Carly is back with the latest installment of Carly’s Cut. I can’t believe we’ve been doing this column for over a year now. You can read her last one here. If you are new here, Carly is The Stripe’s Creative Projects Manager. She has such great taste that I wanted to give her a monthly column. Think of her as our younger buddy, telling us what we should know about.
Can you believe that we’re three months away from the end of the year? That thought sent shivers down my spine… I spent most of September outside of Charleston and am looking at an equally hectic October. While travel usually excites me, I think I’ve hit my quota for the year and am really looking forward to spending the beginning of the cooler months here at home.
There’s so much to look forward to in Charleston during the fall: farmers’ markets, bike rides, outdoor movies, walks in Hampton Park. Sure, all things that can be done during the summer, but really, what fun are those activities when you’re doing them in the sweltering heat?
Carly’s Cut, Vol. 14
Shopped//
It’s all over every runway, so if you haven’t caught up yet, just know that funky pumps are in. I lust over heels with slightly unconventional silhouettes because their visual interest tends to carry an outfit, or at the very least, build a foundation for a good one. I’ve also had heels on my mind lately because my best friend is getting married in May, and I’m in the wedding. This is my third wedding I’ve attended as an adult and my first time ever being part of a bridal party, so I’m feeling quite pressured to deliver.
I’m fortunate that my friend Anna is one of those brides who wants everyone to look and feel their best on her big day, so she’s tasked us with picking out our own dresses within her color scheme. You know I love a challenge, and this is one I’m feeling pretty equipped to take on.
Last week, while visiting my grandma in Las Vegas (you read that right), we hit the shops at Caesars Palace to kill some time. The outdoor mall is much more her speed, so the experience was a tad overwhelming for her, but I think she secretly loved every minute of it. We wound our way through shops like Maison Margiela and Tory Burch, where I tried on pair after pair of shoes. At Maison Margiela, I gravitated toward these square-toe, block-heel pumps but was a bit stifled by the price tag. After we stumbled into Tory Burch, I spent a good 30 minutes walking around the shop in these peep-toe pumps that I’d been admiring online for weeks. Spoiler alert: they’re even better in person!
The sales associate let me in on a little secret: they’re cheaper online and come in a wider variety of colors. I plan to use this knowledge to shop for a bridesmaid-appropriate heel that is versatile enough to live beyond the wedding and age with me.
The trip to the Strip inspired me to take a deep dive into some other incredibly funky pumps, and boy, did the internet deliver. While I’ve had my eye on a few pairs (namely the clear pumps, also from Tory Burch), I wanted to round up some heels that would be perfect for your next big night out:
- Reformation Pointed Toe Pump
- Moschino Polka Dot Pumps
- Mango Round Toe Heels
- Mansur Gavriel Crinkled Heels
- Aeyde Glove Pumps
- Rachel Comey Color Block Pumps
- Jil Sander Leather Pumps
Watched//
I’m terrified to admit that up until two weeks ago, I’d never seen 9 to 5. I didn’t know much about the film, but I’ve been particularly Dolly-focused since her passing last month. I watched it with my grandma one night when we’d declared an early bedtime, and it felt like the perfect evening activity to ease us into sleep.
9 to 5 delivered everything I needed it to: ’80s hair, powerful feminism, and some truly out-there scenes that had me giggling and kicking my feet. This is the kind of movie I wish would make a resurgence, but they just don’t make them like they used to! It reminded me so much of Clockwatchers, another recent watch of mine, and sent me down a deep rabbit hole of digging around for more of the “I-hate-corporate-America” type. Fellow Letterboxd users suggested Office Space and Working Girl, both of which are now firmly on my list.
Read//
I think we’re often terrified to admit (or maybe I’m projecting) that life moves way too fast, and sometimes it takes us months to finish a single book. That’s not to say the book isn’t good, but rather that you’re not making enough time to wind down and enjoy some peace and quiet. The end of summer leading into the beginning of fall has felt particularly like that for me.
I brought this book with me on my trip to Mallorca last month and started to make some major headway before I just… gave up. It wasn’t until I’d spent another few hours up and down on an airplane that I felt compelled to pick up where I’d left off, and truthfully, I’m so glad I did. I’d categorize Girls with Long Shadows as a slow burn, but I finally feel like I’ve gotten deep enough into the story to find the hook, and now I’m desperate for a few extra moments to flip through a few pages here and there.
While I’m a bit nervous I’ll enter another reading dry spell, as I typically do, I’m feeling compelled to keep this momentum going and ease into my next read. Now taking any and all suggestions!
Saved//
I’m a Scorpio, so naturally, my favorite months of the year are October and November. My mom’s due date when she was pregnant with me was originally October 31st, so I’ve always felt inexplicably tied to Halloween. Pair that with a deep desire to be the center of attention, and you get a girl who is often overly committed to a Halloween costume.
The last few Halloweens of my adult life have been a bit mundane, often dictated by my work schedule or a lack of desire to cobble together a really beautiful costume. This year, though, I feel a little more in touch with my younger self, digging through the depths of the internet to find something unique and slightly quirky. I came across this image during a late-night scroll and immediately felt drawn to the idea. The look is feminine without being too fussy and, in my opinion, downright perfect for a nearly 29-year-old.
While I haven’t given the logistics of building out the headpiece too much thought, I’m confident I can tap my plethora of artistic friends for some assistance. Stay tuned for the final result!
Ate//
Since my last roundup was published while I was on my way out the door headed to Spain, I never had the opportunity to gush about all of the incredible meals I had throughout my week-long trip. Because I grew up on the coast in Connecticut, I have a constant craving for seafood, more often than I’d like to admit. The idea of spending a week on an island with an endless supply of fresh shellfish was truthfully the kicker for me to go on this trip (obviously, outside of getting to enjoy time with my friends).
We had an abundance of downright delicious dinners, but this one, tucked away in a tiny port city with cobblestone streets, has held a special place in my heart (and my stomach). We worked our way through the menu as a group, which is my favorite way to enjoy a meal, and every dish delivered a stronger bite than the last. We ended the evening by each ordering a plate of the miso butter pasta, then somehow felt compelled to order a second round to take home with us.
While I used to think fondly of all the incredible meals I had throughout my time living in Italy during school, I think the meals I’ve had on my few trips to Spain have officially surpassed them.
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