How is it already November 21? It feels like time is moving quickly, and it always speeds up this time of year as we enter the holiday season. Things are picking up here rapidly at Thoughts & Considerations HQ, too, which is very exciting.
For today's newsletter, as I tend to do every couple of months or so, I wanted to pass around some links to things around the internet and not on the internet that I'm reading, seeing, and doing in hopes that perhaps I'll send something across that you haven't read, seen, or done and that you might find interesting.
Leonardo da Vinci documentary
Ken Burns' latest film just came out this week, and the subject is Leonardo da Vinci. The documentary delves into the life and works of this iconic figure, revealing lesser-known aspects of his genius. Before watching this, I knew the highlights about him—Mona Lisa, Last Supper, Florence. I'm ashamed to admit I didn't know much else, so you could imagine my shock when I watched the documentary. Leonardo went from being just a really great painter in my mind to being, arguably, the most interesting person in history.
Widely regarded as the best painter of all time, he only finished a couple dozen pieces of work. Most of his works were not completed, abandoned, or destroyed. He was an expert engineer, musician, and designer, he predicted Newton's theory of gravity two hundred years before Newton himself published it, and many, many other things. He even tried to invent the airplane in the late 1400s. All of this was documented meticulously in his notebooks, which, as a left-handed writer, was written backward to avoid smudging. He's a true genius, and the documentary is very well done. I would give it a watch. It can be streamed on PBS.
Marc Jacobs for Vogue
In case you missed it, Marc Jacobs guest edited Vogue's December issue, one of the only times that Anna Wintour gave up (at least a little of) control of her magazine. The issue features a variety of compelling sections, each with its own unique perspective and style, as Marc and Anna walk through each section of the magazine in this fascinating video. From the cover shoot featuring Kaia Gerber to the incredibly high-production photo shoot at Marc Jacobs' house, it’s a fun way to see the behind-the-scenes of making a magazine. Legend Grace Coddington also contributes to the issue and makes a small cameo in the video. It's a rare glimpse behind the curtain at Vogue, and I thought it was great. Watch the video here.
J. Press x Buck Mason
I love both of these brands, and I love everything about this collaboration. The J. Press x Buck Mason collaboration combines the timeless style of J. Press with the modern, rugged aesthetic of Buck Mason, creating a classic and contemporary collection. I want it all. See the collection here.
Keens Steakhouse
Many of my friends know that Keens is one of my favorite restaurants in New York City, so when this article came out last week, a few people sent it to me. Reggie Nadelson's "The 212" column is one of my favorites, and I was thrilled to see Keens as the feature in the latest installment. The article details the incredible history of the establishment.
The last time I was at Keens, which was last week, I tried something new to me on the menu, the short rib. The verdict? Blown away. So delicious. I'll be hard-pressed to get anything else than this moving forward. If you’re going for your first time, the Mutton Chops must be considered, as that is their signature dish, but really you can’t go wrong. “We do between 500 and 600 dinners a night, as many as 100 lunches a day, and an average of 10 private parties every week,” says Bonnie Jenkins, Keens’s general manager. Incredible. Read the full article here.
I still haven’t sat in the famous Bull Moose room at Keens, though. Maybe soon.
A good shoe shine
I arrived at Grand Central Station earlier this week with about thirty minutes to spare before my train departed. Conveniently located beside my track was a shoe shine. The timing was perfect, as my shoes desperately needed a shine, and I got a stellar one at a very reasonable price, $12 plus tip while sipping my coffee. The shoe shine was very busy that morning. I'll stand by the fact that a shoe shine is one of life's simple pleasures and that you should seek them out at all costs. Get to the train station or airport early and get a shoe shine—I don't think you'll regret it.
Shake Shack x Delta
My loyalty to Delta is strong, and it has been my preferred airline since I started flying. I always tend to keep an eye on aviation news, so when the news came out that Delta was going to start offering Shake Shack on flights, I had many questions—namely, how is this going to work from a logistics standpoint? I assume they aren't serving fries because they are quite difficult to heat up. What about milkshakes? What about those great breakfast sandwiches they serve at the Shake Shack at JFK? Will those be included? How will it taste?
I'm very curious to see how this plays out. I might have to book a flight out of Boston on December 1, the flight this service is launching on.
Neptune Papers
After following them for a while, I finally got my hands on the latest issue of Neptune Papers, a biannual magazine focused on design and interiors from Paris. I was blown away and kicking myself for not picking up an issue sooner. It's a beautifully crafted magazine, packed with stunning photography and compelling stories. I'm a big fan, and I think you would be too. This feature alone features Tory Burch, Bunny Williams, Chris Black and Jason Stewart, Chris Wallace, Michael Bargo, and many other interesting folks. Grab a copy at your local zine-forward newsstand and enjoy.
YouTube videos
In case you missed it, my latest three YouTube videos are with Wythe and Wooden Sleepers, and then I published my full interview with Brian Davis, the founder of Wooden Sleepers.
I've got plenty more videos in the works, which I'm thrilled about. Is there a brand you want to see me profile? Let me know in the comments below!
