It's (Not) Going to Cost You

Ten of my favorite summer discoveries, exactly half of which won't cost you a brass farthing to enjoy.

1. Free chic. My friend David Netto has a new website. Check out the section called "The Notebook", filled with mementos and anecdotes from his too-fabulous life. 

(On the left, a card from the VIP room of the legendary nightclub. On the right, fifteen year old David in front of the windows he designed for Diane von Furstenberg's Fifth Avenue boutique!)

2. Not free, but also chic. Antique brass distressed knobs from Bosetti-Marella. Just ordered 24 of the one on the left, already have the two on the right in my kitchen. Love this line.

(Here, here, here.)

3. Free house tours. For Downton Abbey fans with time on their hands, a meticulous record of England's lost country houses. Gone but not forgotten.

(Aston Clinton House, demolished in 1958. HERE.)

(Lambourn Place, pulled down in 1938. HERE.)

4. Not free, but just as fun to tour. Have you ever in your life seen tents like these?

(FieldCandy tents. From top, "Men Only", "Fully Booked" and "Animal Farm." HERE.)

5.  Free wisdom. Want to be a better photographer? (I do.) "What's In Your Kit?" tells you exactly what kinds of cameras and lenses your favorite pros use to take their photos.

(Find out what's in Alice Gao's kit HERE.)

6. Not free, but there's no question this book will fire up mental sparks. I read it and felt wiser immediately.

(Here or here.)

7. Free visual brilliance. This could be my favorite historical art archive ever. Click on a letter and prepare for a time suck.

(Compiled by Chris Mullen in a most satisfyingly idiosyncratic manner. Here.)

8. Not free, but these brilliant wallpapers by Marthe Armitage will haunt your waking moments. (They do mine.)

(Chiswick House. HERE.)

(Alphabet. HERE.)

(Manor House. HERE.)

9. Free culinaria. Food blogs I swear by.

101 Cookbooks.

My New Roots.

Green Lemonade.

My friend Lucy's Ladles and Jellyspoons.


10. Not free, but is there a more clever way to tell them you made it with love?

(Biscuit stamp. Here.)