Whatnot Glossary -05

I was talking to my friend about Key West...

Gilda Radner and Jane Curtain from Time Magazine

I’m out of order on these posts. In my editorial meeting-of-one, Whatnot Glossary columns are supposed to run ad-hoc, as the mood strikes me and longer ‘essay’ type content is supposed to run on Saturdays. Nobody knows what day it is; and I am sure I am the only person who’s worried.

I was hoping to have things nice and figured out by January. Here we are, and I do not.

ALAS

This week’s Whatnot Glossary includes aspirational organization, the official sandal of Spring Break, Nancy Meyers references and more.

LEATHER FOLDER

Like most moms, I am besieged by important pieces of paper. I don’t have a perfect system for corralling them, but earlier this year, I snatched a thick folder from my office, and I used it to carry around all the important papers in my bag with the pinky-promise to myself to clear it out at least once a month. It’s worked WAY better than allowing random envelopes or important contracts to float around my life. I don’t need to upgrade to the tune of $100, but I bet if I did, I’d probably rise to the level of polish that a chic leather folder would demand. Maybe. Also, do I get the Camel/Red or the Lapis/White? I think the camel because even a sliver of high-use white leather makes me nervous, but eeeeek, I don’t know; I’m having a moment with blue.

STRAIGHT HEM SHIRT

This shirt makes me feel like the main character of a Nancy Meyers film. If you button the cuffs like this, they are oversized and statement-y and remind me of wearing my dad’s shirt as an art smock as a kid (in a good way). It is just long enough to tuck into pants, but it looks good untucked, too. I wore it with ‘are they or aren’t they?’ CZ studs, crisp black denim, a tan clutch and a fresh blow out. Then I spent the rest of the evening debating whether Diane Keaton or Kate Winslet would play me in the biopic about my life.

KEY WEST LEATHER SANDALS

Tell me you partied in Key West on Spring Break without telling me you partied in Key West on Spring Break. I’ll wait while you go dig these out of your closet. For those who have no idea what I’m talking about, Kino Sandals is a Key West, FL sandal brand that holds significant cultural significance for late 20th, early 21st century college students who enjoyed life before camera phones and social media.

Go to Key West, buy Kinos. Visit Italy, get the hand-made custom leather sandals. Same but different.

I guess I must have given Kinos my email address circa 2003, only to have it lay dormant for decades. Well, in October, someone at Kinos reactivated a mailing list, and I don’t think I’d ever been so excited hear from a brand. Especially notable is that they are hand-made in Key West. Also, they’re $31. You can’t get a round of margaritas for $31. The styles above come in a few other colors.

Nice if you live near me (FL). Nice if you’re packing for somewhere warm.

ALMOND MILK TEA COCKTAIL (bourbon and wine snobs, skip)

Salter House mug

I do not participate in Dry January because I do not drink much anyway. It would be silly, like kids swearing off vegetables. It would make more sense for me to do some sort of no-ice cream January, but that ship has sailed.

Also, I am not a particularly ‘cool’ drinker. One time a friend offhandedly muttered ‘well Jen just ordered a big pink drink, so I guess we’re going to be here a while.’ I am who I am. I like silly cocktails. Pre-holiday I was very into a Sugar Cookie Martini, post-holiday I think this almond milk tea cocktail sounds like a more subdued delight. I’d serve it in a blue ribbon mug to sip while learning mahjong or maybe these more affordable ribbed short glasses for a crowd.

• A love letter to Miami Vice

• Blates!

• Two Fashion People episodes of note: CBKology and The Year Quiet Luxury Died

• Ana Gasteyer on Jimmy Carter is very cool and moving

• Do you have thoughts on the Wirkin?

• If choosing between diet soda and anything containing alcohol, a known carcinogen, the consensus is clear: Diet Coke for the win. —from this article.

• Most anticipated films of 2025. The trailers that ran before A Complete Unknown did not inspire. F1 looks promising. Scratching my head as to why it’s being released in June, but the week after Father’s Day. Hmm

• Rethinking capsule wardrobes. Exciting to see

  Laurel Pantin
  !

• This woman has been embroidering a symbol representing her day, every day, for years. Really beautiful, if you only click one link, it should be this one

Recently Loved Substacks

• A cool ghost story via

  Alexandra Kyle
  . This made me want to find and corral more ghost stories on Substack. If you know if any, please share

• Xue
  ’s 2024 in Numbers made me want to start being better about measuring things this year. This level of data was thrilling to see en masse

• Kelly Williams
  will help you help yourself sort out what puzzle pieces are missing from your closet

• Ali LaBelle
  has the most beautiful In & Out list and I only said “doh!” to one item on the “out” list (asking about fonts)

PLEASE TELL ME:

Have you been to Key West, do you know about Kinos?

If you share my love of silly cocktails, what do you like?