I apologize for my absence this past month. I was deeply enjoying my summer and frankly felt like re-wearing things I’d already written about and avoiding the endless consumption cycle that is social media (as much as I could…I have to put food on the table. I was hanging out with my friends.

AND, in further news, my boyfriend and I began the exciting and sometimes uncomfortable process of moving in together. We’re feeling the adjustment - we both have lots of things and are by no means minimalists, both sentimentally attached to various tchotchkes that take up a shocking amount of space. And I have an obscene amount of clothing. So please bear with me as I navigate that, my own personal rentrée.

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I’ve also been avoiding writing because I’m grappling with this existential crisis that we become less cool when we quit our full time jobs. I was talking about this with my friend Mimi (the irony that we both create content is not lost on us, don’t worry). Most of our favourite people to follow are those who have careers, hobbies, and interests other than what they’re wearing (and they’re often working cool jobs for interesting brands…I’m not talking about your regular run-of-the-mill CEO). This makes me nostalgic for when I was first starting on Instagram, hauling outfits and a tripod to shoot after my corporate 9-5.

Sometimes I feel like being forced to think inside a box proliferates creativity.

What makes these people interesting is that they’re doing things, getting out and about and expanding beyond the realms of “here’s what I’m wearing as of late”. They’re not just invested in themselves, their world extends beyond that. They’re building something, are deeply interested in design and the world around them, and they happen to have great style. It’s not abnormal for them to be wearing the same outfit over and over, but it’s a good one. They get out and do things.

Here are my favourite people to follow right now:

• Yvette de Pauw: head of brand at Heaven Mayhem. I love her tiktok.

• Michelle Ngatimin: social media at Monica Vinader

• Nicole Adalina: designer at Oddli

• Irene Kim: a lawyer-turned-writer who has a prolific substack that I enjoy reading!

• Mackenzie White: an interior designer with impeccable taste

• Misha Lasoff: a dear friend who dreams and executes the iconic events at Saie

I am interested in people who possess a wealth of knowledge in whatever niches that may attract them, people who decentre the trope of the insular self as it exists typically in social media (the self within the self - i.e. the home, personal property, in a silo) in favour of the self within the world. They’re immersed in wherever they may be, often have great book recommendations, and you can just tell they’re great company to have at a dinner (Something I’m prone to thinking about, as I’m constantly trying to think of my next dinner). As a result, all of these people have great style and a distinct eye for good taste.

When it comes to my own work as a creative, I try to reconcile my work with this ethos by prioritizing the notion that life extends beyond my work (getting dressed, predominantly). I find this results in a more holistic approach to my sense of self: what am I reading, what am I consuming, what am I getting out and doing? In a city like Toronto we’re all so tempted to stay at home, but that is so boring to me.

Recently I got on a train to Montreal for a girl’s weekend.

Doing things!

My years at McGill contain some of my most treasured memories. What a dream it was to return to Montreal for a work job and arrive a few days early to enjoy the city with a friend who had never been. It’s rare that we get to play tourist.

We stayed at the W Montreal, which I wouldn’t recommend for decor or aesthetic, but it is very convenient for proximity to the train station (good for me!). I would recommend William Gray, Four Seasons Montreal, or Hotel Place d’Armes instead, but the selection is pretty slim. The nice thing is that you’ll never spend much time at the hotel.

After a mandatory Ice Capp from Tim Hortons (a required inaugural itinerary item for all my American friends visiting, whether they like it or not), we walked all the way from downtown to the mile end on our first afternoon. We passed through McGill campus and moseyed to the stretch of Boul. Saint Laurent around Fairmount that touts my favourite stretch of boulangeries and boutiques.

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We spent most of our time in Les Étoffes, a gorgeous boutique where I’ll never forget making my first distinctly adult purchase after graduating from college: a pair of Aeyde boots that I wore to death. Their curation and decor is unlike anything I’ve ever seen, and I felt more like I was in Paris than anything. I particularly loved their curation of Korean, Japanese, and Australian brands, and I wish they sold the lighting.

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I ended up purchasing a blazer and oversized pants from a New Zealand-based brand called Marle - I was so drawn to the oversized mother-of-pearl button and subtle jacquard print. I also bought a new sweater, because it was colder than I’d expected in Montreal and I came unprepared. Plus, what’s life without a little colour!

We also popped into Seconde vintage, and though I was simply done with spending by that point, they had a gorgeous pouf in the front entry way that I cannot stop thinking about. And I especially enjoyed the gorgeous items at Au Papier Japonais.

We also stopped by Ruse (curated consignment) and made our way to In.édité, another vintage store, but didn’t get there in time for closing. Saved to the list for next time. An early, casual dinner at Épicerie Pumpui had us positively stuffed, our bellies full of pad Thai and hearts full of excitement for the day we’d had. Another hour long walk back to the hotel and my feet were throbbing, but I fell into a deep sleep quickly.

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The next morning we walked west towards Atwater market, where they have some of my favourite cheeses in the world. I recommend taking the longer route along the canal for a weekend stroll.

Brunch culture in Montreal is very serious - legendary institutions like Beauty’s will always have my heart. We tried to go to September café in St. Henri, but the line was multiple blocks long. We ended up having a quick coffee at Mina Mina cafe by Atwater market before hopping on le Metro back to the Mile End, where we had a delicious and casual lunch at Au Coin.

Honourable mention for our pre-lunch stop at Paris Montreal, where the pieces were heavenly and very reasonably priced, and the store design was exceptional.

Our legs were so tired from walking all day that we took a siesta before heading to dinner at Lemeac, a Montreal classic that I’ve had on my list for ages. Steak frites and an indulgent chocolate cake with popcorn flavoured ice cream amidst a monsoon-like downpour felt like the sex of life. We walked home like two giddy girls still in college, and the sun came out for a gorgeous sunset as we walked along Parc Jeanne Mance.

The next day we were on set for a full eleven hours, clinging to the delight that was the past weekend to get us through a long (albeit very fun!) day.

For our final meal in Montreal we went to Fleurs et Cadeaux, a sweet little gift-shop-turned-Japanese-inspired-restaurant-and-bar and ordered a good chunk of the menu. I highly recommend both noodle dishes, the sashimi, and the agedashi tofu. And their wine list.

I’ve been saying yes to a lot of things I haven’t done in a while. Yes to a 7am Pilates class with a friend, yes to drinks that same night, yes to playing hooky and reading by the pool. I’ll grind away in the winter.

I also purged at least a third of my closet to make space for my Graham (he’s moving in!), forcing me to confront my sentimental tendencies head on and have a little cry as I relinquished garments to loved ones. The guidelines for purging: if I hadn’t worn a piece in over a year it went in a pile; if I had extreme attachment (my mother’s suits) it stayed. And if I couldn’t remember what I’d put in the pile it was out.

Since then (and it’s been only a matter of days) I’ve found myself predisposed to reach for the same pieces in my wardrobe and it feels wonderful. There’s one piece in particular that I have worn nearly every day (or at least for part of the day), and it is one that I feel everyone has in their wardrobe already: a sheer, white long sleeve shirt.

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Now, I have plenty of white shirts in my wardrobe, but I’m feeling deeply attached to the sheerness, drapiness, and oversized-ness of this very simple Baserange iteration. I got it while shopping at Gray’s in Toronto, and only realized after purchasing that it was actually a size large (I try things for feel, not size). This ended up being the best case scenario, as it was perfectly oversized and drapey in all the ways I wanted.

Here’s basically the same outfit, but the daytime/casual version. It feels pyjamas and yet I feel sexy? I know there’s a science behind that somewhere. I knew that thrifting these shorts a couple years ago was the correct move - I had no idea how to wear any form of athletic wear in a non athletic context until this summer. That’s evolution.

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How is it that in the past, I tried to wear as little as possible in order to feel gorgeous. Now, I feel better than ever in the above outfit and I’m basically completely covered. I return time and time again to the concept of “Subtle Hot”, which my mum coined a while ago, and is more so a mindset than a commodity.

There’s also a colour that I’ve felt most like myself wearing, and it’s also one you’ve probably seen everywhere. I love aquamarine for it's vibrancy and intrinsically happy qualities. It’s hard to be mad when you’re adorned in cyanic hues.

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Dressing for seratonin/happiness isn’t a new concept, nor one that I really follow with any specific recipe. But I know what makes me feel good, and right now (and last summer) it’s turquoise. It doesn’t need to be any major component of the outfit - you don’t need to reinvent the wardrobe. But isn’t this rather staple outfit so much more exciting with turquoise flats?

Perhaps you’re feeling bolder, your summer tan is just right, and you want to take the turquoise to take the main focus of your outfit a little more. I recommend going for a slightly lighter shade and paring back on the rest of your outfit.

I was most excited to see turquoise reemerge from hibernation after months of fall and winter when we started seeing Look 25 from the Chanel Metiers d’Art 2026 collection on celebrities (notably, Sarah Pidgeon).

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While this dress remains a figment of my dreams, I can find peace in knowing that this Paloma Wool dress is a similar colour and provides more everyday, easy-wearing possibilities. Excuse the mess.

I just love that a colour associated with sadness can simultaneously be one of the happiest. It’s a short newsletter today, but I’m too busy enjoying the sunshine and dining al fresco. Next week will be a thorough roundup of July’s outfits. In the meantime, hope you’re wearing things that make you feel joyful <3

If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll also know that I have a proclivity for solo travel and adventures alone. But all that changed this past year, when I found myself in the most loving partnership and I just wanted to share every experience with him. There will always be a time and a place for solo travel. But I’m learning that sometimes it’s nice to share!

I haven’t been to New York since last September for the US Open. While it was so fun, it was our first trip together and we had zero other plans. Which left our non-confrontational and people-pleasing selves being like “well what do you want to do?!”, leaving us at a stalemate. So this time I went in with an itinerary that involved a healthy dose of both work and non work-related items, which I will share with you. Because this was the best trip to New York I’d had in a long time.

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Monday

Me being me, I booked the cheapest flights to New York which had us waking up at 5am and landing in the city by 9am. We took the bus from Laguardia and the F train to 2nd Ave and checked into get us to Untitled at 3 Freeman Alley. I’m a sucker for the Ludlow and am lucky to usually stay here, but with FIFA and so much going on in the city, rates were nearly double what I’ve paid in the past. And I wanted to shop…so here we are. Untitled is clean, reliable, and has surprisingly delicious pastries included with your room booking every morning.

Our room wasn’t ready until later in the afternoon, and with rainclouds looming in the sky we decided to book it to the Met. I haven’t been in ages, and we ended up spending four hours there. It really is so special experiencing such a classic tourist spot through someone else’s eyes - I got to appreciate the George Nakashima chairs and table truly for the first time in the Asian Art wing (I had no idea!) and shared my love for Astor Court and the period rooms in the American wing.

After checking in we quickly changed for a dinner reservation at Demo, a place I love especially for the banana pudding dessert.

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Tuesday

The entire catalyst of this trip was a collaboration with ALDO which required me to shoot in NYC, so we turned the shoot into a week. And I’m so glad I didn’t just do an in-and-out trip, because Tuesday was the scheduled shoot day and we got completely rained out. That left a gaping hole in my schedule that I decided to fill with shopping. Graham was meeting a friend and going for an insanely long run so I took the opportunity to do some damage.

My first stop was A.W. Kaufman on Orchard, which I couldn’t resist despite exercising control past every other store. I was curious! And I was pleased to discover vintage slip dresses and robes in just about every colour, silhouette, and designer possible. My main regret is not getting a gorgeous aquamarine slip dress, but I did find this extra long Dior lingerie robe that I’ll be wearing with jeans and a scoop neck tank.

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I spontaneously booked an appointment at the Sophie Bille Brahe showroom on Madison and made my way to the UES for my first big jewellery purchase. Michelle from SBB was absolutely lovely, she was patient with my giddiness and let me play dress up with so many different rings. I ended up getting this one, but I think I’m going to be back soon for the others. How beautiful would a whole hand of SBB be?

I then scrambled back downtown to Bar Oliver to meet my friend Natalie for birthday drinks and a long overdue catchup since her moving to New York. Confirming she loved the jewellery case, and I loved the Iberian Spritz! After parting ways, I was absolutely exhausted and ordered soup dumplings from Joe’s Shanghai immediately to my hotel room. I was asleep by 10:30. The perfect evening.

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Wednesday

Rockaways day! I was talking with a friend recently and we were saying how bustling it is outside of the city. The one forecasted sunny day in the week was our designated beach day, and we took the ferry from South Port all the way to Rockaways. We spotted dolphins leaping out of the water - it was literally the meme of Mamdani and the Knicks and the dolphins and rainbows. Magic.

Before we became absolute beach bums, we hopped on the bus to Jacob Riis Park to visit the old bathhouse, which will be turning into a new social club hopefully this summer. The club itself will be a multifaceted venue and I think it’s a very productive use of space, but what I was most impressed with was how it really is a passion project between people who love good design and locals who have spent much of their lives there. So many of the tiles you’ll see are from the original bathhouse, and have been individually restored and cleaned until they gleam. I’m excited to see the final product.

It’s important to note that after the tour, I had the best tacos of my life.

After swimming in the ocean and jumping many waves, we rushed back to catch a 7pm Lynchian themed jazz show at the Red Room in Brooklyn. I got to wear my Michelle Del Rio skirt and incredible fringed belt. And then we downed an entire pizza at Roberta’s and it was lit with candles and no one had their phones out. Truly a perfect night!

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Thursday

The morning was spent shooting, but I did pop into Kallmeyer’s Madison Ave store and was so very tempted (and still am) by this gorgeous caftan style dress. The ecom photos don’t do it justice - take it from this photo:

After a day of working and meetings, I crossed off another item on my bucket list: a visit to the Judd Foundation in SoHo. I’ve passed this building so many times and loved poking my head in but was always too intimidated to book a tour. No photos were allowed inside apart from the main floor, but I cannot recommend a tour here enough. It was a very special experience, and our guide (I believe her name was Lourdes) was a walking Judd encyclopedia. You can easily book guided tours via the Judd Foundation website.

Friday

On Fridays we Frick! If you don’t already know, Louis Vuitton and the Frick Museum have partnered to make the first Friday of every month free between 5:30-9pm!

We did not happen to visit on one of these special free days, but we did go on a Friday and I cannot believe it took me this long to visit such an exquisite building and art collection. What I loved most was that no photos were permitted outside the garden room, so - like my visit to the Judd Foundation - I felt exceptionally present.

In an ode to the Guilded age, I christened my Sac Décoratif bag which arrived just in time for this trip, and wore the most perfect casual column dress (<$250!)

After the Frick we got the most delicious bagels at Bagel Shop on 93rd and 3rd. Apollo Bagels might be trendy and crunchy and delicious, but Bagel Shop is the quintessential New York Bagel with a capital B, and it was one of the freshest bagels I’ve ever had.

I then hailed a cab for the first time in my life (can you believe it!) and we sped back down to the LES to pop into the Emily Dawn Long showroom, where I had very good luck and promptly purchased a Nobody Dances Anymore tee and the perfect periwinkle polo knit.

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The evening was spent at Schmuck, where we a) didn’t have to wait in line, but b) were asked to cash out after 2 drinks due to the ever-growing line, and c) while my martini tonic was delicious, we were underwhelmed by the other drinks. Maybe I’m just too classic with my cocktails.

Saturday

Oh, Saturday was a Big Day. We started off by walking over the Brooklyn Bridge (we had to! We were playing tourist and we can appreciate a good bridge) to head to the Brooklyn Flea early before it got too crowded. We also popped into Hudson Wilder to visit Conway, who showed us an incredible incense holder fastened to a light fixture. I could listen to Conway talk about all the objects in the store for hours.

We stopped by 7th St. Burger before walking back across the bridge to meet friends for a typical afternoon of meandering and window shopping (with some actual shopping).

I’ll spare you the minutiae save for two anecdotes:

First, when we walked into Beverly’s Shop we were greeted by the most delicious and unique scent that was all too familiar - I knew I’d smelled it before. Upon asking the associate, they informed me that it was “a mix of all the room sprays they were selling.” This seemed totally wrong because we sprayed all the scents at once and they had entirely different notes.

I then remembered my friend had gotten me a candle from Beverly’s a couple years ago that smelled exactly like that. And so I asked if it was a candle, but was urgently told no, it can’t be. There was, indeed, a candle burning in the back, but it was way way back, and it would be too far away to smell, no?

Thank goodness I’m terrible at deleting photos, because I found a picture of the bottom of the candle I had gotten from Sam and I was able to locate the brand. And thank goodness we walked into another store that smelled the exact same as Beverly’s and they confirmed the candle brand I had photographed years ago was, in fact, the correct brand.

And it’s not a fancy brand by any means - it’s actually a bit scrappy, and I was shocked that a candle with such a beautiful and classic and delicate scent was so inexpensive. For my Canadian friends, it’s also available here on Amazon.

Anyway, take that Beverly’s (I’ll still shop there and I still love your store).

The second detail of note is that I found this gorgeous textile from Desert Vintage, which someone unsuccessfully tried to snatch from me. The hues of pink and orange are absolutely insane, and the photos do not do it justice.

After such an eventful and, dare I say, successful afternoon, we had a few glasses of chilled red wine at Valentina’s before heading to my favourite Malaysian restaurant in New York. My family first went to Nyonya on Canal over fifteen years ago, and I have to say it still holds up. We ordered the mee goreng, roti prata, beef satay, and nasi lemak, and not a crumb was left. I didn’t even get a good picture, but that’s a sign of a reallyyyy good meal.

Sunday

No trip to NY is complete without a run around the reservoir at Central Park.

We checked out of Untitled and I felt immediately emotional. I wasn’t ready to leave!

In hindsight I wish I vlogged this trip. There was so much to see, the city felt so alive. Though I highlighted all of the touristy things we did, so much of the week was spent hanging out in the park, enjoying coffee on a bench, catching up with friends. Experiencing the mundane almost felt like we were welcomed as inhabitants of the city, and we absorbed the energy in its entirety. I can’t wait to be back, this was truly the best trip in a long time.

The best part about summer travel is that the clothes are light, meaning maximum space efficiency with as many clothes as possible.

Last week I was in Puglia, staying about an hour outside of Bari, to celebrate summer beauty newness with Chanel (read: the lipgloss of the summer, and it’s out June 16th). We stayed at the beautiful Borgo Egnazia hotel, where you could walk for ten minutes without seeing a soul. Something about the architecture and having so many nooks and pathways - the whole place felt like an entire village. It was very special.

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While my trip was brief, when you’re travelling for work, therein lies the opportunity for multiple outfit changes pr day! Which I fully took advantage of. Here is the itinerary, and what I wore each day.

Day 01

I wanted to start off with a little touch of Chanel in my travel outfit, and I found this slinky cotton knit at VSP in Toronto. I figured it would be the perfect travel long sleeve as well as a perfect cover up for boat day as it’s lightweight and a “summer knit”.

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This dress is slightly sheer with a gorgeous drape and an open back. It’s stretchy, takes very minimal space in a suitcase, doesn’t need steaming…it’s the unsung hero of travel dresses. I wore it to dinner on the first night, where I enjoyed some of the best pasta I’ve ever had. This was the perfect, low effort dress for the first night of the trip after a long travel day.

Day 02

The scarf was a bold move for 30+ degree weather, I know. But it’s light and silk and I felt the perfect laid back addition to this scoop neck slip dress, which could be very fancy if left plain. I wore this for our morning of makeup masterclasses, which was covered in the shade.

My two favourite products from the class that I tried were a new double-sided Baume Essentiel (my desert island product if anything…I always have one of these in my bag), and the Rouge Coco Hydra lip gloss. I’m shocked that Chanel didn’t have a similar product in the past - their lip glosses have come with a brush applicator (which I’m not a fan of), so I’m happy to report that this one is a doe foot. And the colour range is exceptional. My favourites include #456 (a golden neutral), and #452 (a shimmery burgundy).

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It’s not a trip to the south of Italy without a boat day! That afternoon we took a boat (shoutout Linda) from the port at Monopoli and rode to Polignano a Mare, which I’m now convinced is best observed from the sea, at a distance (don’t bother with the restaurants in the caves).

I loveeee boat day. There is no better feeling! And though I am not comfortable with swimsuit pics, I love my Hunza G bikini. I got this one last year and haven’t bothered investing in a new one since - the fit and quality is incredible. Get the good stuff and wear it over and over, am I right!

After a long and most satisfying afternoon on the boat, we had a little time to get ready for dinner. The evenings in Puglia cool off nicely to afford a little more layering without melting, and I took the opportunity to wear my new Michelle del Rio belt.

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And here is the look from another angle. I love this belt so much.

Day 03

Day three was a scorcher. I started off the day with a perfect breakfast plate, which included my favourite mozzarella nodini: individually knotted mozz balls that are delightfully bite sized and a little salty. Best served within the first few hours of making them! I also tried la frisella for the first time. While I was skeptical of the whole soaking-the-bread-in-water process, it was delicious. A great and resourceful use of older or crusty bread.

We started off the day revisiting the Chanel villa (where we had the masterclass the day before). I christened another Michelle del Rio piece, a skirt which I anticipate will be my summer uniform.

Once we arrived at the villa, I hung out by the pool and immediately became infatuated with this shade of nail polish:

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After spending some time at the villa we drove to the town of Ostuni, a small town about a 30 minute drive away from the hotel. It’s got beautiful ceramics and feels a hit like Greece with its white buildings that make for a magnificent view from afar. The scorching heat called for minimal clothing.

Honourable mention goes to this Madewell bag, which I transparently received as part of a partnership but now wear very very often.

Also can we please take in these plates of Orecchiette with their individual balls of burrata! I’m drooling.

I was dumb and forgot my wallet at the hotel, so no ceramic purchases were made unfortunately. In hindsight, I don’t know how I would’ve gotten any of that home with my carry-on suitcase situation, though I feel like with ceramics they’d have to be shipped or hand carried.

Once we got back to the hotel it was time to get ready for a cocktail party/fancy evening! I had the privilege of getting my makeup done by Julie Cusson, Chanel Canada’s makeup artist. We experimented with a smoky eye look and the darkest shade available in the new Duo Des Baumes.

I was so sad to leave the next day! In hindsight I should have extended the trip by a day to soak up the beautiful pools a little more. And eat more mozzarella nodini. But I’ll be back in Puglia soon! In the meantime, I’ll be listening exclusively to Italian disco.

Ciao! xx

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First of all, a very belated thank you for the sweet response! I’m overjoyed to see how much so many of you shared my love for beautiful adornments. I also ended up acquiring a few pieces from some designers on the list, namely Giunia, Thaleia, Sapir Bachar, and Kara Yoo. And I was fortunate to meet the founder of Laoli while in Paris this past March. Support your favourite independent designers where you can!

I’m happy to report that I’m back with round two of jewellery designers that you should have on your radar. Some you may already be familiar with, but as we ramp up for summer and the clothing layers shed, I already am looking more towards jewellery to create spice and dimension with my style. I hope that this gives you a new perspective into the beautiful world of wearable heirlooms.

A note: as mentioned in my first jewellery brand roundup, not all of these brands are instantly shoppable. I’m not here to make a commission off of this post (though if you end up buying anything from these brands, please send me a message because I would love to know more!). I am of the firm belief that social media can be a healthier and more inspiring place if we flood our feeds with art and design. It’s free to follow, so if anything let this be a sign to visually indulge and support that way.

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BY MY HANDS

It’s not hard to be drawn to Jeannie’s hand-carved and individually made pieces with vibrant yet sophisticated colour combinations. Every piece feels intentional, and she’s done an incredible job of carving her own creative corner in the jewellery world. Every piece is exquisite yet unpretentious, playful without feeling childish, and I dream of wearing a Goldilocks signet ring on my pinky. Her website says new things are launching this month, so stay tuned!

JUDE

Judy Carter has one of those vibrant and warm personalities that instantly makes you feel warm and nurtured. Her boutique L’Eau is a Muskoka fixture, and she counts Lisa Rinna and her daughters as regulars. Her jewellery pieces are all unique, and all have a distinct thread of joy and celebration that make them recognizable. I have one of her fish charms from last year’s collection, and this year I am thinking of investing in her Multi-stone Sun Charm and a one of a kind colourful ring.

GALA COLLIVET DENNISON

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If I had to wear just a singular piece of jewellery, please let it be a single statement ring made by Gala Collivet Dennison. Next time I’m at a Dover Street Market or at Old Jewellery in New York, you best believe I’ll be trying them on. Every piece is like a piece of delicious, vanilla bean flavoured candy. I don’t even know if that exists. But I love how they seem to celebrate the wearer with their individuality, and create a statement accentuated even further by the most casual of clothes.

ZYCLOOM

You may have already heard of this brand through their recent J.Crew collaboration. I’m obsessed with the above watermelon pink ring for the chunkiness and crisp rectangular prism of a stone bound by the most delicate of bands. The physics contradict each other, creating a sense of play within every piece. My favourite designs are the Hudson ring and the sunshine earrings.

PANCONESI

I became infatuated with this dinner party setup early this year. While their candle holders seem to be one off designs that aren’t available, I can only dream of a tablescape like this.

CANO

I first learned of this Columbian designer at the Merci C’est Vintage popup in Paris and I think it was the first time in a long time that I had been drawn to gold. I think that’s because the pieces are predominantly brushed metal, which gives that gorgeous patina that instantly takes a look from good to sophisticated. Every piece feels like a beautiful piece of uncovered treasure.

LE SUNDIAL

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The girls love this one, and it’s not hard to see why. Founder Silvia Dusci is just the chicest. I love that she’s expanding the world of Le Sundial into all accessories - seeing her Lydia eel clutch in the final sample stages was truly a dream, and I have it on my wishlist along with her ivory eclipse pendant.

SCHO

Korean-born designer Sarah Cho is special. Her pieces emanate a strength and almost brutal simplicity, without sacrificing femininity. I am especially fond of the Filt bag for lipstick (perfect for a more ornamental lipstick such as Chanel le 31 Rouge, Dries lipstick, or Byredo. In a similar vein, I am also enamoured by her silver scent holder, which would provide some use for all of the perfume samples I hoard in my closet.

DON’T LET DISCO

It took me a while to get the pun on this name, I’m embarrassed to say. But if you’re from New York you probably already know of the incredible work Ashley is doing with this very special brand. I had the privilege of attending one of her jewellery making workshops at Absolutely Fabrics in Toronto and she is someone who instantly motivates you and makes you feel amazing.

ANCHI

I can’t help but think of a beautiful tropical underworld when I see any of Anchi’s pieces. Each is fluid poetry and fun and colourful and delightful. Everything is made to order, though there are some pieces on Casa Shop Rare.

DEUX AMIS

Brands that do a combination of one off special pieces in addition to a core collection feel especially human to me. Something about it reminds me that there are individuals working on building something (your core pieces produced in multiples), but these individuals don’t want to sacrifice creativity and individuality. That is what I love about this husband and wife duo behind Deux Amis. And I am obsessed with the domino earrings!

IZABO

This feels like the perfect combination of very wearable silhouettes (think Lié studio “everydayness” and a little something extra. It’s like grown up and a little c*nty. It’s so liveable and yet so noticeable. It feels like pieces taken from a very chic and cool aunt who lives in a foreign city and summers in the south of Italy, but like on a farm that’s within walking distance from the beach. Does that make any sense?

ALIGHIERI

One day, mark my words, I’m going to have a dinner party where all the dessert spoons will be Alighieri. Or maybe just the butter knives. Or maybe this chic bottle opener. The world is my oyster!!!

In retrospect, she wasn’t wrong - I seemed to forgo anything that was angular. And I felt that I didn’t necessarily need to convey my personality through anything considered “edgy” or loud. The style simply didn’t resonate. I wish I could tell my younger self that it was okay.

It wasn’t until I discovered Stella McCartney for Chloe, watched Picnic at Hanging Rock and The Virgin Suicides (and literally every Sophia Coppola film), that I found a reconciliation between softness, dreaminess, and sensuality. I felt more connected to clothing items that were ethereal and wispy. I reckon it’s from having a wild imagination, from maturing a bit later, from enjoying solitude, from spending summers entirely outside. And now, over a decade later, I’m grateful for that mentality.

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I think the following video, though about beauty, sums up what I’m trying to say:

I think what I’m trying to get at is that it’s still beautiful to be soft. And I’m exploring that in my summer dressing particularly through texture. Softness can be a silhouette and an attitude, but it can also mean sheerness, lace, chiffon - anything gentle and plush. And those textures - there’s a sensuality to them.

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I love subscribing to and reading ’s Substack (worth paying for, trust me!), and she has such a great theory on visual weight in a space. Essentially, having a variance in visual weight lends balance and makes a space feel complete. translates this particularly well in her style ethos with her seasonality grid, I was struck particularly by this post last year on levering negative space and certain textures to give an outfit levity. A key takeaway for me was that raffia bags can, in fact, be worn in spring, and they actually look pretty incredible with a long trench or a leather jacket.

Earlier this month the addition of lace and texture looked something like this:

or like this:

Layering textures for variance in levity is excellent and all when the weather ranges between 10-20 degrees Celcius. But then we enter summer months, and we start to shed as many outfit components as possible in the interest of comfort. At least, I do. This is why I’ve been leaning so heavily into multi-media garments, or pieces that incorporate lace, crochet, and the beauty of a good trim to add embellishment and frivolity with minimal extra garments involved. Maximum efficiency!

Heat prevents our brain from making informed decisions on how to dress. We’re concerned only with staying cool (or getting a tan, such is the case with me unfortunately. With loads of SPF). This year, I’m making it my personal vendetta to avoid (as much as possible) the temptation to forego style this summer by means of considering textural levity in my looks. But with summer, the goal is to remain visually interesting with minimal layers.

Rather than shying away from the texture, what if we just really leaned into the Chloe by Stella McCartney or Southern Gothic of it all? Lace, ribbon, the works? The result for me was this look.

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I feel, in a very inverse and loose way, tied to this look:

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Or perhaps you live in a more casual city and the frivolity of the above look extends beyond your comfort capacity. Or maybe the heat is just too extreme. How about the following:

And so on.

The conceit of this is that with each of these outfits, I feel wholly myself, and still feel a sense of my personality shining through. I feel a sense of softness and delicateness with each look, and yet I still feel like I can be “hot”.

Some other whimsical and dreamy considerations:

• I’m dreaming of artwork by Gabriela Mifsud. Her colourful and elegant paintings are gorgeous and feminine while still remaining classic. I hope to have one hanging up behind my couch!

• This playlist and much of Sarah Kinsley’s discography has been on repeat!

• These daisy-dotted glasses from one of my favourites, Laguna B glassware

• This piece in Porter magazine about the death of the dinner party (don’t be misled by the headline. We’re talking about the death of stuffiness!)

Happy fairy girl summer!

Substack took a bit of a back seat during this time, which I think is okay because there’s plenty of people I admire to tell you what to wear instead anyway. I’ve found myself wearing all of the items I mentioned here as a mindless uniform to throw on, but Spring is highly unpredictable here and there were still days where I found myself in my parka. If you need a refresher:

I can reflect back on each quarter and attribute a word to it, but I want to be preemptive and do the same for the quarter ahead. Since Q1 and the first third of Q2 were an absolute grind, my word for Q2 is routine. I don’t want to stray from everything I’ve built up from this first part of the year, but I feel like I’ve finally found my footing and can return to doing all the things I love as well. I can get dressed in inspiring outfits again. I can run again (my sprained ankle is on the mend. Yay!). I can spend more time with my loved ones. And on a good day, I can make spontaneous plans.

The return to actually dressing has felt incredible and inspiring. In the thick of all the event planning, my work days were 12-16 hours long, and the weather was miserable and snowy. I found myself in sweatpants more often than I’d like. April was the perfect breath of fresh air to clean out my closet, find old and new staples, and rediscover my love for dressing.

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It’s been a while since I’ve done my intentional dressing exercise! Here’s what I have been wearing this month:

1.

Activities/tasks: first patio lunch!

Outfit description: Rue Sophie trench, Gil Rodriguez leggings, Vince crochet bag, Chanel slingbacks, and Flore Flore Esme tank (not pictured)

Notes: I felt so chic wearing this ensemble for my first outdoor lunch meeting of the year! If last year I was obsessed with my Kallmeyer trench that draped to the floor, something about this shorter length feels delightfully practical. I’ve been making an effort to take public transportation and bike more, and this length facilitates both those intentions far more than something that trails the ground (though I love my Kallmeyer trench and will never part with her because she is elegant and, with a kitten heel, unstoppable!).

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2.

Activities/tasks: Lunch, running errands

Outfit description: Donni shirt, Nothing Written pants, Peche shoes (I can’t find this style anymore but I’m dying over these), vintage Kelly

Notes: Gosh do I ever love this red and brown colour combo. And if ever a new piece has become happily integrated into my wardrobe, it’s these Nothing written pants. The perfect straight leg, low rise, and a length that works well with heels (how I’m styling them here) or flip flops! Here are the pants again in situ:

3.

Activities/tasks: Dinner with Frette

Outfit description: Still Here jeans, Prada blazer (similar here and here), vintage Chanel minaudiere, YSL heels

Notes: Sometimes I just need to resort to tried and true basics, and this Prada jacket that I bought secondhand never fails me. Neither do the Still Here Everyday jeans. I have multiple washes and find myself reaching for them again and again. And I’m going to drop another pic of this purse here because what a vintage find! Pissed n’ Broke vintage. You’re welcome. Give her some time to get things to you.

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4.

Activities/tasks: First warm day

Outfit description: DL1961 Shorts (use SASHA15 for 15% off), Atticus Dean tank, Siyazu jacket (direct link here, similar here), Jude mules

Notes: You know that one outfit you have that has the lowest cost per wear? For me, that’s this look. These shorts have been on repeat ever since I got them, and this jacket is seasons old but is so loved by me and my friends who steal it from me. And the mules. If you had to get one pair of Jude shoes, let it be the cave mules. I waited months for them to restock and they were well worth the wait. And below is the outfit in a slightly different font, if you will, but shows just how perfect the shorts are:

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5.

Activities/tasks: running errands

Outfit description: Nothing Written dark navy jacket, Theory pants (unfortunately mostly sold out but some available here), Balenciaga bag

Notes: Okay, I caved. I got the Rodeo bag. And I don’t regret it! I was debating for a while between the medium and the large, and felt that the medium size was too similar to my Chanel 25. It’s been my overnight bag, the perfect work bag. I got mine directly from the store but learned after that it’s shockingly less expensive on Cettire. And a special shoutout to these low-maintenance-but-goes-with-everything Theory pants, which are machine washable and are perfect for travelling.

6.

Activities/tasks: Dinner with Dyson to celebrate the launch of their travel hair dryer (which works with all adaptors and is nice and neat and tiny for your suitcase!)

Outfit description: Siyazu jacket (see outfit #4 for similar links), Atticus Dean top, Khaite clutch, Rotate leather skirt, Etro shoes (limited sizing of this colourway here, more in burgundy here)

Notes: What I found beautiful about April was seeing the same pieces work so well with multiple outfits and having each one feel unique. This Atticus Dean tank top is the perfect scoop neck, low back, sexy top for a night out, and I’ve already sung this jacket’s praises. Am I forming a capsule wardrobe?

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7.

Activities/tasks: Dinner at Isabelle’s

Outfit description: vintage caftan from Merci C’est Vintage, Theory pants, Khaite clutch, Elsa Peretti bottle necklace

Notes: I found this caftan in Paris and knew it was very special - its ornateness paired with a trouser and flip flop feels very Olsenian! And I felt the dusty pink clutch was a nice contemporary touch to balance things out.

While I appreciate the influx of pastel that appears in my social feeds in springtime, this has never been a colour palette that flatters my skin tone, freshly freezer burned from winter. I’m pale, blue, dry, and of ill appearance, and the promise of melatonin in my skin is still weeks away, even with my self tanner putting in the work in the meantime. Thus, I rely constantly on saturated undertones if that makes any sense (I have yet to get a colour analysis). I’m honing in my spring colour palette to the following:

I believe that a lot of what I’m excited to wear for spring are pieces that already exist in my wardrobe - some have been in deep hibernation for years, but everything is cyclical! The start of a new season brings the perfect opportunity to try everything on and see if any old items spark new intrigue.

What I will invest in is my baseline look. I’ve just ordered the Still Here Life jean, which I love because it has a shorter inseam than their Everyday jean, and with spring rains and the reintroduction of ballet flats into circulation, I’m looking for something that doesn’t necessarily graze the ground but also isn’t necessarily cropped. I’m also whipping out my Flore Flore and Leset boatneck tops, which I own in two different sleeve lengths (the Steffi pictured below looks best pushed to a 3/4 sleeve length, the Margo is slightly baggier).

This is a baseline look that is still very much appropriate for winter, but provides us with a strong foundation that can suit temperature fluctuation. It’s very standard, but intentionally so - I want it to be pieces that you might already have, so you can build off of that.

I think that most of my spring wardrobe can stem from this simple combination of top and bottom. We then lean on embellishment and accessories to make a vast difference. My eye is most often drawn to people who accessorize exceptionally well, who aren’t afraid to wear loud jewellery and shoes and bags, but appear to have a rotation of three/four core base outfits. I don’t know what it is - perhaps it’s the dichotomy of simple and playful. It translates as joyous and self-assured.

For early spring weather, though I’ve been one to resort constantly to my leather bomber jacket, I am loving the idea of a chic carpet coat. Like a coat that looks like a carpet. Last year was my Kallmeyer trench era, and this year I think I want something a little more visually maximalist. I think we’re sleeping on secondhand Etro coats - there’s so many options on Vestiaire and eBay. Some of my favourites are below:

From top left corner, clockwise: 1, 2, 3, 4

If you’re thinking these colours are a little dark for spring, think of the footwear possibilities. And styling the coat as unbuttoned will allow the white of the baseline shirt to provide levity. Upon digging into my closet I rediscovered my Gucci horsebit flats, and while I hate retreating to saying the phrase “pop of colour”, it really is a good one. So the whole look could come together as follows:

Since we’re playing with proportions and the dynamic that comes with varying lengths (a real refresher since my strict implementation of a Neutral Coat in my winter coats piece!), another length dynamic I’m looking forward to styling for spring is a ballerina cropped cardigan. I love ballet-core, though I struggle to find the appropriate layering measures. In small fragments, the aesthetic is so satisfying. Layering a shorter piece over the long length of the base shirt is so chic and adds dimension to the outfit that can still be paired with a coat on top. Alaïa comes to mind immediately:

1. a literal ballet bolero

2. I am obsessed with this one and if you don’t buy it, I will

3. I love this one layered with a long sleeve or worn on its own

4. we need to talk about this cheetah print!

5. The asymmetrical length of this Chloe jacket is beyond

If you want to shop within your own closet, think of the cardigans you already have. In the winter they are worn buttoned to the top, if only for practical reasons. Spring offers an undoing, where we no longer have to fear the cold and can play with buttoning variations. That is a rather roundabout way of advising you to just fasten the top button, and leave the rest open, creating an effect similar to that of the cropped cardigan. I personally lived in this cardigan and my colourful versions from J.Crew, both of which are the perfect length for this type of styling.

Are we getting the picture here? The base outfit remains the same - it’s just a simple top and jeans. But the textures, lengths, and accessories we layer have a profound effect. I can count six textures alone in the above moodboard: denim, suede, cashmere, leather, canvas, and shimmery mother of pearl. It’s visually compelling, and the longer one looks at the outfit, the more there is to discover. My favourite kind of look!

I don’t possess many memories of my early years in Kuala Lumpur. I moved to Canada when I was too young. But I think of my mother, who left her whole life in her home country behind at thirty-four to move with my father and two rambunctious young daughters in her lap to start a new life in Canada. No friends, no existing community.

I’ve found myself throughout the years imagining her childhood, the little girl whose dad worked in the tin mines surrounding Ipoh, how he once clung to a tree for life as a flash flood swept the region and, during his childhood, remembers having to bow down to the Japanese during the occupation. I think of my grandmother, who grew up so poor that for her birthday she got two eggs, and though she was forced to drop out of school young, remains one of the wittiest people I know.

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I think of Kuala Lumpur, my birth town, and how vastly it’s changed since the version of my childhood. The old apartment building is no longer painted baby blue, but a lifeless grey. The parks get smaller and smaller, while a concrete jungle takes over, nature still reminding us of her presence by pushing through cracks with lush greenery.

Malaysia will always be pink guava, lush greens, and coconuts to me. A musky, warm, and vibrant colour palette to match the heat and humidity. It’s Costa Brazil’s Aroma in oil embedded in orange curries and banana leaves. It is my grandmother’s cooking combined with relentless humidity.

Coming to my place of birth is a bittersweet venture - I am reminded of the passing of time, the fact that I am neither here nor there due to my mixed race, of my love for family, but also the acknowledgement that I cannot stay for long. It’s always a treat to be back for a little while and spend time with my Popo and eat all of the delicious food, which is a harmonious blend between Chinese, Thai, Indian, and Indonesian cuisines. I’m biased but Malaysian food is the best.

When the Eastern & Oriental invited me aboard their Essence of Malaysia journey a few weeks ago, I’ve never felt so nervous-excited-nostalgic in my life. What an incredible opportunity to see outside of Kuala Lumpur, to explore Malaysia’s rich and complex colonial history and reset my imagination of where I was from, all while riding a beautiful and romantic train decorated to honour the beauty of wild Malaysia.

I packed my bags and headed for Woodlands station in Singapore. Upon boarding, I was directed to my quaint state cabin.

The interior of the original Eastern & Oriental Express was designed by French designer Gerard Gallet, who paid particular attention to fabrics, textures, and textiles. Since 2024 the train sports a new design, but it pays all the same attention to detail as its predecessor. Rich jewel tones, Thai silk and Malaysian embroidery textures, and an endless sea of teak and burl wood adorn the interior of fifteen cars that transport guests to a bygone era of Southeast Asia.

I wish I could pick a favourite part of the train. The decadent dining cars, the piano bar, the Dior Spa, all lead back to the observation deck, prefaced by a beautiful little bar. To order a martini and sit aboard the open-air deck, gazing at the railroad and the surrounding jungle, is an experience I will never forget.

The first night was a lot of soaking it all in, venturing from the view on the observation deck to enjoying a delightful meal by chef André Chiang, indulging a glass of wine, and then retiring to the piano bar for traditional Malaysian jazz.

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On the first day trip we ventured to Langkawi island, a place I’d been to back in 2022. After about an hour boat ride we arrived on shore, to such a vast and deep stretch of beach, the likes of which I’d never seen before. Disclaimer: I wish I had pictures, but by an unfortunate mistake I broke my phone and was unable to document the beach. But what I remember the most is the silence - the vast stretch of land so large that all sound vanished into the air. There was only the tropical breeze and the gentle waves, and it was so relaxing.

After a couple hours on the beach we ventured on a short tour of Langkawi’s mangroves, an ecosystem threatened by erosion and reckless tourism (we were with a very responsible guide determined to protect the region’s diverse ecosystem).

The second day was my favourite. We stopped in Penang’s Georgetown, with its perfectly preserved colonial buildings painted in varying pastel colours. Malaysia’s spice capital (the food is very spicy), filled with street murals and sculptures, possessed a vibrancy that Kuala Lumpur lacked. We took a Vespa tour to explore some of the city’s cultural offerings, including a traditional Chinese puppet opera, a batik designer’s workshop, and a stop at Seven Terraces hotel, which had an antique shop possessing one of the most impressive collections I’ve ever seen.

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Penang reignited my love for Malaysia and its vibrancy - the street art, the passion, the grittiness and the colours. But what truly made me stop in wonder was a brief little walking tour of old Ipoh, where my mum spent her childhood. I only have one film photo, and that is of the gates outside the old post office.

Each organized excursion was meticulously planned and flawlessly executed by the Belmond team, from the boat rides to Langkawi to the personal Vespa drivers in Penang. Even our sweet tour guide in Ipoh was charming and memorable. But the most outstanding part of the Eastern & Oriental Express was the food. Chef André Chiang and his team outdid themselves every meal, which was as much a performance as it was an homage to Malaysia’s finest street food classics, reimagined for fine dining. My favourite was the laksa bouillabaisse.

The beauty of the Eastern & Oriental is that you can have such an enriching experience just from being on the train. The delicious meals and tea times, indulgent facials and massages at the spa, even just walking back and forth across the beautiful wooden cabins felt magical and surreal.

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My favourite, most meditative moment of all though, was staring out the window in my cabin, intermittently looking down to write postcards.

I think a lot about Didion’s quote (which in itself is a quote), “Take no cutoffs”. I learned it means take no shortcuts. A bit of a paradox to take no shortcuts but “hurry along”, but after a lot of contemplating I feel this is deeply emblematic of the journey I had on the E&O. Malaysia is a small country geographically compared to Canada; it only takes a day to drive through it. But what would the point of that be when you can take three days and make stops along the way, to see all the sights and soak in all that wild, wild Malaysia has to offer?

I stare out the window, writing my postcards. The palm trees and the jungle become a green blur as the train chugs along the rail, and occasionally we pass houses and whole neighbourhoods. And even though I am alone, I feel the sweeping presence of my mother, my grandmother, my grandfather, and all who came before, where I was from.

Explore journeys aboard Belmond’s Eastern & Oriental Express.

“What?” I say, the clueless daughter I am. I think my dad and I were talking about investments.

“I’m just saying, don’t get your hopes up.” I conclude this must be coming from a protective motherly instinct. For context, this is the first Valentine’s Day this decade where I actually have a significant other, and I’m flying back home from my Asia trip on February 13th to be there for it. If you want to hear about last Valentine’s Day, I wrote about it here:

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The timing of my return from Asia is very convenient, but by February 13th I will have been in Asia for almost three weeks, and I am already homesick. Plus I have to work. And you know what, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to be with your boyfriend on Valentine’s Day.

“What the heck?” I say, because I have no filter. “When have I ever gotten my hopes up about Valentine’s Day? What does that even mean?” Does she think I’m expecting to be taken out, to be wined and dined, to have my boyfriend parachute out of the sky and proclaim his love from the rooftops? Does she think I am expecting extravagant gifts? I try to think about where my mother would have inferred this from. Could it be from my Instagram and the fact that I like shopping?

The thing is, my sweet boyfriend did have a plan to go out for dinner on Valentine’s Day, to which I protested and demanded we cook and stay in and watch a movie and be cozy. Going out on Valentine’s Day is overrated. I deeply object to him spending inflated amounts on a prix fixe dinner while we people watch and gossip about who is performative, and I deeply object to the notion that we concentrate all grand acts of love to one day as indicated by Hallmark.

I did say I’d like a handwritten note and for the day to be just the two of us. But that’s all.

“Just…don’t expect him to get you anything or do anything.” my mother says, wary.

My mum knows me very well, but this is where she gets me all wrong. Because getting me anything has never been a part of my relationship. Rather, I reserve the right to opulence for myself. As someone who has spent the majority of Valentine’s Days very single, I’ve learned to make it an opportunity to treat myself.

It’s all about mindset: any occasion to celebrate must be seized. This applies to birthdays, Christmas, your 10 000th day on earth, Earth Day, National Sibling Day, etc. When it comes to Valentine’s Day - this is a cliché - it’s about all types of love. And, as with anything, when you give something you cannot expect the same in return. In that case, we must ensure we’re giving ourselves a little something.

With that in mind, here is a simple outline on how I normally spend Valentine’s Day.

Pay yourself first.

The most important rule of finance applies to the start of our celebration of love. However, the usual terms are different at this time. I believe an act of love is something that comes by choice, not out of necessity. So we must pay ourselves with an opulent gesture, by getting ourselves something frivolous and hedonistic and beautiful. Valentine’s Day is not the day for the stock market. It is for glamour and utter delight and heaps of chocolate.

Never expect someone to get you exactly what you want - I think a gift for yourself is an act of self love. Here are some decadent gifts for your consideration:

1. A Sophie Bille Brahe jewellery box

2. You will need something to go in the jewellery box

3. Shoes that Sofia Coppola herself would approve of

4. A vintage perfume bottle to dab on your skin as you indulge in the ritual of getting ready to go out.

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5. Lingerie - for you

6. On that note, this makes a great gift

7. On a similar note, consider these vintage Cartier lighters, available for shockingly less than $300.

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8. I fear this veers slightly practical, but one most definitely needs a luxurious makeup brush set

Send your friends love notes.

I love luxurious stationary - nothing leaves an impression quite like it. It is a small but noticeable detail, and I know I’m not alone when I say I save every single card I’ve ever received. These sweet Smythson cards are sure to please. Burn a nice candle, play some Lana in the background, and use your favourite pen. Make it as meditative as journalling while you pour your heart out.

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Have an everything shower.

Shampoo, conditioner, hair mask, serum, oil, shower, shave, shower scent, body scrub. Make yourself squeaky clean and fresh, and spritz a little perfume on while naked afterwards. Wash away any past dating horrors.

And while you’re at it, here is a dreamy playlist to accompany your ritual (I’m sorry in advance that Cameron Winter is on it):

Schedule a martini and dessert night

No need to deal with dinner. Get a late night reservation (or stay in) just for dessert and martinis. Valentine’s Day was always for the girls.

Happy love day! xx

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2. Textures and colours at Rescha.

This brand makes me very, very excited to get dressed.

3. Florist bags, handmade in Brooklyn.

Florist for fun! Do I get a market tote or a mother of pearl bag?

4. This outfit

This makes me want to whip out my bomber jacket. I found a similar look here with this jacket, these pants (I own these and they’re my fave), and this belt (or this one but it’s a different colour). Love the baggy t-shirt under the jacket just scrunched up in the front. Messy is beautiful!

5. Teeny photos in a Big Frame. And cornflower blue frames.

6. Yeodong Yun’s beautiful metal plates

7. These treats by London based Presto

I would love to have these at a dinner. Or give them as a gift.

8. Everything by Magma

9. The curation at Arrive Archive

10. Mutual aid funds in Minnesota

If you’re feeling helpless and anxious right now, be of service in any way you can. Lend an ear, donate if it’s accessible to you, talk about what is going on in the US and in the world.

11. Everything about Jonathan Anderson’s first Dior Haute Couture show.

I love a whimsical fairy wonderland. I can’t wait to see what Blazy does tomorrow at Chanel.

There’s a lot of verbiage surrounding power and control, and it’s all very thrilling, but one thing I haven’t quite been able to outsmart is annual Seasonal Depression, a.k.a. SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). You might have noticed it in my recent tone of voice. Sometimes I see my friends in NYC post pictures of their sunny, milder climate and I’m reminded of how I haven’t seen the sun in days. I see a beautiful snowstorm melt into hazardous ice and the sidewalks are filled with puddles that make me die a little death every time I step in them and my socks become soaked. Every winter I am a S.A.D. girl.

If there’s one good thing that came out of religion (and I don’t believe there are many), it’s the following definition of the verb to observe: to maintain, perform, or take part in, as in a rite or ceremony, often as a mark of respect. One observes mass, one observes the period of lent, one observes prayer. The action is weighted with severity, solemnity, and importance.

It is with the same value that I’m trying to see through this period between the Winter Solstice and the start of spring (technically on March 21, though in Canada that’s debatable). A blue period, of sorts. Things might not be as clean cut or feasible or as chic as we want them to be. But there’s beauty and growth sometimes in having to work inside a box, of finding ways to be creative within the confines of weather. I don’t mean to sound rigid, but this is the time to solidify our wardrobes, recalibrate our routines, and take care of ourselves before the weather is warm and we party.

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Today’s post is less about clothing, though I will leave you with the outfit below. For more on clothes and what I’m wearing, consider these posts on my coat rotation and getting dressed in Toronto’s winters.

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Rather, this post is more about things to do. Observing the winter blues means we must find ways to pass the time. I’m going to make a little case here and advocate for not hibernating or nesting too much. Get out - go do something that interests you. Go out and scavenge for things to make the time you do spend at home more pleasant.

I don’t think hiding at home does us any favours. A balance of both is necessary - we are deeply social creatures and I’ve never heard of anyone curing their seasonal depression by being entirely alone or stagnant. There is a beautiful line we can walk between taking care of ourselves and preparing for warmer weather, and making room for company and novelty.

When I don’t know where to begin, I like to return to the root of it all by going out for a coffee. Let’s start off with something simple. Finding a space where you can be slow and perhaps read a book, see unfamiliar but kind faces, and feel inspired by the decor and your surroundings feels fulfilling. I’m learning that I love an afternoon hot chocolate. Little things that spark joy.

Speaking of joy, there is so much pleasure to divulge from a little indulgence and the exploration of places I’ve never been before. I recently visited Living Beauty for the first time after it was recommended by so many people, and I finally understand why. Think of it like a beauty nerd’s heaven - you’ll find brands with intentional ingredient lists and formulations (no Barbara Sturm here). Instead, you’ll find cult favourite brands like Mimetique, La Bonne Brosse, Colorscience, Allies of Skin, Medicube… It’s also one of the few places in Toronto where you can also get a quality Biologique Recherche facial (and buy their products).

I’ve been treated by Erica, their aesthetician, before, when she was at Etiket (RIP). A little familiarity when someone is working on your face is always welcome. While the BR facial here is much more technical (think radiofrequency, light therapy, etc.), it still felt indulgent getting a scalp and shoulder massage as red and blue lights worked their magic on my skin. I was left looking amazing. And at CAD$195, it’s very competitively priced (these normally cost $250+).

Another thing that my little visit taught me was how big of an impact self-tanner could make. I’ve tried to embrace the pale, to accept that the lack of sun turns my skin blue, but it just doesn’t look right on me. However, I also don’t like mess. And I hate to see a self tanner that is going to stain my Tekla sheets! I was recommended James Read’s Endless Summer gradual moisturizer by the Living Beauty team and have been using it religiously since my visit. And bonus: it doesn’t smell! Now I observe the winter without looking sickly. I never said we had to observe and not feel cute.

Now, imagine going from a transformative facial one week to a lymphatic drainage massage the next. Heaven! I have been spacing out my little self-care appointments to give myself something to anticipate. This a) increases my motivation each week because there is something Gwyneth Paltrow would approve of waiting at the end of it; and b) gives me time off my phone (important!!). After my Biologique Recherche facial, I had my lymphatic drainage massage at Tight Clinic to look forward to.

I think a lot of people romanticize lymphatic drainage for those snatched before and after photos. It’s not a skinny quick fix, and your lymphatic system is actually really good at “draining: itself. But I love this style of massage after long periods of feeling icky or stagnant, because it is so good at making your muscles feel amazing. So for returning to work and business after a particularly relaxing holiday season, this is the perfect remedy.

I get really sad thinking of all the idle clothing in my wardrobe that is not getting as much wear as I’d like, due to both it being freezing and the ground being covered in slush that just spatters everywhere. So, in light of returning to roots etc., I’ve been indulging my childhood self and playing dress up. Putting together outfits and ideas in the safety of my home, experimenting with combinations, and perhaps finding something wearable. I’ve been putting more styling videos on TikTok :)

Going vintage/secondhand [window] shopping is always deeply thrilling, but especially if there’s just very little purpose for you to do so. I was at the VSP showroom just the other day playing dress up.

Unfortunately it is not open to the public but I leave you with insider intel: most pieces in the showroom are actually available online - it’s a curated edit of their inventory in a gorgeous space. I still love their Toronto store on Dundas West - there’s just more treasure hunting involved. Some recommendations of places to visit in Toronto if the showroom is not available to you:

1. VSP on Dundas West

2. Gadabout

3. Boketto

4. The Cat’s Meow

5. McTamney’s

6. Smoking Vintage

When it is time to nest and return home after all the facials and massages and vintage hunting, I’ve been indulging in the time to cook up a storm (particularly on weekends). Do you recall when I defiantly abandoned my usual Goop Detox earlier this month? See below for a refresher.

In lieu of my annual January detox, I made it a goal to try cook as much as possible during this quieter month, and maybe try a few new recipes to add to my roster. Here are the highlights of what I’ve made so far:

1. The best cinnamon buns in the world

Fun fact! I am not a baker. I completely misread the recipe the first time I tried making these, and read the temperature instructions in Celcius rather than Fahrenheit. Needless to say I killed the yeast on my first attempt and they turned out rock hard. The third batch (pictured here) was perfect. Recipe here.

2. Swamp Soup by Wishbone Kitchen

It’s not actually called swamp soup. But I like calling it that. And it’s a nice sneaky way to get your veggies in!

3. Zaynab Issa’s Meatballs

This specific recipe is from her book Third Culture Cooking, which gave me for my birthday and which I’ve been loving. A similar recipe can be found here.

4. Better Than Sex pasta

This is actually Alison Roman’s caremellized shallot recipe from her new book Something From Nothing, which I have constantly been reaching for. For this version, I added crispy pancetta and it was perfect.

5. The flavour of Thanksgiving dinner

This one is kind of a hodge-podge meal but is exceptionally cozy for this time of year. I think it captures the flavours of stuffing and holiday leftovers in an almost-cassoulet form, which are some of my favourite flavours in the whole wide world. There’s no set ingredient list - I like to clear out my fridge with this one. But this is the vague formula:

• heat a pot on the stove set to medium heat. Remove the fillings of 3-4 sausages. Add them to the pot and brown the meat until almost cooked. I use chicken or pork sausage. In the meantime, preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit

• once the meat is browned, remove from the pot but leave the juices. Add 1/4 cup olive oil and add sliced shallots (about 3, you can also use onions) and 4 cloves of garlic (sliced) to the pot. Add salt and pepper and cook for about 3-4 minutes or until shallots start to turn translucent

• roast 1 celeriac, peeled and diced and tossed in olive oil and salt, in the oven you’ve preheated, for 25 minutes

• add celery/fennel to the pot on the stove and sweat for about 10 minutes. This is also a fun time to add any fun herbs and spices. I like thyme and ground fenugreek and a bay leaf or two.

• Add 2 diced potatoes (leave the skins on) to the pot. Add a little more olive oil if necessary, definitely add more salt. Cook, stirring frequently, for 25 minutes.

• Add 2 jars of beans (I prefer Corona beans for their size, but butter beans work nicely), drained, and 1 cup chicken/bone broth and cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.

• add the roasted celeriac to the mix

• If you’re feeling fun, add a bunch of torn Tuscan kale and stir until wilted.

Serve! Sometimes I add sliced almonds for crunch.

And, of course, since we’re talking about the balance between being social and introverted, all those recipes are even better served with good company.

Wishing you all a cozy, happy winter season. I hope this provided some inspiration of things to do for the week ahead.

Weekend Digest is a glimpse into my brain. What I’ve been observing, reading, listening to. I hope it provides insight into my world as well as a little inspiration.

1. This silverware arrangement.

2. The mixed wood chairs in this table setup

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3. This glittery under-eye from Sean Levy that reminds me of my Tumblr days.

4. Mayden’s Brooklyn home on AD. I am a paying subscriber to her Substack and it’s worth every penny.

I reactivated my Facebook account after this video.

5. Judith Martin’s whimsical quilts.

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She is an artist from northern Ontario and my dream is to have one of her pieces in my home. She’ll be showing some of her work at 100% Silk Shop in her exhibition, Quilts Are Journals, opening Saturday Feb 7th from 2pm.

6. The perfect silk shoes from Souliers Dulion

I am seriously considering ordering these in black.

7. This Barovier and Toso Murano Bullicante glass vase from the 1950’s

It’s $1500 if you have that lying around, and kind of reminds me of early Sophie Lou Jacobsen pieces

8. These joyful images from Issey Miyake: East Meets West

9. Shorts and tights, ballerina style.

I know ballet core is a thing but i just love this and wish I kept my old tights.

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10. These 90’s Tom Ford for Gucci pieces with the skinny horsebit that I sourced for you. You’re welcome.

1. Brown horse bit shoulder bag/clutch

2. Black horse bit wallet

3. Slim horse bit black leather belt with silver hardware

4. Slim horse bit black tote

5. Black horse bit shoulder bag/clutch

Alas, some things I have to keep to myself and to paying subscribers, so I will end there. Have a lovely weekend!

Getting dressed feels secondary in this kind of weather. Mental health and staying warm and safe when it’s constantly slippery and grey comes first. Unfortunately, as it’s a big part of my job to get dressed, which means that this time of year makes me feel a little lost, and I find that annoying since there’s so much emphasis on getting off on the right foot for the new year. In reality, I’ve found it difficult to remember why I get dressed beyond the necessity of leaving the house.

How do we put ourselves together when the elements feel out of our favour, when we’re stressed beyond our minds, when the world around us feels like it’s crumbling (I’m thinking of Iran and the realities of people there and the courage they have, which far exceeds my own), when we begin to feel the limits of our capacity? I know the holidays hopefully gave us time to reset, but the return to work sometimes feels like a sensory overload.

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I tend to embody whatever it is I’m wearing. While sweatpants are indulgent, a full sweatsuit makes me feel sleepy. How am I supposed to focus or get anything done when I just want to crawl back into bed and hide? There are varying degrees to getting dressed, different levels of effort that we can put into our outfits, yet the desired outcome is the same: to feel some semblance of competence and capability to function.

When things feel chaotic and overstimulating and under-motivating - whatever negative sensorial experience, you name it - I begin by paring everything down to the basics. What is the bare minimum in dressing that I require to feel like myself? And how can I achieve the best quality version of this that adapts to the fluctuating temperatures? How do I create a staple uniform to rely on when my brain feels simultaneously frantic and mushy?

My staple uniform begins with this pair of shoes:

I love that these are aptly names Après ski flats. They’re perfect for ballet flat girls like me who don’t want to freeze their feet in the winter. I even think they’re chic with a colourful pair of socks, tucked into (gasp) sweatpants. The most rudimentary look I style with these shoes is a wide legged trouser akin to a pyjama pant, and a thick knit:

I think there’s a time and a place for all the textbook facets of The Row circa two years ago, and this is it. Easy, reliable, brainless.

Here’s another lazy trick for a baseline outfit, and one that is only afforded in the colder months: make the coat your outfit. I’ve been preaching this time and time again - there’s no time like winter to wear a cozy sweater and jeans and throw on a dramatic coat overtop. Especially for days where removing your coat won’t really occur (i.e. running errands, window shopping), everyone will think you’re dressed when you’re actually just comfortably covered up. We discussed this further in depth in last week’s post:

My favourite part about this particular coat look is the scarf wrapped around the waist of the coat. It’s the return of the 2000’s useless belt.

Speaking of scarves as an embellishment, I’ve been leaning into my existing collection to make otherwise basic outfits a little more visually interesting. Wearing a fringed iteration as a belt is surely my favourite way to style the accessory. Take, for example, the following outfit:

Outfit details: Reformation sweater, Rue Sophie pants, vintage scarf, Deux Amis necklace, vintage Loewe bag.

The left picture is still a strong look, but something about the asymmetrically tied scarf on the right scans a lot more complete, and a little less basic. I really love Chan Luu’s embellished scarves - they remind me of Dries or this amazing Totême tuxedo scarf, but at a much more reasonable price. And look at the swish!!

I recently popped into VSP (classic) and found this rare fringed Phoebe Philo era Céline scarf:

No outfit photos from me yet on how I’ve incorporated it into my outfit as it’s only days old in my closet, but the way it’s styled on the runway provides great insight to the many ways a scarf can make something extraordinary. Is this scarf warm? Sort of. But the look is piping hot.

There have been a couple of days this year where, upon taking a look at an endless forecast of grey and gloomy skies, I almost didn’t get out of bed at all. And with the snow and ice and wind, walking outside feels miserable. When I feel my mind numbing to the outside world, and the deep desire to cocoon and hide, I call a code red. During a code red I focus all my attention on getting through the day in as comfortable a manner as possible. When this happens, I’ve concocted the following look to still feel like I’m in my pyjamas, and yet still put together:

It’s giving equestrian. It’s giving 90’s ski catalogue but city-bound. It’s all I really want to wear when it’s dark before dinner time. Honestly, it’s a secure enough outfit that I’ll wear it beyond my code red days.

The boots in the above look brings us neatly back to footwear. You see, while so many these outfit photos are great, the reality is that it’s slushy and icy and the sidewalks are covered in salt. And the majority of my saved outfits feel strong mostly because they’re paired with shoes like flip flops and heels. While I lean heavily on kitten heels and a good boot heel for the majority of the year, it’s just not pragmatic at this time.

I’ve never been a fan of a lug boot. When those chunky Bottega boots came out, I was repulsed. Don’t even get me started on those MSCHF Big Red Boots, it’ll stress me out. It’s taken me some time to find some good, non-heeled, somewhat thick-soled boots that I approve of, but I narrowed it down to Dear Frances’ Joss bootie, and Maguire’s Ludo boot. And I’m going to be really transparent and say that I don’t make a dime off of these boots. I just believe in them.

To sum it all up:

• Winter makes looking sexy very difficult

• In winter we must set aside our pride and layer the f*** up

• Winter makes sweatpants acceptable

• It is ok to wear chunky boots

• Turtlenecks are your best friend (this one is my favourite)

• My formula for a winter uniform is: relaxed wide legged pant + knit sweater + a scarf (can be decorative, practical, or snood) + good coat + chunky boot

• The days are getting longer!!

I leave you with images of outfits that make me feel optimistic about dressing for the cold.

2. These furry boots that look like an unlikely crossover between Chanel and L.L. Bean.

3. This photo series by Angelo Guttadauro

4. This vintage Plein Sud blazer

5. This incredible rose quilt in Trevor Cheney’s bedroom, photographed by Pablo Di Prima

6. This makeup by Brooke Turnbull

7. The tinted windows at Saint Theo’s in NYC.

8. This 1999 Chanel blazer that is currently listed at a very good price

9. Lace cutlery pockets

10. This essay, “Why Trying Is Sexy” by , in an era where trying is perceived as a testament to old age and AI does the work for you.

It’s exhilarating to see someone relentlessly pursue their dreams, because to want something that much is animalistic—and when that energy is directed with intention, that hunger becomes erotic.

She is wearing an archival Chanel drop waist dress, but this gorgeous coat overtop is Balmain. I know! I was shocked. The power of a coat to act as a protective shell while still radiating personality!

While the above coat is merely a duster, I think about its impact frequently as we descend into the depths of winter. Coats make dressing simpler, in a way. They are the whole look this time of year, thus you only have to concern yourself with one or two pieces You could be wearing pyjamas, but your coat will give the effect that you’re extremely put together.

I went to VSP recently and they pulled the most perfect vintage Max Mara coat for me after I showed them this image. I posted it and have never been harassed about reselling more in my life.

Because I refuse to give up this coat, I thought it might be best to curate some good coats, both vintage and new, and reveal my core coat roster. Living in Canada means I have an arsenal of coats that each serve unique and vital functions - in this post we will go through them all (I can just hear myself reciting “In this essay I will argue…etc”. lol).

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1. NEUTRAL COATS

A Neutral Coat is something that is always flattering, striking, and classic. It is not a puffer, it is often a wool coat. It must be something you can easily reach for, easily pair, will seamlessly work with everything in your wardrobe, and will make you feel presentable even when the weather outside is not. Growing up I was very fortunate to try a wide array of Neutral Coats in just about every colour that I had to pair with my outfit no matter what. Now that I’m fully grown and have established a core collection of coats, I’d say that life experience qualifies me to posit the following attributes as vital to my personal Neutral Coat: 1) it must be black; 2) it must have buttons (I love a tie waist but this is not the most practical and therefore this quality pertains more to my decorative, or frivolous, coats); 3) and it must be long (I mean to the ankles. If it were practical I’d want it to drape on the floor but alas, I hate cleaning).

I wear my Friends with Frank Josephine coat all. the time. What I love most about it is the very long length - it’s perfect and under $1000 (hard to come by with a quality coat in my opinion). Of course, it’s sold out (but restocking in February), as are most of my backup options in black. However, I do love this double-breasted Almada coat, and obviously La Collection makes a perfect version.

2. NEUTRAL WARM COATS

Sometimes we can brave the cold in our more streamlined, lighter coats. Sometimes the weather just makes you want to cocoon. This is when I whip out my trusty Lemaire coat, which is sturdy enough to withstand me schlepping around the city without making me look haggard, if that makes any sense. It truly feels like armour. The style I own, the bathrobe coat, is no longer available in a long length (there’s a short one here). However, there are similar versions here, this Fforme cocoon coat from Absolutely Fabrics, and this taupe iteration from Nothing Written (so many good coats here).

When it is very cold but I don’t yet want to switch to a puffer, these coats are roomy enough to accommodate a light puffer underneath. This, if you don’t already know, is the Secret to Winter. You can still have a fashionable coat without sacrificing warmth up to about -10 degrees Celcius! How’s that for innovation. I have this ultra-thin, unnaturally warm Veilance bomber that is thinner than a lot of my knits. And it is so warm that I feel toasty when I wear it under any jacket. It is very expensive, so I also strongly recommend Uniqlo’s Pufftech collection - this collarless jacket layers really well.

3. OCCASION COATS

We segue into the categorical section of coats I like to call Nice to Have. These are bonuses, something to build on if and once you’ve established your Neutral Coat. I love that in the winter, my occasion coats can stand on their own. These, plus a heel, are the whole look, no coat check reuired. They are allowed to be less practical (mine is white, for heaven’s sake), and a little less warm, because your shoes are probably not conducive to walking that far.

I’ve obtained two Occasion Coats in my winter tenure, the first being the above Rohé Hourglass coat, and the second being the Diana Milkanova wool coat (I had a friend say it’s maternity friendly, if that matters to any of you). My recommendation for you with the Diana Milkanova coat is that if you are borderline too tall for the petite/regular length, get the long one.

4. DESPERATE TIMES

The minute the temperature dips below -10, I no longer care about how cute I look. I only want to wear a sleeping bag. I’ve seen people just get away with the regular Super Puff length and a completely regular outfit on the bottom. If this is you, I commend you. But I am weak and need my ass to be covered. I want to feel like I belted my duvet around me before leaving the house. I don’t want to ever leave my bed. Canada Goose literally has a coat called the Blanket Coat. There’s something chic about this sleeping bag coat look, championed by Canadians and dog walkers alike. I’m warming up to it, no pun intended.

5. FURS

I firmly believe that the best ones are vintage, but sometimes that makes it difficult to find contemporary silhouettes. One thing I’ve learned when looking for fur coats (and mostly when sourcing similar items to the coats of mine that you love) is that if you can’t find anything exact, there’s something very similar on Nour Hammour. And while their prices keep going up, I find that if you can order during a sale period, the quality is worth it.

Source: Vintage, unlabeled.

This is a suede sheepskin coat that I turned inside out because I was obsessed with the dappled shearling on the inside, and luckily it appeared to be completely reversible. I found it for $200 on Vestiaire, and the sad thing is I can’t find this colouring of vintage fur anywhere. The closest thing I’ve found is this shearling and suede reversible coat, which is basically the same thing minus the speckled fur. Or this Merinos shearling number, which has slightly shorter fur.

Source: Vintage Max Mara

I went crazy over this coat and yes, confirming I did buy it. I’ve shockingly had such a hard time finding a wool coat [online] with collars and cuffs like these, but I found the following vintage gems that have a similar dramatic effect. If none of these suit your fancy, key search words I liked were fox fur, Max Mara, Liska (don’t discount this brand, it’s great). If you’re in Toronto, check Penny Arcade because a friend of mine found her fur-cuffed coat there and it is divine.

Left to right, top to bottom:

1. Roberto Cavalli - the inside of this coat is just as good as its exterior.

2. Max Mara - I love the fur at the bottom of the coat as well.

3. Liska - the photos do not do this piece justice. The swakara fur is divine and rare, and the price is amazing.

4. Maje - love how long the fur collar is.

5. Paco Rabanne - the patchwork fur on this piece makes it so special. And the label has the original name :)

6. Roberto Cavalli - another gem

7. Max Mara weekend - I like the tailored look of this coat

8. Unknown designer - this is perhaps my favourite, though not ideal for cold winters. But it’s a pony hair leather coat that I just had to include because it’s so perfect

6. LEATHER JACKETS

Sometimes, when it’s between 0-5 degrees Celcius, I am able to get away with my Heavy Leather Jacket with a warm sweater underneath. I feel relief during these days - I love my Heavy Leather Jacket. This is a very durable jacket with a lined, often quilted, sometimes shearling interior. It’s actually very similar in concept to the jackets in the furs section, but here I’m talking about a certain oversized silhouette.

I own a men’s leather jacket from COS that I wore all throughout my winter trip to Japan last year. It was so heavy duty and durable and oversized and slouchy in all the right ways that I cannot recommend it enough. While that was a style from last year, this year they have a similar version with a chic shearling collar that I’m eyeing. Or maybe one day I’ll upgrade to this Nour Hammour one.

Anyway. January 2. Graham woke up and immediately said, “Coffee?”. My favourite morning ritual together, brewing a large pot of coffee and then slowly drinking it while watching a movie or TV show.

“I can’t, I’m detoxing.” I said regrettably. No caffeine, no gluten, dairy, eggs, nightshades, red meat, no sugar for five days. I felt disappointment not about this, but about missing out on a day of partaking in my favourite morning ritual together.

The rest of the day went as predicted. My body immediately went into withdrawal for lack of caffeine, my chicken salad felt underwhelming, I felt an undeniable sense of ennui. My head was pounding.

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In the past, I was able to really appreciate a five-day ‘detox’ to its fullest because I was alone. I loved it. I could indulge in the ritual of drinking hot lemon water in the morning and be one with myself in the kitchen. I could spend five days, completely isolated, and just cook meal after meal for myself. The headaches and withdrawal symptoms were bearable because I didn’t have to interact with the outside world. I could deal with the restrictions because I had nothing to do and nowhere to be and no one to see. It made me feel purposeful.

My life has changed a lot since then.

I take pride in being very independent. My mum would describe me as a cat, very aloof and appearing upon whim. Not ideal as a description, but I do like my ability to enjoy my own company and get things done. However, last year (shortly after my usual annual detox, in fact), I wanted to prioritize relationships. And not just romantic relationships, though that was truly an added bonus, but my friendships - I wanted to go out and do things with my people and nurture existing relationships I’d somewhat neglected in years past.

But I digress. Where were we?

My headache! It was awful. The circumstances of my detox plan were all wrong. I was having people over the next day for coffee - a drop in cafe (more on that later). How was I supposed to enjoy the day if I couldn’t even consume the goods I was serving (coffee, namely, but also cinnamon buns, bread pudding, BREAD, and cookies)?

At first I was mentally prepared to make myself hot lemon water and some quinoa muffins for myself while everyone enjoyed the actually yummy treats. But then those quinoa muffins popped out of the oven and they tasted so horrible that I knew, deep down, that wouldn’t be the case.

And what I realized was that, while I love doing things alone, while I think a five day meal plan served me so well in the past, some things feel so much more fulfilling with other people. I felt that to the fullest in 2025 as I enjoyed the honeymoon phase of a loving relationship, and went out for copious martini nights and basque cake with my friends. I nurtured my world, and I was grateful not to do it alone.

Here’s the thing. I love to drink wine at a bar with a book, but let’s be honest - it’s more thrilling when the stranger next to you asks what you’re reading. I love cooking, but I love cooking more for multiple people. I learned that food and drink are best enjoyed communally.

On January third I woke up, started preparing baked goods and arranging my home for people to come over, and I knew immediately that I was abandoning my usual detox program. I had a sip of coffee and immediately felt human again. I enjoyed that coffee with my friends and felt love and joy in my heart. I ate a cinnamon bun and felt so sweet and wonderful. I laughed with my full belly and felt more energized than I had after any detox.

I didn’t abandon my meal plan entirely. I mean, I spent all that money on groceries! But I realized that a rigid five day program (and not having any coffee) just isn’t conducive to the lifestyle I’ve spent so much time building for myself. I cannot hide and cook just for myself because I don’t want to. I cannot abandon my morning ritual that I so look forward to with my boyfriend because he is more important to me than any glass of lemon water enjoyed solo. I love love, I love sharing love, and I love creating moments with my people.

Before we chastise the concept of Goop’s annual detox, I must clarify that the Goop detox is not meant to be rigid. I really love the recipes, and they directly mention that it shouldn’t feel restrictive; you should do what is best for you. GP rocks for that - I mean, she still has her weekly cigarette. So chic! But I am so grateful that, for this year at least, I have overcome the somewhat extreme Type A trait of having to see things through even if it involves suffering for Absolutely No Good Reason. So I’m following all the delicious recipes and cooking for my friends and lover and allowing myself room to bend when life requires.

I loved this Instagram post I saw:

I think about my past self and acknowledge that the past four years of doing the Annual Detox were an act of love to myself. This year, I bend it a little in favour of my morning coffee and sweet treats with my friends as an act of love to my community.

Maybe I’ll fully detox another time. It doesn’t have to be now.

The next day after my drop-in cafe, I went skating with my friend Georgia. The rink was packed, it was the last day of the holidays before work started again. We left after ten minutes of encircling chaotic skaters and hopped on the streetcar to get hot chocolate at Milou. Two silver coupes filled with vanilla whipped cream swiftly arrived with our hot chocolates, which I greedily scooped into my cup. I took a sip and and felt my whole being warm with chocolate and love and gratitude. And then I went home and made a delicious, healthy chicken soup for dinner. Balance.

MY PERFECT THINGS FOR WINTER

1. A drop in cafe. I held my first one this past holiday break, and told friends to drop in between 10-4 at their leisure for a cup of coffee and some baked goods. Some stayed thirty minutes, others almost the whole day. The feedback I received was that people enjoyed the low pressure commitment. I got three bags of coffee beans from Library Coffee in Toronto and made cinnamon buns and had a loaf of bread and butter for everyone to enjoy. Music played all day. I guess you could call this an open house hangout, but I love this format of social gathering.

2. Getting your initials engraved on a pen. Not to hearken back to Christmas gift guides etc., but I ordered this Elsa Peretti pen and added my initials on it and every letter I write feels like a gift.

3. Going for hot chocolate. Going for drinks is fun but I don’t feel like drinking. I feel like a big cup of hot chocolate topped with a heaping scoop of whipped cream.

4. Squash in soup. I am not a butternut squash soup person. I don’t want to eat baby food. I need something to chew! But I love squash. This is such a first world problem! And while this is not novel by any means, I’ve been tossing in some roasted cubes of acorn/honeynut/delicata squash in whatever soup I’m enjoying as a sort of soup topping (foregoing croutons here) and it feels like a real life upgrade. All the flavour benefits of pureed squash soup without the unexciting textural experience.

5. Buying good butter just for bread. Not for cooking! My favourites are St. Brigid’s Creamery and Stirling. I even gave butter as a Secret Santa gift.

6. Slow snow runs. A reminder to myself to go slow, dress warmly, and get outside even if the weather is gross because it would be really scary if it didn’t snow in the winter in Canada. The best feeling is getting up really early and appreciating how the fallen snow absorbs sound. Everything is peaceful and quiet.

7. Movement that comes not from a place of deficit but from a place of joy. This expands upon the previous Perfect Thing, and was also a comment from this post I made last year:

   Finding joy in movement doesn’t just apply just to running, but to dancing and skating and general physical silliness as well!

8. Turn down service. I mean for yourself. I love the idea of reframing cleaning up at night as “closing up” and making your environment especially relaxing to wind down. Fold over the corner of the duvet, place a mat and slippers by your bed like they do at nice hotels, perhaps a chocolate on the pillow if you’re feeling extra fancy.

9. Vintage fur. Not new fur. And not faux fur filled with plastics. I’ll do a separate post on coats soon, but nothing is as warm and luxe as an old fur coat. The old-time glamour of it all is perfect for romanticizing the dreariest season.

10. We should all be slow cooking our leeks. Another thing I had saved to my phone. I don’t think this needs further elaboration. Just sliced leeks, a lot of butter, salt, and time.

11. Trumpet jazz in the afternoon while the snow falls outside.

12. A Barbet or Kin at 3pm. I am new to having fun canned beverages.

13. Visiting small galleries. I am not just running outside. I have Franz Kaka, Daniel Faria Gallery, Olga Korper, Clint Roenisch, and Paul Petro on my list of places to visit. Any suggestions are welcome.

14. A lot of food related perfect things this winter, but not to be forgotten is getting a whole rotisserie chicken (what my mom calls “magic chicken”) and making this soup recipe.

15. This read from :

    overthinking adjacent

    let’s stop treating women’s friendships like status updates

    TL;DR: Somewhere along the way, women’s friendships became all about catching up — not making memories. This piece explores why that happened, what we lose because of it, and why it’s time to start doing things together again…

    Read more

    a year ago · 6102 likes · 179 comments · santina

16. Self tanner. I recommend this one.

Happy New Year! May 2026 be everything you want it to be and more.

Happy borderline LAST MINUTE GIFTING TIME. Does the month feel like it’s breezing by? Are you scrambling to find a gift for your boyfriend’s dad’s girlfriend? Got a hostess with the mostess that you are just drawing a blank on what to get?

I got you. The crux of every gift guide is that it’s usually stuff that the guide giver would buy for themselves. They are arbiters of taste - this approach is only logical! I am by no means a practical gift giver; rather, I think a gift is a wonderful opportunity to buy the things that others wouldn’t necessarily get for themselves.

I say that, and I always ask my family to get me toilet paper, paper towels, and tampons for Christmas. But that’s because I’m exceptionally picky.

When I think of the most memorable gifts I’ve ever received, they are more likely than not unique, one-of-a-kind, or vintage items. My friend and I have a tradition every year of getting each other handmade ceramics. A bespoke gift suggests that a lot of thought and time went into its acquisition - that is so deeply special. A lot of the gifts in the guide you’ll see below are pre-loved items or vintage. Mine & Yours is a Vancouver-based consignment store that now has multiple locations in Toronto, and they have a special selection of gift-worthy items (whether for others or for yourself). One only just has to take the time to scour through hundreds of pages. Which I did. You’re welcome!

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The art of gifting is so nuanced. For a host gift, I think one item is always sufficient. However, when I put together a gift for friends/family/my lover, I have a three-part system that I try follow. The first element of the gift is generally something that’s easily digestible - this can be quite literally a food item or treat that they can enjoy in the moment (and it usually is). The act of opening a gift is an experience, so you might as well make it delicious and sweet. Biscotti, cookies, candy - are all little delights.

Then I like to add an object as the second layer. Some might say this is the main focus of the gift, but I respectfully disagree. This can be a clothing item, shoes, beautiful object, bottle of wine, whatever. It’s the most tangible part of the gift.

Once you get down to the last layer of the gift, I like to create or promise an experience - something to be experienced maybe at a later date. The heart of the gift. Maybe it’s dinner, maybe it’s drinks and/or dessert. Maybe it’s a show! But the real gift is time together, which I think is the most precious gift of all.

So whether you’re gifting others, or yourself, here’s my little gift guide.

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Gifts for the avid collector

• Pre-loved Saint Laurent cognac clutch

• Pre-loved Gucci logo ring

• Pre-loved Chanel perforated camellia tote

• Rizzoli’s La Pausa: The Ideal Mediterranean Villa of Gabrielle Chanel

• Pre-loved Dolce & Gabbana zebra top

• Pre-loved Tiffany bamboo ring

• Pre-loved Chanel crystal bar brooch

• Pre-loved Céline twisted cabas bag

• Pre-loved Elsa Peretti for Tiffany silk cord

For a hosting gift

From left to right, top to bottom:

• vintage Hermès scarf

• silver vintage butter serving dish

• Hermès sellier blanket

• Perfumer H candle

• Hermès dish

• Flamingo Estate olive oil and balsamic vinegar

• Sal de Ibiza sea salt

• Third Culture Cooking by Zaynab Issa

• Ash World volcano ash tray

Gifts for an idyllic hibernation season

• Alex Eagle Studio bubble glass

• Liz Lenny rock candle sconce

• Comme Si ribbed cotton socks

• Boy Vienna 777 cigarette incense sticks

• Elsa Peretti ballpoint pen

• Anything from Maison Plage

• Pre-loved Hermés ribbed knit sweater (to stay comfy but look professional)

• Sidia Braless Body Mist

• Mini projector

Gifts for the frequent flyer

• Hermès bride-a-brac case

• Hermès agenda/passport holder

• Monos x Simon Miller hybrid carry-on suitcase

• Smythson Chelsea notebook (monogrammed would be a nice touch)

• Polaroid i-2

• Pre-loved Burberry Auden sunglasses

• Lexxola sunglasses travel case

• Pre-loved Chanel 2008-09 Cabas bag (perfect carry-on)

• Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H100 headphones

Gifts for the active lifestyle

• Burberry coat

• Prada Sport sunglasses

• New Balance Fuelcell Supercomp Trainer (my favourite running shoes)

• Prada nylon tote bag

• Shokz Open Run 2 headphones

• Literary Sport track pants

• Garmin Forerunner 570 smartwatch

• Louis Vuitton beanie

• Saje Pain Reflief oil blend

You can discover all of my curated finds from Mine & Yours here.

Happy gifting!

Picture this: you’re out with your friends. You’re about two martinis deep, you’re ecstatic because you feel so deeply connected to everyone and everything. Is that…holiday spirit? The camaraderie, the way everything seems to sparkle in the evening light, the fact that you’ve got an amazing outfit on and remember how good it feels to dress up. The next day you immediately send out invites for a holiday dinner party at your place.

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Sound familiar? We’ve all been there. And even though the year has worn us out, we know we always feel better after a beautiful dinner with friends. It’s like working out - you never regret it!

Contrary to my Yu+Mei dinners, I’ve been romanticizing a more vintage, cozy style of Christmas dinner. I love the nostalgia and warmth. So I’ve taken the liberty of curating a dinner for you, with the help of some gorgeous finds on Etsy.

Etsy is one of my favourite places to dig online for treasure. I’ve used it in the past for extremely niche gifts (wood stamps, glass beads, etc.), as well as dinner party decor (read: candleholders). Once I save a couple items, I love that Etsy seems to get the hint and starts finding things for me. Right now, I’m on the hunt for gorgeous brocade pillow covers inspired by the motherland (Malaysia) and am able to find the perfect ones straight from the source.

Every winter, Etsy releases a comprehensive guide to what shoppers are actually searching for, purchasing, and obsessing over - an especially useful pulse check as holiday hosting approaches. This season’s guide includes the following trends:

Nonna Holiday

Play Haus

Shiver the Season

Nutcrackercore

Gothmas

and finally, Supper Club.

My tablescape is, unsurprisingly, inspired by their Supper Club trend. I wanted this table to feel warmer than my usual tablescapes, and deeply communal. Think mismatched glassware, homey vintage prints, unfussy nostalgia. I wanted it to be joyful and unpretentious.

Before we get into it all, my first tip: Don’t sleep on ordering your dinner party festivities, because there’s still time for things to arrive before your soirée!

My second tip: over the past three years of hosting dinners, the most important thing I’ve learned is to delegate. Not everything needs to be Nara Smith-ed, made from scratch, started ages in advance. You do not need to weave the fibres of your own fabric, or carve the butter into a sculpture all on your own - some things are best left to the experts. This is what I am reminding myself as I plan my own holiday dinner.

For each dinner, it’s important to start from the very beginning of the experience. Before guests walk into your home, they receive an invitation. It’s not a new fact that I love printed matter with a dinner. I don’t care if it’s two people or 25, it’s such a treat to hold a tangible invitation or printed menu. Normally I’ll do it myself, but I love this cute and festive custom card:

If it’s too late for you to send out invitations by snail mail, this would still make a lovely card containing the dinner menu to use at your event.

Every tablescape I make begins with a tablecloth. I am loving these plaid ones:

If you have a gorgeous wooden table, it’s nice to leave the wood exposed and have a scrunchy sort of table runner in festive fabric in the middle of the table. Might I suggest the following:

I’m typically dead set against table runners as they feel too wedding-y, but I think paired with a wood table, it’s quite cozy. Set with some gorgeous wooden candle holders and some barrel candles (my new favourite shape) to make it feel classy.

I’ve been on the hunt for a good barrel candle - there’s something about them that’s a bit more playful than a tapered candle, but still sophisticated. If that’s a little too fussy, I think that these tree-shaped candles are the only permissible iteration of spiral candles. They’re so sweet and, when arranged like a little forest in the center of the table (read: some clustered together, not arranged in a straight line), will look so beautiful all lit up.

For the plates, keep it simple. Use what you have, and embellish what’s around it. This will save you not only time but valuable storage space. I love these cute little olive name tag holders (it must be acknowledged that olives, perhaps the chicest garnish of all, are perfectly colour coordinated for Christmas. And while these name tags serendipitously complement this tablescape, they are perfectly suitable throughout the rest of the year).

Since the plates provide a uniform base, this frees up capacity to play with colours and textures throughout the rest of the tablescape. For example, with Christmas crackers. No holiday tablescape feels complete without one - they’re so whimsical. The problem is that, most of the time, what’s inside the cracker is absolutely insane. I remember last year there was a multi-purpose tool that included a blade edge in one cracker. Very neat in concept, borderline life-threatening when flying out of a Christmas cracker.

I think it’s better if we just customize our own, no? I love that you can buy cracker shells and fill it with whatever fits your fancy. Some suggestions include keychains, chocolate, little perfumes/hand lotions (always appreciated), or just good old fashioned paper hats. And don’t forget the corny Christmas jokes.

I personally love mismatched glasses, especially these retro-style martini glasses (who says they’re just for martinis?)”:

And if you don’t have any more cupboard space for new glasses, I think these little bow charms are perfect for people wanting to label their glasses. Just tie a little ribbon with a name tag (cardstock with a hole punched through it will do) and leave a pen out for guests to do the rest.

I always love to have a welcome drink and a few bites for guests at my dinners (at my last we did a little champagne/Ghia spritz tower), and had some cheese and cured meats for guests. No need to make a mixed drink - you’re tired from the year! And as for cheese, you can’t go wrong with Manchego, Grey Owl, and Compté.

These little custom cocktail napkins are perfect for this part of the evening, for holding snacks and drinks alike.

And for your welcome drink/for all drinks in general, these adorable ceramic bottle stoppers will come in handy. I like to serve wine family style during dinner, letting guests pour their own glasses and portions, and these stoppers make for a sweet little decorative moment.

When it comes to food, I’m not the expert. For Yu+Mei dinners, we are fortunate to work with talented chefs, but for my own little dinners I’ve been known to make a giant vat of pasta sauce (yes, sometimes it’s premade sauce from Eataly), and bowls of pasta shapes (this is also great for accommodating our gluten-free friends), and letting your company portion things out for themselves. After all, we all have our own sauce-to-pasta ratios, and we hate to disappoint.

Some quick tips to make your night of hosting seamless:

• Plan your outfit the night before because it is the last thing you want to think about. Ideally, try it on during the daylight because little details often slip our attention in the dark, especially if you’re stressed about hosting.

• My typical drink menu for dinners includes: one white wine/sparkling wine option, one red wine option, and a couple bottles of Ghia spritz. Usually the ratio I rely on is one bottle per two/three people (subject to vary depending on your guests).

• Here is a good hosting playlist for a more sophisticated, relaxed dinner; and here is one for a more upbeat evening

• Never be afraid to ask for/accept help when it comes to cleaning up. It will save you the pain of doing most of it the next day, when you likely don’t have the energy. Put on some disco music and get the dishes done.

Happy hosting!

I love to party! But let’s be real - I mostly love to get ready for the party. Getting dressed in the holidays is another type of special. Whimsy, ornamentation, and embellishment all take their rightful place at the fore of my wardrobe. ‘Tis the season for unabashed sparkle, fluttering frothy skirts, and the delight of disobeying dressing conventions.

Over the years I’ve attended my fair share of holiday gatherings, and collected a number of pieces that I repeat and gravitate towards this time of year. Below we’ll cover some of my favourites, some special finds, some tricks for navigating niche festive situations (i.e. the stress induced by a shoes-off party, sobriety, and recovery!).

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The title of this post is an ode to what I love most about dressing - the little details and delights that complete a holiday outfit: beading, fringe, embroidery, crystals, texture, etc. It’s also allowed me to feel a little closer to my Asian side, as so much of the art of ornamentation derives from Asian cultures.

But first, let’s establish a baseline outfit. Having a whole wardrobe of dresses isn’t always feasible (I’ve been collecting for years); it’s truly a luxury. It’s important to have a good, easy piece that can easily traverse different types of occasions. This might sound counterintuitive to the extravagance and maximalism that I was preaching earlier, but I think this dress (shockingly, from Reformation, though it bears a striking resemblance to Kallmeyer), forms the perfect base for a holiday outfit:

It’s very simple - a satiny cream dress and white pumps. The fabric makes the look a little more occasion-appropriate, and the heels add, well, confidence. This is the baseline. But what if we spice up the look with ornamentation - say, via jewellery and accessories?

It’a crazy what a couple bracelets, sparkly drop earrings, and a minaudière clutch with a dramatic tassel will do to a simple dress.

Perhaps you’re working with a more casual or refined dress code - office party (read: modesty), a slightly elevated dinner at one of those shared plates restaurants (cue whatever niche, new martini they’ve concocted!). I think an outfit comprising separates forms a perfect base here. For example, this look that I wore to the ballet recently.

This one was inspired by a Zoe Kravitz look (The Row, obviously) - yet the number of variations on this one are infinite. Tights or no tights. Flats or heels. Pair either with a blazer or a chic hourglass overcoat for a complete moment that seamlessly transitions from outdoors to inside (because obviously, the entrance you make matters). Or leave the top layer on for modesty.

This Casa Ayllon pouch has gotten so much wear since I received it - the tassel is my absolute favourite form of embellishment as of late. The evidence is in my purchase history:

Isn’t it crazy that something so conceptually simple as gathering a multitude of threads together can provide just the most whimsical effect? And we can verge into the complexities: varying colours, adding beads, layering tassels on tassels… it goes on! I love that an embellished evening bag can add personality to the simplest of outfits. In fact, it’s a formula I gravitate towards time and time again: long black dress plus a statement bag.

Suppose you want to get a little deeper and wear not just embellished accessories, but the whole damn outfit? The aforementioned St. Agni skirt provides a gateway into the world of ornamented clothing with its little glass beads, but I think the holidays are the perfect time to go a little bolder.

Here’s a dress I wore this past week to the Dior Holiday dinner (I found a similar vintage one here!!!! Dries also has a similar version). I’ve been saving this dress for years after finding it in a vintage store in Bari. Note to everyone: wherever you travel - I don’t care if it’s Monte Carlo or rural Ontario - find yourself a vintage or antique store. You never know what you will find!

There is an insane amount of vintage beaded dresses online that possess such beautiful and intricate details. And while I know we all have this dress on our holiday moodboards, there are plenty of gorgeous vintage finds that don’t have designer labels attached to them (better for our wallets!). I’ve rounded up a few of my favourites (vintage and new):

1. La Perla

2. Jasper Conran

3. Alémais

4. Bob Mackie

5. Simon Miller

6. Mac Duggal

7. Alice + Olivia

8. Prada

9. Unnamed (it’s a size 14 US, which I imagine, with this silhouette, will drape reaaallyyyy nicely on a smaller size as well)

10. Bonus! I love this orange Dehry number, though maybe more for summer

Beaded pieces shine in the evening - they were made for winter parties. Wherever the light may hit and reflect each bead creates such a beautiful effect. Perfect for dancing!

Speaking of dancing, what a perfect segue into our next embellishment. Not to be forgotten in our overview is a near and dear cousin to the beloved tassel: fringe.

I think fringe might be my personal favourite.

Can you believe that something so simple as draping a multitude of strings from fabric will create such a fun and playful effect? Fringe = levity and joy!

It doesn’t have to be a whole dress or skirt or whatever. I personally love a fringed-scarf-as-belt moment:

I’ve personally added this Totême smoking scarf to my cart, as it provides a slightly fancier and narrower effect than anything in my existing collection. There’s also a beaded version or this Chan Luu showstopper (hearkening back to our previous embellishment category if that better suits your fancy!). And if you want the full effect and more cost per wear, consider this Doên skirt set that my friend Tess wore to the Jo Malone holiday dinner last week (I bear no evidence of her wearing it, but I saw it and was obsessed).

Aside: If you think I forgot about jewellery as an embellishment (the most obvious!), the jewellery category deserves its own newsletter. So I’m currently working on the second edition of Jewellery brands you should know about. Stay tuned!

And now for the nitty gritty lightning round of tips of event dressing - because not all events are conducive to a full look (or a look exactly the way we want it!).

Here’s what I would do for:

• A very basic corporate event: this Sea NY jacket with a trouser (or jeans if it’s a casual friday!) and heel.

• A shoes off dinner: a very long column or bias cut skirt, a decorative belt with a sweater tucket in the front, and fun socks

• Dinner (or lunch) with the in-laws (or extended family, for that matter): I’m kind of obsessed with this mother of pearl embellished vintage Chanel jacket that is not obscenely priced (for a Chanel jacket). Pair with jeans for lunch and trousers for dinner.

• An event where you simply cannot have an alcoholic drink: I’ve been feeling this lately, and am feeling a bit pickier with whom and where I wish to drink. Mocktail options are just so sugary, so I’ve been carrying this little vials of Pique mocktails that will hopefully be released soon! In the meantime, a little DIY tube of Ghia tucked in the purse is always a good idea. Just mix with a glass of club soda.

• A hangover: 1 litre of water mixed with electrolytes, 1 extra strength Tylenol and 2 regular Advils. Lol.

Happy party season! xx