I spent the bulk of the week in Utah with Oak Essentials, a beautiful skincare brand founded by a pioneer of the California-cool aesthetic, Jenni Kayne. I pulled out suede and fringe, rode a horse, and basked in the glory of the Western sun. I love skincare because it makes me feel good and because it’s a deeply personal and sensorial ritual I get to do everyday. I admit that it’s one of the only few activities when I don’t think about anything else and for that, my skincare routine deserves its flowers. Oak Essentials’ entire ethos is based around this idea of skincare as ritual, something so deeply personal and almost sacred. Yes, we love skincare because it makes us look good but it’s just as much about this experience that should be beautiful, loving, and self-honoring. The products are rooted in nature and so ~naturally~ they smell incredible and are packed with deeply nourishing ingredients that make your skin shine to the heavens. My skin, despite the dry weather in Utah, truly never looked better. I realize this all seems to be predicated on the fact that I just got back from a luxurious brand trip, but I am deeply passionate about this brand and want to gift the entire line to my mom (and really just any person I love so deeply) because the products feel like a warm hug.

That trip sparked in me something a little more emotional and visceral. It reminded me so much of the time I’ve spent in New Mexico over the past two years, a place I can definitively say is my most favorite corner of the world. A place that feels so sacred and spiritual that I am hesitant to go back so as to not tarnish the memories I have to hold onto. During this work trip, I’d often zoom out on Google maps just to visualize how close I was to Northern New Mexico and imagine all the various scenarios that would involve me derailing my plans to go back to New York to go to Santa Fe instead. The fantasy of it was sufficient enough to appease my longing for the time being. There is something so special about the high desert, the vastness of the mountains that on one side appear lush and green and on the other rocky and red. It was my own little Proustian moment. The feeling of being so utterly displaced and lonely that it’s actually kind of comforting. I don’t do drugs but I imagine that that must be a feeling one experiences when on them. Feeling so out of body and surrendering to one’s current reality. It’s just your mind and your body making sense of each other.

I read this essay called ‘The Crane Wife’ by C.J. Hauser. Then I read it again. And now I’m sharing it with you :)

I rewatched ‘An Education’, a film I remember watching on the plane some years ago and not fully being able to appreciate what a masterpiece it is. I watched it again two years ago. While in Utah, I watched it again for the third time and I am most certain it is one of my favorite films of all time. It’s an aching coming-of-age tale of romantic (mis)adventure, of identity, of glamor, of betrayal. As I approach 30, I feel like I’m coming-of-age for a second, more dramatic time. I’m relearning all these facets of myself, my interests, that often compete with each other: my partaking in materialism versus my deep longing for a simpler life, my lover girl attachment versus my supreme adequacy in being alone, my disdain for people with bad taste versus my empathy for everyone just doing their best. I could write an entire essay on this film, and maybe I will. Please watch it if you haven’t already. Carey Mulligan is also my forever dream woman.

I had a day of pampering with CHANEL Beauty at WSA (not that I needed any more modalities of self-care for the week). I finally got to experience the signature Ricari Studios lymphatic treatment, thanks to CHANEL. The treatment basically entails a big machine with various parts stimulating your skin and deep tissue for an experience that is sculpting, revitalizing, and relaxing all at once. CHANEL Sublimage products were used for the facial component and my god was it blissful. It doesn’t look like it’s capable of it, but this machine made me fall asleep.

I then hopped on over to the makeup chair of celebrity makeup artist Tyron Machhausen who does some of my favorite faces (Anne Hathaway! Gracie Abrams! Margaret Qualley!) for a beautiful, dewy, summery complexion. Honored! I was reminded that CHANEL LES BEIGES is definitively my favorite color makeup line for the summer. It’s comprised of formulas and shades that mimic the easy, carefree, warm nature of summer we love so much.

I discovered Saint Laurent’s SS25 campaign called ‘An Ordinary Day’ (I know it’s about a month old now) which pretty much epitomizes what this summer is all about for me. Saint Laurent is one of those fashion houses I don’t pay attention to so much, for no particular reason other than I’m not too well-versed in their lore and the creative direction, though striking and obviously defined, doesn’t compel me enough to be a consumer. BUT! This campaign shot by Martin Parr turns the ordinary into something so very beautiful. My summers of the past have included extravagant trips to Europe, luxurious hotels, and much decadence but this year, I’m kind of just going with the flow and potentially even paring it back to channel this instead: fresh orange juice in the morning, jam on toast, farmer’s market hauls in my luxury handbag, and hanging out in a garden with my friends—all while looking impeccable and sexy.

I had another astrology session to determine where I’ll be spending my 30th birthday. A big one for many reasons beyond the number/decade 30. My commitment to a meaningful solar return should be no surprise here—my trip to Rome last year proved to be great success!!!!! I’m spending this year in New York and I’m truly so relieved I don’t need to plan a 72-hour international trip to manifest all my hopes and dreams for the year. I get to be with my friends in an environment I know and love so well! I feel old and young and wise and dumb and I’m going to be crying a lot for the next month, I’m sure of it!

My Substack has grown multifold in the past month and I’m very very grateful you are all here. Please consider upgrading your subscription to a paid one for access to my full archive and subscriber-only issues :’)

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Coincidentally, I started my Substack exactly three years ago, before the Great Big Substack Boom of 2024. My journey as a writer started long before this platform but it has only been further reworked and dreamt up again because of the response from you guys. I wrote this in my first post back in 2021 and it still rings true today:

There will be some changes coming to my platform in the coming month that I’ve been working on for a while. Details to come, but I’m very excited for this extension of my digital presence that allows me to connect with a larger, different audience in a way that is truly meaningful. Like the fact that you guys give me your email address because you want to hear from me is more gratifying than any follow or like on other social media platforms, that …

I went to the re-see of Hermès’ SS25 collection, which was exciting to be recognized and invited by the mega heritage brand. A re-see is basically where you’re invited to preview the upcoming collection that just showed on the runway and get to touch, feel, try on and get personal with the garments and accessories. It’s also a fun opportunity to hang out with the brand and other friends of the house, which is what we all did on a glorious mid-week morning munching on fashion (doll-house sized) bites and green juice. There was an understated sexiness and playfulness in the ready-to-wear collection that perfectly complimented the classiness of the leather accessories that we all know and love from Hermès. Trends we saw in seasons’ past like sheer everything and undergarments-as-clothes made an appearance, affirming that these trends are here to stay. I got to see up close and personal the famous inside-out Birkin as well as the Cabas Corricolo tote with rows of fringed horsehair, an effect that looked both wildly playful and elegant at the same time. There was a very palpable warm overtone to the collection that creative director Nadège Vanhee described so perfectly as “assertive sensuality”. I’ll turn 30 next summer and as I grow older and more confident in myself, the summer season is all about reconnecting with my body and the relationship I have with my skin. This collection was the perfect homage to that and perhaps I’ll play around with these themes next summer.

I celebrated big with Giorgio Armani at the Park Avenue Armory. Giorgio Armani made a splashy return back to New York City with the opening of their new 12-story ARMANI/Madison building that houses a new flagship boutique, a home (Armani Casa) store, a restaurant and luxury residences (sorry, they’re all sold). To celebrate this momentous occasion, Giorgio Armani, at 90 years old!, went all-in to show the brand’s spring/summer 2025 collection with an audience of 650 guests, which was really wild in actuality. The guests, ranging from mega celebrities to friends of the house to New York socialites to little tastemakers like myself, were dressed in black-tie, many of whom were dressed by the brand of course, and celebrated the legacy of Giorgio Armani’s near half a century career. It was a larger-than-life event that included an afterparty and then an after-afterparty at Bemelman’s that went all night long. Guests kept their black-tie garb on the entire evening, dancing and drinking the night away into what will surely be one of the most memorable parties of the year. I don’t think I’ve had that much fun at an event in a long time and I’m reminded of how special the act of dressing up can be especially when you’re filled in a room full of beautiful creatives genuinely have a good time with zero pretension. James Blake and Chaka Khan performed at the afterparty and the legendary DJ duo Soulwax got everyone in a groovy mood at the after-afterparty. Everyone’s unique and personal take on “Armani black tie” and styling pieces from the house’s archives for a night out on the town was captivating. I wore a beautiful full-length, long-sleeved velvet gown straight from their archives that cinched at the waist, accented by dramatic outside pockets that created the illusion of a renaissance gown.

I posted a viral note here on Substack and I suddenly have all these new subscribers and it makes me feel funny. Ironically, the post was this:

“You’re doing great, sweetie!” I am proud of building my audience on this platform and thinking outside the confines of the shitty algorithms we chase on other platforms that have largely dictated the cultural and media landscape of the past decade or so. It also seems like 2,500+ of you agree. And yes, on Substack, that’s a lot. I’m finding my voice and my footing on here, despite the lack of the immediate rewards I’m used to such as… likes and lucrative brand deals, ooops. To me, the creative stimulation is rewarding beyond anything. I enjoy writing immensely and I am feel very lucky that I get to do it. Thank you for being here :’)

I can’t stop thinking about the Auralee spring 2025 menswear show in Paris. Word on the street is that it was the show of the season and for good reason. I love the brand’s continuous mastering of the use of color, layering and perfect proportions. The show had all the elements of true wearability, weaving in this narrative of an idyllic yet simple and relatable life. Designer Ryoti Iwai said his inspiration for the collection comes from his fascination with parks and how “people from all walks of life gather in them. There are readers seeking a quiet space, commuters with briefcases and headphones, intellectual newspaper readers, and nonchalant passersby. The common thread is that they’re all out there looking for something.” This is exactly how I seek to live my life—one of ease and comfort, of intentionally carving out time to enjoy a beautiful day in the park amidst a crazy schedule and a crazy life. That there is perfect harmony in all these moments and yes! It is possible to look chic through it all.

Some Auralee pieces that I’m now eyeing that are on sale: a structured midi skirt in the most perfect shade of summer green, an everyday blazer to carry you through every season, lightweight linen-cotton trousers in a gorgeous butter color, a sheer gauzy dress that will make me feel my power

I started the new Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy biography and it’s so good and juicy that it almost reads like a fiction. Of all the icons that typified the effortlessly sexy aesthetic of the 90s, Carolyn Bessette is my most treasured one. She was the ultimate cool girl. Since her death, her life has been an enigma to so many but especially to us fashion girls who understand that it was not just any black jacket she wore, it was Yohji Yamamoto.

I’ve been following several of these Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy fan/tribute accounts on Instagram and love seeing various images of the same outfits pop up on my feed, sending me into an orbit of more inspiring ways to style everyday pieces I already have in my closet. Oh, but I still want that Prada box bag, a re-edition of a 1995 purse Carolyn loved sporting. Carolyn was a girl’s girl and getting to know more about her life, her inner mind and the impact she left on everyone around her has been a beautiful reading and learning experience. I so hope to carry myself the way she does through style, grace, class and joy.

I went on a camping trip with Halfdays, an outdoors wear brand that makes really colorful, design-focused, performance-driven clothes. The founders of Halfdays wanted to make colorful, functional and beautiful skiwear for women in a marketplace saturated with the same dull designs and colors designed by men. Almost seven years later, they’ve replicated that very loved formula to hiking clothes and activewear. I loved getting to experience the great outdoors this way. Yes, we need to be wearing bright pink whilst hiking!!!

I dined at some yummy places that remind me that trying new places in New York, although getting increasingly disappointing, can still be a good time. I know, I know, New York is supposed to be the epicenter of great food but after living here for a decade plus, I do feel as though the restaurants in the city are kind of… uninspired. A lot of these new restaurants popping up are a copy-paste of what’s already good in the city. Do we really need another natural wine bar with small seasonal plates? The answer is almost always no, sorry. It’s why I was so happy and pleasantly surprised with my experience at Marc Forgione’s reopen of his Tribeca mainstay Forgione, now reimagined as FORGE. It has all the inner workings of an acclaimed restaurant from a renown chef but has the coziness and warmth of a true neighborhood haunt. Even the cheugy decor became endearing after sitting in the dining room for a while (I lost count of how many reclaimed live edge wood ~things~ were in the restaurant). The restaurant is just unpretentious, fun and, above all, GOOD. Also, any restaurant that carries any cuvée of Dard & Ribo is a winner in my book.

I blanched sugar snap peas from the farmer’s market, tossed them with sea salt and olive oil and my life instantly got better. I love how my day-to-day happiness can be dictated by such simple pleasures. You should try this at home.

I booked a very last minute birthday trip to Rome for my 29th birthday. It’s giving solar return in a low key but hugely transformative way. I’ve written about this in a previous issue (jump to #5) and also about my Saturn’s return. I’m not saying I’m insane but I may be off my rocker a little and for the last year of my twenties, there are very specific and lofty goals I’m setting for myself and I’m not messing around! I’ll elaborate on this in another issue. There’s much to be said.

I went upstate to my friends’ new little hotel The Henson where they also opened up a beautiful restaurant called Matilda. (I know that technically this was last weekend but it trickled into this past Monday so it counts as this week!) I briefly mentioned this in a previous newsletter but I feel the need to reiterate my love for the Catskills and my love for a place that combines everything I love about a weekend sojourn into one perfect little place. The inn really feels like one giant home you get to roam around in and pick which corner of the house you’d like to hang out in. There’s a giant lawn to sunbathe and read, a roof deck to drink wine and stare out into the hills, a gorgeous living room to cozy up by the fireplace and play chess, the front porch to interact with the other guests who will probably be cool and chic… I love how the entire weekend I was there, my friends and I couldn’t stop talking about how much our nervous system felt regulated, our cortisol levels dropped, our minds finally at peace and all it took was driving (or taking a train) up 2.5 hours??! Sure, Californians have a myriad of roadtrips they get to take and New Yorkers really just have upstate… but the lack of other options almost makes you appreciate it that much more. It’s beautiful and there’s so much and if you don’t want to do so much, you can just hang out, which is what I did and it was lovely.

I got this floral arrangement from Fox Fodder Farm and it was so insanely beautiful and intense that I’m convinced right now is the best time to be getting your weekly floral arrangements. Or, better yet, attempt to make one yourself. Yes, they’re a pricy thing to look at and they don’t last very long, but florals are a thoroughly simple and incredibly charming way to make your home (and yourself) feel alive! I’m really grateful for floral studios like FFF and other cool independent florists (I love following Yasmine Mei, FDK Florals, Meta Flora) who really think outside the usual cheesy 1-800-FLOWERS template to create arrangements that look wild, whimsical and literally jaw dropping.

I started scrambling my eggs with cottage cheese after my friend, who also has a protein deficiency (lollll), recommended it and told me one serving has a whopping 14 grams of protein. I feel like cottage cheese is having a little bit of a moment right now, and it may be in part due to the decline of nut milk (it’s true, the National Milk Producers Federation has the tea). But I also think this has to do with Good Culture, a dairy brand that makes my favorite milk and everyone’s favorite cottage cheese. I keep seeing people who are into food and home cooking post about it and this was only further confirmed when I ran into my friend at the farmer’s market, market tote in hand with a container of cottage cheese peeking out. Cottage cheese feels like yogurt’s quirky older auntie who never quite gained the mainstream popularity she so deserves. Anyways, if you’re a pseudo-vegetarian like me who is animal protein-adverse and is in need of alternative protein sources that are not disgusting stevia-infused powders, beans that make you gassy, nuts that make you bloated, may I suggest cottage cheese?! This isn’t sponsored, btw.

I made a beautiful summer kombucha with fig leaves, strawberries and ginger. And another with with lemon leaves and fresh chamomile flowers. One of the things I love about summer is its abundance in produce that allows you to get all creative at home. All! The! Flavor! Combinations! My recent kombucha making hobby has gotten out of control, so much so that my friends are now invested in my concoctions so that they, too, can experience this abundance. Go get some fresh strawberries and fig leaves at the farmer’s market. I’m not saying you should make kombucha but I’m saying you should do something, anything!

I picked up my most cherished hobby again: horseback riding. I recently shared my hot take that people without hobbies scare me. And I meet a lot of these people who 1) actually don’t have hobbies 2) think it’s OK and perhaps maybe even edgy to not have hobbies so they let it be known!!! It is sad and scary and I try to steer clear of these people. If you do have hobbies, you’re so lucky. And what is a hobby even for if you’re not actively participating in them? So I found a riding place in New Jersey that I am going to commit commuting to once a week so I can continue to cultivate this sport that not only brings me immense joy and gratification, but is still the best and most enjoyable full-body workout for me. This is your sign to pick up your hobby again…

I finished the novel Sex and Rage and I get why Eve Babitz is Eve Babitz! Though, I should mention that there is neither sex nor rage in this book. Instead, Babitz’s prose, character development and her fixation on the imagery of Los Angeles and New York throughout the 70s and all the people one encounters in these places—fuckboys and mysterious snobs who will never tell you what they do for a living—will leave you enamored. I actually this this is the perfect little summer read without diving into trashy beach read territory but don’t worry, you’ll still get the decadence and dreaminess you seek. As one reviewer on Goodreads put it, it’s “just…it girl essential.” :･ﾟ✧:･.☽˚｡･ﾟ✧:･.

I put on this beautiful cotton poplin dress from Commission’s SS22 collection that is still one of my favorite summer dresses I’ve ever purchased.

There is something that is truly satisfying about reaching for a piece over and over again knowing that no matter how many times you wear it, you still feel just as good as when you first put it on. I’ve been thinking a lot about who I want to be this summer through dressing, through vibes, through the content I put out. And before I let my mind wander to all the pieces I have in various shopping carts across the web, across my various tabs on my browser, I am reminded of the pieces that keep me grounded during these summer months. The ones that aren’t compulsively purchased. The ones that aren’t as much “staples” as they are the highlights. And they’re usually made of cotton poplin and they’re usually dresses! Something to keep in mind when you’re getting excited about dressing for this season… What do you already have in your closet that maybe hasn’t seen the light of day in months, or even years, that makes you feel really really good? Though, I did purchase this majorly discounted Nicholas number that I think will reach highlights-status soon.

I did some shopping! Let’s get that out of the way. It’s not quite spring but it’s also definitely not winter and I’m so excited to add news pieces to my wardrobe that can see some immediate wear. I’m still finding my footing on who I want to be this spring, as funny as that sounds. I’ve always believed personal style to be constantly in flux, and that is the mere beauty of it all—to be able to pick and choose who you want to be for the day by way of specific sartorial choices that inspire you in that moment of getting dressed. My style over the past winter has remained largely minimalist and somewhat dressy as I found myself getting excited to dress out to go to dinners and gatherings (one of my few respites of the cold, drab weather). This spring, I would like to reintroduce color back into my life. Here’s everything I either purchased this past week or definitely will purchase very soon, and I’ll likely send out a more robust spring edit as a standalone issue.

1. I’ve been eyeing these Issey Miyake Pleats Please Technical Scarves for a long time, famous for being styled in an infinite number of ways. This one comes in a gorgeous red that will make any outfit stand out. It’s also 25% off with the code OFFER25.

2. Another Pleats Please number. I love the sleeves on this dress and this deep, neutral navy color. I’ve been eyeing this exact dress in a brighter blue but I can’t seem to find it in stock anywhere so I’m maniacally searching eBay, Etsy and The Real Real for that. If I can’t find it, I’ll bite the bullet on this navy version.

3. I have owned many different iterations of trench coats over the years but none like this off-white one by Studio Nicholson and I’m super into it. I’ve already worn it this weekend. The single breast and high neckline pared with its light dove-like color gives it a distinct menswear feel that can make any outfit look unfussy and cool.

4. Another red number, this time in the form of a figure-hugging dress that can be worn for a multitude of occasions. I also just love the price point of St. Agni — the Australians really get it.

5. Dries van Noten’s announcement of his retirement and departure from his namesake label left us fashion girls in shambles. I remember my first Dries piece I ever purchased. I had just graduated high school and my mom had a coupon to redeem at a department store and I singled out a pair of silver metallic brogues that I thought were so cool and different from anything I had ever owned. I thought: this is it, this is who I’m going to be in college. I would bring them with me to New York to start college at NYU and I had a vision of the woman I wanted to be: eclectic, spunky, interesting. To this day, Dries’ pieces make me want to be that girl and I just adore his spring/summer collection which has now flooded retailers. There are a lot of pieces I’m eyeing still but this chiffon silk skirt specifically, I love. The prints are nostalgic and whimsical and I know I’ll treasure these pieces for years to come.

6. I love these little blobby bags that debuted at Jacquemus’ show at the Fondation Maeght in the south of France a few months ago. All the girlies sitting front row were rocking them in various colors and I love how this silhouette fit so seamlessly with their outfits, each an interpretation of the bag in their own unique style. This calf hair, butter yellow one is just soooo cute and so spring.

I finished “Everything I know About Love” - a book that soooo many people recommended to me. I only recently decided to read it now because I joined a book club and this is this month’s book :) I think it’s pivotal for every woman in their mid to late twenties to read this memoir of a woman navigating her twenties, arguably the most transient decade of our lives? (Don’t at me if you disagree) I take immense comfort in hearing about other peoples’ experiences of self-growth in their love life, careers, body image, relationships and healing. There’s a lot to reflect on and a lot to just laugh about, too. Nothing too groundbreaking, but important nonetheless.

I dined at some restaurants that are worth noting since you guys love restaurant recommendations. They’re not new places and that’s okay. Let’s normalize trying restaurants that are not the hottest new thing. I did a little round up on my IG yesterday but want to highlight CHALONG - a southern Thai spot in Hell’s Kitchen that left me wondering if that was the best Thai meal I’ve had in the city. Chef Nate Limwong previously cut her teeth at SOOTHR and Fish Cheeks, two beloved Thai spots in the city, and focuses on dishes you likely won’t find elsewhere in the city. Don’t skip the fresh oysters salad, shrimp tacos, goat curry and fried whole fish.

I whipped out an item in my home that has not seen the light of day in maybe two full years: my Bearaby weighted blanket. It has taken on various forms of storage the past two years, from storage boxes to shelving to collecting dust in my closet. Anxiety has been a common theme lately for me, which has led me to seek out alternative modes of management. How? Basically, sleeping under weight activates Deep Touch Pressure (DTP), which helps your body naturally produce more serotonin (happy hormone) and melatonin (sleepy hormone) while curbing high cortisol (stress hormone) production. This blanket has done wonders in helping me feel calm and relaxed before bed and if you’d like to know the exact science behind why this is an effective tool, you can read about it here.

I discovered the best little chocolates from Gucci Osteria, Gucci’s restaurant in Beverly Hills in partnership with Massimo Bottura. I think anyone who could use a spring sweet treat would love a box of these floral cremini bites infused with rose, jasmine and violet. They’re a luxuriously simple indulgence and I am already thinking these would make the perfect gift this spring.

I’m planning my spring trips and I wanted to highlight a travel opportunity one of my best friends (who really doesn’t need an introduction if you’ve been following me on IG for a while) Caleb Thill is hosting in May with Thermal Travel. It’s an all-inclusive surf trip in Costa Rica at a luxury villa complete with surfing lessons and guiding, equipment, chef-prepared meals, on-ground transportation and activities. If you’re into surfing, love meeting new friends and up for an adventure, this is for you. Admittedly, I am an introvert who cannot do group trips with strangers, so I don’t think this is a trip for me, but I also know I’m a bit of an anti-social anomaly. Caleb is wonderful and I just know this is going to be an incredibly thought-out, detail-oriented trip that basically just requires you to show up!

I saw an old friend who I have not properly caught up since the start of the pandemic until now. Hi Nemo if you’re reading this <3! (He’s a fan of this newsletter and I almost cried when he told me) We went to Cellar 36, a new wine bar in Two Bridges opened by our friend Fernando, who has been serving us wine at The Ten Bells for many, many years. I’m so proud he now has a spot to call his own, to serve a budding new neighborhood and build out a community.

The point of this being noteworthy is that while friendships take meticulous effort and a lot of fostering, sometimes they can take a hiatus only to be waiting for the perfect time to be revisited. I had so much fun catching up with my old friend and relishing in the days New York felt like a different reality than the one we’re living in now. It’s true: we were five years younger, the pandemic had not yet happened and we were forming our core personalities in a city that still very much felt at ease… (New York is unhinged right now and very much not at ease) But I love how certain people of your past can bring you back to a different time, not really nostalgia but more just an exercise in transformative thought of an iteration of yourself you almost forgot about. It’s a beautiful reminder that it is our relationships that play a pivotal role in how we view ourselves and the world around us. I’m reminded that life can really be as simple as you once remember it to be, even for a fleeting moment. And that, in and of itself, is very healing.

I wrapped up fashion week feeling really good about the whole thing because it’s really just about having fun, especially when I still feel like it is a privilege to get to be a part of it as a creator/influencer. And while it was a long, long time ago when fashion week was once a space reserved solely for editors and industry leaders (I still remember the first show I snuck into when I was a student at NYU knowing full well I had no place there), there is still a bit of exclusivity and excitement to which I approach the week. I find it crucial to keep it as fun and light as possible. Above all else, I see it as a space for thought and dialogue on crafting the woman I want to be, a starting point in thinking about how I will spend my dollar on the clothes/ideas/worlds built by these incredible artists come next season. I feel immense gratitude for all the show and event invites, the dressings, the photographers, the PR angels, the people working behind the scenes to celebrate this industry that continues to be so invigorating and transformative. My fashion week this season has been a culmination of many years of getting to know my personal style and voice and building a community of people who willfully follow along and consume fashion through my lens and inner workings. I really am so grateful. I feel as though with every season, I am leaning in more than ever while not taking it too seriously, because it’s not my job to!

After the many brand dinners I attended and meals I reluctantly consumed “on the go”, I had a beautiful Galentine’s dinner at my friend Tanya’s place. She cooked the homiest and healthiest hotpot dinner for us and it reminded me that “catching up with friends” doesn’t always mean going out to dinner and spending x amount on a subpar meal and drinks you were pressured to order. We decided on cooking in at home after we all agreed that restaurant in New York are rarely good anymore. That’s obviously a gross hyperbole, but you get the point! More homemade dinners and home this year, please.

With that being said, I may have discovered one of the most affordable dinner spots in the city, in the heart of Noho, that actually serves good food. C as in Charlie serves casual Korean tapas-y “anju” food by three Korean friends who grew up together in Atlanta. That southern flair and hospitality definitely shine through in their satisfyingly short but fun menu with an equally fun beverage menu full of sake, sweet tea and Korean drinks. The whole place just makes for the perfect casual night out without any pretension. I was greeted with warm barley tea upon seating to warm myself up, which was so endearing, proceeded by three rounds of shots from the owners over the course of our meal in a way that only reads as warm and convivial.

I finally got a freaking humidifier for my bedroom and it’s changed the way I way up in the morning. And yes, it’s the now-internet famous one. Canopy markets themselves as a skincare product, first and foremost, which I love because that’s my main gripe about a dry room in the winter. That my skin looks and feels haggard. This little guy looks super cute, is compact and easy to set up and clean (it’s dishwasher safe… dream!). I am not being paid to promote this, if it sounds like I am. I am just genuinely so excited about waking up in the morning not feeling utterly BUSTED. It also doubles (triples?) as an essential oil diffuser and white noise machine lol. All in all, I love.

Also changing the way I wake up in the morning is no longer finishing my skincare routine with oil, but rather using an oil as a serum right before a thicker moisturizer. This isn’t groundbreaking by any means but it is certifiably a much more effective way of locking in moisture. Previously, I’ve been slugging my face in a balm or a face oil as the last step in my skincare routine and while it’s been obviously effective, because I love my oils so much, I have found that using an oil as a serum, like so many of them are marketed, has been instrumental in making that moisture last until the morning. I have been loving Irene Forte’s Rejuvenating Serum. She’s not easy on the wallet but damn, she’s good. Also in my rotation is Upcircle’s vitamin C & rosehip oil one I’ve been using on and off for 5 years now. Pay attention to which oils call themselves a “serum” vs just a “night oil” — I find that it’s pretty telling in their viscosity and absorbability. Anyways, I look like this every night tucked in bed.

I can’t stop watching and loving Feud: Capote vs. the Swans. 2023 was a great year for movies that I truly can’t remember the last time I was invested in a TV show. Admittedly, I knew nothing of Truman Capote and these “swans” prior to watching this show I am now obsessed. I also just love that it takes place in New York during a time I can only read/watch about - the glamor, the drama, the antiquated ways of thinking and living that still shockingly ring true today. Like, our obsession with outward appearance, pretension, feigned loyalty… There’s so much to unpack and with every episode finished, I can’t stop doing my own further research on the characters featured. This show is for anyone who loves a good period piece and appreciates them being done in high style and intelligence. Feud is a marvel to watch, and I am in awe of every single detail. I really just feel good watching something so damn visually beautiful.

I left the party early, twice. I’ve gotten to a point in my adulthood where I will no longer pretend that I want to stay out longer than I do. I’m a homebody at heart, and this week, I perfected my my hard exit out of a night in the name of being in bed before midnight and getting eight hours of sleep, despite my friends’ pleas to stay out longer. Not giving a shit about fomo is truly a blessing as I enter my late twenties. ~I think I like this little life~ lol.

I ate out every single night this week, which makes me feel so uneasy health-wise (you truly don’t want to know how much sodium you are consuming on any given night out) but I’m so happy be eating some noteworthy, fun meals in the city again.

1. Rib No. 7 - the name of this restaurant is funny and random, but the restaurant is really good. An upscale take on Korean barbecue with elevated cocktails and banchans that taste like home, really! The restaurant is huge but the menu is concise and focused, specializing in marinated short ribs. I was obsessed with the doenjang-marinated Chilean sea bass that I took home and ate for two more meals after. I went with my two friends from high school and take it from us Koreans who grew up in Korea… We loved it and it’s a good time.

2. Coral Omakase - I was invited to a friends & family night of a 17-course omakase near Grand Central from a chef who cut his teeth at Morimoto & Bond St. Chef Robby Cook sources only the best ingredients and seasonal fish fr…

I finally set up my hi-fi speaker system, complete with a mounted TV (the first TV I’ve ever owned in NYC - WILD). There is still so much to be done to my new apartment and a lot of furniture pieces I’m waiting on. Had I known about this made-to-order madness sooner, I would have been way quicker and more decisive about my furnishing choices. But alas, this is what we are dealing with and I’m learning to appreciate the hyper-intentional process of selecting every piece in my new home because of my genuine love and joy for it, rather than for the sake of having my place be put together as fast as possible. I know it’ll all be worth it soon and I won’t feel the need to replace things! I never considered myself an audiophile but I knew I wanted some sort of beautiful (visually and audibly) speaker set up when I signed the lease on this huge apartment and started ruminating on how I can fill up the space, and add warmth to it without cluttering. After diving into the wonderful, specific, cultish-in-the-best-way-possible world of audiophiles, I came across the mid-century loudspeaker of my dreams with a modest price tag: the Wharfedale Linton. Paired with the Leak 130 amp, my home is filled with the most delicious and warming sound to keep me company for the days ahead.

I already had my first holiday party! It got me soooo excited for the upcoming season ahead. Bobbi Brown threw a beautiful gathering celebrating the upcoming holiday season, complete with real Christmas trees and gifts!! Bobbi Brown was the first high-end makeup brand I bought when I was a teen. My mother would take me to their counter at Hyundai department store in Seoul and I watched in wonder as the sales associate introduced me to gel eyeliner and the perfect bronzer. To be working with them all these years later is a full-circle moment. We talked about the power in self-expression and the confidence that can be brought out through makeup. It was a beautiful reminder that there is meaning behind gatherings like these and I hope to learn to savor them this season, instead of letting my social anxiety get in the way.

I bought the Prada white mini skirt, but not THE Prada white mini skirt, for the cute bubble mini skirt era we’re in. There are a few looks every season that have me in a chokehold, and usually they’re from Prada. This season, it’s this look:

This skirt is mostly sold out and also retails for a price I cannot justify but I did opt for another skirt that is just as good, pictured below.

There are so many good dupes out there, like this Jil Sander one, and I’ll do a more in-depth round up in my next issue, along with other fall items I’m ruminating on. I haven’t shopped in so long and wow, I am ITCHING TO.

I whipped out my face oils for daytime now, not just nighttime, because it’s that time of year. I love how with every seasonal change, there are little markers in our routine that signify that shift. Maybe it’s making the switch from iced coffee to hot coffee, putting on a little base layer before getting dressed or even just being able to finally sleep under your covers without getting overheated. For me? Wearing face oils during the daytime because the air is brisk!!! Having a layer of oil on my face helps me feel grounded, warm and protected and it’s a small little ritual that has definitively marked the beginning of cooler weather. I’ve talked about my love for the Vintner’s Daughter one forever, whose smell quite literally makes all my problems go away for a brief moment, but I also have this multi-beneficial vitamin C squalane one as well as this lightweight and unscented one that slides on like a serum in my rotation.

I listened to this podcast episode on emotional maturity and I am once again reminded at how much self-work is only possible through aloneness. I love Jay Shetty’s podcast for a multitude of reasons but him being interviewed on his own podcast talking about the mental clarity and self love one can unlock from being alone really really really spoke to me! This is why I love taking myself out to dinner!

This one is petty and funny, but I’m banning Korean restaurants in New York for the time being. I’ve had two incredibly disappointing meals at two very trendy restaurants claiming to be Korean and I’m convinced the food of my people has gotten so big, so popular that its bastardization is part and parcel to its success in reaching mainstream status. I’m going to stick to my own cooking and the two places I know and love that do it well. If you guys have any favorite Korean restaurants, let me know?!?!

If you’ve made it this far, this is for you! I’ve decided to add a paywall to my content. I don’t know why this decision came about so abruptly but I know one thing for sure: the paywall will be instrumental in my content output moving forward. The reasoning is twofold. One, I will be incentivized to churn out more quality content and writing to those who seek it. Two, while the content creator landscape is ever-growing and more exciting than ever to be a part of, I want to rethink how I take on sponsored ads and partnerships. I’ll be testing out various payment structures in the coming weeks and will outline the changes in an upcoming issue very soon. I’m excited at the prospects of what this newsletter could be and I think this is the push I need to better serve my community <3

I discovered the most perfect lip product. The product is Laura Mercier’s Petal Soft Lip Crayon, a sheer, ultra-hydrating lipstick that reads more like a lip balm with the most easy application, perfect for someone who favors a low-maintenance beauty routine. And while my discovery of it was in part due to a sponsored advertisement I was running on my Instagram (please don’t let this deter you from my recommendation—keep reading!), I think I would have discovered it anyway. I’m always looking for a product like this! Glossier’s Gen G was once my favorite lip product because it was exactly that: a sheer, tinted lip balm type stick. But I found it a bit drying and the smell would go rancid pretty fast. So I’m really excited about this one. Here’s a screenshot of a text I sent my sister when I tried it on for the first time:

Yeah.

I finished reading “The Maid” by Nita Prose and if there’s one last easy read you’d like to get in before the end of the summer, consider this. The Maid is a murder mystery written in the perspective of a hotel maid who is on the autism spectrum. She’s uniquely drawn and so endearing. The writing is witty and dry and the plot is easy to follow yet engrossing. Perfect for lounging poolside or sunbathing on the New York roof you’re not supposed to be on.

I reached out to an Instagram friend to get dinner, instead of letting our friendship get lost in the endless “we have to do something soon!” black hole of could-have-been friendships. This is noteworthy for me because I’m a New Yorker and this is what we let happen far too often. This friend and I spent months dming each other on our loose plans of hanging out after meeting at a mutual friend’s goodbye dinner. There was so much back and forth of “I’ve been so busy!” and “we actually have to do something when we’re both back in town!” that we just made it happen so we didn’t need to say it anymore. The prospects of any new, budding adult friendship are so unique in feeling and tender in its intentions. Forming any meaningful relationship after a certain age (namely, 25 or so) is a real feat and very rarely do people admit that they can still seek out those relationships they feel lacking in their lives. Is there someone in your dms you’d like to befriend for real? Reach out to them! Invite them to an event! Ask them to check out a new bar or restaurant with you! Like to try Caffè Panna’s delicious gelatos, as I will outline below!

I tried the gelato at Caffè Panna and it was everything I dreamed it would be. After weeks of staring at photos on Caffè Panna’s instagram of their decadent sundaes, my boyfriend and I finally made the trip to the quaint corner cafe on Irving Place to try what we’ve been told is the best gelato in the city. The line moves fast and the toppings are free! So go! I got pistachio gelato and chocolate sorbet with olive oil and sea salt on top. He got stracciatella with olive oil and oreo on top. All delicious. Melted very fast. Stomach got upset from the dairy. But worth it!!!

I downloaded the BeReal. app and it’s actually really cute… I imagine this app is kind of like what finstas would be like if finstas were still a thing. The premise of the app is simple: “BeReal is the first Uncontrollable social media to share authentic moments in photo. Everyday at a random time, everyone has to capture a photo in 2 minutes. Capture and post in time to discover what your friends are up to.” The photo you must capture is both a regular photo and a selfie at the same time, so you get the full picture of that exact moment. And it doesn’t feel like instagram at all. The picture taking is not even thought out. It feels mindless but wholesome and organic, everything Instagram isn’t anymore. It’s refreshing, I promise. Perhaps you could give it a go?

I enjoyed this heirloom tomato carpaccio on a porch upstate with friends and that’s what summer is all about. I’m still on my GO AND GET TOMATOES FROM THE FARMER’S MARKET bullshit because tomatoes are a big metaphor for the ephemerality of summer and the short but sweet—ohhhhh sooo sweet—time we have in this season. You can pretty much do this any way you want, just have salt, olive oil and acid (we used fish sauce) on handy. Really, make it however you want!

I’ve been listening to August at least once a day because it’s now August. There is a lot packed into this song.

It reads like, and is, a song of summer heartbreak, from the perspective of someone who is chasing after someone who doesn’t reciprocate. Taylor herself said, “someone who always has the upper hand.” But beyond this fictional love story, August brings a very specific feeling of the wistful ache of nostalgia, which can be applied to so many narratives. August is a month to look back at how fast time has slipped (away like a bottle of wine~~) and mull on the what could’ves of the summer. But even though the passing of time is often panic-stricken and a little woeful, it points towards what was enjoyed, regardless of the result. And the acknowledgement and reminiscing is something to note. Nostalgia does not negate happiness and you can be both sad at the fleetingness of any chapter while remaining hopeful that there is always more to come :)