Quaintrelle Weekender

Four ways to a better weekend

Welcome to Quaintrelle Weekender.

This is a short list of things I am currently loving to make eating, drinking, and hosting easier and a lot more interesting.

Sunny Skincare

Paula’s Choice

I was having lunch with a friend the other day. “Your skin looks great,” she said. “What are you using?”

This is not me boldly bragging.

This is me euphoric and stunned at the compliment.

I have never been someone who gets compliments on my skin. Don’t get me wrong: my skin is fine enough. It covers my bones. But I don’t have that dipped-in-Vaseline, dewy glow of a 16-year-old just returning from a light spring jog. Nor do I have that mysterious, etched-in-marble, line-free face of a photoshopped, 12-year-old magazine model pretending to be 35. And under-eye bags? Let’s say mine are more the slouchy bucket style, than the tight evening clutch.

So, when she said I looked great, well, that put a little extra spring in my step (until I twisted my knee while poorly negotiating a curb. Story for another day.)

My secret? Paula’s Choice.

Started years ago by cosmetic industry warrior Paula Begoun (author of Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me and other books), she became Enemy Number 1 for revealing how most of what was jarred and fragranced was just useless, money-wasting shit in a bottle.  

Friends, you name the brand, I have used it. I have been a devotee of multi-step skin care since I was a single-digit child. (My mom’s first sage words of advice to me were not about the birds and the bees, nor about maintaining financial independence as an adult, but, and this is a quote, to, “get yourself a really good eye cream.”)

All my skin care, from sunscreen to eye cream, is Paula’s Choice. It’s in the same pricing tier as department store brands like Estée Lauder or Clinique. It’s definitely less than Darphin (which I also used for years), and not even close to the eye watering price tag of Le Mer.

And guys – I look GREAT.

Bedeck and Bedazzle

Jenny Bird

I get so many compliments on my Jenny Bird jewellery. It’s a Toronto-based company that’s penetrated the fickle world of celebs, so you’ll often see the rarefied and beautiful walking the red carpet in some of her chunky, whimsical, bohemian designs. Despite the other-worldly budgets of these celebs, Jenny Bird has managed to keep her pieces down-to-earth. And they last! For years I was buying costume jewellery from a popular, high-street fashion store. I loved the designs. But inevitably, after only a few wears, the plating would rub off turning dull brown, and my fingers green (I have a jeweller friend who told me it means my skin has a high pH content – some say it’s my best feature.) Admittedly because of this, I’m a bit precious with my jewelry: taking off my rings before washing my hands, not wearing my metal necklaces in the pool or even when I’m doused in sunscreen, and that careful wearing has rewarded me with shiny, well-preserved jewelry for a curated and complete, yet unfussy, look.

Get the Look

Caftan

During the lockdown, when I found myself braless and in stained sweats most days of the week, I began to get a bit sick of myself – especially when the delivery guy gave me a cynical once-over when I opened my door. Around the same time, I read an article about the 1950’s “housedress” that was functional enough for household duties yet stylish enough for a last-minute run to the butcher’s for the evening pot roast. This idea appealed to me – not the corseted and belted housedress, I only shudder at that thought – but if I could find something relaxed yet elegant …

And that’s when the caftan entered my life.

I now have a selection of colourful, flowy moo-moos making up the bulk of my summer haberdashery, many of them from the link above. They’re inexpensive, surprisingly well made, durable, and comfy. They are my summer uniform.

Beach Babe

Turkish Towels

I love Turkish linens. They’re stylish and practical.

My friend has them for her lakehouse; her mother-in-law runs an incredibly charming housewares and lifestyle store in Ontario (if you live here or are visiting you should absolutely check it out and get your towels from her.)

I was reminded of how fabulous Turkish linens are when I was in Umbria last month. Our rooms were outfitted in the tasteful hand and body towels.

Quick drying, super soft, odour resistant… I’m stocking them in my soon-to-be upgraded bathroom, but they’re equally elegant poolside or at the beach – plus they’re so lightweight they don’t take up all the room in your beach bag.

As always, thank you for reading Quaintrelle.

If you like this post, please feel free to share it with the other summer lovin’ beach babes in your life.

And if you’re so inclined, checking the little heart below makes me super happy.

Now get out there and live the weekend like you mean it.

xo- Erin