Anyway – let me give you a breakdown of every single product and why I love it.

CLEANSERS – Controversial take but I believe this is the #1 most important step in any skincare routine. For years I was doing a super-fast clean & clear face wash, wiping my makeup away on a towel, (uhhh gross) and then applying my skincare to probably a half dirty face. Once I started double cleansing, (I’m too lazy for a makeup wipe), my skin got SO much better. You don’t need to use two different cleansers, just cleanse once as you normally would and give it another go to get your face VERY clean, (I think of it as a double shampoo – no one does it, but if you do, it low key makes a HUGE difference). I pretty much rotate between a few different cleansers. I have one in my shower, two on my sink counter and one for travel. These are my favorites:

• Youth To The People, Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser – So good, smells amazing, clean but very cleansing, I love a cleanser that gets very sudsy and this does the trick. Also, VERY partial to a pump bottle for your sink counter because it avoids mess (e.g., picking up the bottle with wet hands). Medium price range.

• Osea, Ocean Cleanser – Another fab pump bottle, not great for travel because glass bottle, very clean and doesn’t strip your skin, doesn’t get very sudsy but leaves a very clean feeling. A little on the pricier side but worth it.

• La Roche Posay, Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser – HEAVY in the sudsy department. This ones absolutely perfect for in the shower based on the functionality of the bottle its also an AMAZING price. I get a huge bottle for $20 and it lasts me months. A little goes a lonnnnng ass way.

• Elemis Pro-Collagen Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm – This I love if I have been wearing A LOT of makeup or its been a long day. I would ALWAYS follow this balm up with one of the cleansers above. I have oily skin and this alone would probably give me crazy acne but it does an amazing job of getting all the dirt and grime off. I usually buy the mini of this – it’s a good price and great for travel.

SERUMS – I am a little more adventurous with serums. Here are two that I love, both punchy ($$$). Not an every night thing but I use about 2-3x a week. Serums are funny because you don’t really feel the effects of them working but I have faith in the science (winky face).

• Dr. Diamond Metacine, InstaFacial Collection Plasma

• Augustinus Bader – Vitamin C Serum

MOISTURIZERS – This could not be more simple. My skin is super sensitive so when I find something that works, I generally do not deviate.

• Cerave, CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion – I put this ALL over my face and use a generous amount. I use this morning and night. The morning one they sell has SPF in it and that’s not my vibe. I have mineral SPF in my foundation and that’s enough.

• Aestura, Autobarrier 365 Moisturizer – Japanese skincare so you know you can trust it. This reminds me of a La Mer formula. It is super, super hydrating and thick. I mainly use this around my eye area for added hydration vs. whole face because I am afraid of breaking out.

CHAPSTICK – I am a chapstick ADDICT. I apply multiple times during the night its legit unwell. This one is my favorite. A solid clean brand.

• Dr. Bronner’s Organic Baby Magic Balm - Unscented, Moisturizing, Vegan, Sensitive Skin, Normal Skin

Last but certainly not LEAST – these face stickers are an absolute game changer. Because of pregnancy I have not gotten botox since early December and I was SHOOOKETH with how good my forehead looks. It honestly looks better than it did previously 4 months after Botox and it’s been over 8 months. You need to wear them at least 4x a week to keep results consistent, but I cannot tell you how much I recommend these. I will deff continue wearing after pregnancy. Also, SO many come in a single pack so they last a very long time.

• Smoothies Long Wrinkle Patches for Face Overnight, 48 count – These go across the top of your forehead

• Smoothies Triangle Wrinkle Patches for Face Overnight, 144 count – These go on your elevens (between your brows)

[I also want to caveat that I saw a HUGE improvement in my skin when I got off hormonal birth control. I didn’t want to start trying for a baby right away but I was determined to cleanse my system after being on it for almost 15 years (???) Yikes. I know some people experience the exact opposite, where their skin goes completely haywire but mine finally settled.]

Okay, up next body, hair, makeup, what else!? Of course, let me know of any questions but otherwise THANK YOU for being here. <3

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All linked here and individually below -

1. Youth to the people cleanser

2. La Roche Posay

3. Osea cleanser

4. Augustinus Bader Vitamin C Serum

5. Cerave Moisturizer

6. Aestura Moisturizer

7. Metacine Serum

8. Dr. Bronners Balm

9. Smoothies (triangles & long-strips)

10. Elemis cleansing balm

Red is the color of the moment (and well obviously has been for the last 3 years). Just when you think she’s loosening her grip, she pulls that leash a little tighter. To me, there is nothing cooler than an outfit full of neutrals and a loud red windbreaker. Pale pink has been a staple, tried and true, and let’s face it, she aint going nowhereee. And then there’s electric purple. The new girl in town. Never ever considered myself a purple girl, but here I am yearning for that grape purple long sleeve from Cos to throw on with a pair of light-wash vintage Levis (for le fall).

The three of them together? On paper, red, pale pink and electric purple sound like people who have noting in common. Three strangers who have found themselves at the same dinner party and end up spending the entire night together. A little clashy, a little weird, but infinitely cooler because of it.

With that, some links to support the cause here (and individually below).

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1. Purple long-sleeve

2. Red tie-on pant

3. Pale pink mock-neck

4. Red mini-tote

5. Red thick band flip-flops

6. Pale pink mini tote

7. Purple tank

8. Pale pink dress shirt

9. Red pendant necklace

10. Monogram purple tote

11. Red shorts

12. Red 90s purse

TYSM for being here, it means a lot.

My mom said I have been like this since I was a child. She said I would beg, beg and BEG for something and she would FINALLY get it for me just so I would stop talking about it [inset laughing crying face]. She said it almost freaked her out, [inset laughing crying face AGAIN], my entire demeanor would change as soon as the new item was in my rightful possession.

About a year ago I decided it was the year of the Birkin. I had loved Birkin and Kelly bags for years but always felt like it was just a touch out of reach. The price point is sky-high and I went back and forth with the whole idea. Sometimes I feel like they were the coolest bags on the planet and other times I feel like they are well… a bit cringe.

Fast forward to the last year when “getting lucky at Hermes Paris leather appointments” infiltrated my algo. Left, right and center unboxings, hauls and my favourite variety, the gals who pick up a coveted second-hand quota Hermes bag throughout different cities in Japan.

I can’t speak for everrrryone of course, but from what I’ve absorbed, getting an Hermès quota bag (Birkin or Kelly) reminds me of the red vintage Ferrari in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Cameron’s dad is maniacal about the thing. It sits pristine in the garage, rarely driven, certainly NEVER to be touched by the kids, appreciating in value while everyone admires it from a wildly safe distance. I feel like this is how we have started treating Birkins. People don’t take off the stickers, they keep them in their dust bags, inside their original boxes, papers and receipt safely tucked away on the top shelf of their walk-in closet because the bag is only going to “appreciate.” At some point, the thing you were so desperate to own becomes the thing you’re too scared to actually enjoy?

While there may be truth to it being an investment piece, it’s wholeheartedly ironic. The bag was named after this other worldly, beautiful, care-free, impossibly cool and nonchalant human, Jane Birkin. Now girls are in Hermes buying blankets and towels and ash trays to MAYBE one day get that long-awaited text from their SA that they have exciting news for them???? Often times they get “offered” something they would never have bought in the first place and accept with shaky hands so they don’t fall out of good favour with their Sales Associate. I’m not dissing it because of course everyone should do what they can afford and what makes them happy but it sure as hell is ironic.

For those who don’t know, Jane Birkin was a British actress and singer who moved to Paris in the late 1960s and became something of a French cultural icon. Style-wise, she was the blueprint for that effortless, slightly undone cool girl: wispy bangs, tiny dresses, perfectly worn-in jeans, ballet flats and, famously, a wicker basket carried absolutely everywhere.

The story of how the Birkin came to be makes the whole thing even better. In 1984, Jane Birkin happened to be sitting next to Hermès chairman Jean-Louis Dumas on a flight from Paris to London. Jane, who was rarely seen without her signature wicker basket in those days, allegedly had the contents of her bag spill everywhere, including, fittingly, an Hermès notebook. She complained that she could never find a bag that was the perfect size between a purse and a travel suitcase. The two started dreaming up her ideal bag right there on the plane, and Hermès eventually made it, offering Jane the bag in exchange for permission to use her name. Thus, the Birkin was born.

Jane Birkin infamously wore her Birkin bag to the freaking ground. She treated her Birkin like anything but a precious object. She blinged it out with beaded bag charms, stuffed with papers and brilliant ideas, let the leather soften, scratch and age with her and at one point she even smacked a sticker [supporting humanitarian and charitable organizations, including Doctors of the World and UNICEF] on the front of the bag. It was less a status symbol and more an extension of her life, which feels almost comical compared to the way we treat Birkins today. ALSO ironic, Please note, her original Birkin bag recently sold (in 2025) at Sotheby’s in Paris for $10.1 million, breaking the global record for most valuable handbag ever sold at auction

I completely understand wanting to keep such an expensive and meaningful item in good condition, maybe even pass it down for generations, but when did we all become so crazy? The Birkin literally exists because Jane wanted a bag she could throw her life into. Somehow, we’ve taken that bag and turned it into something we are scared to touch? And therein lies the irony of the whole thing.

If you’re dead set on getting a birkin, my advice is to get one second-hand from a very reputable sourcer. I purchased my 1992 box leather vintage Kelly bag from sourcedbyleila on instagram. You can get what you want and don’t have to play the Hermes game!

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Cosmic’s favourite Birkin inspired bags all linked here & individually below:

1. Red JPG Birkin

2. Canvas boatkin

3. OG Jane Birkin basket

4. Basket inspired blue tote

5. Green travel Birkin (comes in other colors)

6. Checked-green tote (on major sale)

7. Red boatkin

8. Red tote

TYSM FOR BEING HERE! ILY

Since we already had dinner plans for the following night, I made a 2pm lunch res and was giddy about my return. One thing about me, I can eat any hot soup, ANY season, ANY temp, (AC obvi required).

We came back the following day, and I was taken with it immediately. As someone who has been to Japan many times, it hit. Not in a corny, cosplaying, copy-cat way, but it really felt like we stumbled into a cool restaurant in Omotesando.

It was essentially a 3-story home covered in deep oxblood tile and leather, floor to ceiling timber, intimate brass light fixtures and big beautiful windows, (not the underground ramen vibes you get in Tokyo but something more suburban). A little oasis outside the hustle and bustle of the Shibuya Crossing. A Japanese izakaya aesthetic, intimate enough for a negroni filled date-night, while also being perfect for an afternoon lunch. The best part you may ask? The playlist. Lots of old school hip-hop.

The menu, although very limited, was perfection, they are still on the pre-launch menu but TBH I liked it. It was like an almost Michelin-style restaurant experience at kabob shop prices. I don’t believe in ordering light, therefore we got 3 starters, the namayasai salad (cannot describe the salad dressing - euphoric), the chicken karaage, (best described as a perfectly sweet fried chicken), and one fabu courgette, tomato veggie dish (forgive me I can’t remember exactly what it was called). We each got a bowl of the pork ramen with extra pork belly charshu, (we lived in Hong Kong for four years so we aint ever going to turn a blind eye to a braised char sui) and a side of chili oil. My only critique is that we are in desperate need of a SPICY, SPICY, SPICY option on that menu but we put that chili oil to work in the meantime. It was beyond.

I also MUST mention the cocktail menu. Being pregnant and all I couldn’t exactly have a drink, drink but BOY o boy did my mocktail hit. Grapefruit, zesty goodness and just really felt like I was having a craft cocktail. My husband opted for a little red vino because why the hell not?? I’m all for a Saturday midday cocktail, everything becomes a lot sillier. That day, I saw my future and it was me coming back to consume a large bowl of pork ramen alongside anywhere from 1-3 dirty vodka martinis (post-bambino in mi belly).

Despite being a naturally enthusiastic person, (DON’T frickin @ ME), throughout the entire meal I kept saying “this is a perfect restaurant”. It’s the type of place that for a brief moment makes you think, should I go into F&B??? Should I open a restaurant?? Needless to say, ya girl was inspired.

So my advice to you is grab your girls, guys, whoever and haul your ass over to Nakimushi. I won’t just be back but this is about to be a Cosmic staple.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. I love ya.

Last week I was sauntering through the Picadilly Arcades in Mayfair, (as one does), and I stumbled into Budd, London, a men’s shirtmaker that has been around since 1910. This gem has been making shirts so long they survived WW2 (LITERALLLLY)! A gentlemen in the store, (I have to call him that because he was wearing suspenders), told me Budd was destroyed by a German parachute bomb during an air raid in 1941. The blast and subsequent fire burnt down the original shop prompting the relocation to surviving premises on the other side of the arcade. A pinch of history AND FASHUN.

As I am entering motherhood and spending more time than usual within the confines of my home, investing in high-quality, (boujie if you will) pyjamas has become almost a necessity. I’ve bought a few over the last few months, but I had to get a glimpse of what was happening inside of one of London’s most iconic bespoke shirt shops.

This also, transparently, piqued my interest because I am in the midst of creating a dress-shirt brand myself, (WE ARE SO CLOSE BTW!!!) The brand I am creating, ‘Cosmic Clementine’, is very much inspired by places like Budd, and I find so much inspiration just going into shops like this. Feeling the fabrics, learning about the different types of cotton they use, seeing which colours they consider classics and asking questions about seasonality. (To no one’s surprise, the pyjamas go flying off the shelves at Christmas.) There is something about seeing a brand that has been doing one thing exceptionally well for more than 100 years that stops you in your tracks.

I chuckled a little at the price-point, the PJs range from £450-£550. I exited the store without a purchase and chalked this up to an exploratory mission, (that is to say if money was no object, I would have definitely bought a pair but I already spent BIG cash on my jammies from Rubirosa, Paris earlier this year, another ‘Behind the Brand’ Substack that needs to be written). Ultimately the shop was beautiful, the pyjamas and shirts were timeless and evoked an emotion in me I can’t quite put into words, it got me excited about what I am building and the kind of life I am trying to create for myself.

With that, I will of course leave you with my Cosmic recs (all linked here):

1. My #1 favourite pyjamas at the moment (VERY) reasonably priced, with that Budd aesthetic - I love them so much I promote them with zero affiliate payout :)

• Pink with red piping

• Blue with red piping

• White with black piping

2. Budd London PJs - these cream ones on sale for £295 (P.S. they run very large from what I could tell – rly big pants because they are mostly for men!

3. White / red-ribbon cutie set

4. Another yellow DM set

5. Blue floral cotton PJs

6. Lands-End collab cuties

7. COZY sage pj-set

8. Rubirosa, Pairs pyjamas that you unfortunately after to go to Paris for (they don’t sell online)

9. 100% Cotton goodness under $50

Rihanna herself pictured repping the brand !! (Please notice the wrap bracelet in question)

In the last year Chan Luu started trickling into my feed. First a beach bag, some cool accessories and then some of the sickest, chicest, smoking jackets I’ve ever seen.

A VERY quick backstory on how and why everything seems to have changed… The brand was founded in LA in 1996 by Vietnamese-born designer Chan Luu. The brand blew up on hand-crafted jewellery, (bracelet pictured above worn by everyone from Lady Gaga, to Rihanna, Megan Fox, JLo, etc.) For the last 15 or so years I had heard quite literally nada about the brand, (not a slight, just an observation as a chronic shopper and browser of retail brands, they simply were not on my radar). Likely not a coincidence, considering this was also around the time the brand was sold to / owned by a private equity firm and let’s face it, those buy-low, sell-high boys don’t know a darn thing about FASHUN.

Everything changed when Tessa Tran, the incredibly talented and accomplished niece of Chan Luu, took the reins. Tran first joined the brand as an intern, (not before getting her economics degree at UC San Diego ANDDDDD completing an accelerated fashion degree program at FIT), and steadily worked her way up to become CEO and Creative Director of the brand in 2021. THEN (wait for it) in 2023, she made her biggest swing yet, buying the company back from a private equity firm taking ownership of Chan Luu, the brand she had poured years into shaping. Nootttaaaabiggggdeaalllll.

“Now that it’s my baby and it’s a family brand again, I’m very particular with how I want to see things,” Tran says with the unwavering confidence of someone whose ownership at the company was not inherited, but earned; someone who has a sharp vision and isn’t weary of the risks it takes to see it through. (Vogue, Hong Kong, 2023).

I freaking KNEW there had to have been a pretty MAJOR shift based on the designs I was seeing. It’s very cool that the person behind this wildly successful pivot was someone so tied to the brand, both historically and from a literal bloodline perspective.

By 2022, Tran took Chan Luu beyond jewellery. She brought ready-to-wear back for Spring Summer 2023, with floaty fabrics, airy silhouettes and pieces that worked for the California climate. It wasn’t about making the safest move from a business perspective (but is it proffffitabbbleeee? UGH). Tran wanted to create a new world inside Chan Luu, where all of the clothes and jewellery made sense together, and BOYYY oh BOY did she do it right.

P.S. it did make my heart sing to see the modern take on the leather wrap bracelets.

20+ of Cosmic’s Chan Luu picks found here:

1. Fire flames beach tote

2. Pink satin board shorts

3. Black cord necklace

4. Pink feather coat

5. Bright blue sequin tunic (also comes in black)

6. Black collarless coat (also comes in white)

7. Green drip tunic

8. Blue daisy bandana

9. White pebble necklace

10. Camel mirror skirt

11. Green & blue mesh tote

12. Sequin blue striped market tote

TYSM for being here.

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I know I’ve said it recently, but most designer bags continue to feel uninspiring. We went from LOUD luxury, to quiet luxury, and now I think we actually want to be a little loud again, just in a different way. We want someone to stop us and ask, “Wait, where is your bag from?” so we can tell them about the female-founded brand we stumbled upon that makes everything by hand in New York City. Maybe discovery itself has become the new status symbol? It is less look at the designer bag I can afford and more look at this piece of art I found. The I don’t need a designer bag to prove something to the world every time I leave my house.

I am heavily drawn to bags with beads, fringe, colour. Bags that feel like one-of-a-kind creations. Something you could put on a bookshelf when you aren’t using it. I am particularly obsessed with Olympia Le Tan book clutches. They are all handmade, limited-edition but the price tag has kept me firmly on the sidelines (hopefully not for long).

As I continue to curate my purse collection, I am also very fond of a ~$300 price point. It still feels like luxury, but luxury that does not have to break the absolute bank. The value is in the craftsmanship, the scarcity, the founder story rather than simply how much it costs. Here is a compilation of my current favourites.

Link to 25+ cool purses here

1. Blue satin pouch

2. Le tigre

3. Wooden shell

4. Puffy satin

5. Black beads

6. Brown and pink florals

7. Dark green pouch

8. Light blue pouch

9. Cream pouch

10. Wooden horse

LOVE YOU! Thank you for being here.

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We sit on it, we see which of the most daring fashion girlies will press add-to-cart and showcase them on our FYPs in 7-10 business days, signaling a path forward. If it surfaces from someone we don’t resonate with, we likely keep on keeping on.

When I first saw the CELINE round havana sunglasses, I thought nahhhhh, waaaittt, maybe? Immediately, the coolest of cool girls I follow starting popping up with them left and right on Substack, Pinterest and Instagram. (Please see photo evidence below).

I was preparing for my trip to il Pelicano on the Tuscan Coast, a place Slim Aarons spent his summers with the owners for a number of years and thought okay, this is my moment. As a frantically searched the interweb, I realized they were gone, completely and utterly SOLD the F OUT.

I panicked and placed an order on a 3^rd party site that promised to have them over to me in a week and over two months later they STILL have not arrived [insert crying laughing face].

As my trip approached, I was not going down without a fight. After popping into Selfridges with no luck, I called Celine customer service line and asked if they had any available. “YES, actually. I can see 3 pairs arrived very recently at our Bond Street location.” I asked them to hold them for me and SPRINTED. They were not the exact colourway I wanted, (I preferred the tortoise), but I still felt they understand the assignment. They served crazy, iconic, wtf are those, 60’s, Slim Aarons Grand Dame realness. It was wayyyy too much to spend on such an impractical pair of sunglasses but what was a gal to do.

I debuted these crazy sunglasses on insta in late May (il Pelicano Pucci outfit reveal), and immediately my DMs were flooded. “I’ve been trying to find those everywhere!”, “How the heck did you find them??” I even had a few enquiries about purchasing them from me directly. My reckless purchase was immediately validated by the onslaught of sunglasses envy. I saw the vision and clearly so did others!

Two months into my purchase and transparently they have not gotten THAT much use. I still check daily to see if they have come back in stock (because I would buy the tortoise and sell these), and NOTHING. Not even Amazon has duped them yet. I know it sounds so silly, but maybe that’s why the brands do it? They could easily produce more of a specific style of plastic sunglasses, so why don’t they? I’m guessing they don’t because it would not achieve this feeling I currently have over owning my very own pair of Celine round-frame Havana sunglasses!! I feel like I own a little piece of fashion history. A piece that all the cool girls yearned for during the summer of 2026. I’m sure in 12 months I will giggle at how silly this whole thing has been but for now, it feels a like I freaking SCORED.

P.S. I noticed a VERY similar use-case with the Pheobe Philo Bombé oversized sunglasses. They have ONLY just come back in stock after a solid 18 months of checking on the DAILY. Maybe these designers are onto something here… Much like our toxic bestie the Birkin bag, supply and freaking demand.

Celine dupes here:

1. - expensive

2. $ - not expensive

3. $ - not expensive

4. $$ - medium expensive

5. - expensive and similar vibe

LYSM. Thank you for being here.

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For the first post today, I am sharing Kiez Kabob on Goldborne Road, in Notting Hill. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when it was referenced by friends as a “chic kabob place” but it REALLLLY delivered. It kind of looks like a modern, Berlin-style, industrial minimalism listening bar. A lot of curved stainless steal with elements of walnut wood throughout. Besides being extremely aesthetically pleasing with cool art and the PERFECT amount of air conditioning, (which in London in July means A LOT to us), the provisions really hit.

While you won’t find any Gevrey Chambertin on the menu, they had cool girl wines where you can feel comfortable judging the book by the cover, (and by that I mean extremely cool branding). Otherwise, menu is quite limited, (in this case NOT a bad thing), 3 variations of their signature kabob, (chicken, veal and vegan option). I opted for the chicken and it was phenomenal, (it transparently got all over my white silk top and jeans but it was worth it yaaaaknow???). We had a few dips with peta to start and obviously got two orders of seasoned table fries. As a separate compartment for dessert kind of gal, we had a deconstructed baklava and a rasberry sorbet.

It’s the perfect spot to hit before a night out or a cute catch-up with a friend for dinner. Word on a street is that they have a DJ pop-in evenings when people are ready for weekend energy again, perhaps Weds – Sat, (although I’ve been known to retox starting on a Tuesday evening)??

In (very) short, I highly recommend it.

LOVE YA, mean it.

X

White sweat shorts linked here

Aviator Nation (a very similar vibe), although newer, has stayed quite present, dominating mountain and surf towns across North America. My favourite is their store at the Lumber Yard in Mill Valley, CA, where my sister lives. But Free City is different. It seemed to have died out with the last episode of Season 4 of The O.C., so why is it all of a sudden back?

I can’t say for certain because perhaps there was a huge PR push I was blissfully unaware of, (although I cannot find anything about it on the interweb), but I think SHOCKINGLY, we owe its resurgence to our favourite fashion girls, Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen. I can’t believe I am even saying this!!!

As I perused my favourite museum last July, The Row, (the Amagansett location to be exact), I noticed they carry other brands. At first, I didn’t think much of it, a cool handmade silver jewelry brand from a female founder, an artisanal matcha from Japan, or a candle that smelled like it could change my life, all of a sudden I stumbled across Free City. I was PERPLEXED. To me, Free City was almost everything The Row is not. A little loud (in the best way possible), a touch of logo mania, a brand for the cozy girl who is extremely hungover and was the life of the party last night. It almost felt like a nod to who MK&A used to be. The 2000s, vingtage T, stained Balenciaga bag version of them.

I asked the gals who worked in the store why they sold Free City and they said it was a brand the owners love. I said, “Owners? As in Mary-Kate and Ashley?” and they said, “Yes.” It was a cool, calm, collected, well, obviously... I giggled to myself and was like okay, that makes sense... sorta?

Again, I could be wrong, but a part of me thinks the Pinterest-scrolling, Substack-reading, fashion-obsessed girlies saw this at The Row and RAN with it. All of a sudden everyone was sprinting back to their parents’ homes and digging their musty Free City sweats out of the bottom drawer in their childhood bedroom dresser. Gals started scrolling Poshmark and Etsy for the GOOD vintage stuff.

After a few exposures across TikTok and Insta, I knew it was time to return to my roots. As a girl born and raised on Long Island, Free City was in my blood and I was not going to miss out on the chance to reunite with a brand that gave me a heavy dose of nostalgia. Memories of high school and college came flooding back, wearing Free City is a kin to buying a large (styrofoam cup) ice coffee with half and half from my favorite Long Island deli. A feeling that is difficult to bottle. I decided to take my ass to FreeCity DOT COM and bought myself a pair of white men’s basketball shorts because why the hell not??

In conclusion, Free City is SO BACK BABY, and unless I’m missing something, we can thank our girls MKA for that.

LOVE YA, tysm for being here.

For our next episode of Behind The Brand, we are talking about the California label that has shown half the girls I follow the answer to all of life’s problems is a white cotton shirt with a little lace detail and a pair of vintage Levis. It says I don’t care, I kinda care, I didn’t try that hard and I stll look extremely chic.

DÔEN.

If KHAITE is the impossibly cool New Yorker who only wears black and makes a tank top look like a work of art, DÔEN is her California sister who spends weekends at the farmers market, owns more baskets than handbags and always looks like she just pulled a fresh loaf of sourdough out of the oven.

Like many of the best brands, DÔEN is selling a feeling. A slower life. A California daydream where your biggest concern is whether to spend the afternoon at the beach or in the mountains. A life the corporate girlies yearn for and can experience, if only for a moment, when they click add-to-cart on a DÔEN purchase.

WHO ARE THE FOUNDERS AND HOW DID IT GET STARTED?

DÔEN was founded in 2016 by Santa Barbara-raised sisters Margaret Kleveland, CEO, and Katherine Kleveland, Chief Creative Officer. The brand was established in LA, but what makes the founding story particularly interesting is that it wasn’t just the two sisters. They launched DÔEN alongside five other female founders with backgrounds spanning photography, legal, finance and communications, all with the shared goal of building a women-led retail brand rooted in timeless design. We hear so much about the lone visionary founder, but DÔEN has always been rooted in the village mentality. P.S. Margaret and Katherine came from a family of eight freaking siblings, so sharing has always been caring.

Katherine and Margaret’s mother worked as a clothing designer, so vintage shopping, beautiful fabrics and heirloom pieces were always a part of their upbringing. Looking at DÔEN from this vantage point, the brand feels more like something you found tucked away in your mother’s closet from the ‘70s.

The California influence is palpable in almost everything they do. Santa Barbara, the mountains, the coastline, wildflowers, nature. Every campaign looks like it could have been shot over a long weekend in Montecito and that’s a huge part of the magic.

Before launching DÔEN, Margaret built her career in fashion, eventually becoming Director of Merchandising at Joie, while Katherine worked in branding and communications. Between the two of them, they knew product, but they also knew how to build a brand.

As many founders do, they felt there was a gap in the market. Contemporary fashion had become increasingly trend-driven, and they wanted to create pieces women could wear for years, not seasons.

A huge part of their mission, and perhaps my favorite (because I’m about to become a mom), is their focus on embracing motherhood. Having come from the corporate world themselves, Margaret and Katherine have spoken about wanting to remove some of the rigidity that often comes with balancing work and family. Rather than asking women to squeeze motherhood around their careers, they wanted to build a company that embraced it. To me, that is one of the reasons DÔEN resonates so deeply with women.

HOW DID IT BLOW UP?

Around 2018, women started moving away from super-tight, logo-heavy fashion. Everyone wanted clothes that felt softer, more romantic and a little nostalgic. DÔEN captured that shift perfectly.

Their floral dresses, embroidered blouses and crisp cotton poplin pieces became staples for gals who want to look feminine without feeling overly polished (I looove a slightly sloppy look). There’s something about DÔEN that never feels try-hard.

DÔEN was not just building a fashion brand, they were building a lifestyle. From windswept California cliffs and wildflowers to mothers, sisters and old beach houses, every campaign reinforced the same dream. Rather than chasing trends or competing with brands like Reformation (who they are very similar to in a digital commerce sense), they doubled down on creating a world that felt unmistakably DÔEN.

They also took a patient approach to growth. They stayed almost entirely direct-to-consumer for years, protecting both the customer experience and the brand. More recently, they have expanded selectively into wholesale and collaborations, including a hugely successful collection with Gap that introduced the DÔEN aesthetic to a much wider audience.

MONEY TALK.

This one shocked me.

For years, DÔEN barely raised outside funding. While many fashion startups chased rapid growth with huge investment rounds, Margaret and Katherine quietly built the business the old-fashioned way.

By 2025, DÔEN had surpassed $100 million in annual revenue before announcing its first major institutional investment, led by Silas Capital. Before that, they had raised only around $1 million.

This is proof that not every great fashion company has to chase hyper-growth. Sometimes protecting your brand and earning your customers’ trust is the better strategy.

The funding is now being used to expand retail, open more stores, invest internationally and continue growing categories like knitwear and denim. It is one of those businesses that does not chase growth for growth’s sake.

WHAT SURPRISED ME?

What surprised me most about DÔEN wasn’t the dresses. It wasn’t the celebrity fans. It wasn’t even the revenue.

It was how unbelievably consistent the brand has been.

Every decision they’ve made over the last decade points back to exactly the same idea: slower living, beautiful craftsmanship, motherhood, nature and California.

Fashion changes every five minutes. One year everyone wants quiet luxury, the next everyone is dressing like a fisherman or wearing ballet flats with football jerseys (still processing that one).

DÔEN has ignored all of it. They built an entire world people want to be part of.

Thank you for being here. LOVE YALL.

Sources: Business of Fashion, Vogue, Fashionista, Coveteur, DÔEN, Mother Mag, PR Newswire, Silas Capital

COSMIC’S FAV DÔEN PICKS:

30+ fav picks here

1. green silk top

2. checked blue cotton top

3. blue flowy dress

4. yellow silk dress

5. pink & white rosette dress

6. long deep red dress

7. cream flower top

8. green and white flower top

9. blue ribbon dress

If Khaite is the cool, minimalist, New York woman in a perfectly tailored black coat who drinks her coffee black, STAUD is her California cousin who owns lots of vintage Pucci and is religious about her iced matcha with cold foam from Community Goods. She’s not afraid of a little cane sugar.

WHO IS THE FOUNDER AND HOW DID IT GET STARTED?

Sarah Staudinger was born in 1989 in Los Angeles, California. Her mother, a successful LA based shoe-designer, while her father worked in LA’s ever-growing real-estate business. Sarah grew-up around art and design attended private school in Brentwood before heading off to Parsons. Sarah’s mother, Joanna grew up with Cher and funny enough, she (FREAKING Cher!) was Sarah’s godmother. So in theory, Sarah always had exposure to star power.

After Parsons, Sarah worked as an assistant stylist and eventually became a Fashion Director at Reformation, (where all cool girls got their start, e.g., Pia Baroncini, Creative Director of LPA). Sarah eventually went off on her own and STAUD was founded in Los Angeles in 2015 by Sarah and her business partner George Augusto. The name obvviiiiously comes from Sarah’s nickname ‘Staud’.

A quick [side] note: This piece will be very Sarah-heavy, but George deserves his flowers. As STAUD’s co-founder, (not out here diminishing his accomplishmentz), his background in styling, celebrity relationships, and fashion played a large role in the brand’s early growth and overall success. Sarah has largely become the public face of STAUD, so much of the founder story naturally centers around her. Another [side] note: she is a MUST follow on instagram ~ cooler than cool~

In 2015, Sarah and George felt there was a gap in the market. Women could choose between (1) luxury brands, charging thousands of dollars for pieces, or (2) fast fashion brands pumping out cheap trends, yet there was nothing in between. The gals needed something elevated and original at an attainable price point. STAUD started as a bespoke made-to-order brand, where customers could choose the base, sweater, fabric, color, etc. and could essentially customize each piece they bought. However, the made-to-order strategy was quite short-lived, (2 or so years). Demand grew fast and STAUD realized customers were eager for the brands POV, so they transitioned into ready-to-wear.

HOW DID IT BLOW UP?

The first product to really POP in a viral sense was the Bissett bucket bag, (which today can only be found on ebay), that launched in 2016. Every girl in New York had one. It was a sleek, very structured bucket bag. A leathery Jane Birkin vibe.

STAUD realized they had a real knack for purses. Purses were no longer a means to an end of carrying ones belongings, they were a REAL statement and they made the outfit, (while also being quite affordable). Then came the Tommy Bag in 2019, a series of 90s inspired beaded flap bags, (think Fendi Baguette), the tomato purse and the ‘Staudines’ purse. Something you’d stop in a boutique hold up to your friend and say “wait, how cool is this?’ These purses were DRENCHED in personality that the gals were so desperately seeking.

The purse renaissance came at the perfect time. People were starting to get ick-ed out by logo-mania and STAUD came in and said, “Now your bag is a mini work of art.”

Our girls Kendall Jenner and Alexa Chung were photographed all over New York in STAUD bags and we had that celeb stamp on approval every brand craves.

While the bags may have put STAUD on the map, clothing is where the brand has become a powerhouse. What started as a made-to-order experiment, has evolved into a full ready-to-wear eco-system of vintage-inspired dresses, sleek separates, and vacation pieces. Styles like the IKONIKKK Wells Dress have become wardrobe staples and further proof that STAUD’s greatest success was not just creating a cult accessory, but building an entire world women want to be apart of.

The genius of STAUD is that it never takes itself too seriously.

Luxury fashion sometimes makes you feel like you need a degree from Parsons AND / OR a hefty trust fund to relate to a simple white tank that costs $600. Whereas in STAUD’s world, they are like, “Here’s a cute dress, it’s sexy and has tomatoes on it, go giggle with your gals.” Its very refreshing.

MONEY TALK.

Unlike many brands that have huge viral moments that burn bright and fade fast, STAUD has managed to evolve into a serious fashion business over the last 10 or so years. Still a privately owned company, STAUD was valued at $10 million back in 2017, today reports suggest the company is on track to hit $250 million in annual revenue. THAT IS INSANE…

STAUD never prioritized growth, sales or revenue. They tried things, leaned into what worked and kept iterating.

Over the last decade, it has expanded from clothing into shoes, hats, denim, and collaborations with brands like Birkenstock and Keds. STAUD opened its own stores and according to BoF, the company has grown sales sixfold over the past FIVE years and is profitable with a capital PPPP.

WHAT SURPRISED ME?

What surprised me most about STAUD is its commitment to fun. In a fashion landscape increasingly dominated by quiet luxury, mystery and seriousness, STAUD built a cult following around the opposite: personality.

Sources: Forbes, Vogue, The Business of Fashion

COSMIC’S STAUD FAVORITES:

30+ items linked here

• Blue landscape dress

• Striped sun hat

• Surf-board clutch

• Sport jersey

• Striped beach bag

• Bikini bottoms

• Red two-piece set

• Staudlleoni purse

• Blue beaded woven bag

• Striped puffy flip-flops

Khaite is one of those brands I’ve known for years but I never stopped to think what the name meant. (Though I will admit I spent an inordinate amount of time pronouncing it “Kite” because classiqué me, I thought it sounded verrrrry sophisticated).

The name comes from the founder’s nickname, but it also has roots in the Greek word khaítē, meaning long, flowing hair. Pretty cool dual meaning.

It feels very fitting for a brand that is both polished and also undone. Khaite has mastered the whole “I just threw this on” thing, there is something about it that feels very considered without trying too hard.

Who is the founder and how did it get started?

Catherine Holstein, who goes by Cate, (lurv the spelling, you don’t see that much), grew up between California and London. Born a creative, she eventually made her way to Parsons in New York. Cate was still a junior in college (holy hell), when she designed a line of sailor dresses that caught the attention of Teen Vogue editors. While the dresses were being worn by girls around New York, Teen Vogue made an introduction to a Barneys buyer and the next thing you know, her designs were hanging on the racks at Barneys on 61st Street.

Shortly after, Cate dropped out of Parsons and launched her first label under her own name, Catherine Holstein, which ended up in 40 retailers globally, including Saks and Kirna Zabete. Unfortunate timing struck, 2008, (I was wearing low rise True Religions at boarding school in Connecticut, miles away from what would become Khaite fashion), and the financial crisis wiped out half the fashion industry. Cate chose to gracefully bow out and shut down the brand.

From there, Cate opted into what may have been considered the safer route, spending the next few years working at Gap, Vera Wang, and J.Crew. In 2016, Cate went out on her own again launching her brand ‘Khaite’, elevated, luxurious hero pieces with an edge. One of the most compelling fashion success stories to come out of New York in years.

How did it blow up?

For the first few years it was very much an IYKYK type of situation. Then gals with star power happened. In 2019, Katie Holmes was photographed hailing a cab in Manhattan in a Khaite cashmere cardigan and bra set (pls see screenshot below, she looks auhmazing). Both the cardigan and the bra sold out immediately. Since then, the brand has been worn by every ‘it’ girl in town. Kendall Jenner isn’t going anywhere without her Khaite Danielle jeans, (however as someone standing proudly at 5’4”, I can assure you I will be admiring those jeans from a far). Cate Holstein was CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year 2022 and 2023 back-to-freaking-back.

Money talk

Khaite hit $100 million in revenue in 2022, (which is not super surprising considering a leather jacket is $7K - LOL). Then in 2023 Stripes, the firm behind Erewhon, A24 and Reformation, invested $150 million for an 80% majority stake. Although still a private company, today, the rumored valuation is around $400 million.

What surprised you?

In an era where every founder is also a content creator, public speaker, podcast guest, and aspiring memoirist, Cate feels like a bit of an anomaly. She doesn’t seem particularly interested in being the story.

Try Googling her, there are surprisingly few photos. Much like MK&A, she is famously under the radar. Not because she is elusive for the sake of it, but because she seems genuinely more interested in making great clothes than building a cult of personality around herself. A rare breed these days.

Another reminder that the overnight success story we tell ourselves about is almost always missing a few chapters. More often than not, it is simply a matter of try, try again.

AND please let me know what brand you want me to write about next. LOVE YALL. Thank you for being here.

Sources: BoF, NYTimes, SCMP, British Vogue

Recently I realized something. There are so many labels I’ve admired for years without actually knowing that much about the story behind them. How did the brand come to be? Who are the founders? Did they come up through the ranks at major fashion houses, or did they seemingly appear out of nowhere?

Every week, I’m hoping to teach the gals something new about their favourite contemporary brands or introduce you to new brands, (by sharing their story). It will be a fun little learning moment for all of us and you will sound chic, chic, chic when you casually rattle of the back story at your next dinner party. “Well did you know the idea actually was born our of X, Y, Z” Ugh! It’s going to be fun.

If you have any recommendation’s please DM me or drop them in the comments. Love y’all.

I in no way, shape, or form would consider myself a Paris expert. This was only my third visit since moving to London a year and a half ago and truthfully I probably need three or four more trips before I can justify slapping a paywall on this bad boy [hehe].

So for now, we are keeping things light and fun. My husband and I have birthdays just two days apart (pisces szn), which is really special and going away for it just the two of us makes me oh so happy.

Besides one quick trip to the Louvre, we pretty much spent the entire time eating, shopping and walking. Even if you have been to the Louvre, I highly recommend a little refresher. I booked through our hotel (the company was called Mon Petit Paris). The tour lasted about 1.5-2 hours. We got to skip all the lines and saw all of the heavy hitters. We really loved it.

Anyways…below, please find everything of note.

1. Louise Carmen - A perfect Paris souvenir. Stunning, custom leather-bound notebooks (you can change the inserts). You can get them engraved, add charms, pick the leather color, etc. They are usually ready an hour after your appointment. (We went back at the end of our day). There was a little queue (15 or so mins), so it could be better to go around 6pm (right before closing) or 5 mins before they open

2. Fifi - Very chic (slightly $$) lingerie store in the 7th

3. Le Bon Marché - A chic chic chic department store with everything you could ever need. Huge range of contemporary to super high-fashion designer. Some home goods, book and stationary department (send yo man there while you peruse)

4. Sabbia Rose - Classssique Parisian pajama store. Lots of silk slip dresses and camisoles (however, punchy $$$) - P.S. pop-into the cutest GF bakery across the street called Copain

5. BRUT - really cool unisex brand, cool jackets, sickest graphic t-shirts located in Le Marais where there are other great shops

6. Merci - cool concept store with tons of brands also in Le Marais

1. Le Grand Café - We did a walk-in for a Friday lunch. The vibiest, chicest lunch spot (I hear also FAB for dinner). It kind of gives the vibes of Fred’s at Barney’s back in the day (IYKYK). Lots of chic Parisians having a glass of wine and enjoying life. Also the food was to-die for.

2. Le Voltaire - One of Dua Lipa’s local watering holes. Incredible, I would go for dinner, book in advance.

3. ROJO - FUN, cool wine bar that also serves food. Small queue but moved very fast (5 or so mins). Did not eat here but the food looked amazing. Excited to come back in the summer when all the doors and windows are open.l

4. Hotel Costes - I LIVEEEE for the people watching at Hotel Costes, food slaps but the energy is why you are there. Book in advance.

5. La Grande Épicerie de Paris - COOLEST, fanciest, most comprehensive grocer in maybe the world. If you want snacks, desserts, little food gifts to bring home, (FRENCH BUTTER), it is perfect. It is directly across the street from Le Bon Marche.

TIMING - I would aim for a 2pm lunch and a 9:30pm dinner. I also enjoy eating dinner at 6:30pm but when you are in Paris my advice would be to freaking go for it

HOT TIP - if you are extremely full from a late lunch, cancel your dinner reservation order a little room service and watch The Da Vinci Code in bed. We did this on our last night as we had a SUPER early flight the next day and it really hit.

1. Day chic - red jacket, jeans, sunglasses, silk polka-dot tank

2. Night out - tuxedo shirt, hat (mines from Cos but this is similar),

3. The sights - Charlotte Simone coat, dries sneakers

4. Around town - t-shirt (very similar)

La Grand Mazarin - I REALLY loved this hotel and let me tell you I am not the easiest to please. It definitely gives the vibe of a small boutique hotel but the property is stunning and they really aim to take care of you. Ask for a higher floor because it was noisy on our first night on the 1st floor, (one floor above ground). For the 2nd two nights we moved to the 3rd floor and it was perfect, (sorry to my husband that I am a Karen). If you are a picture-taking girly, this hotel is for YOU.

My take on Parisian hotels is don’t massively splurge because you are spending 90% of the time outside the hotel. Save that dough for a summer holiday when you are parked on a beach chair at the hotel for the entirety of your trip.

Sevenly Heart - Super chic coffee shop which was a 10-minute walk from our hotel (La Grand Mazarin)

Copain - They have multiple locations around Paris. This one was in the 7th and they have the most INSANE gluten free pastries you will ever come across - HIGHLY recommend

My family has been coming to Park City for years & years and it is TRULY a gem. The hype, (& the Kardashians), have slowly started trickling in, while PC still holds onto its charming mountain town vibes. You can manage to get into restaurants without backdoor connects or calling your favorite concierge. It’s not Aspen, but I’d be lying if I said the boujie wasn’t building.

Dinner:

1. Le Depot - French cuisine, great energy in the restaurant, if you want a bit of a quieter space, ask to sit upstairs

2. Firewood - Fancy mountain comfort food. I would say probably one of the nicest in PC. Beyond good

3. Pine Comb Ridge - Upscale mountain comfort food. Less of an ambiance, (no mood lighting) but still a great vibe

4. Matilda - Fun, chill, cozy vibes. Lot’s of incredible Pizza & Pastas but still some yummy healthy bits. 5 or so minute drive from downtown Park City (not the chicest area), but the restaurant itself is a vibe. Great for group dinners

5. Grappa - Tried and TRUE Italian. So cozy and right at the top of Main Street

6. Dolly’s Coffee & Confectionary - Right on Main Street, the cutest chocolate / ice-cream shop attached to a cute book store

Lunch:

1. Harvest - Two locations (1) smaller one in town which tends to be more crowded and (2) in Midway (close to Ballerina Farm store for a little one-two punch). I am OBSESSED. So healthy and so good, think spicy Pho but also GF banana bread. If you end up in Midway also stop by the Dainty Pear (cute home shop)

2. Windy Ridge Cafe- Diner vibes. Salads, soups, sandwiches

3. Lodge at Blue Sky - 30 min or so drive from Park City, a new incredible Auberge hotel. Super cool, minimalist, food is bomb, (we went for New Years day brunch). If you want a little day trip somewhere or a place for activities, (skeet shooting type stuff), this is your spot

1. Kemo Sabe - Overpriced cowboy stuff. If you have $1.4K lying around buy yourself a cowboy hat with your initials branded into it ; ) - Also there is a really cute speakeasy in the back and unlike Aspen, zero lines

2. Cake - Super cute contemporary boutique (A.P.C. those types of brands), also great makeup (e.g., Ilia), if you forgot anything at home

3. Tanner Trading - Western silver jewelry and home goods

4. Bolt Ranch - A huge store about 15 mins from Park City town that will satisfy ALL of your cowboy needs, (boots, hats, belts, clothes), for 1/3 of the price of Kemo Sabe

5. Ballerina Farm Store - This is a 15 min drive from Main Street. Mini Erewhon vibes, they sell all of the Ballerina Farm products (e.g., protein powder, electrolytes, all of her baked goods like sourdough croissants), ready-to-eat baked goods and the ballerina farm frozen yogurt

On the slopes / Apres -

• Although they are not the MOST practical, I love me a onesy. I am wearing this Cordova one here and if you love the red here is another alternative thats 50% off

In town -

• Toteme jacket, jean shirt, red gloves, sunglasses

Feel free to DM me on insta with any questions!!

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. ILYSM.

Cosmic’s 4 Winter Favorites

1. Decluttering she goes

When I got back from Christmas break, I self-proclaimed myself “the sweeper.” I came to the realization that in order to be truly relaxed in my own home, I desperately need to declutter. My mom has been telling me this for years and YEARS (ily mom), and finally it’s really resonating.

Bottom line, if a drawer is having trouble closing, sweaters need to be donated. If this lamp in the corner of my bedroom, (FROM IKEA) isn’t being used, it needs to be donated. I don’t need an endless stream of reusable tote bags or dozens of “what ifs.” What if I get invited on a mid-spring hike and this lightweight windbreaker is perfect for the occasion? Like, girl. GET A GRIP. I detest being wasteful, but at a certain point it’s like… at what cost. Another declutter realization I’ve come to lately is that your style truly improves when you have way less to choose from. Anyway, more on that later…

2. Self Care = Skincare

To me, there is not better feeling then getting home from a hard work out on a rainy Sunday, taking a LONG everything shower, putting on a matching pajama set at 3pm, while carefully // methodically letting myself take the scenic route through my skincare routine. I was lucky enough to be one of the gals that got an early look into Rhode’s latest product drop. A legit dream come true since Hailey and her glow have been on my mood board for the last 10 years. This is the time of year where the foundation starts to cling to dry patches and I find myself re-applying ChapStick every 4 mins and 37 seconds.

It’s not Sunday yet, but I’m already obsessed

· The Caffeine Reset Mask is actually heaven. I let it sit on my face for 10 or so minutes and I felt my skin taking a gulp of hydration. After I wipe off the mask with a towel, I add a few spritzes of the glazing mist and applied my foundation. Is it too much to say my middle-school glow was back?? It was deeply moisturizing but also felt soo nice. Definitely a change of pace from the masks that dry your face into a straight jacket before you rinse them off (hehe). I am hereby le obsessed.

[Complete side note, but when I go pls put the glazing mist in my casket because I need her in the afterlife]

· Also do NOT go sleeping on the new Peptide Lip Boosts. A tiny pink tint, a more balmy formula with a cute lil sweet smell. Petition to have one in every purse.

3. Satiating my sweet tooth in a ~healthier way~

At the end of the damn day, I am a sweets girl to my core. No matter how much time I spend trying to deny it, it’s cyclical and she always comes back around. So instead of denying myself my one true love in this life, I’ve been pivoting to some TikTok recipes. My favorite lately is a little date bark. I sandwich dates between parchment paper, roll them out with a rolling pin, add some crunchy (GF) pretzels on top, then drizzle everything with melted Hu dark chocolate. Refrigerate for 30 mins and boom an absolute CHEFS KISS.

4. Working out but also walks with my girls

Lastly, don’t let the winter blues keep you from moving your body. While I am a big, bad Equinox girl now, bundling up and going for walks in Hyde Park with my girls genuinely buoys me. A scarf, some fingerless mittens, and a pair of Salomons gets you fresh air, a pinch of gossip, a light download of current events and ultimately some togetherness, which we all need during these months.

I hope you guys are hanging in there. Spring is almost here. LOVE YA, MEAN IT!

Lunch:

1. Clarke’s Oyster Bar - Incredible American food, you will DIE at the shoe-string fries (see above)

2. White House Tavern - Hillstone of Aspen, everything cranks, get the crispy chicken sandwich or the macho salad

3. Big Wrap - If you want something chill on the go (salads, wraps, soup)

4. Spring Cafe - Super healthy salads, eggs, smoothies, etc. - love the chai latte (w/ house made almond milk), coconut macaroons and the huevos rancheros

Dinner:

1. Campo de Fiori - Italian, chill, great energy and vibes - penne vodka or bolognese

2. Cache Cache - Fun, fancier, dress-up vibes, best martini glass in town

3. Matsuhisa - Nobu of Aspen

4. Casa Tua - Fancy, dress-up, GET the cacio e pepe

5. Las Montañas - Yummy Mexican food, high energy vibes

6. Aqualina - Tried and true Italian food

7. (Above) Clarke’s and White House are all also great for dinner

Drinks:

1. Hotel Jerome Bar - The bar behind the lobby, I got married at Hotel Jerome so maybe I’m biased but it’s sooo charming - fire roaring, martinis flowing

Cafe’s:

1. Paradise Bakery - Classic baked goods, coffees, etc.

2. Felix - Hotel Jerome’s coffee shop (on the corner), the hot chocolate put me in a coma

3. Sant Ambroeus - They brought this gem allll the way from Nueva York

4. JUS Aspen - Fresh juices, little bites (super healthy vibes)

When it comes to shopping in Aspen here are my favorites

1. Kemo Sabe - If you don’t want to spend half a months rent on a branded cowboy hat I completely understand, but it’s worth going to check out

2. Goop - Literal beauty product heaven. Everything you’ve been eyeing or wanted to try plus a few cute retail finds like Still Here jeans, Goop Label & Connor Ives

3. Toteme - Tried and true with a few Aspen exclusives

4. Ralph Lauren - Really fun to see their mountain chic curation, lot’s of white ruffles, fair isle sweaters, mock-necks etc.

5. Etc… - Some cool retail, randomly Free City sweats, INSANE jewelry, in which I would need a 2nd and 3rd job to be able to afford any of it but fun to window shop

6. Res Ipsa - Cool, mountain-chic store with re-worked finds

7. Wyld Blue - Vintage purses, cool hats, fun jewelry

8. Ute Mountaineer - If you need any ski gear, winter hat, etc.

9. Marfa Stance - Cool streetwear jackets

10. Gorsuch - Similar to Ralph Lauren, more of a museum. Lots of $3K cashmere sweaters, and $180 ski mugs, while also giving some cute Sound of Music inspo

11. Carl’s Pharmacy - If you forgot any toiletries, need some cold meds, hand-warmers etc. They also sell mini oxygen cans if you feel like the altitude is getting to you

On the slopes -

1. Jorde Jacket

2. Rossignol pants (an amazing brand if you need helmets, goggles, etc.)

3. Jimmy Fairly sunglasses (TBH my FAVORITE sunglasses brand)

In town -

1. Cigarette jeans

2. Fringe sweater

3. Snow boots

Night-out -

1. Halter top

2. Black trousers

Apres Cozy -

1. Chic fleece - (the one in the picture is Goop x Connor Ives, I think its sold out but side note I almost fainted when I saw the price)

2. Still Here Jeans

Thank you for being here. ILYSM!

Are we sick of feeling over-stimulated by life, done with clutter, fed-up with Amazon dupes and craving a semblance of quality and sustainability? I for one have made a real conscience effort to buy higher-priced, higher-quality items. I am all too often scrolling down to the composition & care tab to verify that the coat I am about to purchase is not a wool-blend and this silk blouse isn’t catfishing me with a medley of viscose and polyester.

I think we’re drawn to vintage because it’s rare. Very few people will ever own the same piece and the quality is unmatched. Things were just made differently (better) back then. The gold on Chanel purses were dipped in 14K gold, the leather was buttery soft, while somehow made to last.

Aside from the the quality and the simplicity we are craving, it’s the story. This piece of vintage lived an entire life before us. It feels like fate, its kismet. If she got her dream job wearing these Manolo’s, will it give me extra powers to find mine? If she had the best summer of her life in Italy in these zebra pants, will I finally be incredibly care-free?

I recently bought this amazing leopard jacket on Vinted, (which is the UK Poshmark for people with insanely cool style). It was less than $100 and it had the coolest little story. The lady and I messaged back and forth, and I told her I would give the jacket a second life. It sounds so silly, but those little moments of humanity get me through my days and weeks. See the wholesome exchange below.

I got a bunch of DM’s asking about vintage links so I am going to try to do this edit a few times a month! Without further ado, here are my vintage finds of the week with an emphasis on le tigre.

30+ vintage items linked here

1. Celine 2010 tiger jacket

2. Saint Laurent, suede chocolate brown jacket

3. Black Manolo’s

4. Gucci Purse

5. Roberto Cavalli tiger skirt

6. Gold hard shell clutch

7. D&G polka dot jacket

8. Beaded evening bag

9. John Galliano zebra cardigan

10. D&G 2002 velvet pants

See jacket here :) …. how good is it?

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. ILYSM.

I used to frequent Carbone Hong Kong when I lived there, which candidly was a much, MUCH easier reservation to snag compared to places like New York or Miami, (where I’ve heard people have legitimately paid $3K a head for a table during F1, LOL). I’m not one to sell my soul or drain my bank account for a dinner reservation, but of course, whatever makes people happy.

To break it down, Carbone London is located inside the Rosewood Hotel, which on a separate note is new, fab, boujie, incredible. The restaurant has its own private entrance on the side. When we arrived and checked in with the hostess, we were told our reservation was downstairs. I immediately assumed we were being sent to Siberia with the outcasts, but oh was I wrong.

As we headed down the stairs, I was high-key blown away. Super high ceilings, insane art covering every open wall, dramatic wallpaper, statement sconces, marble everywhere. There is a massive bar followed by an incredibly large, expansive dining room that feels equal parts theatrical and intimate. The food was bomb, paced well and the service matched the price tag.

The menu was even more extensive than I remembered, which is obviously harder to tackle at a table for two. To start, we had the octopus, spicy rig and meatballs, followed by the veal parmesan and a side of artichoke for some veg. Everything absolutely delivered and luckily they are generous with to-go boxes.

At this point in time, Carbone London is definitely perfect for a high-energy date night or a lux group (birthday) dinner. My one question, though, is how the space will continue to drive exclusivity. When we arrived for our 6pm reservation, the place was PACKED to the brim and the tables beside us were already on dessert. It made me wonder in a year from now, will the hype have died down? Will it suddenly be super easy to secure a res? Part of the allure and reason you can only get into Carbone NY if you are Drake is because the restaurant has max 20 tables. It’s exclusive but also tiny. In comparison, London Carbone is probably six times the size. So my question is, will the magic stick once the frenzy fades?

Thank you for being here, LOVE YA!