Happy Sunday, first some housekeeping:

1. I cannot accurately express the embarrassment I feel for the state of last week’s newsletter. Technology was not on my side and what was sent out was a very early draft littered with so many typos that I received a disappointed text from my Mum (something along the lines of ‘we didn’t raise you like this’), and the formatting was atrocious. Imagine THAT being your first impression of OBSE$$IONS! Perish the thought! Last week’s newsletter was free, but I’m keeping this one free as well as a little sorry from Me.

2. We’ve crossed 5,000 subscribers!!! Thank you to everyone who’s a part of this substack community, it feels like such a breath of fresh air compared to some other social media platforms 👀, and I enjoy connecting with you in a different way. Look at us, I promise we’ll celebrate soon!

My top 7 August Favourites

1. DarkPark Phebe Trousers

The product image for these trousers needs some work, the colour is fun, but the cut is a little deceptive. Online these look like they narrow down into ankle-swingers, but in reality these have a very slight barrel cut that tapers in slightly at the bottom, but not too much. I’ve been looking for an easy summer trouser (that aren’t my J Crew linen trousers that I’ve been spending too much time in) that feels a tad dressed up and this pair ticked all the boxes. The cotton is super light, they fit comfortably (I’m in a 42 and there’s still a little room, DarkPark cuts generously it just depends on where you want the waistline to fall) AND they come with a silk twilly tied onto a carabiner for a cool little touch. I fully intend to swap out the twilly with another silk scarf of mine to change up the vibe.

You could always just buy a simple carabiner and add your own scarf on and clip it onto jeans etc. to steal the look.

Now I know I like the Phebe style, don’t be surprised to see more make their way into my wardrobe, like these.

2. Táche Pistachio Latte

I’m not a stickler with milks, I’ll drink cow’s milk, I’ll drink oat milk, I’m down for whatever. Táche generously sent me six of their new pistachio milk lattes (they’re a pistachio milk company) and truthfully I wasn’t expecting much. The selling point of a premade latte is the convenience, which means the taste plays second fiddle, but these are incredibly delicious.

Not too sweet, just sweet enough that you can comfortably guzzle down the whole carton, and the flavour is perfectly balanced. I’ve made another purchase of these for when I don’t have time to whip up my own coffee from my machine.

Táche have given us a discount code: CA$$IE20, everyone say ‘thanks Táche!’

3. Hertunba Skirt

Towards the end of summer I heavily rely on the pieces that do the heavy-lifting, the ones that do all the talking and you can pair them with just a simple tank or t-shirt and be done with it. This Hertunba skirt has been my heavy-lifter of Summer 2k26, I repeat the exact outfit above and pair it with sneakers for something more casual, and with a fun heel for a more dressed-up look. Maximum impact with next-to-no effort.

4. Chantecaille Primer

I fall in and out of love with primers, but I loved this one enough to pack it for Paris. It’s a very light primer, that could also be used to thin out foundation, but it gives the most beautiful radiance underneath makeup that doesn’t look glittery or, God forbid, oily (I have enough oil in my T-zone I don’t need anymore, thank you). It comes in a bronze, which will suit darker skin tones or rose gold for lighter.

5. Giuseppe Heels

It’s no secret that I prioritise style over comfort when it comes to my footwear. I am no better than a man looking for a trophy wife in that respect - if it looks good I’m happy, we don’t need to get into the conversations of substance and practicality. The Giuseppe Zanotti Orchid heels ladle up a very generous serving of beauty, with the big sculptural crystal-encrusted (in my case, they do a version without) orchid winking as it catches the light. However I was delighted to realise, after a short sprint up a Parisian street following a 3-hour event, that they might just be the most comfortable pair of heels I own. I KNOW!!! Comfort tends to equate itself so something less than desirable looking, but Mr Zanotti didn’t come to play with these heels.

I have the 90mm version and I went a half size down.

6. KJH Brand Microscara

I have been singing the praises of Sweed’s Cloud Mascara for YEARS now, I’ve repurchased it countless times and wouldn’t even look in the direction of another mascara. This week I went to the event celebrating the launch of KJH in Sephora and was gifted the Microscara, so I gave it a go. You might be wondering where the name comes from, well the mascara wand is teeny tiny, so you can grab every stubborn little lash and lift and coat it to high heavens. It’s brilliant, it’s also a tubing formula so it comes off with warm water.

7. Obagi Multi Acid Peel Pads

This is not for those with sensitive skin. I think I’ve done a pretty decent job of strengthening my skin barrier over the years, to the point that I rarely feel a tingle from a lot of exfoliating pads/tonics, but this was like someone slathered pure menthol all over my face. My face felt minty fresh. I was a little nervous that maybe these were a bit much for me, but then I woke up the next morning and the breakouts that were threatening to make an appearance had disappeared. I’m starting off by using these twice a week, but I’m blown away so far.

BONUS: Having my Dad here.

(He’s going to read this because if I have one Substack subscriber, it’s him, so surprise Dad!)

I have always been a Daddy’s girl, and even though my Dad has worked in a different country for the vast majority of my life, thanks to phones and eventually facetime, we’ve been able to stay close. I get my sense of humour from him, my random facts and references that I don’t even know how I know them, my love for reading, the list goes on. Anyway, I haven’t lived with my Dad for more than two or three weeks for over 15 years, and not that I was particularly worried about him staying with us, but I wondered if we might get in the way of each other in a much smaller square footage than my parents’ house. Well, now I don’t want him to leave, he’s been here for a month and it’s meant more than I thought it would to have him here, he’s fit seamlessly into our routine and it’s been so wonderful showing him my favourite places in NYC. He’s made sure I have a ‘proper’ tool kit, made a list of things I need to get around the house to optimise our storage, put shelves in our utility closet, as well as providing his signature one liners at every opportunity.

Not to forget my Mum, we’ve been facetiming her numerous times a day and she’s so happy that Dad and I get to spend time together without her.

Anyway, Dad has really been my August favourite. Is your screen getting blurry too?

Share with me your August favourites!

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7 things I need to share

1. Guest in Residence FW26

Unfortunately for me, Guest in Residence keeps dropping things I want. I’m not shy about my love for the Wild Rag (more colours just dropped!), and now they’ve made a work shirt in that same thick cashmere. This as a shacket would be perfect for Autumn. They’ve also dropped a bandana bow tie for those who want a little neck warmth without the commitment of a scarf.

2. Loro Piana Nantucket Walk

I’m as shocked as you are, that Loro Piana is being mentioned in this newsletter. I could have inhaled too much jet fuel, but I really enjoy the rubber lip of these sneakers, because it narrows the shoe and makes it feel a touch more dressy. The checked wool also makes me want to curl up and put on Gilmore Girls.

3. More great Viv basics

At this point, it’s my duty to inform you when Viv drops more great basics. This time the Lima baby tee with a great contrasting trim, and they’ve made a super drapey, ribbed long sleeve and hebo top. I fear I must.

4. Alaïa Medium Le Teckel

This isn’t just any Le Teckel, but a Le Teckel with a jacket! This is a caramel nylon pouch that lives inside a plastic shell of a Le Teckel with watersnake handles. So you can use the pouch as a clutch, the whole bag as intended, or the plastic part by itself for a beachy moment. A three in one!!

5. Etro Heels

This is one to keep our eyes open for. I never pay attention to Etro’s shoe game and that needs to change if they’re creating pieces like this!

6. Hartihand Terra Jacket

It’s not my fault that exceptional jackets seek me out. It’s a strange talent that I’m somewhat grateful for, because of course that means I can put you onto the good stuff, but that also means that…I want to buy them. Anyway, what a gloriously tailored jacket! The juicy big green buttons pop perfectly against the camel and DON’T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THE VILLAINOUS COLLAR THAT STAYS POPPED. sigh it’s like they knew exactly what I wanted.

7. Marie Mas Jewelry

Whilst the open dancing ring by Marie Mas is bewitchingly fabulous, I’m putting a (short) pause on buying rings, because my hands have been getting alot of attention from my wallet recently. I need to shift focus toward my right wrist, which is currently looking light because my SHAY bracelet is getting an extra link, and I need to pick up my Greg Yüna pink sapphire bracelet because I had a safety chain added. I tried on this bracelet at Marie Mas and it is the perfect book end to one side of my wrist stack. The wave feels so unique, but incredibly timeless.

If you spot any typos, they’re there to keep you on your toes.

REMEMBER, if you have anonymous intel you wish to share, feel free to drop it in the OBSE$$IONS inbox ➡️ cassie@obsessionsnewsletter.com

AND join our chat!

Thank you for reading! Have a great week ahead 💖

Love,

Ca$$ie

Follow me on YouTube | Instagram | TikTok

Below is a play-by-play on my Paris adventures and everything I snuck in around the wedding events.

ARRIVAL: Tuesday 18th August

• 7:45am - Landed, having flowing in on La Compagnie (a business class only airline) and whilst the lounge at Newark airport leaves A LOT to be desired (I’ve never seen a sadder buffet), the flight experience itself was pretty great, straightforward and chilled. The plane only has around 80 seats so boarding/deboarding is super quick. It’s not the craziest, most luxurious business class seats you’ll find but the bed lays flat, the TV screen is big and the food is great. I also found this to be cheaper than a lot of the big airlines’ business class offerings at the time, so I’d happily use the again.

• 9:30am - I checked into the Hotel Alfred Sommier. This is my third time staying here and I love it. I’m partial to a boutique luxury hotel, and I think it’s well-priced for a five star hotel, and the room sizes are pretty generous. The ceilings are gloriously high and there’s a gilded mirror twice the height of me in the room so I’m happy.

• 10:51am - Whilst you could swing a cat and hit seven places selling croissants in Paris, there’s one that I’ve dreamed of since I was last here and that’s the croissant at Ritz Le Comptoir. All the pastries look immaculate and their croissants look like eclairs, long and slender so you eat them like hot dog. I also ordered a latte and it was delicious.

• 11am - Then the shopping started (which I vlogged, so most of these will be in upcoming videos, and a haul is to follow)

  • Kujten (Scribe) - on my list were a few cashmere pieces from Kujten but it seems I wasn’t the only one, because a lot of the pieces I was looking at were sold out in specific colours/sizing. It also seems as though everyone visiting from the US is buying their bandanas as gifts - I don’t blame them because the brand is much cheaper compared to their US pricing.

  • Chanel Rue Cambon - it’s almost a pilgrimage at this point. I wasn’t looking for anything but I was open to a special piece pulling on my heart strings, and was paired with the most lovely SA. She showed me the digital catalogue so I could see pieces that weren’t out on the shopfloor, the shoes available in my size etc and then. showed me the most special piece in the store. It was a bit more special that I was looking for…it was 29,000 euros. When I entered the staff said make sure to ask your SA to show you the steps up to Coco Chanel’s apartment and I like that they let you fee dyour curiosity without being rude or pushy. Overall a lovely experience, even if I did leave empty handed.

• Louis Vuitton Place Vendôme - speaking of wonderful in store experiences the staff at this store are the perfect kind of SAs you’d want to interact with in a luxury store. I’ve kept in touch with my LV SA based here since my last visit and whilst I was waiting for her I was feeding my eyes wandering through the shop. I get talking to another SA, and next thing you know she’s asking if I’d like to try on a 2.7million euro necklace just for fun. WHO AM I TO DECLINE SUCH AN OFFER?!

• Rue Saint Honoré - I bobbed and weaved into the odd store on Rue Saint Honoré. Alaïa has the cheekiest (in the best way) SA who honestly made me want to spend money even though there was nothing I really wanted. I popped into Prada to see if I could get my hands on the collapsable mini duffle (which was online momentarily before they took it off again - no chance. They haven’t received any, and a LOT have already been sold as pre orders…SO NO ONE THOUGHT TO LET ME KNOW YOU COULD PREORDER?!!

• I headed over the river to Rubirosas, which is a beautiful little shirt and PJs shop that looks like it’s been around for a good century or so. Wrong. It opened in 2024, and they’re just great at cultivating that vibe. Everything is unisex and the quality is very obvious.

• I’ve never been to Le Bon Marche, even though it’s an institution…but can I be honest? It’s not my favourite department store in Paris by a long shot. Don’t get me wrong, it’s beautiful and maybe it was the amount of American brands/designers that I’m so used to seeing that quelled my excitement, but I’m not rushing to go back. I did however buy the thinnest knickers ever (would recommend).

• I would however rush back to La Grande Épicerie de Paris, a food shop opposite LBM, that is full of all sorts of culinary delights from all over the world. It’s perfect for gifts, a while grocery shop or even just some snacking salami (which I’ll be buying more of to take back).

• Ok fine, I went back to another Kujten location (Pierre Charron) to knock off whatever I hadn’t ticked off the first time. This store is much bigger than the first I visited, with a LOT more selection choice.

• 5:45pm - At this point the jet lag has really kicked in and I wa son my last legs, but I wasn’t about to have flown to another country to have a mediocre meal because I was hungry and needed something. So I took it upon myself to go for a classic: Le Relais de L’Entrecote. I queued for 45 minutes until they opened and thoroughly enjoyed the salad started, followed by two rounds of steak and chips/french fries smothered in the most delicious and mysterious sauce. No regrets.

Wednesday 19th August

• 12:55pm - Galleries Lafayette is my favourite department store in Paris. Not only is the interior categorically jaw dropping but the buy is great, across more contemporary and emerging designer brands to the big names. The energy is great in there, every SA I came in contact with was very friendly and I can’t seem to leave empty handed 👀.

• On my way over to Place Vendôme they were filming the Ocean’s Eleven prequel with Bradley Cooper, who sadly I didn’t spot.

• 4pm - I booked my Schiaparelli appointment right after I’d booked my flight, because I pledge allegiance to Daniel Roseberry. Francesco was my SA and he was so warm and welcoming. The appointments are really an opportunity for you to take your time with the delights in store, touch and try on, in a calm atmosphere. I had a couple of pieces on my wish list, a few items I asked for had sold out but there’s always something to buy at Schiaparelli.

• 5pm - Nii landed earlier in the day and I knew he wanted to have a nap so I popped over to make sure he was in one piece ahead of us going for dinner later that night.

• 6:15pm - I actually went to Losco first thing in the morning to discover that they open at 2pm, so returned ready to get a couple of custom belts (and shelter from the unexpected down downpour. They have a range of belt leathers in various sizes and a plethora of buckles to choose from, including some made by a local artist. I got one for myself and one for my Dad.

• 7pm - Tiktok recommendations can be very hit and miss, but I was lured into Ambassade d’Auvergne by the smooth viscous Aligot (essentially the cheesiest mashed potatoes ever). This time the TikTok gods looked favourably upon me because not only was the Aligot delicious, but I haven’t stopped thinking about the sauce that topped my steak. Also, I had the RICHEST chocolate mousse.

Thursday 20th August

This was the day of the traditional Nigerian wedding, my first! As a guest you get assigned a certain fabric for your outfit and then you work with a tailor to create your look. I used a Ghanaian tailor who my Mum uses often and it was a “trust the process” kind of thing, but the dress was fantastic. Could I breathe? No. Could I sit comfortably? No. Did any of that matter? Not really when the outcome was that fabulous 🤭.

You also get assigned a fabric to tie your Gele (a headpiece that the woman wear), which is an art in itself and thankfully we managed to find someone to do it for us. Everyone really made an effort which was lovely to see!

Friday 21st August

• 10:30am - I’d first been introduced to Joseph Duclos bags when Printemps first opened in NYC, so it was lovely to see their flagship and get talked through their craftsmanship and history. Unfortunately for me, one has been added to the wish list.

• 11:30am - I hopped across town to an appointment at Marie Mas Jewelry. They reached out to invite me to see their pieces in person and I spent most of the time with my jaw hanging open. The pieces are innovative and extremely well thought out, they’re statements but not in a way that feels burdensome, basically I need to add some Marie Mas to my collection. It doesn’t hurt that Marie and her team are such genuine, warm people. They didn’t ask me to post or mention them in any way, but you have to go check her out, you won’t be disappointed.

• 1:15pm - Obviously I wanted to pop into some vintage designer shops whilst I was here, and this is where TikTok steered me wrong because I was disappointed by apparently “the best vintage stores in Paris” 😒. DISCLAIMER, these weren’t for me but clearly they do something for other people so this is just from the angle of what I’m interested in/was looking for. I went to Nuovo, DDD (dope dress dealer), Erem and Chez Snow Bunny - they all have quite a small selection that I either found a little boring or very much catering to the Y2K obsession. HOWEVER, I remembered a place someone had messaged me about called Chez Sarah, this was further north in the area that I assume is where the flea markets are and this is WORTH THE TRIP. It’s huge, and has EVERYTHING, all categorised by designer, all in incredible condition. The prices aren’t cheap, but they’re not milking it either. I was met by a rainbow of vintage Mugler jackets, unfortunately for me…they were all a size too small. I’m still mourning them.

• 6pm - The second wedding event was a cruise on the Seine and boy was it fabulous. The Eiffel Tower never gets old.

• 10:30pm - Nii’s one culinary request in Paris was to eat a good crepe so on our way back to the hotel we stopped by Brunette. It’s a small, almost-hole-in-the-wall, with fresh delicious crepes and ice cream. I had the strawberries and Nutella 10/10.

Saturday & Sunday

I’m finishing writing this on the morning of Saturday (the black tie Wedding day). Whatever is left of me on Sunday will be meeting some family I have who live just outside of Paris - I had far too much fun buying gifts for a 9 year old boy in FAO Schwartz before I left - and then I fly back to the US on Monday.

TLDR: Had a fab time, bought stuff, went to a fabulous wedding, I love Paris and I need to visit more.

Leave a comment!

If you spot any typos, they’re there to keep you on your toes.

REMEMBER, if you have anonymous intel you wish to share, feel free to drop it in the OBSE$$IONS inbox ➡️ cassie@obsessionsnewsletter.com

AND join our chat!

Thank you for reading! Have a great week ahead 💖

Love,

Ca$$ie

Follow me on YouTube | Instagram | TikTok

I’m going to Paris!!

I’m actually going to attend what I’m sure will be a beautiful wedding (there’s actually three wedding events including a Nigerian traditional wedding, which will be my first and I’m very excited. I can barely breathe and walk in my dress for the Traditional, but I think that’s part of the experience, at least that’s what my Mum has told me). Of course as soon as I had confirmation of the wedding location I knew I’d stay for a few days before and after because…it’s Paris and I have some shopping to do.

Now that I’m based in the US, as soon as I know I’ll be travelling across the Atlantic, I try to plan for the shopping I’d like to do there, because there are savings to be had! Whilst I’ve struggled not to swipe the card recently, I have been strategically adding to my Paris wishlist so I can come home having maxed my baggage allowance.

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This whole post started because I came across an insane pair of Thom Browne shoes, and really, who’s thinking of shoes when we talk of Thom Browne? So that got me thinking about the lesser-known/often overlooked categories of brands, that are packing some serious chicery (and I also got side tracked by some more obvious categories, but I couldn’t keep my findings to myself!).

I present to you the good stuff…

Thom Browne

Known for: Blazers and bags shaped like a Daschund

My choice: Trompe L’Oeil Sandal Boots (Ankle version, all black) (knee-high, red) (knee high, navy/green)

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First of all, I’m very sorry I missed giving you a newsletter last week. I had a minor surgery last Saturday and I thought I’d be back to normal straight after, as it turns out, that was not the case. It’s nothing serious, but it took me out for a few days, and I couldn’t rub my brain cells together to write a sentence. I do hope that you’ll forgive me, and in the slight chance that you don’t, I’m hoping this picture of Angelica sleeping peacefully and resting her head on a Celine scarf box tips you over the edge.

Back to business!

I’ve not been shy about my experiences with YSL heels and the fact that they want to put me in an early grave. However, I am but a mere mortal, with an unshakable penchant for beautiful things, and sometimes the beauty of a piece overrides the logic. This brings me to the Whisky Platform Mules - a 6.7 inch pair of TPU and plexiglas heels that would make a stripper green with envy. Then I saw the price, which confirmed something I’ve been having my suspicions about (and Anthony Vaccarello agrees with me).

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There’s a trend going around in which people are sharing the expensive things they think are worth the money…this is sort of what my whole career is based on, so naturally I have to get involved.

I’ve enquired within, and been very discerning with myself on the pricey bits that I’d buy over and over again - below is a list of fifteen, from beauty, to fashion and a little inbetween.

1. Tracie Giles Brows

Do you understand how freeing it is to never have to buy another brow product?! I haven’t even so much as looked in the direction of a brow this-or-that for five years (I think it might be more like six tbh), because I’ve been getting hybrid brows done at Tracie Giles in London. They’re a permanent make up specialist and they do every type of brow technique you could think of from powder brows, to ombre and the result is always natural. I get touch ups every 18 months or so, whenever I visit home around that time and I wouldn’t dream of going back to drawing mine on every day.

This video is from 2024, but you get the idea.

2. Victoria Beckham Foundation Drops

I bought these foundation drops purely out of skepticism and they very quickly proved their worth to me. The finish is beautiful, skin-like and radiant but not shiny (buildable coverage btw, but this isn’t a full beat kind of product) and a little really does go a long way - I use a drop on each cheek and on my forehead and I’m still on my first bottle that I bought in October last year. I wear shade 4, and a cheaper comparable option (bit more sheer coverage) would be Lisa Eldridge’s skin tint.

3. Eight Sleep

Whilst Nii has many positives, one huge negative is the fact that he can’t sleep with the AC on (he claims it makes him ill 😒), so you can imagine the hardship I’ve endured each Summer. One leg out from the covers, both legs out, only sleeping with a top sheet, turning the pillow every 20 minutes, you get the picture. It’s been hell. I had to do many mental gymnastics to justify the price of the Eight Sleep but, oh my gosh, it has been a GODSEND! It’s a cover that goes on top of your mattress with tiny tubes (that you can’t feel) that cool and heat water through them. You can adjust the temperature for each half of the bed, so Nii can have his separate temperature climate going on, and I can have mine. The best part is it adjusts constantly throughout the night for optimal sleep. GLORIOUS!

4. Fellow Kettle

It’s an electric kettle, how good can it be? It does all sorts of fun gadget-y things, but I like the fact that I can control the exact temperature and it looks very chic.

5. Fine Jewelry

Specifically unique fine jewelry, or pieces that hold a special meaning to you. When it comes to expensive items, the cost-per-wear is a negotiation tactic, and with fine jewelry, it really gets to be negligible. Bonus points for the slightly off-piste pieces, because they always get compliments, and if you didn’t know there’s a reduction I like to refer to as compliments-per-wear that further justifies the cost of the items. If you need some inspiration, look no further:

6. Louis Vuitton Agenda

I am convinced that Louis Vuitton coated canvas could compete in a Tough Mudder and still come out completely unscathed. I have both the LV desk agenda cover and the ring version (that’s over 15 years old because I stole it from my Mum) and both look like I bought them yesterday. If you’re a stationery lover, then these will last at least a couple of lifetimes.

7. Soft Services Buffing Bar

I have never felt so strongly about a gritty bar of soap. This sloughs off all the dead skin and bumps, revealing smooth glowing skin. I will repurchase over and over again, because I’ve never experienced results like this. Paired with the Josie Maran Whipped Argan Body Butter, you become a walking goddess.

8. CurrentBody LED Mask (code: CASSIET)

I too, side-eyed some crimson light making any kind of difference to my skin, until I tried it. In fairness, I’ve only ever tried the CurrentBody LED mask, so I can’t compare to others but the results were shocking to me. I try to wear mine three to four times a week, and not only has it calmed down my rosacea hugely, but it has reduced the number of breakouts I get and evened out my skin tone.

9. Schiaparelli Accessories

We know how I feel about Schiaparelli - it’s magic in the form of clothing, it’s imagination spun into dresses. Of course the couture is captivating, but the magic of the brand lives in their smaller pieces too. Whether is a bag, shoes, a scarf, card holder, earrings or a keyring, the pieces radiate with such beauty, far beyond the equivalent of other designer brands. They’re fun, they’re unexpected and they’re always admired.

10. Tickets to a concert/sporting event

Nine times out of ten, I’ve never regretted going to see an artist live, and with so much being shared online, those in-person moments feel even more special. I am admittedly a new football fan, and I still have a lot to learn but Nii and I went to the Semi Finals on Wednesday and it was incredible. Obviously, it wasn’t the result we wanted (England 1 - Argentina 2) but it was the kind of experience you tell your Grandkids about. To be there and feel the energy in person, to scream, jump and hug a stranger when your team scores…it was something special. Gosh, who am I?!

11. reMarkable

As a stationary lover and the type of person who grew up with numerous notebooks, none of which where fully completed, the thought of a digital notebook sounded like a tepid attempt at a knockoff ipad. Nii bought me a reMarkable for Christmas one year and I fell head over heels - it doesn’t have any other apps so it allows you to focus on whatever it is your writing/planning/sketching without any pesky notifications. I also like the fact that the texture of the screen feels like writing on paper.

And whilst we’re here, a kindle made me into a daily reader. Worth every penny.

12. Sweed Cloud Mascara (code: CASSIE-20)

The perfect mascara doesn’t exi-

I used to use three mascaras: one to lengthen, one to thicken and one to curl. No matter what all the mascaras claimed, I never found one that did it all, until the cloud mascara. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve bought this and, crucially, it doesn’t flake.

13. An Accountant

One of the first things I did when I move to the US was to get an Accountant - I am not one to play with the IRS, and I don’t trust myself one bit to do it myself. The first Accountant I had ghosted me for months, and my second started shouting at me when we were filing my taxes and made me feel like an idiot. In a Goldilocks turn of events, I’ve been with my most recent Accountant for two years and I also have him/his team manage the bookkeeping so they see all my accounts, what goes in and out so I don’t stress myself into an early grave every tax season. Worth it.

14. Fara Homidi Lip Gloss/Oil

Nothing compares to this! It coats your lips and seems to fill in all the fine lines in the glossiest gloss that doesn’t feel oily, slimy or gloopy AND it has staying power. I use the colour Tawny and wear it by itself or over lip liner/lip sticks etc. Another example of a little goes a long way.

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15. A Fendi Baguette New or Vintage

I’ve been harping on about a Fendi Baguette for years, and I’m nothing if not consistent. A lot of ‘classic’ bags can lack personality, but the Fendi Baguette can never be considered boring - she’s the girl at the party with the stories. Whether it’s the new releases, or vintage versions in a plethora of fabrics and embellishments, I think there’s a Fendi Baguette for everybody.

What are some expensive things that you think are worth the money?

Leave a comment

If you spot any typos, they’re there to keep you on your toes!

REMEMBER, if you have anonymous intel you wish to share, feel free to drop it in the OBSE$$IONS inbox ➡️ cassie@obsessionsnewsletter.com

AND join our chat!

Thank you for reading! Have a great week ahead 💖

Love,

Ca$$ie

Follow me on YouTube | Instagram | TikTok

Every so often, I don my Personal Shopper hat for you and tell you the items that I think are future compliment collectors. As usual, I don’t necessarily suggest the obvious choices, but I like to put on your radar the pieces that are slightly off piste and yet oh so fabulous. And if they just so happen to pick up speed and get popular then it seems good taste is being ladeled out these days.

Without further ado, the pieces I’d gently nudge you in the direction of if I was a Personal Shopper…

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To say I am sporty would be…well, no one would ever say that. I actually came dead last in my school’s steeplechase, to such hilarity that I was asked to write an article on it in the school paper. The highest my sporting career took me was temporary captain of one B team hockey game in which I shouted the F word across the field when someone hit the ball into my foot. I tried ice skating and tennis, but as much as my Mum wanted me to become the next Anna Kournikova (legend), it wasn’t in the cards for me.

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To say I’m a bag lady would be a GROSS understatement, I know a good bag when I see one. Not to sound like a ridiculous snob, but a lot of the popular contemporary bag brands lean into super simple styles that just don’t tickle my fancy. I don’t care about the price, but the design has to be there - it can’t be something you could easily find on Amazon. The cheapest bag in my collection, which has quite a few miles on her, is an Edie Parker $125 satin kiss lock pouch that looks like a pair of knickers, so you get the vibe.

In the world of luxury fashion, the big brands tend to dominate the conversation around handbags, but today’s newsletter is about the small, cool brands that are doing something interesting and still providing quality. Hopefully I’ll put a few on your radar and maybe even in your cart…

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YSL has done the unthinkable, they’ve managed to become one of the hottest brands in the world primarily due to their footwear. Yeah, yeah they have a popular bag selection, and their ready to wear does enviable numbers (need I remind us of the track jackets that sold out), but it’s the shoes that are getting people in the door *in my opinion*.

What’s even more of a feat, is they’ve done that with the snoutiest, most snoutilicious shoes that ever did snout. Those snouts are long: some are nipped, some taper down to a menacing weapon that could do some damage, some announce themselves a good foot before you enter the room. You get it, they’re long. They’re so long that after continued use they may start to curl upwards.

But what’s even more shocking is that they’re so uncomfortable. As someone with a hefty heel collection, I’ve worn my fair share of ankle poppers, I’ve worn shoes that have made me look like a horse that slipped straight out of the womb taking its first steps. My ankles have been sprained by the iconic Louboutin Daffodils on a night out in university (couldn’t have wished for a better shoe to do that to me).

So after all the hoopla and excitement surrounding Saint Laurent, I too decided I wanted in on the action and bought myself a pair - they were black satin, with a witchy little snout and a crystal buckle tied around the ankle. I got 20 minutes in before the balls of my feet started to have a heartbeat of their own.

I sold them, but not one to be easily deterred (and not one to turn down a good deal), I bought a Pleasers-esque pair from the outlet in a patent burgundy. These are HIGH, and whilst not the highest pair I own, they’re the pair that FEEL the highest when you wear them.

I thought I was going to die the night I wore them, even taking steps an inch apart. I gaslit myself initially, thinking maybe I’ve hit the age limit on super high heels, maybe this is my time to tap out and leave it to the girls in their early twenties. Then I started to feel the heel vibrating with every step, to the point that I thought it was about to fall off - I don’t know much about engineering and shoemaking but I’m pretty sure that means that the proportions are off. No wonder they were in the outlet.

Louboutin has always said that he priorities how the shoe looked over comfort, but damn, even he started to introduce the Miss Z heel to serve a side of comfort with a sexy arch. I was shocked to realise that this wasn’t just a Me issue, so many followers DMed me letting me know that YSL shoes are the worst, and yet those snouts are raking it in.

YSL are also doing something very interesting with the pricing of their shoes, in that some of them carry an obscene price tag. I’ve noticed in each recent season they introduce one or two super special pairs that come with a hefty number written underneath them. The fruit heels were $4,200/£2,990 and to my shock and surprise the Voltaire heels (that have zero bells and whistles to command their price) are $3,400/£2,455…

I’m so confused by their strategy of both pain and price, but hey…it seems to be working 🤔

Tell me any and all YSL shoe conspiracy theories you may have.

Leave a comment

Cool stuff I’ve seen that you also, must see

• It’s no surprise I love a sculpted mini dress. I can see the Sportmax leopard one being worn with tights and boots for the Autumn, as well as getting some decent use this time of year. I’ve never heard of the brand Heiress but I think I need to order this mini that reminds me of Mugler.

• The chunky belt buckle, studded with Malachite-looking beads has me hovering dangerously close on ‘add to cart’.

• Celine’s styling of silk scarves has inspired me to use mine more (trailing out of a jean pocket, tied to a bag etc.), but I really enjoy the bold colours of the scarves they’ve released under Michael Rider.

• A golden shell clutch with dangling crystals? FAB.

• We keep forgetting about Roger Vivier, how could we overlook these delicious rose heels complete with thorns on the heel?!

• Simply through the screen this lounge set looks to be decadently soft.

• The print of this Alexander McQueen bag gives me all the nostalgic Plato’s Atlantis feels - she feels fun and different.

• Clearly I’m on a Celine kick - these Celine shorts are so easy to style and these sandals are so perfectly simple but that hardware pop takes things up a few notches. CHIC! I’m very irritated that I have no beach holiday to wear these on.

• I hate that this Gucci bag is good 👀

• Another pre-order for this Ulla Johnson jacket, but the colour is perfection.

The Dessert… 🧁

What I’ve been…

Reading: Dissection of a Murder by Jo Murray - 5⭐️, a well-paced courtroom thriller (with a touch of a love interest thrown in).

Watching: The World Cup, Cape Fear (on AppleTV), and I’m rewatching Gossip Girl.

Buying: I ordered this storage bench for my closet (it’s a mess and I’m hoping this will help with that, it’s also got a great personality). I finally fell for a Tank Air top, this one to be exact.

Doing: Nothing groundbreaking that happened this week, except that I went to collect my new retainers and they’d sent someone else’s teeth lol.

BUT I am SO EXCITED for this Tuesday because Nii and I are going to watch the England v Ghana World Cup match in Boston! Nii is British Ghanaian and I’m 1/2 English, 1/4 Ghanaian (& 1/4 Russian) so we’re happy with whoever wins this one, however I’m wearing an England top and Nii will be in a Ghana top. I wish I’d thought about this more, because I should have cut two shirts down the middle and sewn one of each together but oh well, here we are.

I’ve been spending all my free time bedazzling my England top and I’m over the moon with the outcome. I started off with a bedazzling kit I bought from Amazon and then decided I needed to upgrade the crystals for the red areas - I ended up buying 4 different sizes to fill in all the gaps. Don’t be surprised if I start a bling business hahaha.

If you spot any typos, they’re there to keep you on your toes.

REMEMBER, if you have anonymous intel you wish to share, feel free to drop it in the OBSE$$IONS inbox ➡️ cassie@obsessionsnewsletter.com

AND join our chat!

Thank you for reading! Have a great week ahead 💖

Love,

Ca$$ie

Follow me on YouTube | Instagram | TikTok

There comes a time in the Summer when the novelty wears off. Of course the seasonal depression has cleared, alfresco dining becomes a pleasure and not a punishment, the sunlight streaming through your window is undeniably glorious. BUT, past a certain temperature you just start dressing for survival.

We all know that Spring and, especially, Autumn are the most fun seasons to dress for, but Summer is one that creeps up on me. Every year I YEARN for Summer, then it hits, and it hits hard, and my will to style and dress melts away faster than ice cream in a cone. Layering is not an option, certain materials I don’t even want to think of when the temperature exceeds 25℃, and the thought of too-tight clothing makes me want to peel my own skin off.

Nonetheless, over the years I’ve honed in on what works for me in my summer wardrobe that I turn to in times of despair (when I start to consider armpit botox) that do a great job of making me feel comfortable, require minimal brain activity and are still doing a little something style-wise.

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Weddings are a high stakes game these days.

You can’t just have one dress anymore, it’s all about the number of costume changes on your big day, the outfits for the activities on the lead up, and for the farewell events following. If you make what you think is a small inconsequential decision to watch one video on wedding fashion, then lo and behold that is all the algorithm will serve you for months to come. You’ll second guess yourself over and over again, and you might even make a powerpoint presentation of your looks, because it’s that serious (me, I did that).

Obviously, it is kind of a big deal, what you decide to wear on your wedding day - these photos will be circulated for years to come, they will be seen by those who attended (obviously), the extended family you successfully curbed from the invites, and most importantly those who wronged you at some point in life. And if nothing else motivates you to slay on your big day, that last group of people will.

I chronicalled everything I’d learned about wedding fashion in this post.

Alas, time is a funny thing and trends change, and inevitably there will be aspects of your wedding wardrobe you’ll look back on and wish you went with something else. I’m sure looking back, my Mum wouldn’t have gone with the Princess Diana-inspired wedding dress she chose for her big day (sorry to throw you under the bus Mum).

It’s officially been one year since our wedding (because we did our courthouse wedding the year prior, technically we’ve been married for two and a bit years - we had to make it complicated lol), and I’ve taken this opportunity to look back on my wedding wardrobe and see what I would have changed.

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On 1st June 2022, Nii and I boarded the 1pm Virgin Atlantic flight from Heathrow to JFK. With five suitcases precariously stacked on trolleys, we scrambled into a yellow cab that would drive us into the next phase of our lives. That was four years ago (ok, fine it will be four years in two days), and a lot has changed since then: I’ve since become a mother to undoubtedly the cutest cat in existence, gotten married (twice - one courthouse and one church) and passed a few career milestones. But something else has changed whilst I’ve been here, something that I didn’t expect to change so much…my style.

I pulled up my camera roll to fact-check the exact date we moved and merely one day before, I was in skinny jeans. Skinny jeans, with exposed ankles - bare as I was on the day I was born, I could feel the breeze on them. Today? I would never, I don’t think I’ve hoisted skinny jeans up these thighs since 2023. Whilst we could chalk this up to fashion trends achangin’, and yes that played a part, Cassie post-move wouldn’t for one second entertain such an outfit again, because New York has changed me.

On a boring, mundane Tuesday, you might be running errands and swanning toward you is an older woman with menacingly small glasses, a silk embroidered vintage kimono billowing behind her, toting a parasol like she was plucked right out of a movie. One moment facing a woman like that and you take a long hard look at yourself in the mirror.

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From time to time I get a message in my DMs asking for my NYC recommendations. I’m by no means an expert, but I like what I like and think most TikTok recommended spots are grossly overrated, so if you think we’re on the same wavelength, then you might appreciate my list of approved spots.

DISCLAIMER - I don’t spend enough time in all the five boroughs so I can’t claim to say this is my NYC guide, therefore I’m keeping it strictly to Manhattan.

This is where to stay (that isn’t The Plaza), where to eat (that’s actually delicious), where to grab a fun coffee and, most importantly, where to shop.

TO EAT

CASUAL 🍕

• Kazunori, various locations. The best hand rolls in the city, make sure to try the Toro.

• Los Tacos No 1, various locations. Consistently excellent, the best tacos I’ve ever had (I know that’s not saying much coming from the UK and having never been to Mexico), but I’ve been assured they’re up there by people with far more experience than I. The Chelsea Market location has Los Mariscos, their only location specialising in fish and seafood.

  

• Johns of Bleecker, West Village. My favourite sit down New York-style pizza in the city, nice and crispy with a delightful cheese pull.

• Don Antonio, Theatre District. Nii’s favourite Pizza spot - a Neapolitan-style pizza restaurant. Order the Montenara fried pizza, it sounds like just by uttering it’s name it will clog your arteries, but it doesn’t taste oily at all.

• Gray’s Papaya, various locations. If you’re ever craving a decent hot dog, accompanied by the juiciest most refreshing papaya drink, look no further.

  

• Joe’s Pizza, various locations. My favourite grab and go NY slice.

MID-TIER 🥘

• Pastis, Meatpacking. Another SATC fave, the Moules Frites is my go-to.

  

• Mitr Thai, Midtown. The menu is divided into the four regions of Thai cooking and everything is delicious. Don’t forget to add the curry puffs.

• Fish Cheeks, NoHo. Another excellent Thai restaurant, the crispy rice salad and pork is making my mouth water just thinking about it.

  

• Cervos, LES. A Spanish and Portuguese seafood restaurant - don’t even think about missing out on the crispy shrimp heads. Great outdoor seating in the summer, but it can be tough to get a res.

  

• Shukette, Chelsea. I often dream of the Frena bread, but I’ve never been disappointed by anything I’ve tried.

• Kings Co Imperial, LES. Nii clears two portions of the Chinese hanging pork ribs by himself, don’t even think about asking him to share.

• Miss Lily’s, East Village. The music is great and the vibes are fun. I always go for the Jerk pork spare ribs and by writing this I’ve realised I need to go back ASAP.

• Sant Ambroeus, Soho. There’s various locations but the Soho one is where you’ve got a high chance of dining with fashion industry people. The food is also consistently great.

• Saigon Social, LES. The whole crispy fish is coated in the most fragrant and tangy Vietnamese spices - it single-handedly converted me to being a fried fish person.

• La Grande Boucherie, Midtown. A great French restaurant nestled in an atmospheric atrium.

• Jeffrey’s Grocery, West Village. Their Friday fish and chips is well worth an order.

• Adda, East Village. They do a Butter Chicken Experience that books up pretty quickly but it’s well worth trying to get. The chicken is smoked at the table and you have lots of customisation options along the way, to contribute to the final product, which will consume your every thought thereafter.

POSH 🍽️

• Buddakan, Chelsea. Where Carrie had her rehearsal dinner in the first SATC movie, a tried-and-true favourite. Order the tea-smoked ribs and the dungeness crab sticky rice.

  

• Santi, Midtown. Phenomenal, posh Italian under the guidance of chef Michael White (who has six Michelin stars). They also have a great lunch prix-fixe.

• 53, Midtown. Very underrated Asian-fusion, perfect for a date night.

• RH Rooftop, Meatpacking. This is my go-to to book when anyone is visiting if they’ve never been, exceptional vibes and spectacular views in the summer.

• Hawksmoor, Gramercy. A London favourite, and the only place to get a proper British Sunday Roast.

• Bangkok Supper Club, Meatpacking. I went for the first time recently and nothing was a miss.

• Markette, Flatiron. A mix of European and Caribbean flavours, it’s been tricky to get a res recently but it’s so worth it if you do. I would re-order: the salt cod fritters, braised oxtail gratin (WOW), bibb salad and peri peri chicken.

  

• Tatiana, Lincoln Center. One of NY’s top restaurants, it’s the hardest reservation to get on this list, and maybe don’t take your parents because ours complained it was too dark and the music was too loud. The food will pitch a tent in your brain.

• Coqodaq, Flatiron. Another res that’s hard to pin down, but they opened up for lunch recently and those times are easy to book. The Bucket List is a great set menu featuring their delicious, shockingly not greasy fried chicken.

  

• Farzi, Tribeca. Absolutely exceptional Indian restaurant, it’s a go to for Nii and I. We always order the the 100 layer chaat, chicken tikka masala and mutton curry, garlic naan (for Me), laccha parantha (for Nii) and two mango lassis.

  

• Quality Italian (not Quality Meats, I had a sub-par steak there once and never went back), Midtown. Always a consistently tasty meal with great vibes.

• COTE, Flatiron. A delicious Korean steakhouse with a sexy atmosphere.

• BondSt, NoHo. Low lighting, perfect for a date and it helps that you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.

• Jean’s, NoHo. Complete with nightclub downstairs, this is a farm-to-table restaurant with an excellent steak frites.

  

• L’Avenue at Saks, Midtown. If you want to add a posh little dining experience to your shopping day, L’Avenue’s only location outside Paris is delicious. The menu is pretty much the same as their iconic location, I love the Rigatoni aux Morilles and the Escargots Extraordinaires.

• Milos, various locations. For the freshest fish and seafood, cooked just the way you like it. Get the greek yoghurt for dessert.

TO GRAB A COFFEE/DESSERT ☕️🧁

• Pavé, Midtown. This is my favourite bakery/coffee shop to work from, especially because you can order a french baguette and butter to nibble on at your table (amongst other things).

• Plantshed, West Village. A coffee shop in a flower shop, it’s filled with floral joy and the drinks are great.

• Softside, various locations. An excellent softserve - they’re famous for ‘The Riff’ which is honey, olive oil and sea salt on a vanilla ice cream, but I like a classic cherry dip.

• Culture Froyo, Greenwich Village. Just great fro-yo.

• Matcha Cafe Maiko, Rockefeller Center. Excellent matcha and fun bubble-tea drinks.

• Buddybuddy, NoHo. Nut butter based drinks, yep, I didn’t think I needed peanut butter in my coffee but apparently I’ve been missing out. Get the Dream Buddy (peanut butter, ube, vanilla and seal salt) with a matcha shot.

  

• Molly Tea, various locations. If you like jasmine tea and bubble tea that’s not sickly sweet, then this is the spot for you.

• Sweet Rehab, SoHo. The bougiest little dessert shop, but it’s nice for a celebration.

• FunnyFace, NoHo. The best place for a cheekily-designed sugar cookie, but their crumbfetti cookies are my absolute favourites. You can get a box of minis if you can’t be trusted with the regular sized ones (me lol).

  

• Thin Cookies, NoHo. For a sweet treat that doesn’t make you feel guilty, these super thin cookies still manage to be soft and every flavour is amazing.

• Gelatoville, various locations. Nii is a gelato snob and this gets his stamp of approval.

  

TO SHOP 🛍️

NEW LUXURY

• Bergdorf Goodman, Midtown. Obvious, but necessary, one-of-a-kind, the Harrods of NYC. The Men’s Bergdorf is across the street.

• Printemps, FiDi. It may be a little out of your way but it’s such a unique department store/boutique experience. They have a very different buy of brands compared to other stores in NYC, and the interior design is mind-blowing. Their cafe has excellent croissants/coffee and they have a great beauty department.

• Le Alfre’s Penthouse, Midtown. My only specifically Menswear store on this list, and you have to book an appointment but it’s so worth it. The store is in an incredibly designed apartment-style space that oozes a true luxury experience, but the prices aren’t crazy and start from $125 for a shirt.

  

• Ralph Lauren, UES. Another classic, this is the flagship, so home to all the various RL collections including a Ralph’s coffee to fuel all your spending.

• The Webster, Soho. One of the only boutiques in the city that carries Chanel (outside of Chanel stores) and they have a very cool, eclectic buy. Go here if you want something no one else will have.

• Elyse Walker, UES. Great boutique with a wider range of pricing from smaller, contemporary brands to more well-known designers. They also have a very cool selection of fine jewelry.

• Two:Minds, Meatpacking. A great smaller (Men’s and Women’s) independent boutique that has an interesting buy of brands like Pucci, The Row and JPG as well as a decent denim selection.

• Luisaviaroma, Nolita. Lord knows how long this store will be open since the online retailer is facing bankruptcy. In the meantime especially if you like brands like Toteme, Fforme and Nili Lotan, you’ll love this store.

• Greg Yuna, Soho. If you’re looking for diamonds or a custom piece with some personality, go to Greg.

• IVAR, UES. A stunning fine jewelry store filled with unique Indian-inspired designs.

• Swarovski, Midtown. Specifically the Swarovski on Fifth Avenue - it’s a spectacle. They always have a small exhibit of sorts on the ground floor, and then when you go up the pink quartz stairs you’ll see limited edition Swarovski collabs, the full range of products, and fun gifts to impress people. The staff there is always so nice.

  

• Tiffany Landmark, Midtown. A tourist destination at this point but a great one, with ten floors of famous sparkle. It houses installations, including Audrey Hepburn’s Givenchy dress from Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and the very vast world of Tiffany designs, many of which you won’t even know they did.

• Louis Vuitton, 57th St. Another pilgrimage worth doing, especially if you can get a reservation at the restaurant (the food is very worth it), but at least stop by the chocolate shop. They also have exclusive LV 57th St pieces that aren’t available anywhere else.

• Dior, 57th St. Not as gargantuan as LV, but it’s the best Dior in the city.

• Annie’s Ibiza, Soho. After opening in Ibiza and London, Annie’s officially has a store in NYC. If you’re looking for ornate, show-stopping event outfits or the odd very rare Victorian vintage piece then this is your place.

• Belmont Park Village, Long Island. This outlet is a sister to Bicester Village in the UK, and while they’re still adding stores, the ones they do have are amazing, e.g. Thom Browne, Vivienne Westwood (the only Viv outlet in the US), Rene Caovilla just to name a few. You can get there easily by train.

• Woodbury Common, Upstate New York. This outlet is huge and has both luxury as well as high street brands. I get there by bus - this one is the best to take as you can reserve a seat (other ones are a first-come situation). It takes about an hour/hour and a half to get there.

RANDOM

• Fish’s Eddy, various locations. If you’re looking for cheeky (like a mug that says wench on it) or NY-inspired homewares and crockery then you’ll love it here. Great for gifts too.

• Cursive & Cursive Home, West Village. Another great option for chic gifts!

• Kinokuniya New York, Midtown. If you too went to Japan and have missed it every day since, then this is a Japanese book/gift shop with an incredible stationary offering, that might just scratch the itch.

  ---

VINTAGE LUXURY

• James Veloria, Chinatown. In a very unassuming mall, under a bridge in Chinatown you’ll find a number of vintage stores, one of which is James Veloria. They have a well-priced selection of vintage designer clothing.

  

• Treasures of NYC, Soho. You’ll need an appointment, but oh what an incredible experience you’ll have. Every nook and cranny is filled with designer vintage delights and iconic pieces. They have an automated rack for you to sift through all the clothes, but the bags and accessories here are amazing.

• 3 Sisters Archive, Soho. They just opened up an appointment-only showroom, and if you want truly iconic, rare luxury vintage bags then you have to give them a visit.

• Vintage shows - Manhattan Vintage, Not A Normal Show, Part Two, A Current Affair.

• I’ve heard Tokio7 is also great.

In terms of areas to shop in:

• Soho for luxury boutiques alongside high street stores.

• Meatpacking for Hermès and more luxury boutiques (Gucci, YSL, Bottega). They’re clearly trying to make this the next big shopping area in Manhattan.

• 57th St (between 5th & Madison) and Madison Ave for bigger versions of all the luxury boutiques in Soho. If a brand doesn’t have a boutique in Soho, then it’s here.

• Bleeker St/West Village for gifts, interesting pop ups, contemporary brands and Bookmarc (Marc Jacobs’ bookstore).

TO STAY 🛎️

• Fifth Avenue Hotel, Flatiron. Eclectic interiors that make you feel like you’re Alice in Wonderland in the most chic way possible. Each room comes with a Butler service that will anticipate your needs whatever your reason is for staying. It’s very warm and inviting, and makes you feel like you’re in this fabulous bubble in the middle of the city.

• The Lotte New York Palace, Midtown. This is family-friendly old school luxury - the rooms are big , and whilst not dripping in details like the other hotels on this list, it’s still a wonderful stay. The Towers rooms are more up-to-date than the main part of the hotel, but it has that NYC and Gossip Girl iconicism that makes you feel a part of the city.

• Fouquet’s, Tribeca. This is one of the hot, chic relatively new hotel openings that all the stylish people are flocking to. I find it a bit out of the way being in Tribeca, but if you plan on being downtown for your stay then this would be a great choice that’s nestled on a quiet street. Excellent food/restaurants.

• Hotel Chelsea, Chelsea. If the Chateau Marmont had a New York equivalent it would be this hotel - filled to the brim with character. A good chunk of the hotel is residential, and there’s lots of history in those walls (not in a creepy way).

On my list to stay at: the Mandarin Oriental oozes classic, but modern luxury, the Waldorf Astoria is beyond beautiful (her facelift is enviable), the Baccarat has been on my list forever, and having stayed at the Faena in Miami, I’m dying to see how it’s NYC sister compares.

Share your NYC recommendations, or anywhere on your list to visit in the comments!

Leave a comment

REMEMBER, if you have anonymous intel you wish to share, feel free to drop it in the OBSE$$IONS inbox ➡️ cassie@obsessionsnewsletter.com

AND join our chat!

Thank you for reading! Have a great week ahead 💖

Love,

Ca$$ie

Follow me on YouTube | Instagram | TikTok

Each season, as the last model’s foot has left the runway every media publication releases a trend report detailing everything everyone will be wearing over the coming months. Some of those trends live and die on those reports, unfortunately micro shorts wasn’t one of them. In my attempt today to be a trend reporter, I’ve created a short list of trends that I didn’t see mentioned often by the usual suspects, that I am observing more and more in both the real and digital wild, but aren’t mainstream…yet.

I present to you, dear Reader, my findings…

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Getting your colour analysis done has been all over my social media for the past two years. Apparently even back in the 1850s we were burdened with this concept, but it was Carole Jackson in the 80s who popularised the theory of the four seasons, and now we’ve built on top of that such that depending on who you go to, you can be one of 12-16 different seasons.

Truthfully, I’d only ever entertained the idea of doing it to squeeze a bit of content out of it, but I had no desire to actually learn what my “colours” are. I’ve come to the realisation that I don’t like people thinking they know me better than I do, which apparently applies to both personal subjects, and fashion. I think it stems from my only-childness, I’m a very individual person, introspective and I tear myself apart with my own thoughts SO HOW DARE YOU ASSUME YOU KNOW MY INNER WORKINGS BETTER THAN I DO!

But one thing about me: if it’s free, I’ll do it.

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To quote Blades of Glory: “it’s provocative, it gets the people going”. The Chanel half-shoes certainly did that. The internet is ablaze with shock over these ridiculous heel protectors, holding on by a thread (literally). I can imagine the glee on Podiatrist’s faces as they saw money signs walking down the runway.

Below the paywall you can enjoy more of my thoughts on silly little luxuries and the items I’m very close to swiping the card on this spring.

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This newsletter started off as ‘7 great things under $700’, then it became ‘17 great things…’ and clearly I still had issues cutting down that list, so we’ve settled on 27 incredible things. It’s not my fault there’s a lot of fun stuff I couldn’t wait to tell you about!

This is almost a sister-post to my YouTube video that went live on Friday covering all the best hot new designer items, but the budget wasn’t stipulated in that video. So here I am delivering the cool pieces worth a gander ranging from $148 - $700, let’s begin!

1. The styling reeled me into this Beaufille Calla Blouse ($485) with the necklace peeking out from underneath. I’m a sucker for a cool iteration of a white shirt. Either with casual tailored shorts and a fun heel (or sneakers, you know me), or with a high-waisted skirt, she’s giving classic but cool.

2. Why do I never think of Dries costume jewelry? These ($560) are a fun, edgier take on a pearl earring, that come sometimes feel a little stuffy.

3. I hate when websites don’t model sunglasses, but I just know these Tom Ford sunglasses ($620) look good on. I also enjoy the fact that it’s not a tortoiseshell, but almost a smokey bonfire-on-the-beach vibe.

4. I’ve never heard of Marlies Grace, but I’m glad I stumbled across this wooden clutch ($550). It feels like it was inspired by a plush cushion in a stately home, and I doubt you’ll see everyone else with it. Chic.

5. Yeah, yeah, I’ve spoken about the Chloe jellies ($670) before, but they’re an ‘it’ shoe and they’re under $700 so, by default, they made it.

6. I respect a Transformer of a piece and upon first inspection this Arakii jacket ($630) has a great cut, and happens to have a fun little structured peplum. Turns out, it’s detachable, making this two different jackets entirely. Girl math (and there’s only two sizes left so people already caught on 👀)!

7. Whilst were here, this Arakii skirt is giving Alaïa for $450, and this is an excellent founcy little blouse ($500). OK FINE THE WHOLE LOOK IS GREAT!

8. I’m so annoyed that I took my sweet time to check out on this INCREDIBLE set by Hertunba. The beaded top ($400) with jeans would be such a glorious slay, and the beaded fringe skirt ($400) with a ribbed white tank á la Carrie Bradshaw would have fixed all my problems. Obviously together, they’re simply perfect, BUT they’ve sold out. HOWEVER, I have it on good authority that they’re working on a restock, for which I’ll be first in line.

9. Obviously I had to include a lil’ Pucci ($500), and I always think their sunglasses are overlooked.

10. This braided belt ($580) makes me think of taking a banana-leaf on holiday and wrapping it around your waist to cinch a dress or add a pop to a look tying together separates…but in a fabulous way of course.

11. Something about this De La Vali top ($380) makes me think of sitting in a convertible with a wispy silk headscarf flapping in the wind. It has some drama with that trail of fabric at the back of the top and is an easy dress-up top.

12. I already had this Erdem Lace Collar ($250) in my cart and then I saw Charlize Theron step out in this Dior Men’s look and I’ve never moved so fast to check out. I’ll be taking inspo from this look, but also planned on wearing it with a t-shirt, and inside a collared shirt.

13. With Wedding season within sniffing distance, I’m all about finding a clutch that no one else will be carrying, and this Self Portrait ($650) juicy little beaded princess will be the belle of the ball.

14. I can’t resist a good twist on a basic and this Jacquemus T-Shirt ($420, but $192 here 👀 in white) is just that. Simple and a little cinched from the front, but tied at the back with a vent to get the air in (which we’ll be thankful for in a month or so).

15. There’s something so mysterious and a little unexpected about this Demarson Venom lariat ($395). The mixed metals keep things interesting, as does the adjustability. It’s also gold-plated.

16. I’m sorry but paisley really does it for me (as evidenced by my wild rags and my current favourite travel bag) and my R13 jane jeans, when worn with heels make me look like I should be strutting down a catwalk somewhere. So a paisley jane jean ($695)? Excellent.

17. The Staud Shark bag ($395) is so adorable I couldn’t not include him. Finley has a zip to keep your bits safe, yes I’ve named him Finley.

18. Ok it’s over the budget but I think this California Glow coat ($795) is such a fantastic spring/summer topper to keep the evening shivers away.

19. The Men’s Orange version of these Jacquemus trainers were a fan favourite so it’s my duty to let you know the Women’s lemon version ($505) just launched.

20. I told you I like a great shirt. I don’t know anything about baseball/MLB but we all know the Yankees, and the embroidery on this Ralph Lauren shirt ($198) makes it a little more casual.

21. As soon as I saw this Ralph Lauren X MLB pinstripe bomber ($498), it had to make it into this list. You can’t go wrong with it.

22. Mask/shield sunglasses are definitely the style of the summer and this Jimmy Fairly pair ($148) come in tortoise, but also all yellow (with yellow lenses), khaki (with a light green lens) and burgundy (with a red lens). Fun!

23. Yet another basic with a twist, this draped Vivienne Westwood tank ($315) will go with everything under the sun.

24. I love Entire Studios - their fabrics are great, their drapery is effortless and their pieces hug the body just the way you’d want them to. They also have a bit of a Rick Owens vibe about them. This draped jersey maxi skirt ($290) is one of those pieces you’ll lean on over and over again, and can style throughout all the seasons.

25. I may love a Transformer, but I also love a reversible moment. These R13 shorts ($395) are a 2-in-1.

26. Back with the mixed metals, these Phoria earrings ($491 - currently 15% off with code: ARCHIVE15) are substantial enough to make a statement, but easy enough to wear casually.

27. AND FINALLY, the SLP (silly little pouch) is a trend apparently and this Lizzie Fortunato one ($550) is an excellent option. The clusters of fringe beading against the satin looks opulent but fun. Currently available in brown and pre-order is open for green.

Did anything make it onto your wishlist/make you add to cart?

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Thank you for reading! Have a great week ahead 💖

Love,

Ca$$ie

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I was minding my own business, when I received a text from an SA at Fendi. I’ve never actually bought from the SA, so I was a little surprised…little did I know the surprises didn’t end there. The text included screenshots of the pricing for the new Fendi Baguette re-editions launching soon as part of Maria Grazia Chiuri’s debut.

I was not prepared.

Below the paywall you’ll find the pricing, as well as the original versions currently available on the resale market, and the items that bumped one of these Baguettes off my wishlist.

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I’d like to think I was clever enough to come up with this idea myself, but alas I did not, friend of the publication did (she has her own substack, you should check it out!).

Obviously we have reports like The Index that always keeps us on our toes, reporting based on search volume, online chatter and other algorithmic magic I can’t bear to comprehend. This inaugural OBSE$$IONS Q1 report won’t be stepping on the toes of Lyst or another such data company, instead this report will be from my personal viewpoint. In true only-child fashion, it’s always got to center around me, hasn’t it.

Below the paywall you’ll find my retrospective of Q1 2026, covering brands I think are on the rise and conversely, brands in their flop era, as well as what I’ve seen people actually buying, my predictions for the season ahead, and the pieces that excited me this quarter.

💵 Revenue Drivers (what actually sold)

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