Last year I read 100 books. It was an amazing time and a feat I’m very proud of. But this year I’m not setting a reading goal. I want to be able to read longer form pieces (like the 5 volume 3,000 page Dostoevsky biography I have my eye on) without having to worry about…Read More
Bookworm
What I’m Reading: King of Poisons
When I was reading The Romanov Sisters there was a lot of talk about medicating with arsenic injections. I knew a little about the drug but I was curious about the use of it in nineteenth century medicine. That led to John Parascandola’s book King of Poisons: A History of Arsenic. The book is a fascinating nonfiction…Read More
Founding Fathers
One of my favorite parts of fall is layering. Sweaters, flannels, button downs, it all goes together. I layered this sheer, lace, white button down with a tie under a burgundy sweater hoping to achieve a prep-school look. Ultimately it ended up going a little more John Hancock than Ralph Lauren but I still like…Read More
Gifts for the Stylish Intellectual
In keeping with the Trends and Tolstoy theme of fashion and intelligence, this year’s holiday gift guide features gifts for all the stylish intellectuals in your life. As one of them I advise you to avoid books, it gets too tricky with translations and editions, and pick one of these whimsical options instead. For the…Read More
Bookworm
This dress reminded me of the one Belle wears at the end of Beauty and the Beast. So naturally I had to photograph it with a book. Although I can identify with Belle as a bookworm, we have very different tastes. She prefers fairytales while I’m currently reading a biography of Francisco de Goya, one…Read More