Carly is back with the second installment of Carly’s Cut. If you missed it, you can read the first one here. And if you are like, “Who is Carly!?,” she’s The Stripe’s Creative Projects Manager—she’s worked with me for over two years now.
Carly has a killer eye and amazing taste. Aside from her monthly vintage finds column, her role has been mostly behind the scenes. I wanted to change that as she has such great recommendations, and I like bringing in her younger perspective. Here, she shares what she’s shopping for, watching and reading, saving to Pinterest, and eating. The most important things!
September was another month of moving and shaking, and I’m more than ready to ease into a slower rhythm for fall. The past few weeks have been a blur of live music, work travel, a little shopping and saving for my first trip to Spain and Morocco, and as much time outdoors as I could get. I’m a homebody at heart, so the pace felt like life in overdrive, but I’ll admit that sometimes a stretch of busyness is exactly what fuels the fire.
Carly’s cut, vol. 2
Shopped //
Apparently, this is my bag era. I can proudly say I’m becoming a full-on bag lady, and honestly, I’m not mad about it. Lately, I’ve been spending hours scrolling secondhand sites, hunting for that just-right piece for the season. Handbags never used to feel like a worthy splurge, but I’ve learned that finding the one is worth every penny. The thrill of the hunt is half the fun. Most of my saved items on The RealReal right now are bags, from oversized carryalls to tiny shoulder bags that serve no practical purpose other than making me happy.
In Volume 1, I shared the ponyhair Bally shoulder bag I’ve been wearing nearly every day since I bought it. My latest find was another Bally, a colorblock shoulder bag that I debated over for days, wondering if it was chic or straight out of my grandmother’s closet. Eventually, I decided that even if it was, I loved it, and that was enough.
While I work on becoming a more seasoned purse peruser, I’ve been keeping a running list of bags I can’t stop thinking about. This Ulla Johnson leather tote is at the top. It completely redefines the woven look and the suede lining alone is worth the investment. As much as I love the colorful array of options, the noir has my heart. Connor McKnight’s first-ever handbag is a close second. The shape, the texture, the size — every detail is exactly right.
Another surprise and delight, while a bit of a splurge, is this suede shoulder bag by Tory Burch. The structured silhouette and belt-style closure feel timeless but fresh, the kind of piece you could wear every day and never get tired of. Honestly, I’ve been impressed with everything they’ve been doing recently. While the bags and shoes had been getting most of the attention (hi, Reva Flats), the ready-to-wear has stolen the spotlight. My current favorites are this suede jacket, this cotton-and-mesh top, these boat shoes, these peep-toe pumps, and these studded ballet flats.
Watched //
While I wish everyone could have had the same theater experience I did with The Roses (preferably at the Terrace, popcorn in hand), I beg you to stream it the second it’s available. This movie made me feel everything, and I don’t say that lightly. It almost feels criminal that Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman haven’t played a married couple before, but I’m thrilled this was their debut as a duo.
A remake of the 1989 dark comedy The War of the Roses, this one takes you through the messy, hilarious, and occasionally heartbreaking ups and downs of a marriage. It’s equal parts biting and tender, the kind of movie that has you laughing one minute and clutching your chest the next. Rotten Tomatoes may have tossed it a stingy 65%, but in my book, that score is a personal attack on how hard I laughed, cried, and laughed until I cried. Consider this your sign to bump it to the very top of your watch list.
Read //
As a surprise to absolutely no one, I caved and picked up The Summer I Turned Pretty. I’ve let the TV adaptation run my summers for the last three years, but I’d been holding out on the books for as long as I could. There’s something so bittersweet about this series and the way it tugs at a very specific kind of nostalgia — whether or not you actually spent summers in a tiny beach town pining over two painfully attractive brothers (this is a Team Conrad household, by the way). One of my favorite things about Jenny Han being the showrunner is that she could bend and stretch the storylines for television without losing the heart of her original work.
Throughout this third and final season, I kept seeing edits on social media where fans layered audiobook clips over key scenes from the show, and honestly, that’s what finally pushed me to start reading. Belly Conklin may be the most unreliable narrator we’ve had in a while, and it’s fascinating to see her story unfold on the page after watching it play out on screen. I can’t wait to finish the series. . . and inevitably rewatch the show with an entirely new perspective.
Saved //
I’m starting to think you’ll notice a theme in the things that consistently catch my eye. As I mentioned back in Volume 1, I’m a sucker for a good tablescape, and this one is seriously good. Everyone who’s anyone in the LA design scene was invited to Design Within Reach’s end-of-summer soirée with Louis Poulsen, hosted at the iconic R.M. Schindler Oliver House. The best part? The current owner of the Oliver House just so happens to be my old boss from when I worked at Yola Mezcal a few years ago. Seeing the way she opens up her home to celebrate its history and design makes me love it even more.
And while most of us may not have a home worthy of a magazine cover, that’s no reason not to dine in style. If you’re feeling inspired to recreate the look, start with this Louis Poulsen portable lamp, these sleek HAY dining chairs, washed linen napkins, these wine glasses, and these straight-sided dinner plates.
Ate //
Apparently, I’m on a serious carnitas kick, and I never want it to end. A group of friends and I high-tailed it over to a beloved Charleston spot, Rebel Taqueria. Truth be told, it was my first time! I’ve promised myself I’ll break my habits and try new places, especially considering I’ve lived in Charleston for ten years and usually stick to the same three restaurants when I’m feeling like spending some cash.
My friend and I decided to share some snacks and landed on splitting a basket of nachos as our main dish. Dare I say we were the smartest girls in the room when we added their pork carnitas with agave mustard to an already irresistible lineup of queso blanco, guacamole, pico de gallo, chili-lime crema, pickled red onions, and cotija. Now that I know my partner can whip up absolutely killer homemade carnitas, you better believe we’ll be making our own riff on these chips very soon.
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