summer in a seasonless city
july in san francisco, and sales i'm browsing this weekend.
“I adore the chat section of The Molehill newsletter. It’s the coziest place on earth which is such a testament to Viv Chen’s vision. Her readers just do the most wholesome show & tell of grails they’ve acquired or ask and answer questions about what shoes to wear to a wedding. It’s both sincere and exacting.” — Mary H.K. Choi
Summer in San Francisco does not reveal itself through the weather.
Our region is famously temperate. While the rest of the country is sweating through a heat wave, it was a mild 67 degrees here today. Breezy and blue-skied. It never gets that hot or that cold.
A July day can look like a September day can look like a March day. This is both a pro and a con, depending on your need for distinct seasons. Some people can’t stand the sameness, the mildness—it can feel too easy, like a beautiful summer day isn’t truly earned without having suffered through a bitter winter. I get that.
But personally, I looove living through the seasons on easy mode. It’s a gift to be able to wear a light sweater almost year-round; the Bay Area climate has taught me everything I know about layering! I’ve also come to really appreciate the subtlety of the seasons—it forces you to pay attention to little sensory details.
So, where does one find summer in San Francisco?
It’s revealed in flavors: the silky corn triangoli at Cotogna, the bright watermelon spritz and cool tofu at Joodooboo, a juicy Frog Hollow Farms peach with a single green leaf still attached to the stem.
It’s revealed in car rides: whether it’s a day trip along the coast or a nighttime joyride after the city gets dark, there is something distinct about experiencing the season through a car. So many of my memories of summer growing up are through the window of my parents’ Honda Odyssey, peering down at the blue crush of the Pacific Ocean.
And it’s revealed in park life: school is out so the kids are sitting in a circle with their Yi Fang bobas, office workers are playing hooky, lawns are dotted with picnic blanket squares.
If you live in a “seasonless” city, I’d love to hear what makes you feel like it’s summer :)
End of season sales I’m browsing:
Sandy Liang—up to 50% off. Notable pieces: the “Fava” mismatched bean earrings and offbeat bridal dresses.
Freda Salvador—up to 40%. I love how breathable the woven Jada flat is. My color pick would be the metallic mint green, they remind me of these from Simone Rocha.
Margaux—up to 50% off. I can attest to the comfort and walkability of the Ada pumps, they passed my 10K step test. Note on sizing though: I am normally a 6.5 in most shoes, but since Margaux offers wide widths (yay) I tried on a 6.5W and my heel was popping out the back. The 6W, however, was perfect. So I recommend sizing down by a half size if you’re going for the wide fit.
Loren Stewart—archive sale and 20% off full-price pieces with code SUMMER20. I’m a sucker for peridot, so my picks are the teardrop pendant, this grape-like amulet pendant, and the mini gem signet.
East Fork—30% off imperfect seconds. When it comes to dinnerware, I shop by color. Imagine a scoop of Straus strawberry ice cream in this pink bowl, or fresh squeezed orange juice in a stout robin’s egg blue cup…
Rachel Comey—up to 60% off. A designer I consistently recommend to friends who want to dress like art professors. Here’s a cool wedding guest dress, and I love these disc charm flats.
Coming next week for paid readers: the vintage lover’s guide to Florence + a secondhand silk roundup to shop.
xo viv
Thanks for being here. You can find me on IG and TT. My wardrobe recs and latest finds are saved here—unless it’s vintage, of course ;) I may earn commission on purchases made through affiliate links.
would looove a post that’s a closet tour of your silk dresses. The colours and textures are so heavenly and fun to look at. (the dosa beetle dress…find of the century!)
When I first moved to Santa Barbara after a lifetime in the Midwest, it took me a while to find a new rhythm through the seasons. But I began to notice the patterns in what was blooming. Purple was the start of summer, with agapanthas and jacarandas everywhere. And now, living in the East Bay, I keep an eye out for when the hills turn from green to gold.