I’ve been rejected a few times lately.

And I’d love to tell you that after more than twenty years as an entrepreneur, rejection rolls right off my back.

It does not.

We’re very good at posting the wins.

The big launch. The new partnership. The exciting announcement. The thing that finally worked.

We’re less good at posting the email that starts with, “We’re not interested in moving forward.”

Or the opportunity you were convinced was going to change everything.

Or the thing you spent months building toward that quietly disappeared.

So, in the spirit of keeping things honest, here are a few things that didn’t go the way I wanted them to.

Recently, I was turned down for a potentially huge collaboration. There wasn’t much explanation. No big postmortem. No helpful list of reasons I could obsess over and then try to fix.

Just: We’re not interested in moving forward.

Cool. Cool cool cool.

Around the same time, something else fell apart.

Something much bigger that I genuinely believed could have been game-changing for our company.

I had already started imagining the future with it. What it could unlock. Where it could take us. The problems it could solve. The doors it could open.

And then it was gone.

That one hurt.

And if I’m being really vulnerable, there’s a particular feeling when something like this falls apart that reminds me a little bit of finding out your partner has been cheating on you.

Stay with me.

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Because what do you do when you find out someone has been cheating?

You become a detective.

Suddenly, you’re replaying six months of conversations.

Wait. When they said THAT, did they actually mean THIS?

Was that weird text a sign?

Was that vague answer actually not vague at all?

Was that moment when something felt off because something was off?

And, perhaps most painfully: Did I know?

I found myself doing the same thing.

Replaying conversations. Looking at emails differently. Thinking about things that were said and things that weren’t said.

Looking at the difference between what people told me and what they actually did.

And realizing that maybe some of the signals had been there all along.

Here’s the weirdest part, though.

Mixed in with the disappointment was relief.

I was devastated that it was over.

And I was relieved that it was over.

Both were true.

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I think sometimes you don’t realize how much energy you are spending trying to hold something together until you’re no longer responsible for holding it together.

That has made me think a lot about one of the strangest parts of being an entrepreneur.

The exact quality that allows us to build companies can also get us into trouble.

Optimism.

You HAVE to be an optimist to do this.

No rational person looks at the odds of starting a company and says, “Those look fantastic. Sign me up.”

You have to believe when there isn’t much evidence yet.

You have to see the store before there’s a store. The product before there’s a product. The customer before anyone knows who you are.

You have to hear “no” and somehow translate it into “not yet.”

That delusion, I mean optimism, is part of the job.

But optimism has a downside.

It can make you explain away things you shouldn’t.

They’re just busy.

These things take time.

There are a lot of people involved.

That meeting got moved again, but I’m sure there’s a reason.

Meanwhile, your gut is sitting in the corner screaming, HELLO????

I wrote about learning to trust my gut years ago in Fearless.

Apparently, this is one of those lessons the universe does not allow you to learn once and then check off the list.

Annoying.

Because I’m learning it again.

Except this time, I think I understand it a little differently.

Trusting your gut doesn’t mean becoming suspicious of everyone.

It means paying attention to the little things.

Is someone communicating proactively, or am I always chasing them?

Are the answers specific or vague?

Do their words match their actions?

When something gets uncomfortable, do they lean in or disappear?

Does the communication become clearer as we get closer, or somehow murkier?

And maybe most importantly: am I receiving information, or am I constantly translating information into what I want it to mean?

Those little signals matter.

Not because every delayed email means disaster. It doesn’t.

But patterns tell you things.

And trust, I’m realizing again, isn’t built in the giant promises people make at the beginning.

It’s built in the hundred little moments that come after.

The irony is that this isn’t the first time I’ve thought I missed THE opportunity.

Early in my career, I made a bag for a movie. I had basically no money, the bag arrived late, they filmed the scene with another bag, and I was convinced I had blown the opportunity that was going to make my career.

I was devastated.

I replayed every mistake I had made.

I thought chances like that didn’t come twice.

Then I started carrying the bag around.

People stopped me on the street.

A store ordered twelve.

That bag became the Morning After Bag.

So you would think I would know by now.

Apparently, I need reminders.

Because when something big falls apart, my brain can still immediately go to:

That was it. That was the one. We blew it.

Nothing that good is going to come along again.

Twenty-plus years of entrepreneurship and my brain still enjoys this little game.

But experience has given me one thing that I didn’t have back then.

Evidence.

Evidence that the thing I was positive had to happen sometimes didn’t, and something else happened instead.

Evidence that rejection didn’t kill me.

Evidence that I’ve made bad calls, trusted the wrong people, ignored my gut, screwed things up, lost opportunities, cried about them, learned from them, and kept going.

I don’t think becoming an experienced founder means you stop getting knocked down.

Maybe you just get better at getting up.

I don’t want these experiences to make me cynical.

I don’t want to walk into every new relationship wondering how someone is going to disappoint me.

I don’t want to stop taking big swings because a few of them hurt when I missed.

But I do want to get sharper.

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I want to listen sooner when that little voice says, Something isn’t right.

I want to pay attention to behavior instead of being seduced by words.

I want to ask the uncomfortable question instead of avoiding the answer.

I want to trust people, but let them earn that trust.

And I still want to be crazy enough to believe the next giant opportunity could change everything.

Because that’s the job.

Sometimes you win.

Sometimes you learn.

Sometimes you get rejected with basically no explanation and spend the next 48 hours wondering WTF happened.

And then you get up.

Dust yourself off.

Take what the experience was trying to teach you.

And get back to work.

For most of my career, I wasn’t just getting dressed.

I was problem-solving.

I had a large chest and, for much of my adult life, I wasn’t confident about my torso. No matter what I ate or did, my friend muffin top was always with me. After having children, I also tended to carry even more weight around my middle and in my chest and back

So I learned exactly how to dress around all.

Open and V-necklines visually broke up my chest.

Long lapels and jackets created vertical lines through my torso.

High-waisted trousers gave me structure through the middle.

Mini-skirts moved attention away from my stomach and focused the eye around my best asset-the legz

I loved dresses that created a waist without clinging to it, and ruching or draping became very useful tools.

And a strategically chosen blazer or leather jacket could solve almost anything.

I stayed away from plenty too: certain high necklines, clingy knits, cropped proportions and anything that made me feel as if my chest or stomach was suddenly the entire outfit.

I got very good at it.

And that inevitably influenced me as a designer.

Sometimes I’d design something because I loved it and wished I could wear it—even though, personally, I didn’t feel comfortable doing so.

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Then I had my fourth baby.

Afterward, I struggled with weight that felt impossible for me to shift. Eventually, through my own postpartum hormone, work out and peptide journey, my body changed in a significant and I reached a place where I felt genuinely happy with it in a way I never had

The biggest surprise wasn’t the number on the scale.

It was what happened creatively.

I stopped dressing to correct and started dressing to experiment.

Suddenly I was trying tighter silhouettes, cropped proportions and pieces I would previously have eliminated before they ever reached the fitting room.

I began shopping differently.

And I began designing differently.

This isn’t a statement about how anyone else’s body should look. It’s simply an honest observation about my own experience:

When I felt better in my body, I became much more adventurous with what I put on it.

There’s a design lesson in that too.

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Constraints can make you incredibly skilled.

For 20 years, some of my constraints taught me proportion, balance, silhouette and how clothing can completely change the way someone feels.

I don’t regret learning any of that.

But removing some of those constraints has opened another creative door.

For years, I could design for a customer wearing things I loved but didn’t necessarily believe I could wear myself.

Silhouettes I’ve relied on for years ↓

Today, I increasingly get to design for her and for me.

More than 20 years into fashion—and after four babies—I’m breaking some of my own rules.

And I’m having more fun with clothes than I ever have.

There’s something about summer that makes me want to strip everything back.

I clean out my closet. I simplify my calendar (um….still a work in progress). I wear less makeup. I spend more time outside. Every year I find myself asking the same question: What do I actually use?

Not what went viral. Not what everyone is talking about this week. The products that have earned a place in my routine because they make me feel like my best self.

This summer, these are the ones making the cut.

The Hero: Aramore

The biggest addition to my routine this recently has been Aramore.

What initially caught my attention was the science. They’re one of the first skincare brands built around NAD+, approaching aging at the cellular level instead of simply masking it. But what kept me coming back were the results.

I’ve been using the NAD+ Cell Energizing Treatment twice daily, and taking their Cell Energizing Supplement in the AM and my skin feels healthier, brighter, and more resilient, especially during the summer when it’s constantly battling sun, salt water, chlorine, cold AF offices, and late nights. Together they target the look of fine lines, uneven texture, dullness, and loss of firmness while helping support your skin barrier.

I love that the formulas are dermatologist tested, vegan, fragrance free, and thoughtfully developed. Luxury is great, but luxury backed by science is even better.

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My Summer Beauty Secret

Speaking of full-body routine, Let’s talk about body dermaplaning.

It has completely replaced shaving and waxing for me in certain areas, especially around my bikini line. It leaves everything incredibly smooth, helps minimize ingrown hairs, and means I’m not constantly dealing with razor burn all summer long. If you’re living in swimsuits, it’s one of those beauty hacks that’s genuinely changed my routine.

Coffee Before Everything

Before I answer emails, before camp drop offs, before the day officially begins, I make coffee.

Lately I’ve been obsessed with Coffree because it’s mold free and you can adjust the caffeine! miracle!!! I blend it with Cocoringa to make an easy homemade mocha but also adds fiber and protein! It feels indulgent, tastes amazing, and has become one of my favorite morning rituals along with taking the Aramore Energizing Supplement to start the day.

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Summer Hair, Simplified

Humidity is undefeated.

I’ve been washing with MESSY Shampoo and Conditioner and finishing with ROZ Hair Serum. My goal isn’t perfect hair. It’s healthy, frizz-ish free yhair that can survive beach days and humidity without needing a hot tool every morning.

My Morning Uniform

Until it’s time to actually get dressed, I’m usually living in a perfectwhitetee sweatsuit.

It’s what I throw on for camp drop offs, coffee runs, quick meetings, and the million little things that happen before my day really starts. Comfortable enough to lounge in, polished enough that I don’t feel underdressed.

Don’t Forget Your Feet

If you’re wearing sandals all summer, your feet deserve some attention too.

I keep a clean foot cream next to my bed and use it every night. It’s one of those tiny rituals that pays off by August.

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The Summer Edit

I’ve realized that self care isn’t about adding more.

It’s about finding the handful of products that quietly become part of your life.

For me, that’s Aramore. A body dermaplaning routine that makes swimsuit season easier. A homemade mocha with Cofree and Cocoringa. Healthy summer hair with MESSY and ROZ. My favorite perfectwhitetee sweatsuit. And remembering that taking care of yourself doesn’t have to be complicated.

The older I get, the more I believe the best routines are the ones you actually look forward to doing.

Suddenly everyone is training for an invisible competition.

Pilates waitlists explode.
Protein intake becomes a personality trait.
Everyone suddenly starts talking about getting toned, leaning out, body recomposition, hot girl walks, and being in their wellness era.
Group chats start talking about “getting locked in.”

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And honestly? I get it.

Because swimwear season changes the equation.

You’re not dressing for layers anymore.

You’re dressing for exposure.

The areas you can usually hide under oversized blazers, denim, sweaters, and great tailoring suddenly become the entire conversation.

Arms.
Abs.
Glutes.
Legs.
Posture.
Confidence.

There’s nowhere for anything to hide at the beach, which is exactly why everyone starts obsessing over their body the second the weather changes.

Including me.

But this year, instead of spiraling into random workouts and impossible routines, I got strategic.

When summer hits and we head out east, I start doing remote workouts with my trainer, and honestly, it completely changed the way I approach fitness.

Remote training somehow made me more consistent

For context: I only switch to remote training during summer because my trainer doesn’t live where I do.

So every year, once schedules get chaotic and travel starts ramping up, we move everything online.

And honestly? It works incredibly well for me.

I used to think workouts only counted if I physically went somewhere.

Boutique fitness.
The perfect matching set.
The aesthetic smoothie afterward.

But the truth is, consistency matters more than theatrics.

Remote workouts keep me accountable.

Zach is opening up a few additional spots for online coaching. If you’re looking for personalized guidance and accountability, you can reach him at:

📧 zmoseleycoaching@gmail.com

There’s something about knowing someone is waiting for you to log on — and knowing you paid for the session — that removes the option to negotiate with yourself.

You just do it.

No commute.
No excuses.
No wasted time.

Just consistency.

And because the workouts are tailored specifically to me, we focus intentionally on exactly what summer dressing and swimwear actually reveal.

Which sounds shallow until you realize it’s actually practical.

If bikinis highlight shoulders, core, legs, glutes, and posture… why wouldn’t those become the focus?

Not in a crash-diet way.

In a sculpting way.

A strengthening way.

A “let me feel incredible when I walk onto the beach” way.

The pre-beach reveal mindset is real

There’s always a moment before summer trips where people quietly lock in.

Usually around 4–6 weeks before the first beach weekend.

You start saying no to the random late-night takeout.
You suddenly care about sodium.
You remember water exists.
You start adding incline walks after workouts.
You start chasing that lean but strong look everyone online suddenly wants by May.

Everyone acts casual about it, but collectively we are all preparing for the reveal.

And honestly? I don’t think there’s anything wrong with wanting to feel confident.

The difference is whether the motivation comes from self-hatred or self-investment.

For me, the biggest shift has been focusing on enhancement instead of punishment.

We’ve been doubling down on:

• shoulders and arms because swimwear exposes them constantly

• core work for posture and overall tightness

• glute and leg training because everything looks better when your lower body is strong

• low-impact cardio for leaning out without burning myself out

• mobility because nothing looks better than someone who moves confidently

And the crazy thing is, when you train with intention, you stop obsessing emotionally.

It becomes less:
“How do I become a different person by June?”

And more:
“How do I become the strongest, hottest, most energized version of myself?”

Very different energy.

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Looking good is honestly about feeling prepared

I actually do think confidence changes when you feel good in your body.

Not in the fake “love yourself at every stage” way people say online.

I mean genuinely.

Clothing fits differently. You stop dressing to hide certain areas and start dressing to celebrate them. You put things on because they look good — not because they camouflage something.

That changes your energy immediately.

And yes, part of that confidence absolutely comes with feeling stronger, leaner, tighter, and more comfortable in your own skin.

But the confidence also comes from knowing you showed up for yourself.

You did the workouts.
You stayed consistent.
You took care of yourself.

That feeling carries over into everything.

You stand differently.
You wear the smaller outfit.
You stop hiding in photos.
You stop negotiating with yourself all day.

And ironically, that’s usually when people start saying:

“Wait… what are you doing lately?”

Not because you suddenly transformed overnight.

Because energy reads before aesthetics do.

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My actual summer body routine right now

Remote training sessions.
Body recomposition focused workouts.
Heavy lower body days for glute growth and overall shape.
Core circuits.
Incline treadmill walks.
Higher protein and prioritizing muscle over simply getting skinny.
Peptides that support leaning out while maintaining muscle.
Sleep.
Hydration.
Consistency.

Nothing revolutionary.

And if you read my last post, then you already know I’ve also been incorporating peptides into my routine (specifically this GLP-1 from Evolv) as part of the overall strategy of building lean muscle while getting tighter for summer.

Not as a magic fix.

More like support.

The same way great skincare supports your skin or tailoring supports clothing.

The foundation is still training, nutrition, sleep, and consistency. But when everything is working together, the results happen faster and feel more sustainable.

Just focused.

Because the truth is, getting “summer body ready” is rarely about becoming someone else.

It’s about refining.

Sharpening.

Revealing the version of yourself that was already there under the winter layers.

And honestly?

I kind of love the ritual of it now.

The seasonal reset.
The summer Fridays energy.
The tiny bikini motivation.
The feeling of getting stronger and more confident week by week.

Not because I am trying to become someone else.

Because there is something genuinely satisfying about putting effort into yourself and seeing the results show up everywhere from your energy to the way your clothes fit.

I am still recovering from the fact that I packed for a three-day Harbour Island wedding weekend entirely in a carry-on.

To be fair, it was an aggressively swollen carry-on. The kind where you quietly avoid eye contact at boarding because you know the zipper is under emotional stress. But still — no checked bag.

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And honestly, the only reason I pulled it off was because I planned every outfit before the trip.

Not vaguely. Not “these pieces could maybe work together.” I mean actual outfit planning:

• daytime look

• evening look

• which bag

• which jewelry

• which sunglasses

• what shoes

• what could repeat

Because the second you stop planning, you start throwing in “just in case” pieces, and that’s how you end up with six extra dresses and no room for your skincare.

For this trip, I built everything around accessories first – which is almost always how I pack.

I knew I wanted:

• warm cognac suede

• black minimal shoulder bags

• raffia textures

• tortoise sunglasses

• layered gold jewelry

• one standout evening moment

Once I had that direction, the clothing became easy because every outfit lived in the same visual world.

The biggest space-saving trick is repetition.

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The same few sunglasses worked with every single look.
The same jewelry layered through day and night, swapping out a few key items here and there.
The same sandals rotated across multiple outfits.
And the bags became the “personality shift” between looks.

That’s what made the carry-on possible.

Day 1: Soft Neutrals + Texture

For the first daytime look, I packed the ivory knit set because it worked immediately after travel: comfortable, breathable, and polished without trying too hard.

The cognac suede shoulder bag completely changed the feel of the outfit. Without it, the look leaned overly soft. The warmth of the suede gave it dimension and made it feel grounded.

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I also loved that the bag itself packed flat-ish, which became an important theme in my suitcase strategy.

Structured bags are beautiful, but vacation packing rewards flexibility.

That night, I changed into the black asymmetrical mini with the raffia clutch and oversized tortoise chain handle.

This is exactly why I plan outfits beforehand: the dress itself took up almost no room, but because I already knew the accessories would carry the look, I didn’t need multiple evening options.

The raffia texture made the outfit feel island-appropriate instead of overly formal, and the resin chain acted almost like jewelry.

A simple earring and arm cuff completed the look and offered a refreshing new item to focus on.

Day 2: Casual Day + Wedding Dressing

Daytime on Harbour Island is deceptively hot, so lightweight separates became essential.

The striped knit shorts and cropped black tank were probably the hardest-working pieces I packed because they felt relaxed enough for daytime but still styled.

I paired them with the tiny black shoulder bag because I wanted something minimal that wouldn’t compete with the texture in the shorts.

Tiny bags are secretly the MVP of carry-on packing because they force editing. If a bag only holds four things, you suddenly realize you only need four things.

For the wedding evening, I packed one dramatic option only:
the gold sequin gown.

No backup dress.
No second-guessing.

That’s another carry-on rule:
commit.

The dress was impactful enough on its own that I kept everything else understated — simple sandals, minimal jewelry, natural hair.

And because it was a column silhouette without heavy structure, it actually folded surprisingly well in the suitcase.

No iron required!

Day 3: Easy Island Whites

By the final day, I wanted the easiest version of dressing possible.

The crochet skirt with the oversized cream tee felt relaxed and effortless in the best way – slightly undone, breathable, and perfect for a slow final morning.

The shell bag was the fun accessory moment that made the outfit feel vacation-specific without crossing into novelty.

I think that’s the balance I’m always trying to find when I travel:
pieces that feel connected to the destination while still feeling like me.

What Made the Carry-On Work

Honestly, this trip reminded me that successful packing has very little to do with bringing less and everything to do with planning better.

What helped most:

• choosing one cohesive color palette

• repeating accessories

• packing lightweight fabrics

• bringing only one real “statement” evening look

• selecting bags that packed efficiently

• pre-planning every outfit ahead of time

Because once every piece already has a purpose, you stop overpacking.

And while the carry-on did technically zip… I would describe the situation as “barely compliant.”

I went to Miami for a speaking engagement, but most of the trip was spent trying to balance two completely different parts of my life at the same time.

I drove there with the kids, which already changes the tone of a work trip immediately. It was not a vacation. It was a few packed days of conferences, meetings, networking, outfit changes, logistics, pool breaks, meals squeezed in between obligations, and trying to make sure I still got meaningful time with my kids while continuing to build my career.

That was the hardest part of the trip: constantly toggling between work mode and mom mode.

One minute I was preparing to speak or rushing to a meeting, and the next I was sneaking away to the pool, the beach, breakfast, or the waterpark with the kids before heading back to another event. I was answering emails while coordinating snacks, changing in hotel bathrooms between conference clothes and mom clothes, trying to be fully present in both worlds even when they were pulling against each other.

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Day One

We arrived in Miami after the drive and immediately shifted into a full schedule.

For arrival day, I wore a Free People embroidered tank with Gap jorts, which worked perfectly for unpacking, getting settled, and spending part of the afternoon by the pool with the kids before the evening started.

Later that night, I changed into a black Banana Republic set for dinner and networking.

We ate at Motek, which ended up being one of my favorite meals of the trip. After a long drive and jumping immediately into work mode, it felt good to sit still for a second and have a real dinner before the events and meetings started taking over the schedule.

Day Two

The next morning started early.

For the speaking engagement, I wore a cream Rebecca Minkoff blazer with the cream Rebecca Minkoff floral pencil skirt. Polished enough for the conference schedule but still comfortable enough to wear through an entire day of running around.

Most of the day became a blur of speaking, meetings, networking, checking in on the kids, and trying to fit everything together without feeling like I was neglecting one side of the trip for the other.

In between obligations, we stopped at Aventura Mall for a little shopping break before heading back into the rest of the schedule.

By evening, I changed into a Mango linen short set for a sunset boat ride, which ended up being one of the few moments during the trip where everything slowed down for a minute.

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Day Three

By the third day, I felt like I had fully settled into the routine of switching between conference schedules and family time every few hours.

I started the day in Pixie Market barrel pants with the black Rebecca Minkoff Jett Moto Jacket before eventually changing into a black Free People top with Gap jorts later in the day.

We spent time at the JW Marriott waterpark with the kids, which honestly became one of the most memorable parts of the trip for me. It felt chaotic trying to balance everything, but also important.

I do not want my career to come at the expense of time with my kids, even if balancing both means constantly shifting gears all day long.

That night for dinner, I wore a Zara flutter-sleeve top with the Rebecca Minkoff floral pencil skirt again, mostly because it ended up being one of the easiest and most versatile pieces I packed.

Last Day

The last day was spent mostly at the Four Seasons beach and pool before driving home.

I wore a Victoria’s Secret two-piece

set for most of the day and later changed into white vintage Levi’s with a white embroidered Mango top.

We had breakfast at Lido, spent a few more hours by the water, packed the car back up, and slowly transitioned out of trip mode and back into reality.

Final Thoughts

The trip was exhausting. Not in a bad way, but in the very real way that happens when you are trying to grow professionally while also staying deeply present for your family.

There were moments where I felt pulled in opposite directions all day long.

But there was also something important about the kids seeing me work. Seeing me speak. Seeing me build something while still making time for them in the middle of it all.

It was not relaxing. It was not perfectly balanced. It was messy and full and tiring.

But it also felt worth it.

This entire season of event dressing really started because one of my best friends is getting married, and from the second the plans started coming together, I knew it was going to be the event.

Not just a wedding. An event.

Which also meant the pressure was on.

And for the first time in a long time, I was going completely kid free.

Honestly, that alone changed the entire way I approached getting dressed.

Suddenly I was looking at heels differently. Bags differently. Dresses differently. I could actually wear looks that did not require practical thinking. No mental calculations about whether I could bend down in it, carry someone in it, or survive sticky hands and snacks in it.

No preparing for the possibility that the dress itself might eventually become a tissue.

There is a very specific category of clothing moms stop reaching for after a while because your brain automatically starts filtering through functionality first.

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Can I move in this?
Can I sit on the floor in this?
Will this survive being climbed on?
Is this dry clean only?
Is this too delicate?
Is this too short to sprint after someone in?

And this trip completely removed that filter.

So naturally, I leaned all the way in.

Which is probably why wedding season dressing has become so fun again.

There’s a point every year when suddenly everyone is either engaged, going to a bachelorette, attending a wedding in Italy, attending a wedding themed like Italy, buying white dresses for no reason, or convincing themselves they suddenly need event dressing.

And honestly, I love it now, when I didn’t a few short years ago.

Wedding season dressing has become its own category of fashion now. It is no longer just one dress for one wedding. It’s welcome dinners, rehearsal dinners, bridal showers, bachelorettes, post wedding brunches, rooftop cocktails, beach dinners, engagement parties, and all the events in between that somehow still require a full outfit crisis.

LINKS: (full collection HERE)

• Norma Kamali Shoulder Pad Gown

• Seven Wonders Pink Maxi Dress

• Mango Low-Cut Dress with Fringed Hem

• Simon Miller Vestido Sequin Dress

• Beaufille Hari Dress

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The dangerous part is that shopping for these events can actually become fun again.

For a while, occasion dressing felt overly safe. Everyone was buying the same minimal slip dresses in slightly different neutrals and pretending they could wear them forever.

But now it feels like people are experimenting again. More color, more texture, more personality, more dramatic silhouettes, more accessories, and more willingness to actually dress for a moment.

Wedding season gives you permission to try things you normally would not wear in everyday life.

Maybe it is the dress you would usually think is too much.
Maybe it is the color you normally avoid.
Maybe it is feathers, sequins, a low back, volume, florals, sheer layers, matching sets, vintage-inspired shapes, or something hyper feminine that does not necessarily fit into your normal wardrobe rotation.

That is kind of the point.

Event dressing should feel different from real life.

But I also think the smartest way to shop wedding season now is buying pieces that can continue existing after the actual event is over.

Because nobody wants to spend money on a dress that only makes sense in one specific photo carousel.

Especially now.

With everything feeling expensive lately and funds feeling tighter for everyone, I honestly think people are becoming more creative with how they wear things instead of constantly chasing something brand new.

And honestly, who cares if it was already on Instagram?

The idea that something can only be worn once because it already appeared in a photo feels so outdated now. I LOVE re-wearing my clothes and honestly love the challenge of figuring out what else I can do with one item again and again.

The real creativity is figuring out how to wear the same piece over and over while making it feel completely different every time.

Changing the jacket.
Adding a wrap.
Switching the shoe.
Making the accessories do the work.

My Rebecca Minkoff shoes, bags, jewelry, and layering pieces completely change the feeling of a dress without needing to buy an entirely new look every single time.

A dress worn with heels and jewelry for a rehearsal dinner suddenly works with flat sandals on vacation.
A bachelorette dinner dress becomes a birthday dinner dress.
A white matching set gets reworn separately all summer.
A dramatic skirt works later with a tank top and vintage boots.
A satin dress that felt overly formal with heels suddenly becomes easy with an oversized sweater thrown over it.

Nothing has to stay in its original category anymore.

A wedding guest dress does not have to remain a wedding guest dress forever.

And honestly, the most fun part of shopping right now is allowing yourself to buy things that feel slightly outside your normal comfort zone while still making sure they can evolve into something wearable later.

That balance is the sweet spot.

I have found myself gravitating toward pieces lately that feel memorable enough for an event but versatile enough that I already know multiple other ways I would wear them afterward.

Because the reality is, nobody is buying just one dress anymore.

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Once wedding season starts, it becomes a domino effect. One dress becomes three, three becomes six, and suddenly you are justifying an entirely new category of purchases under the umbrella of summer events.

But honestly, I am not mad about it.

Fashion is supposed to be FUN.

And if there is ever a time to lean into dressing up, trying something different, wearing the heels, carrying the impractical bag, and buying the dress slightly outside your comfort zone, consider this newsletter your sign.

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When it comes to jewelry, I’ve never really believed in rules, especially the one about sticking to a single metal.

I’m fully pro mixed metals.

But for me, the key is restraint. If I’m mixing metals, I want there to be one focal point. Maybe it’s a bangle stack, maybe it’s the earrings, but I’m not trying to have silver and gold fighting for attention everywhere at once.

Too much mixed metal all over the body can start to feel visually noisy, and I always want the overall effect to feel effortless.

The Everyday Neck Stack

My approach to layering necklaces is very intentional, even if it looks organic.

I like there to be something happening every inch or half inch, different lengths, textures, dimensions, movement. It’s less about piling on jewelry and more about creating interest that feels collected over time.

Lately, my everyday neck stack starts with my Alexandra Beth lab diamond choker, which I honestly never take off. Then I layer in my turquoise Hart Hagerty necklace and the Hart Hagerty Lariat.

I’ve also been mixing in my Rebecca Minkoff necklace pieces to create that balance between statement and classic.

The goal is always jewelry that lives with you. I hate the feeling of pieces that only work for one outfit or that constantly need to be taken on and off to complete a look.

I want permanence mixed with personality.

LINKS + SHOP THE LOOK

• Alexandra Beth Lab Diamond Choker

• Hart Hagerty Turquoise Necklace (15% off $200+” RMXHART)

• Hart Hagerty Lariat (15% off $200+” RMXHART)

• Rebecca Minkoff Necklaces

Sentimental Pieces & Statement Energy

When I’m feeling more sentimental or heirloom inspired, I reach for Adina Reyter, especially for initials or pieces that feel deeply personal.

And when I want to lean a little more ghetto fabulous in the best possible way, I love Ivy Diamond Cole.

The kids’ names around my neck, rings stacked on my fingers, it’s bold, emotional, and fun, which is exactly what jewelry should be.

LINKS

• Adina Reyter Initial Jewelry (15% off: Minkoff15)

• Ivy Diamond Cole

• Ring Concierge

  

Earrings That Feel Balanced

My earrings follow a similar philosophy.

I keep my Jennifer Fisher hoops in my main piercings because they’re classic and grounding, and then most of the rest of my ear stack is Mejuri.

I like that balance between timeless and everyday. The outer layers feel polished while the rest can stay playful and a little unexpected.

LINKS

• Jennifer Fisher Hoops

• Mejuri Earrings

Share A Little Bit of Everything

The Wrist Stack

Same goes for my wrist stack.

I’m always mixing something luxurious with something more relaxed or interchangeable.

Right now, that means my Cartier anniversary gifts layered with a miniature diamond bangle and a Katie Dean pearl and rhinestone bracelet.

I love jewelry that doesn’t feel overly precious, even when some of it is.

It should move with your life.

LINKS

• Cartier Bracelets

• Katie Dean Bracelet

• Jenny Bird (10% off REBECCA10)

The Secret to Layering Jewelry

At the end of the day, I think the secret to layering jewelry is making sure everything isn’t competing.

With every outfit, I decide what the story is going to be, the neck, the ears, or the wrists.

One area gets to lead and the others support.

That balance is what keeps layering feeling chic instead of chaotic.

I went down to Miami to speak, but if I am being honest, the real story was the outfits. Not in an overthought way, more in a future me will be grateful way.

I have learned that when a trip has multiple versions of you built into it – work, dinners, kids, heat, humidity, and spontaneity – the only way to actually enjoy it is to remove as many decisions as possible ahead of time.

So I planned everything. (shop my complete packing guide HERE)

THE SYSTEM

Every look had a purpose. Daytime. Nighttime. In between. I built outfits around pieces I wanted to actually wear, my new sunglasses that somehow pull everything together, spring bags that feel lighter and refreshing and shoes that can carry you from a panel to dinner without needing a full reset.

There is something very calming a-bout knowing exactly what you are wearing without having to see it all laid out in your suitcase. I put together full looks ahead of time, paired them with shoes, and took photos of each outfit so I would not have to think about it later. Everything was packed separately, but the decisions were already made.

It sounds simple, but it saves space and more importantly your brain. You are not overpacking just in case pieces that never get worn. You are not standing there at 6pm wondering if something works together. It is already handled. You just get dressed and go.

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WHERE WE STAYED

We stayed at the JW Marriott where the conference was, which made everything easier. The real clincher though was the water park, which made bringing the kids feel like the right decision instead of a logistical one.

And because I brought them which felt important this time I also packed a version of myself that had nothing to do with work. Sweatsuits, easy shorts and cover ups. Things I could throw on in between everything and just be present and not afraid to get wet or slimed on.

We spent an afternoon at the water park which was total chaos in the best way. Hair did not surrender because I refused to let it and yes I brought a flatiron just in case. Then back to the room, quick reset, and into something more pulled together for dinner. (full look here)

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WHERE WE ATE

We ate at Motek which always hits that balance of easy but still intentional. One afternoon we spent time with friends at the Four Seasons and ended up at Lido where everything slows down a bit. No one rushing, the light changing, you forget what time it is.

And then Toku for omakase, tucked inside one of those very Miami malls where everything feels slightly surreal. It was one of those moments where I realized mid meal that the entire menu was seafood and somehow thought it would be reasonable to ask for a vegetable roll. It was not, but it was funny.

THE TAKEAWAY

The real takeaway from the trip was not just what I wore, it was how much easier everything felt because I was not making decisions in real time. Planning ahead is not about being rigid, it is about creating space. Space to say yes, to stay longer somewhere, to spend more time with your kids, to not feel like you are constantly catching up to yourself.

I used to pack for the version of the trip I imagined. Now I pack for the version that actually happens and save the small amount of leftover RAM in my brain for a few potentially uninterrupted, full thoughts.

There’s the version of spring break packing I imagine and then there’s the reality of it.

Reality, for me this year, looked like 5 suitcases filled with cold weather gear that hadn’t seen the light in 3 years, skis, kids, and a toddler walking/crying around in what felt like 20 pound boots. Somewhere between the airport and the mountain, I just accepted it this was not going to be a fashion moment.

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And honestly? That shift made everything easier.

For our ski trip, I stopped trying to force outfits and just focused on what actually works.

Warmth became the priority.

I packed my cashmere sweaters from Quince, which I basically lived in, layered with thermal underwear, and relied on really good long sleeve tees under my ski gear.

Not glamorous, but incredibly effective.

One thing I didn’t expect to become a hero was face oil. I used Oak Essentials nonstop (body cream, oil, & moisture rich balm. The cold, wet air is no joke, and having that extra layer made such a difference. Less dryness, less windburn, just better skin overall.

Of course, there were moments where I thought, I should have packed something cuter for après ski. But then I would be carrying skis, snacks, gloves, and a child and quickly remembered why I didn’t.

Survival first. Style later.

From there, we pivot straight into LA to hard launch our Rebecca Minkoff Sunnies and Swim, which feels like a completely different personality.

Now I’m packing jorts, which I truly cannot believe, including a great pair from Gap, plus a vest and my new shoes I am really excited about. I will also be wearing our flat sandals and leaning into that easy California style but still keeping my rock and roll edge.

LA dressing is simple, refined, effortless.

You do not need much. The weather does the work for you.

And then, because why not, I have exactly one day at home before heading to a friend’s 50th in the Bahamas.

Which means full swimwear mode.

I have been mixing Victoria’s Secret, which I know... but is actually really good right now, and some swim from solids and striped, and Left On Friday. I am trying to do as many sets as I can to make dressing easy and some surprisingly great Amazon finds.

Then I elevate everything with a few higher end pieces like Isabel Marant and Rachel Comey, my Rebecca Minkoff bags and shoes ofc and away we go, sunburned and all.

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High low always wins.

What this stretch of travel has reminded me is that living out of a suitcase is not about perfection. It is about knowing what works for your life in that moment.

Some trips are about function. Some are about style. Most are a mix of both.

And sometimes, looking cute just is not the priority and that is okay.

But when it is, you do not need a million things or a huge budget. You just need pieces that work, a little editing, and the ability to pivot.

That, to me, is real travel style.

xx

I thought by now I would have figured it out.

Somewhere along the way, I assumed there would be a moment when the pieces would click into place. A moment when the tension between being a mother and being ambitious would finally settle into something that felt manageable. Predictable even. I believed that if I worked hard enough at building boundaries between work and kids, between being Mommy and being a friend, between professional drive and personal presence, I might eventually solve the equation.

But lately it feels like an un-winnable proposition….

For the past two weeks I did not get on a single airplane. I stayed put. I leaned into the time at home and the moments that matter. Playing, reading, engaging, being present. The kind of time that when you are busy you promise yourself you will make more space for later.

And I did.

I immersed myself in it.

Yet today, as I board a plane, the first of more than six flights in the next month, I cannot shake the feeling that it still was not enough. That I should have played more, read more, lingered longer in those small fleeting moments.

At the very same time, every extra minute I spent focusing on my children carried its own weight of guilt. A quiet voice reminding me that I was not pushing hard enough in my career. That I might be falling behind. That I should be doing more, reaching further, moving faster.

Guilt for leaving.

Guilt for staying.

It is a strange emotional tug of war where no matter which direction you lean, the feeling follows.

What makes it even harder to untangle is that I know how fortunate I am. I get to do what I love. I have an incredible family. My life is filled with opportunities that many people only dream about. Gratitude is always there.

But gratitude does not erase the tension.

The sacrifices that come with ambition are real. Time with friends becomes limited. Spontaneous fun gets replaced with logistics. Personal choices are weighed against professional responsibilities and family needs. Every path forward seems to come with a trade off.

And the truth is I am still frustrated that I have not figured it out.

We live in a world that loves the idea of balance, but I have come to believe that balance does not really exist. Life moves in waves. Some seasons demand more from work. Others demand more from family. Sometimes both seem to ask for everything at once.

But if balance may be an illusion, I still find myself wishing for something simpler.

I wish life had no guilt.

I wish leaving did not come with a knot in my stomach.

I wish staying did not carry the whisper that I should be somewhere else.

Maybe the answer is not solving the equation at all. Maybe it is accepting that the tension exists because the things we care about most are pulling on us at the same time.

Over the years I’ve also found a few small things that make the daily juggle easier — the routines, tools, and essentials that keep me organized and feeling like myself. I keep them all in one place HERE.

Still, if I am being honest, I am not there yet. For now I am just sharing the truth of the moment. The frustration. The gratitude. The constant push and pull. Because if I am feeling it, I know I am not the only one.

And maybe saying it out loud is the closest thing we get to solving it.

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Weights. Lifting. Repetition. Progress.

Lifting changed how I exist in my body. My posture shifted. My stance widened. I felt sturdier and toned. Less fragile. Less apologetic.

There’s something about getting stronger that changes your tolerance for discomfort. You stop panicking every time something feels hard. You learn how to stay.

It also changed how I saw my body. Less aesthetic obsession. More function. More respect.

Only after that became consistent did I add Tirzepatide.

And I want to be clear about this. This wasn’t a shortcut. This wasn’t instead of discipline. This was on top of it.

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What Tirzepatide gave me wasn’t weight loss magic. It gave me quiet.

Food noise is real. And until it turns down you don’t realize how loud its been your whole life.

I stopped thinking about food all day. I stopped negotiating with myself. I stopped swinging between control and rebellion.

Physically I felt steadier. Fewer crashes. Less inflammation. Less bloating. Energy that didn’t spike and crash.

Mentally it felt like space. Like someone turned down the static.

I wasn’t fighting myself anymore. I was cooperating.

And that made everything easier.

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The 1st ten lbs were from everything I told you about in part 1 of this journey. The next 10 came from lifting, calorie restriction, HRT and THEN macrodosing Tirz.

I say this with caution.

When you play with peptides without respect for dosing, hydration, and medical supervision – it is not fun. I have had a few very awful nights and days by the toilet cursing myself for this but have found a more healthy balance and knowledge of what foods I can/cannot eat, and how to stay hydrated and keep my electrolytes in check. I HIGHLY and in fact URGE you to ONLY do this with a doctor who supervises this.

Over the last couple of months, I transitioned to Evolv (GLP-1 Biomimetic), a pill option that feels more manageable for me personally. For anyone intimidated by injections, this felt like a steadier path. I started at one pill and gradually worked up under supervision.

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And for the record, this is all just MY experience with it and you do need to do your own, I am in NO way a medical doctor and this isn’t advice. Before doing ANYTHING consult with your doctor. (They might even say I am crazy!)

My hope when reading this is that you are inspired to make change, get unstuck and take control on your body and mind when it comes to eating, getting in shape and feeling your best. This is my story so I hope it helps!

Part 3 coming soon…

I was shocked after one of my last IG post about my health and the sheer amount of people that wanted my peptide stack blew my mind!

So good news and bad news, gonna make this a 3 part series bc I am giving you my secrets in the order I discovered and applied them.

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Before Anything Else

Before you try peptides.
Before you splurge on a GLP 1.
Before anything you want to screenshot.

I took control of the basics. Food first. Always. Then a strategic workout program.

I ate in a calorie deficit. I tracked enough to stop lying to myself. I stopped pretending that bites and tastes didn’t count. They did. Every time.

More protein. Less grazing. Less emotional snacking pretending to be intuition.

It wasn’t dramatic. It wasn’t aesthetic. It worked.

I lost ten pounds this way. Just from food. No injections. No supplements. No help.

And that mattered. Because it proved something to me. My body still responds. I’m not broken. Structure actually calms me down.

But food wasn’t the only thing I had to look at. I also had to look at my hormones.

Not guessing. Not symptom chasing. Actual data.

I got bloodwork done on the right days. Days 19, 20, 21. The luteal phase. When things actually show up instead of hiding.

That alone was eye opening.

Seeing numbers instead of vibes changes the conversation. You stop spiraling and start making decisions.

For me the answer wasn’t ignoring it or powering through. It was balancing what was off.

I chose HRT using creams.

That part was very intentional.

Creams are controllable. Adjustable. I could listen to my body and respond in real time instead of locking myself into something I couldn’t fine tune.

Nothing extreme. Nothing aggressive. Just support where my body wasn’t keeping up anymore.

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That shift didn’t feel dramatic either. It felt stabilizing. What shocked me the most was that my estrogen was 30x more than it should have been. Goal was get this in line ASAP. Guess what, it took 4 months till I felt it start to be in my system.

Better mood. Better sleep. Less internal chaos. Less feeling like I was constantly swimming upstream. The estrogen tummy and boobs started to deflate.

This wasn’t about anti-aging or chasing youth. It was about creating a baseline where food and movement could actually work.

Because if your hormones are off you can do everything “right” and still feel like you’re failing.

This part was about responsibility. About getting information. About not skipping steps.

It gave me a baseline. It taught me what was habit and what was physiology. What I could change on my own and what needed support.

Only after this was in place did anything else make sense.

This was the foundation. Everything that came after sat on top of this.

Now for those of you asking yourself, WELL WHO DO I USE FOR THIS? I’m a huge fan of Alisa Vitti from Flo Living (use code REBECCASAVE25) – functional nutritionist, female biohacking pioneer, and creator of the Cycle Syncing® Method. Her formulations are thoughtfully dosed (no “pixie dusting”), tailored to real hormonal phases, and her MyFLO app actually tells you how to eat and train according to your cycle – which is where this really clicked for me.

Intrigued? Part 2 is coming soon…

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I have never been interested in dramatic New Year’s resolutions. I do not want a new version of myself. I want a clearer one.

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1. Tailoring Gets Its Confidence Back

Why it matters:

Structure is returning - not as corporate armor, but as self-assured elegance. Recently, I have been embracing tailored silhouettes that feel nostalgic yet powerful, signaling a move away from shapeless dressing and toward intentional form.

How to style it:

Pair a sharp blazer with wide-leg denim, or wear a vest over a simple tank. The key is contrast: polished pieces grounded by ease. Shoes should soften the look - loafers, ballet flats, or a lived-in sneaker (lusting after the Silver Sambas for a touch of glam)

2. Denim, But Grown-Up

Why it matters:

Denim remains the great equalizer, but 2026 denim is about craftsmanship and silhouette, not trends for trend’s sake. I am favoring jeans that feel personal - overly distressed, embellished, or cut just differently enough to stand out.

How to style it:

Choose one statement detail: a wide leg, a sharp pleat, or an unexpected hem. Keep the rest of the outfit clean -a crisp shirt, fine knit, or tailored jacket. Let denim be the anchor, not the afterthought.

3. Shoes That Do the Talking

Why it matters:

Footwear is becoming the emotional centerpiece of an outfit. As wardrobes streamline, shoes are where personality shows up -from nostalgic loafers to futuristic trainers.

How to style it:

Build outfits from the ground up. Start with a standout shoe and keep the clothing understated. Satin sneakers with tailoring, chunky loafers with soft dresses, or sculptural flats with denim all feel current and intentional.

4. Romance, Rebalanced

Why it matters:

Softness is back - lace, satin, sheer layers - but it’s no longer precious. Romance in 2026 is about texture and feeling, balanced by strength and structure. Boho is back, baby.

How to style it:

Pair something delicate with something grounded. A lace skirt with a knit sweater, a satin top with cargo pants, or a sheer layer under a blazer. Avoid looking “done” - romance works best when it feels slightly undone.

5. Statement Proportions and Thoughtful Accessories

Why it matters:

Fashion is moving away from logo-driven statements and toward silhouette and detail. Dramatic shapes and smaller, more deliberate accessories signal confidence without excess.

How to style it:

If your silhouette is bold- a cape, oversized coat, or voluminous skirt: keep accessories minimal and precise. If your outfit is simple, add interest with a sculptural bag or unexpected belt. It’s about editing, not adding.

The Bigger Picture

What ties all of this together is a shift toward expressive restraint. 2026 style isn’t loud, but it’s not invisible either. It’s confident, textured, and personally built around pieces that feel considered rather than trendy.

The question going forward isn’t “Is this in?”

It’s “Does this feel like me?”

Can’t wait to see you in these trend so tag me when ya do! Shop all my looks HERE!

xx, RM

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There’s a particular flavor of holiday chaos that only a mom running a household solo for two weeks truly understands. It’s the “four kids, four schedules, four drop-offs, and one person trying to have a single original thought” kind of chaos. The kind where you want time off and you also want to spend time with your kids, and you also want to hide in a closet for eight minutes just to not be touched.

But here’s the truth I’m learning in real time:
You can love your kids and still feel overstimulated.
You can want family time and still crave silence.
You can be grateful and still slightly unraveling at the seams.

This isn’t failure. This is motherhood.

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When Wanting It All Feels Like Too Much

My husband is away for two weeks—because of course he is—and I’m doing the holiday circuit like a NASCAR driver who also moonlights as a personal assistant, chef, Uber driver, emotional support mammal, and disgruntled elf. Each kid is in a different universe: sports, friends, parties, rehearsals, inexplicable last-minute projects that “absolutely must go to school tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, I’m trying to carve out time for personal projects and creative ideas that light me up. Except… it is VERY hard to think a big, world-changing thought while someone is using your thigh as a racetrack for Hot Wheels.

There’s also the guilt—my old friend. I traveled a lot this year for work, and I want to drown in my children now. I want to be with them. I want to make up for lost moments. But wanting that doesn’t magically erase the fact that I’m human and overstimulated and trying to get things done that also matter.

Motherhood is full of these emotional contradictions. The holidays just turn the volume up.

But Also… I Wouldn’t Change It

Somewhere between the drop-offs and the meltdowns and the sticky counters and the “why is this wet?” moments, there’s this soft undercurrent of gratitude buzzing beneath it all.

Yes, it’s hard.
Yes, I’m stretched.
Yes, someone always needs something.

But also, this is the life I wanted. I built it. I chose it. I love it—even when it’s loud and messy and feels like I’m living inside a snow globe someone keeps shaking.

And surviving the holidays isn’t about perfection; it’s about finding tiny pockets of sanity, humor, and pleasure inside the madness.

Products Actually Helping Me Survive This Season

(With Humor Because… It’s Me)

Kroma Wellness - Beauty Matcha & Colostrum

Why it’s saving me:

Because my body currently thinks it’s a full-time trampoline and my immune system is… how do I say this politely… on sabbatical. A scoop of Kroma’s colostrum makes me feel like maybe—just maybe—I won’t get sick right when everyone else goes down like dominoes.

Also, Beauty Matcha Latte is the only reason I haven’t fallen asleep mid-sentence this week.

In Your Face Cream (literally the name, which feels like a threat and a promise)

Why it’s saving me:
Because my skin currently looks like it’s been through emotional turbulence. This cream is like a tiny skincare intervention whispering, You’re doing amazing, sweetie every time I slap it on in the 14-second window I get alone in the bathroom.

It’s Messy Haircare

Why it’s saving me:
Because my hair is currently an honest reflection of my life: chaotic, voluminous in the wrong places, and held together by hope. It’s Messy is that rare product line that says, “Look, we’re not going to pretend you have 45 peaceful minutes to do your hair… but we can make it look like you tried.”

Plus, the name is basically my autobiography right now.

Rebecca Minkoff Darren Crossbody in Olive

Why it’s saving me:
Because this bag is the only organized thing about me during the holidays. It fits the 47 items my children hand me at random (“Mom, hold this rock forever”), and the olive color hides the fingerprints of whatever mystery substance someone smeared on me at 8:13 a.m.

It’s chic, it’s functional, and most importantly: it lets me pretend I’m a woman with her life together, even as I show up to events in questionable leggings and the emotional energy of a forgotten ornament.

The Pep Talk We Both Need

If you’re reading this in a similar season, here’s permission to feel how you feel.
You can be grateful and completely overloaded.
You can be joyful and completely tapped out.
You can be “I love you more than life itself” and “why are you breathing directly on me” in the same hour.

This doesn’t make you a bad mom. It makes you a real one.

And somewhere in the blur of wrapping paper, drop-offs, reheated coffee, and trying to form a coherent thought, there’s still beauty here. There’s still magic. There’s still the deep, pulsing love that makes the chaos worth surviving.

And we will survive it—preferably moisturized, slightly caffeinated, and with a sense of humor.

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About a year ago, I found myself in the middle of a battle I never asked for, one that unfolded in a world where perception is currency and narratives can be twisted into weapons. I can’t name it outright, but let’s just say it was the kind of arena where drama is a spectator sport, and where people with platforms sometimes forget their responsibility to truth.

It felt like stepping onto the field as David facing Goliath—except Goliath had a production team, an audience, and a megaphone.

I was fighting for something incredibly simple: to be treated fairly. To not be diminished or dismissed. To not have misinformation or hate casually tossed around like confetti. I was fighting for my name, my integrity, and the right to not be painted into a storyline that didn’t belong to me.

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And the truth is, no one prepares you for how persistent you’ll have to be when you’re dealing with people who seem, on paper, to hold all the power. No one warns you about how brave you’ll have to become when the stakes are higher than you ever imagined. There’s no handbook for the moment you realize you may have to put every chip you have on the table—not because you want to, but because backing down would mean betraying yourself.

Being underestimated can become the spark that drives you to create something undeniable. It’s the same quiet fire that pushed me, years ago, to design the Morning After Bag—long before anyone believed the brand would become what it is today. Sometimes the best way to respond to doubt is to build something people can’t ignore.

Coming out the other side wasn’t just empowering—it was clarifying. When you’ve stood toe-to-toe with someone who appears bigger, louder, or more connected, and you still refuse to yield, you learn what you’re really capable of. You learn that bravery isn’t loud; it’s steady. That persistence is less about stubbornness and more about self-respect. And that sometimes the freedom you’re looking for only arrives after you’ve risked everything to defend what you believe in.

Being underestimated doesn’t break you. It sharpens you. It reminds you that people can misjudge you, doubt you, or decide who they think you are—but they can’t determine what you’ll become.

I emerged with the same name, the same values, and the same truth I walked in with—only now, they’re unshakable.

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What if I told you my fashion career started because I was a ballerina… just not a very good one?

It’s no surprise that when high school came around, I had my sights on applying to a design program. I didn’t have a portfolio like the other performing arts applicants, but I did have years of ballet under my belt. And by some miracle, I was accepted into the dance program.

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Eventually, I made my way to the costume department and it became my happy place. That’s where I met the costume studio director, Trish, who taught me everything she knew: draping, pattern making, and bringing sketches to life.

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