For years, since kissing corporate hours goodbye, I’ve taken full advantage of the ability to create my days to my liking. Some Tuesdays (usually after working all weekend), I’ll proclaim it my Saturday, and spend the day doing laundry and going to self-care appointments while my inbox goes unchecked. Such are the invaluable freedoms of not having anyone (or any place) to report to. But eventually, the pendulum must swing the other way, I suppose, because recently I’ve found myself structuring my days a bit more like a normal 9-to-5 (despite summer technically still being in full swing).

Some of you may recall my proclamation against working from home towards the end of last year, and since moving into my office, I’ve been gladly showing up to my desktop computer by 10am most mornings, matcha in hand, and checking things off the list well into the evening, the way I did when I was a full-time editor. Only, my days now usually oscillate between content creation, writing, consulting projects, and now interior decorating (sourcing, planning, back-and-forth with clients). And my outfits have become more of a uniform, too.

I would describe the style era I’m in as deeply unfussy, and that probably has to do with sitting at a computer most of the day (with the exception of walking my dog Moon around the block, a lunch meeting, or an event here or there). But that also means I’m noticing a gap between the things I buy and the things I actually reach for day-to-day. Listen, I love a good vintage market and often find one-of-a-kind pieces that feel impossible to pass up. But all too often, they end up untouched. So I’m trying to remedy that gap from the ground up.

The trendy fashion-girl in me is holding onto her platforms tightly, hesitant to move away from the fun footwear and statement-making pieces that used to feel more like the norm.

But this new working-woman chapter I’m in is wise enough to know what I’m actually likely to grab day-to-day during the week, and those things usually look a lot more comfortable, high quality, and quite seasonless. They’re the kind of pieces you can wear so many times and no one will ever really notice because they’re just extensions of you, rather than costumes.

Towards the beginning of freelancing, there was such a glamour to having every day be different (Photo shoots! Brand trips! Weekday brunches!), and perhaps the outfits reflected that novelty. But currently, I’m not ashamed to admit I find some comfort in repetition and regularity, and that’s being reflected in my everyday outfit choices (and my nervous system’s newfound balance).

If you’ve seen me in person lately, I’ve probably waxed poetic about how comfortable Margaux’s Ada ballet pump is, as it’s been my daily choice for the office, site visits for my interior projects, and even evening events. So it’s no wonder that Margaux’s newer styles are proving their place in my daily uniform as well. Here’s how I’m styling them in my daily life.

At the start of summer, I got excited and bought one too many rubber flip-flops, only to realize they felt utterly ridiculous to wear to the office, so I graduated to their grown-up cousin: the Margaux Deia sandal. Something about this Nutmeg Suede leads me to styling it with Western touches, so I immediately pulled out this vintage Saks Fifth Avenue skirt, featuring the cutest arrow tab pockets (see, not all the vintage finds gather dust!), that feels office-appropriate with a little flair. I paired it with a cotton blouse I bought from a charming boutique in Martha’s Vineyard, and voilà, I get all the benefits of a flip-flop while still feeling perfectly put-together. And, the block heel means you won’t fall into any sidewalk cracks on the commute.

Margaux Deia 50 in Nutmeg Suede, similar handbag, similar blouse, similar skirt, similar sunnies.

I’ve learned that one punch of animal print has the power to take an outfit from expected to intentional, so the Demi in Zebra Haircalf has become my finishing touch for jeans and a tee. BITE Studios made a truly perfect ringer tee, so I mourned their closure when it was announced earlier this summer. And these structured jeans (yes, I love jeans without any stretch) are from my best-kept-not-so-secret, Front General Store in Brooklyn. I added some smart glasses and this has truly become my second skin.

Similar tee, denim trousers, Saint Laurent glasses, Margaux Demi in Zebra.

So nice I chose them twice, the Deia takes on a whole other personality in Nappa leather (from the Summer collection). They play so nicely with a capri and an oxford shirt, which I topped off with a handmade brooch my best friend got me from an elderly lady who makes them by hand and sells them at her local flea market in Connecticut. Something about the thick strap on these sandals also makes them feel perfectly transitional, so I’ll be wearing them until my toes are just too chilly to justify it. Overall, it’s a combo I can compose on repeat (and have).

Jeanerica shirt, similar capris, similar brooch, Margaux Deia in Black Nappa.

I’d love to know what pieces are making the cut as mainstays in your day-to-day routine lately — anything you swear by that I should, too?

Yours in repetition,

Alyssa

It's no surprise I haven't had much gas left in the tank to actually write about all these things for you, though I had full intentions of sharing packing lists and travel guides here — maybe it’s not too late? But in my most recent attempt to climb out of the dark depths of writers’ block (which feels not unlike escaping the Cyclops’s cave in The Odyssey), I thought I’d give you a peek into the design projects I’m currently working on, since that’s what’s occupying most of my energy and brain space these days.

Since returning from my travels, I’m more than content to commute into my little sunny office downtown with my dog, nurse a vanilla latte at my desk for half the day (yes I’m that type), try new Pilates classes in my neighborhood, and attempt to teach my tiny niece how to hula-hoop. My nervous system is recovering, and the comforts of home (read: air conditioning) are even sweeter after European frolicking, so I’m savoring these slow, muggy weeks of August before fashion week takes hold next month. Until then, come on in — here’s a look at the little worlds I’ve been creating.

The Pilates Studio

I’m still pinching myself that in the final quarter of last year, I started designing a Pilates studio. It’s called Blue Honey and is located just outside Richmond, VA (more on that here). A full renovation, it’s been a learning experience in enough ways to write an entirely separate letter about. The founder wanted to include a matcha bar where people can sink down into a comfortable seat, chat with a friend, or work on their laptop before or after class. In this particular town, there’s nothing of the sort. So this third space feels truly additive to the community, and we clicked instantly on the visual direction for it.

Picture warm sunlight casting shadows on creamy walls, cabinetry that feels more like a kitchen than a gym, and soft lighting that doesn’t make you dissect your own body in the mirror. I also had the idea of doing closed, closet-like storage for clients’ belongings (instead of sterile lockers), and touches of a rich, aged ochre yellow to warm it up even further. It’s been important to us to strike a balance between clean and serene and warm and homey. Imagine your favorite cozy coffee shop and boutique fitness studio seamlessly combined — how dreamy? And we’re almost there, bringing that dream to life. More soon!

The Vintage Showroom

A previous residential client referred me to help Taste bring its New York showroom to life *squeals*. It helps, of course, that it’s three doors down from my office space in the same building, so it’s all felt really seamless and meant-to-be. I’ve shopped Taste’s incredible vintage curation at Ending Soon in Los Angeles, and was excited to be tasked with bringing their vision to life on the East Coast. Though it’s a teeny-tiny space, we’re truly maximizing every square foot to be a fully functional showroom for shopping appointments, stylist pulls, events, and beyond.

Glamorous yet approachable, I want this space to feel like any fashion girl’s dream closet. We’re even doing some custom, double-height wall units to pack in as much vintage as possible, and creating a curtained fitting room in one corner. But the focal point is easily the Nordic Knots Tigris rug designed by Jessie Andrews, which is really setting the tone in there. Somewhere along the line I became obsessed with coffee tables with integrated nesting stools (I’ll soon share which one we actually went with), and found a gorgeous antique storage cabinet on FB Marketplace to hide all the less glamorous essentials. We’re in the home stretch, and hoping to wrap up in a few weeks just in time for all the girlies to come by and prep for fashion month.

The Chelsea Apartment

The third project is a residential one, which I’ve considered moving away from to focus on larger commercial projects, but something about the space (though a rental) spoke to me with its original moldings and parquet floors. For this space, I’m designing just the primary living space which also incorporates a dining nook where my client works from home. Her style leans a bit more traditional than my own (she often references Carrie Bradshaw’s Sex and the City apartment as inspiration), but I also love that she wants what I like to call a collector’s apartment — one where all the books, art, and collectibles she’s passionate about are on display. And she very much wants it to look like someone lives there, which I’m a big believer in.

I’m currently sourcing the perfect modular sofa that suits the needs of both her and her tiny pup (she requested wide sofa arms for him to curl up on), a double-decker coffee table where books can be stored and displayed on the lower level, and a center pendant light that will make a statement while tying the living and dining areas together in a cozy way. We’re torn between golden yellow or ivory-and-black striped curtains, and have big rug decisions to make from there. But it feels like we’re aligning on how she wants the space to look and feel and I’m confident it’s all going to come together beautifully.

Day to day, it feels like my brain is stretching in entirely new ways as I juggle all of these different worlds simultaneously, troubleshoot along the way, and balance giving each project the time it deserves with actually getting it over the finish line. I’m an instant-gratification type, so it’s been a real exercise in patience to be wading through these longer-lead projects for the past few months, but I have a feeling it will all be worth it…

Yours,

Alyssa

P.S. You can book an intro call here for my interiors help <3 And make sure you’re following along with all of my design finds and recommendations over on Rec League, which is my favorite corner of the Internet these days.

If you missed a few chapters:

The year of the Fire Horse has me hanging onto the reins for dear life, and while filled with immense gratitude that the first year of moving back to New York (it’s almost been a year already?!) has been filled with the kind of richness and vibrancy I felt I’d been lacking in LA, it’s been getting harder and harder to pause and catch my breath.

“You’ve been hard to pin down lately,” my literal best friend said with a crooked smile this week. That’s when I realized I’d hardly answered her texts with more than three words the last few weeks, and even though I did see my mom a few times while she was in town last week, it felt like we hadn’t even really caught up. I feel like I’ve been fulfilling my work obligations but not quite reaching the creative projects I want to do beyond that, and most days fly by before accomplishing the majority of what I’d hoped to complete.

It’s these moments when I feel myself slightly detached, creatively uninspired, and mentally foggy that I know burnout is creeping in. It’s such a buzzword these days in the post-Girl-Boss era, but that doesn’t make it any less prevalent. And it’s these times when I know I need my burnout protocol: A few days of doing absolutely nothing, and seeking out the things that feed me, like a nourishing movement session at The Class, pulling back on screen time, a few nights of long, restorative sleep (yesterday I slept until 10am and then napped from 12-3pm…), and maybe a massage or a facial (booked at Glo Spa on Tuesday!). All of that sounds real good right about now, and yet at the same time, I’m oddly comfortable without having all the answers.

So, yes, it does turn out that recovering from Coachella in your thirties takes one full week at minimum, and I’m still on West-Coast time, so I wouldn’t even consider myself fully re-acclimated to reality. But since my algorithm knows me too well by now, I keep getting these videos (see below) that remind me to slow down when I can — that not everything in life has to be treated as an emergency. I’ve been doing my own little challenge to see how relaxed I can be while doing the little tasks that life demands (answering emails, doing the dishes, folding laundry, etc.)… Dropping my shoulders, slowing the pace just a bit, breathing deeply, and enjoying what’s in front of me rather than having everything be a means to an end. It’s not a perfect science, but it’s an exercise I’ve found myself doing more and more this year.

A few things I’m excited about as of late? My current interior projects are progressing and should be wrapping up this summer, with plenty of new incoming work on that front in the pipeline (you can book an intro call here for my interior consulting). My family has a long-awaited trip planned to Southern Italy (to my father’s home town) in June, and we’re finally getting past the logistical nightmare part of the planning. And, I’m hosting my first event in a long time in NYC at Khata this Sunday, April 26th, so please come! I feel like we’re all emerging from winter’s hibernation and I’m really eager to connect with some of you in person alongside some truly incredible vintage (details and RSVP here).

If you haven’t yet seen my Rec League, it’s my hub for recommending all the things I know and love -- plus, members get access to my latest vintage finds across home and fashion. I’ve been enjoying being an early adopter of the platform, and this event is basically the real-life embodiment of Rec League -- perusing cool vintage with cool people! We’ll have a discount for you to shop (I’ve curated a really special selection of my vintage picks for Spring), styling sessions, stunning bites and take-home florals by Kiss Baby NYC, plus we’re donating a portion of the day’s proceeds to Rescue Now in Ukraine (the shop’s founders are Ukrainian).

Alas, I’ve really been trying not to beat myself up about being less-than-consistent on this newsletter lately, so this dispatch is just me trying to show up as I am: Teetering on the edge of burnout, a bit disheveled, yet optimistic and having a damn good time, even if it’s hard to package into a polished newsletter sometimes. I find myself turning to the small, good things that give me consistency and calm when no two days are the same... Even little moments of grounding go such a long way amongst a New York pace of life, so here are a few things that are bright spots lately:

• I hadn’t quite unearthed my bag of shorts and bathing suits from my storage unit in time for some recent warm-weather trips (Riviera Maya, Coachella), so some LA Apparel bikinis saved the day and I was shockingly pleased with the cuts and quality for the pricepoint.

• I can’t explain it, but new bedding always gives me a new lease on life (pictured above). Morrow Soft Goods has been my go-to because we’re hot sleepers and I’ve come to love their coverlets for an option that’s lighter than a duvet, and more chic IMO.

• Still can’t quit Reverie’s Rake hair balm for my air-dry routine; it smells amazing, is fully unisex and great for just about any hair type. It has more hold than a leave-in conditioner but isn’t crunchy or overly wax-like. Sorcery!

• When I finally lost a necessary piece to my previous red light mask in my move, it was time to splurge on a new red light, and I was targeted on Instagram by the LumeBox and am really pleased with it so far. Rather than a mask, it’s a panel with a stand, so I kind of love that you can multitask (gua sha, facial massage) while using it, and I noticed a difference in my skin quality after just a few uses.

• I was recently sent a batch of Kind Patches to try and can’t wrap my head around how they work but they DO, especially the Dream Patches. Hello, 8-hour nights of sleep.

• These blue light-filtering glasses (worn here) became an unexpected outfit hero for me. The shape is so good! And the fit and quality make me want to look into their other styles.

• Denim by Jeanerica (seen here) has officially dethroned all the other brands in my closet (yes, even the vintage Levi’s). They look so lived-in from the first wear, and the silhouettes feel timeless rather than trendy.

• The Sofie Pavitt sunscreen really is IT. They say the best sunscreen is the one you actually want to wear and this is that for me. I’ve previously been a physical sunscreen gal over chemical sunscreen, but this one is changing the game for me. It glows so beautifully under makeup and feels hydrating without being greasy.

• There’s a reason all the cool girls you follow are raving about this Rest & Digest tea. There’s something so comforting and grounding about the way it tastes, and it’s just a bonus that you wake up way less bloated.

Yours,

Alyssa

I still remember one of my first trips to New York City at the age of 10. On those very first subway rides, I looked around and realized: People here dress for themselves. I leaned into my mom’s ear and whispered, “Wow, everyone looks so cool.”

It wasn’t that these commuters were overtly fashion-forward. It was that everything they wore looked lived-in. Loved. Real. New Yorkers really wear their clothes, not just to get in the car and wear the look at a restaurant for an hour, but to really live in it all day, from bell to bell.

This influences not only the way they get dressed in the morning, but also how the clothes wear over time; a handbag is perfectly beat up, their shoes melt to their feet just-so — and it all adds to that air of cool I was so captivated by on the train. What I was seeing that day wasn’t style for the sake of consumerism, it was style for the sake of living.

That idea was front and center at last week’s Theory presentation, where the brand debuted its Fall 2026 collection and the various inspirations that informed it. As someone rediscovering my own New York style, the collection spoke to me immediately.

Spending the last 5 years in Los Angeles, my own personal style lost that New York grit just a bit. But, who can blame me? We’re all influenced by our environments, no matter how hard we resist. Even with 9 years of prior city living under my belt, the ocean air and vitamin D did a number on my style. While living there, my wardrobe was airier and more colorful than ever. Living in 365-day-a-year perfect weather really injects your wardrobe with a special kind of whimsy — at least it did for me, a Florida gal who certainly felt at home with those 75-degree days. LA softened my edges, and maybe I needed that for a little while.

But returning back to New York last year, I’ve found myself rebuilding my wardrobe from the ground up, starting with the essentials I know I’ll really live in. Suddenly, the colorful blouses and neon green platform shoes don’t feel like a solid foundation. I’m remembering (sometimes the hard way) that in New York, your wardrobe needs to move with you. It’s all about tailored staples, the perfect leather jacket, and easy, practical layers that I feel good (read: like myself) in.

To attend the Theory presentation, I opted for the kind of high-neck leather jacket that only makes sense in New York — structured, sharp, and built to last — and paired it with an airy midi skirt, finishing the look with black tights and a pair of vintage heels. And that very look carried me through a very New York day, smack in the middle of fashion week, packed with appointments, meetings, runway shows, presentations, and even a store event. It turned out to be one of those NYC-approved looks that I could wear just as easily to the office by day and a restaurant by night. Talk about getting the city stamp of approval.

The collection notes read, “With the transition in weather comes a shift in structure to more sleek and streamlined shapes, mirroring the metropolitan architecture. Her stride lengthens. Silhouettes are sculpted into focus. Layers become more luxurious. New hues are rich and deepened.” The team described it to me as a “7-Day Wardrobe” — pieces that carry you through everything a week in the big city demands.

That spoke directly to my own recent re-entry into dressing for the fall and winter seasons (which I missed dearly while on the West Coast): The rich, fall hues, mixed textures, and comforting materials that make up transitional dressing. And boy, does it feel good to be back... Dressing for seasons again (for structure, for texture, for real life) feels like reclaiming a version of myself I didn’t even realize I missed.

I wanted to share my standouts from the collection, for anyone out there that may be doing a bit of wardrobe rebuilding for themselves — whether that’s due to a seasonal change, a life transition, or just a bit of personal style reinvention, which I believe we’re all due for now and again. And below are the pieces I can really see myself living in, in this new, New York era of mine (even if we do have to wait until next Fall to get our hands on them…).

The Reversible Coat

The one that leaves your other coats in the dust. It’s two-in-one, after all, and looks just as good over a hoodie as it does layered on top of sharp tailoring. The Theory team described this season’s palette as “hues dipped in black” — tones slightly deepened to feel more grounded, more New York.

The Machine-Washable (!!) Silky Pant

A pant that looks delicate but survives the subway? That’s New York-approved. And, there’s something deeply satisfying about a pant that moves like silk but doesn’t require a trip to the dry cleaner.

The Everyday Polo

Fall’s version of a T-shirt, it makes jeans look intentional and tailoring look relaxed. Just the right amount of retro, but still clean.

The Weatherproof Outer Layer

Yep, she’s rain repellent, because the city does not care about your outfit plans. Practical, yes, but still architectural enough to feel considered.

The Emotional Support Coat

You have to feel it to believe how soft it is, and the fact that it’s recycled faux fur makes the drama feel responsible. For mornings when you need a little extra coziness.

The Sophisticated Zip-Up

Feels entirely different from a blazer (softer, less formal) but can actually serve the same purpose.

And if you can’t quite wait for fall, the Theory spring collection is live now on theory.com.

Basically, in March of last year, I thought I had found my dream Brooklyn loft after an extensive four-month search. It had hardwood floors, original wood beams, and 13-ft. ceilings — and, it was a 10-minute walk from my family a neighborhood over. My gears were immediately turning with the apartment’s potential to be a fulfilling interior design project — a hobby of mine that was on the verge of becoming something more significant (fast-forward a year later, and I have my first two paying interior design clients, yay!).

But when we moved in, something was unsettling from the start — numerous dogs barking incessantly below our feet. Turns out, the street-level dog daycare next door also occupied the basement below us, where they would board close to 30 dogs day and night, 24/7, 365 days-a-year. Not only were we subjected to barking and howling around the clock, but the employees of the establishment yelling over them, or playing loud music on top of it all. It was a uniquely piercing, acute form of audible torture for myself, my partner, and our one-year-old puppy. I can’t tell you how many nights of sleep were lost…which bled into mornings, days, weeks, and months where I felt like a zombie in a haze, just going through the motions.

“But, didn’t you see the place before you moved in?” That’s always the first question I get. And yes, I did — I stood inside for about 10-15 minutes (typical for a fast-paced NYC rental viewing), didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary, and spoke with the broker who let me in, who told me the neighboring dog daycare was on their way out and would be gone before I even moved in. As a generally trusting person, I took his word for it. Unfortunately, this was not the case.

The first few months, I tried to make do with ear plugs, headphones, sound machines, and a hint of optimism that they would be gone soon. But as time went by, it was clear I would have to find another place to call home. The 3 a.m. wake-ups were not sustainable, and even my relationship was feeling the instability of the situation. Unfortunately, finding a new place wasn’t a quick process (me, with my high standards, and NYC landlords with theirs). I applied to more than 10 apartments, but as a creative solo-preneur, I couldn’t compete with those offering above-asking on a rental apartment (an unfortunate truth of apartment bidding wars in NYC).

In December, I finally found a peaceful home to retreat to. And finally having a quiet place to call my own in this crazy city only makes me wonder how I lasted so long without one. I will never take a quiet night’s sleep for granted again. Turns out, you can have the most luxurious bedding and lovely furniture, but if you can’t have quiet time in your own apartment, things get messy — fast.

You know, generally speaking, I’m fortunate to move on from things pretty quickly. I don’t like to prolong a negative experience any longer than I need to, and I’m quick to forgive. I’d always rather look ahead than dwell on difficulties from the past. But writing, for me, makes things final. I didn’t know if I even wanted to share what happened publicly, because I felt embarrassed, burnt out, and bewildered by the whole thing (and in some ways, still do). But to put pen to paper (or keyboard to computer) makes me feel like it’s real, it happened, and now I can write the chapter and close it. I can put it behind me once and for all.

Admittedly, my first few months back in NYC feel like a chaotic blur of lawyer emails, StreetEasy listings, apartment viewings between work and family commitments (as if adjusting back to a New York way of life wasn’t enough). Anyone who’s apartment-hunted in NYC knows what a full-time job it can be. But I’ve now landed in a quiet, charming neighborhood in a cozy place where the sun pours in at all times of day, my dog enjoys the peace and quiet of looking out the window (poor thing was so distressed), and my friends live close by. New York has a way of humbling and hazing you sometimes, and I thought I might have been immune with 9 NYC years already under my belt. Joke’s on me! But there is a good part!

“At least it’s another project!,” many of my friends have said, and that it is. Moving around quite a bit growing up, I’m used to starting over. And though I haven’t met anyone that enjoys moving their entire life twice in the span of six months, I don’t shy away from another chance to express myself creatively through yet another interior space. Plus, now that I’m sleeping again I’m coming back into myself, and actually making headway on various projects and passions that fell to the wayside throughout the drama.

In the middle of all this upheaval, I realized something: I turn to creating beautiful spaces as a way to make myself feel safe. When things feel chaotic, I’m drawn to objects with a story—pieces that feel grounding, comforting, and a little bit escapist.

That instinct is what led me to kick things off on a new platform called Rec League (from ex-Substack employees, no less), where I’m collecting all of my home and vintage recommendations along the way. Think of it as our own private group chat: nightstands, lighting, art, clothing, beauty — everything I genuinely love and enthusiastically recommend. It’s become my happy place, and I’ve genuinely had so much fun building it. Plus I can make these cute little collages…

The nitty gritty: If you are already a paid subscriber to Little Big City, you’ll be comped a full membership on Rec League <3 If you’re hangin’ out as a free subscriber here, you can use code SUBSTACK30 for 30% off a membership for the good stuff over there. So, all my Substack musings will now be free, but my piping hot recs come at a (pretty small) price.

However you choose to show up, I’m just really glad I’ve found people who love old stuff as much as I do (and seriously, thank you for supporting my work any way you’re able).

So far in this new apartment of mine, I’ve found an incredible, giant mirror on FB Marketplace, made built-ins and a medicine cabinet from scratch, and hung my own lighting when I probably should have called an electrician, and turned you on to these amazingly affordable bamboo blinds. It’s already been an adventure, and next up is the kitchen makeover… So buckle in, and join me on RL for a peek into my brain throughout the entire process. See you over there, and we can pretend that whole other thing never happened, K?

Yours in new beginnings,

Alyssa

Admittedly, I’m usually super overstimulated by emails and promotions come Black Friday weekend that I freeze up and don’t buy anything (oops). But since I know most of you are far wiser shoppers than I am, I wanted to play the role of your curator, and I spent a chunk of hours this week putting together some gift guides and fun holiday dressing ideas for you all to hopefully scoop up while everything is discounted! If this can cut through the shopping noise of the next few days for at least a couple of you, that’s SO worth it in my book.

With all of that said, I’m super excited to introduce you to (drumroll, please!) my Rec League! Rec League is a brand-new publishing tool for recommendations (built by a very talented team of former Substack and LVMH folks), and it’s where all of mine will live going forward. Look at it as your one-stop-shop to dive head first into my brain and shop all of my favorite finds and deep-cuts from the far corners of the internet. Here’s everything that dropped over there this week…

Holiday dressing doesn’t have to be cheesy or obvious — but it can be chic and fun! It’s about making a statement in an unexpected way. While of course you can’t go wrong with a little sparkle or lace, this season I’m especially drawn to balloon pants, rich silks and velvets, all things sheer, and sculptural tops. Here, you can shop all of my indie and emerging designer picks for festive dresses and pieces you’ll love wearing to this year’s gatherings (and well beyond). Spoiler alert: I’m wearing the silver Aligne top to their fête in a couple weeks.

With a focus on emerging brands and vintage finds for the home (and a few of my favorite things that are just plain useful!), here are some home-centric gift ideas and beautiful objects that just about anyone would be happy to receive, including the hand cream that changed my hands (and life) for good, and the cutest dog bed I’ve ever seen.

For the girl that has everything — whether that’s your most stylish gal-pal, or just yourself — how about this perfect velvet jewelry box? You can shop everything pictured above right here.

You’ll see that while many of my recs can be yours free of charge, the best ones will be reserved for paying members. This is truly a hub for discovery, and though it’s been so much work to put together, it’s also been super rewarding to see it take shape and to finally have one place for it all — where I’ve done the research for you!

The good news is, if you’re already a paid Little Big City subscriber, you’ll be getting a free Rec League membership, which will be set up early next week! If you aren’t a paying member just yet, I’m offering a discount code for this weekend only — just use code “HOLIDAY” for 20% off your Rec League membership. I’ll still be using Substack for my writings and musings, but RL is where my constant stream of recs will live going forward. And if you’ve ever enjoyed my recs here or elsewhere, it’s a lovely way to support the time I spend digging up the good stuff.

And so, this feels like a really good time to say: THANK YOU. I know firsthand how saturated the Internet feels these days, and I’m truly so grateful that you trust my taste enough to be here, whether it’s on Substack, Rec League, Instagram or any other platform. You allow me to do what I love for a living, and I promise to never, ever take that for granted.

Wishing you all a genuinely restful long weekend. Needless to say, I fully support buying yourself something nice. It’s been a long year.

Yours,

Alyssa

For many years, I thoroughly enjoyed working from home. I lived it UP — sweatpants on, hoodie atop my head, laptop propped upon a pillow in bed, piping hot matcha in my favorite mug on the nightstand. This was the dream office, no?? And there was a time when I couldn’t possibly imagine it any other way. After starting my career with five years of a true, pre-Covid-times 9-to-5, working from home felt like the ultimate prize of going freelance (I took the leap at the end of 2018).

But living in LA, there were more than a few instances where I felt like if I put on one more sweatsuit I might implode. I started interacting with less and less people (depressing much?) — some days I would only have a Zoom call and maybe go for a coffee hang with my close friend that lived next door. My outings were often limited to Erewhon to get something for lunch. Maybe I would eventually shower and put makeup on if I had an event in the evening…

And don’t get me started on the distractions. Somehow, just about any home chore would take precedence over that one important e-mail I’ve been meaning to respond to for 6 days. “I’ll lock in after I finish the laundry, oh, and load the dishwasher, oh, and let me just take the recycling down really quick…” And viola, next thing I knew it was 3pm. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the slower pace and the comforts of working from home for a solid amount of time. I’m grateful for each phase. But I think it also contributed to me being ready to move back to NYC at a certain point, and now recently, to get an office of my own.

We don’t talk enough about investing in ourselves as entrepreneurs. And to me, moving into my new office space a few weeks ago is exactly that. Think about any other business.. Say, a soft-serve ice cream store. As the owner of said ice cream shop, you want to invest in the best soft-serve machines that give that irresistible swirl, the most premium toppings to keep your customers coming back, and clear signage to pull people in from the street. But when it comes to solo entrepreneurs, suddenly we’re expected to just scrape by without really investing in our business: Ourselves.

Coming back to New York, I was craving community and human connection. I was missing that energy of everyone around me getting sh*t done, building a dream, a company, a practice, whatever it was. I missed getting up, getting dressed, and commuting and seeing all the people on the train who got showered and dressed to report for whatever they’re commuting to. That does something to your brain. It makes you think, what am I building? What am I contributing? Working alone in bed in your sweatpants for weeks on end does… The opposite.

All of this to say, I got an office (!!!). A place to lock in, a place to connect with my community, and a place where dreams feel a little more possible. I’m only a few weeks in and I’m already feeling the benefits of investing in myself and putting myself into an environment where I’m meeting and connecting with other creative people, and I’m inspired to get up, get dressed, and get to work.

I’m sharing this because I think more solo-preneurs could benefit from this type of investment in themselves — whether it’s a co-working space, membership club, desk at a friend’s office, or a dedicated studio or commercial space for your work. If your business is you, you need to give yourself an environment to thrive in. There is only so much bed-rotting that can be beneficial. Yes, Covid gave a lot of us the opportunity to do that, and maybe at the time we all kind of needed that kind of reset. But it is not surprising to me that anyone is not feeling energized or inspired while also not leaving the confines and comforts of their own home. Like, I literally can’t think of a time I invested in myself and wasn’t fairly immediately rewarded by the universe somehow.

And of course, as soon as I signed the dotted line, I started scouring FB Marketplace for (non-traditional) office furniture, and I let my finds inform my vision for the space. Rather than coming up with that vision and then finding the pieces for it, I usually let the finds I love inform and drive the entire vibe of the space. I didn’t want to spend a ton of money (the space is pretty tiny anyways), but I still wanted it to feel fresh, cool, and like me. Since it’s in WSA, I also loosely played off the style of all the fabulous shared spaces in the building.

I scored an original 1980s Knoll D’Urso table for a fraction of what it should have cost, some secondhand Zara home chairs, and got another one of my favorite (sturdy!!) clothing racks from Etsy. I also got lucky with a Flos Rosy Angelis floor lamp for $200 (it’s currently retailing for $1,100!), and finished things off with a bright green rug from Nordic Knots and a (not-yet-released prototype) mirror from Ready To Hang.

These faux anthuriums from CB2 are also a hit, and everybody’s STILL always asking about this perfect planter (for good reason). Then I ended up needing some more practical storage, so IKEA Ivar cabinets came to the rescue (if you put a few next to each other, it kind of makes a credenza/sideboard effect). And for a cozier place to sit, I love this adorable striped chair (but do note the back is not attached, so should be against a wall). Shop it all in one place here.

It’s already shaping up to be my new happy place, and soon, you’ll be able to come by, too…. (There’s something else I’m using the space for). More on that soon!

To investing in ourselves!!!

Yours,

Alyssa

P.S. Have you joined my Rec League yet? It’s where all my best recs live. Use code “SUBSTACK30” for a discount!

Lately, I’m less inclined to bop vintage store to vintage store for days on end the way I did in my 20s. It just seems exhausting. And while vintage markets can be extremely overwhelming in their own right to some less-seasoned shoppers, I actually live for their efficiency of so many vendors under one roof — and undertone of complete chaos (the adrenaline!!!). As long as you go in with somewhat of a plan, you can usually come out on top with some brag-worthy buys.

This season, things really kicked off at Not-A-Normal Market’s fall show, where I was dizzied-in-the-best-way at an insane amount of vintage designer bags, jewelry, accessories, and even homewares so good I wished I could fill a U-Haul. I wasn’t really looking for handbags (though if you are, this market is not to be missed!), but I ended up finding some lovely vintage Miu Miu wool longline shorts (which I plan to wear with tights and tall boots), a very Saint-Laurent, broad-shouldered suede jacket (pictured here), and a fur hat that’s equally practical (and warm) as it is fabulous.

More recently, I kept the momentum going at Manhattan Vintage Show, where the recent Chloe show was fresh on the brain and, as a result, I was on the hunt for oversized clip-on earrings and statement outerwear. Those I did find, along with some turquoise suede gloves, a very Miu-Miu-coded ‘50s cotton cone bra, and a brown suede newsboy cap which may make me look like an 11-year-old boy in a Broadway show but, hey, just go with it.

I’m also, admittedly, a regular at A Current Affair (coming to New York November 8+9) and Pickwick Vintage Show (they both hold shows in LA and NYC, and the next is in Chicago). It’s actually a problem, because all of the vendors are starting to remember me now...

A Current Affair can definitely get on the higher end of things, which means the prices climb, but it’s still always fun to window shop, and if you’re shopping for a special occasion like a wedding or a black-tie affair (or just feeling spendy), it’s a must. Price-wise, I find Pickwick a lot more accessible, and lately some of my favorite vendors like @258pmsalon and @Tome.nyc have had some real gems there.

Now that I’ve basically made vintage markets my pastime, I’ve come up with a pretty consistent strategy to go in clear on what I want, score what I came for, and *attempt* not to break the bank — or get vertigo from the madness of it all. Here’s my tried-and-true strategy for navigating vintage markets without losing your mind (or your wallet).

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For the last 7 years or so, I’ve really been earning my Delta status, jetting off on both personal and professional travel to the far corners of the world on a frequent basis (with the exception of Covid of course). But more recently, with a whirlwind cross-country move back to NYC this summer (and an entirely new-and-different apartment to decorate) I got back into full nesting mode. This year, my travels shifted more domestic, swapping many of my usual trans-Atlantic flights (cough, Paris) for long drives or weekends visiting friends and family in other US cities like Austin and Miami. I refocused on rebuilding my work and network in New York, took on more coffee meetings, and have enjoyed being closer to family that’s now just a ten-minute walk away.

I saw our new loft as my latest decor project to dive headfirst into sharing with you all, from the gorgeous screen (above) I swapped a beloved collector piece for, to the journey of making my NYC bathroom less dreadful. It felt so good to flex that interior-design muscle again, and others took notice, too. I secured some exciting collaborations with cool home brands like Hommey and Castlery, and even had the opportunity to design a space beyond just my own.

Over the summer, Karina from COSA Ceramica shared with me the exciting news that she was opening her first hybrid workshop/retail space in LA — and wanted my input (!!!). I totally lit up at the possibility to help someone else with their special space. I weighed in on color palettes, helped her source certain items she was looking for, and even referred her to my go-to spot for custom cushions in LA. It was rapid-fire but so rewarding, and came at a time when I had more-than-an inkling that I might want to do more in the interiors space.

From there, I realized I didn’t really have a hub for all the home things that I love and recommend. That’s where my new Rec League site comes in — a one-stop-shop for my decor recs, from bedding and lighting to rugs and furniture. Members also get access to my favorite finds (AKA all the stuff I wish I could buy, but you should) updated on a rolling basis, as well as my map of where to shop for home goods in NYC. And since I already value you being here, use code SUBSTACK30 for 30% off your membership over there, if home stuff is your sh*t, too :-)

If you like what you see, I’m very excited to say that we can now work one-on-one on designing your space. Whether a room at home, or a creative office or studio, I truly can’t wait to get my hands on your next design project. We can talk paint or curtains, figure out layouts that make sense, or even just nail down your vibe and color palette. I can do the digging for you to find those unique, dream pieces that make a space truly yours. You can schedule a complimentary intro call here.

After much trial and error with my own spaces over the years, it’s thrilling to feel like I’m in a place where I can actually offer my services outwardly, too.

As for this newsletter, the travel recs definitely won’t fully stop (I still have so many places to go!!), but I’m trying to let this space evolve with me rather than box me into one lane. No pressure to churn out travel guides sans a plane ticket. Turns out, the journey doesn’t always mean jumping on a plane; sometimes it’s just about making wherever you are feel a little more like you.

Maybe Little Big City has come to mean something a little different than I first imagined — not only a guide of where to go, but a reflection of how I’m living, creating, and finding inspiration wherever I am (even if that is at home). Whether we’re globe-trotting, thrifting furniture, or testing paint swatches together, I’m genuinely so glad you’re here.

Yours,

Alyssa

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I tend to shop more by brand than specifically by style. Rather than standing in my closet and thinking, “Hmm, I really need new XYZ,” I flirt around with brands I find intriguing and interesting at any given time. Meaning, I follow them on Instagram for a while, dig what they’re putting out creatively, and eventually make it to their website to marinate on a few of their pieces before pulling the trigger. It’s almost like online dating — letting a few tabs sit open for a couple weeks while I weigh all the options and see which ones I can’t stop thinking about.

I have a saved folder on Instagram of brands I go to when I’m feeling shoppy (which, believe it or not, is not all of the time), and when I do, I tend to immerse myself fully with a couple of pieces that really allow me to feel like I’m stepping into that brand’s world and the overall aesthetic they’re crafting. This lets me not only experience the quality and craftsmanship of a new-to-me brand with more than just one piece, but also helps me feel like I can fully lean into their vibe and play around with multiple pieces rather than, say, just working one piece in with my existing wardrobe.

Even when I’m shopping on a larger site, like Net-A-Porter or SSENSE, I tend to browse by brand (i.e., Gimaguas, Paloma Wool, and Beaufille, forever!) rather than by category. Maybe it’s because I’ve been in the business of wardrobe-crafting for long enough that I feel like I have the bases covered when it comes to categories (for example, many people just don’t have a black blazer in their closet, and one day, realize they probably should get one — I happen to have multiple black blazers that are “all different, I swear!”). Or maybe it’s because of my editorial background, which instilled in me a pastime of sniffing out cool, new brands on the regular.

So these days, when I am getting the itch to add a few things to cart (like currently, with the weather on the brink of changing), I step into the worlds of the brands that have my attention, and let them transport me into new personas for the season. Who might I be this fall, while running around the city and picking apples with my niece upstate? It’s my first true autumn in 5 years since I just moved back from Los Angeles, and I’m trying to dream up all of the different avatars I could step into — since after all, every season is a chance for reinvention.

One thing I will say: Sometimes, there’s a discrepancy between what I’m drawn to aesthetically and what I actually end up reaching for to wear repeatedly on a daily or weekly basis. So I am trying to be aware of that while deciding on my fall purchases, and find the middle ground between unlocking a new alter ego and buying staples I will actually get my cost-per-wear out of the next few months.

Here are the six brands on my radar as fall’s crisp mornings descend, each offering a new way to reimagine my sartorial personality. Hopefully there are a few discoveries you fancy as much as I do that will get you excited for the fresh season.

Lauren Perrin

I feel personally attacked by everything Lauren Perrin designs. It’s as if she’s crawled into my brain and created exactly what I want to wear, without me even knowing it. The tights and gloves speak for themselves — so fun, right? But what I’ve really been debating (actually, for a few months now) is what color to get in the Christie Jacket. Please feel free to weigh in. I couldn’t justify buying it over summer because I’m the type of person that wants to wear something as soon as it arrives, so now, it’s time to go for it! So, in beige or in chocolate?

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Aside from being adorable (and even though it was a repeat of the same dog show the brands staged last season — hey, I’m not complaining!), it actually set the tone for the week ahead. It felt as if, amidst an utterly nightmarish news cycle and a rocky-at-best creative economy, what we really seemed to want at New York Fashion Week was to pout at puppies and play with dolls.

I’m not talking about the Khaites and Totemes of the NYFW world, who insist on keeping things minimal, serious, and buttoned-up tight. There’s a time and a place for that, though it does start to make everything blend together after a while, as critic and writer Rachel Tashjian recently lamented in WSJ.

I’m talking about the designers clinging to play and whimsy for dear life — and right now, that resonates with me. From the dog show to the Dollhouse (below) and a few other girly highlights in between, New York’s return to innocence is officially upon us.

Coincidentally, one of my main intentions heading into the week was to try to remember that this is all supposed to be fun. Amid the drudgery of running all over town every hour to see shows in different neighborhoods (and doom-scrolling in the car in between), it is easy to lose sight of that…

But a few days after the dog show, I stepped into Marc Jacobs and Anna Weyant’s Dollhouse at the Academy Mansion uptown: an art-meets-fashion experiential concept where oversized furniture and living dolls dressed in Marc Jacobs runway collections created a surrealist funhouse for mingling and photo-ops. I marveled at a giant two-headed teddy bear, posed for a photo at an oversized vanity, and left with Sweethearts candy and iced sugar cookies in hand. Don’t mind if I do.

Since moving back to the city, it’s easy to feel small. With skyscrapers towering overhead, and everyone seemingly working on some exciting project that’s taking off, NYC has a way of grounding you while motivating you all the same. There’s always someone taller, prettier, and more successful than you in every room, so it becomes an exercise in gratitude — reminding yourself who you are, and that you’re enough. But at least in the Dollhouse, we were all small. For even just one night, we got to be little girls again.

And then, of course, there’s Sandy Liang, who has built an entire brand world on the idea of nostalgic girlhood. This collection was inspired in part by secluded heiress Huguette Clark, who spent millions on dolls and dollhouses while living in near-complete isolation. Standout pieces were precious lace dresses and gingham separates, button-topped accessories, and garments covered in tiny doll clothes, all set to a soundtrack of Hillary Duff and Imogen Heap.

We’re all longing for a time when our biggest concerns were what Disney Channel movie was on tonight and how we were going to get our hands on the latest Polly Pocket set. Now, we’re faced daily — even hourly — with topics like genocide and climate change, and social media only amplifies hostility around opposing opinions. It’s no surprise that our souls are yearning for a simpler time, and in the meantime, we kind of want to lock ourselves at home with all of our safe, pretty things.

Over at Tanner Fletcher, with the theme “Re-Decorating,” models disembarked from a moving truck holding lamps, pillows, art, and antiques. As someone who has also recently moved — and who loves turning my brain off by scrolling through antiques on Etsy (fittingly, the show’s sponsor) — I found it deeply relatable. Little by little, as the models placed the items around the set, it transformed into a cozy home complete with curtains, flowers, and all the fixings. At the end of the show, the designers’ family members emerged, and honestly, I felt a bit emotional.

New York Fashion Week always acts as a barometer for the cultural mood. These shows reminded me that in times like these, we have to tend to our inner worlds. They’re the only things we can really control. It may seem trite, but in the current climate, our homes are our safe spaces.

Of course, fashion and home are always intertwined, but this season, it’s clear designers are carving out their safe worlds amid an unforgiving industry moment. We’ve all tried the hustle and the grind, pushing forward despite the world crumbling around us — but that’s not working anymore. Marc’s brand is apparently up for sale, Sandy Liang is a new mother, and Tanner Fletcher is putting family in the spotlight.

It’s all a reminder to focus on what matters. Yes, fashion week is about the clothes —but it’s also about the worlds we create to sustain ourselves against all odds. That’s why, to me, home feels more important lately than what I’m putting on each morning. Fashion will always be my first love, but lately, I’ve felt my passion reignite for creating cozy spaces, collecting secondhand pieces that tell a story, and opting for flea markets over fast-fashion in Soho. And through these shows, it was nice to see I wasn’t alone.

Moving to Dumbo was never really the plan. While I did want to be near to family in the surrounding areas, I was even open to living in Manhattan when I started looking for NYC apartments toward the end of last year. Plus, the market here was/is so intense that I just decided to keep my options as open as possible. It was more about finding a space that resonated with me and aligned with my lifestyle and aesthetic than it was about being in the “perfect” neighborhood.

Whether or not you’re super familiar with Brooklyn neighborhoods, you probably know Dumbo as the tourist capital of the borough, and that isn’t wrong. On the weekends especially, international visitors flock to my area to get their photo of the Empire State Building peeking through the arch of the Manhattan bridge. They do photoshoots along the water, visit Jane’s carousel, and often stand around confused at the York St. subway stop (much to my dismay).

But, I’ve been pleasantly surprised not only at the convenience of the area (despite dodging tourists), but its true neighborhood feel and community of creatives that have found themselves in this pocket of the city for decades. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed discovering the if-you-know-you-know spots that really make Dumbo special. While I would not say it’s the top Brooklyn neighborhood for food, there are a few eateries that make it worth a visit, and to my surprise, numerous shopping destinations that I’ll probably continue to frequent even if I don’t continue living here forever.

So, while I jumped on moving to this neighborhood more-so for the high ceilings and square footage of the loft apartment we now call home, I have come to love the neighborhood in spite of it also being a seemingly never-ending construction project (all the locals joke about this). I’m extra grateful just to have some special places within walking distance from my place because of living in LA the past 5 years, where I couldn’t walk to anything but a gas station at my previous apartment.

I just didn’t expect Dumbo to check so many boxes, and though most New Yorkers probably avoid its crowds and chain restaurants like the plague, there are some truly redeeming, special little spots that can win you over if you let them. So whether you’re visiting NYC this fall or live here already and just don’t give Dumbo the time of day, here are the spots I’ve been frequenting that I want to gatekeep, but won’t.

Start off with one of my favorite matchas in hand (BeePublic, % Arabica), and embark on a perfect day of bopping around Down Under the Manhattan Bridge. I’ve created the ideal itinerary below :-)

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I swear I’m done being Dua Lipa-levels of always-on-vacation, and I’m just as excited as the next gal for the season to change, sartorially speaking. But I did get one more carry-on-only trip in for good measure. Typically in August, I’m biking around Copenhagen Fashion Week, changing outfits between shows and squeezing in museum visits, coffees with friends, canal swims, and jet-lagged naps. This year though, after looking at what it might cost to go (disclosure: when I’m not partnering with a brand, I pay my own way to attend), my best friend Lauren and I decided to just take our own vacation instead. Highly recommend swapping a work trip for a girls’ trip, lol.

“Should we just go to Costa Rica instead of Copenhagen?,” I said on a text to Lauren sometime midway through July, and she was game. Since I’ve spent the last few Januarys there, she’s always heard me raving about Santa Teresa (previously dubbed my happiest place on Earth) but had yet to experience it, so just before rainy season fully takes hold there, I thought it was as nice a time as ever to show her my favorite place where surf sessions, tree-climbing monkeys, and 9-hour nights of sleep reign supreme.

We had little-to-no agenda except for daily surf sessions and early dinners at unassuming (yet delicious) beachside restaurants. One of the best things about a trip like this is the packing, because everything can easily fit into a carry-on, stress-free. When I mentioned needing to pack before the trip, my boyfriend replied with, “Don’t you just need to throw a few bikinis in a bag and go?” And, well, he wasn’t wrong.

Another aspect I love about this destination in particular is how easy it is to feel overdressed. Most folks aren’t wearing shirts or shoes, so by now, I’ve pretty much stopped packing anything fancy altogether. And even when I do pack a full carry-on, I end up wearing only about half of it, opting for just swim and a cover-up for the majority of the trip. The life!

With all of this said, I thought I’d give an honest look at what I actually wore on my last vacay of the summer. Since it’s my first year back in NYC, the land of changing seasons, I already can’t wait until that first chilly-but-sunny morning. (But come January, I know I’ll be missing the ‘kinis). Let’s dive in.

P.S. I’m super excited to have joined new app EMME as a stylist, now offering on-demand virtual styling consults! Whether you’re planning looks for a trip, feeling indecisive in a fitting room, or needing a total wardrobe overhaul, I’m sooo excited to work with you guys in this capacity! Download the app and hit me up.

Look 1: I said casual was the name of the game! Before the trip, I popped into a Brooklyn boutique with my mom called Cloth, and we were impressed with its selection of easy-to-wear pieces, like these comfy, just-enough-drop-crotch pants which immediately got splashed with mud (jungle in rainy season!), but it was kind of a vibe? They’re by a Brooklyn brand called Uzi, and are under $150 (different print, same pant, just longer on me because I’m short). The tank is sadly a brand that no longer exists, but Re/Done makes a similar one that I also own and love.

Look 2: It is both a blessing and a curse to live near Front General Store, but a blessing this beach bag was. I wore it the entire trip! It’s not online, but this equally good one is! This Emily Levine hat may never leave my head. The bikini is FISCH Swim, and the flip-flops just good ol’ Havianas impulse-purchased before departure because my dog has decided to chew every flip-flop I own to bits. And I love that this Dunst wrap, worn as a cover-up, doubles as a layering piece for fall.

Look 3: Probably my favorite ‘fit from the trip, this perfect polo is from one of my recent brand obessions: Cordera, the belt is vintage, bloomers Gimaguas, shoes St. Agni, bag Sézane.

Look 4: I have to shout out my friend Karina at Haus Label for creating the perfect surf suit. This one-piece has a flattering open back and built-in bra support, so everything stays in place while hanging ten. And, these Mango x Siedres shorts became an unexpected hero for me this summer. Similar pair here.

Look 5: Gauzy top also from Cloth, the hat is Memorial Day, and sunnies by friend Meeka for Aperçu.

Looks 6+7: Top also from Front General Store, bloomers by Charlie Beads, boat shoes by Steve Madden (sometimes one must do the dupe). Cow-print bikini is by my amazing tailor back in LA who also happens to be Brazilian and make amazing Brazilian bikinis. I will miss you, summer tan!

Look 8: Definitely felt overdressed, but in a good way, in this MILKWHITE top and NIA skirt. Bag and shoes stolen from Lauren.

“Good things take time to build. Moving is tough…You start understanding the equity of familiarity: Of your friends, your neighbors, restaurants, markets, that place where only the appetizers are good, your favorite hidden spots… Things that take time to build.”

And I find myself in the middle of that process, trying to jigsaw together new routines in a new neighborhood in the dizzying heat and sweaty stench of summer. Being back in the city, I’m reminded that so much of the daily grind in New York is about trying to remain grounded and composed in spite of the utter chaos that surrounds you. There is so much stimulation, so many distractions, and so much happening minute-to-minute that it’s easy to lose your footing. Plus, I’m convinced I live in the loudest apartment in the Brooklyn borough (so Sakara’s Night Service Sleep Support Supplement, which helps me with deep sleep, has found a permanent home on my bedside table).

Though this move has, in many ways, been a homecoming, much has been left to figure out… Like how to get a good night’s sleep in a new environment, where to go for a decent, not-overpriced matcha when I don’t feel like making one at home, which cafes have outlets so your laptop doesn’t die when you’re working there for a few hours, who has the best happy hour deals (and best grab-and-go pizza slice), where to go when I’m feeling shoppy on a whim (that’s now Front General Store), and what food spots deserve to be in the weekly lunch rotation. I’m trying just about every workout studio in the area to see which ones have the coolest music and the nicest instructors. I’m figuring out which end of the subway I need to be on to not walk a mile when I get off the train. All that fun stuff.

Even in the career realm, I’m in a time of trying some new things. Part of moving back to New York was to re-invigorate my work. I felt stagnant and uninspired in LA, and was itching to get my hands on some new projects and feel passionate about it all again. Already in the first month here, I’ve felt that taking shape. I’ve taken on new consulting projects I’m excited about, am working with my first interiors client, and am (still) building a new version of Infinite that will one day see the light (hopefully soon). The energy of this city is already being re-injected into my veins, and I feel myself perking up like a blow-up toy plugged into an air pump.

I told my mom on the phone recently that sometimes I wish I just had one straightforward job (the grass is always greener!), where I woke up each day and just knew exactly what I had to do and did it. But I know deep down I’d find that boring, and I’m actually grateful that no two days are ever the same for me, but I do have to remind myself it’s a good thing sometimes.

Each day I’m shifting gears between creating my own content, research and ideation for consulting clients, sourcing items for a retail store I’m helping design, writing for Substack, and working on Infinite. It can be dizzying, but in all the right ways. On that same call, I noted that I never really want to “niche down,” or pigeonhole myself into any one thing. I know I’m creatively capable of a lot of different things, and this chapter definitely has me leaning into all of them.

So, yes, it is hard to find routine amongst all of this. This change feels like a good one, and as David said, the good things take time. I don’t really want to rush it, so I’m trying to get cozy in the mess of it all. I’m throwing spaghetti at the wall half of the time, and as if that wasn’t chaotic enough, then the train is down on the way to an event, or I run into someone I wasn’t planning on catching up with on the street. My life felt pretty low-key in Los Angeles, and the first weeks and months here have been anything but, this is what I wanted!! Right???

With this sentiment in mind, I thought I’d shout out a few things bringing me consistency and calm in this transitional time.

1. I ran out of my last pad of little daily to-do lists, so I opted for this planner from the Container Store, and it’s giving me a head start on that back-to-school, I-have-my-sh*t-together feeling.

2. I find myself slipping into my Rothy’s clogs more than almost anything else on the daily — they’re my dog-walking shoe, errands shoe, no-brainer shoe.

3. The only thing consistent in my life is my loyalty to Dieux’s Baptism gentle facial cleanser, truly no other cleanser matters to me. It cleans without stripping, and I look forward to taking my makeup and sunscreen (and layer of city grime) off with it at the end of the day.

4. Newly on my radar (and just landed in North America!) is sustainable activewear brand Saisei. I did yoga with them at Dumbo House this week and will definitely be living in their sets as long as the temps stay this high. The fabric is so delicious and yet not at all restrictive. Truly feels luxurious.

5. I splurged on these oversized Miu Miu glasses and they are, in fact, my new personality. We need cute things to keep us going, no?

6. I’ve been packing lighter lately, thanks to shorter trips and warmer temps, and these compression packing cubes allowed me to pack for a long weekend in Miami in only my Patagonia backpack.

7. Sleep masks tend to leave me waking up with a messed up face (read: puffy and creased), but this silky one with little eyeball indents feels like it’s gentler, especially on the lashes.

8. Another little treat for pure enjoyment: The Flamingo Estate tomato soap bar, which has become a staple in our shower if you like to smell like a fresh one just picked from the vine.

9. I am in fact being humbled back into comfortable footwear, and these Foundry Mews dancer shoes have proven to be the most compliment-worthy comfort shoe I’ve found yet. They’re somewhere between a sneaker and a ballet flat.

10. PSA: Are you guys on the Lumify eye drops train yet!? It’s become my go-to for looking alive before an event, photo, or night out.

Admittedly, Miami is not usually a destination high on my travel list (or on my list at all). Having been raised in Florida from birth through middle school, I pretty much tried to get as far away as possible, as soon as possible (read: I moved to NYC when I was 17, only visiting to see family a couple times a year).

It has always felt a little cringe-y and a bit “been there, done that,” for me, but a recent girls’ trip there was just what the doctor ordered. Hear me out! This isn’t the South Beach-by- day, clubbing at night, bachelorette-party vibe you have in mind. We’re talking 9 hours of sleep, lounger on the beach, 6pm dinner reservation, and 9pm Netflix in bed (with some cute outfits sprinkled in there, of course).

We stayed at the new Shelborne hotel by Proper — yes, that very same Proper behind the most Instagram-worthy hotels in Los Angeles and Austin. Having just undergone a $100 million (!!!) renovation, this former Art Deco icon got a facelift that’s super chic and just the right amount girly.

My friend Shelby and I both have high standards when it comes to hotels (I travel a ton, and she even works in the hospitality world), and we were pleasantly surprised at the standard of everything we encountered at the Shelborne. From the property’s concierge (her name is Crispy!) who helped us with dinner reservations, to the complimentary coffee and tea set up in the morning, to the gym and fitness classes, to the pool and beachside service, we were delighted at every turn. Plus, you can’t beat crystal-blue, warm waters just a short flight from NYC (I’ve been on the West Coast and totally forgot how much more accessible Florida is from New York).

When I’m in Miami, I like to step into the city’s somewhat unhinged personality and unlock a new persona. I got my first spray tan (no regrets), wore really short short-shorts, and took a lot of bikini photos. (When in Rome!) I drank expensive mocktails (having a sober summer), and then bed-rotted in a robe even though I wasn’t hungover. I bought overpriced sunscreen at CVS only to sit under an umbrella at the beach until the thunderstorms came through and forced us to run inside with towels on our heads. But I will say, Miami off-peak-season means less crowds, easier in-demand dinner reservations, and overall less chaos around town. Dare I say it was actually relaxing?

Full breakdown of all the fits and food spots below, and a note on the shopping….

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Just a few nights ago, it was the image below that started it all — you may look at it and think there’s nothing too groundbreaking about it. It’s a lovely room, and the mirror and stool in the foreground are cute, but what caught my eye was the beautiful textile hanging in the background. There’s one blank wall in my kitchen that I think is just begging for a large textile piece (say, rather than a painting or poster), and this IG post did me in. It was time to dive into the treasure troves on Etsy and see what’s out there (mind you, it was 11pm).

In no time, I was knee-deep in a delicious and seemingly infinite scroll of antique and vintage fabric art, from curtains to scraps to full-on wall hangings. Ideas were swirling, not just for my own current space, but for all the ways these beautiful fabrics could be used in any decor project.

They can be framed, like I opted to do with my Helle Skaarup piece (this makes a textile peice feel more “official,” you could say). You can string one onto a thin wooden rod for easy hanging. You can use them in place of traditional curtains, or even in place of a headboard. You can make them into a room divider, drape them over a table as decor, runner, or place setting, or even patchwork found bits into something beautiful (a lampshade, a tablecloth, a curtain, a bed cover/blanket). And don’t get me started on a bed canopy! (I love.) This one would also just be so cute in a nursery.

From laces to tapestries to embroidered silk or hand-painted linen, I loved how the textiles I was finding spanned decades, countries, and different interior personalities and styles. I’m also drawn to how they feel like a bit less of a commitment compared to buying a work of art. They’re often less expensive, and can be switched out on a whim at your heart’s desire (I’m someone who can’t look at the same thing on a wall for too long).

And while I haven’t found the perfect one for the spot in my kitchen just yet, I found so many that were too beautiful not to share. If you end up homing any of these, do send photos — and I’ll keep you posted on which one I settle on.

20th Century Wall Hangings

In a kitchen or above a couch, these might just be the thing your wall is missing. Largely Scandinavian, these pictorial styles can easily become a conversation starter in your home. I love the cozy homestead feel depicted in the first one, and the 3D texture of the abstract, shaggy option. Links: One, Two, Three, Four, Five

Tapestries

Holy wow; these in a dining room?? The bottom left one in place of a headboard? The tassels!!! Dead. Links: One, Two, Three, Four

Lace and Embroidery

Ok, admittedly some vintage lace can cost a pretty penny, but it’s justified if you ask me. The level of detail (and the condition considering their age!) is insane. Links: One, Two, Three, Four, Five

Patchwork

If you’re not in your DIY era, that is. I’m temped to go through rummage bins the next time I’m at a flea market and take a stab at one myself. But until then. Links: One, Two, Three, Four

Embroidered Silk

These Chinese and Vietnamese hand-embroidered silk pieces are truly works of art; I have zero chill. Links: One, Two, Three

Until then, I’ve been lusting for that summer feeling, and for me that’s always primarily through style. Though I’ve mainly just been striving to wear as little clothing as possible in New York’s soaring temps, the start of a new season always gets me excited for a fresh crop of brands that just tend to do that specific season really well. I do think some labels really shine in the fall, with knits and light outerwear done to a tee. Others absolutely thrive in the summertime, with swim and breezy staples that make summer dressing fun and exciting despite the lack of layering. We’re talking about the clothes that make you want to buy a plane ticket just to go on a vacation and wear ‘em.

Though I haven’t been shopping a ton lately (moving is expensive!) these brands are getting me mentally in the mood for summer, whether I’m lusting over a piece to buy when I’m able to or taking notes on styling or overall vibes from their products and imagery. I’ll probably feel differently in a good way when my toes are in the sand tomorrow. Will report back!

Mare Perpetua

Whether the perfect onesie, bikini, or pair of linen pants with a skirt layer on top, these pieces make me crave 96% humidity. I’m packing a bikini and a short set from them in my Miami carry-on, and know they’ll be right at home there. Plus it’s all sustainably made in LA.

Made Some Sportswear

I have not been able to avoid the sporty pant seen ‘round the world (Instagram) the past few weeks, nor have I been able to avoid wanting to buy them. They walk the line of beachwear and streetwear so seamlessly, and I can see why everyone who’s anyone is wearing them.

Deiji Studios

Simple, crisp cottons that don’t touch your body are often the name of the game for the era of global warming, and Deiji just does them so damn well. Everything borderlines on pajamas, which I kind of love for a summer, roll-out-of-bed-and-go-for-an-iced-coffee vibe. Currently eyeing the most perfect no-frills halter dress for when it’s too hot for clothes.

Ayllon

As soon as summer hits, I tend to want to break out all of my glass, beaded, baubly things so complement wearing, well, less clothing in general. Melanie knows I misplaced a pouch of all my summer jewelry last year on my travels and have been trying to rebuild ever since — so she recently sent me their site and I’ve been plotting what to buy since.

Oori Ott

Part of what I love about this brand is that they don’t come out with one million pieces every season, but rather a couple that are just done really well. Most recently, it’s these tiny grommet shorts that I would probably wear every single day (and I don’t even love wearing shorts that much). But these — these! They come out tomorrow, ahhhh.

Del Sol

With a name like Del Sol, you know this brand has that summer mindset. Their signature sunglasses border on the shape of pool goggles, and that’s what makes them so damn cool.

Salter House

Another label that does less, better is Salter House, whose latest sheer pieces have summer heat written all over them. How chic??? And if sheer isn’t your thing, you can opt for their nightgowns or bloomers.

Mod Ref

I had the pleasure stumbling into Mod Ref’s new Soho store last weekend, and was surprised to find so many summer staples under $100. Apparently it’s been around since 2015, but it’s new to me! And I got a pair of cute plaid bloomers I’m also packing for this weekend. It really is a bloomer summer once you get past the idea of shorts having to be “flattering.”

DANZ

This is a brand I first fell in love with for its leather jackets, blazers, and general outerwear category, but their latest collection is just done so well. I love the studded details and the cuts of all the barely-there tops. Plus the fabrics are always so luxurious and colors (i.e. this perfect shade of chartreuse) are *chef’s kiss.* Here I am in their fitting room last week.

Dunst

Quickly becoming one of my go-to’s for every season, this Korean label knows what they’re doing. And for this season, that’s frilly cotton tops and dresses, sailor blouses, breezy knits and lots of pointelle. With this wardrobe, Greece is really calling…

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Since getting to Brooklyn, we’ve been doing everything in our power to make this loft feel like us, though I keep trying to remind myself that usually takes a year rather than two weeks…

We’ve downsized from a 2 bedroom in LA to a studio loft in Dumbo, but it’s actually been a refreshing reset. This space has already led me to a lot of creative ideas brewing in my brain to a) Make it feel cozy and homey, and b) Differentiate each of the little zones (sleeping, living, working, kitchen, etc.) to make them all practical and functional.

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I love a good rental challenge! So of course I’ve jumped right in and brought my partner into the madness with me. We’ve been to Home Depot and IKEA more times than I’d like to admit in the last few weeks, and I’ve definitely blacked out a few times ordering sh*t like cabinet pulls and wall hooks online and combing Facebook Marketplace for houseplants and counter stools.

Since we had a month leading up to the move to prepare, I already had quite a few ideas for the space and lots of inspiration saved on Pinterest by the time we arrived, so I thought for this first home-focused newsletter, I could share some of those themes, concepts, and ideas with you, and even show you a sneak peek of what we’re workin’ with! Let’s get into it, starting with some photos of the space from the day we moved in…

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“You’re still here?!” That’s the line I’m getting when I run into friends around town the past week or two, because I’m very much one foot in, one foot out before this move to New York. You’re probably sick of hearing about it — I am, too! — but we’re 2 weeks until the move (read: road trip!) and everything’s feeling a bit piecemeal right now, so this letter probably will, too.

I’ve been reflecting a lot on what the last 5 years in LA have done to me, and realizing I’ve come to value routine so much more here than at any other point in my life. For the first time, I’ve had a morning routine. I wake, feed and walk Moonie, make my matcha with collagen, light my favorite incense, cook breakfast at home. I never had a semblance of routine or morning routine when I lived in NYC previously. I’ve been thinking about how I will take these new routines and try to stick with them in, or adapt them to, this next chapter in New York.

Since living here in LA, I’ve actually experienced what it’s like to not always be in fight-or-flight mode. I’ve slowed down a lot, and that’s been really beautiful, but has also left me antsy enough to move back to New York and kick it into high gear again.

I’ve done a lot of healing here (spurred largely by major heartbreak), but I’ve learned to take care of myself in such an actionable and intentional way that I never was able to before. In NYC I was always just scraping by, moving so quickly to subconciously blur the tough parts (which were plenty). My life here has been starkly the opposite. Feelings have come up, I’ve processed them, I’ve held myself, I’ve listened to what my soul wants and given it that.

Will all of this go out the window when I hit the pavement in New York? Or am I really older, wiser, and just plain different than the last time around?

I’m picturing my new mornings there, hopefully walking Moon to the dog park nearby (instead of driving there like we do now!). I’m scoping out the workout studios in the area to see where I’ll be frequenting. I’m plotting trips upstate and planning on surfing in the Rockaways (attempts to not lose nature altogether).

Until then, I’m packing a few more boxes each day, planning a going away party, and plotting our cross-country road trip. We’ll be taking our spin on the Northern route because it has more places we’ve never been. If you have any tips on cross-country-ing with a puppy, I’m all ears.

Yup — I’m still just in this transient state right now, and trying to find the balance, the meaning, and the fun in it all, relishing in my silly little routines and leaning into my support system. Below are some notes of things I’ve done, loved, and seen since we last spoke.

And next newsletter, I plan to dive into some home decor ideas I’m into since that part of my brain is really starting to light up again. I have so many ideas I want to share with you! We’re into that interiors stuff here too, right? (I keep feeling like I should niche down more on this platform, but also completely refuse to, so thanks for being along for the ride). Let’s get into it —

• I bought this Alessi tea kettle that I probably didn’t need mid-move off of a friend who was selling it on IG stories, but has made my mornings a solid amount more enjoyable (I only heat water for tea and matcha, as I don’t drink coffee). The! Little! Things!

• In my Big Cleanout, I found an old pile of film and dropped it all off to be scanned. Aside from some unwanted photos of my ex boyfriend, there were some gems in there, like these shots from Hakone, Japan I forgot about.

• Fell in love with these fancy candle snuffers from Fry Powers, a brand name I fully forgot about for a couple years, and this dog bowl I saw at Design.Space (I feel a DIY coming on).

  

• I shot some photos for a recent project at Vasquez Rocks, such a beautiful place where both Star Trek and Planet of the Apes were filmed. Even after 5 years here there are still so many LA gems I have yet to discover.

• Made homemade pasta at Eataly for a work event, and though I could feel my Nonna rolling in her grave at the stuffing popping out of the side of some of my raviolis, it turned out amazing and was a suprisingly meditative process.

• My friend Meeka designed these sunglasses and they truly deemed all my other sunglasses irrelevant.

• Did a little shoot to remember my LA apartment by. *sniffles*

• Had my first experience at Wi Spa, felt like a new person after hours on end in the saunas, a giant bowl of noodles, a face and foot mask (at the same time), and finishing my book while laying on a mat on a heated floor. Any comparable places I should know in NYC?

• Did a lap of the Fashion Trust US nominees, already-favs included Clyde and Diotima, new favs were Patrick Taylor for innovative knitwear and Beck Jewels for modern heirlooms.

• The pandan matcha at Eyes Peeled has been my go-to little treat — there’s something to be said for a little crunch in an iced matcha (in this case, it’s topped with macadamia nuts).

• Berniechella was everything to me. It was the first year in a while I didn’t go to Coachella, but I enjoyed watching favorite sets from my bed.

• I checked out the Gimaguas popup, where everything I wanted was sold out in my size but I did snag this tote for the road trip.

• I accidentally discovered the Phoebe Philo Drive bag which has become my latest hyperfixation.

• Shopped the Sephora sale because I won’t pass up a good skincare deal.

• Was eyeing the Juno sofa from Sixpenny, but my Togo is sticking around for now.

• Ending Soon is officially in LA to stay, and the space looks amazing.

• I’ve been sweating a LOT at Silver Springs, which I credit for my sanity throughout this time.

• The all-black-outfit New Yorker in me is already starting to come back out.

• I went out past my bedtime with Louis Vuitton to celebrate the new Sneakerina, a slim silhouette that’s somewhere between a ballet flat and a sneaker (or you could always go the vintage route).

• Recently discovered Halara (which kind of gives Uniqlo’s cute younger sister?) at their current pop-up at the Grove, and their jeans literally feel like sweatpants???

• I chose out some gifting from the New Arrivals at My Mum Made It, which I’ve never had/worn before but am very excited for the two little dresses to come in time for an NYC summer.

‘til next time,

Alyssa

In case you missed it:

• My guide to LA

• When everything is about to change

• These are a few of my favorite things

I had a good cry this morning. I really didn’t think it would be a pickup of a pile of stuff for Goodwill that would set it off, but it was. I have exactly one month until the moving truck comes to pick up all my belongings and drive them to Brooklyn, and despite the excitement of it all, it’s still an ending, and I’m not good at goodbyes.

It’s been little things that are starting to make it feel real. I cleaned out the outdoor sitting area I put together last summer at our place, and sold all the furniture pieces on Facebook Marketplace; it’s empty back there now. We had a big closet sale, which felt great, but also made me feel like, “Oh, I’m really doing this.” Then Goodwill came to pickup old roller blades and excess linens and extra carry-on suitcases, which means I can park my car in the garage again (where the Goodwill pile was living temporarily). But I came back upstairs and cried. Lol… Moving and grief and endings are so weird.

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On one hand, it’s nice that I have a whole month until the move, and on the other hand, I’m not sure what to do with myself. I already have giant lists and endless moodboards for decor for the new place, the movers are booked, and the Great Purge of it all is going actually going well and feeling good. But I’m somewhat struggling to think of all the things I want to do before I leave Los Angeles — all the meals I need to eat and the people I need to squeeze. It feels kind of overwhelming; I’m trying to remind myself I’ll be back! However it’s a good practice in reflecting on the places here that have made it feel like home.

So, I figured it’s as good a time as any to put together my little guide to Los Angeles. Perhaps it will help me narrow in on the spots I need to hit one more time before we hit the road. It will be a bit neighborhood specific to where I tend to spend my time, which reminds me one of the things I sort-of hate about LA is that it’s so vast and so siloed, and everyone ends up mostly staying in their little bubbles. I’m guilty of it… We all kind of are.

I regret not getting out of my neighborhood more. I regret not spending more nights out on the East Side (I usually stay home and go to bed at 10 but my friends who do this always make it sound like a lot of fun). I regret not waking up earlier for the Rose Bowl a couple of times. I regret not going to the beach more.

I’m going to miss singing in my car with the windows down, the way the sun just feels different here, and breathing in the ocean air. It’s all those sort of things that you take for granted when you live somewhere that come to a head and slap you in the face as soon as you’re leaving. But c’est la vie!

Without further ado, some of my favorite LA spots for your enjoyment, from eats to hikes and vintage shopping. I’m surely missing a few (it’s hard to think of all your favorite places on the spot!), so drop your faves in the comments for any first timers, or places I should make sure to hit before I leave.

Damn. I might really miss you, Los Angeles.

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