This & That: No. 58

My new favorite sunglasses, a fashion lover’s travel guide to Paris, a must-plant vegetable to add to your garden and more . . .

~Article to Read

1. How Not to Hate Dating – Atlantic Monthly

Chiara Atik shares an excerpt from her book Modern Dating: A Field Guide on Atlantic Monthly’s website in which she reveals the importance of letting go and of enjoying the life you are living currently. She shares that while it can be a slow process, the cliché of “It always happens when you aren’t looking” holds water – meaning, when you immerse yourself in the life you love, allow yourself to become genuinely happy, you welcome to you those with similar interests and are able to engage in a manner that is far more engaging and attractive. Certainly something to consider.

~Book

2. Fashion Insider’s Guide to Paris by Carole Sabas

French Vogue correspondent Carole Sabas is a native Parisian currently living in New York City. And as you might imagine, many of her friends and colleagues would look to her for recommendations about where to shop, sleep, eat and visit when making travel plans to her hometown. Due to the abundance of inquires, she created a small book and gave it to her friends for free outlining exactly what they had requested.

Well now (just released last week), thankfully, she is sharing her insights with anyone who is curious about the city that so many Francophiles dream of visiting, and you can have her guidebook too - A Fashion Insider’s Guide to Paris. (Not looking to travel to Paris anytime soon, but are curious about New York City? She has a Fashion Insider’s Guide to New York as well.)

3. Happy Money: The Science of Smarter Spending by Elizabeth Dunn and Michael Norton

Last summer, Elizabeth Dunn and Michael Norton shared an excerpt of their upcoming book Happy Money in the New York Times titled “Don’t Indulge, Be Happy”. The article asserts, based on their research that the average annual income at which happiness ceasing to grow is $75,000. With concrete evidence, they reveal the science behind the power of money and the fallacies we place on money unnecessarily. Being released today, I look forward to reading the entire book to better grasp how to take more command of money and find the balance of a healthy income and a quality way of life.

~Garden

4. Heirloom Tomatoes

With a tiny garden plot for vegetables, one of the few items I include each year are tomatoes. Last weekend, I found myself at Walla Walla’s farmers’ market and discovered a wonderful selection of heirloom tomatoes. Needless to say, I picked up a few of them this past weekend and can’t wait for them to produce the magic that only an heirloom tomato provides. Ideal in a caprese salad or on bruschetta, for only a few dollars, if you are able, pick up a plant or two the next time you stop by your local farmers’ market or nursery and your summer will be even more delicious.

~Shopping

5. Chloé square-frame black sunglasses

I have been looking for a quality pair of black over-sized sunglasses for three years now. Not wanting to break the bank (would love a pair of Tom Ford’s, but can’t bring myself to pay the price), I found a pair on The Outnet from Chloe for $110. Over-sized, but not excessively so, these frames are a classic shape, exude quality and exceeded my expectations upon arrival. With no big gaudy labels, these square-frame shades will complement nearly every face (click here to discover the perfect sunglasses for your face).

6. Tibi Family and Friend Event (25% off regularly priced items)

With simple, modern clothing, Tibi designs are items that pair well with a variety of pieces you already have in your closet. And the good news is that beginning yesterday and running through Friday, May 17th, all regularly priced merchandise is reduced 25% with promo code FRIENDS25 (an extra 10% off current markdowns). Here are a few items that caught my eye – this dress, this peplum top, this stripe sheath dress, and this classic black shift dress.