picks vol. 55
what we’re wearing
autumn dressing with a little personality. tweed denim, draped plaid and textured knits bring new interest to familiar silhouettes, while a palette of inky blue, chocolate and cognac keeps things grounded.
shop the looks at the links here: [https://liketk.it/6qs8o]
what we’re sipping
vieux mot
a french-inspired gin cocktail with elderflower liqueur, fresh lemon and just enough sweetness to soften the citrus. delicate, floral and pleasantly tart, with a pale golden hue that feels especially lovely served in a chilled coupe.
gather:
1½ oz gin
¾ oz st-germain elderflower liqueur
¾ oz fresh lemon juice
¼ oz simple syrup
ice
cocktail cherry, optional
prepare:
chill a coupe glass while preparing the cocktail.
combine the gin, st-germain, lemon juice and simple syrup in a shaker with ice.
shake until thoroughly chilled, then fine-strain into the coupe.
finish with a cocktail cherry, if desired.
what we’re making
crispy leek & mushroom filo pie
buttery leeks, golden mushrooms and a little feta tucked beneath delicate layers of crisp filo pastry. fragrant with thyme and wonderfully rustic, this is an autumn supper made for a beautifully set table. serve with a simple green salad and a glass of something lovely.
gather:
2 medium leeks, thinly sliced (white and light green parts)
8 oz cremini mushrooms, chopped
3 oz vegetarian feta, crumbled
6 sheets filo pastry
4 tbsp olive oil, divided
1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
salt and black pepper
prepare:
heat the oven to 400°F. sauté the leeks, mushrooms and thyme in 1 tbsp olive oil for 10–12 minutes, until softened and the moisture has evaporated. season lightly, cool slightly and fold in the feta.
arrange three sheets of filo in a lightly oiled 8-inch baking dish, brushing each with olive oil.
add the filling and loosely layer the remaining filo on top, brushing each sheet with oil and gathering the edges.
bake for 25–30 minutes, until deeply golden and crisp. rest for 5 minutes before serving.
what we’re reading
john of john — douglas stuart
set on a remote scottish island in the 1990s, douglas stuart’s novel follows a young man returning to the close-knit community where he grew up. shortlisted for the 2026 booker prize, it is an intimate portrait of family, identity and belonging, and the complicated distance that can exist between the people who know us best.
