It all started with a pair of sweatpants. They were gray, shapeless, two sizes too large, with my company’s logo printed on the left hip—a gift given out at our 2019 holiday party. I couldn’t resist sinking into their cozy warmth every chance I got. After three months of enjoying them on weekend bodega runs, they became a much more permanent part of my wardrobe when the pandemic hit. With nowhere to go, I couldn’t muster up the energy to wear anything else.
My sleek leather pants and cool vintage Levi’s only reminded me of how life as we knew it was over.In the grand scheme of things, this was not a problem. I had my health, my family was safe, and I could easily work from home—it was a privilege to have enough time and energy to even briefly think about clothing. But by April 1, 20 whole days into my quarantine, it felt like I’d been wearing sweats forever. That’s when I had an idea.
I’m a novelist, and at that point, I was 60 pages into writing a murder mystery. I abandoned that project—it was too depressing—and cast around for another topic. Sick of my aforementioned sweatpants, I wanted to dive into a glamorous world. I imagined my new protagonist would be a fashion stylist. (This was truly the very first character detail I came up with.) I missed live music and all the other fun New York City has to offer, so I decided her love interest would be a musician, and they’d have date nights at all my favorite restaurants and bars. I craved travel, so there’d be chapters set in Portland and Miami. Most of all, I wanted to hug my grandparents, so I dreamed up a fabulous matriarch. Two years later, that book hit shelves. It’s called Meant to Be Mine, and it’s about a woman who knows the exact day she’ll meet the love of her life, thanks to a prophecy from her eccentric grandmother.
brown tabby cat on white stairsPhoto by 
One of my favorite parts of writing the book was constructing a fictionalized version of New York’s fashion industry. I knew the subject fairly well, thanks to years of interning for fashion magazines and a womenswear designer, as well as reporting on fashion week. I’ve spent my entire career as a writer and editor for lifestyle publications in the city—so while I’m not a fashion industry insider, I’m pretty adjacent. Still, I wanted to learn more, so I started my research.
To flesh out stylist Edie Meyer’s world, first I called Audree Kate López, a stylist living in Manhattan, to get the scoop on what her career looks like behind the scenes. We had crossed paths early on in our careers when I was at Seventeen and she was at Redbook. I’ve been a fan of her work ever since. She has such a knack for styling vibrant, fresh, very New York looks that embody the energy I wanted readers to feel while reading my book.
She told me about the time she styled a pop star with such long, unwieldy nails, she couldn’t put on her own underwear. She talked about a gig styling a rapper who insisted on having lobsters delivered to the set of his photoshoot. Off-camera, López cringed as lobster juice dripped all over the expensive pants she was wearing. I couldn’t resist putting both of those stories in the book. She also considered descriptions of my characters and recommended brands they should wear. (For Edie herself, vintage Versace and Valentino from her grandmother’s closet paired with chunky Lulu Frost jewelry.)
I also used my own experiences in magazines as inspiration. Pre-2020, I went to lots of press previews, which strike me as such a quirky element of the industry. The guests were often familiar to me—typically people who held my same job title at other publications. I could count on there being copious amounts of wine and cheese, and I was always tickled by the unusual perks publicists offered to get busy writers and editors in the door. (I’ve received everything from a dance class led by the Rockettes to Beyoncé tickets.)
In Meant to Be Mine, Edie goes to a press preview and air-kisses the guests she knows: fashion editors, Bachelor contestants-turned-influencers, and “Frank, who does not work in fashion (or seem to work at all), and yet somehow makes an appearance at more industry parties than any of us.” (Don’t we all know a Frank?) She enjoys the brand’s signature cocktail, and after viewing the clothes, listens to a “fireside chat by a renowned career coach,” because what else would a brand specializing in great suits do?
For many sweet-toothed West Coasters, a visit to Salt & Straw ice cream shop is a must. Now, you can recreate the shop's Sea Salt With Caramel Ribbons, Arbequina Olive Oil, and other inventive flavors at home with the new Salt & Straw Ice Cream Cookbook ($25) by head ice cream maker Tyler Malek and writer JJ Goode. That might sound complicated, but the book proves that it's as simple as pouring a six-ingredient base into an ice cream maker and letting time do the rest. Don't believe us? Try Salt & Straw's famous Honey Lavender ice cream (recipe below), which reels you in with its purple hue and keeps you coming back for its sweet floral flavor.
You'll learn in Salt & Straw that each ice cream starts with a simple base of dairy, sugar, corn syrup, and xanthan gum, which is easy to find (it often replaces gluten's stickiness in gluten-free desserts). You'll also realize that you don't have to invest a ton of money in an ice cream maker (Malek spent $16 on his first four machines at Goodwill!). And best of all, the book teaches you how to make sorbet, gelato, and dairy-free bases in addition to the classic, so you can get in on the creamy creativity no matter your diet or cravings. If you still have doubts, Malek eases them in the preface by writing, "When you start with a good ingredient, add cream and sugar, then churn it, the result, no matter how badly you screw up the process, will taste pretty great." Now warm up that churning arm for Salt and Straw's Honey Lavender ice cream.
salt & straw's honey lavender ice cream
(Makes about 2 pints)
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup wildflower honey
- 1/2 cup dried lavender (buds only)
- 3 cups Ice Cream Base (recipe below), very cold
- 10 drops natural purple food coloring, preferably India Tree brand (optional)
Directions:
1. In a small saucepan, combine 3/4 cup water and the honey. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally, then take it off the heat. Stir in the lavender, cover the saucepan, and let steep at room temperature for at least 4 hours or overnight.
2. Pour the syrup through a fine-mesh strainer into a container, pressing on the flower buds to extract as much liquid as possible. Chill until cold and use it right away, or refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
3. Put the lavender syrup, ice cream base, and food coloring (if you're using it) into a bowl and whisk to combine. Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and turn on the machine. Churn just until the mixture has the texture of soft-serve (depending on the machine).
4. Transfer the ice cream, scraping every last delicious drop from the machine, into freezer-friendly containers. Cover with parchment paper, pressing it to the surface of the ice cream so it adheres, then cover with a lid. It's okay if the parchment hangs over the rim. Store it in the coldest part of your freezer (farthest from the door) until firm, at least 6 hours. It will keep for up to 3 months.
Think back to yourself 15 years ago on any given Thursday night. What were you doing? Well, if you're anything like us, you were probably glued to the television watching the wonder that was The O.C. While the juicy plot lines and dreamy California settings drew us in, it's the fashion on the show that really hooked us. Seriously — who didn't want to dress like Marissa Cooper and Summer Roberts in 2003? They were each fashion icons in their own right, with quintessential California girl wardrobes. And to be honest, with the rebirth of some of the most popular 2000s trends, their style is just as relevant today. To celebrate 15 years of The O.C. style (can't believe it's been that long!), we culled some of our favorite fashion moments from the show, showcasing all the trends that are just as buzzy today. California, here we come …
The Band Tee: Sure, band tees have been around since long before the premiere of The O.C., but the graphic must-have look popped up throughout the season — most famously on Marissa Cooper. These days, you can find band tees at a slew of major retailers (and of course, at actual concerts). We love pairing this go-to with jeans, ankle boots, and a moto jacket for a night out. (Photo via Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution/FOX)
The Great Report
2020 Global Report Sheet
The interiors have a crisp look thanks to a marriage of the original midcentury bones—including the high A-frame ceiling in the great room, wood-accented walls, and courtyard entrance—and modern elements such as bright blue cabinetry and a custom cloudy backsplash in the kitchen, sleek built-in shelving, and contemporary pendant lighting. Retro vibes permeate the living area with a brick fireplace and breakfast nook with a wraparound booth.
The interiors have a crisp look thanks to a marriage of the original midcentury bones—including the high A-frame ceiling in the great room, wood-accented walls, and courtyard entrance—and modern elements such as bright blue cabinetry and a custom cloudy backsplash in the kitchen, sleek built-in shelving, and contemporary pendant lighting. Retro vibes permeate the living area with a brick fireplace and breakfast nook with a wraparound booth.
The interiors have a crisp look thanks to a marriage of the original midcentury bones—including the high A-frame ceiling in the great room, wood-accented walls, and courtyard entrance—and modern elements such as bright blue cabinetry and a custom cloudy backsplash in the kitchen, sleek built-in shelving, and contemporary pendant lighting. Retro vibes permeate the living area with a brick fireplace and breakfast nook with a wraparound booth.
The interiors have a crisp look thanks to a marriage of the original midcentury bones—including the high A-frame ceiling in the great room, wood-accented walls, and courtyard entrance—and modern elements such as bright blue cabinetry and a custom cloudy backsplash in the kitchen, sleek built-in shelving, and contemporary pendant lighting. Retro vibes permeate the living area with a brick fireplace and breakfast nook with a wraparound booth.
white vehicle with blue neon headlight bulb
Photo by Olav Tvedt on Unsplash
The interiors have a crisp look thanks to a marriage of the original midcentury bones—including the high A-frame ceiling in the great room, wood-accented walls, and courtyard entrance—and modern elements such as bright blue cabinetry and a custom cloudy backsplash in the kitchen, sleek built-in shelving, and contemporary pendant lighting. Retro vibes permeate the living area with a brick fireplace and breakfast nook with a wraparound booth.
The interiors have a crisp look thanks to a marriage of the original midcentury bones—including the high A-frame ceiling in the great room, wood-accented walls, and courtyard entrance—and modern elements such as bright blue cabinetry and a custom cloudy backsplash in the kitchen, sleek built-in shelving, and contemporary pendant lighting. Retro vibes permeate the living area with a brick fireplace and breakfast nook with a wraparound booth.
The interiors have a crisp look thanks to a marriage of the original midcentury bones—including the high A-frame ceiling in the great room, wood-accented walls, and courtyard entrance—and modern elements such as bright blue cabinetry and a custom cloudy backsplash in the kitchen, sleek built-in shelving, and contemporary pendant lighting. Retro vibes permeate the living area with a brick fireplace and breakfast nook with a wraparound booth.
The interiors have a crisp look thanks to a marriage of the original midcentury bones—including the high A-frame ceiling in the great room, wood-accented walls, and courtyard entrance—and modern elements such as bright blue cabinetry and a custom cloudy backsplash in the kitchen, sleek built-in shelving, and contemporary pendant lighting. Retro vibes permeate the living area with a brick fireplace and breakfast nook with a wraparound booth.
