Hi, Long Livers! This is a letter from the editor, who happens to also be the staff writer, the photo editor, and the finance department.
I love writing this newsletter. It’s fun! Voice-y! No one is sending me PR pitches on SPFs or mini bags to include. It’s pure, in that sense. Following my instincts instead of an editorial calendar is exciting. Getting to email back and forth with readers in different countries (?!) is a delight.
But, as fate would have it, I have a real, full time job tech and a freelance copy biz (email me at veurinkerika@gmail.com). Oh! And a wedding in three months. Plus a little sister who lives only an East River away who I don’t see enough.
Fear not, this is not “goodbye,” it’s simply, “this newsletter is moving to every other week for a minute.” You will still get all my sartorial ramblings, great guests, and book recs for free.99 but just a little less often.
Thank you, thank you for reading. It means the world to me.
x EV
Speaking of the baby sis, it’s about time I had her on the newsletter. She’s very darling + carrying the Veurink legacy at FIT. I love the way she dresses. I like to think me dragging her to Goodwills while she was a mere middle schooler has something to do with it, but her style is all her own. Welcome Jimmy!
How long have you had this piece?
7 years at least… I was in 7th grade when I got them and I’m 20 now. It’s literally some Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants shit. I have NO idea how they still fit me. I can assure you all I’m not the same size as I was at 12.5.
Where did it come from?
The Goodwill in Waukee, IA. Erika picked them up and handed them to me and said "you need to get these.” I hated them for a good year because I was a Delia’s, dark wash, high rise apologist.
EV: Distinctly remember by 12.5 year old sister being obsessed with high rise jeans. I was like, “You have your whole life for this! Be young!”
How much did you pay for it?
$10 at the most
EV: It’s important to note here that I’m certain they were $9.49, but thanks to my burgeoning senior photo business and the fact that it was likely a half off Sunday, it was no stress.
How do you wear it?
Every way I can. With a tank top and sneakers (they are a lower mid rise which I love with a plain white tank), sweaters and boots, blazers and button downs, or a cute blouse. I’m a jeans girl and would wear them every day if I could.
What does it represent?
These jeans were in pristine condition when I got them. My mom has had to patch the hole on the back pocket at least 3 times. They’ve ripped in both knees multiple times—I have to be careful going upstairs so no more damage is done.
They represent 2 things.
1. Good jeans are good jeans and they will always work.
2. I need to text Erika to find me new Levis. (Plz!!)
EV: I promise, readers, a very robust “How To Shop For Vintage Levis Online” installment is coming soon.
Archived Outfit
Not much to say here other than, “This is my dream summer outfit.” I’ve been experimenting a lot with bare legs and tall boots. My biggest issue is my lack of storage space for boots of this stature. I love the tiny puff sleeves and little pockets. Then there’s the obvious Birkin basket bag. Just an all-around dream of a fit.
Honorable Mentions
How To Do Nothing—I might be the last person to read this book, but I get the hype. This is just the book to bring on vacation, or in my case, a long subway ride uptown. It’s quite dense, so don’t let the floral cover distract you from its meatiness.
Holy Land—Reading this strange little memoir about a suburban life was incredibly compelling. I read all of it on Sunday night. It’s written in a listed format, which feels a little eye-rolly in 2022, but feels entirely new in this context.
Big Thrift Energy—I spent Saturday night recovering from a Covid booster + in the perfect pages of this book. It’s the exact manual I would hand off to someone who wants to get into secondhand furniture, but doesn’t know where to start.
My walking intention has been going well. I’ve been taking laps around the park and trying to tack on walks to regular friend catch ups. I feel as though I’ve run out of podcasts. Please send ideas!
Thank you so much for reading. See you next, next Thursday! x
Long Live Great Jeans
Buying vintage Levi’s online has been a struggle for me! My favorite pair is from their two horse line, and I bought jeans from the same line with the same measurements and was so dismayed that they did not fit! My favorite podcasts to recommend are Maintenance Phase, My Dad Wrote a Porno, Criminal (related: Phoebe Reads a Mystery), and the Dream.