The Road to Self-Care Is Paved With Ice Cream, Skincare, and Robes
Plus: A gourmet pizza oven and the magic of sleeping on silk. Here’s what our editors loved in April.
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I WROTE A love story last month, interviewing four different couples behind iconic New York City businesses — partners in work and life, as it were. Ever since, I’ve been fixated on the idea of love — the idea of those people, places, and things that pull us back and light us up, again and again. I most enjoyed talking to each couple about the little things: the items or acts that colored the in-between moments, such as a favorite dish of peas one always made for the other, or handwritten notes left on the fridge — the small joys. There are a lot of those in March’s lineup — from a favorite T-shirt to a sultry scent. — Sophie Mancini
A Dreamy Moisturizer Duo
Joanna Vargas Twilight Night Cream and Twilight Night Serum
No matter how many times I tell myself my medicine cabinet is at full capacity, I can’t help but sample new products, especially if they are from Joanna Vargas (a Departures favorite). My seven-step night-care regimen has dropped down to three after integrating Vargas’ Twilight Night Serum and night cream into the lineup. The serum and moisturizer combination leaves my dry skin feeling plump and hydrated. This is a must-have duo that I occasionally dabble with during my morning routine if I’m tight on time and need to eliminate a few steps while doubling up on moisture. — Elissa Polls
An Artful Collab
Hublot x Daniel Arsham
Hublot is an incredibly cool (and incredibly well-made) watch brand known for its connections to the art world, including a widely celebrated and ongoing partnership with Japan’s Takashi Murakami. Now, they’ve welcomed venerated sculptor Daniel Arsham — who has previously worked with Dior — into their fold as a global ambassador, and he’s already shaking things up with ambitious projects: I have never in my life been able to ski to an art exhibition, but this month, in Zermatt, that’s exactly what occurred. Arsham crafted a celebration of Hublot’s Swiss roots in the form of a sundial made out of snow — he worked with slope groomers to help achieve this — perched right off of a lift and in the shade of the famed Matterhorn. It looked something like an icy version of the “2001” monolith and offered up one of the more unique artistic experiences I’ve ever had. Best of all, it made me particularly excited for what else Arsham may have up his sleeve, including the unconfirmed whisperings that he’ll one day be designing his very own timepiece with Hublot. — Alex Frank
Room to Spare
Paravel Packing Cube Quad
One of the many skills this job has honed for me is the ability to pack light. But that ability — which, honestly, has become a point of pride — was recently challenged by the need to pack a single suitcase for a two-week trip, one that spanned multiple extreme climates (including New York City winter and Brazilian summer) and a dizzying range of social situations (business meetings and muddy trekking through the Amazon). Unsure of how I would possibly achieve this, I remembered that Paravel had sent me some packing cubes to try — and Oh. My. Goodness. They were a dream. I could not believe how significantly they compressed my garments, making a situation that seemed impossible, possible. They were so effective that I actually ended up with extra room in my very tidy suitcase — a spatial miracle. — Skye Parrott
Ready to Workwear
Le Bon Shoppe Vintage Boy Tee and Hey Gang Kneepatch Overalls
As temperatures creep into the 50s here in the Hudson Valley, I am slowly beginning to imagine my wardrobe after boots and sweaters. I find myself drawn to timeless basics and workwear that I can sport on repeat, whether I’m writing from my home office or playing with my kids in the yard. Organic cotton tees from Le Bon Shoppe and natural denim overalls from Hey Gang hit both notes. Le Bon Shoppe’s Vintage Boy Tee is the T-shirt I’ve been after for years. It’s perfectly worn-in, incredibly soft, with just the right weight. And Hey Gang’s ethically made overalls have already made their way into a heavy rotation thanks to their boyish, yet shrunken fit and premium, soft bull denim. — Hailey Andresen
Small-Batch Scents
Ffern
I’m the type of person who finds a perfume and sticks with it until the bottle is completely empty. After I run out, I’m ready for a new scent. My latest perfume obsession is from Ffern, a small-batch perfumery from the English countryside with limited-edition seasonal releases that puts sustainability and ingredients first. Their winter 2023 fragrance is filled with notes of peppermint, rosemary, lavender, and tarragon along with two new ingredients: ambrette seed and osmanthus. And the company’s beautifully designed packaging is made of 100% paper that is recyclable or compostable — bottles included. Plus, to stay true to their small-batch and sustainability ethos, Ffern only make bottles for customers who register for their ledger. — Elissa
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Deep in the Trenches
"Burberry" (Assouline)
With the appointment of the celebrated and influential designer Daniel Lee as chief creative officer, Burberry is entering an exciting new chapter. But I’ve always found that transition moments are also wonderful opportunities to take stock of the past. The company’s beautiful new book from Assouline does just that, tracing the heritage of the foundational British fashion house from its origins as a family-run business in 1856 to its current position as a global luxury megabrand. So, if, like me, you’re making room for the exciting new iteration of Burberry in your life — incidentally, trenches are having a huge moment — then why not start with a little refresher by plopping this 252-page retrospective on your coffee table? — Alex
Mindfulness at Mohonk
Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz, NY
I had driven past Mohonk Mountain House numerous times and was always curious to see exactly what existed past the gates. I recently had the opportunity to find out, and as I made my way down a two-plus-mile drive, my jaw dropped at the sight of the storied hotel overlooking Lake Mohonk. But it was the property’s private “mindfulness and positive psychology” session that stuck with me. Led by Mononk’s Director of Mindfulness Programming, Nina Smiley Ph.D., it included basic meditations as well as unexpected practices. Smiley somehow knew all of my stress and anxiety triggers and leaned into them with ease, providing me with actionable ways to bring more mindfulness into small moments. Weeks later and I am still experiencing the benefits. — Hailey
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Our Contributors
Hailey Andresen Writer
Hailey Andresen is the guides editor at Departures. A New York–based writer and editor, she founded the digital lifestyle publication Household Mag and has spent more than a decade in the hospitality industry.
Alex Frank Writer
Alex Frank is a contributing editor at Departures. Based in Manhattan, Frank previously worked at Vogue.com as deputy culture editor. His writing has appeared in the New York Times, GQ, Pitchfork, New York Magazine, Fantastic Man, and the Village Voice.
Sophie Mancini Writer
Sophie Mancini is an editor at Departures. Born and raised in New York City, she holds a degree in creative writing from Johns Hopkins University and has a background as a writer in brand and editorial.
Skye Parrott
Skye Parrott is the editor-in-chief of Departures. A magazine editor, photographer, writer, and creative consultant, she was previously a founder of the arts and culture journal Dossier, and editor-in-chief for the relaunch of Playgirl as a modern, feminist publication.
Elissa Polls Writer
Elissa Polls is the senior director of content production for Departures. A producer who typically stays behind the scenes, she has worked with creatives from around the world, helping bring their ideas to life. Polls has over 15 years of production experience and lives in Berkeley, California.
Jess Rotter Illustrator
Jess Rotter is a Los Angeles–based illustrator and artist. Rotter’s work has frequently featured in the Washington Post. Her clients range from Natalie Portman to Questlove.
