guac o'clock

 

It's amazing how a little distance, an abundance of guacamole and the simple act of dressing up can lift the spirit. Being here in Mexico with my sister has been the reset I needed--not just because of the sunshine and fresh guacamole (though both are undeniably healing), but for the luxury of self-care. Slipping into something beautiful, like the gifted strapless Cynthia Rowley, above, and embracing the present without reason or restraint has been its own kind of therapy. Sometimes renewal isn't just about where you are, but how you choose to show up for yourself, and for me, that means... well-dressed! Below, I'm wearing a gifted Sold Out NYC button-down (the fabric has a slight sheen and feels amazing, aptly called "The Everything Shirt"), a Cos cashmere sweater, a sheer TWP blouse (for dinner at Mozza last night) and Still Here white jeans (truly the most comfy and flattering). Also: the suede Cesta x eliou clutch doing her thing and working Cara Cara velvet and feathers during day--because I can! Spotted: the new Madewell bag, the crochet Alemais basket tote, and this gorgeous Marant Etoile lace top. Buenos dias!

on the run

 

I ran away. Fled from the stubborn stench of smoke, the tangled logistics of temporary housing, the relentless churn of grief, stress and problem solving. I needed to come up for air--space to breathe (without hearing about debris or the DWP), even if just for 36 hours. So I boarded a 90-minute United flight to Costa Palmas, where my twin sister is shooting. At the hotel, I recognized a couple from my flight. We exchanged glances, polite nods. "Escaping the cold in LA," they said. They must be from another part of LA, because I wasn't running from 55-degree weather. Now I'm here, sharing a king sized bed with my sis, stretching out on a chaise lounge, waiting for her to wrap up a work, trying to feel normal. Which will mean taking a long bike ride, reading my book, shopping in the hotel's gift shop (I already spied the made-in-Mexico CUCA shell-trimmed bags below), and, yes, scrolling for sun-kissed styles that whisper of brighter days ahead. Because even in the midst of uncertainty, some things remain constant: the pursuit of comfort, a sense of ease, and of course, the perfect dress(es) that make me feel a little lighter. Soon, I hope to slip into these by Diotima, Soeur, Staud, Free People, Wayf, Ulla Johnson, and Tory Burch. P.S. I'm wearing a new heart pendant from Thatch and never-take-off Adina Reyter beads, this Hunza G suit, and a beloved Zara. 

IRL

 

My friend and fellow Palisadian Noora Raj Brown captured the current ground-zero zeitgeist in her latest Substack, writing, "There's buying for a fantasy life, buying for the life you have, and buying for the life you are trying on." Remarkably, the clothes, all new from Banana Republic (!) pictured here tick all three lives! There's the under $100 striped and belted blouse, above, along with the puff-sleeve top, the camel wool shirt jacket (on sale), and the poplin tie dress, Plus, they're pretty affordable. 

indigo girls

 

Once considered too casual for Paris Couture Week, denim has not only become acceptable but preferable for show-goers and runway models. This season, however, there's a twist: the denim du jour is crisp, dark indigo--sleek, polished and decidedly elevated. Like the key looks parading down the runways--puffed sleeves, pastels, above-the-knee skirts--dark denim is poised to become a staple of our everyday wardrobes. I want to slip into these perfectly-cut styles from Citizens of Humanity, Toteme (the soon-to-be cult pair), Levi's, AGOLDE, J.Crew, and Slvrlake.

Photos: Sandra Semburg

spin cycle

 

I'll tell you what will make the days ahead a little bit easier to get through: effortlessly stylish clothes! I don't have many places to wear the above $49(!) clasp-adorned one-and-done Zara right now, but the $49 basic chunky v-neck definitely works for the current spin cycle! So do these updates from Bally, Ganni, 3.1 Phillip Lim, H&M, and Veronica Beard. P.S: Planning for warm and sunny and zero stress in this new J.Crew! 

in the bag

 

$86, marks and spencer

Poised for carefree days ahead...

1. Zimmermann dress, $1100, netaporter.com

2. Maison Mayle twin set of hoops*, $415, netaporter.com

3. Marks and Spencer straw tote bag, $86, marksandspencer.com

4. Aldo sandals, $80, nordstrom. com

 

As I scour West Los Angeles for the perfect storage unit, I'm balancing out the mundane with a bit of whimsy--eyeing some delightfully frivolous things I don't need right now but can't resist, including the And Other Stories fringe, above, the trench, below, and these most excellent Dries Van Noten dupes from Jeffrey Campbell. May this weekend be mellow!

cafe chic

 

Now that I am officially that person camped out at a coffee shop with a laptop every day, I might as well embrace the vibe and dress the (effortlessly cool girl) part. I'd start with the pinstriped Zara blazer (no need to wear anything underneath), the throw-it-on-top-of-everything cape, cuffs and a camel crewneck from Cos, satin slippers by Loulou de Saison, the perfectly cut suede Soeur jacket, comfy slip on boat shoes by Vince and some fringe from Tuckernuck. 

essential edit

 

As I've been replacing clothes for my kids--heaps and heaps of t-shirts, sweatpants and sweatshirts swallowed up in the fire--I've been thinking about what wardrobe staples really mean. For my boys, it's simple: comfy, practical, no-brainer styles that they'll tire of before they wear out! For us grown-ups, it's a tad more complicated. We want the building blocks of a functional, versatile wardrobe, but with a touch of refinement that makes them feel purposeful and effortlessly stylish. It would be a luxury to have a clear and current edit of these elevated essentials, especially right now! Net-a-Porter's Wardrobe Edit comes in with the win, featuring pieces that work every day (NOT clothes you may wear some day). It ranges from Nili Lotan cotton twill barrel leg pants (in six must-have colors!) to the one and only AGOLDE ($300) leather jeans, along with a not-too-pricey but perfectly-cut Theory cashmere sweater, the everyday elegant Maria McManus button-down shirt, a boxy Staud t-shirt (yes, in outfit-updating chocolate brown), Bally boat shoes, and Adidas Sambas (also on my kids' restock list). In other words, it's got us covered from every angle. Replenish here. 

cotton classic

 

$59, h&m

Looking forward to brighter days in this cotton classic. 

1. Jacquemus sweater, $750, mytheresa.com

2. AGOLDE jeans, $220, netaporter.com

3. H&M twill jacket, $59, hm.com

4. Altuzarra bag, $895, shopbop.com

5. Aeyde leather boat shoes, $435, netaporter.com

monday mood

 

Allow me to indulge myself this Monday and pretend I am anywhere but here. Square Diner in Tribeca would be a good place to land, especially in a cozy faux fur jacket by Malene Birger.  I hear it's super cold in NYC today, but I would weather the chill just fine, like Michal Kurtis, pictured here. I love her shearling trimmed TWP jacket, below, the Banana Republic fringed oversized scarf, the Prada barn jacket (sigh, love the idea of this $180 long version and this leather trimmed Isabel Marant and this denim Madewell), this Monse carwash dress, a faux leather Frankie Shop trench coat, a chic pillbox hat, plus this hybrid denim 3.1 Phillip Lim trench, this Mango wrap jacket, and these Dries Van Noten sneakers. Add to the fantasy some Miu Miu boat shoes (or these dupes). If you haven't read my latest post-fire Substack, published yesterday, please do here. Okay, that's all I got today. 

distractions

 

After the fire, the irony of needing a new water bottle isn't lost on me. My Hydroflasks—those indestructible symbols of preparedness—are now ash, and I find myself searching for one so perfect it would justify grabbing it on my way out of another burning house. The thought is absurd, but maybe a bottle by Georg Jensen that gleams like redemption can quench more than thirst. (P.S. If your house didn't burn down, this would make for a good Valentine's Day gift.) Of course, I’m also eyeing other distractions to gloss over the charred edges of my reality: a $170 Target bench (lots of Target shopping right now), a denim trimmed Sandro cardigan, the studded suede Jeffrey Campbell flats, the leopard print And Other Stories jacket and fringed dress, and the Anthropologie scarf-handle bag (take me away!). It’s retail therapy laced with hope, small totems of a future where things will feel whole again.

the jacket

 

Last week, I volunteered as a cashier in my children’s school cafeteria, something I’ve done countless times. But this time, it was anything but ordinary. Outside, thick smoke clouded the sky. It was surreal, standing in a space filled with laughter, chattering children and bustling feet, not really knowing what was happening outside and the magnitude of what was about to unfold. The other volunteers and I were united in this routine of performing the mundane, appearing calm and focused. Then, something unexpected caught my eye. Another mom at a nearby cash register was wearing a beautiful jacket—an olive wool and cashmere cardigan (or was it a jacket?) with a ribbed collar and cuffs. It wasn’t flashy, but something about it stood out. The jacket radiated a quiet resilience... comfort. At the moment though, it wasn’t just a jacket; it felt more like a metaphor: a coat of armor. I ended up cutting out of my shift early to return to the Palisades, to the heart of the fire. But that jacket stayed with me. It now reminds me that even when life feels overwhelming, I can find comfort in small and simple things—a jacket, a smile, the rhythm of everyday tasks. The jacket is by La Ligne.