Very very excited for one of my most favorite creators, Tori Simokov, to be featured as the first guest in this week’s Recs Newsletter. Tori first came on my radar last year with her Substack Window Seat, where she does her own recs newsletter. She has great taste and is an incredible writer. I’ve also admired how vulnerable she’s been in recent months.
What are you eyeing and buying these days?
After a recent trip to the Canadian Rockies, I’ve officially been bitten by the hiking bug. Now I want to hike as much as possible, which means I’m slowly building out my gear collection. I just picked up a pair of hiking pants from Peak Performance and they're spectacular. Lightweight, comfortable, and actually fit my 5’11” frame. Next on my list are some Salomons (sue me) and some sun shirts and shorts in fun colors from Halfdays. I’m making myself wait until I have another trip on the books before buying them.
Otherwise, a few recent purchases that have become instant favorites: this lightweight windbreaker, my new go-to travel pants that look like trousers but feel like leggings, these leggings that don't budge, this blush I now wear every day, and this bikini.
Content you're consuming:
Reading: I just finished Strangers by Belle Burden and am currently making my way through Not That Kind of Girl, Lena Dunham’s memoir.
Watching: I watch a lot of TV. I’m so happy The Bear is back, but I’m also sad it’s the final season. And I can’t wait for Silo to return next month.
Following: Since I’m new to hiking, I’ve been loving Abby Neff’s recommendations. She always seems to have great gear finds.
Where you're going:
I just got back from British Columbia (my first time in western Canada!) where I was treated to some truly spectacular alpine scenery and had a fantastic stay at the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler. Visiting a place that’s typically thought of as a winter destination in the middle of summer was such a treat.
The week before that, I was in Ireland for the first time, where I fell in love with Mount Juliet Estate in Kilkenny. The month prior, I went to Italy twice, including a stay at Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in Sorrento, a hotel I genuinely can’t stop talking about and am trying to find my way back to by any means necessary.
It’s been a whirlwind few months of travel, to say the least! I’m excited to be back in New York for a bit and finally settle into the apartment I moved into at the beginning of the year. I’ve barely been home long enough to enjoy it or establish much of a routine.
That was fun! Thank you so much, Tori! We’re back with another Madeline’s Recs next week. In the meantime if there is a favorite creator or Substacker you’d want to hear from next, definitely respond to this email and we will reach out.
