Today, we unveil a new column: Carly’s Cut! Carly has fantastic taste and I’m so excited to have her share more here as opposed to just behind the scenes. This will be her (monthly?) column, where she shares what she’s shopping for, watching and reading, saving to Pinterest, and eating. You know, the most important things!
Needless to say, we are both loving everything Rachel Comey right now, and I am dying to make those carnitas tacos! I will say that I’ll be skipping that movie!
August could have been titled The Summer I Turned Busy—fast, full, and bordering on chaotic. One best friend moved back to Charleston, another got engaged (both of whom were my post-college roommates), and suddenly my calendar looked like it belonged to someone ten years younger. Nights out felt like a throwback to our early twenties, while my quieter moments were spent reading, catching movies at the Terrace, and eating real dinners at the table with my boyfriend (instead of hunched over the coffee table).
This first installment of Carly’s Cut rounds up the little things that made the madness worthwhile.
Shopped //
‘Tis the season of ponyhair… apparently. I am no trend forecaster, and certainly not a trend-setter, but I can sense a shift happening in my closet. At this rate, I will have an entire collection of ponyhair pieces ready to pass down, or perhaps auction off, when my belongings one day star in a cutthroat estate sale. Fortunately for me (and my future estate sale shoppers), I recently stumbled onto the wonder that is Rachel Comey’s shoe selection — specifically, a pair of zebra-print calf hair slip-ons. I am not usually drawn to animal print, yet these feel neutral, almost classic. They deserve to be worn on even my most mundane errand runs; anywhere life feels casual but deserves to be chic.
There’s a constant narrative that beautiful things in our wardrobes must be preserved, protected, and kept pristine. More often than not, that leaves them unworn, unseen, and entirely unappreciated. These shoes remind me why that idea is flawed. Their silhouette even pulls me back to my thirteen years of dance, almost identical to the jazz shoes I wore into the ground. For that nostalgia alone (not to mention their style power), I owe it to myself to make space for them in my closet. Since 2025 began, I’ve already welcomed these mid-calf boots from The Row and a sleek shoulder bag from Bally. Ponyhair might just be my signature season. And if you’re in the market for some of your own, I’ve been eyeing this top-handle bag, this iconic Paco Rabanne messenger bag, this vintage Gucci belt, and a truly stunning shoulder bag by Khaite that Grace sent my way.
Grace and I have talked endlessly about how Rachel Comey seems to bridge the gap between generations, offering clothing and accessories that feel timeless to anyone who is fashion-obsessed. While we often align on one-off products, it rarely feels like there’s a single brand that speaks to both our age groups and our personal styles. What draws me to Rachel Comey most are the understated yet distinct silhouettes. It’s the kind of brand you wear that invites questions like, “Where is that from?” and still feels just as good in ten years as it does today. Right now, I’m drawn to this pair of jeans with the perfect seam detailing, this sculptural bag that doubles as arm candy, this printed taffeta dress that toes the line between delicate and daring, and these kitten heels that might actually convince me to make heels casual.
Watched //
I voluntarily spent two hours and eight minutes of my free time tormenting myself in a theater with new friends who mistakenly assumed I loved scary movies (read: I told them I loved scary movies). While I enjoy a good psychological thriller—anything adjacent to It, Midsommar, or even The Summer I Turned Pretty (it’s emotionally terrifying, okay?)—I draw a very sharp line when children are involved. There is something especially unsettling about child-centered horror, and I went in believing this movie was based on a true story about a classroom of kids who disappeared over the course of a school year. I was painfully mistaken.
Without giving spoilers to anyone waiting for the comfort of their own couch, I will say this: I spent the full length of the movie with my eyes half covered, toggling between “what the f***?”, “what the f***!”, and “what the f***…” Go see Weapons at your own risk!
Read //
Jo Piazza clearly understands the cultural phases we cycle through. Once upon a time, we were all glued to Gone Girl. Now we cannot stop watching Nara Smith whip up Cheez-Its from scratch. And just like that, a star was born. Grace knows I have been in a reading rut for an embarrassingly long time. When she recommended this book, I was optimistic that it might cure my slump, but I never expected to be waking up early and staying up late just to squeeze in a few more pages.
Everyone is Lying to You is fast, addictive, and exactly what a summer read should be. It doubles as a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the influencer world, especially the rise of tradwives, and it delivers with the kind of bite that keeps you turning pages. Color me obsessed, Jo!
Saved //
Having worked in food-adjacent roles for most of my career, I cannot help myself: I am forever pausing mid-scroll for a good tablescape! What cracks me up is how inconsistent they are, rarely aesthetically aligned. One minute I am swooning over layered linens and crystal glassware, the next I am obsessed with a setup where the entire vibe comes from the backdrop alone.
This particular scene, created by Sissi Pohle and Pat Scherzer of @tablesandfood, stopped me in my tracks. Picture it: vintage wicker baskets, sun-warmed peaches, and flashes of silver scattered throughout, all tucked into the garden of the Design Museum in Copenhagen. The mix of harsh metal against aged wicker creates a visual harmony that feels almost like music in my mind. There is nothing better than when food and design meet at that quirky intersection of beauty and function. It feels effortless yet intentional, which is probably why I am still thinking about it long after the scroll.
If you feel like attempting a DIY version of this tablescape, try this linen tablecloth from Etsy, this woven rattan vase, and these silver-plated goblets.
Ate //
I’m spoiled rotten and I know it. My boyfriend cooks dinner for us nearly every night and constantly pushes the envelope (or at least the standard I once had for home-cooked meals). Between work, hobbies, and a social calendar that always seems too full, Cal and I both know nothing says quality time like him slaving over the stove for half the afternoon so we can sit down to a proper Sunday feast. One recent gloomy morning, freshly armed with a new French oven by Staub that his grandmother had gifted him, he decided we’d be having homemade carnitas tacos with warm tortillas straight off the skillet.
It was his first attempt at carnitas, so he mostly followed this recipe to a tee but couldn’t resist adding his own flair. We’re a garlic-loving household, so of course a few extra cloves made their way into the pot, along with a cheeky dash or two of cinnamon. For the lard, Cal insists that any standard grocery-store variety will do, but you have to look for the authentic packaging labeled “manteca.” His tip for achieving that extra-crispy finish (because once you taste it, there’s no going back): move the pork from the pot to a cast-iron and let it sizzle until every side gets a golden crust.
For the tortillas, he followed this recipe step by step—though I watched him grit his teeth with each imperfect round. There’s truly no room for error when it comes to baking, and he’ll tell you the same. His one note for next time? Invest in a tortilla press. According to him, it’s the difference between “DIY” and restaurant-level execution.
Ironically, I keep ending up with roommates who are incredible cooks. My contribution, as always, is washing dishes and stacking the dishwasher like a game of Tetris. It’s all about the give and the take!
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