1. mes° beauty by Jennifer Lawrence — This is probably the launch that has taken up the most head space for me this month. I really loved ’s breakdown of the launch on . If you haven’t read it yet, it’s absolutely worth the read. I’m adding this brand to my trial queue.

2. Merit New Wave — We got a new Merit scent! If you’re not new here, you know this is a big Merit stan Substack and today is nothing short of that. They always deliver on vibes. Now, I’m curious about the scent (the marketing worked).

3. Alexa Chung x Reformation — I’ll never skip an Alexa Chung moment. She is and always will be the ultimate It Girl (I mean, have you read the love letter Alex Turner wrote her?).

4. Saran Yen Panya x HAWAII THAI — Are you kidding me with this bistro chair? It’s so good! I haven’t stopped thinking about it since the moment I saw it. Unreal.

5. Everhem x Molly Kidd Event — Everhem hosted maybe the most beautiful event of the year to celebrate their collaboration with Molly Kidd. Everything about it was, unsurprisingly, incredibly chic (pc: sabrinaryanphoto).

6. DedCool Advent Calendar — DedCool launched an advent calendar with the most gorgeous creative to ever exist for an advent calendar? I can’t get over their holiday air fresheners either. I just love when a brand commits to some holiday LTOs.

7. Califia Farms x Samah Dada — Califia Farms teamed up with Samah Dada to celebrate their coconut line. Never have I ever seen any brand in the beverage space host such a chic dinner party?

8. My Mum Made It Resort27 — Screamed when I saw this sequin set (out of excitement, obviously).

With that context, no, this isn’t sponsored - I just felt passionately about sharing this savings-meets-shopping unlock (my favorite kind)…

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Even though I’m team cozy nights year-round, something about them feels different in the fall. If you’re asking me, few things are better than being bundled up on a fall night. So, as a self-proclaimed “soft life” expert, here’s how I achieve peak cozy night in.

Things I’m listening to? My Gilmore Girls bickering, bantering, and berating (probably Luke) is the soundtrack to my fall. Each year, maybe even earlier than we’d classify as fall, I do an annual Gilmore Girls rewatch.

I know I’m not alone in this, I hope many of you reading are also grinning and bearing through Rory’s obnoxious years (all of them?). I’d really love to hear who you all are rooting for. Obviously Team Luke forever (this one’s never really in question). But I have to admit….I might seem like a Jess girl, but I’m always rooting for Logan. Happy to discuss this online or offline, but in the meantime, here are some fun Gilmore Girls facts for you:

• The same town square in Stars Hollow appears in Bonnie and Clyde and Pretty Little Liars. An icon in and of itself.

• Stars Hollow was inspired by Washington, Connecticut after Amy Sherman-Palladino stayed at the Mayflower Inn there. No surprise here, but she loved how eccentric and chatty the small town was.

• Gilmore crammed 70-85 pages into the same airtime as a 45-60 page script, hence the unmatched fast pacing throughout the show.

Things in my cart? Let’s set the record straight. You don’t need to go crazy to get cozy. That’s my favorite thing about a fall night in. It’s pretty simple, soft, and straightforward.

• Dayglow Decaf Coffee — Once it hits 4pm (yes, late I know, but cut me some slack), I’m switching over to a decaf coffee. Reaching for a subsequent cup after my first is rarely for the caffeine and always for the feeling, so decaf it is. I have yet to find a decaf bean better than Dayglow’s. It doesn’t have that unbearable decaf taste (if you know what I mean).

• Le Bon Shoppe Sweatpants — So, you’ve forced it out of me, I love a Brandy Melville sweatpant…but I’m trying to do better! As soon as some sweatpant space clears up in my closet, this is my first purchase. I’m a huge Le Bon Shoppe fan and I know they wouldn’t do me wrong.

• Wooden Spoon Herbs Magnesium — I’m always capping off the night with a cup of WSH magnesium. For me, it works and it tastes incredible. This one cannot be beat in my book.

• Wool Socks — I got these wool socks for a winter trip to Switzerland last year and they are my all-time favorite cozy sock now.

• Cosa Ceramica Mug — I feel so lucky that such a cute ceramicist is down the block. Jump on the Cosa Ceramica train or swap this for a local ceramicist in your area (peak cozy to support local biz).

• Raazi Tea — To be steeped in said mug ^. Right now, I’m really into their Wellness Bundle.

• BOTM — A cozy night in essential is a book. When the Gilmore Girls wind down or maybe it’s the entire night’s focus. I’m honestly a fan of BOTM because 1. it keeps me reading and 2. they always have a good selection.

• Flamingo Estate Candle — My ultimate go-to is the Tuscan Rosemary Candle, but lately I’ve really loved the Green Goddess and am always curious about their Petrichor candle which only drops when it rains.

• No. 23 Blanket — Also seen in my no size gift guide, the softest blanket I’ve ever felt to date. Hard stop.

• Gap Factory Hoodie (Preferably Brown) — Yes, I love a cozy sweater, but if we’re really leaning into a night in, I think we all know we’re reaching for the hoodie.

• Flewd Anti-Stress Bath Treatments — The cutest packaging? Yes. A level up to de-stressing on a night in? Also, yes. Highly recommend.

• Red Light Mask — I have the Omnilux as well as a full panel and I love that with the mask I can get up and walk around. If I’m really trying to mellow out the nervous system, I’ll go full panel, light-blocking goggles on.

Things I’m making: So many crafts.

Evenings are ideally a no-screen zone, so with a craft in hand, I’m locked in and (mostly) screen free. Here’s a craft I’m eyeing next from @harper__amanda.

Cozy images I’m swooning over:

So now, I’m back with part two and a 2026 edition of everyone’s favorite “no fuss gift guide” organized by price, no size necessary so you can gift confidently, with ease.

+++in a brief attempt to not leave you hanging on our usual alternate categories…listen to some festive justin bieber (duh), maybe some sufjan stevens 2012 holiday music and crank the heat on the oven to bake some one-bowl sugar cookies.

$0-$35

1. Cadence Jelly Capsules — For me? I’m either putting my engagement ring in here when I’m at the nail salon or stacking it full with lactaid pills. Lots of use cases here and they’re adorably nostalgic without being too much.

2. The Calla Stoneware Flower Tea Light Holder — So adorably feminine in the best way.

3. “Creek Girl” Roll On — The “creek girl” aesthetic just feels right. A cute, simple gift to surprise your favorite “creek girls”.

4. Laneige Milky Hydration Sheet Masks — Imagine my surprise when I ran these through the ingredient test only to find there are zero pore clogging ingredients? I was thrilled and highly recommend these, they’re wonderfully hydrating.

5. Reprotique Venus Intaglio Soap — Blue artisinal soap? Incredibly chic and right up my (and I’m assuming yours because you’re here) alley.

6. Benjie Bandages — Yes, I’m recommending bandages. Cool bandages. For that friend or loved one that’s always bumping into things or showing up with a paper cut. Show them you care!

7. Handmade Keychain — One of the coolest keychains ever made? A no brainer in my book.

8. Ranavat Brightening Saffron Serum — My friend Zoe brought this to our favorite things party last year and it was an early-on frozen item. Now, I’ve tried it for myself and can confirm it’s incredible.

$36-$68

9. Kraum Makeup Brush Soap — The cool girl’s solution to cleaning makeup brushes.

10. Sidia Hand Serum — Every time I went in Broome Street General Store I would snag a pump from this sampler until I finally decided it was time to splurge. Highly recommend.

11. “Plath” Hat — For all my literary-loving queens.

12. Soft Services Mini Gift Set — If you’re not new here, you know I’m a major Soft Services buffing bar fan. The gift set is so adorable, I’m considering everyone on my list getting one of these guys.

13. Fume Pear Orchard Incense — I admittedly wasn’t an incense person until I found Fume and their scents immediately changed my mind. Incredibly chic scents.

14. Shell Magnets — Adorable. Not boring. So cute for your friend (me) who loves shells and ocean motifs.

15. Courtney Kinnare Purse Hook — I get at least one compliment every time I bust out this purse hook. This is one of the best gifts you can give someone with a purse and I stand by that.

16. Flamingo Estate Green Goddess Candle — Usually, I’m a Tuscan Rosemary gal, but the Green Goddess Candle was one of my favorite discoveries (and obsessions) of 2026. If you know anyone who loves a spicy, herby cocktail or Flamingo Estate’s iconic Tomato Candle, it’s beyond worth introducing them to this candle.

$69-$110

17. Arhaus Granada Champagne Glasses — I have not stopped thinking about these champagne glasses since I first came across them at the beginning of the year. They’re just different enough that they’re eye-catching.

18. Personalized A5 Journal — This one’s for my journal girls because, come on, how cute is this? No explanation necessary.

19. Nananita Rose Crochet Bag — I love the simplicity of this bag and want to fill it with oranges. You can fill it with whatever you’d like though.

20. Anut Cairo Eye Mask — Not your average sleep mask. Way cooler & actually worth gifting.

21. Nette Dream Land Candle — Nette just does candles right. The scents are phenomenal and not too overwhelming. Big fan.

22. Epona Valley Katinka Swan Barrette — Not everyone can pull of a swan barrette, but for those who can? This is iconic.

23. Thirsty Cowboy Lip Butter Set — Everything about this is perfect from the lip butter itself to the color palette and the packaging.

24. Lili Claspe Remi Pear Collar — Collar necklaces are underrated in my book and more people should be wearing them. Can’t wait to see you all sporting your Lili Claspe collars on new years.

$111-$180

25. SIN Ceramic Mail Organizer — I was in desperate need of a system to organize my mail this year and my guess is you know someone who is too.

26. Maison d’etto Durban Jane Candle — I know there are a lot of candles in here, but stick with me because this is the last one and it’s worth the splurge. This is the candle for my favorite perfume and yes, it’s inspired by horses.

27. Aldenra Candle Holder — There are few things I love in a home more than sculptural candle holders.

28. Candle Holder Sculpture — So…here’s another one, but with more ambient light.

29. Ossa New York Baroque Pearl and Stone Wristlet — I love the look of these around people’s phones. I don’t really take fit selfies, but if I did, I would have one of these. Perfect for your “GRWM” friend.

30. Nickey Kehoe Jewelry Box — I always think it’s valuable to have something beautiful to put your jewlery in (bonus points if you give them something to put in it too). Another I’m eyeing that’s more of a splurge is the Kinn Studio jewelry box.

31. Lili Claspe Aqua Romy Fluted Cuff — As a silver gal, I have some bias towards the silver one, but the gold is equally eye catching. This is such a fun piece.

32. Oddli Large Plaid Bag — Great for girls who lug books and things around. Oddli is always a good choice and these lil (big) plaid bags are no different.

$181 & up

33. Kara Yoo Dawn Necklace — A statement necklace that you can wear every day is my kind of necklace.

34. House No. 23 Sherpa Blanket — I will never stop recommending cozy blankets and this is one of the coziest. (if not the coziest) I’ve found to date.

35. Deux Amis Drop Earrings — A little dramatic earring never hurt anybody (and is an excellent gift)

36. Simon Miller Tassel Knotty Bag — Living for the perfect amount of drama in this Simon Miller bag and the color is everything. Whoever is gifted this, is sure to fall in love with you.

37. Faris Grand Collar — My obsession with collar necklaces continues, this time with a little fancier, a little more avant guard version. We love her.

38. Jaymes Paper Bespoke Stationary — Nothing says “I have my life together” like fancy stationary.

39. Jenny Bird Florence Earrings — I love the square shape of these with the diamond smack dab in the middle. So cool.

40. Kinn Bobbie Baguette Diamond Huggie Earring — These earrings have been a long time obsession of mine. The width, the size, the baguette diamond. It all comes together so perfectly and it feels right for it to be the final gift recommendation of our no fuss gift guide.

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Things Lindsay Is Listening To:

• A song you love to cook to: Rein Me In by Sam Fender + Olivia Dean, American Girls by Harry Styles

• A song that makes you get up and dance: Crazy in Love by Beyonce / DtMF by Bad Bunny

• The song you always come back to: Tapestry Album by Carole King

• A song you know all the words to: I mean, I’m a 90’s child…..I am full of surprises on this topic. Anything from Indigo Girls, Fiona Apple to Sir Mix-a-Lot, En Vogue or Salt-N-Pepa - try me.

• A song that reminds you of someone: Blackbird by The Beatles

Things Lindsay Is Reading:

• Something you read you love talking to people about: Most recently, Yesteryear, by Caro Claire Burke. I love hearing reactions to the story, the characters - it varies greatly from person to person and it drives a lot of passionate discussion.

• Something that changed your mind: Honestly, the Atlantic as of late. So many thoughtful commentaries on culture that bring me into a deeper read beyond the headlines / click bait. So, maybe it may or may not have changed my mind, but it certainly helped me feel more informed / curious on a topic - so…..apparently I just answered 2:1 with the prior question!

• Next on your reading list : My Brilliant Friend, by Elana Ferrante- I cannot believe I have yet to read the series. I hear it is life changing - a love story of female friendship. Also, currently listening to Calamity Club - someone really needs to option all of the above - I want to re-live these books in film.

Things In Lindsay’s Cart:

• A brand you think is underrated: Waterloo - Sparkling Water - I mean, brand is not the buzziest - but they 100% deliver on amazing flavors and I’ve heard they’re one of the few with little to no PFAS (not confirmed).

• Your most rebought beauty or wellness item: I mean, shameless plug but also the truth….my whole family uses the line: Odele Thickening Shampoo / Conditioner, Odele Leave-in Conditioner (winter), Odele Air Dry Styler (summer).

• Your favorite item in your home: my kids (when they’re home)

• Your most worn item of clothing currently: Perfect White Tee ribbed tank; I have in black and white….also my Mother jeans or jean shorts by AGolde

• Your favorite jacket or sweater: I love jackets - you can never have too many for all the seasons. Very excited for my Sportmax dark brown jacket I just picked up. It’s like an oversized jumper / windbreaker / jacket all in one. There is lots of fun to be had with that zipper as well.

• A comfortable pair of shoes: Asics Gel-1130 Sneakers - I have the iridescent, silvery style - trying really hard to keep them fresh :) These are the closest I can find of the colorway…

• A fun pair of shoes! : Freda Salvador Lennox Woven Boot - I love them for all the seasons - got really lucky with the end of season sale, discontinued color combo IN MY SIZE! (which is a big deal, because I’m an 11. Yes, I know. An 11. But I’m tall!).

• What you’d bring as a hostess gift: for me, this is so specific to the host! I bring what I know they’ll love, a treat that’s in season or something useful you don’t usually think to buy for yourself. I’m self-admittedly retail-obsessed and love shopping, dipping into unique boutiques, picking up things on travels (think: fragrance, candles (Xinu was my most recent haul) kitchen tools (love discoveries at this local gem: Senti) olive oil in a beautiful bottle, a little accessory, always wine).

• A scent you love: Regime des Fleurs in Tears and Odele Signature Hair Scent Oakmoss / Ylang Ylang

• Something for a night out: A change of clothes. The best nights have been the ones that bleed from day into night…preferably starting on a boat, on the water, with swimming involved, and then going from there.

• Something for a night in: Orange wine - been loving those (especially during a hot, hot summer).

Things Lindsay is Making:

• What’s your go-to dish to cook? Anything with fresh herbs. I love a good side, loaded up with parsley, mint, basil, dill…and lemon...and olives! I also love a sheet pan / or single pan recipe - Chicken + Rice with Camelized Lemon. Oooh…..love this one: Green Beans with Herbs and Olives by David Tanis - SO good + impossible to mess up.

• What’s your advice for making friends in adulthood? Say yes to invites! Pay attention to who fills your cup and who you can be unapologetically yourself around. On the topic of the Atlantic (see above)! I saw this in my feed from them - research reveals one of the most important secrets to taking initiative in a friendship: simply - Assume people like you. I love it! I would also add - not worth wasting your time on anyone who gives you the feeling that they don’t.

• What are you bringing to the cookie exchange? Wine > cookies. Or is this a holiday cookie exchange thing? Vin Chaud.

• Do you have any crafts on deck? Always…but I am terrible at making the time. Current crafts include interior design on a budget for the new Odele office as well as prep for my daughters upcoming Bat Mitzvah. Crafts will 100% come out of whichever theme we land on.

Things Lindsay is Swooning Over:

Things Bec is listening to:

• A song you love to cook to: Blink, by Hiroshi Yoshimira

• A song that makes you get up and dance: Big Time Sensuality, by Björk

• The song you always come back to: Time Will Tell, by Blood Orange

• A song that reminds you of someone: Moon, by Daniel Ceaser feat. Bon Iver

Things Bec is reading:

• Something you read you love talking to people about: The Unbearable Lightness of Being, by Milan Kundera

• Something that made you think: Seven Brief Lessons on Physics, by Carlo Rovelli

• Something that changed your mind: Brian Eno’s Diary, explaining Axis thinking

• Next on your reading list: Room to Dream, by David Lynch

Things in Bec’s cart:

• A brand you think is underrated: Joan Armatrading (although maybe not! But I think she should be as famous as the greats)

• Your most rebought beauty or wellness item: Gua-Sha or the new Ziip Microcurrent devices

• Your favorite item in your home: 5 piece Walter Lamb outdoor furniture set

• Your most worn item of clothing currently: Vintage Levi’s

• Your favorite jacket or sweater: Nanushka light weight leather short trench coat

• A comfortable pair of shoes: Miu Miu Ballet Flats

• A fun pair of shoes! Prada Mary Janes

• What you’d bring as a hostess gift: Flowers and a bottle of orange wine

• A scent you love: Any Hasami incense

• Something for a night out: Disposable camera

• Something for a night in: Tekla pajamas

Things Bec is making:

• What’s your go-to dish to cook? Vegetable bowl

• What’s your advice for making friends in adulthood? Find people who bring you joy, and do not take from your energy

• What are you bringing to the cookie exchange? Chocolate Chip!

• Do you have any crafts on deck? I am learning feng shui

Things Bec is swooning over:

Things Angela is Listening To:

• Vintage vinyl records, specifically disco. I bought my husband a record player for Christmas and have been enjoying it more than him.

• The Curious Consumer by for all things going on in CPG

• Open, the breathwork and meditation app. Love taking time out of my day for this when I have a moment

• NTS Radio - Great for discovering new music and makes working, cooking or lounging feel a little more inspired.

Things in Angela’s Cart:

• Cumulus Coffee Machine - I have coffee every morning and this machine makes a delicious nitro cold brew. It’s also great for making espresso martinis

• CosRX Snail Eye Patches - I love an eye patch and these ones are two sizes - one for below the eye and one that perfectly fits on the eyelid so it’s like a little temporary upper bleph when you wake up puffy in the morning.

• Victoria Beckham 21:50 Reverie Perfume - Love VB’s entire perfume collection but I have been especially enjoying this one in the winter. It’s like a sexy, woodsy vanilla scent.

• EB Denim Eero Tee- This is an structured take on a white tee and I love it because it can instantly elevate a basic outfit and snatch you in at the waist

• Bud Vases from Coop Los Angeles - Little bud vases make it so easy to have fresh flowers in every room

• Still Here Sport Jeans - These are cool girl jeans that you can dress up or down. I have the pear color and they are so comfy.

• Frankie Shop Bea Blazer- one of the most worn items in my closet. Everyone needs an oversized black blazer

• Strivectin Exfoliating Pads - These are so underhyped. They make my face glow.

• A motorized champagne fountain to be used at a future Little Spoon party.

Things Angela’s Making:

• Infant formula made with Organic grass fed dairy from New Zealand. It’s a project we’ve been working on for years and finally launched this year. I am really proud of it. I traveled to NZ last year to meet with dairy farms and learn about organic farming practices there and it was so interesting and I am so excited to finally have it out in the world.

• Italian Wedding Soup (it’s soup szn) with Little Spoon’s Mini Meatballs we launched in Target last year. They are the ultimate soup hack

• Little mini flower arrangements for around my home (see bud vases above!)

• Rotisserie chicken. I just got a rotis attachment for my grill and love a rotis for an easy weeknight dinner. I make bone broth with the bones and then make soup later in the week

• Silly little Tiktoks in my office

Things Angela’s Swooning Over:

• These photos (below) I took on my recent New Zealand trip. One is at an organic dairy farm I visited and the other was from the home I stayed at in Wanaka. Bury me here.

• Italian Summer - planning a trip and having trouble deciding which part of the country I want to go to

• Miami in the 80’s - I recently renovated a home here and have been spending my winter in the sun. It’s such a vibe. If I could time travel back to any time it would be Miami in the 80’s.

A Birkin? Cool if you actually use it. Gauche if it’s your pinnacle, end-all, be-all purchase and you never use her.

A Goyard PM? I’d bet at least 80% of of the ones you see in the wild are rips.

What can’t be duped? Going on that vacation. Going to the concert (we’ll unpack why ~60% of 2025 Coachella goers used BNPL another time).

Sure having the designer furniture is nice (I’ve done my fair share of swooning, eyeing and even purchasing), but if I’m going to be 100% real with you right now…I’ll admit that my favorite moment is when someone comes over and asks about the art on my walls.

What are they eyeing? Right now, I’m rockin’ two pieces from cross-coastal artists that I’ll never shut up about and the rest were painted by yours truly (with the goal to swap them for pieces from real, not-me artists too).

1. Taylor Quitara - Taylor is a friend from college who is beyond talented. You might be familiar with her TikToks, but if you’re not familiar with her paintings, the moment is now! My living room is sporting “The Blue Boot”, two 4x4s that tie the whole room together.

2. Lauryn Alvarez - Right across from my reading nook, is a piece from LA-based artist, Lauryn Alvarez. I discovered this piece while I was perusing Steve’s Backhouse with and basically thought about it for 0.2s before knowing I needed to bring one of her paintings into my home.

Up next? I’m planning to…

1. Secure a Genevieve Geller sculpture and…

2. Commission a painting from a scene at my wedding

Enough about me! This is all about you, your walls and..your future art (I hope). Because I’m such a firm believer in bringing art into the home and displaying it proudly on the wall, here are some pieces I fell in love with while scrolling Tappan Collective and Artsy.

No Place Like Home by Kate Florence

A Cosmic Interaction by Ibi Meier-Oruitemeka

Swimmers with Towel by Katherine Bradford

Chairs 23 by Wei Tan

Dreams by Sara Morlowe Hall

Lune by Lola Montes

Pop Stars by Johanna Seidel

Blush by Hannah Carrick

The Myth of Europa by Delia Hamer

However, in the past ~ ten years (give or take), soy has seen a significant hit to sentiment (publicist talk coming through here). If you think this was just in your head, here’s some proof…

• Why the far right fears soy (The Ringer) — This one wasn’t at the top of my list for soy slander, but as I looked into it, it quickly rose to first place (bleh). Apparently “soy boy” is a concern of the far right. The fear? That soy could "undermine everything it means to be male”…y’all okay? I’m just going to leave it at that.

• Wellness movements // MAHA // “soy free” labeling — Soy is just another victim of the latest food fear trends. As someone who fell victim to these in the past, it’s important to remember (certain circumstances aside) that too much of anything is bad, but in moderation, you’re probably fine. Remember when even kale started to become a fear food? This is further proof that people desperately need more hobbies.

• Proteinmaxxing — If you’re a stranger to this term, congratulations on living life with low internet slop lingo. My guess is, all of us here are familiar with it. Right next to whole milk, soy is the OG protein-delivery tool so it’s no surprise we’re seeing these two rise in tandem.

Of course, if a medical professional tells you to avoid soy, listen to them, that’s not my place. What is my place? To get all giddy about the history of an ingredient and be really nostalgic for all of the soy products I used to consume as a lactose intolerant kid in the 90s/early 2000s.

A big book recommendation: Ever since I read Hippie Food by Jonathan Kauffman, I haven’t stopped talking about it. It gives a look at the shift in our food culture during the counterculture movement and for those of you who love or hate Erewhon, it briefly touches on the story behind the celeb-smoothie machine of today when the words “Hailey Bieber Smoothie” were far from anyones lips.

Like I said, as a lactose intolerant kid of the 90s/early 2000s, everything was soy. Then, it seemed overnight that disappeared.

Recently, I’ve been noticing The Great Return of Soy™ across category aisles beyond grocery, from brands we know and love to some that might be new to us so, here’s the soy products to keep an eye on:

• Chef Esther Choi just launched her condiments brand, Sessy, which features a delicious (can confirm after trying) soy sauce.

• Dr. Stolberg, the founder behind the internet’s favorite Rest + Digest tea and author of , has shared tofu as being a staple of her Sunday night dinners.

• In January 2026, Califia launched Soymilk. Maybe I have some bias here from working with them, but it’s top notch. Soymilk has come a long way since I chugged Silk back in the day.

• A brand to watch, mixsoon, offers a Soybean Milk Serum.

• ma:nyo also has a Pure Soybean Cleansing Oil alongside other soybean-based products.

• Featured in Strata Bites before, AMUSE’s cute hand lotions are a Soybean Hand Cream.

• Also on the beauty side, we have Soybean Nourishing Sheet Masks from ROUND LAB.

• Last, but definitely not least, Bon App’s May 2026 Snack Drop newsletter introduced me to TOFUGO. Yes, this is a tofu on-the-go snack in flavors like BBQ and Spicy Chili. Yum?

My guess? We’ll continue to see soy on the rise in new categories (especially in skincare). I’m keeping my eyes peeled & embracing this new era of soy.

1. Dedcool launched another smoothie at Erewhon. This time? It was Mocha Magic. As someone whose gateway to coffee was mochas and is a big fan of spooky szn, this feels like a win to me.

2. The skincare brand we know and love, Dieux, launched a retinal. As always, the launch coincided with a lot of product and ingredient education which I always appreciate. Did you know Dieux has its own Substack over on too?

3. The chef behind one of my favorite cookbooks, Salad For President / Julia Sherman, launched salad dressing mixes. Easy. Breezy. Beautiful Delicious.

4. Flamingo Estate launched a Citronella Candle that sold out so fast, I’m hoping there’s a restock soon (during a day when I can add to cart a bit faster).

5. Kinto partnered with Thunderbolt for an Endless Summer Cocktail Series in LA. This kind of stuff is so up my alley, we love to see it. It goes until Oct 11 (minus 9/10-13 for a private event) so there’s lots of time for Angelenos to check it out. Here’s the drink menu (yum):

   • Pastelito — El Tesoro Blanco and Reposado, Guava, Blanc Vermouth, Strawberry Amaro, Hibiscus, Coconut Milk Washed

   • Sunomono Vesper — Sesame Oil Haku, Roku, Cucumber Dry Vermouth, Wakame Dashi, Mirin

   • Barcelonette — Amaras Cupreata, Passionfruit, Lime, Gentian Aperitif, Bitters

   • Ichigo — Toki, Strawberry, Manzanilla Sherry, Bitter Apertivo, Sesame

   • Holy High — Toki, Kinto Holy Basil Tea, Lemon, Carbonation

   • Furui Hiroba — Hibiku Harmony, Japanese Sweet Vermouth, Herbal Liqueur, Bitters, Coffee washed

6. Fishwife x Sweetgreen? Honestly, an iconic duo that could get people back on board with salad post-cyclospora it’s so good.

7. Tower 28 launched their Swipe Serum Foundation and I got to speak to Amy, the incredible founder behind the brand about the launch. I’m trying it soon and will report back!

   “This product is the embodiment of why I started Tower 28. It’s the confidence you need and the coverage you want, whether you have eczema like me or acne like my teenage daughter. Finally, you can look better without worry you are making your skin worse.” — Amy Liu, Founder & CEO”

8. I love a wine collab and am always curious about what’s coming next from Sean Wotherspoon. This time? He partnered with Silver Oak to design a custom label for the release of its latest vintage: the 2022 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. I expect more cool wine collabs like this in the near future.

• why reddit stories turn into viral drama so fast (roareye) — it goes beyond the story and how users engage, react, and cause an uproar. yes, even the fiber arts community is in a tizzy.

• yes, brands are still popping up in the hamptons (the zoe report) — from morning yoga in montauk to the tried & true dinner, brands going “out east” for the summer shows no sign of slowing down (cc: the k economy)

• i’m obsessed with this headline…”miss manners: i planned a lovely garden party for guests but 1 bee showed up and everyone scattered”…it happens to the best of us i guess.

things in my cart

• a candle inspired by horses? a no brainer to me.

• subtly floral white shorts that make we want to wear white (unlike me)

• a really delicate, light blue lace bralette

• an actually chic crocheted bikini top

• my favorite purchase from the past week? a little silver shell bag

• equally cool custom dog tags

• a grandma-approved embroidered bandana (in the best way!)

• some cute meets cozy new house slippers

• one of the prettiest tops i’ve come across in a long time. so feminine, i love it.

• i can never resist the urge to purchase a dainty floral mug

things to make

i’ve been making a lot of things on my new cricut (bcc: you’re in wedding planning mode and bachelorette season for your best friends), but that’s a story for another post.

i’ll admit, i’ve been feeling a bit uninspired to cook recently and pierce abernathy’s cookbook could not have come at a better time. i’ll be cooking my way through this one.

things to *swoon* over

No more panic buying rando minis at the last minute. There’s no need for that because minis have gotten so good.

If you’re like me and your summer travel is happening later than everyone who hit Greece already, we’re in luck, because we’ve all had the sweet joy of (not so patiently) making sure we have the perfect packing list complete with good travel sized products.

Download this playlist for the plane: it’s a good time, it’s chaotic, it’s a lot of bops rolled up into one playlist

A good plane watch? Stick to the classics, but go for one you haven’t watched in a while. If it were me (which it will be in just a few moons) I’d download…Bend it Like Beckham, The Lizzie McGuire Movie, The Wedding Planner, She’s the Man and Miss Congeniality.

A good plane read? I’m sorry I’m not going for depth here and I’m sticking to the Magnolia Parks series.

Now onto the minis…

Maybe most importantly…if you’re reading this with some time until your travels, now is the time to secure your minis. There’s nothing worse than a mini size scramble (that requires big effort). It’s, without a doubt, always better to just have them on hand. Take this as your sign to get your travel sizes in order.

• Is there anything chicer than traveling with a mini Marvis toothpaste (you can use BEAUTY20 for 20% off today through 8/22).

• We’re so lucky! Soft Services brought back their minis until 8/24 to celebrate the brand’s 5 year bday.

• For a one and done skincare set where you can trust every single product? A no brainer: Sofie Pavit Face The System mini kit.

• I’ve tried alternatives to the One/Size setting spray and nothing compares yet so thank god they make it in a mini.

• I’m not sure what’s in the air glazing mist, but every time I’ve complimented someone on their skin/makeup in the past month, they’ve been wearing this

• Individual travel packs of micellar wipes is a travel prayer come true for me personally.

• Trust one on this one: I feel so much better if I continue my nightly magnesium routine while traveling….

• ….same goes for keeping up with my electrolytes….

• ….and continuing to swap my 2nd or 3rd coffee out for this.

• But the real kicker? When there’s not a good coffee in sight. That’s where Canyon Coffee’s instant always pulls through for me (this is my plane coffee of choice. Yes, I just ask for hot water).

• Odele has a whole suite of travel minis from shampoo & conditioner to air dry styler and hair oil. Big fan over here & highly recommend.

• Right now, they only have it in the pack, but I am so obsessed with the extra mini 0.25 fl oz size of the Olaplex bonding hair oil. I love this stuff and this really really small size admittedly makes me smile every time.

• For everyone on the creatine train, Arrival just launched travel sachets. Great news: you don’t have to explain to TSA what that loose powder in a bag is anymore.

• I’m admittedly the kind of person who wants a piece of chocolate every night even when I’m traveling. I personally love traveling with a tin of Alice Chocolates for some extra sleep support (because that’s always the name of the game with travel).

• Lastly? Matcha sticks. Because if it isn’t abundantly clear, I don’t fare well in the absence of good tasting caffeine.

Travel in the movies…

It might not be the cool girl brand no one has heard of, but in my book? The best clothes to spend your money on (cc: as long as they’re not highly unethical) are the ones you actually wear.

This is the same reason you’ll never see me hesitate to let someone who says they like my t-shirt know that it’s from Brandy Melville. Yes, I love my Little Boy Tees from Le Bon Shoppe, but in this economy (and with how much coffee I drink)? I’m so sorry, I do not believe in buying a white tee for over $25.

That brings me to this season of life. The season of the annual late-August-timed Reformation sale.

If you’re like me (aka you follow sales way too closely), you know that % is going to drop after a few days so, unless there’s something I’d shed a little tear over being sold out, I hold out.

Well? It dropped so here we are, I’m writing a fully dedicated non-sponsored post about my selects from the Reformation sale because I too have asked someone where they got something fully expecting them to say Reformation and they responded “It’s vintage” (good for you girl, respect).

What I Bought The Second The Clock Struck 50% Off

• A light blue, straight neckline summer-y tank described as “what good outfits are made of”

• A delicate white tank with ties on the side

• Some white suit shorts. Classics.

• I’d been eyeing this brown cashmere v-neck sweater for a while. a great addition to my sweater collection (that’s admittedly too large for someone who lives in los angeles)

• Another delicate blue tank, but shorter

• …and the same delicate top in champagne

What I Bought Once The Dust Settled A Little And I Realized They Still Had My Size

• A silky silk tank

• …and the matching pants.

What I’m Still Eyeing

• I can’t resist a shell embellished heeled sandal!

• I’m in love with the shape of these black strappy sandals

• These little beaded butter yellow heels are everything

• I believe in the power of a little over-the-top, slightly structured set for every wardrobe

• This blue mini dress? The color is so enticing. So Alice in Wonderland in the best way.

• My mom (not a regular mom, a cool mom) has this blue midi dress in white and it’s so flattering. I want to copy her

• Nothing screams fall like an espresso suede bag

• …or a chocolate leather mini bag

• I’m a firm believer in the power of a lightweight jacket

• My closet is in need of another short but structured wool jacket because I’ve pretty much worn mine to death

• For weather’s opposite spectrum, a yellow linen pant

• And for throwing on when you want to be comfortable, but still look cool? A tan pant described as “low effort. high reward”. Perfect.

When I think back on the 90s/early 2000s, one of the first things that comes to mind is all the weird formats of food we were eating at the time. Yes, thankfully we’ve learned better than consuming purple ketchup (why?) or Shrek Twinkies (hey, maybe they’ll make a comeback with Shrek 5), but in 2026 I love to see brands taking a page out of the 90s snacking playbook and delivering product innovation in unexpected formats.

While we’ve collectively agreed we should probably steer clear of red dye 40, the heart and soul of a Squeeze-It or Ouch gum is showing up in different ways. Enter: The Rise of the Funky Format.

🎶 To listen to while reading: a funk playlist

Here are 18 of my favorite products & brands I’m eyeing that are delivering some packaging whimsy.

1. Smoky paloma incense cigs — I hate cigs, but will admit they are a vibe so I love this reframing of them into incense cigs.

2. Barriere lactose relief patches — As someone who has long awaited for the reimagining of lactaid pills (that doesn’t look like birth control) these are extremely intriguing to me and I will be trying them eventually.

3. Sofie pavitt face nice ice frozen toner pods — These work great and are extremely satisfying in their own little pods. This is what I imagined skincare would be like by 2026 as a kid.

4. Muracha matcha — I love Muracha’s take on matcha in a tin. Its feels so different from the versions you see on shelves every day. Lucky for you, I’ve tried it and can report that the matcha is also great.

5. Sleep or Die sleeping strips — A reimagining of the listerine strip to meet the modern needs of our sleep crisis feat. l-theanine, gaba, 5-htp, and melatonin

6. Crown Affair dry shampoo powder — Maybe it’s not reinventing the wheel, but it works great and looks like makeup powder…fun!

7. Cann roadies — Low-dose cannabis in a to-go pouch that you can add to any drink on the go? genius.

8. Vacation whipped sunscreen — A classic on the funky format leaderboard.

9. hello whipped sunscreen — Followed by the inevitable whipped toothpaste.

10. Good Girl Snacks single serve pickle packs — Again, not revolutionary, but so much fun. So convenient. So delicious. All we can really ask for.

11. Rose los angeles cbd (or thc) delights — Elevated culinary cbd gummies made with chefs and farmers? Yes, absolutely, no brainer.

12. Heyhae gel nail wrap — I’m so curious about these sun-cured gel nail strips. Sounds genius?

13. NoNormal coffee paste — This is so smart & I wish more people were paying attention to this. I will be purchasing and testing for my next trip so stay tuned.

14. Poca sugar-free syrup — Another travel hack I’m curious to try. I don’t usually sweeten my drinks, but these have zero sugar and 3g of fiber so I’m curious to try?

15. Noon breakfast in a can — Maybe I’m biased here since working with these guys, but NOON’s breakfast in a can is really smart. Delivering 20g protein, 5g of fiber from milk and oats in a world where everyone talks about only having cold brew in their stomachs by noon? Another stroke of genius.

16. Alleyoop pen pal makeup pen — This is so 90s nostalgic for me. If you didn’t have a pen like this we need to debrief. This format for makeup? Peak fun.

17. Everist conditioner concentrate — So smart for traveling and a format maybe I’d missed, but hadn’t really seen before (yes, I’ve seen the bars, I think they work poorly). Another one I’m interested in trying.

18. Experiment’s avant guard reusable mask — So smart and i love the green color. I’ve used this and feel like a cute little alien, it’s great.

Thanks so much to the algorithms, the second you’re engaged (and not a heterosexual man), you’re bombarded with wedding content.

Some of it’s helpful, some of it’s just a laundry list of things you “need” to buy. I’ve personally found the it bombarding and tricky to navigate what is actually worth the spend…and from my conversations with friends? They’re feeling the same confusion.

Sooo…I spoke with recent brides about their best and worst purchases. Why? To hopefully help pull back the curtain a bit on what’s a smash and what’s a pass (save those dollars).

Best Purchases

Ella McFadin — “I had these custom made and now the brand sells them. I have worn them lots since my wedding, they are the perfect dressy earring.”

Jordan Paltrow — “My Danielle Frankel wedding dress. It was the one thing I never second guessed, and wearing it made me feel completely like myself. It was also the first gown I tried on! Beyond that, hiring friends instead of strangers wherever we could (our photographer, videographer, planner, and officiant) was the best investment we made. It completely changed the feeling of the weekend.”

Lauren Cannataro Carroll — “Our best purchase was our tattoo artist at our welcome party. We had a stick and poke artist and so many people got tattoos that we never would have expected because they were so small and dainty. It was such a fun personal touch!”

Jordan Rossman — “A facial package at Sia’s Beauty — I’m obsessed with my facialist, Karen, at Sia’s Beauty. She completely transformed by skin for my wedding day, and we began prep about a year out. A package with her kept me consistent (Even on the cold winter days when I didn’t want to leave the house) and it felt like an investment in myself.”

Connar Franklin Carpenter — “1. Numbing spray for feet (I broke my toes on my wedding day & this saved my life), 2. Jimmy Choo heels (changed into these for my reception).”

Ysabel Sullivan — “I have so many favorite purchases, but aside from my dress (vintage from Call Me the Breeze) it would have to be my wedding shoes, they were almost brand new Manolo’s from Poshmark that I got for $100, and I wore them all throughout my wedding season, to my shower, my dress appointments, and all day long on my big day! Bing kitten heel sling-backs, I could run a mile in them and still wear them all the time, even to the office now.”

Rhiannon Rathert — “Red Akris second look dress for rehearsal dinner/welcome party or the skin treatments I did before the wedding (3 MOXI laser treatments, 3 microneedling, Botox, maintenance facials).”

Taylor Bassler — “Probably my after party dress that I only found a few weeks before my wedding! I wanted something different, fun, and easy to dance in. I had a specific vision for a high neck, low back dress and could find the right one. I discovered a bridal designer Alexis Levan, booked an appointment at her NYC showroom, and loved literally every dress I tried on. I found my after party dress here, rush ordered it, and was so happy with this purchase the day of my wedding.”

Worst Purchases

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Whether you want to chalk it up to admittedly being travel obsessed, undoubtedly being “Type A” (I’m an eldest daughter after all), or subjecting myself to research rabbit holes due to an aversion to TikTok travel recommendations….I can’t help but put in the leg work for a trip.

Most importantly to all of us reading this, at the core of every trip I take is the hotel I’m staying in.

No, I’m not one of those people to camp out at my hotel and only eat at the hotel restaurant, but I love when there’s a thoughtfulness to the design and/or experience.

So, to one up my own list from last year, I’ve put together a list of 200+ design-forward hotels all around the world with prices ranging from $100/night to $3000 per night (cc: Dua Lipa’s honeymoon spots). In Type A fashion, they’re all in one convenient Google Maps list for paid subscribers.

Here’s a 5/200+ taste…

1. La Colombe D’Or, Saint-Paul-de-Vence (France) — While these five are a sampling vs my top five, I’ll admit, this one is my top pick. At the time “unknown” (now very known) artists Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Marc Chagall and more would trade paintings for lodging and food here. I don’t think it gets cooler than that so, it’s a must visit to me.

2. De Durgerdam, Amsterdam (Netherlands) — Right along the water, this sweet little hotel is so quintessentially Dutch. The size is perfect, the interiors are cozy and the views are elite.

3. Ett Hem, Stockholm (Sweden) — Yes, it’s pricey. Yes, it’s gorgeous. I have not stopped thinking about this hotel’s stunning courtyards since I first came across it.

4. TOURISTS, Massachusetts (United States) — I have admittedly been wanting to stay here for years, but have never taken the jump to either extend an existing trip to NY to make my way out there or make its own trip out of it. I think it’s in the near future for me though. How can I keep resisting that gorgeous wood that looks like it pairs perfectly with a good book?

5. Hotel El Roblar, Ojai CA (United States) — My fiancé and I are staying here for our anniversary in September. What I’m looking forward to the most? How convenient it is to everything. Reservations at Rory’s Place, Pinyon and The Dutchess were made immediately. The cherry on top is of course how gorgeously designed it is (don’t worry, you know I’ll report back).

Now! Onto the full list…

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1. Update’s new campaign — I won’t lie, I watched this at least four times in a row. Say what you want about the Kardashians, but I appreciate their sense of humor and thought this campaign was so well done.

2. Cadence x Larissa Mills — This collab is everything. Larissa Mills is iconic and the collab design is incredibly nostalgic (just the way I like it).

3. Salt & Stone x Role Model — Salt & Stone partnered with Role Model for their latest campaign. This move made so much sense to me because every man I’ve spoken to about their deodorant in the last 2-3 years wears Salt & Stone aka this didn’t feel out of left field…and I’m sure the girlies want to smell like him too.

4. Sporty & Rich Café Los Angeles opening — Another “say what you will” brand, but I’m curious about this one. Yes, it looks very quintessentially LA, but I don’t believe we need to be haters all the time. Let’s live a little. So, I’ll do my due diligence and check this one out for you all.

5. Gap x Hailey Bieber — I probably don’t need to explain this one to you. All I’ll say is I was incredibly excited about this one. We all know Hailey does a simple jean justice. I’ll also say…I did secure a pair of the baggies and the jury is still out on if I’m into them in practice.

6. A$AP Rocky for Fenty Skin — Another campaign I watched multiple times through. Who can resist an A$AP Rocky and Rihanna crossover? They’re royalty in my book.

7. Gisou in St. Tropez — Gisou, the honey-infused beauty brand, brought to life a St. Tropez activation featuring the treat of the summer (yes, soft serve). Really cute. Really summer-y.

8. SKYLRK NY Pop-up — I missed this pop-up by a day while I was in New York and yes, I did consider extending my trip. I won’t say I regret that decision, but to my fellow JB fans, I know you feel my pain through the screen. Anyways, the pop-up really delivered on transporting visitors to the SKYLRK world. The brand identity is so strong.

Note from Kaylee: If you’re like me and love to stay on your routine when traveling, Cadence is the girl for you.

Steph has an excellent recommendation in here to put Lactaid in your Cadence for a night out which I will absolutely be doing as a lactose intolerant girlie.

Things Steph’s Listening To

• A song you love to cook to — Anxious by Holy Ghost

• A song that makes you get up and dance — Black Out Days by Phantogram

• The song you always come back to — A Tear in Space (Airlock) by Glass Animals

• A song that reminds you of someone — Fire for You by Canons

Things Steph’s Reading

• Something you read you love talking to people about — Duende by Frederico Garcia Lorca

• Something that made you think — The Women by Kristin Hannah

• Something that changed your mind — Harry Potter (ALL)

• Next on your reading list — Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Things in Steph’s Cart

• A brand you think is underrated — Osea Body Oil

• Your most rebought beauty or wellness item — Sofie Pavitt Skincare (cleanser, treatment, and mask)

• Your favorite item in your home — Six Penny Couch

• Your favorite jacket or sweater — Frankie Shop Tribeca Long Coat

• What you’d bring as a hostess gift — Ghia

• A scent you love — Aesop Aurnor

• Something for a night out — Cadence Capsule with Lactaid

Things Steph’s Making

• Steph’s go-to dish to cook — BBQ tofu, rice, seaweed, pickled onions (seriously, if you pre-freeze the rice and it’s ready in 15 minutes)

• Steph’s advice for making friends in adulthood — Going to the climbing gym

• What’s Steph bringing to the cookie exchange — Sugar cookies, of course.

Things Steph’s Swooning Over

In a season of my life when I find myself going from one celebratory event to another, it’s become glaringly clear to me that - despite my love for purses - I’m not a “bag” gal.

What does that even mean? It means I’m way more likely to reach for the workhorse, everyday type of purse over an evening bag when checking out.

When I’ve been planning various outfits for events, I find myself having the hardest time justifying purchasing an evening bag for a single occasion. Once, I even decided that I would get something more simple in a black leather and even that backfired on me because the size was completely off from what I’d envisioned carrying around that evening.

Despite my evening bag purchasing hurdles, every time I see another person with a cute, petite bag I’m admiring it. I’m complimenting it. I’m wishing I was the girl with a cute little bag…not my massive day bag that’s carrying a Tide pen, two lip glosses, blotting papers, mints, hand lotion and a hair tie or two at any given time.

When I found myself scrolling bags on Etsy I felt inspired. Maybe because I felt like less of a cog in the evening bag machine? Whatever we want to label it, there was no denying there are some great bags on there so again, I don’t believe in gatekeeping so here I am, sharing them so you can get in on the fun bag game too.

• There’s something about a silver, beaded bag!

• …Or if you’re feeling more bold: a chartreuse beaded bag.

• I feel like it’s bad luck to skip a mother of pearl bag? Has to be.

• I love the structure on this pearl beaded clutch.

• Not delicate like the others, but it’s absolutely worth including this woven, beaded tote.

• I just know it won’t be difficult to find an occasion to sport this colorful, embroidered and sequin shoulder bag.

• I’m not playing favorites here….but if I were…I’d probably choose this chainmail bag with gemstones woven into it. It’s nothing short of perfection.

• For another elevated, white bag option cc: this beaded fringe bag.

• A wooden handbag? I’m beside myself in the best way possible.

• Bonus bags? A satin mini with ruffles and bows & another shell style bag.

Happy holding a few things in a small bag (or in my case, trying to fit all the same things as your day bag and quickly realizing that won’t work)!

xx