Her own travels are equally enviable, with Africa in permanent rotation and the rest of the year taking her from Forestis to Villa Feltrinelli and Reschio before New Year’s in Sydney.

We chat about what makes a great travel advisor invaluable, her favorite spots in New York, and what’s currently in her cart.

Thank you so much for being here. To start, can you share a brief introduction to yourself and the work you do?

Travel has been the throughline of my life for as long as I can remember, and I’ve been fortunate enough to build a career around that curiosity. For the better part of the last two decades, I’ve been at SmartFlyer, where I’m now Managing Partner and COO. My work sits at the intersection of so many things I genuinely love: people, places, hotels, design, art, and how all of those things come together. I oversee much of the business behind the business, from our global growth and partnerships to brand and technology, but at the heart of it, my work is really about connecting people to the world and to each other.

SmartFlyer has encapsulated a deep bank of knowledge from top advisors, utilizing tech where it improves the experience, and prioritizing the human relationship. Is there anything on the horizon for the industry you’re especially excited about?

I’m excited about what happens when technology gets really good at the things it should be doing. There’s so much knowledge sitting within our industry and in the heads of great travel advisors. If technology can help us access that knowledge more intuitively, it gives us more time for the very human part of the job—understanding people, staying curious, and making connections. And history has shown that the more sophisticated technology becomes, the more valuable the human relationship becomes.

What are some of the qualities that stand out to you before you bring someone into the SmartFlyer network?

Curiosity, kindness, and a point of view. I love people who are endlessly interested in the world and who naturally want to share what they discover. And taste, of course, but taste to me isn’t about knowing what’s expensive or fashionable. It’s knowing why something is unique, who it’s right for, and sometimes, it’s having the confidence to say when something isn’t.

What do you think the biggest value working with a travel advisor provides that’s often overlooked?

The confidence of a well-made choice. We can all access an extraordinary amount of information now—the harder part is knowing what to ignore. A great travel advisor knows you well enough to edit the world down to the things that are right for you. There’s a real luxury in not having to second-guess a decision.

What’s a request you’ve noticed clients gravitating toward more and more lately?

People want to feel like they’ve actually been somewhere. Not just stayed at the best hotel and eaten at the hardest reservation but understood something about the place. It might be meeting an artist, spending time with a conservationist, being invited into someone’s home, or finding the tiny restaurant you end up talking about for years. There’s a growing appetite for connection over checklist travel.

What are some “lesser-known” places you love sending clients to right now?

“Lesser-known” is relative these days—we’re all discovering the same places faster than ever. Malta really surprised me this summer; there’s this incredible layering of history, architecture and contemporary culture, and it still feels overlooked. I’m also increasingly interested in the places between the places, the smaller cities and regions you might once have passed through on the way to somewhere more obvious. More and more, I find the exciting part isn’t necessarily discovering somewhere no one has heard of, but finding a different way into a place you thought you already knew.

Where did your most recent trip take you, and what were some of the highlights of your time there?

I just returned from Botswana, which is easily my favorite destination on the continent. In anticipation of its first opening in the country, Singita created Kokoano Camp as a way to experience the concession and get a first look at Elela while it was still taking shape. Kokoano, which means “temporary” or “fleeting,” felt particularly poignant, as you’re in this incredibly charming, down-to-earth pioneer-style camp in the middle of 420,000 acres of wilderness, knowing it exists only for this moment in time. Our plucky group of six spent our days on game drives, in mokoros, and mostly just completely immersed in the landscape. It was a very special way to experience a destination I already love so much.

What’s a destination, hotel, or experience you’d love to go next or have planned this year?

The rest of the year is filled with Europe, but most immediately, Italy. I’m returning to Forestis as I’ve been so curious to dine at Yera—then back to Venice for one last look at the Biennale before it wraps up, followed by Villa Feltrinelli and the very dreamy Reschio.

I’m ringing in the New Year in Sydney for the first time this year, which I’m really looking forward to. And next year, I’d love to work in a South America trip, specifically Argentina and Chilean Patagonia and Fogo Island, which has been on my list for a while now.

What places are in your forever rotation… the ones you return to again and again?

I’ve been to Africa more times than I can count these days, and I know I’ll continue returning for the rest of my life. There’s always more to see, but more than that, it’s a place where I can always find new inspiration and peace of mind.

Being based in NY, what are some of your favorite spots to go when you’re home?

When I’m home, it’s all about the reset, at least until I reach equilibrium again. Some of my favorite studios, Liv Figueroa’s Figure in NoHo or The Ness in Tribeca; get the most perfect coffee at Milkweed Studio; make far too many Happier Grocery runs; and dinners at San Vicente, Blue Ribbon Sushi, or Raoul’s—always at the bar, always the burger.

What is your go-to travel uniform?

I equally lean on comfort and style. I’ve been wearing Tibi Winslow pants for the better part of my spring and summer travels. They have these fab snap details at the hems that allow you to adjust the length, so you can go from sneakers to heels seamlessly.

When travel is your constant, packing becomes an art — what are the non-negotiables that always make it into your carry-on?

Unfortunately for me, I hate getting my hair done, so a round thermal brush goes everywhere with me. It’s probably the least glamorous but most non-negotiable thing in my carry-on.

You’re always so well dressed — do you enjoy shopping in the city and bringing pieces home, or do you plan and buy ahead of time?

Ah, that’s kind, thank you Jordan! I love the hunt, that feeling when you stumble upon a gem specific to a destination and get to bring it home.

Is there anything in your cart right now?

The Gianvito Rossi Elle heels in deep purple, which will be my third pair, as I also have the brown and nude ones. My friend Alexandra introduced them to me this summer and I’ve been wearing them all season long.

Is there a trip or destination you especially loved dressing for?

African safari. There’s incredible freedom in its simplicity and utility. You’re dressing for the environment and the experience rather than the occasion, and I love the restraint of that. A limited palette, natural fabrics, great layers, pieces that can take you from a game drive to dinner—it’s probably the most instinctive I feel getting dressed.

The term luxury is extremely subjective. What does that look like for you, personally?

Luxury, for me, is ease. It’s having fewer decisions to make because the right ones have already been made for you. The best luxury gives you the freedom to be completely present.

Favorite gallery or museum?

WHATIFTHEWORLD in Cape Town and Galleria Continua in San Gimignano, and MoMA in New York.

Go-to drink order?

An extra-cold, extra-dry gin martini with a twist.

Favorite city?

Cape Town.

Favorite island?

Parrot Cay.

Favorite kind of getaway… city, coast, countryside?

Anything that makes me feel small and the world feel larger than life.

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The outfits below are what I would pack with free will and a generously sized suitcase for the itinerary and recommendations in my recent Japan article.

For this trip, I’d build everything around a foundation of basics that can be worn over and over again: a great white tank, a black top, an oversized button-down, black pants, white shorts, a light sweater, etc…

I always rely heavily on accessories to change the formula: sunglasses, jewelry, a clutch, and a reallyyy good shoe.

For shoes, flats during the day. You walk an extraordinary amount in Japan, so I’d also bring a genuinely comfortable sneaker for the days when you know you’re going to cover miles. For dinner and a nightcap, I’d have no problem changing into a little heel and making the outfit feel more elevated.

Note: If I want to wear kitten heels for a certain outfit or dinner reservation but will be out all day, I’ll sometimes pack them in a small garment bag in my tote so I can change into them later without having shoes floating around my bag. A hotel slipper bag usually works pretty well.

Also, be prepared for restaurants where you may be asked to remove your shoes before dining. Just keep a clean pair of socks in your tote that you can easily slip on.

Let’s start with the travel uniform…

• Carry-on luggage

• Tote and cosmetic pouch

• Top

• Pants

• Flats

• Glasses

• Earrings

A few outfits for the day,

• Tank

• Pants

• Bag

• Flats

• Glasses

• Necklace

• Button down

• Bra

• Shorts

• Flats

• Earrings

• Clutch

• Glasses

• Top

• Shorts

• Earrings

• Bag

• Glasses

• Flats

• Top

• Pants

• Tote

• Glasses

• Earrings

• Flats

• Top

• Shorts

• Flats

• Tote

• Glasses

• Earrings

• Button down

• Shorts

• Flats

• Necklace

• Tote

• Earrings

• Glasses

• Top

• Shorts

• Flats

• Bag

• Ring

• Glasses

For date nights and evenings,

• Tank

• Skirt

• Heels

• Bag

• Glasses

• Earrings

• Necklace

• Tank

• Trousers

• Mules

• Clutch

• Necklace

• Glasses

• Dress

• Heels

• Clutch

• Glasses

• Earrings

• Tank

• Skirt

• Heels

• Clutch

• Cuff

• Earrings

• Top

• Pants

• Clutch

• Heels

• Ring

• Earrings

Top

Jeans

Heels

Clutch

Cuff

Earrings

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This article has been a long time coming, mostly because I’ve been trying to figure out the best way to organize it all. So, this is my version of Japan and what we did for our anniversary trip: the places we went, the ones I had saved and places I’ve added to the list since.

I’m also including a few things worth knowing before you start planning. Japan is remarkably easy to travel through once you’re there, but organizing the trip well is its own thing. A little context around hotels, reservations, transportation and how to pace it all goes a long way.

For our first anniversary, my husband surprised me with flights to Japan and gave me the printed tickets, his very good interpretation of the traditional first-anniversary gift… paper. We went and had the most incredible time.

When I tell you there is no shortage of incredible hotels, restaurants, shopping (!!), bars, spa treatments and things to experience, I mean it. This list is long and somehow still only a starting point, which is one of the things I find so incredible about Japan.

Since then, I’ve planned countless trips to Japan for clients, so the list is constantly evolving. New places keep finding their way onto it, and we talk about going back all the time.

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ATELIER LE MONDE

A quick guide for new readers (or a refresher) — what’s here and where to find it:

• The Edit is where you'll find deeper trip content — Notes From (recent trip recaps), Save for Later (planning-phase research), and destination-based recs like dining guides, etc.

• Table for Two is my interview series where I chat with tastemakers who inspire me with their stylish travels and distinctive perspectives.

• Postcards From... is a chic overview that highlights the best of a city: where to stay, eat, drink, shop, and what to do.

• Room Service is where I put my hotel reviews.

• The Look Book is where all my styling content lives — series like Hotels + Outfits, Airport Looks, Aperitivo Hour, and more.

• Checking In is where I recap what I'm planning, what's on my radar, what's coming up on Atelier Le Monde, and everything in between.

I also talk about it in-depth here:

ON MY RADAR

Stay: Casa Bonavita, Malta.

I’m obsessed after recent trip there (also, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley). If you need any convincing, go read Gab’s recent article.

Eat: Esmée, Copenhagen. ShopMy just hosted a dinner there with Josephine Aarkrogh and it looked divine. My girlfriends and I want to plan a trip next summer and stop in Copenhagen and this is on my list.

Sip: Bar Heather, Byron Bay. Natural Wine, live jazz, and a cool coastal town.

Read: A Substack I’ve been devouring lately…

/ WEARSTLERWORLD

Want:

• These creased leather flats

• The “Broken In” black leather tote bag from Parker Thatch (just got + is my new favorite)

• This Necessaire Eucalyptus Mist is so unnecessary but sounds so refreshing

• Vincent Boulevard Glasses in Tan

• This ring from Dorsey (I saw wearing it in a stack and wanted immediately)

• A stay at Le Lappe… a family-owned hotel in the hills of Chianti

• A cosmetic pouch for weekend trips or date nights

• I love a fun summer necklace and this one from Bauble Bar hits the criteria

• and this lace nightgown.

CURRENTLY BOOKING

• Grand Hotel Son Net in Mallorca followed by a private yacht charter around Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera,

• A minimoon at The Fife Arms,

• Copenhagen, Paris and the South of France trip with a stop in the countryside…

  • Hotels I’m looking at: Hotel Sanders, Chateau Voltaire, Airelles La Bastide, and Zannier Île de Bendor

• A minimoon in Lake Garda at Villa Feltrinelli,

• One-year anniversary trip at Post Ranch Inn.

COMING UP

• Postcards from… Amsterdam and Mexico City.

• Room Service: Notes from Japan (our one-year anniversary trip)

• Los Angeles Diaries IV

• Table for Two with Erina Pindar

RECENTLY ON ATELIER LE MONDE

• Postcards From… Marseille, Copenhagen, New York, Barcelona, and Brussels

• Room Service: San Ysidro Ranch, The Connaught, and Hotel Chelsea

• Table for Two with Kira Mackenzie Jackson

• Los Angeles Diaries III

• NY Minute(s)

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Location: I really liked this location. It was only a few blocks from one of my best girlfriends, which made it an easy choice for this trip. That said, if I were visiting New York for the first time, I’d probably stay a little closer to the West Village, SoHo, or the Lower East Side. Nine Orchard and The Mercer would be at the top of my list.

That said, New York is one of those cities where you’re constantly walking or able to get around easily, so I never felt inconvenienced. I loved the hotel enough that I’d happily stay here again.

Vibe: The interiors alone are reason enough to stay here. Rich wood, velvet, original artwork, and layers of history make every space feel interesting. It feels lived in and very creative.

Rooms: I stayed in The Chelsea room category, and for a solo trip it was the perfect size. If you’re traveling with a plus one, I’d probably recommend booking a Grand Chelsea or above for a little more space.

I loved the velvet headboard, the embroidered linens, the Scalamandré chairs, and the generous closet space. I also happily traded a balcony for a deep soaking tub after receiving an 8 a.m. check-in following my red-eye from Los Angeles. That felt like the better deal.

The bathroom could have used a little more natural light, but it wasn’t something that bothered me enough to take away from the stay.

Restaurant(s): I didn’t end up eating at the hotel, simply because New York has far too many restaurants I wanted to try. That said, Teruko—the hotel's new Japanese restaurant—would probably be my first reservation if I were staying again.

The Lobby Bar, however, is absolutely worth visiting. Multiple people told me it serves one of the best martinis in the city—comparable to Duke’s in London—and after spending some time there, I understand why. Even if you’re dining elsewhere, I’d come back for a pre-dinner drink or a nightcap.

Amenities: The spa is exceptional and one of the hotel's biggest selling points. And a small but great fitness center.

I just wrote a Postcards From… New York about my recent visit and favorite spots:

For complimentary hotel bookings on any of your trips, feel free to reach out to me for added amenities and priority status: jordan@atelierlemonde.co

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Location: The location is one of the biggest reasons I’d recommend The Connaught. Mayfair is one of my favorite neighborhoods in London, and so many of the places I return to are within walking distance.

Mr. Nice is a great choice for date night, Gagosian is just around the corner, The Row and Liberty London are two of my favorite places to shop, and Paul Rothe & Sons makes one of the best pastrami sandwiches I’ve had. I also love At The Movies, a small shop specializing in vintage film posters. They helped me source my first wedding anniversary gift for Shane (year one is paper).

Vibe: It’s quintessentially British: elegant, polished, and contemporary. The bedding is impeccably crisp, the service is attentive, and every space feels beautifully maintained.

That said, it isn’t without history. The hallways are lined with paintings, the wood staircases are beautiful, and there are subtle reminders throughout the hotel that it’s been part of Mayfair for generations. It simply wears that history with a little more restraint.

Rooms: I’d book a Contemporary Studio or above. The entry-level rooms feel a little too compact for my liking, while the studios strike a much nicer balance.

If you’re considering one of the suites, the Sutherland Suite and the Connaught Suite are my favorites. They lean further into the building’s history with more architectural detail and feel much more layered. The apartment-style suites are especially beautiful and come with a number of thoughtful complimentary inclusions.

For most travelers, though, the Contemporary Studio is where I’d start.

Restaurant(s): There are several excellent restaurants and bars throughout the hotel, but London has too many incredible restaurants for me to prioritize dining at the hotel.

That said, I would make time for The Red Room. It’s behind a heavy velvet curtain, it’s intimate, moody, and exactly where I’d end the evening with a glass of wine before heading upstairs. Even if you have dinner elsewhere, it’s well worth coming back for one last drink.

Amenities: The Aman Spa is reason enough to spend a little more time at the hotel.

As the first Aman Spa outside one of the brand’s resorts, it brings that same sense of calm into the middle of Mayfair. It’s exquisite, and I’d love to spend some time here after a long travel day to settle into London, or on your final afternoon after days of walking the city.

For complimentary hotel bookings on any of your trips, feel free to reach out to me for added amenities and priority status: jordan@atelierlemonde.co

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Whenever I travel, I visually plan my outfits before I leave. It helps me see everything together, repeat pieces in different ways, and pack as lightly as possible—ideally always in a carry-on.

The outfits:

Obviously a chic + cozy travel day outfit…

A few casual day options…

A few outfits specifically catered towards shopping and time spent at the museum…

In a world where your look for a cheeky beverage is different than your dinner look…

A few dinner options…

Putting these together shows me which pieces I reach for time and time again—and are probably worth investing in. A crisp white tank is almost always in the mix, most of my outfits come together with accessories rather than more clothing, I rarely travel without a great pair of sunglasses, and the same clutch seems to make an appearance on nearly every look.

It also works for pieces I have my eye on. Before I buy something, I like to style it with what I already own to see how often I'd realistically wear it—or if it's just something that catches my eye in the moment but would end up taking permanent residence in my closet. There were a few pieces I thought I might pick up while I was in New York, so I styled them into my outfits ahead of time to see if they actually made sense with what I was packing and my existing wardrobe.

Wishlist currently:

• Phoebe Philo Glasses: Glasses that have character and I love the lighter lens.. has been wearing them and they look soooo chic.

• Jude Heels in Mocha: The brown colorway is calling to me and I love the shape of the strap

• Dorsey Tennis Necklace: I love the different weights, which helps it stay flat.

• Peggy Clutch: This clutch is just so chic… I love both the brown + the black.

• Staud Tote: It’s a great summer piece and when I travel and am out during the day, I like to bring my camera and have a larger bag for anything I pick up.

• I had black mules on my list for awhile and got the Reformation ones and can confirm they are sooo comfortable (I walked around all day in them), go with every outfit… night and day, and look so similar to the Khaite version.

Anyways, back to the actual trip…

The rest of this article includes where I stayed, where I ate and drank, where I shopped, and my full itinerary for the weekend.

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So this is Los Angeles Diaries, a series of posts until the guide is finished.

An apertivo to the full list. Enjoy…

Entry I:

Entry II:

How I’d spend a perfect day and what I’d wear…

Stay: Palihotel Culver City (for a cute boutique option)

or a bit longer of a drive and a more elevated stay.. Santa Monica Proper Hotel

Pilates: Homebody Studios

Coffee: Blue Bottle

• Jumper

• Sandals

• Tote

• Sunglasses

• Necklace

Shopping at The Platform: Janessa Leone, DISSH, Kinn, Teller, Margeaux

• Top (this one or this one)

• Shorts

• Heels

• Sunglasses

• Necklace

• Bra

Lunch: Juliet

It’s also gorgggg for dinner:

Facial: Formula Fig

Grab snacks and wine at Erewhon and rent a Duffy in the marina for an early evening cruise and apertivo with friends

Dinner: n/naka

or…

Dinner: Hatchet Hall

Drinks: Old Man Bar

• Tank

• Skirt

• Heels

• Necklace + Pendant

• Earrings

• Clutch

*if you want an extra sweet treat, go across the street to Ginger’s Ice Cream

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Her travels have taken her from Morocco and the Cotswolds to the African bush on a safari honeymoon she'd repeat every year without hesitation. Quietly building what comes next, she brings the same sharp intentionality to her life as she does to the brands she champions.

In our conversation, we chat about what separates brands with lasting power from those with fleeting relevance, her favorite corners of LA, the travels that have stayed with her, and how she's thoughtfully redefining her approach to style.

Thank you for being here. Can you give us a quick introduction to yourself?

Thanks for having me! I’m a Chief Brand Officer, consumer investor, and advisor. I write for Inc. and Marie Claire, and pen the industry Substack Material Interest. I’m also a new-ish mom - I have a 2-year-old daughter and an 8-month-old son.

You’ve operated across brand, investment, and advisory—what throughline has guided your decisions, even as the roles themselves evolved?

A deep obsession with the consumer experience. I’ve always been fascinated by what compels someone to purchase one product over another, and as the more traditional marketing funnel has crumbled in our modern world, I’ve spent the last decade or so obsessing over how people discover, engage with, trial, and evangelize brands.

When you step into a brand today, what are the first signals you look for to understand if it has real longevity versus momentary relevance?

Retention is the ultimate indicator. Regardless of your cost to acquire a customer, the frequency with which an existing consumer spends with you is directly correlated to the brand’s sustained growth. If your product isn’t consumable or doesn’t command a super frequent repurchase rate, I’d say the strength of your community. How frequently they engage with the brand; their propensity to champion you - their passion will sustain your momentum.

You’ve built a perspective that sits between creative instinct and commercial clarity—how do you maintain that balance when the industry tends to favor one over the other?

I just treat it as the ultimate superpower, because I believe it is. Creative and brand can’t afford to be isolated from how the consumer receives it. And similarly, commercial prowess will feel exactly that - commercial - if it’s not rooted in a reason for being, and grounded in an appealing brand world.

In a recent piece, you touched on the gap between having a good product and building something people genuinely care about. What do you think most brands still misunderstand about consumer connection today?

That it’s one or the other. Or that nailing one, will lead to the other. There are very few brands, in my opinion, that have both a category-defining product and a thoughtful, immersive brand world. A great product is table stakes, but if it means nothing to the consumer beyond its function, it’s easy for them to swap in an alternative that may perform even better. And vice versa - a beautiful brand world is compelling and serves as a social signaller, but if the product can be beat, what forces the customer to come back?

Is there anything you can share about what’s next for you?

I wish. Working in stealth is really forcing me to find new personality traits outside of just my career lol.

What is the most memorable hotel you’ve stayed at—and what specifically made it stay with you?

Amanjena, the Aman in Morocco, was magical. The service was fabulous, the food was incredible, and it was nearly empty (which admittedly felt a tiny bit eerie at times). It was the most stunning and distinct property I’ve ever seen - oh and the lighting in the bathrooms was unmatched. I know that’s niche, but feels important to mention.

A close second is Estelle Manor in the Cotswolds - we went with the kids and they do a beautiful job of balancing adult-only spaces with family-friendly activities. I will never forget my daughter driving around the property in her tiny mini land rover.

I loved your safari honeymoon—how did the stays (Singita and Simbavati Hilltop Lodge) shape the experience, and what moments from the trip stayed with you most?

I would genuinely go on safari every single year - I think it’s the only vacation format I would never tire of. There’s something so magical about the foggy early mornings, so fantastical about sipping champagne while standing in the heart of the wilderness, and so inspiring about the community you engage with - there’s a very specific type of person who seeks experiences like that out.

Is there a destination or hotel you haven’t experienced yet that feels inevitable for you?

In a similar vein to your last question, I am dying to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda. I do want to take my kids though, so it will be a couple of years until they’re old enough, however I’d like to think it’s inevitable. The Singita property there is calling my name.

You’re based in LA — what are your favorite spots? A coffee shop, a date night restaurant, drinks with girlfriends, a workout, all of it.

Ooh ok:

• Coffee/Matcha: Handles on Sunset would be my favorite coffee shop if there was parking more readily available. Closer to me, I love Yala in Studio City. Maru is great too, but the one in BH doesn’t do matcha (I’m more of a coffee girl, so that doesn’t bother me personally, just flagging).

• Date night: Augustine Wine Bar is fabulous and chill. I’d say it’s our go-to. Sushi Note does this amazing omakase with sommelier-curated wine pairings (I prefer the Studio City location, but they also have a spot hidden on Rodeo). We also love Yume Sushi, and jazz nights at Vibrato.

• GNO: Sunset Tower, Chateau Marmont, Galerie, RVR… the usual suspects.

• Workouts: I have not been on my workout game for some time aside from Pilates by Bryony app workouts at home - that said, when I do go, I love Forma at the Beverly Glen Center.

How has your relationship to getting dressed evolved as your career and perspective have grown?

I’d say the biggest shift has actually happened quite recently. I don’t know what it was, but after I knew I was done having babies (and I decided to go full throttle into building in stealth), I felt lost in my own closet. So I actually just sold my entire wardrobe, and am working with an amazing stylist, @zoewickstewart, to essentially rebuild my closet from the ground up. She’s helping me curate a collection of pieces that all work interchangeably, but also incorporate the elements of style I want to communicate. Think architectural, chic, comfortable. I feel like my career is just about to pop off (so many insane things in the works!!), and I didn’t want to feel like my closet was playing catch-up.

What pieces of jewelry do you find yourself wearing every day, and which brands are you returning to most right now?

I designed this gorgeous puddle pendant in honor of my son’s birth with my jeweler C Heinrich (they also did the pear pendant I had made to commemorate my daughter’s birth); I’m stacking the two on a very thin, simple omega chain these days, and that’s about it. I feel like I was really into jewelry for a while there - and I still am - but in a more minimal way. I’m saving so many amazing pieces now for rotation versus layering everything all at once. That said, I never take off my simple diamond studs. I would quite literally feel naked without them.

What’s currently in your cart?

A bottle of vintage wine my husband loves (for father’s day). I’m bidding on it in auction so cross your fingers for me!

Go-to drink order (and where you’re ordering it)?

A glass of chilled beaujolais or gamay through summer. Ordered anywhere. For something very specific… an ice-y dirty gin martini with blue cheese stuffed olives from Sunset Tower. With a side of fries. duh.

City, country, or coast?

City now, country later.

Vintage or new?

Primarily new. But the occasional vintage piece is key.

You’ve said you’re a great gift giver—what’s a go-to you always feel confident about?

A chic chess set or an investment candle. Something like Not Your Standard or Madame Grey’s zodiac line.

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Location: Montecito, California | Tucked into the foothills just above Santa Barbara, about two hours from Los Angeles.

Vibe: Romantic. Eclectic. Historic. Everything here feels like it has a story. John and Jackie Kennedy honeymooned here. Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier exchanged vows on the grounds at midnight. Winston Churchill and Groucho Marx stayed here. The weight of that history is present in every corner without being made into a museum of itself.

The atmosphere is intimate and unhurried. The scale is large — 500 acres of grounds — but it feels like a very beautiful, very private estate that happens to have a world-class restaurant on it. And the wine cellar, omggg.

The grounds are vast. Citrus groves, lily ponds, hiking trails behind the property, and the gardens always manicured. There is a pool, though it's the one area where the property feels slightly ordinary relative to everything else surrounding it.

Rooms: 38 cottages, each one different. Linens sourced from France, wool blankets from Ireland, ceramic pigs collected by Ty Warner… the kind of details that don't make it onto a spec sheet but that you feel immediately when you settle in.

Persian rugs, stone fireplaces, four-poster beds, outdoor rainfall showers, each with a private hot tub. The rooms have a collected, European country-house quality — antiques alongside original artwork, everything feels precious and considered. You don't feel like you're staying in a hotel room.

Restaurant(s):

The Stonehouse: Housed in a 19th-century citrus packing house, Michelin recognized, Wine Spectator Grand Award, and an ocean view. It feels like the restaurant at La Colombe d'Or — that same sense of somewhere that has earned its atmosphere over a very long time. The food is exceptional and the setting is romantic without being stiff, impressive without being heavy. Complimentary dining is included with every stay.

The Speakeasy: Sexy, low-lit, exactly what you want at the end of a good night. 1920s-inspired cocktails in a setting that earns the atmosphere. Cherished by locals.

And the Veranda for fireside dining, afternoon tea, celebration dinners. A softer, more languid option.

Wine: The wine cellar deserves its own mention. The Ty Warner Wine Collective houses some of the most unique and expensive bottles you’ll find at any property in the world. It’s remarkable. Do a tasting, or a consultation, or a guided tour, or all three. Do all three.

Amenities: There is a spa and salon on property. The wellness experience matches the rest of the hotel — considered, unhurried, restorative rather than performative. A small fitness center and a pool. Plus, experiences through the property.

Note: Entry-level rooms start at $3,000/night (and I would stay in a higher category room) — all meals included. It's not an insignificant number, and it's also consistent (rates rarely fluctuate here). If you can justify it, absolutely stay here because it truly is stunning. If you can't, make a reservation for dinner.

For complimentary hotel bookings on any of your trips, feel free to reach out to me for added amenities: jordan@atelierlemonde.co

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ON MY RADAR

Stay: I cannot stress this enough… the new AIRELLES in VENICE — Omg. I need to stay here.

Eat: Den Gyldene Freden in Stockholm. A historic Stockholm favorite since 1722, the kind of place to settle in over traditional Swedish dishes, candlelight, and an atmosphere that feels untouched by time.

Sip: Craving a Napa trip after seeing Kelsey Merritt's recent wine country getaway.. staying at Meadowood.

Read: I started the The Housemaid's Secret, which is the second book in The Housemaid psychological thriller series.

Want:

• Earrings for summer

• This gorg tote

• A classic bikini top + bottoms

• A fun clutch (similar)

• The new Ralph Lauren Catwalk book (my beyondddd stunning girlfriend is in here (!!!) and I want to have her sign it)

• A really good lip balm

• This cuff

• I love these sandals

• and again, a stay at the new Airelles in Venice.

CURRENTLY BOOKING

• A multi-stop safari with Singita for honeymooners,

• A London city + countryside escape with The Ned and Estelle Manor,

• Japan: Yuen Bettei Daita in Tokyo, Rosewood Miyakojima in Okinawa, and Mitsui in Kyoto,

• San Ysidro Ranch and Wildflower Farms for weekend getaways,

• and a honeymoon starting at Forestis.

COMING UP

• Postcards from… Barcelona, Marseille, Copenhagen, and New York

• Room Service: San Ysidro Ranch, Hotel Chelsea, and The Connaught

• Los Angeles Diaries III

• Table for Two with

RECENTLY ON ATELIER LE MONDE

• Chatted with Valentina De Santis

• Postcards From… Rome, New York, London, Los Angeles, and Austin.

• Room Service: Rosewood Schloss Fuschl, Salzburg

• Airport Looks and another

• Apertivo Hour

• Los Angeles Diaries II

• A weekend in Ojai

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Ninety-ish minutes from Los Angeles and operating at an entirely different pace, Ojai feels made for weekends that don’t require much planning. Orange groves, books stacked outdoors, long breakfasts, afternoons that become lead into wine tastings, and evenings that ask little besides staying for one more glass.

It’s the kind of place where the agenda is simple: eat well, spend a little time outside, browse a few shops, drink some wine, and leave feeling better than when you arrived.

A few things I’m packing…

• Swimsuit Top + Bottom

• Glasses

• Hat

• Studs

• Hand Cream

• Necklace

• Earrings

• Cosmetic Case

• Tote

• Sandals

The rest of this article includes where to stay, eat, drink, shop, and a three-day itinerary built around my favorite spots in town.

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