They came home August 5th, and somehow we are already just days away from September 1st and the start of school. Backpacks are coming out, schedules are filling up, activities are starting, and I can already feel the pace of our lives beginning to change.

And maybe that’s why I’ve been thinking so much about camp.

I was recently talking to a friend about the value of camp and how grateful we both are that our daughters love it as much as we did. I spent eight summers at Camp Agawak, and some of my favorite memories and closest relationships came from those summers. Now I get to watch my girls create their own version of that experience, and the older they get, the more I understand just how valuable those weeks really are.

Especially now.

The school year asks a lot of our kids. They go from school all day to activities to homework to plans with friends. There are schedules and expectations and social dynamics. And as they get older, there is this added layer that didn’t exist when I was their age: they are almost always connected. They know what everyone else is doing. They know what they’re invited to and what they’re not. There is very little opportunity to just exist in the world immediately around them.

And then there is camp.

From the second my girls get on that bus, their world becomes incredibly small in the best possible way. For almost two months, they are completely engrossed in the people and experiences right in front of them. They aren’t watching what everyone else is doing. They aren’t worried about what they’re missing because, in that moment, they aren’t missing anything.

They spend their days building friendships and learning how to live with other people. They compromise. They work things out. They lose games. They try new things. They compete. They get uncomfortable. They become more independent. They learn things about themselves that I’m not sure they could learn if I were standing next to them helping them through every moment.

And maybe my favorite part is that camp lets them experience true girlhood.

They get dirty and sweaty. They sing and scream and cheer. They are silly. They wear the same sweatshirt over and over again. They aren’t thinking about how something looks or how it will photograph. They’re adventurous and competitive and challenged. They’re just girls being girls.

I think that’s becoming increasingly rare.

When Poppy was five, during COVID in 2020, we spent a week at Agawak. She fell completely in love with it and told us she wanted to go the following summer. I’m honestly not sure I would have sent her away that young had COVID not given us that strange opportunity to experience camp together first. But she knew she was ready. So after first grade, she went.

Some people thought I was insane. Others thought it was amazing. But sending her young gave her something I couldn’t have anticipated: from such an early age, camp became hers. It wasn’t something I was convincing her to love because I had loved it. She loved it on her own.

And now both of my girls do.

There is also something surreal about sending them to the same place that meant so much to me. Poppy and Lulu now go to camp with the children of some of my very best camp friends, and even the children of my former counselors. I cherish those relationships so deeply, and there is something incredibly special about watching the next generation build friendships in the same place where ours began. Camp has this amazing way of carrying relationships forward, and I love knowing that something that shaped so much of my childhood is now becoming part of theirs, too.

I know how lucky I am to be able to give my girls almost two months every summer to have this experience.

I don’t send my kids to camp because I want eight weeks without them. I send them because I know what those eight weeks give them.

Because the truth is, camp isn’t an escape from real life. In so many ways, it prepares them for it. It teaches independence, resilience and confidence. It teaches friendship, conflict and compromise. They learn how to be uncomfortable and figure it out, how to belong to a community, and how to be completely present.

In a few days, we’ll pack backpacks instead of camp trunks. We’ll set alarms, start carpools, do homework and settle back into the chaos of the school year. And this week, we’ll also sign up for camp next summer.

I can’t slow down their childhood or quiet the increasingly connected world they’re growing up in. But I can give them eight weeks every summer to be fully present, independent and completely themselves.

The older they get, and the more complicated the world around them becomes, the more grateful I am that camp gives them the chance to simply be kids.

xx

Dana

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For anyone who knows me, you know how much this meant.

I grew up in Chicago. Oprah was in Chicago. Her show was taped here. And from the earliest days of Dana Rebecca Designs, being chosen for Oprah’s Favorite Things was one of those pie-in-the-sky dreams I would talk about. The kind of thing you say out loud without really believing you’ll ever get the phone call.

And then I got the phone call.

At the time, my only employee was an intern. I had just come back from a meeting and there was a note waiting for me:

“Oprah called.”

God bless my intern.

Obviously, Oprah herself had not called.

But I had already had the unbelievable experience of having my jewelry on two covers of O, The Oprah Magazine. Oprah had worn two pairs of my one-of-a-kind earrings, which, so early in my career, felt enormous.

Margo, who was my publicist then and is still my publicist all these years later, handled those placements with me. So when I saw the note, I assumed someone from the magazine was calling to fact-check a price or get product information. That was normal when something was being considered for press.

I started writing Margo an email saying that “Oprah” had called and was about to send her the phone number.

Then I noticed the area code. 312. Wait. This wasn’t the magazine in New York. This was Chicago. I called back, and it was a producer from The Oprah Winfrey Show.

They were working on the final season of Oprah. They were planning the grand finale of Oprah’s Favorite Things, which was going to be so big that it would span two episodes.

And I was a brand they wanted to talk to…...

I still don’t know if I can properly describe what that felt like.

Sometimes I wish my 42-year-old self could reach back and bottle up exactly what my younger self felt in that moment. The disbelief. The adrenaline. The feeling that something I had imagined for years might actually be happening.

I worked out of a dark little office in the back of my dad’s factory at the time. I remember walking out with my head held very high, walking straight past my dad and going to find my brother Noah.

I told him. And Noah immediately understood. This was the thing we had always talked about. Of course I had to do it.

Then I told my dad.

His reaction was essentially:

“You have got to be crazy. You can’t do this. Are you nuts?”

Because here was the part nobody watching Oprah would ever know.

The brands were responsible for gifting the product to the audience.

For me, that meant approximately 400 pairs of fine jewelry earrings.

There were additional expenses. There were technology concerns. Could our website even withstand the traffic from national television? There was production. Inventory. Marketing. Retail partners. Customer service.

And remember, I had no employees.

There was another decision that, looking back, became incredibly important to the trajectory of Dana Rebecca Designs.

How did I want to be introduced on television as….

At the time, Lauren Joy and Sylvie Rose had just become successful pieces in the collection for us. Both had been worn by celebrities and were an incredible entry point into the brand. But Dana Rebecca Designs had originally launched with colorful, one-of-a-kind fine jewelry, and I was beginning to evolve the collection toward the diamond-focused aesthetic that would ultimately become such an important part of who we are.

My dad understandably wanted me to choose the Lauren Joy Mini necklace. It was under $500, which meant it was more accessible and, from a business perspective, easier to imagine selling in volume.

I felt differently.

I kept thinking: If Oprah Winfrey is going to say my name on national television, what do I want people to understand about Dana Rebecca Designs?

Lauren Joy was already an incredibly important part of our business. It was recognizable, wearable, and had introduced so many women to the brand. But this felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to introduce Dana Rebecca Designs to millions of people who had never heard my name before, and I wanted that introduction to tell a bigger story about who we were and where I believed we could go.

I wanted to establish us, from that very first national introduction, as a fine jewelry brand. A brand rooted in diamonds and craftsmanship, but still approachable and wearable every day. I wanted someone to see those earrings on Oprah and understand that Dana Rebecca could be the jewelry you bought for yourself, the jewelry you wore constantly, and the jewelry you invested in and kept forever.

So for me, the decision wasn’t about choosing something “better” than Lauren Joy. It was about using this extraordinary moment to show another dimension of the brand and to plant a flag for the future I could already see for Dana Rebecca Designs.

So I designed an earring that retailed for around $2,000.

And then came Athena. If you grew up in Chicago, you probably know Athena in Greektown. My family sat down there for what became a very serious family meeting about whether I should actually say yes to Oprah. My siblings were firmly in my corner.

Their feeling was: This has been your dream. This is your business. If you believe you can make it work, you have to try. Because if you walk away because Dad convinced you it was too risky, you will always wonder what would have happened.

My dad was looking at it from another perspective. He understood exactly how much money was at risk. And I can still hear what he told me:

“If this doesn’t work, I’m not bailing you out. In January, you’ll get a job and it won’t be with me. You’ll pay for this yourself, and you’ll owe this money back for a long, long time.”

Nothing like a little family encouragement.

But there was something important in that conversation too.

This was my decision. And if I was going to make it, I had to own what came with it. So I said yes.

I made extensive plans. Marketing initiatives. Retail partnerships. Production. Technology. Every possible scenario I could think through.

There was another minor detail: I had less than three weeks to produce approximately 400 pairs of an earring I had never produced before. I wasn’t even going to see a finished sample first.

Thankfully, Noah and my dad were leaving for India right around the time I was officially selected as the fine jewelry Favorite Thing. They were able to be there at the beginning stages of production, and our partners moved mountains for us.

Everyone understood that our success was their success.

At the same time, I decided this might also be an appropriate moment to hire my first actual employee. Casual.

Then came the day the show aired.

Chicago got Oprah first, at 9 a.m. Central. The rest of the country would see the episode later that afternoon. We watched it on a tiny television in Arie’s diamond-cutting room.

I remember seeing a few website orders come through.

A few.

And then waiting.

And waiting.

I was holding my breath.

Because underneath all of the excitement was the math running constantly through my head.

I knew how many earrings I had given away. I knew what this had cost. I knew exactly how much I needed to sell to break even.

And I also knew I wasn’t selling pajamas or soap or something that thousands of people were going to impulse-buy after seeing it on television.

I was selling fine jewelry.

I kept telling myself: Jewelry takes longer. Be patient.

But patience is not exactly my strong suit. I’m not sure I was born with any.

Since I still barely had a team, Jonathan and Noah had been assigned to customer service in case the website exploded after the 4 p.m. airing.

My parents were flying home from India, and I had this looming feeling that my dad was going to land, call me and ask how it went. And I was terrified I wouldn’t have good news.

That night, Jonathan and I finally sat down to watch the show together on TiVo. (yes TiVo!!) And I wasn’t enjoying it. At all. I was analyzing. Calculating. Refreshing. Worrying. Jonathan finally looked at me and basically said, “What are you doing?” Oprah Winfrey was on television screaming my name. The audience was losing its mind over something I had designed. This thing I had dreamed about for years was literally happening on the television in front of me. And I was missing it. He made me sit there and watch. So we rewound it. We watched Oprah. We watched the audience. We paused to look at people’s faces. We laughed at their reactions. We let ourselves enjoy how completely insane the whole thing was.

And I think about that moment with Jonathan so differently now than I did then.

As founders, we spend so much time asking, “Did it work?”

Did we hit the number?
Did we get the return?
Did we make the right decision?
What happens tomorrow?
What do we need to fix?

I was so focused on proving that saying yes had been the right business decision that I almost missed the fact that something extraordinary had just happened to me.

My younger self thought success meant making the moment work.

My older self understands that success also means knowing when to actually live inside the moment.

After we finally laughed and watched and enjoyed it, I picked up my BlackBerry (yes, my BlackBerry).

And I refreshed the orders.

Scroll.

Refresh.

Scroll.

Refresh.

And suddenly they started coming in.

The panic began to turn into relief.

By the time my dad landed, I had good news to tell him.

We didn’t break even overnight. It took a few weeks.

But we did.

And then we went on to have an incredible holiday season.

That same holiday, InStyle featured our Lauren Joy Mini necklace. So there we were, selling Jessica Leigh earrings from Oprah at one price point and Lauren Joy Minis at another.

In hindsight, that feels especially meaningful.

Because the choice was never really between being an accessible brand or a premium brand. It was about establishing what Dana Rebecca Designs stood for and then creating different ways for women to enter that world, collect from it and grow with us.

Sixteen years later, I think about Oprah’s Favorite Things very differently.

Of course I remember Oprah screaming my name.

Of course I remember the audience.

Of course I remember that tiny television and scrolling through orders on my BlackBerry.

But what I remember most are all of the decisions surrounding it.

I remember my siblings reminding me that it was my business (it was just me at the time) and ultimately my decision.

I remember my dad forcing me to understand the downside and making it very clear that if I took the risk, I owned the consequences.

I remember our partners moving mountains in less than three weeks.

I remember Jonathan making me stop looking at the numbers long enough to realize that one of my dreams was happening right in front of me.

And I remember being young enough, and maybe naive enough, to say yes before I knew exactly how I was going to make it work.

There is something I really cherish about that version of myself now.

She was scared. She absolutely understood that it could fail. She did the math and made the plans and worried herself sick.

But she also believed deeply in what Dana Rebecca Designs could become.

And when one of the biggest opportunities of her life showed up, she didn’t choose the version that felt safest. She chose the version that looked most like the company she hoped to build.

I think there are seasons in business when you need experience.

And there are seasons when a little bit of naivety is a gift.

You need enough wisdom to understand the risk, enough conviction to know which advice belongs to you, and maybe just enough naivety to believe you can pull off something you’ve never done before.

xx

Dana

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This month somehow managed to feel both relaxing and completely packed. We kicked things off in Spain, which was easily the highlight of my summer. Jonathan and I finally got some uninterrupted time together, and I was reminded how much I love being a tourist. Give me a walkable city, a late dinner, an afternoon glass of wine, and absolutely zero responsibility, and I’m a very happy person. More than anything, it was just nice to reconnect and spend time as us, not as parents, not as business owners, just us.

After a quick weekend with the girls(where they were happy, thriving, and clearly not missing us nearly as much as we missed them), it was back to reality. Work picked right back up, but I also made sure to squeeze in all of my favorite Chicago spots because there is truly no place like Chicago in the summer.

We wrapped up the month with a trip to the Hamptons to visit my sister. It was so special to spend time with Jen and my nieces before Sophia heads off to the University of Texas in a few weeks. I seriously can’t believe she’s going to UT, just like I did! The trip was the perfect mix of work and fun, with a trunk show at The Wellground in Sag Harbor and plenty of time soaking up one of my favorite summer spots.

July was full in every sense of the word: incredible trips, lots of family time, a closet that got plenty of use, books I couldn’t put down, and, naturally, more good meals than I can count. Here’s everything I read, watched, wore, ate, and loved this month.

What I Watched

I barely turned on the TV this month, which honestly might be a first. Between traveling and being completely locked into whatever book I was reading, TV took a backseat.

The only thing we actually finished was The Hawk with Will Ferrell. It was completely ridiculous, but somehow we kept watching. I think I needlepointed almost my entire emerald-cut diamond while it was on, so maybe that’s the real review.

In the Hamptons, we also watched the first episode of Stassi’s new show, mostly because we were so excited to spot her wearing Sarah Leah’s Five Burst earrings in the promo (and throughout the episode!). She looked incredible in that yellow dress, and of course we loved seeing the earrings get their moment.

What I Read

I don’t know what got into me this month, but I was on an absolute reading streak. Between long travel days, lazy afternoons in Spain, and making a conscious effort to swap TV for books, I flew through more titles than I have in a long time. There were so many five-star reads this month, including one that instantly became one of my favorite books of all time. If you’re looking for recommendations to round out your summer reading list, this month’s stack was a really good one.

Pink Sand Summer by Chassity Evans ★★★★★
This was such a fun summer read. I absolutely loved it and couldn’t put it down. I’m also a little biased because I adore Chassity. We met a few years ago in Charleston, and she’s not only the sweetest person but also has incredible style. She’s always wearing our Ava Bea Crossover Huggies and Trio Station Bracelet, which makes me love her even more. If you’re looking for a light, beachy read to finish out summer, add this one to your list.

What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown ★★★★★
I was hooked from the very beginning. It’s one of those books that had me reaching for it every chance I got because I had to know what happened next.

Night Road by Kristin Hannah ★★★★★
I love everything Kristin Hannah writes. It felt really different from a lot of her other books, which I actually loved.

The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali ★★★★★
Without a doubt, one of my top three favorite books I’ve ever read. It completely captivated me from the first page, and I loved every second of it. Beautifully written, emotional, and unforgettable. If you only read one book from this list, make it this one.

Little Women (Retold Edition) ★★★★★
I promised Lulu I’d read this after she fell in love with it at school, and I’m so glad I did. It was such a sweet experience getting to read something she loved so much, and now I completely understand why it’s become a classic. Safe to say we’re officially a Little Women family.

Culpability by Bruce Holsinger ★★★★
A heavier but thought-provoking read about AI, responsibility, and the consequences of technology.

What I Ate

If you read my Spain guide, then you already know we completely ate our way through the country. I packed so many recommendations into that post, so definitely give it a read if you’re planning a trip.

Back in Chicago, the girls’ first request when they got home from camp? Joe’s Stone Crab. It’s a non-negotiable in our family. And since no one asked but I’m telling you anyway, my forever Chicago favorites are Gibsons, RL, Le Colonial, Joe’s, Adalina, Trivoli Tavern, Avec, Monteverde, and Galit.

As for July, we had some really memorable meals. We tried Naia and scored an amazing table on the river with a gorgeous view. The service was a little chaotic, but it’s a brand-new restaurant in the middle of summer, so I’m definitely willing to give it another shot. One of my favorite casual finds was Jimmy’s Pizza Cafe on Montrose. We ordered three slices and loved every single one. I already can’t wait to take the girls. I also had an incredible dinner at Adalina and what may have been the best chicken parmesan I’ve ever had at Riccardo Trattoria. It was so good we’ve already booked another reservation.

I also made my way out to the suburbs for dinner with my best friend at Hole in the Wall, which will always be one of my favorite nostalgic spots. It never disappoints. We ended the month in the Hamptons with lots of dinners at home and with friends, plus one night at Le Bilboquet in Sag Harbor, which never gets old. Great food, my family, and one of my favorite views.

What I Wore

Traveling always inspires me to step up my style, and this month was no exception. I found myself having more fun getting dressed in Spain, and luckily that momentum carried home with me. July was a good month for outfits.

I definitely had a few repeat favorites this month. I wore this printed skirt in Spain and loved it so much that I packed it again for the Hamptons. It’s one of those pieces that’s cute, comfortable, and so easy to style. I’ve also been reaching for this Madewell button-down nonstop. The cropped length is perfect (which is surprisingly hard to find), the chambray is actually soft, and as a self-proclaimed button-down girl, I have very high standards.

I also fully embraced the maxi dress trend in Spain. I already owned the top version from Staud, so naturally I bought the dress too. What can I say? When I love something, I buy it in multiple versions. It’s a problem. I’m already planning to throw a sweater over it this fall so it looks like a long skirt.

One of my favorite outfit remixes was taking the matching set I wore to Sophia’s graduation and pairing the skirt with a simple tee for a casual dinner in Sevilla. I love getting more mileage out of pieces I already own.

What I Listened To

You’re with the Sad Eyes by Christina Applegate
This memoir was honest, funny, heartbreaking, and incredibly raw.

I enjoyed this interview with the CEO of Aritzia. I’m not even a huge Aritzia shopper, but hearing how she went from a part-time employee to CEO was fascinating. I always love listening to founders and leaders talk about building great companies.

I also started listening to a few episodes of Hitting the Ceiling, which Jonathan recommended through EOS Worldwide. If you’re interested in leadership, growth, or running a business, it’s definitely worth adding to your queue.

Hyperfixation of the month? I’ve got 3!!

I’m officially on a hair journey. My hair is definitely growing, but my ends have been feeling dry and tired, and I feel like I’m shedding more than usual. I’ve been taking Nutrafol for about 6 to 7 weeks now, and while I know it takes time, I do think it’s doing something because I’m needing my color touched up much sooner than usual! I’m cautiously optimistic. If you’ve found something that’s been a game changer for hair growth or healthier ends, please send it my way because I know this is a topic everyone has opinions on. I’m taking this version.

My other current obsession is this blush. I honestly can’t tell if it’s the color, the formula, or both, but I’ve gotten so many compliments every time I’ve worn it. It’s officially earned a permanent spot in my makeup bag.

Our new initial necklace! I feel like it’s rounded out my stack lately. Gives it personality with the G and the white cord. So chic!

Till next month!

xx

Dana

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Actually, that’s putting it lightly. I like to know what’s happening, where we’re going, and how everything is going to work. I spend so much of my life making decisions that I’m not exactly known for sitting back and letting someone else take the wheel.

Except when we travel.

Travel is Jonathan’s lane.

He researches every hotel, every restaurant, every reservation, every backup reservation. I don’t even look at the hotels before we arrive because I know they’ll be perfect. I trust him completely, and honestly, it’s one of the greatest gifts I can give myself. For one week, I don’t have to be the planner. I just get to show up and say yes.

This summer, that took us to Spain.

We flew into Madrid, immediately boarded a train to Málaga, and drove to Marbella before making our way to Sevilla and ending back in Madrid. It turned into one of our favorite trips we’ve ever taken together.

Marbella

We checked into Marbella Club, and within minutes I understood why people talk about this hotel with such reverence.

If I had to describe it in three words, it would be elegant, sophisticated, and cool.

Not trendy cool. Timeless cool.

Every restaurant felt completely different from the next. Every chair, every menu, every napkin, every piece of art, every courtyard felt intentionally chosen. Walking through the property became part of the experience because every turn revealed another beautiful space.

We were upgraded to an incredible suite with a large sitting area and an outdoor terrace where I happily could have spent an entire afternoon reading.

The gardens were stunning. The adult pool was exactly what vacation should feel like. Even the shopping on property was incredible.

Our biggest regret?

Not coming when the girls were younger.

The kids club looked so unbelievable that Jonathan and I were genuinely jealous we couldn’t hang out there ourselves. The activities, the grounds, the attention to detail... it felt like childhood magic.

I told Jonathan this immediately became one of my top three hotels in the world.

Where We Ate

Our first dinner was at El Patio, tucked into the heart of Marbella Club. It was the perfect introduction to the property and exactly the kind of dinner that makes you want vacation to slow down.

The next afternoon we had lunch at MC Beach, and I still can’t stop thinking about the seafood paella. Sitting just steps from the Mediterranean with paella, sangria, and nowhere to be felt like Spain at its very best.

Most evenings we walked over to Puente Romano, which quickly became one of our favorite places to spend the night.

We started one evening with drinks at COYA before dinner at Lena, and on our last night we decided not to commit to just one restaurant. Spain was playing in the World Cup, and the entire property was buzzing. We wandered between Gaia and Nobu, soaking up the atmosphere before eventually landing exactly where we wanted to be.

One night we also decided to fully embrace Marbella nightlife and went to see Diplo at Bon Bonniere.

We arrived around 1:30 a.m., surrounded almost entirely by what felt like every 18-year-old in Spain. Diplo didn’t come on until 2:30, which felt impossible at the time, but somehow we ended up having an absolute blast. It was one of those nights where saying yes turned into one of our favorite memories.

Sevilla

From Marbella we hired a driver who took us through Ronda on our way to Sevilla.

Ronda was beautiful. The dramatic bridges, the history, the world’s oldest bullring, the incredible views. It was well worth the stop, although one thing became very clear as we left the coast.

The temperature was climbing.

Every mile inland reminded us we were leaving the Mediterranean breeze behind.

Sevilla was especially meaningful for Jonathan because he studied abroad there during college. This wasn’t just another stop on our itinerary. It was a return to a city that helped shape him.

Watching someone revisit a place filled with memories is such a different way to travel.

Every few blocks he’d stop and tell another story.

“This is where...”

And another memory would come flooding back.

We stayed at Hotel Alfonso XIII, perfectly located for exploring the city on foot.

What I loved most about Sevilla were the streets. They’re narrow, winding, and wonderfully confusing. We walked for hours every day, getting lost more than once, and I don’t think either of us minded. Every turn revealed another tiny square, another church, another tapas bar packed with locals.

What struck me most, though, was how authentic the city still felt. Yes, there was a Starbucks and even a Taco Bell tucked away, but they felt like the exception, not the rule. Sevilla hadn’t been overtaken by luxury stores or the same chain restaurants you can find in every major city. It still belonged to itself. Most restaurants served tapas. Neighborhood bars were full of locals. It felt unmistakably Spanish.

I think that’s what I miss most about traveling sometimes. So many cities have started to feel interchangeable, where you could be almost anywhere in the world. Sevilla didn’t feel that way. It felt foreign in the best possible sense, and I loved every minute of it.

Spain also happened to be playing in the World Cup while we were there, and the entire city came alive. Watching everyone gather together to cheer on their country was one of those travel moments you can’t plan.

Looking for Rosa

One afternoon, we went looking for Jonathan’s señora, Rosa.

When Jonathan studied abroad in Sevilla more than twenty-five years ago, he lived with Rosa and somehow still remembered the exact address. Over the years he’d tried Googling her a handful of times, but because they never stayed in touch, every search led nowhere.

So we decided to ring her doorbell.

I knew she didn’t speak English, but I hoped she’d answer anyway. I imagined the reunion, the smiles, and the story we’d get to tell the girls someday about finding the woman Jonathan had lived with all those years ago.

We waited.

Rang the bell again.

Waited a little longer.

No answer.

The funny thing is, Jonathan couldn’t even remember how old Rosa was when he lived with her. Maybe she was 50. Maybe she was 70. Twenty-five years later, memory has a way of blurring those details.

Watching him walk away was heartbreaking. We may never know what happened to Rosa, but I’m really glad we tried.

A Morning Cooking in Sevilla

One of our favorite experiences of the trip was taking a cooking class with Chef Ana at Fresh Cooking Spain.

The day before, we’d wandered through Triana Market watching locals shop for fresh seafood, produce, and spices. It inspired us to spend the next morning learning how to make some of Spain’s most iconic dishes ourselves.

Chef Ana was fantastic. She was warm, patient, and made the entire experience feel approachable, whether you were an experienced cook or just there to eat.

Together we made a seafood paella and Ajo de Berenjena, a traditional Andalusian eggplant dish that I can’t wait to recreate at home. We spent the morning cooking, laughing, and of course, enjoying everything we’d made.

What surprised me most was the amount of care that goes into making a great paella. I’d never made homemade stock before, and seeing how much time and attention went into building those layers of flavor made me appreciate the dish even more. It’s one of those meals that looks simple when it arrives at your table, but there’s so much technique and patience behind it.

After lunch, we walked over to the Alcázar to spend the afternoon sightseeing before heading back to the hotel for a much-needed siesta.

If you’re planning a trip to Sevilla, I can’t recommend this experience enough. It was one of the highlights of our trip and such a fun way to experience the city’s food culture beyond simply eating at restaurants.

The Nun Cookies

Somewhere along the way, my TikTok algorithm decided I needed to buy cookies from cloistered nuns while we were in Spain.

On our last morning in Sevilla, before heading to Madrid, we set out to find them. Our first attempt was unsuccessful because the convent was closed. We tried asking for help nearby and were very sternly rebuffed by a tiny Spanish woman who clearly had no interest in helping us with our cookie mission.

Eventually, we found a group of lovely Dominican nuns selling cookies in all different flavors, shapes, and sizes. They were incredibly kind, very chatty, and standing openly behind a window.

The cookies were great.

The experience was not what TikTok had promised me.

I had pictured a cloistered convent where you couldn’t see the nuns and the cookies appeared through a hidden turntable. So after we walked away, I looked at Jonathan and said, “Can we redo that?”

He looked at me like I was completely insane, but agreed to walk another twenty minutes so I could find the exact nun-cookie experience I had imagined.

This time, we walked into a beautiful, quiet convent, found the hidden turntable, and bought some very sugary cookies without ever seeing the nun on the other side.

It was exactly what I wanted.

Where We Ate

One thing about us...

We don’t waste meals.

We bounced between tapas bars almost every night, and honestly, some of our favorite meals were the ones we stumbled into without much planning.

Favorites included:

• Casa Román

• Bodega Santa Cruz, which may have been the busiest place in Sevilla.

• La Sacristía

• Kala for frozen Greek yogurt.

• Eslava, one of our favorite lunches of the trip and absolutely deserving of its Michelin recognition.

• Bar Cañabota, where we sat at the bar and had one of our favorite meals in Spain.

• Bar Casa de la Moneda

• Bodega Díaz Salazar, where we tried mojama for the first time. Think beef jerky... but made with tuna. We loved it.

• El Paseíllo, where sitting outside with a drink became one of those simple vacation moments you’ll remember.

• Naturalmente, our favorite coffee stop.

Madrid

Our final stop was Madrid.

The second we walked into Brach Madrid, I knew we had another special hotel.

Designed by Philippe Starck, every inch of the hotel felt intentional.

The sweeping staircase. The lighting. The furniture. The artifacts scattered throughout the rooms. Maps, letters, and memories quietly appear throughout the space, making the hotel feel almost like an interactive story.

We were upgraded to a beautiful room with an incredible balcony and a perfect table for working. Because let’s be honest...

Vacation when you own a business will always have quotation marks around it.

Every afternoon, right around siesta, we’d open our laptops while our teams back home were just starting their day. We’d catch up for a bit, close the computers, and head back out to explore.

It ended up being the perfect rhythm.

Exploring Madrid

Our first afternoon we wandered through Mercado de San Miguel, trying as many things as possible.

Our first stop was an empanada from La Hora del Vermut, where everyone insisted the curry chicken was the one to order.

We also shared a tasting flight from Picolisto. I’d probably rate the flavors a five out of ten, but the presentation was an easy ten. We added calamari, wine, and a few other bites before happily continuing our food tour.

That evening we had dinner at Bibo with our friends from New York who were picking up their daughter who had been studying abroad in Madrid. It was amazing to hear about her experience taking a Spanish intensive course and living with a family in the city.

The next day was our only full day in Madrid so we explored the Royal Palace, and both of us kept comparing it to Versailles. While Versailles will always be Versailles, the Royal Palace felt unbelievably pristine and beautifully maintained.

For lunch, Casa Pei+ completely exceeded our expectations. It was one of those meals we’d been looking forward to, and somehow it was even better than we’d hoped.

Afterward, we stopped at Alma Nomad Bakery, where there were so many incredible pastries that I became completely incapable of making a decision.

Our last night ended at Salmon Guru, consistently ranked among the World’s 50 Best Bars.

We had front-row seats at the bar with one of the friendliest bartenders we’ve ever met.

The cocktails were wildly creative, but the one we’ll never forget was Taco al Pastor.

I don’t know how they did it. It tasted exactly like eating a taco. Not inspired by a taco. Not taco-adjacent. An actual taco... in cocktail form. We planned on grabbing a drink before dinner. Instead we stayed all night, ordered snacks, kept talking to the bartender, and realized we had accidentally found the perfect ending to our trip.

A Few Final Thoughts

Spain reminded me why Jonathan and I travel so well together.

He’s the planner.

I’m the enthusiastic participant.

He spends months researching hotels, restaurants, and routes. I show up ready to trust him completely and say yes to whatever comes next.

That “yes” led to seafood paella by the sea, wandering the streets where Jonathan studied abroad, learning to make paella from Chef Ana, dancing to Diplo at 2:30 in the morning, tasting a cocktail that somehow became a taco, and walking an extra twenty minutes because apparently I needed the right nun cookie experience.

I’d do it all again tomorrow.

Spain Favorites

Hotels

• Marbella Club * top 3 in the world for me

• Hotel Alfonso XIII

• Brach Madrid * will return here or another Brach hotel for sure

Experiences

• Fresh Cooking Spain with Chef Ana

• Triana Market

• Alcázar

• Royal Palace

• Mercado de San Miguel

• Buying cookies from cloistered nuns

Sometimes the best trips aren’t the ones where you control every detail.

Sometimes they’re the ones where you trust someone else completely, stay curious, order one more thing on the menu, and let a country surprise you.

xx

Dana

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What I Wore

One of my favorite outfits this month was the pink two-piece set I wore for Sophia’s graduation. It felt fun, polished, and perfect for the occasion.

I didn’t think I’d end up wearing black to Reese’s bat mitzvah, but I’m so glad I did. This dress is timeless, incredibly flattering, and I know I’ll wear it for years.

This dress and this color were easily my favorites from the month. I loved everything about the fit.

I’ve also been having fun making basic outfits feel a little less basic. A simple T-shirt, my DRD jewelry, and a few fun accessories have become my favorite formula lately.

What I Ate

We kicked off June in New York, celebrating my niece Sophia’s graduation at Primola, one of my sister’s family’s favorite restaurants. It’s the kind of Italian spot that’s perfect for a celebration: comforting, delicious, and made even better by a big round table full of family.

Naturally, after dinner, the cousins needed dessert, so Sophia, Alexa, Poppy, Lulu, and I headed to Glace. The soft serve with pistachio hard shell completely lived up to the hype.

One of my favorite traditions after camp drop-off is spending a few days with our best friends, Ally and Drew. Since all four girls head off to Agawak together, they fly in from Houston every June, and we spend the week catching up over some of Chicago’s best meals. We had dinner at Tre Dita one night and HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen another. Every time I go back to HaiSous, I wonder why I don’t eat there more often. It’s consistently so good.

We spent a weekend in New Buffalo, and PostBoy deserves another mention. Their new summer menu is incredible. We ate there twice in 48 hours without a single regret. If you’re planning a Harbor Country weekend, I rounded up all of my favorites here

From Michigan, I headed to Montana for my YPO retreat, where we stopped at Wild Crumb in Bozeman. They recently won a James Beard Award, and after one visit, it’s easy to see why. That evening, we had a private dinner prepared by Chef Scott, and it was one of those meals everyone was still talking about long after it ended. If you’re headed to the area, send me a DM on Instagram, and I’m happy to share his information.

What I Read

My Friends by Fredrik Backman ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I’ve been wanting to read this for a while and finally got it on Libby. I absolutely loved the Beartown series, and this reminded me why Fredrik Backman is a great author.

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed by Lori Gottlieb ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was recommended by someone at our DRD Book Club, and I loved it. It’s thoughtful, funny, vulnerable, and incredibly relatable. Highly recommend.

To Do

One of the coolest experiences this month was getting a preview of the Obama Presidential Center before it officially opens. My cousin Patrick gave us an incredible behind-the-scenes tour, and I left so impressed by the vision for the entire campus.

The library wasn’t open yet, but I already know it’ll be one of my favorite places to spend time once it is. Every detail felt intentional. The Elie Wiesel Auditorium was a highlight, and getting to see the Obamas’ private floor was incredibly special. I’ll cherish the mirror selfie in Michelle Obama’s bathroom forever.

Hyper Fixation

Jenn from Glowout’s Self-Tanning Mousse

Jenn from Glowout has been giving me spray tans for almost 20 years, so when I realized I didn’t have time to see her before Reese’s bat mitzvah, she Ubered over her self-tanning mousse and face serum.

I’ll admit, I was nervous doing it myself. Somehow, she trusted me enough to try, walked me through her tips, and I actually pulled it off.

Nothing replaces one of Jenn’s custom spray tans, but having this as an at-home option has been a game changer. I’ve already gone through almost an entire bottle in just a few weeks, and I’m pretty sure it’s time to order another. Thanks, Jenn!

Last but not least, Cann's spritz! Already on our second bottle. This made for a fun weekend, and you feel great the next day as opposed to a few alcoholic spritz’s. BIG FAN!

June was a good one

xx

Dana

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There’s Chicago Dana. Jewelry designer Dana. Mom Dana. Business owner Dana.

And then, once every so often...

...there’s Outdoor Dana.

She doesn’t show up often, but when she does, she’s committed.

Last week, my YPO forum headed to Bozeman, Montana for our annual retreat, and for two and a half days, I traded city sidewalks for rivers, mountains, fishing gear, and sporting clays.

If you know me, you know this isn’t exactly my natural habitat.

Jonathan, on the other hand, absolutely comes alive outside. Give him mountains, rivers, and anything remotely adventurous, and he’s the happiest person on earth. Me? I usually admire nature from a comfortable chair.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about myself, it’s that I’m far more adaptable than people might expect. Put me in a place I’d never choose on my own, and I’m usually all in.

I’m incredibly lucky to belong to two YPO forums. One is my local Chicago forum, made up of five men and two women, including me. The other is an all-women’s national forum with eight extraordinary women from around the country.

We meet every month and take one retreat together each year. Earlier this year my women’s forum explored London together. This time it was my Chicago forum’s turn, and thanks to two of the guys who planned every detail, we found ourselves headed to Montana.

After landing, we wandered through downtown Bozeman, had lunch at Brigade, and stopped at Wild Crumb, a bakery that had just received a James Beard Award, which was awesome. The carrot cake was one of the best I’ve ever had. And the sourdough? Let’s just say it earned a spot near the top of my very serious sourdough rankings. Claudia’s still holds a top spot, but if you know, you know.

From there, we drove to our Airbnb on the Gallatin River. I don’t know if I’ve ever walked into a backyard that took my breath away quite like this one. The river rushed by just steps from the house, and across it stood a mountain so striking that I found myself staring at it every chance I got. Some views don’t need conversation. They become the conversation.

One thing I always love about staying in a house rather than a hotel is that everyone naturally gathers. Nobody disappears behind hotel room doors. The best conversations happen over morning coffee, while someone is cooking, or late at night around the fire.

That first evening, Chef Scott prepared one of the most memorable private dinners I’ve ever had. He spent over a decade cooking in Chicago at several of my favorite restaurants before relocating outside Bozeman with his partner. Every course was outstanding, the wine pairings were perfect, and somehow they made an Old Fashioned that almost convinced someone who doesn’t drink Old Fashioneds to become a fan.

Tuesday started early. Fly fishing. A sentence I never imagined I’d be writing.

I’ll admit I was nervous. I’ve never done anything remotely like it.

Elena and I paired up in a drift boat with our guide, Doug, whose reputation in the fly fishing world is remarkable. He’s an incredibly accomplished fly tier, and watching the handcrafted flies he creates felt like looking at tiny works of art. As someone who appreciates craftsmanship and design, I loved hearing him explain the details behind each one.

The day turned out to be everything I didn’t expect.

Relaxing.

Frustrating.

Exciting.

Completely absorbing.

I loved that I had to stay fully present.

The weather couldn’t have been more perfect. Warm sunshine, cool breezes, layers that came on and off throughout the day. Montana somehow manages to feel warm and crisp at the same time.

We floated and fished from morning until mid-afternoon. I caught four fish. The guys caught what felt like hundreds. I’ll let them have that victory.

That afternoon we did one of the most thought-provoking personal development exercises I’ve experienced. The prompt was simple. Imagine your 80th birthday. Who’s there? What are they saying about you? What accomplishments mattered? What kind of spouse, parent, friend, leader, and human being did you become? It wasn’t about creating a bucket list. It was about asking whether the life you’re living today is creating the future you hope to celebrate decades from now. I’ve found myself thinking about those questions long after leaving Montana.

Our final morning brought another activity I never imagined enjoying. Sporting clays. The instructors at Gallatin Sporting Clays were patient, encouraging, and wonderful teachers. I stepped up to my very first shot. Pulled the trigger. And completely obliterated the clay. I honestly couldn’t believe it. Neither could anyone else. HA!

The only other time I’d ever held a gun was during the Gadna program in Israel as a teenager, when we trained briefly with M16s. I remember being terrified and practically closing my eyes while shooting.

This experience couldn’t have been more different. It was challenging, incredibly fun, and surprisingly satisfying. Apparently Outdoor Dana has hidden talents. Who knew?

The Best Part Was Never Montana

As beautiful as Montana was, that’s not what I’ll remember most. I’ll remember sitting around the fire laughing. The conversations that became more honest as the days went on. The way this group has learned to really know one another over the past two years. One of the greatest gifts of a forum is that people begin hearing what you don’t even realize you’re saying. They gently challenge your assumptions. They celebrate your wins. They notice patterns before you do. They help you become a better leader, spouse, parent, friend, and person. Most importantly, they’ve given me the freedom to show up exactly as I am. No pretending. No performing. Just me.

For two days I laughed, cried, celebrated, reflected, learned, and surprised myself more than once.

Outdoor Dana is officially back in the city now.

But she left Montana with a very full heart.

Xx

Dana

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The second the calendar flipped to 2026 and camp was officially in sight, she was ready. Lists, plans, mental checklists, conversations about what she’d bring and what she’d wear. Lulu is a planner. She loves preparing almost as much as she loves the thing she’s preparing for.

Honestly, she’s my dream child when it comes to camp.

Me? I don’t start packing for anything until the night before. A weekend trip, a work trip, a vacation, it doesn’t matter. I am absolutely a last-minute packer.

The problem is that sleepaway camp doesn’t allow for that kind of behavior. Between the packing lists, the labels, the bedding, the toiletries, and the million little things they need, you can’t throw it together the night before and hope for the best.

But even if I wanted to start earlier, there’s a practical challenge. We live in a high-rise. There is no basement. No spare room. No magical storage area where camp bags can sit half-packed for months. Every year around this time, I find myself deeply jealous of people who have basements or garages or some hidden space where camp can quietly take over for weeks before departure.

In our apartment, once camp starts arriving, camp takes over everything. So while Lulu would happily begin packing in January, I really can’t start until late May or early June, when it’s officially go-time.

But this year felt different.

This is Poppy’s sixth summer. Lulu’s third. They know what they want. They know what they need. They know exactly what belongs in their bags.

And for the first time, I felt completely out of control.

Anyone who knows me knows that control is kind of my thing. I like systems. I like lists. I like knowing where everything is and making sure every box is checked.

This year? Not so much.

The girls were sneaking things into their bags that I absolutely knew they didn’t need. There were debates. There were negotiations. There were moments when I tried to put my foot down and explain why no one needs that many sweatshirts or that many pairs of shorts.

I lost.

Eventually, I just had to surrender and let it be. Somewhere between six summers and three summers, your children become camp kids. They develop opinions. They develop routines. They know what makes them feel comfortable and excited and ready.

So I let go.

At least a little.

Of course, camp packing never happens in a vacuum.

It arrives smack in the middle of end-of-school madness. There are recitals and performances and spirit days and classroom events. There is the Dana Rebecca anniversary. There is Couture in Las Vegas. There are a thousand things demanding attention all at once, and somehow, camp packing is expected to weave itself neatly into the middle of it.

Every year, I tell myself I’ll tackle everything in small pieces. Every year, there is chaos anyway.

There is always the moment when you discover that one set of sheets came back missing a fitted sheet, another set came back missing a top sheet, and now you’re either mixing and matching or buying entirely new bedding. There is always the missing mattress cover. The broken flashlight. The mystery stain. The item that somehow disappeared into the Northwoods forever.

No matter how organized you think you are, camp always humbles you.

And every year, Jonathan has exactly one job: batteries.

Every flashlight. Every fan. Every battery-operated item that requires power.

That’s it.

He’s very lucky.

Then come the haircuts, the lice checks, the manicures and pedicures, and all the little details that somehow feel urgent. Every item suddenly matters. Every loose end suddenly needs tying up.

But none of those things compares to the excitement surrounding the bus bag.

The bus bag deserves its own category entirely.

You would think these children were embarking on a cross-country expedition. The amount of food packed for a five-hour bus ride is honestly impressive. The snacks. The candy. The drinks. The activities. The games. The books.

Everything is packed with such intention.

Meanwhile, they’ll probably spend most of the ride talking to their best friends.

Speaking of best friends, one of the greatest gifts camp has given Lulu isn’t something that fits inside a trunk.

It’s Poppy’s friends.

Watching those girls run up to Lulu and love on her like she’s their own little sister melts me every single time. They include her. They cheer for her. They make her feel special.

Because let’s be honest, Poppy isn’t always interested in being the world’s greatest big sister.

But Lulu has this whole crew of girls looking out for her. And knowing she has those extra big sisters at camp gives me so much comfort. It’s one of those things that reminds me what camp friendships really look like.

Of course, Lulu has built her own friendships too. Her own little group of girls. Her own camp family waits for her every summer.

Our final family dinner before camp has always traditionally fallen on Father’s Day. This year, because the girls left earlier, we adjusted the schedule, but we still kept the tradition.

We went to RL as a family of four.

And we talked about all the things we were excited for this summer. Everyone ordered their usuals.

Except Lulu.

In what felt like a major family milestone, she ordered a filet. A filet. This is a child whose culinary comfort zone has historically consisted of pancakes and chicken fingers. Needless to say, we were all very excited. Over dinner, we talked about our intentions for the summer. What we wanted to learn. What we hoped to accomplish. The adventures waiting ahead.

And, as I always do, I shared lessons Camp Agawak taught me. Because even at 42 years old, I still carry Agawak with me. The confidence. The independence. The friendships. The resilience. The memories. Camp Agawak shaped who I am in countless ways, and watching my daughters create their own versions of those experiences feels incredibly special.

The morning they left was exactly what you would expect if you know my girls.

Poppy was absolutely feral with excitement. Jumping on beds. Counting down minutes. Bursting with energy. Ready to get on that bus before the sun had fully risen.

Lulu was emotional. Sad to leave home. Sad to leave Monkey. Sad to say goodbye.

They’re opposites in so many ways.

Poppy practically runs onto the bus without looking back.

Lulu feels every goodbye.

Both are perfect.

Both are exactly who they’re supposed to be.

Before the buses leave every year, we have our morning tradition with the Taylor Elaine and her family. We drive from the city to the suburbs and meet up before the camp bus chaos begins at this grassy area, a little bit away from the buses. For the last five years, we’ve taken the same photos together, capturing our girls before another summer away. We get our family pictures, our hugs, and our last few quiet moments in before pulling into a sea of campers, parents, and the chaos.

Every year the girls get a little taller. Every year they look a little older. Every year I find myself wishing time would slow down just a little bit. This tradition has become one of my favorites. It’s the calm before the storm, a small pocket of quiet before the excitement of camp takes over.

And then there are the videos. Six years ago, I accidentally started a tradition. I caught a few sweet moments of Poppy before camp. A smile. A glance. A little interaction that felt special. I stitched them together into a reel and posted it the night she left.

What began as a simple video became a tradition. Every year since, I’ve captured those little moments. This year it was our hands stacked together. Mine first. Then one daughter. Then the other. The videos have evolved, but what they document remains the same.

Looking back at the clips from 2021 feels impossible. Poppy looks so little. In some of the videos she’s even wearing a mask, a reminder of a world that already feels so far away.

Yet somehow the traditions remain.

And that’s what I find myself thinking about now that they’re gone.

The packing gets done.

The batteries get replaced.

The sheets get sorted.

The bus bags get overstuffed.

The chaos passes.

What remains are the traditions. The photos. The videos. The friendships. The memories.

And the overwhelming gratitude that these girls love Camp Agawak as much as I do.

As third-generation Camp Agawak girls, camp isn’t just where my daughters spend their summers. It’s woven into the fabric of our family.

Every June, the packing feels chaotic. The sheets are missing. The batteries need replacing. The bus bags are overflowing. And somehow, despite my best efforts, I lose a little more control each year.

But maybe that’s the point.

The goal was never to raise daughters who needed me to pack every last thing. The goal was to raise girls who could find their own way, build their own friendships, and create their own camp memories.

And now they are.

Watching them experience the same place that shaped so much of who I am, and seeing it shape who they are becoming, feels like a gift I will never stop being grateful for.

xx

Dana

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What I Wore

May was all about getting ready for summer and the seemingly endless lineup of parties and celebrations on the calendar.

I never shared this dress I wore to a bar mitzvah, and honestly, that’s a shame because it deserves its moment. It was $58 and SO good. I’m still not over it. Here’s the full outfit, and yes, I will continue bringing up the price because I simply cannot believe it was only $58.

A few other wardrobe favorites from this month:

A new phone case that somehow feels like a new accessory. I always get questions about my phone case, and I recently added the chain version. I’m loving it—it makes carrying my phone feel a little more intentional and a lot more chic.

I’m very excited about two new summer bags. Full transparency: I haven’t actually worn either of them yet, but I’ve already planned multiple imaginary outfits around them, which feels like the same thing.

I also picked up this top and ended up styling it two ways: once with jeans for a more casual look and once with the matching skirt. I love when one piece works overtime in my closet. You can see both outfits here and here.

This section basically confirms that I’m already mentally living in summer, even though the weather hasn’t fully committed.

What I Ate

Birthday month is always a strong month for dining, and Vegas was the grand finale.

Sartiano’s — I’d been wanting to try it in NYC, so getting to go to Vegas felt like a win. Truly delicious. I am still thinking about the wagyu beef pasta. Outstanding.

Zero Bond — Amazing sushi, a fun atmosphere, and top-tier people watching. What more could you want?

What I Read

When We See You Again by Rachel Goldberg-Polin
WOW. Just wow. Rachel is an incredible writer. I cried through most of this book and learned so much about her, Hersh, and everything their family has been through. Five major stars.

Buckeye by Patrick Ryan
★★★★

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
★★★★★
I need someone to start a book club with me just so I can discuss this one. I called my friend Alison the morning after finishing it, and our conversation made me go back and reread the last 50 pages. I think I sped through the ending because I was so shocked, and when I revisited it a few days later, I appreciated it even more. I loved the writing and absolutely did not see the ending coming. Must read.

My Husband’s Wife by Alice Feeney
★★★★★
A great read. I was hooked the entire time.

What I Watched

The Devil Wears Prada 2 — I really liked it. It was also my first trip to a movie theater in about three years, which feels slightly alarming to admit. The bigger surprise? I actually enjoyed being there. The seats were lovely. Maybe I’m a movie theater person now?

Still fully obsessed with The Real Housewives of Rhode Island.

Up next: Off Campus, because my sister is obsessed and apparently will not stop reminding me until I watch it.

What I’ve Been Listening To

Social Currency with Sammi Cohen
Still very invested in the Coach story. If you remember, I recently read Bag Man: The Story Behind the Improbable Rise of Coach by Lew Frankfort, so hearing from the current CEO was fascinating. Such a great listen.

Aspire with Emma Grede
Really enjoyed Emma’s conversation with Bethenny. As always, Bethenny’s candor makes for an entertaining episode.

Recent Hyper fixations

A new bra.

I’ve been an EBY fan for years, and I recently added their Pain-Free T-Shirt Bra into the rotation. The Relief Bra remains a forever favorite, but this one has quickly earned a spot in regular circulation. EBY truly made me stop hating my bras, which feels like a public service.

Nineteen years of DRD memories.
This has been the hyper fixation of all hyper fixations. Looking back, sharing old photos, revisiting milestones, and reflecting on what nearly two decades of building this business have looked like. I genuinely cannot believe we’re approaching 20 years. It feels impossible and exciting all at once.

Overall, May was a great month, and we are hitting June with the ground running with graduations, bat mitzvahs, and so many more things on the calendar.

xx

Dana

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To get to my office, you had to walk through the kitchen, then through Izzy’s retro workout room, and eventually you’d find yourself in my little dungeon of an office with what were possibly the dirtiest windows humanly possible. Let’s just say I hoped the jewelry spoke for itself, because nothing else about it felt glamorous.

It was a one-woman show. Just me.

Sitting here today, I honestly cannot believe 19 years have gone by.

Over the years, I’ve shared milestones, lessons, and memories tied to different anniversaries of the business. But as DRD turns 19, I found myself thinking less about accomplishments and more about evolution. The evolution of the brand, the evolution of myself, and everything that’s happened throughout this incredible journey.

So instead of “19 lessons,” this feels more honest.

What I believed.

The lessons I had to learn the hard way.
The moments that changed everything.
The things that never changed.
And what 19 years ultimately gave me.

WHAT I BELIEVED AT THE BEGINNING

I believed hard work solved everything. It turns out hard work solves a lot, but not boundaries, burnout, leadership, or timing.

I believed I had to say yes to every opportunity. Every client. Every introduction. Every idea. Every possibility felt important. For a long time, I thought saying yes was what ambitious people did.

I believed the hardest years would be at the beginning. I thought once the business became established, things would somehow feel easier. What I’ve learned instead is that every stage comes with its own challenges, responsibilities, and reinventions.

I thought there would eventually be a moment where I felt like I had “made it.” Like one day the fear would disappear, the uncertainty would quiet down, and I’d finally feel fully confident in what I had built. Nineteen years later, I’ve learned that growth rarely feels like arrival. It feels more like constant evolution. Confidence doesn’t come from finally reaching some perfect destination. It comes from continuing to build, adapt, survive, and trust yourself along the way.

LESSONS I HAD TO LEARN THE HARD WAY

Not every client is worth keeping. In the early years, I thought keeping everyone happy was just part of running a business. Over time, I learned that the wrong relationships can slowly drain creativity, energy, and culture.

You can love your business and still need distance from it. For a long time, my identity and the business were deeply intertwined. DRD was not just what I built, it was how I saw myself. I’ve had to learn that your identity cannot live entirely inside the company you create.

There’s a strange closeness that can happen inside a small business. You spend years building, solving, celebrating, surviving with your team. Sometimes it creates lifelong relationships. Sometimes it ends more like a quiet breakup, where someone who once felt woven into your daily life becomes a stranger almost overnight. I’ve learned that leadership can be incredibly meaningful and incredibly emotional at the same time.

I’ve fallen in and out of love with DRD over the years. When you start a business young and spend your entire adult life inside of it, it can become hard to separate yourself from the pressure, the mistakes, and the exhaustion that come with building something for so long. What I’ve learned is that I have more control than I think I do. When I feel disconnected from the business, I have to intentionally return to the parts that made me love it in the first place — being in the factory, working with clients, designing, creating. That shift in energy changes everything. When I reconnect with the creative side of DRD, I remember exactly why I fell in love with this business in the first place.

I’ve learned that if you’re not careful, you can spend so much time chasing the next thing that you forget to acknowledge what you’ve already built. For years, I was always focused on what still needed to happen — the next collection, the next collaboration, the next goal. But somewhere along the way, I realized that building a business that has lasted 19 years, supported a team, celebrated people’s biggest milestones, and created a real community is actually something to be deeply proud of.

MOMENTS THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING

Motherhood changed everything. It reinforced for me that balance is a lie. There is no perfect formula for being fully present everywhere all at once. Becoming a mother forced me to look honestly at the way I was living and working, and I realized I was no longer proud of how much I was running myself into the ground. I stopped wanting to build a business that consumed me and started wanting to build one my children could someday be proud of. Motherhood pushed me to find a different way of working. Not perfect balance, but a better harmony between being a proud business owner and a proud mom.

Being included in Oprah’s Favorite Things changed more than the business. It changed my sense of what was possible. For the first time, I stopped thinking of DRD as something small I was trying to protect and started believing it could grow into something much bigger. It gave me confidence before I fully had it on my own.

One of the most meaningful shifts in DRD happened when my siblings formally joined the business. For the first time, it stopped feeling like something I was carrying alone. It became more collaborative, more grounded, and even more personal to me. Working with family is not always simple, but building this business alongside them has made it far more meaningful.

Around 2016 or 2017, we hired a consultant to help us scale the business. On paper, the plan looked successful: more growth, more expansion, more revenue, more everything. But when it came time to actually execute it, I had a very clear realization: this wasn’t who we were. For the first time, I understood that I wasn’t building DRD to chase endless scale or become the biggest. I wanted to build something creative, sustainable, personal, and lasting. That realization completely changed the way I viewed growth and success.

COVID changed the way I led, the way I worked, and honestly, the way I lived. It forced me to slow down and reevaluate how I was showing up for my family, my team, and myself. As a company, we worked incredibly hard during those years to keep our team together and keep moving forward while the world felt uncertain. There was so much fear and so many unknowns, but it also became a time where I opened up more personally and allowed the community around DRD to grow in a much more real way. The support we felt from our clients and especially from our Instagram community during that time meant more than I can fully put into words. It reminded me that the community around DRD was never just customers—it was family.

THINGS THAT NEVER CHANGED

My belief in jewelry has never changed. I love the way jewelry carries memory, emotion, identity, and history. I believe deeply in celebrating milestones with jewelry and in building collections slowly over time — pieces that become part of your story and are eventually passed on with meaning attached to them.

Relationships are the foundation of everything. Clients, team members, vendors, partners — none of it works without trust, integrity, communication, and care. Businesses are built on relationships long before they’re built on scale, and over the years I’ve learned that people remember how you made them feel long after they forget the transaction itself.

We will never sacrifice craftsmanship, quality, or timelessness for trend cycles or speed. I’ve always believed the best jewelry should outlive the moment it was purchased in.

WHAT 19 YEARS GAVE ME

Community. What started as a one-woman business in the back office of my dad’s factory became something so much bigger than I ever imagined. DRD gave me clients who became friends, a team that helped shape my life, relationships that changed me, and a community that has grown alongside this brand for nearly two decades. That will always be the most meaningful part of all of this to me.

Perspective. For years, I was so focused on what still needed to happen that I rarely stopped to appreciate what already existed. But somewhere along the way, I realized that building a business that has lasted 19 years, supported a team, celebrated people’s biggest milestones, and created real connections is actually something to be deeply proud of.

Four beliefs.
Five hard lessons.
Five moments that changed everything.
Three things that never changed.
Two things 19 years gave me.

Nineteen years of DRD — and I still feel incredibly lucky to do this.

xx

Dana

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Every anniversary of DRD feels bittersweet because I can’t believe it’s already been 19 years, but at the same time, it somehow feels like just yesterday that this all started!

Enough of the sentimental sappiness (I’ll save all of that for my next post) — let’s get into the important stuff… the deals!

For 19 years of DRD, we’re celebrating with 19% off, as per usual, matching the percentage off to the years in business. BUT that’s not where it ends. We have so many things I’m excited about!!! I need to start with my favorites…

Exclusive Jewelry

I am so, so, so excited about our earrings!!! These are double-piercing chain earrings that are super dainty and perfect for summer. They’re lightweight and move so elegantly. Plus, you can wear them two ways — with the dangle in the front or the back. We love a versatile moment.

Ok, a new piece for DRD… a charm bracelet! We’ve started leaning into the charm bracelet moment recently at DRD, but this is the first time we’re selling a charm bracelet as a full package! It features a paperclip chain with a lock charm that has a diamond heart on one side and a 19 engraved on the other.

Last, but certainly not least… a lariat! Not just a lariat, but a double lariat so it looks like two necklaces in one! Dainty chain and diamonds? I’m obsessed.

Gift with Purchase

We have two gifts with purchase this year that I’m really excited about, and what makes them even more special is that both are from female founded brands!

The first is a customized black Abbode pouch with a champagne glass, diamond, and key sewn on. When we got the sample, it was way bigger than I anticipated — which is great! Bigger pouch = more things to fit inside. I think it’ll be perfect for traveling.

Our second gift with purchase is a gift card to create your own customizable card holder and keychain. We went back and forth for a long time about whether we wanted to customize them for you or give you the option to do it yourself, and at the end of the day, I want you to get the most out of it. That’s why we’re sending gift cards — so you have the opportunity to personalize it for yourself or someone else.

I am so excited for this year’s anniversary sale! It will run from 5/18–5/25. Please DM me or reach out to our customer service team if you have questions, and we’ll help you!

xx

Dana

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What I Wore

Finally feels good to get dressed again. I’ve been documenting it (per IG’s request), and it’s been a fun way to feel a little more like myself.

I need Chicago to commit to 70° for more than 30 seconds so I can actually wear these!

New fave bag for $125 - cutest little tiny size.

Jackets on Jackets lately (because…Chicago).

What I Ate

A lot of dinners from friends and family who have taken care of us over the past few months - so, so grateful.

My first dinner out was at Matilda: pineapple margarita + steak tacos = worth the wait.

What I Read

Margo’s Got Money Troubles - good book to read while home with a headache and having a little bit of a hard time reading. Light and fluffy

Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage - our book club book - will share thoughts at book club

What I Watched

The first half of the month, I could only handle a show or two a day—and usually something with P & L.

We loved Snack vs Chef and randomly got very into Bring It On (the original still holds).

J and I watched The Pitt Season 2 throughout the month—some moments hit a little too close to home, especially hearing CSF mentioned.

Tried to get back into Bridgerton…lost interest pretty quickly.

Loved The Madison—Michelle Pfeiffer is unreal, and the story really stayed with me.

Also watched the Laguna Beach reunion (nostalgic but slow), One Battle After Another (meh), and Noah Kahan’s documentary—which we loved.

What I Listened To

Cult body soul - I was once obsessed with SoulCycle, and my friend Jamie recommended it. That era was a wild one and truly one of a kind

Love trapped - HOLY HELLLLLLLLLLL

Other Hyper fixation

NEEDLEPOINT.

We hosted a class on the Monday before my headaches started, and I was hooked immediately. It’s become my favorite kind of escape—slow, calming, and something I can fully sink into.

Thanks to Third Coast Stitches, I now have a full-blown new hobby. Claudia and I text nonstop about our projects, and I’m already accepting that I may end up with more finished canvases than I ever send out to a finisher… but honestly, I don’t even care. I just love the craft, and it’s so relaxing!

WIP Wednesdays coming soon!!

xx

Dana

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On April 16th, I had a CT myelogram at Northwestern to try to locate the source of the leak. They were able to find it, which in itself was surprising. The location wasn’t what they expected, and honestly, there had been so many unknowns leading up to this that even having an answer felt like a turning point.

During that procedure, they did a glue and fiber patch, in addition to another blood patch.

I went home the same day and had to spend 24 hours completely flat. And then, when I was finally able to get up…I didn’t have a headache.

I’m now almost two weeks out, and I can say something I wasn’t sure I’d be able to say this soon: I feel good. Really good.

My body is still catching up in some ways. After so much time being completely still, everything feels a little slower, a little more deliberate. But the pain that defined the last few weeks is gone, and that alone feels like everything.

What has changed even more, though, is my perspective.

During this time, I heard from a longtime friend and client who had gone through his own health experience. He shared something with me that I haven’t stopped thinking about since.

He said to think about the “drains” in your life, and the “fountains.”

The things that deplete you, and the things that fill you up.

That idea has really stayed with me.

Because in the middle of all of this, I experienced so many fountains. The love, the support, the people who showed up in ways I will never forget. I don’t know that I will ever fully get over how much thoughtfulness I felt during that time.

And it’s made me think more honestly about the other side of this.

About what I want my life to look like moving forward. The way I work. The way I spend my time. The way I take care of myself.

I don’t have all the answers yet. I think that part will take time. There’s still a lot for me to process from what I went through, and I know that won’t happen overnight.

But I do know that something shifted.

I spent a lot of time with myself over these past few weeks. With my thoughts. Without the usual distractions. I wasn’t reading much, or watching TV, or filling the time the way I normally would.

I was just… there.

And in a strange way, I’m grateful for that.

Grateful to be on the other side of the hardest part. Grateful for my health. Grateful for the people who carried me through it.

And just really, deeply grateful.

Thank you for being here, for reading, for reaching out, and for holding me in ways you may not even realize.

xx Dana

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Not by days or weeks, but by how long I can sit up before I have to lie back down again.

Three weeks ago, I thought I understood what it meant to be busy, tired, maybe even a little burnt out. I didn’t understand what it meant to actually stop.

It’s been twenty days of mostly lying flat. Twenty days of a headache that doesn’t really go away, it just changes depending on whether I’m upright or not. I’ve never really had headaches before, so this whole experience still feels surreal to me. Like my body is doing something I don’t fully understand, and I just have to follow it. And I don’t think I’ve ever felt this helpless.

That’s probably the hardest part to admit.

I’m not someone who needs help. Or at least I haven’t been. I get up, I go, I handle things, I move through life pretty independently. Even when something is hard, I figure it out.

This has been different.

Because I can get up, but not for long. I can stand, I can walk around for a few minutes, I can try to feel somewhat normal, but then the headache builds, and I can feel it coming back, and I know I have to lie down. So I do.

And that’s been my rhythm. Up for a few minutes, back down. Over and over again.

Which means I can’t really leave the house. I can’t go to dinner, I can’t go on a walk, I can’t sit somewhere comfortably and just be out in the world. Everything has gotten very small. And very still.

I keep thinking about how I had to completely wipe my calendar last week. And now I’m looking ahead at May, at plans I had, trips I was excited about, and realizing I might have to let those go too. And that’s been hard in a different way. Not just physically, but mentally. Letting go of control. Letting go of plans. Letting go of the version of myself that just pushes through everything.

At the same time, I don’t think I’ve ever experienced this much love.

The deliveries. The care packages. The food, the flowers. Every time something shows up, it changes my whole day. It makes me smile in a way that feels bigger than it should, but it’s not.

The love has been overwhelming in the best way.

Friends who have come and just sat with me. Friends who can’t, but call anyway. And even though I haven’t been able to talk much, I see everything. I see the missed calls. I read every text. I listen to the voicemails.

I feel all of it.

I don’t like needing people. I never really have. I like being the one who shows up, who handles things, who keeps going.

But this… this has been the thing I’ve needed the most. And I don’t think I would be getting through this the same way without it.

It’s kind of hard to even explain how much it means. Just how much love has shown up, from so many people, in ways I didn’t expect.

And how much it’s actually holding me together right now.

From a health standpoint, there is some progress. I’m not experiencing the same kind of pain that sent me to the hospital. That pain was completely unmanageable. This is different. Now, when I stand up, I get a headache, but it’s something I can tolerate for a little bit. It just doesn’t last. Around that 10-minute mark, it builds to the point where I have to lie back down again. So something improved after the procedure, but I’m not progressing the way I hoped I would.

And there are still a lot of unknowns. I don’t know how I got a leak in my spine. I don’t know when it happened. I don’t know exactly where it is.

I have follow-up appointments next week. I’m looking into second opinions. I’m researching specialists. I’m doing everything I can to move this forward, but the process is slow. And I’m not good with slow. But I don’t think I have a choice.

All I really want right now is to wake up and feel a little bit better than the day before. Not fully better, not back to normal, just… better. I know I can’t change what’s already happened. I know I can’t rush this. So I’m trying to sit in it. Even when it’s uncomfortable. Even when it’s emotional in a way I’m not used to. Because I don’t think I’ve ever been this in touch with this side of myself before.

For now, I’m here. Resting. Recovering. Letting my body lead, even when I don’t like what that looks like. And hoping, really hoping, that each day moves me a little closer to feeling like myself again.

Thank you for all the love.

xx

Dana

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The beginning of the month was full and chaotic in the best way—traveling through India and Hong Kong, completely upside down with time zones and somehow awake in all of them at once.

The end looked very different. I’ve been dealing with a health issue (you can read more here: An Update From Me), which made putting this together take a little longer than usual. Writing this felt more emotional than I expected. It’s a reminder of how quickly things can change and how easy it is to take your health for granted.

Sharing everything I loved this month, from the highs to the slower moments in between.

What I Wore

I fell in love with wearing DOUBLE Ava Bea Tennis Necks in March. This look felt so fun and made my stack feel so fresh and updated! I also switched out my Poppy Rae Pebble Hoops for the new Cynthia Rose Scattered Diamond Hoops, and I am really loving them.

Aside from my elevated stacks abroad, the rest of the month has been filled with a lot of comfy clothes and matching pajama sets

What I Ate

The month started with epic eats like Ekaa in Mumbai and some incredible solo meals in Hong Kong, like Tsim Chai Kee, Nha Trang, Australia Dairy Company, Aubrey, and so many more fun spots (here’s the Substack on my trip: Three Cities, Countless Meals, and a Lot of Jewelry)

We celebrated Jonathan’s birthday at Indienne. It was incredible. I have been wanting to go there for years, and it was so special. We loved every course. I am still thinking about the dessert and said at the meal that if they put another one down, I would eat it again!

In Houston, I had yummy Tex-Mex at Cadente with my BFFs before our trunk show - it was sooooo good.

While in the hospital, Ramen San brought me comfort - I cannot explain why, but I was craving the chicken buns and ramen. I have always loved Ramen San, and I love it when you can get the sushi san avocado roll too.

What I Read

You won’t believe this, but I read exactly one book this month: Theo of Golden by Allen Levi. It took me a while to get into it—honestly, almost three weeks—but once I did, I really loved it. The ending especially made it worth it. Still giving it 4 stars because it felt like the longest read of my life to get through.

Since finishing, and especially being in the hospital, reading has been basically impossible. Hoping to get back into it soon

What I Watched

The Pitt — I watched basically the entire first season on my flight home from Hong Kong (minus two episodes). I started it about two hours into the flight and immediately regretted not starting it the second I sat down. I didn’t sleep for a minute… and then finished the rest almost immediately after I got home.

Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special — The countdown to this in March was apparently just as important to Lulu as her birthday. I’m not exactly sure when the Hannah Montana obsession started, but it’s very real. She had absolutely no idea who Alex Cooper was, which made that part especially entertaining for me.

Paradise Season 2 — Oh my goodness. So good. So many twists and turns. Highly recommend.

Other Hyper fixations

Getting better. Truly. Finding a way to get my health back has been the only thing that actually matters. Anything else I’ve been fixated on feels a little ridiculous in comparison. If you’ve been following along on stories, you’ve probably seen some of my absolutely outlandish hospital purchases. Very real, very unnecessary, and honestly kind of funny in hindsight. I think it was just something to focus on when I couldn’t control what was actually going on. Right now, the only fixation that counts is resting, hydrating, and doing a whole lot of nothing—really just taking care of my body. And honestly, the amount of love I’ve felt through all of this has been overwhelming in the best way. The flowers, the food, the treats, the pajamas, the socks, the care packages—so many thoughtful gestures that have meant more than I can even explain. I’ve felt so cared for by my family, my friends, and this community. It’s made a really hard few weeks feel a little softer, and I don’t take that for granted for a second.

Talk soon

xx

Dana

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One of the most meaningful parts of Dana Rebecca Designs has always been naming collections after people I love. Each name tells a story, and every collection holds a piece of someone special in my life.

Today, I wanted to highlight three of those namesakes: Ava Bea, Melody Eden, and Sylvie Rose.

Their moms have each played a special role in my life, supporting me, encouraging me, and showing up for me in different ways over the years. I’ve built Dana Rebecca surrounded by so much love, and I feel incredibly grateful for that.

I’ve known each of them through different chapters of my life, and somehow it feels like they’ve always been part of my story.

Instead of sharing these collections from my perspective, I thought it would be really special to share a few words from their moms. Because no one captures who these girls are better than they do.

Melody Eden

“Melody is a fearless, outgoing seven-year-old who says yes to adventure and dives into life with confidence and joy. She loves trying new things, going new places, and making friends wherever she goes. A born performer, she shines in gymnastics, hip hop, cheerleading, and on stage—and has recently added singing and piano to her growing list of talents. Whether she’s styling an outfit, climbing a tree, or shooting hoops, Melody brings energy, curiosity, and heart to everything she does.”

My favorite pieces from the Melody Eden collection: Melody Eden Vertical Gold Bar Ring & Melody Eden Gold Bar Station Necklace

There’s something so special about Mel’s spirit. She radiates confidence and joy in everything she does. We’ve always called her “Baby Mel” as the youngest of our family friends, but these days she’s completely the boss. We love her so much.

Sylvie Rose

“Sylvie Rose is pure soul & boundless joy. She is dynamic in personality & selfless to the core, Bound for UT Austin in the fall of ’26, she is leaving an indelible mark on her high school in Texas, where she is Homecoming Queen, Social President of their National Championship Varsity Dance Team, and the 2026 Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Like Dana Rebecca, Sylvie Rose has been a life-long camper/counselor at Camp Agawak in the North Woods of Wisconsin. (Blue Team Captain!) She is a twin & one of 4 siblings. She is magnetic, inspiring, sharp, grounded, & hilarious. Sylvie Rose loves deeply, lives full out, & is the good energy you just always want to be around.”

My favorite pieces from the Sylvie Rose collection: Sylvie Rose Cuban Chain Long Bar Necklace, Sylvie Rose Disc and Pave Bar Necklace, & Sylvie Rose Pave Toggle Necklace

As one of my very first DRD namesake collections, it’s been so special to watch Sylvie grow up. She has become the most loving, kind, and thoughtful young woman. And the love doesn’t end with me. Poppy and Lulu have been so lucky to spend their summers with her at Camp Agawak, and they absolutely adore her.

Ava Bea

“Ava is a curious, energetic spark who approaches the world with wide-eyed wonder and endless questions. Hilarious and endlessly creative, she turns everyday moments into playful adventures and somehow always finds her way to sweets. With a big empathetic heart, Ava has a special way of making the people around her feel seen, cared for, and loved.”

My favorite pieces from the Ava Bea collection: PROBABLY A BROKEN RECORD ON THESE…

Ava Bea Crosover Mini Huggies, Ava Bea Tennis Necklace, & Ava Bea Flexi Cuff

I only wish Ava lived in Chicago. Ava is the most precious, kind, and caring girl, and she makes me smile just seeing a picture of her. She has the best personality and a true love for DRD, dressing up, and all the special things in life.

I love that these collections let me celebrate people I care about in such a lasting way.

And especially during a month that’s all about honoring women and girls, it felt like the right moment to share a few of these stories.

There are so many more names, so many more stories, and so much more love behind this brand.

This is just a small glimpse into it 💛

Talk soon

xx

Dana

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I had just come home to Chicago after two weeks abroad, and I am so deeply grateful that I was home, with my family, when everything happened. That alone feels like a quiet kind of luck. Because I don’t really slow down.

I move fast. I pack my schedule. I push through things I probably shouldn’t. And for the most part, I’ve always been able to.

The backstory starts in Houston. I was there for a trunk show hosted by my best friend Ally. It was one of those trips that fills you up. I was with her daughters, Sadie Pearl and Teddi Paige, my namesakes. I was so happy and so excited to be with our clients in Houston.

That afternoon, I got a headache.

Not a normal headache. One that wouldn’t go away, no matter what I took. I remember telling Ally a few times that I had a headache, but not fully understanding what was happening. We had a late flight that night, and I felt so sick that I actually thought about getting off the plane. My head hurt that badly.

But then the pilot said the flight was two hours and twelve minutes, and I had this thought: you can do anything for two hours and twelve minutes. You’re strong. This is nothing. You just did 14-hour flights. Two hours is nothing.

So I stayed.

I got home, went to sleep, and woke up Thursday still with a headache. I moved through the day in a haze. I saw friends. I asked for a little help, but I wasn’t really explaining what was happening.

By 6:30 PM, everything changed.

I couldn’t stand. I couldn’t see properly. I couldn’t stop vomiting. I was completely, undeniably unwell.

Friday morning, I called 911. Not because I wanted to, but because I physically could not get myself to the door, let alone to a doctor. The pain was excruciating.

At the hospital, they ran scans and quickly realized something was wrong. When I was lying flat, the pain eased. The moment I sat up, it came rushing back.

That led to an MRI of my brain and spine that lasted two and a half hours. That’s when they found I had a leak in my spine.

Over the weekend, everything slowed down in the way hospitals do. But I was also cared for by some of the most incredible people. I am in awe of nurses and the kindness and care they show their patients. I wish I knew Kallie and Ana’s information to thank them again. They were so wonderful.

On Monday, the neuro IR team stepped in. Because they couldn’t locate the exact source of the leak, they performed three blood patches. They use your own blood to try to seal the leak in your spine.

I was in the hospital from Friday to Tuesday. There was no real pain medication that could fix this. The treatment was caffeine, fluids, and time. The pain was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced when I wasn’t flat on my back.

I am so grateful for my family. My parents flew in immediately. Jonathan was there every single day. My girls have been unbelievably brave. Friends showed up in ways big and small.

It was a reminder of something we all say, but don’t always feel this clearly: your community is everything. When everything else stops, that’s what holds you.

I haven’t worked in a week, and for someone like me, that is not normal.

But I’ve been trying, really trying, to listen to my body. To respect it. To understand that pushing through is not always strength. Sometimes strength is stopping.

This experience shook me, not just physically, but mentally. It made me realize how fragile things can be and how quickly everything can shift.

We talk so much about ambition, growth, building. But none of it matters if you don’t have your health.

So this is me, saying it out loud, mostly to myself: take care of your body. Slow down when you need to. Pay attention when something feels off. Because you don’t get to choose when your body forces you to listen.

I’m home now, recovering. Taking it day by day.

And hoping for better, healthier days ahead.

xx

Dana

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London

This trip had been on my calendar for months and I had been looking forward to it for a long time. It started in London with seven women from my YPO Forum. We take a retreat together once a year and while we meet virtually every month, nothing compares to actually being together in person. I only joined this forum about six months ago, but the connection we have already formed is pretty incredible.

I had been in London last May and was excited to go back with this group of women.

We stayed in Soho at the Broadwick Hotel and to say I fell in love with this hotel the moment I arrived would honestly be an understatement. There is a room called the Nook right in the lobby area that is so chic and so cool that I probably took 500 videos while waiting for my room to be ready. I could have happily stayed there all afternoon. The design details throughout the hotel are impeccable and someone clearly thought through every corner.

The first night we got together to reconnect and share updates on the last few weeks. It was so nice to finally be together in person. We went to Soma for drinks and the cocktails were so memorable. I will seriously remember the Leaf drink for a long time. It was that good.

From there we headed to Gymkhana, a restaurant I had wanted to try on my last trip to London but never made it to. We had an incredible private room and a meal that felt like it would never end in the best possible way. Course after course kept arriving and each one seemed better than the last. The caviar course was completely outrageous and unlike anything I had ever had before. And not to sound basic, but the butter chicken truly lived up to the hype. Paired with the naan it was one of those dishes you keep thinking about long after the meal is over.

A few months earlier, through the YPO network, I had connected with Victoria, the founder of the beautiful clothing brand Emello. We had a lovely Zoom call, and when I mentioned that my forum would be in London in February, we talked about possibly meeting.

While planning the trip I suggested we connect with her and she ended up organizing the most thoughtful morning for our group. We spent time with Victoria and her team learning about her business and hearing about her background. We also got to shop her beautiful collection and watch a photoshoot happening for their next collection. Victoria surprised us with a little photoshoot of our own and the pics turned out so cute and we will definitely cherish them!

As someone who does photoshoots all the time, it was so fun to see the behind the scenes of another brand shooting their clothes. Everyone in our group was completely drawn in by the clothing and by Victoria herself. We honestly could have stayed all day.

After that we headed to Harrods which of course is always fun with eight women in one of the most beautiful department stores in the world. Naturally, we decided to have lunch and go for dim sum at China Tang.

As always, my personal priority was the food hall. The last time I was in London, I carried around the infamous $200 honeydew melon, so this time I felt obligated to try the ridiculously priced strawberries. And of course, I had to buy the beautiful dates to bring home for friends and family.

The night we had drinks at the Green Bar at Hotel Café Royal, which was chic and perfect for people watching before dinner at Evelyn’s Table.

Evelyn’s Table is a private chef’s table tucked into the basement of The Blue Posts, a pub that has been around since 1739. The space feels intimate the moment you walk downstairs. The food was outstanding and watching the kitchen team work just a few feet away was part of the experience. Each course felt thoughtful, the pairings were excellent, and it was one of those dinners where the company somehow makes the meal even better.

The next day we had a full forum day at Soho House. I always love these meetings because they create space to slow down, think more deeply, and be vulnerable with each other.

That evening we took a boat ride down the River Thames. The sky was incredible and although it was a little crisp out, the views were amazing. We actually had fantastic London weather for February so no one was complaining. Seeing the London Eye up close from the water was very cool.

From there, we walked to the Tower of London for a private tour of the Crown Jewels. This was such a special experience. Seeing the Great Star of Africa diamond, which weighs 530 carats and sits in the Sovereign’s Sceptre, was extraordinary. All of the crowns were unreal and it was fascinating to see them up close.

Afterward we went to Frog by Adam Handling where we were seated in another private basement dining room for a very special tasting menu. Each bite felt more creative than the next and the dinner had such a fun energy.

I left each of these meals feeling grateful not only for the experience, but for the chance to share them with women who inspire me, encourage me to be myself, and push me to grow into an even better version of who I am.

Saturday was my last day and we were all exhausted so we slept in a bit before walking around to shop and explore. Lunch was at Miznon, which is one of my favorite spots. If you remember from Paris, I am a huge Miznon fan, so I was thrilled that one was right by our hotel. We audibled our lunch plans on my last day before my flight and went there instead for the most delicious schnitzel, falafel, and hummus.

After that we went to see The Play That Goes Wrong which was weird and silly.

Then I headed straight to the airport for my flight to India.

Mumbai

Nine hours later I landed in Mumbai around 11am on Sunday and had the afternoon to myself to rest and relax.

I checked into the Taj Hotel and immediately felt a wave of nostalgia. This hotel holds so many memories for me. It was the first hotel I stayed in when I came to India with my dad at sixteen years old. It was also the trip where I first worked with Mr. Vijay at the famous jewelry store I talk about all the time. He helped me create one of my very first jewelry collections.

Pulling up to the Taj brought all of that back.

I spent the afternoon at the pool resting before dinner at Golden Dragon, which I still think is one of the best Chinese restaurants in Mumbai. My friends in Mumbai also agree.

Monday morning I woke up bright and early and went straight to the factory. The day was filled with samples, conversations, and a lot of decisions. It felt great to be back with the team, my design team, production team, and all of the people who keep everything running.

We also spent time with the innovation team discussing new techniques. Those conversations always excite me because the jewelry industry constantly evolves and we are always looking for ways to improve what we do.

Knowing I was adjusting to the time difference I kept Monday night simple and had a quick dinner at Souk in my hotel before heading to bed early.

Tuesday was Holi so the office was closed. It was beautiful to wake up in Mumbai on Holi and see the city alive with color. I started the day with breakfast and then treated myself to a spa treatment. The spa at the Taj is incredible and I am not someone who usually spends time at the spa, so this felt like a real luxury. Afterward I spent several hours by the pool.

Later I visited Jio World which had been on my list for years. I love a good mall and this one was spectacular. Every designer you could imagine was there. That evening I had an incredible tasting dinner with friends at Ekaa. The presentation was beautiful, the desserts were playful and delicious, and the wine pairings were excellent.

Wednesday was my final day and the second day in the factory. We made sure to use every minute efficiently.

One big difference this trip was that we are no longer casting in India due to tariffs, which meant no gold casting trees this time. There were still bags of diamonds and I visited many familiar faces throughout the factory. I even sawed a pair of pebble hoops to show that they are solid and not hollow.

Our relationship with this factory goes back decades. When family friends decided to go into manufacturing, my dad trained their kids in our Chicago factory. Raj, who runs the factory today, still talks about the time he spent in Chicago working with my dad and Noah.

I left feeling accomplished, though I easily could have used another day.

That evening, I switched hotels to be closer to the airport, took a few calls, and headed to the airport at 11 pm for my flight to Hong Kong.

Hong Kong

My flight left at 1 am, and I was very happy to be flying Cathay Pacific again. I landed around 9 am and checked into the Rosewood in Kowloon, which recently won the #1 hotel in the world.

I have always been loyal to the Landmark Mandarin, but decided it was time to change it up. The entrance, the elevators, the hallway leading to the rooms, and the view from my room were all incredible.

After settling in I headed to the jewelry show with the mission of finding new packaging vendors and connecting with a Thailand or Vietnam based manufacturing company.

I attended a really interesting seminar about how AI is starting to shape the jewelry industry and how designers are beginning to use these tools.

Later, I headed to Central to explore and went to Tsim Chai Kee, a famous noodle shop that usually has a long line. It was exactly what I expected. I shared a table with strangers, the meal was quick and delicious, and the auntie serving me clearly had no interest in helping me decide what to order.

Afterward, I went to Central Market and found the best frozen yogurt of my life at Noon. Somehow, there was corn in my yogurt, which was a surprise I will never forget. I sincerely hope you saw my IG stories….

I also discovered a ridiculous store called Toca Loca that looked like a grocery store, but every item was actually a purse. Ketchup, jelly beans, sandwiches, butter. It was hilarious, and I bought a bunch of things for P and L.

Since the day clearly was not over, I went to Vission Bakery for their viral danish. I normally do not like a danish but this pistachio custard pastry was epic.

The next morning I had breakfast at the hotel and then headed to Hung Hom to spend the day at my diamond teams office sorting through more than ten years of gemstone purchases.

When our Hong Kong factory closed last year, all of the stones I had purchased over the last fifteen years had to be moved to another office. Going through them felt like a trip down memory lane. In the early days of Dana Rebecca, I focused heavily on one of a kind colored stone pieces and had accumulated an enormous collection.

Afterward I went to lunch at Nha Trang, one of my favorite Vietnamese restaurants in Hong Kong. Their pho is incredible and I love their pomelo prawn salad. I also picked up treats from Truffle Bakery to bring to the show for my team. The donut was excellent and the salted chocolate roll was fantastic.

That night, I opted for room service and an early bedtime.

Saturday morning, I woke up with one goal. Be like a local. I went to the Australian Dairy Company for a traditional Hong Kong breakfast and was not prepared for the chaos. I was seated within minutes, sharing a table with strangers, and my scrambled eggs and French toast arrived almost instantly. Before I even finished my first bite the waiter lifted me out of my chair and handed me the bill. I was in and out in six minutes.

Watching the video afterward, you can see my eyebrows raised the entire time. I have rarely felt more out of place in my life, but I was proud of myself for trying it.

I spent my final day at the show browsing and wrapping up my last meetings with vendors. I was so excited to meet a new chain vendor doing some really unique things in the flexible chain department. It was so cool and inspiring to see!

After the show, I decided to treat myself to a bar seat at the Mandarin in Central. I went to Aubrey and had the most incredible Wagyu sando. It was one of the best things I have eaten in a very long time, and I really wished J was with me.

I spent my last afternoon exploring Central and found an incredible vintage store called Hula. The store was beautifully curated and I would absolutely shop there weekly if I lived in Hong Kong. You should visit the website www.thehula.com – the store was curated so fantastically. I wish I had known about their Quarry Bay store, which is 15x the size of the store I visited.

I ended the night with a long walk along the Avenue of the Stars and finished with Mammy Pancake because you simply cannot leave Hong Kong without having one.

Wrap Up

By the time this trip wrapped up I had traveled from London to Mumbai to Hong Kong, packed in more meals than I can count, and moved between forum conversations, factory floors, and jewelry shows. But what stayed with me most wasn’t just the work or the travel. It was the reminder of why taking these trips matters.

Travel has always pushed me in ways that staying home simply doesn’t. It asks you to be adventurous, to say yes to things that feel unfamiliar, and to walk into rooms where you don’t always feel completely comfortable. Sometimes that looks like sitting in a chaotic Hong Kong breakfast spot where no one speaks your language. Other times it looks like opening up in a forum room with women who are still relatively new in your life and choosing vulnerability anyway.

This trip reminded me how important it is to keep putting yourself in those situations. To keep meeting new people even when it feels easier to stay within the circle you already know. To keep asking questions, learning, exploring, and staying curious about the world and the people in it.

I left London feeling grateful for the women in my forum and the space we are creating together. I left Mumbai inspired by the team that brings our jewelry to life every day. And I left Hong Kong energized by the ideas and creativity that always come from being in the middle of this industry.

Trips like this are exhausting, but they are also the moments that refill my creative tank. They remind me to stay open, stay curious, and keep doing things that stretch me a little outside my comfort zone.

And honestly, those are always the trips that end up meaning the most.

xx

Dana

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What I Wore

Like I just mentioned, I have been traveling since the 23rd, so of course I had to go shopping to ensure I had everything I needed. Here is everything I bought for London:

I loved the color and remember my color analysis, but I have fully fallen off. I needed some color to brighten my mood about how long I’d be gone, and this color was the brightness I needed. I wore it leaving London, it helped me because everyone was going home to their families, and I still had a week!

New makeup bag that opens up flat like this! I wanted one place for makeup and skincare. I can def say this works great and the price is fab too!

I am the girl who's always charging, and this is thin and so light. I have a bulkier one that gets 3 charges, but it needs a cord. This does the trick, and it fits into a small bag!

Bethenny originally shared this scarf, and I got another one for this trip! They are so nice and luxurious and can easily be $200+. I got the white and wore it with my pink furry outfit in London during our boat tour.

On top of that, I also have been LOVING:

You guys went crazy for these cargo pants when I wore them in Florida, and rightfully so. I got them in 2 colors too!

I recently went to COS and got a few t-shirts, and have been wearing this striped one on repeat. I sized down so it’s fitted, and I love it with black pants and jeans. It’s chic and thick. All of their t-shirts are a more substantial weight, so they feel elevated.

These are MY FAVORITE find of the month, honestly. comfortable, chic, and at a great price. I will talk about these all year. I literally just wore them today and hope they come out in more colors....

What I Ate

This month I spent a lot of time in Florida and then in London! While in Delray Beach, we ate at Cafe Landwer, which probably had the best pita of my life, that was so memorable I’m writing about it weeks later.

We tried the PopUp bagel x Poppi Shirley schmear, that’s been very popular, and the girls were very excited and into it. I was there for the butter! There are LOTS of rumors that it’s coming to Chicago, and I am VERY hopeful.

We spent two nights in Miami, and one night went to Carbone Vino, and it was delicious. It was my first time at a Carbone, and it did not disappoint. The spicy rigatoni is exactly what I was hoping for. Afterwards, we tried the Pura Vida x Summer Fridays strawberry soft serve, which was good, but the real obsession for me in Miami is Go Greek. Chicago needs some Greek yogurt spots to open up. These pistachio toppings are the dreamiest, most delish toppings. Last week I tried KALA Modern Greek’s, and it was really yummy.

Now let’s talk about London! I just landed in India, and I’m still full from all the incredible meals we had. We did not have a single bad meal while there. Each and every one was incredibly special and unique!

On my last trip to London, I really wanted to try Gymkhana but didn’t make it there. We had an incredible private room that was beautiful, and a meal with so many courses that it never ended. The caviar course was so outrageous and unlike anything I’ve ever had. And not to sound basic, but the butter chicken was to die for, and so was the naan. Night two, we went to Evelyn’s Table, which is a private chef’s table in the basement of a pub that’s been around since 1739. The food was outstanding and so special. Watching the team was so fun, the pairings were so good, and the company was the best part.

Our last dinner was at Frog by Adam Handling, also in a private basement room with a very special menu. Each bite was more creative than the next, and we had a blast. I left each meal feeling grateful not only for the experience, but for the chance to share it with women who inspire me, encourage me to be myself, and help me grow into an even better version of who I am.

I’ve talked about all of our fabulous dinners, but I can’t forget that we also managed to eat lunch, which is honestly insane considering we ate enough at dinner to cover all three meals. Lunches were so fun, too. We went to China Tang at Harrods for delicious dim sum, Soho House, and Miznon on our last day. If you remember from Paris, I’m a huge fan of Miznon, so I was thrilled that one was right by our hotel. We audibled our lunch plans on my last day before my flight and went there instead for the most delicious schnitzel, falafel, and hummus.

What I Read

I sobbed at the end of Atmosphere and completely fell in love with the characters and their relationships. It’s one of those books that lingers long after you finish it. My mom and sister-in-law were talking about The Names over Presidents Week in Florida, and said they needed a note card to keep track of everything, and they were absolutely right. I kept a running note on my phone just to stay oriented, but it was so worth it. I loved the way the story followed three different choices and explored the ripple effects of each one.

I also really liked this article about AI. It has stuck with me, and I definitely recommend it to everyone.

What I Watched

Be still my heart..... deeply love this and think it is so well done.

What I Listened To

I listened to two books on Audible this month, and I honestly don’t know if it’s for me. I loved one and was bored by the second

• Bag Man: The Story Behind the Improbable Rise of Coach by Lew Frankfort - I really enjoyed this. I was interested the entire time, and my story was really fabulous. I recently listened to a Social Currency podcast about Coach, and am excited for the CEO to be on her podcast coming up.

• The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers-Straight Talk on the Challenges of Entrepreneurship by Ben Horowitz - I didn’t love this. I found some chapters interested but overall was a little bit underwhelmed. I think I should have read this versus listened, and maybe I will try that.

My friend Steph (or Biegs as we call her) was on Kristin’s podcast and it was so fun to listen to her. I felt like Biegs was in my car and I kept texting her while listening. 10/10!

Other Hyperfixations

Well, this month was this big trip and how I was going to make it work and as I write this I’m one week down so one week to go.

Two special things I did this month

A private event at the Aviary and the office. I had never been to either and getting to try all the cocktails was really special. I loved the cocktail named Jesus Can’t Hit a Curveball - it was a spicy gin drink and I don’t even love spicy drinks but it was perfection. It was so fun being in the office and getting to watch the special drinks being made. Pure talent.

We also went to a family event at the Magic Lounge. I had only been there once before with another couple and i just love magic so so much. this time we were there with the girls and it was so fun. The table side magic is 100% my favorite part of the program. It’s personal and fun and the magicians are so incredible. I need to have a magician at the next DRD event!

That’s it for February! It honestly feels like I lived six different lives in 28 days. All I can think about for March is being home with my girls.

Talk to you soon

xx

Dana

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Not tragic. Not dramatic. Just… long.

I’m not neutral about it at all. I’m excited. I’m nervous. I’m overwhelmed. I’m proud. I feel a little guilty. It’s all in there at once.

This trip came together quickly. A YPO women’s retreat in London. Production in India. The jewelry show in Hong Kong. All important. All meaningful for DRD. When I mapped it out, it made sense professionally.

When I looked at the calendar as a mom, 12 days felt big.

I’ve had that low level knot in my stomach all week. Not crying. Just that subtle, are we sure about this? energy. I even convinced myself I might be getting sick. Classic.

The truth is, I care deeply about what I’m building. And I care deeply about who I’m leaving at home.

When I had Poppy, something shifted in how I saw DRD. I always knew it was more than a jewelry company. But after becoming a mom, I wanted my girls to grow up watching me build something meaningful.

Yes, we sell jewelry. But what we really do is mark moments.

Women buy pieces when they start a business.
When they become mothers.
After infertility or loss.
When they pay off debt.
When they graduate.
When they leave something that no longer fits.
When they reach financial independence.

It’s rarely just about the piece itself. It’s about saying, this moment matters.

I want my daughters to see that their mom gets to be part of those milestones for other women. That matters to me.

At the same time, I know these 12 days will feel different to each of them.

Poppy is in a stage where she understands more. She feels it with me. She’s steady. She steps into her big sister role so naturally, especially with cuddles and reassurance for Lulu. I know she’ll help anchor things at home.

Lulu is more like I was as a child. Sensitive. Attached. She feels separation in a bigger way. I know she’ll miss me deeply. And I’ll miss her too.

That’s the part that sits with me.

But I also know this: it’s okay for my girls to see me excited about my work. It’s okay for them to see me travel. It’s okay for them to know that building something sometimes requires being away for a stretch.

There are important conversations ahead. Big production decisions. Rooms filled with women building meaningful things.

I want to be in those rooms.

I also want to be home for bedtime.

Right now, I can’t do both at once. So I’ll do this well. And then I’ll come back and do that well.

That’s the season I’m in.

xx

Dana

And every year, my answer is pretty much the same:
They’re going to want something that feels like them.

Trends matter. Of course they do. They give us language. They inspire us. They give us permission to try something new. But when it comes to engagement rings (something you’ll wear every day, hopefully forever) people are always searching for that balance between what’s “in” and what feels timeless.

So, since we are a little bit into 2026, here’s what I’m seeing, feeling, and quietly predicting.

Chunky, But Make It Thoughtful

Chunky isn’t going anywhere. We’re seeing thicker bands, more presence, more weight. But what’s really interesting is how people are wearing chunky now. Bezel settings are having a moment. They feel modern, protective, and architectural. They frame the stone instead of just holding it. There’s something confident about a bezel—it says, “This is my diamond, and I’m not afraid to show it in a different way.”

Chunky doesn’t mean clunky.

It means intentional.

Elongated Stones Are Still In

If I had to pick one silhouette that’s truly defining this era, it’s elongated stones.

Ovals. Emerald cuts. Radiant. Elongated cushions.

They’re elegant. They’re flattering. They feel substantial without feeling overwhelming. And they photograph beautifully (which, let’s be honest, matters).

In 2026, elongated isn’t just “in.”
It’s becoming a classic.

Bigger Stones, More Personality

Lab-grown diamonds have changed the conversation in a big way.

They’ve opened the door for more people to go bigger than ever before—and they’re walking right through it. That brings me to my biggest point, when everyone can go big, the question becomes: How do you make it yours? And that’s where I like to see people really shine with their creativity

Color Is Having a Moment (But I Still Love White)

Colored stones are everywhere right now.

Champagne. Yellow. Light pink. Salt-and-pepper. Sapphires. You name it.

And I love seeing people express themselves through color. It adds emotion. It adds personality. It tells a story.

That said… I’ll always have a soft spot for white stones.

In my opinion, nothing beats it. Clean, classic and just that sparkle and pop.

So yes, color is in.
But classic white isn’t going anywhere.

More Metal… Maybe

We’re seeing more metal-forward designs—thicker bands, wide settings, substantial gold presence.

There’s something grounding about it. It feels luxurious and strong.

But here’s the reality:
Gold prices are rising.

So while people love the look of more metal, we may start seeing a return to simpler silhouettes because of it.

Which brings me to…

Hello Again, Solitaire

Every time trends get bold, minimalism finds its way back.

And solitaires? They never really leave.

Clean band. Beautiful stone. No distractions.

There’s a reason they’ve lasted forever.

As costs rise and tastes evolve, I think we’ll see a quiet resurgence of refined, thoughtful solitaires—updated just enough to feel current, but rooted in tradition.

Sometimes, less really is more.

If I had to sum up 2026 in one word, it would be:

Intentional.

People are asking more questions.
They’re thinking more deeply.
They’re designing with purpose.

They’re not just buying a ring.
They’re building a symbol of their story.

And that’s my favorite trend of all.

Because no matter what’s “in,” the most beautiful engagement ring will always be the one that speaks to you.

xx

Dana

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