Everything I Loved in May
From filtered water to strawberry dresses
Hi everyone!
I'm bringing back this series because I miss its randomness. Everything in my life has been very structured lately - fundraising calls from 9am to 6pm, every 30 min on the min, parroting the same pitch. So I rejoice in sharing a mishmash of things that bring me delight.
Work has been super-duper hard, but I'm keeping my head up. I am finally learning to separate work being hard from life being good. I’ve loved listening to Emma Grede’s podcast (I’m a huge fan) - she has talked a lot in the past about how an extraordinary life requires extraordinary sacrifices and it helps me stay motivated when the mountain just seems too high to climb. I can do hard things and It’s going to be fine and then it’s going to be amazing are two of my many current mantras.
In the meantime, writing this bi-weekly(ish) newsletter is my savior, and I'm thankful that you're following along and here for my weirdness.
Tulips
I am a difficult flower customer - I like shaggy, monochromatic bouquets, not composed ones that almost always remind me of funeral homes. When I moved to New York, overwhelmed by the cost of moving and furnishing, my way of creating Beauty and “saving money” was getting this impossibly expensive Louise Roe glass bowl, an investment that would pay for itself by beautifying $9 Trader Joe’s weekly for eternity. I regret nothing, but mainly I am obsessed with the level of detail in this guide to tulips written by
.
My beloved Louise Roe vase, a successful deli tulip run, my tulip inspo (from @falkenlands - pretty sure she doesn’t buy them at trader Joe’s).
Opal
Social media wrecked my attention span. On New Year's Day, I installed Opal, an app that blocks any apps you want off your phone for dictated periods of time. It’s 5% annoying (when I actually need to post something and engage on social) and 95% amazing (when I need to focus and write this newsletter). It takes a little to figure out the right schedule, but overall, highly recommend.
Good Lingerie
It is finally tank top and shirt season and I’m here to remind you that your bra is a part of your outfit! I have been meaning to get fresh lingerie forever and Else did the hard work for me by sending me this gorgeous set I already plan to wear with my fav boat neck tank and Comme Si silk pants. It’s comfortable and beautiful and I already have my eyes on the cream color.
The Kaleidoscope in Pink on someone hotter than me, my beloved green one, the Bella set - I used to think white lingerie was for grandma but not I love a white bra under white tank with just a tinnnnnnny bit of sheerness. Sexy.
Il Capri Hotel
I spent a magical weekend at Il Capri Hotel in the center of Capri, romancing with my new crush and chatting with the lovely owner, Graziella. Traveling off season is a dream and I’m already thinking of returning there in October, but also remembered that someday I, too, would love to own a small hotel by the sea (extraordinary life -> extraordinary sacrifices). The prices of nice hotels have become pretty out of control in Europe, and this one felt like a steal for the view and the vibes.
Aflalo
For maximum danger: there is nothing from this brand that I do not like. The founder, Yael Aflalo, started Reformation (on my wishlist), and this is the closet for the customer that grew with her. I own 3 cherished pieces - a sheer skirt, a mini made of gorgeous duchess silk, and my favorite pants.
Whenever I wear them, I feel beautiful in a grown-up way that is new to me. They act like a magic robe of confidence and poise - a golden aura but made of duchess silk. How do you say “coquetterie?”
Aflalo makes my most versatile, favorite clothes, and my next purchase will surely be their pink Fiorentina top.
Ghia x Sanzo Yuzu
I’m back to my original love, the Ghia bottle, double poured with a splash of Sanzo Yuzu. As always, no artificial flavors, no fake science, no added sugar, no nasties. The sweet and citrusy note of yuzu balances the bitterness of Ghia’s gentian root. A low sugar indulgence all summer long.
Mango x Supriya Lele
I don’t often post about fast fashion on here - you don’t need me to find it! However, a few of my favorite pieces collected over the years are from Mango, and I was so excited to receive a preview of the new capsule by British designer Supriya Lele. This matching bra and skirt are amazing - shiny, thick, could 1000% be from the main line! and lets not even discuss the jelly shoes - LOVE.
PS it seems the site is 30% off this weekend.
My Rorra Water Filter
After a very long rabbit hole and failing to make 2 reverse osmosis water filters fit under my sink, followed by a heated debate over water quality with my friend Emmett (I lost the debate), he gifted me a Rorra filter as a housewarming gift. I love how it looks, its large capacity, and the very extensive NSF testing they do - specifically to test for lead. I was a skeptic and now I’m a big, big convert. After I posted it on IG, so many of you bought it that they gave me this link for 15% off.
Life before my Louise Roe vase, my Rorra filter!
And really my current rotation!
Dorsey Hendry Studs
I plug Dorsey a lot because the pieces have become some of my everyday essentials, but also because I really love and admire its founder, Megan. She spoiled me recently with a full set of Hendry in their new Moissanite, truly the shiniest stone I’ve ever worn. Everyone keeps stopping me on the street to ask about the disco balls on my ears. Thank you Megan, you’re the best <3
Strawberry dress, Rebecca flats, Dorsey studs and new Paracord necklace, Alaia click bag and sunnies.
What are you loving this month?