Natori is coming out with a kids line this Spring which is super exciting. There are many different dresses and each of them are so cute, fresh, and fun. In preparation for the line to drop, there was a photo shoot last week and the model was none other than Tusia (my 10 year old daughter).
Waiting for our turn to go to the shoot and get primped.
On Wednesday this past week, a friend organized a hat making class in Brooklyn through Mad in Brooklyn. It was a full day of hat making, crafting, and learning all about hat making. It was an incredible experience and I loved every minute of making my hat. To top it off (get it)., I love the hat that I made. So it was a win win day and experience.
To make the experience even better there were tacos, tortilla chips, AND margaritas. That alone, made it fun.
Here we are, already a week plus a couple in the second month of the year. How does time fly by so quickly? Before you know it, it will be spring break and then school is over and then POOF summer. Here is what I am currently loving this month.
1. NY Times article: Future Cringe
One of my favorite articles in 2023 — a must read if you haven’t seen it already!
In my constant search for the best undies (always through Natori), I have found one of my new favorites: Beyond Brief. Yes, my everyday go to undies will always and forever be the Feathers undies, but it is always good to switch it up, too. And I am loving these Beyond Briefs. Very similar style (aka not a thong) but different. Same same but different.
Look at the cute tush.
HOLY SMOKES I AM IN LOVE WITH MY NEW SKI MITTENS. They are truly perfection — colorful, artistic, and most importantly so warm and cozy. These mittens, made by Astis, are beautiful and designed especially for skiing. Each individual pair is created using natural materials from the highest quality suede leather. They are lined with dry-wicking Polartec Thermal to keep your hands dry, and each mitten is hand stitched in the USA.
Look at them! Aren’t they beautiful? I am obsessed. I wore them everyday in Sunriver over Christmas Break, and I will ski with them for years.
January is always the longest month. It feels like February is right around the corner, but it actually isn’t — it still is weeks away! Here is what I am loving this month!
1. Anything Pendleton-pattern-esque
I love everything Pendleton. I’ve had the blue coat since Cruzzie was in my belly (13 years ago) and it is a coat that I imagine I will have as long as I am alive. And I keep adding to my collection…now the dog has one (if only she liked it — she hates clothes).
Here we are — December! Cross that out — MID DECEMBER! Here is what I am loving!
I went to this in early December and it was SOO funny. I loved the 75 minute one man show and highly recommend anything that Mike Birbiglia does. In this production, it was about aging, and it could not have been more relevant or in tune with life. LOVED it.
2. Rat Ornament
I am a lover of sneakers — I wear Nike Dunks and Vans more than I wear any other shoes. They are comfortable, practical, AND hip. And now, I have a third sneaker to add to my rotation, Autry. I have a feeling that these shoes are going to be the next Golden Goose (aka luxury sneaker, but not at that ridiculously price point) and men, women, and kids will be all wearing them soon (and if my prediction is wrong, at least everyone in my family will be wearing them). Move over, veja, these sneakers are the best.
I like them all in all color ways, but for my first purchase, I picked the green and white. I LIVE in my black and white dunks, so these are a similar flair and style.
A loyal Natori fan, I only wear Natori briefs (shocker). Since I am constantly looking for new ones to replace my Natori Feathers Panties RIP, I just purchased several pairs of the Natori Revive Brief, and I am *FINALLY* happy. They are not Natori Feathers, but they are ALMOST as good. So if you are looking for a new pair of undies, HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend these Natori revive briefs.
They come in two colors (beige and black). I got two of each. And I can’t wait to order more….
This past Sunday, I visited the old Barneys building (RIP) as Louis Vuitton is hosting an exhibition there until December 31st. This exhibition is the fourth and final stop of this traveling show. Not only is it an exhibit, but Fred’s (the restaurant, SOB, RIP) is also temporarily opened while Louis Vuitton is in the building. The exhibit is located on three of the floors, presenting 200 trunks that were created by 200 different artists.
The building. Entrance is free — you can reserve a ticket online, or just simply walk in, depending on the time of the day and how busy it is.
Here we are in October! Fall in New York….here is what I am currently loving (and please send me what you are loving, too! I love to hear!)
1. Flash Flowers by Lewis Miller Design
Walking home from drop off yesterday and I saw this beautiful flower flash installation by Lewis Miller Design — always so beautiful.
From the age of six months old, Tusia wore amber necklaces around her neck at all times. As time went on, she never took them off and instead added more to her pile. FOR TEN YEARS, she wore 3 amber necklaces and only took them off once (for a ballet recital when she was in Kindergarten). They were a part of her body, her vibe, her look. And yet, this summer, she told me she no longer wanted to wear them. It broke my heart and I told her she had to…..(to which I was told that I was not “pro choice” if I controlled some one else’s body….) so I realized that it was in fact her choice, and I could no longer control her necklace situation. Because they were such a huge part of her life (and mine), I decided to put them in a shadow box, frame them like art, so that we could always have them to look at.
Tusia this summer with her necklaces.
Every summer, we go to our dear friends’ home in Sonoma to celebrate a weekend with many of our Stanford Business School friends. It has happened the past 8 summers and is always one of the best weekends of the year. We lounge, hike, eat, indulge, rollerskate, and laugh. OOOHHHH we laugh and it is so fun. It is also our second time we have picked a theme of an evening — in 2019 we did Sunset Hues.
Sunset Hues. That was our guideline — and everyone could dress how they wanted to.
OH MY GOODNESS STOP SUMMER, STOP! It is going too fast and *GULP* it is almost the end of July! Here is what I am loving.
So yes, the past month I have been with my 75+ parents and my 10 year old daughter, so it is not a shocker that I have been mainly watching teenager shows, but I am OBSESSED with ‘Never Have I Ever.” I love the characters, so charming, cute, loveable. Paxton — I love you.
Simple tees are like jeans — so hard to find, great value, and essential for every and all wardrobes. Here are my three favorite tees!
Yes, just basic white tee, but I saw this immediately on one of my most stylsih friends and I knew it was special. It looks SO good on. Relaxed, cropped, and the best cotton. A must. Hurry and buy because it is so popular that it sells out immediately when restocked.
I was fortunate enough to spend the last 2 weeks in Southern Spain with my parents, daughter, and Ken (for a week) where we relaxed and explored together. It was refreshing and rejuvenating to leave the US and get fresh air and tastes of a different culture. Here are the highlights:
Every morning, I ran. Over the two weeks, I ran 98 miles. Up hills, down hills, and NEVER on flat surfaces. It was the hardest place I have EVER EVER RUN in my entire life, and I hope that it makes me a stronger (and faster) runner. Each morning, I would dread my run, but I loved it so much afterwards. Plus, it gave me the opportunity to explore my surroundings and really have a feel for the area.
There is a lot to love in July — summer, sunshine, no school, and a shift in seasons; but here are some other things that I am loving this month.
1. Gazpacho
There is nothing I love more than gazpacho — it is my all time favorite soup — and I craved it when I was pregnant with Cruzzie the entire pregnancy. So now that I am in Spain, on the few times we have gone out, I have ordered gazpacho — and it has always tasted delicious. I love tasting the different restaurants and styles — all absolutely delicious, healthy, and refreshing.
One of my most stylish friends periodically sends me texts with clothes she thinks I would love (she is always right AND these are the best types of texts to get!). This Spring, she sent me the outfit with a sweatshirt she thought I needed(I did), but I was most interested in her straw bucket hat. Of course, she sent me the information and I immediately purchased it. It is expensive, but I always think cost per wear (if you wear it everyday, you divide the item cost per day), and it turns out to be a steal of a deal! The Chloe x Mifuko straw hat!
It is not a hat that looks stylish — but it protects every part of your face from the sun.
My dermatologist, Dr. Whitney Bowe, not only happens to be the most beautiful person, but also the smartest (don’t you love women who check the boxes off everything???). She has flawless skin, and has forever been committed to achieving and maintaining the health and radiance of her patients’ skin through inside and outside care. She is a big believer in what you put INSIDE your body is just as important as what you do on the outside. Dr. Bowe says that there is a skin-gut-mind connection and this“three-dimensional” approach to skincare, has led her to create her own beauty line, DWB Dr Whitney Bowe Beauty. And it goes without saying, that I am a huge fan. I mean, if Dr. Bowe told me that I could have her skin by wearing a paper bag, I would do it! So when she told me about her new line of products, I knew that it was top of the line and would not disappoint.
Dr. Bowe — beautiful inside and outside — and therefore, you must treat your skin from the inside and the outside.
My mother has been collecting shawls from all over the world her entire life — she literally has cabinets full of hundreds of shawls. Each shawl has a different story and represents the country and its craft work. So when I came across a vintage shawl dress, I had to get. It reminds me of my mother and I absolutely love it. I have been a long time fan of Bode — a NYC menswear company that specializes in one of a kind, handcrafted clothing that is cut from antique fabrics, victorian quilts, grain sacks, and bed linens.
Vintage shawl made in to a dress — one of a kind — each is unique and special.
Nothing says summer more than a straw bag (well that and hot weather). My newest purchase is a floral straw bag from Suzie Kondi — so if you like it (they are all one of a kind), contact the store and get one!
So light and easy — and a great present, too.
I love sunglasses as they are add style, pizazz, and flavor to any outfit without breaking the bank. And of course, they are essential for sunshine and protecting your eyes (obviously). I love to have a wide selection of sunglasses because you never know what mood or style you want for the day….but I love sunglasses that are off the beaten path and not as mainstream, well known, or at times, expensive. Here are the brands (and styles) that I am currently loving:
I have had the black pair since 2016 and love them so much — and I love this color. Different but great shape.
Scandinavians always do EVERYTHING right — not only are the most beautiful people, but they create a standard and quality of products that outdo any other region in the world. So when I found out about Amundsen Sports, a Norwegian outdoor apparel company, I knew that I would love it. And yes, it also helped that one of my closest friends is Norwegian with the chicest taste and style who is even more outdoorsy and adventuresome than I am, is the one who told me about this company. It didn’t take much and now I am sold — obsessed with my newest Amundsen shorts (to start with) for all my outdoor summer plans.
Pop up in Soho! GO, RUN, LOOK, TRY ON!
Memorial Day weekend here we come, which means summer is around the corner! Here is what I am loving this month.
1. Basiquat Exhibit: King Pleasure in NYC
An absolute must if you are in NYC. 200 never been seen pieces. Well put together, interesting flow, and great commentary and information. Highly recommend!
This past week, we celebrated my mother-in-law’s 75th birthday, my daughter’s 10th birthday, and the launch of Natori x Kasama rum. YEP, you read that correctly — RUM! Natori is doing a collaboration with Kasama, a rum company!
Look at the gorgeous bottle!
My mother-in-law with my kids — wearing the same print as the bottle!
Even Stevie has a matching print Natori ouftit! And check out my mother-in-law’s tall heels in the background. I wouldn’t be able to stand in them.
The whole Natori family with the Kasama lady — another Filipina!
Ken with the Natori model.
Me and Tusia — unintentionally wearing a floral jacket — I had no idea!
Unique and fun collaboration — but love how two Filipino female brands came together to support one another!
