Weekend Update

1. I recently shared these Cole Haan sandals as part of a sale PSA (they’re currently 33% off!), but I thought I would share my own picture of them as well.

I bought these as a casual sandal that I could get away with as a “work” sandal, and they’ve been perfect. They have enough height to make a difference, but are comfortable enough that I can wear them all day and run around the office. I would call them a sandal version of the Ferragamo Vara pump, my go to closed toe comfortable work shoe.

The espadrille wedge and rubber sole adds more comfort in my opinion. I can see these lasting through several summers of very heavy wear.

2. Someone sent me this article awhile ago, and I’ve had it bookmarked in Chrome for years. I finally clicked on it while cleaning out all my old shopping links (I know others out there must suffer from shopping bookmark clutter), and printed it out. There’s a lot of great recipes and all perfect for summer! Summer Express: 101 Simple Meals via the NY Times.

3. Another older article from the NY Times – but an interesting read, especially for anyone who is a Van Cleef fan (me!), about the famous Alhambra line, Coming Up Clover. Are they more “popular” where you live? I still love my Alhambra and wouldn’t hesitate to add more, but I do feel a little odd when I’m walking down the street and someone else has the exact same thing. Good thing there are many combos out there of these clovers!

4. I recently finished a fantastic book, Dear Leader – Poet, Spy, Escapee, by the former poet laureate of North Korea, Jang Jin-Sung.

This was one of the best books I’ve read this year, and a fascinating and very well written book about the rise and reign of Kim Jong Il, and of North Korea in general. Dear Leader is obviously a translation, but Jang Jin-Sung’s beautiful writing shines through. His high political rank also meant that he had an incredibly unique and up close and personal insight into one of the most secretive nations in the world. Highly, highly recommended.