What I Actually Bought #048
$1 movie popcorn, a box of "crushes, secrets, and missed connections," and a comedian's mighty muji (but not bouji) pens
Claire is home in Chicago for the summer, a prospect that didn’t exactly set her heart racing because 1) she doesn’t know too many people her age here and 2) it’s 20k steps-a-day-or-bust for her and the Chicago streetscape is not really conducive to (or safe for) this lifestyle. What she needed was maybe some spice in her life? A classic case of pop culture (read: Dune complex) imprinting the idea that spice is the most desirable element in the universe! As if fate were tuning in, Claire received a sign on her laptop this weekend in the form of…. an open tab lol. Written some years ago by writer/podcaster David Perell, this piece imparts ways we can maximize and manufacture serendipity in life — those unexpected opportunities that you didn’t even know you needed or wanted — which, when manifested, make life that much more extraordinary and worthwhile. Yes, a wake-up call for all of us to create opportunities for serendipity in our personal lives, but serendipity also happens to be at the heart of what we’re building at Selleb.
Have you ever stopped dead in your tracks, struck by a stunningly cut dress, a scintillating scent, or an item with an X-factor so singular that it made you go WOW… I would love to know WHERE or HOW they got that?? This serendipitous discovery is what we are trying to replicate online. On our platform, no one is trying to sell you anything. And there are no hidden agendas or ulterior motives. All products you see on Selleb are the items the coolest tastemakers/trendsetters and your friends (and friends of friends) actually bought (backed by receipts), not the other stuff they were paid to promote or sent for free. And you might actually stumble upon something you never thought you needed or wanted…
With that let’s get to — OUR finds, YOUR finds, and the BEST DEALS — honest reviews backed by receipts. Let’s do this…
What I Actually Bought
Stanford Theatre Hitchcock Marathon: One of the best movie theater experiences period. If you find yourself in The Bay, definitely make a pit stop. $7 movie tickets. $1-$3 popcorn. Candy cheaper than your local CVS. Socialist in the best way possible. They describe themselves as “dedicated to bringing back the authentic movie-going experience of Hollywood's Golden Age. Classic Hollywood directors never intended you to watch their pictures on a video screen in your living room (or while jogging).” It’s all about Hitchcock this month so Chloe sat in for He Knew Too Much and Vertigo last week.
Arsicault: Allegedly the crème de la crème of croissants in
SFAmerica with lines snaking around the block. Every. Single. Day. L’Appartement 4F’s SF-based cousin. Although the form and shell of the pastries are impressive, they use an insane amount of butter which renders them… inedible. Very disappointing. If you pressed on the croissant with a napkin, the napkin would be drenched. Dripping with butter practically…
New Tosokjib in Annandale, VA (30 min drive from D.C.): Best Korean south of NY/NJ. Shoutout to our friends Amy & Gabe for the rec (they know their food)! A true nose-to-tail Korean haven — they nail those spicy soups of entrails, bones, and marrow — making it a beloved institution amongst the natives and die-hards. We stuck to the crowd-pleaser basics. The pan-fried mackerel and ojingabokkum (spicy squid) hit hard; the haemul pajun (seafood pancakes) is more meat than batter… rare. The mandoos (Korean dumplings) are made from scratch (including the wraps). The soups come sizzling and bubbling (and overflowing) in those earthen bowls (see vid below). Oh, the homemade kalguksoo (knife-cut noodle soup) in anchovy broth — to die for. We ordered 7 dishes among the 3 of us lol. Ate and left no crumbs. 6 out of 5 stars.
Double Rods Garment Rack: Claire came home to closets bursting at the seams. With your Selleb Sisters, the closet is where clothes go to
hidedie. It’s practically a sartorial graveyard. To ensure that her summer clothes get the seasonal attention they deserve, Claire ordered a double-rod clothing rack to place right outside the closet. Unfair that fair-weather friends always get the front-row seats.The Human Stain: Compliments of our mom lol. Her best gifts are often paper-bound. Not for the faint of heart. Ambiguous, unsettling, eerily prescient. The dangers of cancel culture when ‘cancel culture’ wasn’t even a term in the everyday vernacular of the 90s. If you prefer blither reads on humanity, give this heavy hitter a hard pass.
What YOU Actually Bought
@itsbrianpark (comedian and writer) / Muji 0.38mm Gel Ink Pens: “I spend a lot of time writing and/or pretending to write. Which means, I've done an embarrassing amount of market research on pens, because in the year of our lord 2024 it's cruuuucial to optimize every granular facet of your creative practice. With that being said, these 0.38 Muji gel ink pens are the best! They're thin. They don't snag. They're inexpensive so you won't feel too bad when you inevitably lose it after three uses.”
Lisa Bubbers (co-founder of Studs) / Dries Van Noten Floral Midi Dress via ssense (similar here here and here): “Love Dries and this dress is a cool “naked dress” that’s not too naked, and it’s comfortable and unique. Just wore it to our Fancy Studs pop-up launch cohosted w/ Lauren Sherman from Puck.”
@l0l0lita (independent NYC-based curator, educator, and art advisor) / Vintage Wood Ballot Box (similar here here and here): "A vintage wooden ballot box that I bought for my husband and I's monthly party, SOMA Discoteca. We call it the "SO-Missed Connections," it's a box to put all your crushes, secrets and missed connections. Throughout the party guests will slip a note anonymously or not, and we will publish it on our brand new Instagram page.”
@myagelber (Brooklyn Law, contributor @thestrategist @nymag) / Dôen Paige Cotton Poplin Shorts (similar here and here): “A few weeks ago I saw this screen grab from the movie Badlands of the actress Sissy Spacek in these perfect mini white shorts. I have been on the hunt ever since and found these perfect mini balloon-y white shorts from Doen. I am obsessed to say the least.”
@dsloz (model & winner of Asia's Next Top Model Cycle 6 and actress) / OfferUp Antique Vanity with Mirror (similar here and here): “Was recently introduced to OfferUp and it has simultaneously been the best and worst thing ever. It takes my thrifting obsession to a new level. It's had me lying in bed at 2am scrolling through page after page of antique credenzas. BUT omg the pieces you can find. I've been looking for the perfect antique vanity for my new apartment and I found this. I love her ~”
If you want to share your awesome purchase(s) and have a chance to be featured in our future newsletters, pls forward your emailed order confirmation(s) to sisters@selleb.com! Feel free to add a one-sentence review. As always, we’ll check in with you to coordinate details before we post.
SALES / DEALS
The RealReal: Thinking about Alaia gold lasercut heels ($157.50, works of art…), Tory Burch grey straight leg pants ($45 + 20% off with code ‘REAL’, beyond useful), Rochas yellow evening jacket ($52.50, 50% off, this is the color for spring). ssense: The sale continues…Thinking about Birrot taupe tank, Mondo Mondo gold & red pendant, Frankies Bikinis black bikini top. Moda Operandi: SALE IS ON, up to 80% off. Thinking about Jacquemus brown bikini top ($48 from $160, 70% off), UGG ice blue suede platform slippers ($66 from $110, 40% off), A.W.A.K.E. Mode black waffle flare pants ($119 from $475, 75% off). Farfetch: Private sale, up to 50% off. Thinking about Paris Georgia black & orange halter top ($45 from $300, legit 85% off), Nensi Dojaka bikini bottoms ($33 (omg) from $220, 85% off), Courrèges black denim mini skirt ($90 from $360, 75% off). Browns: Up to 50% off sale. Bergdorf Goodman: Up to 40% off sale. Thinking about Kule striped turtleneck, Rokh ribbed tank top, Wolford two-toned socks. Saks: Designer sale. Neiman Marcus: New arrivals to sale, up to 50% off. Thinking about Christopher Esber deconstructed jeans ($136 from $545, 75% off), Tove white draped blazer ($313 from $1255, 75% off), Rails hot pink boxer shorts ($62 from $138, 55% off). Maria MacManus: EARLY access to sale, 30% off with code ‘SUMMER30’. Jimmy Choo: 40% off sale. Khaite: Sale!! Go for the denim. Proenza Schouler: 40% off sale. Orseund Iris: Archive sale. Mansur Gavriel: Up to 50% off sale. Thinking about baby blue zip around wallet, plant-based green apple work tote, pink large leather work tote. Moschino: 40% off Spring/Summer 2024 collection. Another Tomorrow: 30% off seasonal sale. Made In Cookware: Up to 25% off memorial day sale. Agent Provocateur: Use code ‘PRIVATE20’ for 20% off selected styles. Skims: Fits Everybody Sale.
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Selleb Sisters xoxo
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