The last time I opened Substack to write a newsletter was a little over three weeks ago, the day before we welcomed our second daughter (Gracie Ross White!) into the world. I never worked up the courage to hit send, out of fear that I would somehow taint the outcome or jeopardize the birth that was imminent. I’m delighted and relieved to share that she’s here, she’s healthy, and everything worked out according to plan.

But the truth is, we didn’t have a “plan” at all, other than ideally not giving birth on the Long Island Expressway. We flew from Los Angeles to New York when I was 35 weeks on the dot (the last window airlines will let you fly) and transferred care to an OBGYN based in Manhattan so we wouldn’t miss an East Coast summer with our family. It made me feel like we were truly winging the “birth plan,” which I captured best when I wrote this three weeks ago:

Today, I’m officially 39 weeks pregnant. My belly is the size of a prize-winning watermelon, which somehow feels fitting for the Fourth of July. We’re planning to deliver at Mount Sinai West in New York City, a cool two-hour drive from Quogue on a good day and a whole lot longer if you find yourself battling holiday or rush hour traffic on the L.I.E. I downloaded a contraction app (yes, there is an app for that) to try to gauge the urgency of the contractions I’ve been feeling. I can’t help but think going into labor in Quogue and scrambling to make it to New York City would make for a very dramatic, cinematic birth story, though no part of me (or Tim) wants to experience that. My dad is worried too. He hasn’t said it, but a few days ago he handed us a first-aid kit and emphatically suggested that Tim keep it in the back of his car “just in case.”

I’m pleased to share that we dodged giving birth on the highway and miraculously arrived at a calm, peaceful, far-from-crowded Labor & Delivery floor of Mount Sinai West. When the nurse scribbled my “birth plan” on the dry erase board in our delivery room a few hours later, I asked her simply to write “healthy baby, healthy mom.” Of course, I had other wishes too, but a healthy baby, a healthy mom, and an uncomplicated outcome is all you can really hope for.

So many birth stories are complex, scary, dangerous, and painful. Bringing new life into this world is an incredibly fragile, miraculous thing, so I don’t take what I’m about to say next lightly.

“Kissed by angels” is the best way to describe how I felt giving birth to Gracie. I was introduced to this phrase just before our wedding in 2022. A friend said in passing, “You’ll feel kissed by angels,” and when our wedding went off without a hitch (after a cancelled wedding from a hurricane the year before), it became a concept I’ve hung onto ever since. My mom passed away in 2017, and I have no doubt in my mind that the angel in question is her. I know that somewhere she’s pulling invisible strings for those she loves whenever we need it most.

I was induced at 4 p.m. on July 5th, and at exactly 11:59 p.m., Gracie was out. We had started to get excited about July 5th as a birthday because, as the day following July 4th, it will forever be part of the holiday weekend. By 11:40 p.m., we still had no sign that Gracie was ready, so I quietly said goodbye to the idea of a July 5th baby. Then, at ten till midnight, it was time. After a single practice push, the doctor said, “Okay, wow, the baby is coming.” Then: “She’s wiggling out on her own. I’ve never seen this before.” That made me laugh, to which he responded, “You literally just laughed the baby out. You are very blessed.” She was in my arms then, all 8 pounds, 1 ounce of her, and I became a blissed-out mom of two girls, something I had once dreamed about.

I’m no stranger to hardship on the road to having a baby, so I share this experience to say: for every outcome that doesn’t go your way (as soul-crushing as it feels in the moment), on the other side of that pain, something beautiful is waiting.

Meet Gracie Ross White. Born July 5th, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. One of the first things the doctor pointed out were the “angel kisses” on her eyelids, which is what they call the common, harmless birthmarks that often show up on newborns.

Coincidence? I think not.

In case you were wondering, our older daughter Elsie has assumed her role as big sister proudly, lovingly, and with great excitement.

By the way, if this newsletter comes a little more sporadically over the next few weeks (err, months), you know why. Please know I’m doing my best!

Hydration is key for all of us in the summer, but anyone who has breastfed needs no reminder that hydrating becomes a full time job in the weeks following birth. A breastfeeding mom’s daily water needs increase by about 40%, from 91 ounces to about 128 ounces a day (though of course exact needs vary). I keep a 32 ounce mason jar next to my bed, always with a glass straw, and rotate through different electrolytes to keep it interesting (I’m more accountable this way). My love for Ultima Replenisher’s Lemonade has not wavered, though I recently tried and loved this from Needed. It’s made without sugar or artificial sweeteners and delivers the trace minerals and electrolytes you need, particularly when breastfeeding. Earth Mama also makes an electrolyte powder specifically for breastfeeding that is very clean and tastes great.

The transition from pregnancy to postpartum requires a shift in supplement regimen too. A few things stay constant, though, like the need for copious amounts of water and ample protein. Needed makes a Collagen Protein powder that essentially tastes like nothing and folds easily into smoothies or other drinks without taste. I recently switched to their Women’s Multivitamin and I’m loving it. The formula supports healthy hormones, energy, mood, and healthy cortisol levels. All things that can go haywire when freshly postpartum…

I will say, people really overdo the emphasis around the hospital bag. With Elsie, I stuffed three huge canvas totes to the brim with God knows what. Half of the items I didn’t touch. This time, I narrowed it down to one bag (this expandable Longchamp bag was perfect) with comfortable pajamas, socks, deodorant (the lavender was relaxing), hair ties, and your usual toiletries. Anything you really need that you forget, the hospital can give you (or you can order on Postmates).

A few unexpected things I did find worthwhile? LED lights and essential oils (peppermint, lavender, and rose geranium, to be specific). Prior to having Elsie, a doula tipped me off that creating a calm environment is key to a nice experience. She was right and it made a huge difference in my hospital experience when delivering Elsie (and again this time with Gracie). You’d be amazed at the way a reiki playlist, soft lighting, and plenty of peppermint essential oil can transform a space that’s typically fluorescent, creating a sense of peace and calm for the flurry of doctors and nurses coming and going.

Also a must: a comfortable pillow, preferably a really good down king size pillow with a pillow case that is differentiated enough from the hospital pillows. It’s a creature comfort.

When you bring home a newborn, hand washing becomes critical for every visitor and family member in the house, particularly young kids who get grubby mits. Making sure that each of our sinks had a nice, non-toxic hand soap was important to me. I love this from Koala Eco. and this from Dr. Bronner’s (Peppermint is my fave).

Speaking of Koala Eco, their entire line is worth investing in as a one-stop-shop for overhauling your home’s cleaning supplies. Not only are they non-toxic and baby friendly, they work (!) and they make cleaning a pleasure. Fun fact: this stainless steel cleaner recently helped me get rid of an army of ants on our kitchen counter (ants hate peppermint). I order Koala Eco from Grove Co (along with a long list of other items). Another fun fact: LACEY25 gets you 25% off anything at Grove Co,

I’ve written about Alkalize Greens many times, and for good reason. Most of us start our mornings with coffee, which is acidic. wants us to start our mornings with water (32 oz of it), movement, and ideally something alkaline, be it a green juice, a smoothie, or her Alkalize Greens. These stick packs deliver six servings of greens in an easy-to-take-anywhere sachet, empowering us to get our bodies in an alkaline state first thing in the morning. Sarah, the brains behind Sarah Wragge Wellness, hosted an event in Quogue the week after I had Gracie, and it was a worthwhile reason to leave the house. LACEY15 will get you 15% off if you want to try Alkalize or anything else from her line.

I cannot quit this serum from Counter (formerly Beautycounter). I just polished off my second bottle and the new bottle can’t get here fast enough. My skin craves it in the morning, which means I’m consistent with it. I love the smell, the way it leaves my skin, and the fact that it’s a clean formula that wouldn’t irritate the baby’s skin if it were to touch her. It really is sunshine in a bottle.

Contrary to what you might expect, when you’re induced, you end up with a lot of time to kill while nothing particularly exciting is happening. I spent a good chunk of this time scrolling, and ended up ordering a matching set of nightgowns (complete with monograms) for Gracie and Elsie. It was a distraction purchase at the time, but I could not love them more. Seeing their names together side by side for the first time was an emotional moment for me.

As always, thank you so much for reading. I hope you’re all having an amazing summer so far!

Lacey

“Are we insane?”

That was a question Tim and I kept debating for weeks. He had a movie at Cannes Film Festival, I had work in London, and somewhere in the trip planning, we floated the idea of bringing Elsie (who is two and a half) with us. Turning a work trip into a “family work trip” adds a level of complexity most sensible parents would go out of their way to avoid. Layer on that I’m in my third trimester of pregnancy(!), and the unanimous decision would be that yes, we are insane.

But here’s what I’ve learned about time: if you don’t seize the opportunity when it presents itself, you may never get another chance to do it. We’re expecting a second daughter in July(!), so this really felt like the last reasonable window to take Elsie on a trip with just the three of us.

Spoiler: she came with us, and it was the best decision we could have made. It turns out we have a resilient, good-natured, genuinely expert little traveler on our hands. I know not every kid fits this description, so the trip made me feel mountains of gratitude for our sweet little Elsie. Plus, sometimes throwing a wrench in routine is exactly what a little one needs to build flexibility and resilience.

I’ve been slowly wrapping my head around what welcoming a second baby will mean for our current family dynamic. Elsie gets all of our collective attention right now, and it’s how we like it. A new baby will inevitably upend everything we know, and this trip turned out to be an opportunity to celebrate our family as we know it. In fact, it was an amazing, almost healing experience for me. It gave me time to be present with Elsie and taught me new things about her I truly admire. She loves art and “colors,” and we laughed that she already has good taste, pausing and asking for photos in front of her favorite works (Monet! Degas! Matisse!). She also appreciates little details most kids would overlook. “What a beautiful room we have here!” she’d say upon entering our hotel in Paris (shoutout to for always taking care of us when traveling). Or: “Mama, I love being on the a-plane with you!”

Elsie is going to be an incredible big sister when the time comes, but for now, I loved being able to revel in the kid she is and the current family dynamic that we have with just the three of us.

Also worth mentioning: we didn’t go out of our way to make our trip toddler-oriented. We did what Tim and I would’ve done on our own, and Elsie came along for the ride, loving every minute. That included attending a movie premiere (where she patiently played outside the theater with a French babysitter she met an hour before), the Matisse exhibit in Paris (so good, please go if you get the chance), a trip to a tailor in Paris for her dad, and many, many adult-centric restaurants.

Four flights, a nine-hour time change, and one Eurostar train later, and we live to tell the tale. In fact, it was a trip with Elsie that I’ll never forget. So, to all of you sensible decision makers, the next time you’re thinking about rationalizing yourself out of a chaotic choice like this one, perhaps rethink it, particularly if your heart is in the less practical option.

Have you taken your kids somewhere genuinely ambitious or wisely talked yourself out of it? I’d love to hear how it went (or didn’t) in the comments.

A trip packed that tightly also makes one thing very clear: which products you actually need and which are just weighing you down.

Cadence Travel Capsules. I decanted my favorite products into these so I wasn’t hauling full-size bottles of serum or shampoo. They kept everything tightly organized. They are lightly magnetic, which I liked, and also happen to be cute.

ILIA Overglaze Lip Gloss. I use shade Pale Pink Pearl Porcelain. Starting with our outbound flight to France, this turned out to be the perfect fix for dry, dehydrated airplane lips. Polished enough for an evening out, it also doubled as my makeup for events. Also with me and equally useful was ILIA’s Base Face Milk. I didn’t need Cadence for this one since their mini is the perfect size for travel.

Counter All Bright Vitamin C Serum. If you knew and loved Beautycounter, you’ll be happy to hear Counter is back and better than ever. It’s amazing how quickly my skin has gotten addicted to this Vitamin C Serum. I also used their Velvet Cream Bronzer and Cheeky Clean Cream Blush every day on the trip and loved how easy and natural the look was.

Vivrelle. A sneaky way to borrow designer bags that feels a little like raiding a well-stocked friend’s closet. I’m not one to splurge on a four-figure bag, and this is the next best thing. I borrowed a Bottega Veneta clutch, and it turned out to be the MVP of my trip. I loved it so much, I might consider getting one for real. Vivrelle is a genuinely fun way to try before you buy, or just play with a rotation of bags without having to commit to any particular one. Use code THELACEYLIST to try it for free.

SWW Alkalize. Light, packable sachets that turn your water into an alkalizing green juice. Getting your greens in while traveling isn’t always the easiest, and this helps keeps greens as part of your routine. LACEY15 for 15% off.

Forte Forte. Dressing up while pregnant is kind of the worst, but I fell in love with this dress (and cape!) from Italian brand Forte Forte. I know this is niche… but in case it helps anyone, thought it was worth the mention.

…across planes, trains, and automobiles.

Oso & Me Kids Pencil Case. Elsie is in a biiig coloring phase, and this is easy to carry, easy to find in your bag, and cute! Pro tip: get the Coloring & Activities Book too! The illustrations are by Happy Menocal, my favorite.

Travel Magna-Tiles. Compact, magnetic, endlessly reconfigurable. Elsie also loves to play with these in the bath, particularly helpful on the days when she’s not feeling like a bath!

Water Wow book. Mess-free painting, which on a plane is the entire point.

Cub and Fox Magic Canvas. A gift from my friend Sam, this ended up being one of Elsie’s favorite toys of the trip. Easy and light, just roll and pack.

A France-feeling dress. Elsie walked all around Cannes in this and I couldn’t get enough. I just ordered a second one in a different color. I swear people thought Elsie was European! It runs big, so I wouldn’t size up.

The WAYB Pico Travel Car Seat. Tim wanted to kill me for packing it, but it relieved all the anxiety around trying to find car seats internationally. I would 100% pack it again. In retrospect, I would check it so you don’t have to lug it on the plane.

The UPPAbaby Minu V3 Travel Stroller. It took me forever to get this, and I still don’t know why. It folds small enough to fit in the overhead bin. I’ll say that again: the overhead bin! After two and a half years of gate checking our Uppa Baby Vista and waiting for it at the aircraft door, this was a revelation. I also learned it can lean all the way back, so if your little falls asleep while strolling, boom, turn it into a lie flat situation.

A few weeks ago, my husband and I went to a “toddler talk” at our two-year-old’s preschool. Before it started, we were mingling and casually making small talk when the head of school asked me, “So, what do you like to do for fun?” It was a totally reasonable question, but my mind completely blanked. Fun?! Is that something people have time for? Lately, I’ve been knee deep in work and the minute the weekend rolls around, I switch fully into Elsie’s mom mode. Fun has not been on my list of priorities in this particular season of life.

As the talk unfolded, one idea kept surfacing. Fun and “play” is not optional for children, it’s essential. It’s how toddlers process the world, build resilience, and develop emotionally and cognitively. And sitting there, it struck me how quickly we outgrow something so fundamental. Somewhere along the way, play becomes frivolous. Having “fun” becomes indulgent. We trade it for productivity, efficiency, and everything that feels more worthwhile as adults. Today, is here to show us how wrong we are to do that.

The founder of Art Life Practice, Berry believes that creative expression is not a luxury reserved for artists, it’s an essential part of well-being for all of us. At its core, creativity is just another form of play. So, let’s dive in with with Berry to understand what happens when we bring creative “play” back into our adult lives, and why it might be exactly what we’re missing.

Research shows that short bursts of making art (even 20 minutes or less!) can lower cortisol, increase dopamine, and activate areas of the brain linked to problem solving, emotional regulation, and resilience. Through Art Life Practice, Berry is on a mission to make creativity accessible to everyone, even those who don’t consider themselves “creative.”

Lacey White: I loved learning from you that having a creative practice is almost like exercise for the brain. From a science standpoint, what actually happens in the body when we engage in something as simple as doodling, collaging, or painting?

Berry Stein: I love this question so much because it so perfectly grounds ALP’s mission in real data. Get ready; there’s a lot going on in your mind and body when you’re making art. And the astonishing thing is that none of the research requires you to have any skill to reap the benefits. Neuroscientist Girija Kaimal found that experience level had no bearing on the stress-reduction benefits people experienced while making art. You don’t have to be good at it. You just have to do it.

Here’s what’s actually happening: your brain’s reward system lights up almost immediately. Coloring, doodling, and free drawing all trigger significant blood flow to the medial prefrontal cortex, associated with pleasure and motivation. Dopamine surges. Cortisol, your stress hormone, drops. A 2016 study in the Journal of the American Art Therapy Association found measurable reductions in stress after even a short session of doodling or collaging. And over time, the neural connections between your visual and motor cortex actually grow stronger. Your brain is literally being built while you make things

Lacey White: As children, we create constantly. But, somewhere along the road to adulthood, we stop, writing it off as “self-indulgent” or “entertainment.” In your experience as an art educator, what causes that shift, and how do we begin to reclaim our creative instincts?

Berry Stein: There’s a moment, and most of us can feel it even if we can’t name it, where art goes from something we do to something we judge. As children, we create without an audience in mind. We paint because the color is satisfying. We draw because the story in our head needs to get out. No one asks if it’s good. We don’t ask either.

Then somewhere around middle school, a few things happen at once. Comparison moves in. The kid next to you draws a “better” horse, and suddenly you decide you can’t draw. School sorts subjects into useful and not useful, and art gets quietly moved to the second pile. Praise shifts from process to product, and we learn that the value is in the outcome, not the act. Eventually permission gets tied to talent entirely. We start believing only people with a gift have the right to make art. Everyone else is just dabbling.

The good news: the creative instinct never actually leaves. It gets buried, but it doesn’t disappear. What helps is starting smaller than feels meaningful. Five minutes of doodling. Tearing images from a magazine. The bar needs to be so low that your inner critic doesn’t bother showing up. Reconnect with materials rather than outcomes, and reframe what art is actually for. It isn’t about making beautiful things. It’s about connection with yourself, with the present moment, with something words can’t quite reach. When we shift the definition, the permission follows.

Lacey White: You talk a lot about creative play. Why is play such an important ingredient in creativity, and what role does it actually serve in our emotional well-being?

Berry Stein: As a trained progressive educator (I have an MSEd from Bank Street College of Education, IYKYK!), one of the first things you learn is how fundamental play is to human development. It is truly the gateway to everything. Play is where creativity is born, not the polished, purposeful kind, but the messy, exploratory “I wonder what happens if I do this” kind. When we cut play out of our adult lives, we don’t just lose fun. We lose access to one of our most essential cognitive and emotional tools.

When you’re genuinely absorbed in creative play, you are fully here. Not in yesterday’s regret or tomorrow’s anxiety. Just here. That quality of presence is one of the most healing things a human being can experience. Play also restores agency. So much of adult life is reactive. Play is one of the few spaces where you are entirely in charge, and that feeling of authorship, even over something as small as a collage, is quietly restorative. It also reconnects us to joy that isn’t earned. We live in a culture that conditions us to believe rest and pleasure have to be deserved. Play challenges that directly. Research by psychiatrist Stuart Brown confirms it isn’t frivolous either. It’s how we practice being flexible, tolerant of uncertainty, and able to recover from failure. All skills we desperately need.

Lacey White: Your work references research showing that even twenty minutes of art-making can meaningfully impact brain health. Why is such a small amount of time enough to shift our mental state? (Cortisol reduction? Neurochemical shifts?)

Berry Stein: It sounds almost too simple, doesn’t it? Twenty minutes. Not even a full commute in LA! And yet the research keeps pointing to the same truth: that’s enough time to meaningfully shift what’s happening inside your body and brain.

Most of us are operating under chronic, low-grade stress more often than we realize. Cortisol stays elevated, and when it does, it affects everything: mood, sleep, immune function, and cognitive clarity. What’s remarkable is how quickly the brain and nervous system respond to creative engagement. Dopamine surges almost as soon as you pick up a brush or start tearing paper. You don’t have to finish anything or make anything good. The act alone is enough to trigger it. From there, the nervous system shifts into rest-and-restore mode, heart rate slows, breathing steadies, and stress hormones drop. And the critical mind quiets. When you’re absorbed in something open-ended and low- stakes, the part of the brain that generates self-judgment simply has less bandwidth. Flow doesn’t require an hour. It can arrive in minutes.

Lacey White: Many of us spend our free time consuming content rather than creating it. How does a creative practice change the way we experience the world compared to doomscrolling or mindless content bingeing?

Berry Stein: We live in the most content-rich moment in human history. At any given second, there are more things to watch, read, scroll through, and stream than any one person could consume in a thousand lifetimes. And yet so many of us finish a long session of scrolling feeling more depleted than when we started. More anxious. More hollow. More behind.

Doomscrolling isn’t a neutral activity. It’s designed to keep us in a state of low-grade arousal. Every swipe is a tiny unpredictable reward that keeps dopamine firing in a loop without ever delivering genuine satisfaction. It’s the neurological equivalent of eating food with no nutritional value. The hunger signal fires. You consume. The hunger returns almost immediately. So you consume again. The result is a nervous system that is simultaneously overstimulated and understimulated. Flooded with input but starved of meaning.

A creative practice works on almost every level that passive consumption doesn’t. It makes you the author, not the audience. It metabolizes emotion rather than accumulating it. It produces genuine dopamine, not borrowed dopamine. The satisfaction that comes from making something, however small, is generative. It compounds. And perhaps most profoundly, it changes how you see. When you practice looking carefully, the ordinary becomes interesting. The overlooked becomes beautiful.

A chronic consumer moves through the world looking for the next hit of stimulation. A maker moves through the world noticing things worth making.

The attention economy is built to extract from you. A creative practice is the most direct form of resistance to that. It says: “My attention belongs to me. My time belongs to me. And I choose to spend it making something rather than being made into a product.” In a world designed to keep you consuming, choosing to create is a genuinely radical act.

Lacey White: Art therapy has long been used to help people process grief, stress, and trauma. Why does creativity access parts of the brain that conversation alone sometimes cannot?

Berry Stein: When we experience trauma, grief, or deep stress, we tend to reach first for words. We talk to friends. We see a therapist. We try to find the language for what happened, what we feel, and what we can’t quite name. And oftentimes the words don’t come. Or they come, but they don’t reach the place that needs reaching. That isn’t a failure of the person. It’s a feature of how trauma is stored in the brain.

Traumatic memories don’t encode like regular memories. They live as fragmented images, sensations, and emotions in parts of the brain that language simply doesn’t have direct access to. Talk therapy is enormously valuable, but it works through one pathway. The wound may be located somewhere else entirely.

One of the most powerful things art does in the context of grief and trauma is make the invisible visible. When you paint what you’re feeling, even abstractly, even without intention, you are taking something formless and overwhelming and giving it a shape that exists outside of you. You can look at it. You can begin to understand it from a slight distance that pure emotion doesn’t allow. The grief you couldn’t describe in a sentence becomes a color. The fear you couldn’t name becomes a mark on a page. Studies show reduced amygdala activity during creative engagement, meaning art can calm the brain’s alarm system in a way that talking sometimes cannot.

Making art also restores a sense of agency that trauma so often strips away. In a creative practice you make the choices. You pick the color. You decide the mark. You determine when something is finished. These small acts of authorship are not trivial. They are the beginning of reclaiming a self.

Grief comes in small forms too. So does stress. So does the unnamed heaviness of simply being a person moving through a complicated world. You don’t have to be in crisis to benefit from this.

Lacey White: For someone who believes they are “not creative,” what is the easiest way to start building a creative practice into daily life?

Berry Stein: The first thing I want to say is that belief is a lie! Not a malicious one. Not one you chose. But a belief that you picked up along the way, probably by a grade, a comment, or a comparison that told you creativity was a talent rather than something you were naturally born with.

The science actually says that the pleasure that comes from making art is independent of the end result. Your brain doesn’t care if you’re Picasso or someone who hasn’t picked up a crayon since third grade. It responds to the act, not the outcome. So before we talk about how to start, let’s agree to retire the word “creative” as something you either are or aren’t. Because that framing is the very thing standing between you and your practice.

The single most important piece of advice I can offer is...start smaller than feels meaningful. We tend to think that for something to count, it has to be significant. A real commitment. A dedicated space. The right materials. An hour set aside. But that thinking is precisely what keeps us from starting. When the bar is high, the inner critic shows up at the door before we’ve even begun.

So make the bar laughably low. One mark on a piece of paper. Five minutes of doodling while your coffee brews. Tearing a single image from a magazine. These aren’t warm-ups for the real practice. They are the practice. You don’t need an hour. You need a habit. And habits are built at the smallest possible scale first.

Lacey White: You recently launched your Substack, . I love the name! To me, it reframes the idea of “practice makes perfect” into something much more meaningful that takes perfection out of creating. What inspired the title, and how do you hope your newsletter helps people cultivate creativity and presence in their everyday lives?

Berry Stein: Practice Makes Presence came to me as a reframe of something we all grew up hearing. Practice makes perfect. A phrase that, when you really sit with it, is quietly devastating: the point of doing something is to arrive somewhere. To get it right. To reach a standard set by someone else’s definition of perfect. What if we replaced that destination with something more honest? More human? What if the point of practice wasn’t perfection but presence?

Presence is what happens when you are fully in your body, in contact with what’s actually in front of you, rather than half-somewhere-else, running the mental tab of everything undone. A creative practice is one of the most reliable pathways back. When your hands are making something, the mental noise quiets. The body relaxes. Time moves differently. That quality of presence is not a side effect of a creative practice. It is, I’ve come to believe, one of its primary gifts.

goes out every other week and alternates between two things I love. One week I sit down with someone whose creative life I admire, and we go deep, not on their output or their accolades, but on how they actually make things and how creativity shapes the way they move through the world. Then next I share a glimpse into my own practice, what I’m making, what I’m learning, and what’s happening behind the scenes at Art Life Practice.

In practical terms, I want the newsletter to do a few specific things. Bridge the science and the soul: there is extraordinary research emerging on what creativity does to the brain, the body, and the nervous system, and I want to translate that research into language that is warm and human and actually useful, not abstract, not academic, but intimate. The kind of thing you read and think: “Oh, that’s why.” Offer prompts that meet you where you are, not ambitious projects that require a studio and a free weekend, but small, specific invitations to notice something, make something, or try something. The kind of prompt you can do at your kitchen table in fifteen minutes and feel genuinely shifted by. And build a community of people who take this seriously. Because one of the loneliest things about being a person who wants to live more creatively is the feeling that everyone around you has moved on from that need. Practice Makes Presence is a place that says: “You haven’t moved on from it, and you don’t have to.” Here is a community of people who feel exactly the same way.

Art Life Practice Guided Sketch Book
A beautifully minimal sketchbook that makes starting (and sticking with) a creative practice feel effortless.

Art Life Practice Collage Starter Set
Everything you need to tap into your inner artist. No pressure, no rules, just pure creative play.

ILIA Beauty Super Serum Skin Tint
ILIA is clean makeup that makes your skin better, and the Super Serum Skin Tint is on my daily rotation lately. I almost always get comments about “a glow” when I wear this.

Counter All Bright Vitamin C Serum

I actively look forward to putting this on my skin morning and night. It delivers radiance and even skin tone, but more than anything, my skin genuinely craves it.

Oso & Me Pencil Case & Coloring and Activities Book
Chic enough for you, fun enough for them. This makes coloring easy anywhere. Plus, the Happy Menocal illustrated coloring book is fun for adults too :)

Porta Doodle Journal
A pretty journal with line-free pages perfect for small pockets of creativity. I use mine as a journal, and plan to start doodling a little more, per Berry.

Emme Parsons Sandals for spring and summer
It’s been in the 80s in Los Angeles, so it’s officially starting to be sandal weather. These are flattering, comfortable, and the kind of throw-on-and-go sandal you’ll be living in all spring and summer.

Cadence Travel Bottles
The smartest, most aesthetic way to streamline your toiletries and beauty regimen on the go. They’re slightly magnetic, so they keep you organized and fit neatly into TSA’s liquid cut off requirements. Happy travels :)

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For decades, the longevity conversation has centered on male physiology. Intermittent fasting! Sauna! Cold plunge! The biohacks promising longer, healthier lives, it turns out, were largely built on studies conducted on men. Women were lumped in as an afterthought. In fact, until 1993, women were categorically excluded from clinical trials in the United States.

Era is working to change that.

A few months ago, I attended a lunch honoring Annie Leibovitz and her book Women: 2025 Edition. Around the table sat women at the top of their fields. Among them was Afton Vechery, founder of Modern Fertility and now the creator of Era, a longevity clinic in LA built exclusively for women 35+.

Her pitch was simple but powerful: a concierge healthcare clinic built exclusively for women 35 and older, grounded in the foundational role that female hormones play in every system of the body, integrating gynecology and internal medicine under one roof.

The more I thought about it, the more obvious it felt. Why are the two systems that most directly shape a woman’s health treated in separate silos?

Last week, I had a chance to tour the clinic. The execution matches their ambition, with impeccable design and interiors that feel more like a spa than a doctor’s office. In just over a year, Era has built a thriving practice entirely through word of mouth. Not a dollar spent on formal marketing.

To Era, the word “healthcare” means two things:

1. Health: proactively and intentionally building patients’ healthspan vs. waiting for disease.

2. Care: time, access, listening, and long-term partnership.

Their focus on women 35 and up delivers evidence-based care from leading medical experts who deeply understand midlife hormonal transitions. Perimenopause and menopause are not niche phases. They are universal biological shifts that influence cardiovascular health, metabolism, bone density, cognition, sleep, mood, and long-term longevity outcomes.

Era integrates what traditional medicine fragments. Your gynecologist speaks to your primary care physician. All of your health data lives in one centralized place so your providers can see the complete picture on you.

Patients have direct access to their care team via text, email, or phone, unlocking continuous care instead of erratic, one-off appointments.

Era’s annual exam is extremely comprehensive (lasting 3.5 hours) and includes:

• DEXA scan for bone density

• Electrocardiogram

• 3D body composition imaging

• Genetic testing

• Neurocognitive baseline testing

• VO₂ max and functional movement assessments

• Extensive blood, hormone, and urinalysis panels

• Full gynecologic and internal medicine evaluations

By contrast, a traditional annual physical typically lasts 20–30 minutes and focuses on vitals, a basic physical exam, and standard labs.

Era builds a personalized, comprehensive plan for each patient, incorporating prevention, risk mitigation, and lifestyle strategy with ongoing monitoring. It’s proactive, not reactive. If you are at higher risk of something (say, breast cancer, like I am), Era would start your screening much earlier and stay consistently on top of it.

In the traditional model, care is largely structured around disease detection. Wait until a patient gets sick, then treat them. Era, instead, shifts the healthcare model from reactive disease detection to proactive healthspan optimization, with a specialized approach to women.

The decade between 35 and 45 quietly sets the trajectory for our health in the decades that follow. Disease rarely appears suddenly. It develops gradually, often beginning in our late 30s. That’s when muscle mass starts to decline 3–8% per decade if we’re not actively preserving it. Bone density begins to shift, and hormonal variability increases. For many women, perimenopause can begin as early as the late 30s, bringing fluctuations in estrogen that impact sleep, mood, metabolism, cardiovascular risk, and bone health.

And yet most preventive care is age-based. Mammograms at 40. Colonoscopies at 45. Bone density scans are often not until 65. Era intervenes at the inflection point, when biology is shifting but before illness declares itself.

Era operates as a concierge practice and is not currently covered by insurance (despite the team’s best efforts). Membership is $24,000 annually, split into quarterly payments. It is a significant investment.

But Era’s mission extends beyond the clinic’s walls. Their goal is to redefine the standard of care for women everywhere, demonstrating that integrated, hormone-informed medicine is not a luxury but the future.

I left the tour feeling deeply encouraged and grateful for women like Afton who are challenging the system and building something better. The standard of care we accept now shapes the health of the next generation of women watching us. (I’m looking at you, Elsie!!)

1/ Allara Health. In a more accessible lane, Allara is a virtual women’s health platform focused on hormone and metabolic care. It’s virtual and is covered by insurance, making it easy to prioritize. Allara pairs you with a team of gynecologists, endocrinologists, and registered dietitians to get to the root cause of the issue, rather than just managing symptoms. It’s a powerful option for anyone experiencing hormonal shifts like perimenopause or chronic hormonal conditions like PCOS or endometriosis.

2/ ILIA Beauty Skin Blur Serum Concealer. A new standard in concealer has been officially set. I will be using this and only this as my concealer from now on! Ilia has delivered a clean, super lightweight formula that fuses beautifully with your skin, works like a serum and lasts 12-hour days. And don’t sleep on the brush!

3/ Vitamin C Serum from Counter. I forgot how much I had been missing this formula since Beautycounter closed its doors. Thankfully, it’s back! Brightening, smoothing, and hardworking, my skin has been craving it every morning since it arrived.

4/ SPF. While blizzards swirl in many parts of the Northeast, it’s 80 degrees in LA, which means sunscreen (even for the body!) is on my radar. Loving this for body and this for face. And this for baby (easy application is a bonus)! Also, this skin tint primer from YSE Beauty deserves a shoutout thanks to its SPF 30. After application, you’re left with a healthy, shimmery glow, so it feels more like makeup to me than sunscreen.

5/ Salty Face Bronzer. At 35, my sunbathing-on-purpose days are over. Instead, we fake it. This liquid bronzer is a new discovery that is really delivering. Mix it with moisturizer or apply directly with a brush. Voila, sun warmth without sun damage.

6/ Be Well By Kelly Grass Fed Protein. It’s amazing when one new product can reignite a healthy habit. Be Well By Kelly has been my favorite protein powder for years now. I love that they use only four simple ingredients, all of which are organic. They introduced a Chocolate Mint flavor, and boom, suddenly fiber- and protein-packed smoothies are back in my life.

7/ Reusable Bowl Covers. I’d file these under: a small upgrade that feels big. These reusable bowl covers replace plastic wrap entirely. Simple and sustainable.

8/ Overnight Lip Treatment.This repairs chapped lips overnight and doubles as a glossy daytime balm.

9/ Natural Fruit & Veg Wash. The velocity with which Elsie eats berries right now is impressive and means I’m often needing to wash them at warp speed. This gets daily use. A way nicer alternative to vinegar (which is what my mom used to wash fruits and veggies growing up!).

10/ Goods for You Banana Bread. I’ve really had a sweet tooth lately, and this has been my saving grace. High protein, low glycemic, and genuinely decadent and delicious. Most banana breads feel like a sugar bomb, but this one doesn’t. It keeps you full for hours! I like the minis. They’re made with love in Malibu but ship nationwide.

With that, HAPPY MARCH!! Rarely do I publish a newsletter on the first of the month, so I should also say: rabbit rabbit. Wishing you all the luck for an abundant, joyful month ahead.

P.S. If you have no idea what rabbit rabbit means, dropping this note here for you with some context ;)

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With Super Bowl Sunday officially behind us, our collective attention can now focus on the holiday that really matters: Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Day has never been about romance for me. Growing up, it was always about celebrating my family, my classmates, and my friends. A fun little excuse to whip out red and pink construction paper hearts, use the creative parts of your brain, and show the people in your life a little love. It always felt festive, playful, and light.

It was also a bright spot in an otherwise dreary, bleak month. As a kid, the cold, grey expanse of February on the East Coast seemed to drag on forever. Although, living in LA, where it’s 78 and sunny as I write this, the bleakness isn’t quite as palpable. Still, the holiday remains a lovely excuse to give (and receive) Fun Little Treats (or FLTs, as I’ve affectionately heard them called), whether that’s a handmade valentine, a decadent box of chocolates, or a frivolous piece of jewelry you buy for yourself. But more than any material gift, Valentine’s Day is a moment to soak in the feel good feelings that come with showing and being shown love.

If you’re rolling your eyes, know that science actually supports this theory. Studies show that feeling connected, appreciated, and cared for is at the core of our human needs, impacting our well-being, resilience, and lifespan. Love softens the nervous system and lowers stress. It reminds us we’re not in this alone. And since giving can be just as meaningful as receiving, Valentine’s Day to me is about the small ways we show our affection, both to ourselves and to the people we love.

Which brings me to what to give. Here are a few fun, light, playful ideas that I’m planning to give or or eyeing for myself. They are not the overthought, pressure-filled kind of gifts, but rather small delights to cherish and remind others of your affection, like a little love note.

1. AndSons Chocolates $89

2. Embossed Heart Place Cards $50

3. The Perfect Match(box) $20

4. ‘Red Heart’ Dish $90

5. Tiny Heart Linen Napkins $48

6. LA LA LOVE perfume oil $115

7. Embossed Heart Note Cards. $65

8. Love Box, $398

9. Petite Drop Cord Necklace in Citrine. $575 I discovered Laoli, an Argentinian jewelry brand, last year and this necklace was one of my favorite self-purchases of 2025. Definitely a splurge, but one I’ve worn, enjoyed, and gotten compliments on countless times already.

Not pictured, but also amazing: a facial, massage, or any other spa treatment. Because we all need an excuse to relax. Roughly two years ago, my dear friend gifted me a facial to Biologique Recherche’s Los Angeles Ambassade (which, if you haven’t been, is pure bliss). I hoarded the gift certificate like a squirrel hoards nuts, saving it for a rainy day when I felt deserving of a self-indulgent “treat.” Two years later, that day finally came, and I can confirm treating yourself is not something to put off! Any the best part? I felt the love all over again (thank you, Missy!). ❤

Also sitting squarely in the self-gifting category? Good skincare. Counter, the first mover beauty brand that started the clean beauty movement is back, with a new name and all the same incredible product formulas. I just ordered the Allbright Vitamin C Serum, the Tri-Luronic Hydrating Serum and the Hyaluronic Cushion Cream and could not be happier to have them back in my routine.

Now that my daughter Elsie is old enough to experience and understand holidays, I feel a particularly intensified onus to make each one feel unique and special. I have a keen sense of awareness that these early years, whether she remembers them or not, are quietly making up her childhood. So I’ve been doing my best to lean in. I scoured Etsy for vinyl heart stickers, ordered tiny garlands of woolly hearts and heart envelopes, and picked out a sweet assortment of Valentine’s books. Nothing crazy, but just enough to make the days leading up to February 14th stand out with a little more magic than usual.

This list is a little niche, focused on a two year old toddler girl, but I think most littles would enjoy these gifts in some form.

1. Little Sister Matchbox Mouse $35

2. Tizo 2x3 Silver Heart Frame $49

3. Chika Chika I Love You Book $9

4. Colorful Cutlery $49

5. Valentine’s Bracelets $30

6. Fruit Basket Valentine's Cards $26

7. Valentine’s Day Magnetic Tiles $29

8. Florence Dress $88

9. Striped Maryjanes $55

In today’s world, we need less hate and fewer haters. What we need is more love. Whatever that looks like for you, whether it’s a Fun Little Treat, an extra-long phone call with a long-distance friend or a 20- second hug with someone you love, consider this your sign to lean into it a little. Why not soften your cynicism and enjoy your people. That’s what this life is all about.

Happy Valentine’s Week! x

Happy snow day to everyone across the Northeast. Here in Los Angeles, it was business as usual weather-wise, but we’re living vicariously through your cozy winter content.

With my social feed inundated with snow day videos, I can’t help but think about January as a whole. To me, it feels like a month of dichotomies. January 1 hits and our society tells us to optimize, manifest, and push forward. That ‘New Year, New You’ energy seems to percolate everywhere. Gym memberships peak. Fitness app downloads surge. Interest in weight loss, healthy eating, and diet strategies soar. (Although, fun fact, 2026 is the lowest reported year of gym sign ups in recent history, with experts citing the rise in GLP-1s like Ozempic as the reason.) Nevertheless, in January, our collective motivation for change is palpable.

But, biologically, isn’t winter a season for rest? For slowing down, even hibernation?

Take bears, for instance. Most species of bears enter their dens in December only to re-emerge in March or April. Doesn’t that sounds kind of nice? I am not suggesting we are bears, obviously, but maybe they are onto something. What if incorporating more rest (read: sleep) could be a form of optimizing? A critical step towards a better you?

Science actually supports this instinct to slow down. Shorter days and longer nights increase melatonin production and subtly shift our circadian rhythms, signaling to our bodies to rest more in the winter months. For most of history, this wasn’t something we resisted. It was something we followed. But modern life, with its artificial light and constant connectivity, asks us to operate at summer speed all year round. Our biology hasn’t caught up. Winter still quietly begs us for earlier nights, slower mornings, and more sleep than we’re often willing to give.

I bring this up because I’ve personally felt deeply tired this month and leaning into rest and sleep wherever I can. Weekend naps? Yes. Early bedtimes? Yes. Less screen time? You bet. Instead of feeling guilty and buying into the idea that sleep equals a lack of productivity, I’ve been reframing rest as necessary, restorative, and intelligent.

As far as sleep habits go, my husband, Tim, is the polar opposite of me. He regularly clocks 3:30 and 4am wake-ups, claiming those quiet hours are the most productive of his day. I’m not arguing with that, but I’m here to remind us that we are all different, women and men in particular. Just because the 5am club works for some people, it doesn’t mean it’s right for you. Trust me, I’ve tried.

And it turns out this isn’t just personal preference. Research consistently shows that women, on average, need more sleep than men. The Female Quotient has cited an interesting finding that suggests women may require up to twenty additional minutes of sleep per night, likely due to differences in brain activity, hormonal fluctuations, and the mental and emotional load women tend to carry. Across the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, postpartum, and perimenopause, hormones directly affect circadian rhythm and sleep quality, often making women more sensitive to disruption and more impacted by sleep loss.

Even when women log the same number of hours as men, studies show that we are more likely to experience lighter, more fragmented sleep and greater daytime fatigue. When women are short on sleep, we tend to feel it faster and more intensely. Fatigue shows up not just as tiredness but as mood swings (😇| 👿), brain fog, weakened immunity, and hormonal imbalance.

Yet culturally, we treat sleep like a luxury or a moral failing. We praise early mornings and late nights and quietly shame rest, especially for women. But if sleep is foundational to hormonal health, emotional regulation, and cognitive clarity, then needing more of it isn’t indulgent. It’s necessary.

Listening to and nurturing a healthy body and mind sits at the very top of my priorities for 2026. And yet, it’s precisely the first thing to fall by the wayside when other commitments and responsibilities creep in. January has been a nice reminder that rest isn’t something to earn or justify. It’s something to honor, especially in a season designed for it. If you’ve been feeling tired and in need of a permission slip for more rest, consider this to be it. 💤

Spencer’s arrival in West Hollywood felt like the perfect excuse for a weekend massage. Tucked inside a restored 1920s home on Dorrington Ave, Spencer’s space and interiors are gorgeous, and the massage was right up there with them. I floated home after a 90 minutes and basically got right into bed. I highly recommend, and have heard good things about the NYC location too. As we covered above, relaxation should be taken seriously.

Needed has become one of my go-to brands for clean, science-backed supplements (shoutout for introducing me). Their prenatal collagen protein blends seamlessly into coffee and smoothies for easy daily nourishment (+ hitting your protein goals), while their omega-3 supports brain health, hormone balance, and overall well being. All of their products are thoughtfully formulated and come highly recommended by healthcare practitioners (over 15,000 to be exact). Staying consistent with Needed has been one of the things helping me feel healthier and more supported in 2026.

Allara Health. Speaking of hormone balance, Allara is a telehealth platform dedicated entirely to women’s hormones that is covered by insurance. If you have a hormonal condition like PCOS or are navigating a major life stage like trying to conceive, postpartum, or perimenopause, Allara is an invaluable resource. They start with comprehensive lab work, testing markers many general practitioners overlook, then connect you with a team of dedicated medical providers (and nutritionist!) for truly personalized care. It’s all via Zoom so you don’t need to carve chunks of time out to prioritize appointments. I’m genuinely grateful this kind of support exists for women today.

Baby Rothy’s. Elsie tried on her very first pair of Rothy’s this weekend, and my heart fully melted. We fell in love with this striped baby Mary Jane and now need it in every color. She’s probably more of a Mary Jane girl than Clog, but how adorable are these that just dropped. After ten years of working there, having my two year old daughter fitting into them felt like a full-circle moment. 😭

Mutha just introduced their Exfoliating Body Bar, and wow, is it good. I got the Detox Greens and every time I use it, I emerge with my dry and itchy winter skin exfoliated and restored.

Jom is a delicious Swedish candy that I just discovered this very afternoon at Erewhon (the latest location just opened and is .02 miles from me…uh oh). Sold on Amazon too, these delightfully gummy sour candies are gluten free, organic, vegan, palm oil free and only 85 calories per bag so they won’t derail your New Years resolutions. ;) I like them as a tastier alternative to Smart Sweets peach rings.

With that, thank you for reading! Wishing you a rest-filled week ahead. x

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Hi and Happy New Year!

I’m writing this from Urgent Care, which has become a place I frequent. Today is my third time visiting over the past three weeks. I vow to get a primary care physician after this.

December really chewed me up and spat me out. I didn’t realize the intensity of the month until we landed in DC for Christmas and I had to rush to Urgent Care after running into some breathing issues. It turned out I had bronchitis teetering on the edge of pneumonia, and those symptoms have lingered for longer than I care to admit. Holiday break ended with a bang when Elsie and I got the flu, with just enough weekend left to shiver and sweat it out in time to be normal(ish) for work on Monday.

As someone who writes a wellness-adjacent newsletter, I feel like a bit of an imposter admitting I’ve been sick like this. The usual me rarely gets sick, and having strong year-round immunity is something I’m proud of. But, for reasons I’ll disclose another time, my immunity is down. I have a two-year-old, who inevitably picks things up and passes them along. And on top of it all, we’re having one of the worst cold and flu seasons on record. The number of people who have anecdotally mentioned they’ve been sick for weeks on end is remarkable, so I know I’m not alone.

Here are five lessons I’ve learned from feeling “under the weather” for a month straight.

1. Always have a primary care physician (that way you can see a doctor who knows you while avoiding waiting in lines at various Urgent Care facilities, rubbing shoulders with every seasonal illness there is, and seeing a suite of different doctors).

2. It’s easier to proactively STAY healthy then it is to get sick and then better.

3. Don’t stop your vitamins for any reason. Your body doesn’t care that you’re traveling or that you ran out. Find a way to stay consistent.

For me, these are:

• Vitamin D (1,000–2,000 IU per day)

• Vitamin C & Zinc (I live and die by these, but ran out)

• Magnesium at bedtime

• Omega-3 (I like these from Needed)

• A good prenatal

4. Prioritize sleep above all else. This is when your body heals itself.

5. Hydration hydration hydration.

December as a parent is intense in ways that I’m only just beginning to appreciate. As a working mom with a small toddler, creating a magical holiday season feels like a full-time job. Factor in that Elsie has a birthday one week before Christmas, and I am fried come January 1. That, on top of work ramping UP not down, cross-country travel to see both our families, and everything else that comes with the season, this stretch of the year just hits differently as an adult.

Needless to say, I am easing into January. I’m being gentle with myself and creating space to rest without guilt. This is also why I took a break from The Lacey List in December. Something had to give, and this newsletter was it. But I promise, I’m BACK and excited about everything coming out this month. We have interviews with some of my all-time favorite experts lined up.

Separately, I am taking my time and working slowly through my priority and goal setting for 2026. After all, we have a full year ahead; we can take longer than a week to set our various new gears in motion.

I’m slowly going through the below and finding them worth while.

1. ’s process to “Manifest Everything You Ever Wanted.” Say what you will, but manifestation is backed by science. I love that Diana’s process is digital (I did mine in Google Slides so I can easily revisit any time).

2. This 2026 Annual Planner by (via ).

3. This wealth planner from Money With Katie.

In case you are new here or missed these, below are the five newsletters you all loved the most in 2025. Enjoy!

Wishing you a healthy, happy 2026 full of everything you’ve ever wanted.

Lacey

News flash: giving is good for you! Science can explain why finding the perfect gift invokes delight. It turns out, generosity literally rewires the brain. Studies show that acts of kindness and generosity activate our “reward pathways,” boosting our feel-good neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. Regularly giving to others has been linked to lower cortisol levels, reduced blood pressure, and even a 22% drop in mortality rates. In other words, gifting joy to someone else is one of the most elegant bio hacks for your own well-being.

Reframing the act of gift-giving from a pesky to-do or obligation into an uplifting opportunity has helped me get excited about finding the perfect gift for everyone on my list. A procrastinator by nature, I’m determined to give myself enough time this year to feel genuinely excited about what I’m giving. I’ll admit, it gets stressful when you’ve put it off and have five days to find the perfect thing.

So, with that in mind, here’s my gift guide, inspired largely by what I’m getting everyone on my list. So, if you know me personally, look away!!!

The added fun about sending a gift guide the weekend after Thanksgiving? Everything is on sale!! I highlighted the sales throughout for an optimized experience.

We all have that friend who loves to sleep (I proudly count myself among that group!!). And, we all have friends who struggle with sleep and are constantly looking for little ways to optimize. These gifts are for all of them.

1. Hatch Restore Alarm Clock. For anyone who struggles to wake up gently, this alarm clock simulates a sunrise to wake you more naturally, aligning with circadian rhythm and making mornings less jarring. I love mine! It helps create a wind-down ritual too. Sale: $30 off this weekend on Hatch’s website.

2. Slip Silk Pillowcase. I’ve wanted one for years ever since Dr. Nigma Talib told me how transformative silk pillowcases can be for hair and skin. I finally bought two to test! Sale: 40% off for Black Friday.

3. Oura Ring. My Oura is one of my top wellness tools. It gives real-time insight into nightly rhythms, deep sleep (which almost always occurs within the first two hours), HRV, recovery, and stress. I’ve worn mine for two years, and it’s helped me understand my body in a deeper way and refine habits (the good and the bad). The stress-tracking feature and reminders to “take it easy” are my favorite. Sale: The Silver and Gold on sale for $249 and $349. New ceramic models full price. FSA/HSA eligible.

4. Eight Sleep Mattress Cover. This cover turns any bed into a personalized sleep sanctuary, regulating temperature all night to optimize deep-sleep cycles. I’ve wanted one forever and haven’t pulled the trigger yet… maybe this is the year. Sale: $500 off.

5. Harney & Sons Deep Sleep Ritual Gift Set. This blend was designed to be part of a wind-down ritual, perfect for the friend who loves making bedtime feel like self-care. Chamomile, lavender, hemp… it’s basically a lullaby in a mug.

6. Bearaby Organic Cotton Weighted Blanket. I was an early adopter of Bearaby after meeting the founder at an event in 2018, and I’ve loved this blanket ever since. It has gone on to win all kinds of awards, including “Best Weighted Blanket” last year (for good reason.) Weighted blankets help soothe the nervous system and support deeper, more restorative sleep, giving you not just rest, but restful rest. I also love it for chill time or even while working, when you need a gentle reminder to drop your shoulders and dial down the stress.

7. Cann Social Tonic. For the friend who wants better sleep and is cutting back on alcohol, Cann is such a fun, thoughtful gift. It offers a micro-dosed, mood-softening buzz that helps you ease into the evening without the sleep-disrupting effects of wine or cocktails. Sale: 35% off sitewide. The Starter Pack Sachets and their Spritz both great for newcomers.

8. Drowsy Silk Sleep Mask. If you want a premium, plush, nearly blackout-grade mask that feels like a pillow for your face. Comes in light blue and navy. Down to $55 from $80 this weekend.

9. A Luxe Duvet Set. It should go without saying that a crisp, inviting bed is the cornerstone of good sleep. Christy’s heritage bedding is famously soft, weighty in the right way, and woven from hotel-level cotton that makes slipping under the covers feel like a nightly indulgence. Pair it with shortbread cookies and a jar of marmalade, and you’ve basically given them a British countryside morning.

For the friend whose desk is always spotless and perfectly styled: chic organizers, elevated stationery, and design-forward pieces they’ll proudly display.

1. Silver Pencil Cup & Vintage Pencils. A little old-world charm for their modern desk. The cool gleam of the silver cup paired with perfectly patinated vintage pencils brings that “quiet luxury meets writer’s nook” energy complete with form, function, and a tiny bit of romance.

2. Embossed Heart Note Cards. An elevated take on sentimental. These thick, softly textured cards feature a delicately embossed heart that is subtle enough for everyday correspondence, but special enough to feel like a keepsake. The kind of stationery that makes a handwritten note feel intentional, warm, and old-fashioned in the best way.

3. Portable Table Lamp. A petite, wireless glow that instantly upgrades any workspace. Soft, flattering light makes late-night emails or early-morning lists feel like a moment, rather than a task. This is a design object they’ll move from room to room because it’s that good.

4. Dreamer’s Notebook. For the friend with impeccable handwriting and even better ideas. This journal is beautifully bound, tactile, and thoughtfully minimal. It’s the kind you leave out on display because it doubles as décor.

5. Herman Miller Storage Unit. This is a desk companion at it’s best. Ideal when situated right next to the desk, this piece is perfect for the friend whose space feels curated even when it’s busy. It’s the place to tuck away papers, cables, notebooks, or small treasures without sacrificing aesthetics. Its compact, vertical design keeps a surface uncluttered while adding a shape and silhouette that feels artful. (25% off this

   weekend!)

6. John Derian Paper Weight. John Derian has long been a favorite of mine and his paper weights are considered desk top jewels. His signature decoupage turns an every day paper weight into a tiny work of art.

7. Leather Wireless Charging Valet Tray. A charging station that looks like anything but a charging station. With sleek leather and hideable tech, this will keep their electronics powered, organized, and effortlessly chic.

8. The Green Vase Paper Flower Clivia. A potted plant that never dies. I love these paper flowers from The Green Vase. These handcrafted works of art deliver color and joy in equal doses. Bonus: there are lots of great options on Etsy too.)

9. The Perfect Pen. Every tidy desk deserved a signature writing instrument. Smooth, substantial, and satisfyingly smooth, this is the kind of pen they’ll guard, refill, and reach for every single day.

More ideas here.

The friend who treats staying home like an art form. Think nightly rituals, soft textures, mood-setting scents, and quiet luxuries that turn an ordinary evening into a full-body exhale. These are the gifts that say: “Settle in, slow down, and savor every restorative moment.”

1. A little daily sculpting magic. I love the Jillian Dempsey Gold Bar. It gives that lifted, post-facial look in minutes. The Dore tool is equally fantastic. Keep it in the freezer and start your morning with an ice roll for instant de-puffing and a brighter, more awake complexion.

2. A Dry Brush and Dreamy Body Oil. The ultimate pre-shower ritual. Dry brushing boosts circulation, smooths skin, and makes your bathroom feel like a spa. Follow with a plush, aromatic body oil that leaves skin glowing, hydrated, and subtly scented. A full-body moment of care. Code Lacey25 for 25% off!

3. A Hydrating Overnight Lip Mask. New York has been drying me out like a raisin this week. The indoor heat is no joke. A rich overnight LIP mask is the antidote to dry lips: smoothing, cushioning, and deeply hydrating so you wake up with pillowy, soft lips no matter the climate.

4. A mood-setting fragrance. This scent from Perfumehead is inspired by Palm Springs, and the transparent citrus floral ends with a smoldering wood finish. A cologne-extrait hybrid (coltrait) that plays with the duality of lightness and depth.

5. An LED Mask on steroids. LightStim makes my favorite LED devices. The big mask is definitely an investment (even with their sitewide sale), but the results are incredible. If you want something more portable, the handheld version is a great entry point.

6. A Luxury Bath Soak (Magnesium + Botanicals). A bath-time reset. This limited-edition mineral soak melts away tension, reduces inflammation, replenishes magnesium, and leaves skin silky and nourished. The scent alone feels like therapy. (Linné’s seasonal sale is live until 12/1.)

7. Celisse Manicure Set. A chic, perfectly curated manicure kit that turns at-home nail care into a ritual. Ultra-sharp tools, beautiful design, and the satisfaction of a salon-level result without leaving the house. The polish is clean and somehow formulated so you virtually can’t mess up your nails.

8. Cozy Grip Slipper Socks (with compression)! Compression socks, but make them heavenly. These are plush, soft, and ridiculously comfortable. They offer gentle, graduated compression that boosts circulation without any of that too-tight, clinical feel. The perfect cozy-meets-functional gift. (Code Lacey20 gets you 20% off.)

9. Balmuda Kettle. This Japanese-designed kettle heats water fast, pours like a dream, and turns making tea (or your morning lemon water) into a calming ritual. Sleek, quiet, and beautifully minimal.

More ideas here.

The pieces I genuinely love, use, or have bookmarked for myself. Equal parts thoughtful, beautiful, and quietly personal. Great for moms, friends, sisters, mothers-in-law, etc.

1. Framebridge Madrid Frame. A bold, joyful frame that turns any photo (baby! wedding! beach day!) into instant art. It’s equal parts thoughtful and sentimental, while also looking great on a bookshelf or nightstand.

2. Juju Vera Athena Onyx Collar. This is the newest collar drop of an iconic silver collar necklace I’ve eyed for years now. The hand-worked silver collar sits beautifully on the collarbone and transforms even the simplest black sweater. Strong, striking, and goddess-like, it’s a statement piece I’ve had on my wishlist for years.

3. EBY Sheer Bralette. This bra changed my life, no joke. Discovered earlier this year, it has single-handedly saved me from wearing exclusively strapless, underwire bras! It’s endlessly comfortable, and I love the way it looks. I have multiple in tan, pink, and this periwinkle purple. (Buy one get one free through this weekend!)

4. Art Life Practice. The Collage Starter Kit from ALP is such a fun foray into a creative practice. I particularly love their greeting card set, because you can make something creative and tangible that has purpose. It adds another dose of thoughtfulness when sending snail mail to a friend.

5. Little Liffner Suede Clutch. A rich, velvety suede clutch in a deep berry tone perfect for winter. It feels architectural, understated, and luxurious in the best way.

6. Japanese Fruit-Inspired Writing Papers. This would go nicely with ALP’s Collage Starter Kit. These papers are charming, nostalgic, and perfectly whimsical.

7. Rothy’s Clogs. A tried and true staple in my closet, and not just because I work there. These have stood the test of time. I love to give these to anyone who doesn’t yet have them. They work as a cozy house shoe, but I wear them all over town. They’re more comfortable than the Row (I promise) and make Birkenstocks feel like a shoe of the past. (On sale for $119 right now.)

8. The Bobbin Frame from Framebridge. This 6x8 frame is playful, stylish, and very gift-worthy (even if that gift is for yourself). I am deeply moved by printed photographs, and it’s a classic gift I will never tire of. Bonus if the photo included is one the recipient loves and might not have seen yet!

9. ROZ Hair Milk Serum & Willow Glen Treatment Oil. These are my favorite two items from the universally loved ROZ Hair. The Hair Serum is a hero I use every single day (the same way I use face moisturizer!!!). The Treatment Oil I use weekly or when my hair starts to feel frazzled, dried out, and in need of some restorative moisture. (20% sitewide through this weekend.)

More ideas here.

For the friend who has you over on repeat. These are the mood-setters, table-elevators, and little luxuries that make every gathering (planned or impromptu) feel effortless and unforgettable.

1. andSons Signature Collection Chocolate Box. A family-run chocolate business right out of Beverly Hills, andSons is my recent go-to. These jewel-box chocolates look like art and taste even better. Sophisticated, unexpected flavors make the perfect post-dinner bite. Fun fact: they recruited their chef from Thomas Keller’s French Laundry.

2. Trudon Candle. The mack-daddy, gold standard of candle gifting. Lush, elegant, and delectably fragranced. It’s the kind of candle that sets the entire mood before anyone walks in the door.

3. Porta Luxury Matches. The perfect thing to go with the aforementioned candle. These oversized, beautifully designed matches turn candle lighting into a fun ritual. A small, stylish detail that every great host appreciates.

4. Ghia Sparkling Set. A non-alcoholic festive moment that you’d never notice wasn’t the real thing. The set includes a 750 ml bottle of Le Fizz plus two hand-blown Totem glasses created with Sophie Lou Jacobsen. Effortlessly chic for aperitivo hour. (Use code

   THELACEYLIST25 for 25% off.)

5. Fruit Bowl Round Serving Tray. A bright, joyful tray that instantly lifts a tablescape. Perfect for cocktails, desserts, or a simple, stunning centerpiece.

6. Personalize Heritage Extra Virgin Olive Oil. A genuinely useful gift that also happens to feel incredibly special. Beautifully bottled, customizable, and delicious.

7. Gelee Gelee jelly “Euphoria”. A playful, modern take on adult jello. These glossy, jewel-toned jellies are equal parts treat and design object. They’re unexpected, fun, and perfect for the host who loves a conversation starter.

8. La Romaine Editions Ice Bucket. A sculptural, impossibly chic ice bucket that turns any gathering into an occasion. Functional, elegant, and a forever piece for the bar.

9. Literal Heirloom Tomato Candles. The most charming centerpiece. These lifelike tomato candles add a hit of color, whimsy, and humor. Guaranteed to evoke that “Where did you find these?” moment.

More ideas here.

(…even if he won’t buy them for himself)

The man who quietly appreciates quality (the good fabrics, the good tools, the good smell) but is unlikely to splurge on them. These are the gifts to upgrade his everyday.

1. A Classic Cashmere Quarter Zip. Soft, handsome, and quietly luxurious. This is a knit he’ll reach for every weekend because it instantly pulls his look together. (65% off right now.)

2. Theragun Mini. For the guy who has “tight shoulders” but will never book a massage. Compact, effective, and genuinely life-improving. (24% off.)

3. LARQ Self-Cleaning Water Bottle. Hydration, but elevated. This bottle purifies itself with UV-C light, which means no smell, no buildup, . Perfect for the guy who likes things simple but secretly loves smart tech. (26% off.)

4. Apple AirTag Set (with a leather key ring). For the guy who’s always asking, “have you seen my keys?” The leather key ring makes it feel like an intentional accessory, not a gadget.

5. Feather Double Edge Razor with Feather Blades. Make shaving a ritual, not a chore. This requires a little practice and precision, but once he gets it, he’ll never go back. The shave is cleaner, smoother, and closer - a traditional tool that feels surprisingly modern and incredibly satisfying.

6. Marriage Freres Loose Leaf Earl Grey. A refined, aromatic tea for early cozy mornings. Elegant, bergamot-forward, and the kind of ritual that makes him feel like someone who is waking up in France.

7. Diamond Waffle Robe. Plush, structured, and hotel-level indulgent. The robe he’ll live in at home. Crisp enough for morning coffee, soft enough for winding down, this will instantly elevate his everyday routine.

8. A uniquely cool fragrance. Inspired by Chateau Marmont: it’s warm, smoky, and intimate. Notes of black tea, palo santo, secret woods, and spice. This is the kind of scent that’s meant to be smelled up close and feels effortlessly cool.

9. Bergamot & Hinoki Body Wash. Bergamot’s bright lift meets the earthy calm of hinoki wood, so the shower becomes less routine and more ritual. A clean-lathering, skin-softening wash that smells like a fresh forest breeze — perfect for the homebody who wants his bathroom to feel like a spa sanctuary. (20% off on Salt & Stone.)

Collection here.

Collection here.

I found this cheery garland, this felt tree advent calendar, and this Erin Gates tree skirt from none other than… Wayfair. It got my holiday decor wheels turning!

Speaking of wheels turning, no one has better inspo than Kristen Ellen Hockman. She makes me want to do nothing other than create a magical childhood for Elsie. I love everything she does! See what I mean below…

Hi and happy Sunday! I’m so excited about what we have on deck today: a juicy interview packed with knowledge bombs from THE Jenna Levine, founder and formulator of LINNÉ Botanicals. With Thanksgiving less than two weeks away, we’re fast approaching the madness and chaos that is the holiday season. So today, I thought we’d dive deep into a brand that can root us in calm, keep our routines consistent, and connect us to nature, even if the concrete jungle is where you call home. In fact, that’s exactly where LINNÉ was born: in downtown New York City, where, as Jenna puts it, “touch points with nature were few and far between.”

I’ve used LINNÉ products for years for this very reason. The ACTIVATE body wash is a particular favorite because it really transports you. You close your eyes, breathe in the aromatics of eucalyptus and balsam fir, and suddenly it feels like you’re forest bathing amongst towering, centuries-old redwood trees. I consider it my own mini therapy session. So, as we navigate planes, trains, and automobiles, coupled with the family drama that so often rears its head over the holidays, remember that LINNÉ offers you a moment of calm. If life gets overwhelming, know that you can slow down, breathe deeply, and luxuriate in your daily self-care rituals any time you need.

And with that, let’s meet Jenna!

Jenna Levine is the founder and formulator behind LINNÉ Botanicals, a skincare line that celebrates the intelligence of nature. Rooted in Jenna’s lifelong study of plant medicine and environmental science, LINNÉ offers high-performance, whole-plant formulas designed to nourish the skin and support the body’s natural rhythms. After years in downtown Chicago, Northern California and New York City, Jenna and her family now call Charleston, SC home (where I grew up!).

LW: If you had to describe LINNÉ in just three words, what would they be?

JL: Pure Skin Nutrition.

LW: What first drew you to skin-care, botany, and the relationship between the two?

JL: I grew up in a medical household. My father is a surgeon and professor of medicine, and my mother is a passionate cook who lived by the belief that food is medicine. Watching her in the kitchen taught me that nourishment could be both creative and healing, and by eleven I was making my own “recipes,” including edible face masks.

That early fascination with the power of nature evolved into studies in botany and herbal medicine. Living in Northern California, I noticed how intentional people were about what they ate, yet few questioned what they were putting on their skin. Around the same time, my sister was prescribed Accutane for acne, and I was avoiding steroid treatment for psoriasis. I knew there had to be a better way.

I began experimenting with plant-based ingredients, initially harvesting botanicals on camping trips and eventually sourcing oils and extracts from around the world for their unique phytonutrient profiles. With my sister’s feedback, I refined a balanced, anti-inflammatory oil that revived her complexion. That experience revealed the profound link between skin health and nature’s intelligence, and ultimately inspired me to create LINNÉ.

LW: When I use LINNÉ products, I actually feel like I’m engaging with nature. I mean, the body wash legitimately makes me feel like I’m forest bathing! The scents and textures remind me to slow down, breathe deeply, and luxuriate in my daily self-care rituals. Can you talk about the power of ritual and what it means to you?

JL: While I did most of my herbal studies in rural places like Vermont and California, it wasn’t until I moved to New York City that LINNÉ was founded. Though the brand may feel more “at home” in a bucolic, natural setting, it was in downtown New York that it felt most needed. Life there was hectic and fast-paced, and genuine touch points with nature were few and far between.

Formulation development became just as focused on how the products make us feel as on their results. Through natural textures and therapeutic aromatics, I wanted each formula to offer a moment of calm and reconnection—to the self, to the senses, and to the earth.

LW: Well, you nailed it!

LW: What do you think is the biggest mistake people make when approaching skin care?

JL: I think the biggest mistake is being too aggressive, trying to force skin to behave a certain way instead of understanding and supporting what it is already doing. The skin is incredibly intelligent; it is constantly working to protect, repair, and restore balance. When we strip it or over treat it, we interrupt those natural processes.

If we give the skin the right building blocks, such as nutrients, hydration, and protection, it knows how to thrive. Skincare should be about nurturing, not domination. Our role is to work with the body’s intelligence, not against it.

LW: If you could only choose three products from LINNÉ, what would those be?

JL: Every LINNÉ formula has a unique story and purpose, but for someone new to the brand, I always suggest starting with our most transformative products: RENEW, PURIFY, and GLOW.

RENEW Serum is our six-in-one multitasker. It supports cellular renewal, hydration, and brightness, and is packed with the highest quality hyaluronic acid and a powerful botanical antioxidant complex. It’s also pregnancy safe, proving that potency and purity can beautifully coexist.

PURIFY is our cleanser that doubles as a mask. It has the most incredible scent and keeps skin clear, toned, and radiant.

And GLOW Mask is the fastest way to visibly transform the skin, instantly brightening, refining, and restoring clarity through gentle yet effective exfoliation.

Together, they offer the perfect introduction to the LINNÉ philosophy—high-performance, sensorial skincare that delivers visible results.

LW: What do you recommend for anyone who might be pregnant?

JL: I always recommend RENEW Serum. It’s the best retinol alternative: clinically inspired, pregnancy safe, and vetted by an exceptionally rigorous Scientific Advisory Board that includes experts in OB-GYN medicine, reproductive endocrinology, and nutrition.

I also love to recommend REPLENISH Everywhere Oil. It’s deeply nourishing and supportive for the growing bump, helping maintain elasticity and comfort throughout pregnancy. And it’s gentle enough to use on your baby too.

LW: Such great recommendations. And your skin is absolutely radiating at 40 weeks pregnant!

LW: I am also in love with your sunscreen. Can you tell us about the process to make it and everything involved in formulating a clean, effective sunscreen that actually goes on beautifully?

JL: Thank you! Creating PROTECT was one of the most challenging and rewarding formulation projects we’ve undertaken. Because we don’t make a traditional day cream, I wanted to develop the ultimate all-in-one daily essential that wears like a luxury moisturizer, provides the smooth base of a makeup primer, and offers the durability of a high-performance SPF.

With non-nano zinc oxide and nurturing botanicals, it safeguards against UV, blue light, and environmental stressors while delivering luminous, even-toned skin. We also use botanicals with impressive clinical evidence for improving firmness and reducing wrinkle depth. Yet it is equally practical and sporty, being sweat and water resistant for forty minutes, which makes it ideal for active days. (I am a year-round outdoor tennis player and beach bum).

It took years of research and testing to perfect, and I worked with three different labs before achieving the formula that met our strict standards for performance as well as safety for people and planet (it’s reef-safe and made with biodegradable ingredients).

And yes, sunscreen matters year-round. UV rays penetrate clouds and windows in every season, and cumulative exposure remains one of the biggest contributors to premature aging. Daily protection is essential for maintaining healthy, resilient skin.

LW: We’re coming up on holiday gifting season. In your mind, what LINNÉ products do you think make a nice gift?

JL: I love to gift our RISE & REST Functional Fragrance Duo. Each blend is crafted with therapeutic-grade plant oils, chosen for their clinically studied benefits to mood, skin, and overall well-being. RISE promotes mental clarity and focus, while REST encourages deep relaxation and restorative sleep.

Unlike conventional perfume, these blends serve a functional purpose, supporting emotional balance and the body’s natural rhythms. They can be worn as fragrance or applied to pulse points to deliver real results. The glass roll-ons are beautifully presented in a soft pouch, and I love the softly colorful box. They make a thoughtful gift for anyone in need of a little restoration.

JL: Instagram:
@LinneBotanicals
@jenna.botanica

Website linnebotanicals.com

And with that, I’m off to luxuriate in my LINNÉ rituals and reflect on what an inspiration Jenna is to me. In case you’re inspired to try LINNÉ too, their seasonal sale is live now through December 1st with up to 25% off the entire line. LACEY20 gets you an additional 20% off. You’re welcome!

1. Donabe Rice Cooker:

This week, I had the pleasure of joining Dr. Natazia Stolberg, Crown Affair, and the queen of donabe herself, Carly Maltzman, for a beautiful friendsgiving dinner. I learned that this particular Donabe Rice Cooker yields the fluffiest, glossiest rice. It’s thanks, in part, to the elevated Far Infrared properties of the pot’s natural glaze and the porous, heat-retaining Iga clay that quickly penetrates each rice grain’s core. I don’t think I’ve ever tasted more delicious rice, and this special rice cooker is now squarely on my list!

2. Crown Affair:

The brand hosting the dinner was Crown Affair, a hair-care brand many of us already know and love. As someone who works in brand events, I was genuinely impressed at how thoughtful this dinner was. The donabe meal incorporated Japanese ingredients that also appear in Crown Affair’s clean, hard working formulas. They also closed the evening by walking us through a Furoshiki wrapping session, and we learned how to fold and tie our own holiday sets. I left buzzing with inspiration, not only from the incredible women I sat with (ahem, Kirsty Godso, , and Victoria Thain Gioia, the CEO of Perelel), but also filled with creative ideas for thoughtfully wrapped holiday gifts. This, wrapped in this, would get you major points for any busy lady in your life.

3. Rest & Digest Tea:

If you read Issue 62, this Rest & Digest tea isn’t new to you. But, this week, sitting around a long dinner table, ending a beautiful meal with a rest & digest tea ritual shared with great company was really something special. Dinner guests shared their stories about how powerful this tea has been for them, curing indigestion, bloating, and tummy troubles alike. And, to my New York City friends, Doctor Stolberg is now available at Happier Grocer. Happy resting and digesting!

4. HIYA Vitamins:

I was so happy to discover HIYA Vitamins this week thanks to and , who invited me to a gorgeous garden lunch before the rain in LA set in. The timing couldn’t have been better! Elsie turns two next month, meaning she’s ready for her first daily multivitamin. The problem with most children’s multivitamins, as I learned from Mia, is that most are gummies full of sugars, dyes, fillers, and other ingredients that don’t belong in something that’s inteded to be healthy. Hiya is a chewable vitamin, made with real fruits and vegetables, is third party tested, and designed to support the unique nutrition needs of kids. Sign me up! Consequently, I was served one of their ads and noticed they

5. Hatch Restore Alarm Clock:

If you’re a procrastinator (like me) and have FSA dollars left to use before the end of the year, I highly recommend trying out Hatch Restore. It’s helped me work towards a more consistent bedtime routine and encouraged my evenings to be peaceful and phone free. In the morning, it eases you awake with warm, sun-like glow.

Ok, whew! If you made it this far, thank you. Thankfully, that’s all I have for today! See you next Sunday. x

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Seemingly overnight, our crisp fall days have started to hint at winter (even if it is 75 degrees today in LA.) The sunlight fades earlier, leaving evenings that feel shorter and darker but, somehow, more festive. We retreat indoors, trading al fresco gatherings for more intimate nights in. And with that shift comes everything we love about this season: the smell of wood-burning fireplaces, steaming mugs of hot drinks (chai! hot chocolate! a hot toddy if you’re lucky!), and the soft flicker of a candle that sets the perfect mood.

The sneaky truth about candles, though, is that most are quietly polluting the air we breathe. After the fires in LA last winter, I got a little anxious and borderline obsessive about air quality. I now have several monitors that tell me the minute something might be concerning, and then I crank the air purifiers up a notch. So, it seems counterintuitive to be diligent about air and then light a scented candle that negates those efforts.

Most mass-market candles are doing more than just setting a mood. Conventional candles are typically made with paraffin wax (a petroleum byproduct), synthetic fragrance, and sometimes even metal-core wicks, all of which can release compounds you don’t exactly want floating around your home. Think: soot, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and other invisible irritants that can trigger headaches, allergies, or that faint “foggy” feeling, adding to the air pollution we work so hard to filter out.

But equally important to me is maintaining the rituals of the season. So, today, we’re talking about a new standard: how to choose elegant candles that deliver the same glow we know and love without compromising on air quality.

The happy news? We can make better choices that feel equally indulgent, if not more so. Here’s an easy cleaner candle “cheat sheet.” These are the details to look for that actually make a difference:

Wax: Commonly available scented candles are made with paraffin wax, a petroleum byproduct that releases soot and trace chemicals like toluene and benzene in large quantities when burned. Look instead for the cleanest alternatives: soy, coconut, beeswax, or innovative blends like this one.

Fragrance: The “proprietary blend” listed as fragrance can hide dozens of synthetic chemicals, including phthalates and VOCs. Even candles that call themselves “natural” may still use synthetics. Look for brands that use essential oils or IFRA- and Credo-compliant blends.

Wicks: Avoid metal-core wicks whenever possible. Even though lead has been banned, zinc and tin are still common. Look for cotton or wood wicks instead.

Colorants: Dyes and stabilizers add that pretty tint, and more unnecessary irritants. Look for candles that are creamy white or naturally tinted by their ingredients.

To recap, here’s the short-list of what look for:

• 100% natural wax: soy, coconut, beeswax, or fruit kernel wax.

• Essential oil–based or transparent, IFRA-compliant fragrance.

• Cotton or wood wicks only.

• Creamy white or naturally tinted wax .

• Transparent ingredient disclosure.

• Sustainable packaging. Bonus points for refillable or recyclable vessels like this.

• The shorter the ingredient list, the better.

All candles are best when used in well-ventilated spaces, with shorter burn times and trimmed wicks. And, as always, pay attention. If your candle gives you a headache, there’s probably a reason.

Here is a short list of a few favorite options that deliver design, a delicious scent, and ingredient integrity in equal measure. These make incredible gifts, especially for that clean-conscious friend.

Flamingo Estate ranks the highest in my book. Their candles are formulated with 100% plant-based wax, no fillers, no synthetics, and offer a pristine burn. The scents are botanical and transportive, like a sun-soaked California garden.

The Heirloom Tomato Candle is a cult favorite and for good reason. It’s green, earthy, and addictive. A botanical “garden in the kitchen” that smells expensive in the best way, and somehow works all year round. The personalized version makes a really thoughtful gift. Douglas Fir Vetiver is particularly nice during the holidays and akin to a walk in the woods. Night Blooming Jasmine & Damask Rose is another loved scent, and I’m partial to Green Goddess. In short, you really can’t go wrong with Flamingo Estate.

From a brand perspective, their world building is best in class (which is no surprise given founder Richard Christiansen’s background founding and running Chandelier Creative). I would buy everyone on my list Flamingo Estate for Christmas (if it didn’t break the piggy bank!)

Atmo Home’s Vetiver Smoke is proof that a clean candle can be both elevated and intentional, starting with its refillable glass vessel. The formula is Credo-compliant, free of synthetic ingredients and heavy fragrance oils, and made to burn as clean as it smells. The scent itself is a smoldering earth, wild grass, and a touch of soft wood-burning fire. If you love earthy, unisex fragrances and want that Le Labo-level feel but cleaner, subtler, and a little wind-swept around the edges, this is your candle. I like that it adds a nice bright pop of color to a space too.

Lohn’s ESTE candle is the sophisticated calm button you didn’t know you needed. Hand-poured into a natural ceramic vessel you’ll want to reuse, it blends florals like chamomile and lavender with crisp grapefruit brightness and grounding patchouli for a balanced scent that feels elevated but approachable. Made with an organic soy-and-coconut wax blend, a non-toxic cotton wick, and vegan credentials, the formula is clean luxury at its finest. If you crave a moody, unisex scent with design-forward repurposing potential, this one checks those boxes.

Nopalera (the brand behind our favorite bar soap) also makes a candle worth collecting. Hand-poured into an artisan glass vessel designed to be repurposed as a drinking glass, it’s the rare candle that earns permanent counter space. The scent blends eucalyptus, vanilla, and palo santo for a soothing, warm, and instantly grounding aroma. Made with a clean-burning soy and coconut wax blend and non-toxic fragrance oils. If you love sensory calm, mindful design, and products that live on, this one is an easy yes.

Hand-poured into a reusable artisan vessel (are you sensing a theme?), this candle fills your space with lavender, bergamot, vanilla, and sandalwood for a soothing, spa-like vibe. The clean-burn soy/coconut wax blend and clean fragrance oils back up the luxe scent experience. If you want elevated calm, minimalist design, and non-toxic quality all rolled into one, this is for you.

Le Prunier’s Harvest Smoke candle feels like a love letter to autumn. Formulated with a clean, plant-based soy and coconut wax blend, a natural cotton wick, and free of phthalates and synthetics, it’s the kind of candle you can light with complete peace of mind. The scent carries ripe plum and black currant, softened by woodsmoke, and grounded in cedar and orris root. It’s moody, cozy, and atmospheric without leaning sweet or overly smokey. If you want a seasonal scent that feels elevated, nostalgic, and effortless, this is your pick.

NETTE’s Chai Milk takes everything you love about chai (cardamom! cinnamon! black tea! vanilla!) and turns it into something elevated. Poured in NETTE’s signature minimalist ceramic vessel (the kind you’ll 100% reuse), it’s formulated with a clean coconut-and-soy wax blend. If you like warmth, spice, a little milk, and the idea of your home smelling like a high-design café in Copenhagen (in a good way), this candle is for you. I actually think their full assortment is great.

This one is (you guessed it!) hand-poured using a clean soy wax and 100 % cotton wick! Corpus’ White Woods candle is phthalate-free, and housed in a reusable glass vessel. The scent opens with crisp oak and cedar, a touch amber and vetiver, and a bit of fresh-cut woods. If you crave woody depth, minimalist design, and a truly non-toxic burn, Corpus is your candle! Code LACEY10 will get you 10% off.

NERRĀ’s Neroli Note is the quiet candle your home actually needs: elegant, thoughtful, and sun-washed in the best way. Rooted in a clean beauty ethos and eco-conscious design, it blends bright neroli, orange blossom, and a touch of warmth for a scent that feels like a Côte d’Azur morning filtered through a Paris loft. Made in France with elevated craftsmanship and FSC-certified packaging, it brings real intention to every detail. If you like scents that are refined, radiant, and editorial, this one delivers the kind of atmosphere that feels quietly luxurious.

ADLAN Fragrances brings craft and credibility into one beautifully considered candle, poured into a sculptural stoneware vessel meant to live on long after the flame is gone. The formula is clean by design: a non-toxic, clean-burning wax blend that’s free from paraffin, phthalates, and synthetic dyes, and officially vetted under Credo’s Clean Standard™. The result is a thoughtful, elevated candle that feels as good as it looks on your coffee table. If you want clean fragrance with artisan energy and true ingredient integrity, consider this one.

I’m pausing there, but so many more great brand exist! You can shop the complete clean candle edit here. I’ll be adding to it over time as I inevitably build my holiday shopping list!

A lot of people assume “luxury” translates to cleaner ingredients, but it doesn’t always. Just because a candle is expensive, doesn’t mean it has been thoughtfully made. So, keep the above guidance in mind even when shopping luxury candles too.

By the way, I’m not suggesting anyone get rid of their candle collection. I have a few “dirty” favorites that I can’t part with. But like everything else, awareness is power. If you’re going to try something new this season, why not choose thoughtful, clean, and beautiful options? After all, they do exist.

See you next Sunday! Until then, happy candle shopping.

Have a favorite candle and curious how it stacks up? Share it with us in the comments or reply directly to me here and I will look into it for you!

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Do you ever feel not totally yourself but can’t pinpoint why? You’re sleeping, eating, doing everything right, yet you still feel groggy or out of sync with your body? After what I went through this summer, I’ve been living in that space. It’s to be expected, I know, but I’m ready to feel like myself again. I want to feel steady, clear, and energized, which is why I’m committing to doing the work.

As a first step, I’m finally giving Function Health a try. I say finally because I’ve been curious for years but kept putting it off. I was too busy, too distracted, too “I’ll get to it later.” But not anymore!

We all know health isn’t one-size-fits-all. Each of us have our own internal landscape (think: hormones, inflammation, stress levels, etc). Understanding what’s happening inside your individual body is the foundation for truly feeling well. That’s exactly what Function does so beautifully. It is the only health platform I’ve found that digs this deep, testing over 100 biomarkers (hormones, toxins, heart health, inflammation, stress, and more) to give you a clear picture of what’s actually going on in your body. The testing delivers important health data that most people never get access to, or even think to ask for, but should. After all, we wouldn’t drive a car without a dashboard, so why do we live in our bodies without one?

My goal with this testing is to see where I currently stand health-wise (hormonally, energetically, metabolically) and learn what I can shift to feel more like me. I’m especially curious about my hormone balance, and what lifestyle tweaks I can do to support it. I’ll keep you posted on the experience and what I learn along the way! If you’re curious to try Function for yourself, use code LACEYLIST100 to knock $100 off membership.

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Part of “doing the work” means re-committing to the routines that make me feel good. One that’s been a constant is acupuncture with Dr. Natazia Stolberg. It’s one of the only things that reliably gets me into a “restored state” on my stress tracker, which is important for so many reasons.

I asked to answer some of my burning questions about one of the most overlooked aspects of our health: digestion. Her perspective is such a grounding reminder that our bodies are wise, cyclical, and constantly communicating with us if we’re tuned in and willing to listen. Let’s get into it!

Dr. Natazia Stolberg is a Los Angeles-based acupuncturist and herbalist. Founder of her namesake tea brand, DOCTOR STOLBERG, and owner of wellness center Space314.

At her core she believes that less is more and that simple habits done consistently lead to the biggest changes. This philosophy is, in part, founded in personal experience, as she has overcome debilitating pain from endometriosis, chronic migraines, and digestive issues using acupuncture, herbal medicine, and a less-is-more approach to healing.

Dr. Stolberg’s social presence has provided her with a meaningful way of expanding her practice far beyond the walls of Space314 — sharing simple habits for well-being rooted in Chinese medicine, allowing her audience to get a taste of what it’s like to be under her care.

LW: What first drew you to acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine?

NS: I was first introduced to Chinese medicine and acupuncture in high school when I was searching for alternative treatments to help with debilitating pain from Endometriosis. I had exhausted all Western medical options, including surgery, and still was unable to control my symptoms. I had read that some women were using acupuncture to manage their pain and I was immediately drawn to trying it.

My acupuncturist changed my life and I have been essentially pain-free for the last 15 years with the use of acupuncture, herbal medicine,Z and a less is more approach to health. It is crazy to think back now and see how Endometriosis, something I used to see in such a negative light, was the driving force behind my career and my ability to connect with patients. Even if they have a different diagnosis or complaint, we find common ground in understanding the feeling of desperation to heal your body.

LW: Can you talk about the deeper story behind our digestion and why healthy digestion is such a cornerstone of health?

NS: In Chinese medicine, digestion is far more than that. It’s your body’s engine of transformation, the system that turns what you eat and drink into Qi (energy) that fuels your body.

LW: What are some common signs that digestion is off balance? What can that reveal about the body’s overall state?

When digestion is off balance, your body often gives you little signals, things like bloating, gas, loose or irregular stools, constipation, fatigue after meals, brain fog, or even food cravings. These signs are often seen as annoyances but really they are your body asking you to pay attention, so please do!

On the note of digestive fire… let’s talk about staying warm, especially now that it’s fall.

LW: Every time I go to order an iced coffee or matcha, I think of you as I note to myself, “I shouldn’t get this iced.” Can you talk about why (especially now we’re heading into colder months), choosing warming foods and beverages is so much better for our bodies?

NS: In Chinese medicine, cold drinks are seen as taxing on the digestive system because it weakens the natural warmth of the Stomach and Spleen, the organs responsible for transforming food into energy.

Just like pouring cold water over a simmering pot slows the cooking process, consuming cold drinks forces the body to spend extra energy warming the liquid to body temperature before proper digestion can even begin.

This diversion of energy means less is available for the actual breakdown and absorption of nutrients, leaving digestion sluggish and less efficient.

Over time, the habit of drinking cold drinks can contribute to bloating, fatigue, and weakened digestive fire, whereas warm or room-temperature drinks help the body conserve energy and support smoother, more effective digestion.

So for all my bloated girls: please stop with the cold drinks! This small change will change your life!

LW: Any recommendations for how we can all work more WARMTH in?

NS: Sip something warm. A cup of Rest + Digest after meals helps stoke that internal fire and ease bloating.

Wear socks (even inside!) Keeping your feet warm helps protect your body’s Qi, and is especially important for women!

Use a heating pad. I sleep on one every night which is extreme but just a reminder that it’s so nice to have when you’ve caught a chill or to relieve cramping or bloating.

Cook with warming spices. Think ginger, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, or cardamom.

LW: What tools (food, habits, or rituals) do you recommend for better digestion in today’s modern, digital world?

NS: Sit down, put your phone away, and do nothing but eat. No standing, no working, no scrolling. No one’s perfect, but even doing this for one meal a day makes a noticeable difference. When we eat, we want our Qi to be focused in our stomach. When you’re distracted, that energy gets scattered, and digestion slows down. Focusing on your meal allows your Qi to do its work, improving digestion and metabolism!

LW: Can you talk about electrolytes and why we need to be careful with overconsumption (guilty!)?

NS: I mentioned in an AMA a few weeks back that electrolytes can cause water retention and my DMs exploded. Here’s why: most packets contain 600–1,000 mg of sodium per serving about the same as a bag of chips.

If you’re not sweating hard for over an hour, that extra salt makes your body hold onto water to dilute sodium levels. The result? Puffiness, bloating, and that “why don’t I look defined even though I’m working out?” feeling.

Electrolytes are great for endurance training or super sweaty workouts (think visible salt crusts), but not for a morning walk, pilates, or just “hydrating.”

If you’re using them daily, try pausing for two weeks, you might be shocked at how much lighter and less puffy you feel.

LW: Do you have personal rituals (morning, mealtime, evening) that you lean on to keep your own digestion and health strong?

NS: Waking up early is something I have been doing daily for over 10 years. Regardless of my schedule or travel, I always wake up with the intention of having an entire hour free before needing to get ready, work out, etc. This allows me the time to enjoy a cup of bone broth, make and eat breakfast and either spend time with my wife or quiet time with myself if she is already at work. Easing into the day is so underrated.

Evening time, I always have a cup of Rest + Digest tea to keep my digestion strong and ease bloating. It has become a routine that also signals to my body that it’s time to wind down.

LW: Between your tea brand (!), acupuncture patients, and social media presence, you wear many hats! How do you keep everything organized, while still carving out time to take care of yourself?

NS: Truthfully, it’s still very much a work in progress, I have plenty of moments of overwhelm. But what keeps me grounded is routine. Doing the same things on the same days helps me stay balanced and make sure everything fits in — workouts, walks, patient hours, meetings, creative time for the tea brand, and real time off with my wife.

I also try to treat myself like one of my own patients: I get acupuncture every other week, take herbs when I need them, and go to therapy. All of those things take time, but they actually give me time back, because when I feel good, I’m more focused, efficient, and impactful in everything I do.

LW: I think it was on ‘s Into the Fridge series that I read your favorite breakfast is scrambled eggs and rice. Can you talk about why you love this as a breakfast? Also, any concerns about it starting your day off with a glucose spike?

NS: This breakfast blows everyone’s mind. I started it because I was getting the ‘egg ick,’ you know when it’s just impossible to get eggs down. Combining with rice makes it so much easier to eat and adding butter is just *chef’s kiss*. Plus, this is the perfect combo of protein and carbs, both essential to have in the morning for women to keep hormones happy and healthy. I will probably get some comments from people saying this but I don’t really think about glucose spikes. I tried wearing a CGM and it was just a bit too much data for me. When it comes to food, I try to stay relaxed and stress free, because not only do we digest better that way but it’s just impossible to be perfect.

Instagram: @dr.nataziazustolberg
Substack: drnataziazustolberg.substack.com
Tea: doctorstolberg.com
Become a patient: space314.com/contact

1. Blue Lagoon BL+ Serum: A clean, science-backed serum powered by BL+ Complex, Vitamin C, and three forms of Hyaluronic Acid. It deeply hydrates, supports collagen, and protects against daily stressors, leaving skin smooth, resilient, and quietly radiant. Icelandic spa energy, but in your bathroom. (I’m also eyeing their Silica Mud Mask, perfect for an at-home, spa-like self-care day.)

   

2. Now that we’ve officially turned the clocks back, hibernation season is lurking around the corner. Now feels like the time to invest in your bed, given we will all probably be spending a little more time in bed than usual. This week, my friend Zoe introduced me to Christy, an iconic British heritage brand known for their beautiful bath towels, bedding, and robes. I got the White Scallop Edge Duvet Set in a King, and didn’t realize how badly I needed another set of bedding!

   

3. Bone Broth season is upon us! Favorites here, here, and (if you’re bold enough to make your own): here.

4. Talking about heating pads reminded me how much I love my hot water bottle (or “HWB,” a term originally coined by my friends over at , who also re-introduced me to this HWB from Boston General Store.) My mom always had one of these on hand when we were growing up, so using one as an adult feels special and nostalgic.

   

5. On the note of keeping your feet warm, I really haven’t taken off these socks I mentioned last week. Like I said before, they’re like a warm and cozy version of a gravity blanket for your legs and feet! LACEY20 gets your 20% :) if you want it!

With that, thank you for reading! If you’ve been feeling in need of a reboot too, maybe this is your sign to bring back one grounding ritual - something warm, nourishing, and simple. Rice and eggs for breakfast, maybe?

Subscribe now

Until next Sunday!
Lacey

The Lacey List

Should We Be Drinking Tea?

My husband, Tim, drinks a lot of tea. And I mean, a lot. We’re talking ~6-8 cups of Earl Grey before I’m even up in the morning. This is also a person who doesn’t eat vegetables (at all, ever), save for a green drink once or twice a day. So, learning that tea can pack a powerful health punch was welcome news to him. Numerous…

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3 years ago · 9 likes · 2 comments · Lacey White

The Lacey List

How to Achieve A Peaceful Evening Routine

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a year ago · 38 likes · 11 comments · Lacey White

The Lacey List

Niche Discoveries

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10 months ago · 20 likes · 4 comments · Lacey White

If you’re new here, The Lacey List is your weekly digest covering topics in health, wellness, and beyond. It’s intended to be discovery-driven, a little personal, and (hopefully) fun to read.

Before we dive in, today is the day! One lucky reader will take home the goodies from our first ever giveaway! You can find the verdict tucked all the way at the bottom. Congratulations to our lucky winner. :)

Lately, I’ve been focused on appreciating and finding joy in the little things. The small rituals, thoughtful products, and niche brands that make the everyday feel a little more special. Here are a few discoveries that have earned a spot in my routine lately. I think you’ll find value in them too!

My friends Alexa Jacobs and recently introduced me to Art Life Practice, and wow — am I glad they did. ALP makes beautifully designed art kits, sketchbooks, and studio sets you’ll actually want to use (even if you don’t consider yourself creative).

A daily creative ritual, as it turns out, is scientifically proven to:

• Reduce cortisol (hello, we all need that)

• Boost serotonin + dopamine

• Strengthen neuroplasticity

• Support grief recovery ❤️‍🩹

Plus, at the end, you have a tangible, made-with-love piece to share with someone you care about. Or frame and keep for yourself. My favorites are the Collage Starter Kit and the Greeting Card Set. If I had an event coming up (think: bridal or baby shower), I think the Collage Party Box would be a really fun alternative to the usual agenda.

I’m so inspired by ALP that I’m working on a feature of the founder, Berry Stein, whose mission is to help us experience more joy and connection through art-making. If you have any questions for her, let me know! Would love to ask her anything you might be curious about.

By now, you probably know I love Sarah Wragge’s Alkalize Greens (I take them every morning before coffee). Her latest launch, Optimize, is my new obsession. Before you ask, let me say: it’s so much more than a protein powder. It’s a powerhouse blend packed with 45 grams of protein and fiber that help you stay full, curb cravings, and avoid blood sugar spikes.

I like blending it into a smoothie post-workout, but you can also take it on the go, just add water. No sugar, stevia, gluten, soy, dairy, gums, or fillers. Check, check, and check.

I would liken these socks to a cozy gravity blanket for your legs and feet. They somehow make me feel less anxious??? I work from home, and now that it’s getting chillier, keeping my feet warm is a priority. (This is so important, as Natazia Stolberg puts it, for protecting vitality, fertility, and hormonal balance!) I love a good habit stack, so I was particularly excited to discover a pair that ALSO HAS COMPRESSION! Unlike your typical compression socks, these are ridiculously soft and comfortable. They offer “gradual compression,” which increases circulation without any of the discomfort that comes with a too-tight sock. I ordered a medium, and they’re perfect for my size 10 feet (don’t judge). They call it “supportive snugness,” and I believe that translates to a literal foot-hug.

Protein is a hot topic lately (just ask ), but have you considered your fiber intake? Most of us don’t get nearly enough (the average American gets about half the recommended amount), yet it’s arguably the most unsung hero for our health. It keeps our blood sugar balanced, helps our skin glow, steadies our energy, improves digestion, and helps us achieve a happier gut-brain connection. Fiber slows things down in the best way, helping our bodies absorb nutrients more efficiently and keeping us fuller for longer.

Beyond the obvious solutions (eat more veggies! sprinkle chia seeds on everything!), there are a few shortcuts to upping your fiber intake. Enter Preme! (See also SWW Optimize.) I’ve tried all three of Preme’s products, and my clear favorite is their Daily Detox Hot Cocoa. I live for a comforting, hot beverage in the fall and winter that can distract me from more coffee, and this one is creamy, just a touch salty, and packed with amino acids, minerals, herbs, prebiotic fiber, and collagen. The only thing missing might be marshmallows.

If you’ve been reading The Lacey List for a while, you might remember “The Case for Naked Nails.” That piece led me to connect with Jessica Blumenthal, founder of Celisse, a just-launched nail care brand built entirely around nail health.

After having Elsie, regular nail salon visits quickly became unrealistic (and truthfully, I never loved them). But doing nothing to my nails hasn’t felt right either. Celisse solves that problem beautifully with an at-home do it yourself kit complete with nourishing serums, gentle buffers, and clean polishes formulated to EU standards.

Their philosophy is that “Small habits can make a big difference when they’re easy to keep.” I couldn’t agree more.

The full at-home set is $128 (great gift idea), or try the Bare Nail Set (my pick!). It includes the essentials: a nourishing nail serum, precision file, and shine buffer.

Hypochlorous Acid is the star ingredient of this new miracle spray from The Clean Bean. This ingredient, I learned, is a naturally occurring molecule in our immune systems that cleanses, protects, and supports healthy skin. So, this spray is a catch-all for parents and kids alike! I had a little skin irritation that this soothed almost instantly. I’ve started using this in lieu of diaper rash cream on Elsie (sorry to any non-parents :)) and it’s a game changer! I’m so impressed with everything The Clean Bean does, and the brands they’ve introduced me to. They are the perfect example of a small brand worthy of our support.

andSons describe themselves as “Not your mom’s chocolate shop,” a playful nod to their origin story. Their mom did, in fact, open a Swiss chocolate shop in Beverly Hills in the 80s, providing a world-class education in chocolate for her two sons. In 2019, those two sons took over the business and reimagined what they consider to be ”the world’s most important food group.” Their “bonbons” are a perfect combination of modern and classic, pristinely packaged (Tim and I can attest!), and made with fresh dairy and farmers market produce. If you’re local to LA, their shop is a treat. Situated on the storied corner of Brighton Way and Camden Drive, a block from Rodeo Drive (hello, Pretty Woman), they have patrons of all ages queuing up for pastries (from Farmshop!), hot chocolate (maybe this is just Tim…), and treats of all kinds. It feels like a relic of the past in the best way. In short, we need more family-run chocolatiers!

This Signature Collection box is going on my gifting list.

Until this past week, it had been a while since I cracked into a fiction book on a weeknight. I usaully torture myself with self help and “productivity” books instead. So, I felt like an irresponsible teenager when, after starting Exit Lane around 8pm, I didn’t put it down until I’d finished it at 1am!!! As the cover advertises, Exit Lane is a contemporary romance novel that feels akin to something produced byNancy Myers (highest compliment in my book). Dare I say it’s gotten me back into reading fiction for fun?! Thank you !

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of attending a pop-up by The Clean Bean at One Hotel. It was such a treasure trove of product discoveries, but one that I particularly appreciated was learning that Koala Eco has expanded into new categories! Koala Eco is a beautiful line of natural cleaning products that are formulated without all the icky ingredients in conventional options. I first fell in love with them after discovering their peppermint floor cleaner and was delighted to stumble upon their Pillow & Linen spray in a similar delicious peppermint. It’s made with essential oil from eucalyptus and peppermint, which is exactly what I want to bask in as I’m falling asleep. The Hand & Body Lotion is made with the same scent, and I’ve been keeping a small bottle near my desk because I find it calming to apply throughout the work day.

Speaking of things that smell good, luxury fragrance brand Perfumehead just collaborated with Kelly Wearstler on an exclusive, limited edition room spray for her newly launched Side Hustle. The scent is diffused into the gallery space and will be available for purchase (soon!) on Side Hustle’s gift shop.

Decidedly not a niche brand, but right now, Wayfair has my attention. Their annual Way Day is underway, so their already reasonable assortment is up to 80% off. My dad just flipped a house for fun (maybe I’ll share the before and after?!), and I’ve been helping him with the interiors (it’s entirely his vision, but it’s fun to be a sounding board). While perusing their site, I stumbled across a bunch of things I want for my own space. Like this potted olive tree, this rattan mirror, and this blue wood daybed.

Decidedly too soon for me, but this is cute for a DIY advent calendar. Not included in sale but now on my list: this Aerin candle, this pitcher (maybe only available in the UK?), and this bread basket. Who knew there were gems buried on Wayfair?!

One of the most delightful responsibilities that come with being Elsie’s mom is getting to dress her without any pushback. I know this is a precious window before she develops her own opinion, so I’m taking advantage! My grandmother owned a children’s shop when I was growing up, so I had no shortage of smocked dresses. Believe it or not, my parents saved a lot of them, so I now get to dress Elsie in the same dresses I wore as a little girl (as in the pics above)! It evokes the best kind of nostalgia. As a result, I’ve gotten hooked on vintage for her! And I have to say, Etsy is a goldmine. I search “vintage toddler girl dresses” and scroll and heart. Examples here, here, here, and here! Also not vintage (or Etsy) but this sweater is adorable and looks like it could be!

Also not vintage, but shoutout to Etsy for their Halloween costumes (thank you to my friend for sending me this mushroom idea). One of you gave me the idea to be a tree to round out our costumes, and suddenly I have a Halloween plan.

And now, onto our givewaway winner….!

Congratulations to MAGGIE KANTER!!! You’re the proud lucky winner of this stacked box of beauty products. I will be in touch separately for shipping details! 🙂 Yay! xxx

I’m keeping today’s newsletter lighthearted, fun, and frivolous, since my topics have been a little heavy lately. I had something else drafted for today and then thought, you know what? We need lightness. I did also tease a giveaway and then never followed through… so, here’s my follow-through! This is also the 60th issue, so a giveaway feels like a nice way to celebrate that big, round number.

An unanticipated perk of having started The Lacey List is that I now have a legitimate excuse to load up on products in the name of “research.” From greens powders to supplements to serums, creams, and mouth tape… let’s just say I love trying it all. It dawned on me that I would love to share this experience with you! And so… I’m doing my first giveaway so that you too can play around with an unnecessary amount of beauty products just for fun and determine which you like the best.

Spoiler: it’s over $1,000 in value.

From YSE Beauty:

I recently attended Los Angeles Magazine’s Best of Beauty Awards, where Sims was being honored for her brand YSE Beauty (she was also the September cover star). She was as radiant and funny in person as she is on Instagram, and I had almost forgotten that she originally rose to fame as a supermodel, among other talents. You can tell how dedicated she is to building YSE, and it makes me even more thrilled to support her brand. In the box, you’ll find:

1. Morning Cocktail Vitamin C Serum

2. Your Favorite Ex™ Barrier-Friendly Exfoliating Pads

3. “The Roadies” Packable AM Routine

4. “The Roadies” Packable PM Routine

From Le Prunier:

5. Harvest Smoke Candle Just in time for cozy season, this is made with 100% plant-based, non-toxic soy coconut wax and a natural cotton wick.

6. Plumtox™ Dry Body Brush

7. Plumbody Hydrating Antioxidant Body Crème

From Korres’:

8. Santorini Grape Velvet Skin Drink

9. Black Pine Primus 6xHA Wrinkle Smoothing Youth Activator

10. Black Pine 3D Eye-Lift Super Serum

From Mutha:

Hyaluronic Serum

Body Oil

From Sidia:

Nirvana Hand Serum

From Elemis:

The It-List Kit

From Vio2:

Mouth Tape

In an effort to create value for the incredible 47 of you who are paid subscribers (when literally everything I’ve written to date is free for everyone), I thought the below would be a nice way to do it:

• If you’re one of those paid subscribers (thank you, I love you!), you will be automatically entered to win three times.

• If you’re a free subscriber of The Lacey List, you’ll be entered to win one time automatically (that includes any new subscribers).

• Anyone who follows @thelaceylist on Instagram will be entered to win again (and DM me with the email you subscribe with so I can keep track!)

• Anyone who shares this post to Instagram stories will be entered again.

• Anyone who likes and leaves a comment on this newsletter will be entered again.

• Anyone who “re-stacks” this newsletter to Substack notes will be entered again.

I’ll announce the winner two weeks from now in the Oct 26th newsletter. Also, since I will be shipping this from Los Angeles, only readers in the US will be eligible.

Thank you all for being here!! If you like this format, let me know. We can do more of these!

Editor’s note: if you’re reading this on Gmail, you may need to click on “view entire message” to view the entire post. Also, if you enjoy this post, clicking the heart button up top or forwarding to a friend would make me happy. ✨

Have you ever noticed someone walk into a room and absolutely light it up? Not with their looks, per se, but with their energy? Conversely, what about people with detectably bad energy? You know the kind - someone who carries a metaphorical storm cloud above them and has a subtly bad attitude towards just about everything. These aren’t people you want in your orbit. That might sound harsh, I know, but there’s a reason why. The truth is: energy is contagious. It moves between us like a free-flowing substance. One heavy mood can ripple outward, just as one bright aura can lift a whole room. That’s why prioritizing, protecting, and elevating your own energy is one of the most powerful ways to live well, day in and day out.

Just recently, I went through a tough stretch that sent my energy spiraling into the negative. About a month ago, I lost the pregnancy I had previously mentioned. At 22 weeks, I had just hit the halfway point and had no reason to suspect anything could be of concern. The news hit me like a fast-moving train, and in the subsequent weeks that followed, I felt an overwhelming sense of sadness that dominated the end of summer. I like to think that I’m typically a positive person, but in this moment, I didn’t feel positive. I felt like I was carrying an unshakeable, heavy weight, at risk of bursting into tears at any moment. Social gatherings, something I usually love, became hard for me. Suddenly, I became that negative person carrying the storm cloud above me.

Just a few weeks of feeling “off” energetically made me realize how much our personal energy impacts the way we move through the world. More importantly, I’ve realized that we have the power to shift our energy. Life will inevitably throw us curveballs we don’t anticipate, and it’s up to us to determine how we respond to them. After all, “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” I’m laughing a little as I type that because a friend just yesterday pointed out that the minute you see someone posting quotes, you know they’re going through something. But, big or small, aren’t we all going through something?

If you’re in that place too, carrying a heavy weight or just feeling “off”, here are a few of the tools helping me reclaim my energy. But, first…

Have you ever noticed the way your mood shifts after a walk in the sun or after an hour of doom-scrolling? Turns out, it’s not a coincidence. It’s your energy responding to your inputs. Here are the seven inputs that matter most:

• Rest + Sleep

• Movement + Breath

• Nutrition + Hydration

• Relationships + Boundaries

• Environment (sunlight, clutter, nature, etc)

• What You Consume ( books, music, podcasts, social media)

• Mindset

When you reframe these not just as “healthy habits,” but as inputs that determine our energetic field, it makes you think a little harder about prioritizing them.

For the past month, here is what I’ve leaned on that has helped me move through my negative emotions and start shifting my energy back.

• Morning walks

• Elsie hugs

• Limiting screen time (especially Instagram…)

• Nourishing foods (bone broth on repeat; this recipe from my friend Gaby has been especially healing)

• Mindset shifts to focus on the positive

• Breathwork

On this last note, breathwork has been especially powerful in helping me shake the sadness. Before you write me off as woo-woo, hear me out. Breathwork might sound like a Goop-y wellness trend, but science tells a different story. A 2023 study found that breathing practices led to significant reductions in stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms compared to doing nothing at all. Other reviews suggest that breathwork improves heart rate variability (a marker of how well our nervous systems handle stress), calming our fight-or-flight response, and helping brain regions communicate more clearly.

For the past few Friday mornings, I’ve been going to an in-person breathwork at my friend Zoe’s house, which is led by Jami Hoffman (interview with Jami coming soon!). Tucked away in the hills of Laurel Canyon, Zoe’s bright, happy space is drenched in natural light from the skylights above. Jami sets the tone with sage, essential oils, and an incredible playlist, which somehow makes her powerful breathing prompts pull you even more deeply into the practice, even for beginners like me. I’ve never been a good or consistent meditator, and, left to my own devices, I just don’t do it. But the accountability of an in-person and the wisdom Jami shares week after week has kept me coming back, and it’s working. To no one’s surprise, I’ve been crying almost every session, but after just 45 minutes, I feel clearer, calmer, lighter, and very in touch with my subconscious.

This past Friday, shortly after breathwork, a friend (totally unprompted) remarked at how light my energy felt. I couldn’t have asked for a better compliment at that moment. Progress!

I wasn’t sure I would ever feel comfortable writing about this. In sharing this transparently, I hope it can serve as an uplifting reminder to anyone else going through something hard. Our energy isn’t fixed, it’s something we tend to. If yours feels low, heavy, or negative, it doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means you’re human. With the right tools, we can shift, soften, and recharge, tapping back into the kind of energy that lights up a room.

I’d love to know what helps you reset your energy. Tell me in the comments or just reply back to this email. I’d love to hear from you.

• On the topic of pregnancy loss, a friend recently shared Lavela Health with me. It is a much needed resource launching soon that will offer community, mental healthcare, and expert support for those navigating pregnancy and reproductive loss. I can’t wait to check it out when it’s live.

• I was reminded this week of one of my favorite “spirit-free” cocktails. Appropriately named the Spicy Mxrg, it had Optimist’s Smokey, a distilled botanical spirit that’s completely free of alcohol, mixed with jalapeño, lime, poblano agave, and salt. It was also $18… so you might be better off recreating it yourself. Also on the Maybourne menu was a No-Groni, which I would replicate at home with this or, for a booze free buzz: this from Cann.

• This weekend, I tested out Goop’s newest product: the Exosome Hydration Therapy Serum. Exosomes are taking the beauty space by storm, as so aptly called out in a recent issue of Office of the Surface where she predicts, “This is just the beginning of the communication powerhouses infiltrating the daily routine.” I think she’s onto something! So far this rich, silky serum has been delivering on its promise, leaving my skin deeply hydrated, plump, and healthy.

• Two dear friends recently sent me a replenishment of my all time favorite C & the Moon duo: the Malibu Made Body Scrub and Body Oil. I’ve been luxuriating in the shower as I apply the scrub and love that it keeps my skin hydrated after the shower. The oil smells amazing and is great for long lasting, everywhere hydration. It also makes a really thoughtful gift for a friend who might be in need of a little self-care. 💛

• On my list to listen this week is this podcast with Mark Hyman and Nick Brewer, the founder of Primal Moves. Pro skier turned drug smuggler Brewer spent ten years in prison, where he discovered the power of breathwork and movement to rebuild his body and mind. There are Primal Moves studios opening across the country. I’m intrigued!

As I teased last week, I’m working on a fun little giveaway that I’ll announce in a few days. Spoiler: it will include some of my beauty favorites like Mutha’s Hyaluronic Serum, Body Oil, and Lip Butter (if you’re wanting to try these now, code Lacey15 will get you 15% off). There will also be best sellers from Sidia, Korres, YSE Beauty, Le Prunier, and the list goes on! It’ll be over $1,000 in value, so make sure to keep an eye out for the details later this week.

As always, thank you for being here. And remember, don’t forget to:

The Lacey List

Oxygen Mask Theory

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The Lacey List

One of the Healthiest Habits to Learn

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How to Achieve A Peaceful Evening Routine

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A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of putting together an event for Rothy’s hosted with landscape artist Lily Kwong at a working farm in Brooklyn. Yes, it was an actual farm, with rows and rows of vegetables (bell peppers! kale! tomatoes!), wildflowers, and fresh herbs set against the iconic backdrop of the Manhattan skyline. Guests walked in straight from subway platforms and city sidewalks, and within minutes, you could see it: their shoulders dropped, their pace of conversation slowed, and their energy shifted. There was a palpable, collective exhale as everyone took in the lush greenery overlooking the hustle of the concrete jungle.

As for me, I’d gotten there at 6am, all geared up for a stressful morning. We had a portrait shoot to capture, a table to prep, and remarks to say. For a lot of reasons, my heart should have been pounding faster than it was. But, as I walked the space alone and took in the plants literally “waking up” to the sun, I felt calm. This unexpected peaceful feeling lasted throughout the morning, reminding me how calming proximity to plants can really be.

Being surrounded by plants, particularly in unlikely places, helps us shift our mindset, reduce stress, and reconnect to something bigger than ourselves. I’ve been thinking about how to bring the calm I felt that morning with me more consistently. So, below are a few ideas for how to bring the power of plants into your everyday, regardless of where in the world you might be.

Science backs what our bodies innately know: being around plants is a simple, powerful way to take care of ourselves. In recent years, a new field called “environmental neuroscience” has emerged that explores how and why our brains are impacted by spending time in nature. Based on what we know now, science shows that surrounding ourselves with plants and nature positively impacts our:

• Stress & Anxiety: Studies show that exposure to greenery, even if brief, reduces cortisol levels and lowers blood pressure (particularly important for those of us living in cities, who have a higher risk of hypertension and stress).

• Cognitive Function & Creativity: It turns out, increased time spent indoors on screens isn’t helping our cognition. By contrast, studies have found that time spent in nature improved focus, memory, and creative problem-solving. So, by replacing some of that all-too-tempting screen time with activities spent outdoors (in nature!) we’re doubling the benefit on our brains and capacity to think creatively.

• Longevity: Research shows people living near green spaces have longer lifespans and lower risks of chronic illness (likely, in part, due to lower levels of depression, increased social connection, and higher physical activity).

It’s no surprise then that the happiest occupations have reportedly been careers that involve time spent in nature. According to The Washington Post, jobs in agriculture, logging, and forestry have the highest levels of self-reported happiness and lowest levels of self-reported stress of any major industry category.

While not all of us can live or work in environments immersed in nature, there are some tools that help us reap the same benefits.

Houseplants

One easy solution, no matter where you live, is to invest in indoor plants. If you were like me in thinking plants are simply decorative, you’re wrong. They actually serve a very functional, important purpose. Houseplants purify our air, improve our mood, create a calming environment, and even add humidity for better sleep and skin. If you’re new to plants, start simple (and maybe with something that’s hard to kill).

The Sill was where I bought my first plant when I moved to NYC after college, and I still love it as a resource today. Some favorites of theirs include the Olive Tree, the Schefflera Arboricola Braid, and this Ficus Tree.

Another easy option is Bloomscape, which ships all over the US.

If you travel frequently or are prone to forgetting to water your plants, there’s Easy Plant. I bought half a dozen of their Birds of Paradise a few years ago and they’re still holding strong!

Beyond these, most cities and towns have local nurseries with plenty of options, which is a nice way to forego the potentially messy headache of shipping and unboxing a plant.

Green Spaces in the City

But houseplants aren’t the only way to tap into nature. The good news for those of us living in cities is that even quick-hit doses of “urban nature” improve mood and stress levels. And these exist in almost every major city in the world. In New York and LA, two places where we split our time, there are endless options.

• New York: Central Park // Brooklyn Botanic Garden // The High Line // Brooklyn Grange // Wave Hill // Domino Park // Prospect Park

• Los Angeles: Descanso Gardens // Huntington Botanical Gardens // Rose Garden // Palisades Park in Santa Monica // Griffith Park // plus all the hiking that exist across the sprawling city…

As basic as these might sound, here are a few good habits to weave into your week to make plants a part of your everyday life:

• A quick “nature” walk between meetings or calls, even if it’s only five minutes down a tree-lined street

• Water a plant on your desk or kitchen counter

• Create a weekly ritual

  • Farmers Market Flowers. Elsie is big into “pretty flowers” at the moment, so we’ve been going to the farmers market to pick out what she likes. This week we got dahlias (although they died faster than anticipated), lilies (these are unexpectedly still alive and thriving a week later), and eucalyptus stems (which are a natural stress and pain reliever).

  • Cooking with fresh herbs.

  • Trimming a windowsill plant.

Part of the beauty of plants is that they don’t rush. They grow slowly, steadily, and silently, requiring only sunshine, water, and soil. On a daily basis, they serve as a reminder to pause, breathe, and stay resilient. Watering my plants also reminds me to hydrate (anyone else?!). Truthfully, caring for plants also serves as a metaphor for how we should be caring for ourselves and the people we love.

So this week, pick one way to invite more greenery into your world. Buy that little plant or take that park walk and notice the trees on your street. The power of plants is actually simple, and available to all of us. Like I saw at our Brooklyn Grange breakfast, even in the busiest, most urban environments, plants can root us in calm.

with a few discount codes for you ;)

PORTA. Seated to my left at the aforementioned Brookyln breakfast was Alice Russotti, the founder and creative director of PORTA. If you don’t yet know PORTA, they’re a tableware and home accessories brand bringing together the best of Europe’s independent artisans in homeware and contemporary design. So many of their fall arrivals are on my wishlist (like this! and this! and these!). Fun for fall dinner parties, Thanksgiving, and just every day life.

MUTHA. This brand was founded by a mother (get it?) after she couldn’t find clean and effective skincare that was safe to use during her first pregnancy. The entire line is formulated without GMOs, parabens, phthalates, silicones, PEGs, and the list goes on (read their definition of clean here). Three of their hard-working heroes have made it into my daily routine: the Serum, Body Oil, and Lip Butter. The hyaluronic‑heavy serum hydrates your skin, leaving it plump and glazed. The Lip Butter has been helping nourish my dry, dehydrated lips (now that we’re back in LA where it’s still HOT). And, at 35, I’ve started to make a concerted effort to take better care of my body skin, hence loving Mutha’s Body Oil. Described to me as “a vitamin for your skin,” it’s extending my summer tan a little longer and keeping me hydrated all over. Code: LACEY15 for 15% off.

Ritual. Speaking of vitamins, after years of admiring Ritual’s marketing (almost to the point of skepticism), I finally tried it. I took the plunge after learning that Lindsey Dahl, auther of Cleaning House: The Fight to Rid Our Homes of Toxic Chemicals, joined Ritual as Chief Impact Officer (after eight years as Head of Mission at Beautycounter where she led safety, sustainability, advocacy, and responsible sourcing). Now that we’re "back to the grind” as they say, I’ve recommitted to my supplement regimen. Among the regimen are Ritual’s Omega 3 DHA + EPA and the Women's Multivitamin 18+. So far, I’ve been loving them. They both come with Ritual’s “Signature Scent Tab,” which infuses with essential oil for a delicious pop of flavor (one is mint, the other lemon). Oddly enough, it makes me look forward to taking these which is helping me stay consistent. If you want to try, use code: THELACEYLIST for 25% off.

Cann Spritz. I’m a sucker for a good spritz. From low abv (Dola Dira) to non-alcoholic (Ghia, Figlia, or a Phony Negroni), nothing transports me to the Italian coast faster than an herbaceous, balanced effervescent apéritif. New to this lineup is the Spritz from Cann, which ups the ante of your usual apéritif by adding a little THC to the mix. It’s perfect for those not interested in imbibing who still want a little buzz. “For the perfect night out, and a clear morning after.”

Perfumehead // LA LA Love If you’ve heard me talking about Perfumehad (either here on The Lacey List or IRL), it’s because I can’t get enough of them. We made a specific trip to Just One Eye last weekend just to smell all the fragrances in one place. I adore their 1272 and now that we’re back in Los Angeles, LA LA Love has become my go-to scent for fall. It’s a subtle, warm vanilla mixed with smoked amber, black tea, tonka and sandalwood. One spritz and I feel instantly cooler and more sophisticated. It also comes in a roll-on oil, excellent for travel.

As always, thank you for being here!! Next week, I have a giveaway tee’d up for you. It’s going to be good. Until then, wishing you a nature-filled week ahead! But first… a quick poll:

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a deep love for physical photographs. In high school, the only academic accolade I was ever associated with was the photography award. I adored my darkroom classes, pining over what I’m sure now must have been a toxic chemical concoction while squinting in the dark to see what my lens had revealed. So now, almost twenty years later, why am I so delinquent at printing physical photographs? And, more importantly, why does that matter? (Spoiler: it does.)

It turns out I’m not alone. For better or worse, our world has gone digital. In 2007, just as high school Lacey was learning the ins and outs of film photography, Apple revealed the first iPhone with a 2 megapixel camera built in. In 2010, iPhone 4 introduced the front-facing camera, bringing with it the barrage of selfie culture that we’re still grappling with today. Then, the following year, we met the iPhone 4S, the first smartphone camera with high-definition video and photo capabilities. Whether we knew it or not at the time, that little piece of technology would forever change the way our society takes photographs. By 2023, camera sales had plummeted by more than 90%, all but vanishing under the weight of the iPhone.

Thanks to Apple, we all suddenly had a convenient, pocket-size camera with which to document our everyday lives. Snapping pictures became so ubiquitous that the ritual of it all quickly fell to the wayside. Just like that, so much of the creative photo process we once took for granted was erased. No longer were we printing, curating, and displaying our favorite images artfully at home, set in beautiful frames worthy of their contents. Instead, our photos remain largely trapped behind our shiny phone screens. Today, smartphones account for roughly 94% of all photos taken. And although more than 1.4 trillion photos are taken globally each year, most of them never leave the digital cloud. This is a bigger problem than we realize, and these numbers are a powerful sign that we should all be re-embracing physical photographs and the emotions they hold.

Science points to many reasons why scrolling digital images is not the same as engaging with physical photographs. For starters, printing and framing our most precious moments engages more of our senses, thus creating a deeper imprint in our brain and encoding memories more permanently. (Might this explain why I “remember” things from age three or four?!) Similarly, research shows that tangible objects trigger stronger emotional recall than digital. When we’re looking through printed photos, we’re doing it with intention. We mean to do it. When we’re scrolling our phone, it’s usually mindless.

In a world where we move fast, embracing the art of slowing down, taking inventory, and appreciating life’s moments matters more than we realize. Reclaiming the art of printing our photos is one great way to do exactly that. It helps anchor us and provides a respite from our fast-paced digital life. Plus, the last thing we need is more screen time to take in the images that light us up. By contrast, holding a physical photograph is a simple act that sparks instant joy and nostalgia, one of the most powerful emotions for well-being. Research shows nostalgia isn’t just sentimental. It actually increases optimism, self-esteem, and social connection.

Speaking of nostalgia, nothing captures it quite like Don Draper in this Kodak Carousel pitch from Mad Men. It’s really worth the watch if you have two minutes. Without fail, I cry every time.

“Teddy told me that in Greek nostalgia literally means the pain from an old wound.

It’s a twinge in your heart far more powerful than memory alone.

This device isn't a space ship – it’s a time machine.

It goes backwards and forwards. It takes us to a place where we ache to go again.

It’s not called the wheel – it's called the carousel.

It lets us travel the way a child travels.

Around and around and back home again.

To a place where we know we were loved.”

– Don Draper, Mad Men

As Don so artfully conveys, when you actually think about the power of freeze-framing time into a perpetual memory we can revisit later, it’s powerful. Yes, the click of a button might feel trivial in the moment, but with the passage of time, each image takes on deeper meaning. Each photograph becomes a portal through which we can transport ourselves back to a precise time and place “where we ache to go again.” Life is ever-changing, riddled with ups and downs. Couples get married, babies are born, and children graduate. Laughter happens, and so do tears. Loved ones pass on, families fall apart, and tragedies happen. In the end, the tangible memories we cling to are often represented best by photographs. All the more reason to give them the TLC and spotlight they deserve!

If you want to turn your memories into something you can actually touch (and treasure), here are a few ways to make it easy and fun.

And plenty of resources exist to make it easy, like:

• Mootsh - a premium photo printing subscription that makes actually doing it really easy. I just signed up for this one (thank you to my friend Sam for the recommendation!!).

• Artifact Uprising – great for chic photo albums worthy of your coffee table, high quality prints, photo calendars, etc. It’s also 20% off site wide through the end of today (Monday 9/1). ☺️

• Chatbooks – auto-creates monthly photo books from your camera roll or Instagram.

• Papier — makes great custom photo books, photo planners, journals, notebooks, etc.

• Mpix – professional-grade prints, really fast turnaround. This is where I’ve had Christmas card pictures printed in years past.

• FreePrints – like it sounds, free prints offers a set number of free prints each month (85 to start with!). You just cover shipping.

To make it a creative habit, rather than a someday project, choose an offline ritual you enjoy. I learned with my first attempt at The Artist's Way (which I didn’t finish btw, apparently the sign of a true artist) that creativity is a muscle that needs to be exercised. Instead of letting it snowball into a massive photo project, chip away at it every little bit! Some habits to help you:

• Try a First-of-the-Month Edit: once you’ve printed ten or so favorites, have some fun merchandising them throughout your space. Pin them on a board in your office or swap them into frames. I love a good frame assortment and made an edit for you here, with a few favorites below.

  For Black & White photos:

  

• Photo Boxes: Keep a beautiful box on your coffee table and rotate your prints.

• Yearly Albums: start a photobook or annual album for big and small moments. This is especially fun if you have a baby (hi Elsie) but also for anyone! These travel books styled after the Assouline ones are chic and fun as are these from Printworks.

  Some Good Photo Albums:

• Scrap Booking: I’m very guilty of neglecting Elsie’s baby book, but it’s a perfect place to play with and cherish physical prints as she grows.

• Vision Boards: I know these usually involve “swipe” or magazine clippings, but I love including photographs I’ve taken myself.

• Wall Galleries: Frame and swap prints to refresh your space and mood.

By the way, a mini at home printer is a nice thing to have for printing minis. Also a printer like this levels it up, assuming you have the space and patience for your own printer. 🙃

One last note: at 20 months, Elsie LOVES to look at framed photographs. She points out the people she knows, and it helps reinforce to her who is important to us, as she shouts the names of the people she recognizes like, “Uncle Max!”

Sharing photos physically feels more personal, because it is. A pretty frame with a thoughtful photograph is one of my all-time favorite gifts to give (and get). It truly never gets old.

When Elsie’s nanny Caroline left after the summer, she printed her favorite photos of Elsie and gave them to us in cute, versatile frames. We’ll always think of her when we see them!

You could also get into the habit of mailing a surprise print to a friend. Bonus if it’s slipped into a handwritten thank-you note or birthday card for that extra personal touch.

, who I recently stumbled upon here on Substack, is getting me excited about getting back into film again. This feels like the ultimate antidote to our increasingly digital lives. Loving this post for those of you who might want to dive in too…

For anyone watching the US open, this one is for you. In case you didn’t know, Jannik Sinners ex-girlfriend Anna Kalinskaya also happens to be a professional tennis player, and a stunningly beautiful one at that. (Is anyone else sad they broke up?!) The Nike outfit (skirt + top) she wore during her Saturday match was a 10/10. I wish they also made it in white, but the cornflower blue and navy combo is delish.

In case you haven’t heard me going on about RŌZ Hair this summer, here I go again (and now until midnight is a good time to try it for yourself.) Through the end of today, you’ll get 20% off when you bundle two or more items.

The Hair Milk Serum is my #1 favorite product, followed by the Treatment Oil and the Santa Lucia Styling Oil. Their Foundation Shampoo & Conditioner is also best in class and very clean. (Pretty sure Lacey15 will work alongside the sale).

Even as an adult, I love that “back to school” energy that early September brings. I’m loving little desk upgrades and this recommendation from is top notch. I’m also a big fan of this notebook (#priorities) and this organizer is a nice way to keep mail organized.

Out of nowhere, I had an unexpectedly tough week. One of the worst I can remember in a long time. Maybe after some distance I’ll tell you about it. But, for now, I’m distracting myself in the form of a trivial and light newsletter this week.

I saw a perfectly timed quote from Yung Pueblo that has stuck with me.

“One of the healthiest habits to learn: Be kind to yourself when your mood is low.”

So, this week I’ve been trying to do exactly that. For me, that has meant slowing down, letting myself cry (there is a lot of science behind the power of a good cry), and appreciating tiny little pick-me-ups (that don’t involve mindlessly scrolling my phone). This has successfully helped keep my mood light and happy, so I thought I’d share a few of the tiny, trivial things that are bringing a little joy during an otherwise tough time. 💛

Stationery. I had mine custom made by Happy Menocal a few years ago, shortly after working with her on our wedding invitations, but she also sells ready made stationery that I would go for in an instant.

Like her name, Happy’s work is exactly that: happy. She is deeply creative in the most fun and quirky way. And her talents go wayyyy beyond paper goods. Like wallpaper. And pillowcases. And lampshades. And art. She is endlessly talented. I’m notoriously terrible about sending thank-you notes, but having stationary I love has made me better at it, and when I finally sit down to write an old-school note, I feel warm and fuzzy inside.

Fine Tip Muji pens. To use on the aforementioned stationery. And notebooks. And to-do lists. And any/everything that requires penmanship (I promise you, these pens make my writing neater). It makes me happy to house said pens in a FUN POUCH. (I’m a sucker for pouches, and for some reason, all my favorites seem to come from baby brands).

Speaking of baby brands, Elsie snuggles are a non-negotiable. Nothing brings me more happiness, comfort, or joy. Lately, as we’re winding her down for bed, I’ve been asking if she’s ready to “get cozy” (translation: put on pajamas). We have been loving her new summer PJs from Lewis, which are the cutest little things. I got her these too (def intended for boys but whatever, I grew up in plenty of my brothers’ hand-me-downs). Anyone can love blue alligator pajamas!

On the Elsie note, a friend gifted this cigar box mouse to her earlier this summer, and every time she reaches for it, it makes me smile. We’re also newly excited about coloring and this box of crayons tucked neatly away in an Andy Warhol soup can is the perfect way to keep it aesthetically (somewhat) pleasing and the mess explosion that is a 20-month old coloring easily contained.

A long, warm shower provides a reset like no other. I’ve tried to treat myself to as many of these as I can this week. A few shower heroes are making that experience even more zen. First is LINNÉ Botanicals Activate Body Wash. I’ve mentioned it before (it’s tried and true), but I newly discovered how nice it is when used as a face mask. Because eucalyptus is a star ingredient, it serves as a nice pick-me-up while also making you feel calm. Use Lacey10 if you want 10% off. In a similar vein, Koala Eco makes a peppermint body wash that I’ve been using liberally to scrub head-to-toe while simultaneously turning my shower into a spa.

Post shower, I’ve been religious about using the RŌZ Hair Milk Serum to keep my salty summer locks as smooth and hydrated as possible (after some pleading, code LACEY15 will get you 15% off). Yes, I continue to battle the summer frizzle frazzle! Then, I love lathering Goe Oil or C & the Moon Glow Oil (I’m down to the last few drops!) on my body before slipping into cozy clothes or pajamas.

On my face post-shower, I’ve been using a new, dreamy clean skincare brand from Tokyo that I was introduced to last week (thank you, !). Their “Citrus Glow” Vitamin C & Hyaluronic Serum and “Mochi Mochi” Luminous Cream have become instant favorites (not surprising that you can get them as a duo). The beauty space is insanely crowded, but MAKE SPACE ON YOUR COUNTER. I can tell this one is going to cut through.

Comforting tea. LINNÉ Botanicals makes a delectable loose-leaf Skin Tea that I’ve been loving. It’s made with a delightful selection of organic and biodynamically farmed flowers, fruits, leaves, and seeds. It’s a flavorful, caffeine-free blend of herbs that delivers the perfect dose of calm while also offering essential minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants to support your skin and overall health. (Code Lacey10 gets you 10% off). Then, for after meals (or anytime, really), there is Dr. Natazia Stohlberg’s Rest & Digest tea. I see Dr. Natazia Stohlberg for acupuncture in LA, and was instantly enamored with her tea. Drinking this has become a deeply soothing daily ritual that simultaneously supports digestion and eliminates bloat.

Nothing screams comfort to me more than a cozy bed quilt. Perfect for shielding yourself from the world when you need a day of rest. We got this one from Nickey Kehoe a few years ago, and, while it felt like a splurge at the time, it has proven to be one of my favorite things. The cost per use on this thing is now down to the pennies.

Luxuriously comfortable intimates have made getting dressed a little bit easier. Eby’s Sheer Bralette that I mentioned last week has quickly slipped into my daily rotation. I just went back for a few more (and was pleased to notice they’re running a buy two get one free right now with code FREEBRA!).

Also happiness-inducing has been Perfumehead’s brand new 1272. It’s the most gorgeous scent that I’m excited to wear into fall. It’s like bottling up a little bit of sunshine to take with you into the cooler seasons ahead. I love that it’s inspired by the founder’s Palm Springs home (designed by none other than Donald Wexler). “To wear it is to inhabit a version of yourself that is faceted and enduring.”

Ghia and Aplos are my top two non-alcoholic aperitifs currently. Once it’s been poured over a giant ice cube and into a beautiful glass, I forget that I’m not having a real drink.

A lovely dessert in a pretty bowl goes a long way. My favorite dessert is whipped cream (preferably homemade) and berries. These berry bowls from La Romaine Editions are the perfect vehicle for exactly that. It turns a simple after-dinner pleasure into dessert for your eyes. I had the pleasure of meeting the founder Pauline Vincent in March at a dinner in Paris (where we dressed the table in her collection alongside paper flowers from Tij!). It was gorgeous. Plus, I love what her entire brand stands for: finding simple, spontaneous beauty in everyday life.

Last but not least and absolutely worth mentioning: one of my best friends dropped off homemade banana bread this week, tied up in parchment paper and a red and white striped bow. Few things make you feel as loved and considered as a homemade, freshly baked little treat like this does. Next time you’re at a loss for what to do for a friend going through something, this is your answer.

Wishing you all a much better week than this one was for me! And remember:

For those of you who haven’t seen it, Ingrid Goes West is still one of my favorite movies that Tim has ever produced. Years ahead of its time, it tackles the complex world of influencer culture and the dark downside it can have on others. In lieu of a photo for this week’s topic, I thought it would be pertinent to include!

Happy August, you guys! It’s officially that juicy slice of summer we wait all year to enjoy, and now it’s here in all of its beautiful, fleeting glory. It has me thinking about the three weeks ahead and how I plan to spend them. Specifically, I want to take a good, hard look at my screen time and online habits. August is one of those months when Mother Nature really has so much to offer, and to snub her by staying glued to our laptops, iPads, and phone screens feels especially criminal.

Yes, I know. There is still work to be done. Zooms to be had. Newsletters to write (and read!). But I’m talking about the other stuff—the unnecessary, mindless screen consumption that we’re all guilty of. The doomscroll, so to speak. You’re not exactly sure why you’re still scrolling, but you’re glued, and it’s hard to stop. And how is that doomscroll making us feel? Not surprisingly, a UK study found that nearly 70% of young people 16–21 said they felt worse about themselves after using social media. Sure, yes—we get a quick hit of dopamine from those quippy, 30-second video loops, but on a macro level, this excessive screen time is wreaking havoc on our mood, creativity, and relationships, whether we realize it or not.

And do you ever feel like everyone in your life has more time than you do? I constantly hear friends talking about the hot summer beach read they're enjoying, or the marathon they’re training for, or that homemade sourdough they just made. I think to myself, “How do you have time for that?” But the truth is, feeling “time-poor” might just be a construct I’ve invented. What if I really considered all those passive minutes I’ve spent scrolling my phone without intention and instead put them towards allocation time for something else that really matters?

I was catching up with Elsie’s summer nanny (hi Caroline!) about exactly this over coffee, and she shared the perfect stat from the book she’s reading, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. According to the author John Mark Comer, "the average American spends 705 hours per year on social media and 2,737.5 hours watching television. In contrast, a person reading at an average speed could read two hundred books a year in just 417 hours.” So if, like me, you have “no time to read,” your screen habit might be the reason.

Unnecessary screen consumption is a common struggle we all face. So, here are a few hacks we can implement to be more intentional and reallocate that lost time for activities that actually matter.

Step 1: Track & notice where your time goes by looking at screen time reports and app usage. If you’re feeling more “sucked in” by your screens than you want to be, simply notice and take inventory. What is grabbing your attention? Where do you sink the most time? After all, isn’t the saying that awareness is the first step to recovery?

Step 2: Replace those mindless scrolls with something more intentional (and preferably offline). For me, lately, that’s been a quick drive to the beach, an ocean dunk, an outdoor shower, a little playtime with Elsie, watering the garden plants, or a quick walk outside. Make it low effort (the beach right now is a two-minute drive) and something that makes you happy.

Step 3: Set reasonable boundaries that you can stick to. Set time limits, consider making a “no-phone zone,” and try charging your phone in another room overnight. This last tip has helped me delay looking at my phone first thing after I wake up, something research shows is critical to starting your day on the right foot. It turns out, “80% of adults reach for their phone before their feet hit the floor,” a seemingly innocuous habit that “tricks your body into thinking you’ve woken up next to a bear, flooding your brain with stress hormones and even leading to changes in brain structure over time.”

On this note, how do we take back control of our morning? Research shows that behavior change works best when you replace a habit, rather than simply eliminating it. So, instead of just “ditching your phone” in the morning, try to focus on making valuable swaps in your routine instead.

• Sun first, screen later: 5–10 minutes of morning light helps reset your circadian rhythm (I learned about the morning “circ walk” a few years ago thanks to and have been forever hooked.)

• Three deep minutes: try a mini meditation (I like the guided options on Insight Timer) to lower cortisol.

• Move a little: Even if it’s just a quick sun salutation stretch or quick walk to boost endorphins.

• Gratitude journal: Write three things you’re thankful for to shift your mindset to the positive. I actually loved this part of the The Artist’s Way before I “fell off the wagon.” The morning pages, while not a gratitude exercise, became a habit I loved and know I’ll be back to when the time is right.

Most importantly with these, start small. An hour can feel like a long time to delay looking at your phone in the morning if you’re just making the switch. Even carving out fifteen minutes of phone-free time after waking up can ease your anxiety and sharpen your focus for the day ahead.

And if you want to take monitoring your digital habits a step beyond what Apple provides in your “screen time” settings, tools exist to really set boundaries around your iPhone use.

The Brick App is one I’m curious about. It syncs an iOS app with a physical NFC-enabled device, allowing users to “brick” their phone by blocking distracting apps and notifications until they intentionally tap the brick again to restore access. It allows you to create custom focus settings and app blocking and then layers on physical friction, creating deliberate pause, allowing you to make your screen time more intentional.

Realizd is another app that was thoughtfully designed to continuously monitor your phone or iPad use. It allows you to track metrics like total screen time, number of pickups, longest session, and pickup intervals, and presents the data in intuitive, aesthetically pleasing charts and daily, weekly, and monthly reports. It also lets you customize your usage limits, set alerts when thresholds are exceeded, and take a look at your activity history to understand historical patterns and help you develop healthier screen habits.

Screen Buddy is a smart app (coming soon to iOS) that helps you build healthier phone habits by gently reminding you to take breaks and avoid mindless scrolling. It’s like having a thoughtful friend who nudges you toward focus and calm, especially when your screen time starts creeping up.

And on the note of “replacing” your scroll, there is so much to enjoy right now that’s a better, more beautiful way to spend your time.

(August in Long Island Edition)

• Go to the farmers market and marvel at the produce the earth has produced.

• Bite into a still-fuzzy farm stand peach.

• Buy farm stand flowers and spend time arranging them.

• Float on your back in the ocean until your fingertips and toes get wrinkly.

• Walk barefoot down the beach for a “natural pedicure.”

• Ride your bike to get ice cream after dinner, just for a single scoop.

• Look for bunnies and fireflies at dusk (Elsie’s favorite activity).

• Watch the big, beautiful, orange moon rise over the dunes (just like Saturday night), and don’t try to photograph it.

• Have a beach bonfire and get lost looking at the stars above.

• Take in the magic of the beach at night. The salty air, crashing waves, glowing moon, and all.

At its core, mindless scrolling takes us out of the now. I wait all year for August to roll around, and poof, it’s over in the blink of an eye. Why would I want to do anything to take myself out of that?! Not only is it a glorious month thanks to Mother Nature, but my entire family is also gathered together for three more fleeting weeks, something that happens only once a year! So my commitment to fewer screens right now is also an effort to take the time to enjoy the physical presence of the people I love most in this world.

I’d love to know what’s worked for you to create boundaries around your screen time. Share it in the comments or just write back to me! We need to know all the tips and tricks! We’ll get better together.

Over and out!

Lacey

At a friend’s suggestion, I just downloaded a new book, Cleaning House: The Fight to Rid Our Homes of Toxic Chemicals. The author, Lindsey Dahl, has held numerous leadership positions for environmental health nonprofits including Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families, and for leading consumer brands including Beautycounter (now Counter) and Ritual. She sits on the board of directors for the nonprofits Toxic-Free Future and the Chamber of Mothers. What a stacked resume! I can’t wait to dive in.

Anyone who has gone through pregnancy before knows that finding a comfortable bra is not an easy task. Enter EBY, a new to me intimates brand that just so happens to make the perfect-for-pregnancy bra. I’ve been wearing their sheer bralette in champagne on repeat the last few weeks and couldn’t be happier. It has no underwire, and instead uses something called “wire-free support technology” strategically designed to provide pain-free support. Whatever it is, it’s working for me and I’m going back for the pink and black colors next. (I ordered a small, my usual size and the fit is great).

My third and final favorite product discovery this week is Vintner’s Daughter’s Active Botanical Serum. Formulated with the “world’s most nutrient-rich active botanicals” it’s designed to nourish, brighten and moisturize for “balanced, healthy and radiant skin.” The ingredients are also pristine. Sign me up!

I read a not-so-uplifting opinion piece in the NYT this weekend titled You Are Contaminated. In it, the writer David Wallace-Wells argues that the world is now unavoidably toxic, as plastic has now surfaced in human breast milk, on both sides of the placenta, in unborn babies, and in far flung places like the deepest depths of the ocean and very top of Mount Everest. I prefer the actionable outlook like the one Lindsay Dahl provides, but thought it was a pertinent conversation started. I would know your thoughts!

In a similar vein, I’m curious what you think about Yael Cohen’s new procedure that, for $13,000, supposedly rids your blood of microplastics. I’m not one to hate on new technology, and admittedly know very little about this science, but my initial reaction is that this feels like it could be in the Theranos camp?!

And, if you haven’t seen Ingrid Goes West yet, watch it here!

I write to you with a tear-stained face as I lie in bed with my laptop on a Tuesday afternoon. I was attempting to take a few days of “vacation” this week, but instead of going to the beach with Elsie, I have a way too long to-do list hanging over me that I need to crank through (this newsletter being one of them). And, truthfully, I’m just having one of those days. You know the kind – when you better be careful who you speak to in public because you might burst into tears at any moment. Actually, there is a reason for today’s mood that I haven’t had a chance to share with you yet.

It turns out, I’m pregnant with our second baby. And, it’s a girl! A baby sister for Elsie! We are beyond excited, but that isn’t what prompted me to write today. I’m approaching 20 weeks on Monday, that awkward in-between where you can definitely tell but I also don’t look cute-pregnant at all. In fact, I’m precisely at those crossroads where I’m puffy and round-faced and my inner monologue is incredibly cruel. Why can’t you just get that cute “swallowed a watermelon look” and no fat anywhere else?

Inquiring, well-intentioned minds have started to ask the daring question, “When are you due?” and I can see the panic in their faces in those few fateful seconds as I take my time to reply. “What if she’s just fat?” they must be thinking before I get around to gleefully answering, “December 29th!”

Since having Elsie, I’ve wanted to write about the ups and downs that come with a shape-shifting body as you’re creating new life. I’ve hesitated to share this because it feels ungrateful to express any negative feelings associated with pregnancy. Conception is such a beautiful, miraculous part of life, and one that I’ve watched countless friends struggle with. I don’t want to seem ungrateful. I am full of gratitude that my body is doing its thing to bring a new person into the world. But, as my friend said so beautifully this week, “multiple things can be true at once.” I can be grateful and down on my body all at the same time. (P.S. Carola’s newsletter this week in part inspired me to be open about this, and it’s worth the read if you haven’t already.)

I know I shouldn’t feel this way, a truth that actually makes it harder. But can you blame me? We live in a society that has glorified svelte physiques for as long as I can remember (something that’s only gotten more pronounced with the onslaught of easily accessible GLP-1s), and my current body is anything but. In my everyday life, I try my best to make choices that will leave me feeling great in my body - happy, healthy, confident, and empowered. But during pregnancy? I’ve struggled to balance daily exercise and diet with being a present mom and still moving my career forward. That, plus finding the time to enjoy summer and spend quality time with my original family (my dad, brothers, sisters-in-law) and our growing gaggle of nieces and nephews, is all overwhelming to juggle.

So, while today’s newsletter isn’t full of actionable tips, I thought I’d share honestly how I’m feeling because I find comfort in knowing that other people have these “down and out” moments too. For me, there is peace in knowing you’re not alone! And yes, I realize this childbearing chapter is just a moment in time, but while you’re in it, that fact doesn’t diminish how you might be feeling right now. So, I’m sending love to anyone feeling down for whatever reason, physical body changes or otherwise. If you’re in need of a vent, I’m here!!!

Not a link, per se, but nothing brings me more joy than Elsie in a cute dress. At 19 months, she already loves them too. Pretty dress! she’ll say as we’re picking out an outfit. My mom saved a closet full of the dresses that I wore as a baby, and my dad restored them to make sure they were all in mint condition. So, a lot of what Elsie wears is vintage with a sentimental twist... proof below! Nothing better.

But, of course, the excitement of discovering a new dress is equally sweet. We were introduced Nellapima early on after my friend Quincy gave us one of their darling bubble onesies (the one with the chicks, which is sadly sold out). And then, my friend Natalie (who has amazing taste) gave us this adorable dress and it’s been on repeat all summer long. It doesn’t get much cuter than this!

Despite what the internet algorithms might tell us, we still have seven more weeks of summer. Which means, sun-care is still important! (I mean, it’s important all year, but especially during the summer months, when more of our skin is exposed to those damaging UV rays). I have a particularly hard time applying sunscreen all over my body, and my dermatologist reminds me time and again that our legs are one of the most common places for melanoma to develop. Enter Solara’s Body Oil Sunscreen. Solara Suncare is EWG verified, a very difficult-to-get stamp of approval certifying clean ingredients. This is a Dry Oil Mineral Sunscreen that is easy to apply and makes remembering to do it a breeze.

I also ordered Solara’s Tinted Brightening Serum with SPF 30, because I need all the help protecting my face from melasma that is so common during pregnancy. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), around 50% of pregnant women develop melasma, a condition that brings on “patches of brown or brown or gray on the face, typically on the cheeks, forehead, nose, chin, or upper lip, and is often symmetrical on both sides of the face.” Delightful! Part of why it’s so prevalent during pregnancy is due to heightened levels of estrogen and progesterone coupled with increased sun sensitivity. So, for me, the more SPF containing face products I can fall in love with, the better.

Another hero of my summer has been this Body Oil from C & The Moon. Hydrating your skin becomes a full time job during pregnancy, and helps prevent stretch marks and weirdness as your body does its thing. It smells faintly of vanilla, and uses ingredients so clean you can pretty much eat them. Equally great is their Body Scrub, which comes in handy towards the end of pregnancy when your skin gets unbearably itchy (at least this is what happened to me!).

Covering my arms is also important to me during pregnancy, and this evening wrap is a chic way to do just that. The black one is part of Attersee’s Summer Sale (type laceydelanowhite@gmail.com if it prompts you for an email) that just went live Wednesday at noon est. If you’re considering, jump on it! (I did). I also got this for pregnancy and postpartum. The cypress color feels calming and my ever chic guru confirmed it’s an excellent choice for pregnancy and pp!

That’s all for now! Hope you’re having an amazing week.

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When I say “Summer Fog,” I’m not talking about San Francisco. I’m talking about that subtle (or maybe palpable) feeling of burnout, blended with the beauty that peak summer brings. The days are long (in the literal sense). The evening’s lingering light paints the sky a brilliant, cotton candy-colored pink and blue, making it impossible not to want to enjoy it. The calendar is chaotic. No two days are the same. Every instinct you have is telling you to cherish and maximize this fleeting time. See friends, watch that gorgeous sunset, and enjoy a few drinks in the process.

With all of this, as magical as it is, you might be feeling a little… so-so. Scrambled. Sleep deprived. Burnt out? If that’s you, you’re not alone. I’ve been feeling, to my core, totally and utterly WIPED OUT. Summer can be overwhelming in subtle ways, even if everything is “to be cherished.” And, we’re about to enter into the dog days of summer, when everything can start to feel even more like a sluggish slog.

So, in case you need it now (or later), here’s a little mid-summer reset for you and for me. It’s backed by biology, grounded in real life, and sprinkled with a little ocean air. (It is July, after all.)

It turns out, there are clear culprits to blame for this deep zapped-of-energy feeling that comes in late July. For one, it’s hot. The heat throws our nervous system off. Our bodies are suddenly working overtime to stay cool, adding a layer of low-grade stress and fatigue we don’t even think about. Then there’s dehydration. I know I’m a broken record on this point, but it’s true! Even if you’re regularly drinking water, you’re probably not replenishing the minerals you need to regulate mood and energy. Then, on top of the heat and dehydration, our routines fall apart! Between social engagements, travel, and the sun setting at 9 PM , our sleep schedules are all over the map, causing us to feel out of sorts.

Here are a few things we can do to feel a little more like ourselves. Spoiler: these are really easy and designed not to add more to your plate, but less.

1. Mineralize Your Water

Add a pinch of sea salt, a squeeze of citrus, or even coconut water to your regular h20. You’re not just thirsty, you’re probably depleted too. By now, you know I love electrolytes (Ultima Replenisher in Lemonade is a favorite, and I was recently introduced to Purest Electrolytes in Ginger Limeade and really liked it.)

2. Cool Your Sleep Environment

To get a handle on better sleep, try cooling down at night. Try lightweight bedding and an appropriate level of AC (ideally somewhere between 68 and 72, but don’t tell my family I said that because thermostat battles are so real in this house). If there’s no AC, sleep with a fan, or even try a lukewarm (cold if you're brave) shower before bed. Body temperature matters for deep sleep. If you’re really serious, you could invest in an Eight Sleep mattress, which regulates the mattress temperature for you and tracks your sleep. (I have yet to pull the trigger on one because of the investment, but I’m VERY curious about this.)

3. Eat Like You Live on a Greek Island

Hydration comes from food, too. Things like cucumber, lemon, grilled fish, watermelon, yogurt, mint are simple, hydrating, and mood-friendly. I’m telling you, this greek salad is perfect. I can’t quit it. Top it with french feta from your local cheese shop, chopped basil and mint with a little maldon sea salt and it’ll be on your lunch rotation all summer long.

4. Unplug
Take ten minutes with no phone, laptop, or agenda. Sit in the shade, take a few deep breaths with your eyes closed. Put your feet in the grass (or sand). I promise it helps your nervous system settle. It’s nothing fancy, but finding a moment of quiet zen is an underrated habit!

5. Ease Up on the Productivity

I’m a sucker for a productivity hack, always looking for ways I can work harder or be more efficient with my time. But the truth is, moving at a slower pace isn’t a flaw. It’s summer’s way of inviting us to slow down and rest. Trust the rhythm. Let things stretch out a little. Eat a peach! Have an ice cream! Enjoy the slowness of it and just be for a second… without any guilt. (This is me also talking to myself.)

6. Don’t Skip the Ocean Dunk

Perhaps my favorite part of the sweet summer season is how perfect the ocean gets. We wait all year for it, and, and sure enough, boom: two months of pretty, salty, wavy water for us to bask and play in. If you’ve been craving the ocean lately, there’s a reason.

I saw and loved this on Function Health over the weekend, and it reminded me of all the healing properties the ocean has to offer. Truthfully, I’ve been living five minutes from the beach all summer, but have rarely taken the time to jump in it. Instead, my day is primarily dominated by screens, the downside of working remotely. Seeing this reminder made me want to prioritize ocean swims again while I still can!

So, what is it about the ocean that helps us reset? For one, per Function, ocean air is rich in negative ions. These help improve our mood, reduce inflammation, and even enhance cognitive performance. Simply breathing it can shift you out of “fight-or-flight” and into a calmer, clearer state of mind.

Dr. Mark Hyman and the team at Function Health call this the power of “blue spaces.” Natural environments like oceans, lakes, and rivers trigger relaxation in the brain. Research shows these “blue spaces” can increase physical activity and lower stress levels just by being near them. So, if you’ve been feeling that “fight or flight,” try making a point of spending time near a body of water. Even five minutes oceanside will help.

If an ocean or lake isn’t easy for you, even showers, baths, or ocean sounds can give your nervous system a little taste of blue spaces.

And remember: you don’t have to “push through” summer. There’s magic in pausing, recalibrating, and letting your body lead. The rest will follow. You’ll feel more focused, energized, and creative. At least, that’s what I’m banking on anyway…

P.S. — here are a few oceans sounds to sleep or work to.

I discovered a new brand (Le Prunier!) that passes the non-toxic test. They make a mineral sunscreen (with a 93 score on Yuka!) that uses 4.7% non‑nano zinc oxide as its sole active ingredient. It’s formulated without parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrance, or chemical sunscreen filters like oxybenzone or octinoxate. Also notable from Prunier: their Plumbody, an antioxidant‑rich body cream shown to “hydrate deeply, calm redness and dryness, smooth fine lines and improve elasticity, all without heaviness or added fragrance.”

The Coast Brand makes the perfect summer set. It’s a small business (female founded and run by one) that cares more keeping the price point below $200 than they do about rapidly scaling the business. That’s how you know they’re one to support! I got a pair of shorts and matching top that I’m so happy with, I’ve worn them multiple times this week.

Also a new discovery this week was Baker Island Foods. I sampled three of their cookie flavors and two of their granolas (so did Elsie and she loved). The entire product offering is naturally gluten free and made with heritage grains but you’d never taste the difference between this and the gluten kind. The Triple Chocolate Chunk cookie was my favorite of the three. They were definitely rich (I’m here for that), and best served alongside some A2 milk.

Spotted at Ralph Lauren today, a striped summer dress that’s pregnancy friendly but still cute for after…

By this time in the summer, I’m needing a little pick-me-up for my skin, and this at-home radiofrequency device has been just the thing. It uses 3DEEP technology to gently heat and lift the skin for a subtle tightening and collagen boost without having to leave home. It’s like a mini spa ritual in your palm: warm, soothing, and quietly potent.

The Lacey List

Ocean Therapy

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2 years ago · 10 likes · 1 comment · Lacey White