of the report has eight different archetypes for anyone to identify with. If you’re especially sick of “what the cool girls are wearing” TikToks, you’ll love browsing through SSENSE’s picks.
Eating
Easy Real British Mint Sauce (The Spruce Eats)
Growing up in with a British Father, Easter Sunday Supper was always a roast of lamb. Non-negotiable. And with said roast of lamb, there was always a bottle of Mint Sauce on the table. Sauce, usually by Crosse & Bromley, is the key word here, usually vinegar based, not the god-awful sweet mint jelly that seems to on the shelves around here.
After scouring the local groceries for the sauce variety I came up short, so turned to the internet to find something similar for this Easter, something that resembles what I had as a kid. This Easy Real British Mint Sauce came pretty darn close. It was minty and tangy just as I remembered, the next time I’ll probably reduce the amount of a water I used to steep the mint. Highly recommend.
Playing
Pop-diva spring is in bloom, y’all. COWBOY CARTER by Beyonce is here, and boy does it live up to the hype is rode in on. You can’t turn on the radio or scroll through TikTok without hearing TEXAS HOLD ‘EM, and it’s a highlight to be sure. But after listening to the album top to bottom, AMERIICAN REQUIEM and YA YA are the two standout tracks to me. Lots of folks, rightly so, are in love with Beyonce’s cover of JOLENE, but it’s her cover of BLACKBIIRD that might be my favourite on the album.
Obsessing
The Full Glass Set in Haze (Material Kitchen)
On the left side of a built-in bookcase, I’ve started to build out my home bar. The CB2 wine racks keep my wine bottles stacked neatly and this West Elm acrylic try corral my bottles I want to display. There’s something missing in the corner though, and I think Material Kitchen’s Full Glass Set in Haze might be it. There’s a lot of clear glass already on display in this corner, which I why I think gray toned glass will help provide the visual heft that I’m looking for. Plus that glasses are the perfect size for summer’s mixed cocktails, they’d be the perfect holder for a Paloma or G&T for the warmer months.
Recommending
Lilacs are my second favourite flower, but might be my favourite floral smell. (Daffodils are always my #1). Our house in Wisconsin growing up had multiple lilac trees in its backyard, and every spring the smell would fill the house when it was warm enough to open the windows. I’m always on the hunt for a candle that can replicate that fresh lilac smell, and Sonoma’s Lilac Fields might be it. The three wicks burn very evenly, but the throw on this candle is unrivaled. It makes any room in the house smell dreamy and fresh, the perfect spring scent.
Image courtesy of Kohl’s
Treating
Avila Barrel Leg Pant (Banana Republic)
Barrel shaped pants intrigue me. On one hand, they seemed like something I’d hate, adding extra fabric to an area I’m self conscious of, the hips. But the length was something that I wanted to try, hitting at the ankle, meaning they could work for cold and warm weather climates. I bit the bullet on the barrel-leg pant trend with this pair from Banana Republic, the Avila. First, I like that they’re a mix of cotton and nylon, meaning they’ll be light enough for summer, but not made of dreaded polyester. I also like that they have a high waist, the high waist makes these office appropriate, but can also be perfect for weekends with a cropped tee. I’m still trying to figure out what shoes to pair with these, a slim loafer and mary janes are what I’ve tried so far, I’m thinking a pair of Vans might be my best sneaker option with this style.
