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The Link Up: Em’s Ideal Summer Shirt, Ryann’s Chic $20 Sandals, And A WILD Article About An Architect That Blew Our Minds
First things first, Happy Juneteenth and Father’s Day! Last year, Juneteeth was finally recognized as a national holiday. This is in no way to say that our deep systemic issues are all fixed, clearly not. However, the national celebration of this monumental day is grossly overdue. One wonderful way to celebrate this day is to support Black-owned businesses. Here is a post that has a ton of wonderful places to check out! So again, Happy Juneteenth and let’s get into our links!
This week’s home tour designed by Handelsmann + Khaw is a straight-up fantasy. It has a villa vibe and is filled with patterned tiles, mixing in modern decor, a painted border in the living room that adds a ton of whimsy! Check out the rest of the home here!
From Emily: This is my new favorite shirt that I’ve been wearing A TON. It’s a little splurgy but it drapes great, is a lightweight linen, and is super breathable. Plus you know I love a good stripe. So it’s great for summer but also a great piece for all seasons because it’s really layerable. Highly recommend!
Also From Emily: My first-ever RETRACTION. It’s my sincere apology that I recommended something before I fully vetted it. A couple of weeks ago I was excited about the show “Under The Banner Of Heaven” and I said I was VERY interested in it. At the time we had seen 3 episodes and they were good. As the season went on Brian and I both found ourselves extremely annoyed at how they interpreted John Krakauer’s book. They fictionalized and editorialized it in a very negative way towards Mormons. As a former Mormon, I felt that this show wanted to be slanted and negative, and while extremist religion can’t be excused, how they ran this show felt wrong in a journalistic way.
Read the book. It’s excellent. But don’t watch the show. The acting is great (for the most part) but they took too many liberties by editorializing this horror. They exaggerated and extrapolated the truth to prove the director’s and producer’s point – one that was totally slanted. And doing that can be very damaging and frankly inaccurate.
From Jess: If you haven’t had the pleasure of following David Quarles IV then today is your lucky day. We got to meet him at the Meridian Experience Conference last week (we will do a FULL blog post soon) and his kindness and style will knock you over in the most wonderful way! As a multi-hyphenate, he is a wildly talented designer (as shown above), an incredible Zumba instructor (Mal, Ajai, and I took his class and had the best/very sweaty time), and a wonderful jewelry designer! His jewelry company is called IV and you should go check it out now!!
Also From Jess: A couple of weeks ago I told you that I ordered this primer that the TikTok makeup gals swear by. Well, I also ordered this HIGHLY reviewed setting spray. Now that I’ve been using them I can confirm that they are awesome and my makeup actually lasts! FYI I am SO new to all this so if you are like me and are easily intimidated by makeup stuff don’t be. I’m just a girl that wants her minimal makeup to last most of the day and wants some simple good options:)
From Caitlin: Bowled over by this reporting about a retired octogenarian architect whose professional credentials were used to FAKE APPROVAL ON BUILDINGS HE DIDN’T DESIGN. (On huge buildings, too – we’re talking skyscrapers here.) It gets crazier, though: basically, NYC requires that an architect signs off on all new construction to ensure buildings are, you know, safe (wild, huh?). But after this guy retired in 2016, he started to receive quarterly payments from his former employer, a major developer, in exchange for usage of his (literal) seal of approval. BUT WAIT! If that sounds sketchy, it wasn’t inherently weird in the original contract – the architect’s agreement originally stated that he’d need to review the developer’s plans within 48 hours. That’s still not standard, but it is slightly less shady than “your credentials in exchange for cash, no questions asked.” Naturally, though, the developer NEVER shared any plans and a huuuuge 51-story hotel has since been erected – with two other buildings in the works! – and all have the architect’s seal of approval, despite the fact that he never reviewed any plans. BUT WAIT! It turns out that the architect had been practicing illegally at times (who knew this would get so nuanced?) and now the whole thing is an even BIGGER mess. Such a tangled web and an incredible story, right?!
From Ryann: Last year when I bought these sandals, I truthfully didn’t know they would become such a staple in my wardrobe. I think I bought them in-store for a last-minute event I was going to that day. Cut to today, I now wear them at least once a day because they are so easy to slide on and go. They are $20 but look so expensive and look good with any jeans, shorts, dresses, etc etc. The band is soft and not too tight so they are very comfortable to walk in too. 10/10!
From Mallory: I LOVE a good candle (and I’ve gone through a lot in my life) but I hate the feeling of throwing away the waxy jars. Luckily there’s a new brand that’s fixing this problem – meet yuno candle…it’s a REUSABLE CANDLE where you can pop out the wax insert & replace it with another. Now we can have candles that are less wasteful!! Huzzah!
As always have a great rest of your Sunday and see y’all tomorrow!
Opening Image Credits: Design by Handelsmann + Khaw | Styled by Joseph Gardner | Built by Verdecon | Photo by Felix Forest
I also did not enjoy the TV show under the banner of heaven. As a HUGE Krakauer fan (read all of his books) I found it boring and meandering. And if you hadn’t read it book or weren’t familiar with Mormon teachings I thought the references to them very confusing? Hard to tie together? I dunno. Not a fan.
Genuine question: how do you put fitted sheets on the bed in David Quarles’ images? I got a new mattress and it is VERY tall – and am finding it super hard to make the bed.
I had the same issue.
Sheets now come in different sizes for the different mattress thicknesses.
I got different sheets – it’s a costly bummer.
I think it’s called the mattress ‘wall’??
My sheets fit – I just struggle to put them on bc the mattress is so thick and the footboard make it super challenging.
Home tour link just takes you to a thumbnail page?!?
I had to click the “Handelsmann + Khaw” header, then click “Residential” and then click “Wilkinson Villa”.
Here’s a “before” tour of the Handelsmann + Khaw villa:
Aaaaah, Kj, I knew I could count on you!
Vaucluse is pricey, pricey, pricey!!!!
If you like a tipple, check this out!!??
Not “mad”, more sad, because the plastic will pollute for 200 years after your enjoyment of them for effectively a few days.
I guess I choose for everyone’s benefit, future generations, animals, the actual planet’s survival; not a few moments of “looking good.”
I like to look nice (ego), but it doesn’t come before my awareness of the impact of my choices (conscience).
WYKYK (When you know, you know)?
Hi! May I have the details for the setting spray please? The link didn’t work for me so I can’t see what it is. (Probably because I’m Canadian. ?)
The link went to this product: ONE/SIZE by Patrick StarrrOn ‘Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray :)
Thank you!
About throwing away the candle jar….. I usually buy candles not only for their great aroma but also so I can reuse the container. I can get a lot more out of candle that has stopped burning by using a coffee warmer. It plugs in and you simply put the candle on it and it warms up the wax. This lets you use all of the candle, not a drop will be wasted of your favorite candle! It also helps clean out the container and with a little baking soda you can scrub out the remaining wax. I hope this helps someone!!
Emily, we look similar in shape, what size is your Rails shirt? Thanks!
Even though Rusty’s going to be mad ?, I tried this instant pedicure on Thursday and love how easy it was and the “boring” color: Kiss Impress Press-On Pedicure in GNO (Girls Night Out). It’s only been 4 days and I’m curious to see how long they stay on.
Oops…put my comment in the wrong place:
Not “mad”, more sad, because the plastic will pollute for 200 years after your enjoyment of them for effectively a few days.
I guess I choose for everyone’s benefit, future generations, animals, the actual planet’s survival; not a few moments of “looking good.”
I like to look nice (ego), but it doesn’t come before my awareness of the impact of my choices (conscience).
WYKYK (When you know, you know)?
Happy father’s day!…..I tried those candles, not my favorite.
Mallory, did you try this candle brand yourself? I’m a little confused by the reco! It’s a cool idea for sure—although tbh I think candles are inherently reusable as their vessels can be used for tons of small-space storage—but the value of link ups to me is knowing the things suggested have been vetted with a little commentary! Maybe you have and it’s just not here, but I’d love to hear your notes on any fave scents, the design (does it leak when replacing?), the experience—just a word or two would be great. :)
PLEASE, WHEN YOU HAVE A LINK TO NYT, IT WOULD BE GREAT IF YOU HAD THAT OPEN (CAN’T REMEMBER WHAT THAT’S CALLED) FOR THOSE OF US WHO DON’T SUBSCRIBE…. I’D LOVE TO READ THAT ARTICLE
oops, not yelling
I totally agree!,
Happy Father’s Day!
Brilliant article. Much love it.
RE: Candles. I felt the same way about throwing away the jars, UNTIL I learned that if you put them in the freezer overnight, the old candle wax will pop right out! Now I can re-use all my pretty jars either for candles, or for something else (i.e. drinking glasses, swizzle stick or pen cup, matchbooks, etc.)
As a licensed architect myself, I’m glad you guys were just as horrified as I was when I read that NYT article about the developer using someone’s license as they saw fit. It’s absolutely against everything we’re taught as architects: we’re supposed to be looking out for the public’s health, safety and welfare. Against all our moral standards. Truly shocking. Hope they all get huge fines for what they did! SKYSCRAPERS for f-sake!
I’m so thankful that my friend introduced me to David Quarles during a trip to Memphis. I love his work and I’m so happy to see it being shared.
Wow, I loved Under the Banner of Heaven. As someone who hadn’t read the book and has no ties to Mormonism (but full disclosure, I am a TV writer myself), I found it really thoughtful and nuanced. I think it’s brave and rare for a TV show to explore religion at all, let alone with as much depth and earnestness as this show does. I loved how it explores the detective’s relationship to his faith – and while the show is definitely critical of fundamentalist Mormonism, I didn’t come away feeling like it was biased against Mormonism at large. As I understand it, the showrunner was raised Mormon too, so I imagine he tried to write his own world with great tenderness and care.
Just to (respectfully) throw another point of view into the mix!
Interesting, I grew up Mormon too and I thought UTBOH was pretty accurate. I have witnessed the closing of ranks and the social pressure to conform, and know people whose marriages ended just because they left Mormonism.