What I Actually Bought #097

Mourning 2 NYC institutions, champagne for royals, and Visvim on Buyee

Jun 04, 2025

Mourning the (impending) loss of two NYC institutions this morning. Rare for your Selleb Sisters to be down bad about a store or restaurant closing (the last time we got this sentimental was when Harris Bakes in the WV shuttered in 2020), but this month, we’re getting clocked with not one but TWO of our mainstays bowing out, and it feels personal.

First up: Llama San, one of Claire’s forever faves in the city (part nostalgia, part llama obsession, but mostly for its amazing vibes).

Now the gut punch: Bedford Cheese Shop!! (which is poetic timing bc we just posted an ode to BCS last week, only to have

Jess Graves

promptly break the sad news in the comments).

Holding back some tears ngl. Had our llast llama run last week and catch us at Bedford every day this week for a weeklong farewell tour. Started raiding their closing sale yesterday and stocked up on non-perishables and perishables too….check out our TikTok vid here.

Llama and Bedford, you will be missed. Luckily there’s still Llama Inn to lessen the blow (assuming we can haul ass to BK) but Bedford? Taking suggestions for replacements…bc Formaggio Essex can’t fill the hole.

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Now…let’s get to what WE actually bought, followed by what YOU actually bought.

What We Actually Bought

Róhe Scuba Capris:
Angela Galvez
influenced us to snag a pair with her effusive review on Selleb…and we couldn’t not get it with the MDW sale in full force. We trust Angela’s recs, and we love a good deal <3
The review in question
Lenny Rachitsky
’s Newsletter: Obviiiiously. A must-read for any founder. Have been a loyal sub for years (?) and no regrets.
Pol Roger Reserve Brut from Community Wine & Spirits: Our neighborhood go-to when we lived in Chelsea. The local spot for picking up a bottle of standout wine or bubbly to bring to housewarmings, dinner parties, etcetc. Bought this for a rooftop party our friend hosted last wkend, off the rec of a very persuasive wine clerk who swore it was served at… Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding?? Stories sell…
Screen Unseen: Just noticed Screen Unseen backwards is Unseen (sun)Screen — the infamous Super Goop sunscreen lmao. The surprise flick du jour was The Life of Chuck, slated to release this Friday. Had its very tender moments but definitely elicited a lottt of huhs?? throughout the film. Bonus points for the outstanding narration.
Hmart Haul: The Jujube tea is a sleeper smash hit (flavor is subtle but distinctively nutty and rich). Nora seaweed snacks (highly addictive) for Screen Unseen outings ofc. And what’s an Asian household without furikake — the ultimate umami sprinkle.

And now, your turn!

What You Actually Bought

@jessie_loeffler_randall (founder + creative director of Loeffler Randall, behind Jessie Loves) / fabrics for a headboard: “I just ordered this beautiful Schumacher fabric that I am going to use to attempt to reupholster a headboard. It kills me how much custom headboards can cost so I figured I would give it a stab on my own. Fingers crossed it doesn't end up costing more once I mess it up.”
via DecoratorsBest
@sararararados (creative director of David Protein) / Every Other Thursday cardigan and jeans: “This is my partner's brand that has been menswear for the past 3 years but I worked with him to develop the women's line, which is basically classic pieces in perfect fits I wish I had. I art directed and styled the shoot (photos attached) and of COURSE had to order it for myself the second I could. I got the jeans which are the perfect straight leg, not tight, mid rise and the 100% cashmere cardigan in butter yellow, a must for S/S. Both fits are amazing on, the cashmere is such a light and soft easy throw in your bag for overly AC’d offices and crisp spring days.”
@newdistributionhouse (Co-Founder of A Silent Wall, publisher/editor of SM Works / Yotok Press based in NYC) / Visvim on Buyee: “I worked for Visvim for # of years on the marketing US campaign and became a "superfan" over time. Quality is 2nd to none compared to general menswear brands in the same category. They put emphasis on craftsmanship. The whole vibe is based on "lived in cloth". So they use the mud-dyed process to "color." product. They "damaged" intentionally in spec. area of the products. I bought a liner mud-dyed in yellow, which is great for layering a sweat or shirt underneath. I prefer to buy on Yahoo because of better merchandising and price vs. multi-branded shops like SSENSE. I don't feel I'm getting ripped off.”
@paulybyalexforalexandrapauly (founder Biche, prev founding beauty editor @highsnobiety) / Serge Lutens L’Orpheline: “Last fall, I finally made it to the Serge Lutens store in Paris. One of the perfumes I sampled there was L’Orpheline, a cold, dry fragrance with notes of incense and musk — the opposite of the sugary, fruity gourmands that have been trending for the past couple of years. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about L’Orpheline since I first smelled it, so I decided to invest in a full bottle from Fragrancenet.com (which, yes, is a legitimate website with incredible deals). I’m very intentional with my perfume collection since I’m running out of space to store 60+ bottles, but L’Orpheline — my first bottle from Serge! — was a no-brainer addition. It’s quiet and austere and doesn’t smell like caramel, so your boyfriend probably won’t “get it” (mine said, “smells like soap” when I asked what he thought). It’s stunning!”
@littlephebes (founder of Little House) / Round Top Fair Pillow Covers: “I went to Round Top- an antique fair located in none other than Round Top TX. Any other time of the year this town has a very modest population of 90, but during its Spring antique show this 11 mile stretch hosts over a hundred thousand shoppers + vendors. You can really feel the transition as you drive from undisturbed pasture into acres of white tents, event centers, and storage units filled to the brim with homeware. If you’ve ever gone to the rose bowl or Brooklyn flea and thought ‘I wish this was 1000x bigger’, this place is for you. I went alone and peacefully spent two, 8-hour long days digging. Among many one-man’s- junk-is-another-man’s-treasure type finds, I also splurged on a few larger pieces that will soon take up Real Estate in my Los Angeles storefront, Little House (@littlehouse.la) . One of those being a selection of fragment rugs and textiles from @turkishcarpethouston. These rugs are delicate in feel, but extremely present in color and texture- they combine fragments of turkish rugs dating back to the 40s with soft kilim bases. To me these rugs bring all the joy of an unlikely pairing, without the creative pressure that can come with mixing textiles. They are a celebration of both time past + a new life. I see them in an entry, hung as a tapestry above the bed, or placed in a living room with lots of warm woods. In addition to the rugs, I took home a selection of XL pillow covers for floor seating in front of a bedroom fireplace..."