If you’re reading this on Friday, May 22nd, that means I’ve successfully convinced myself to leave my laptop at home and go on my honeymoon with only my husband and my phone. Huge, if true!

Even if I did end up convincing myself to go without my “medium screen” for the next twelve days, rest assured I feel icky about leaving my Blisters behind with nothing new in ye old inbox. Yes, we had a great conversation earlier this week about 3SS staples, and yes, I already pre-scheduled a monthly mood board for June 1st, but still.

I known damn well that most of you won’t notice one or two less emails clogging up your inbox next week, but this is a classic case of my Italian guilt at work.

To keep you all satiated, I’ve decided to send out this lil recap post to inspire you to look back into our archives. Did you subscribe just recently? There are some core B List materials you need to catch up on! Maybe you’ve only read the free stuff? Babe, you might as well redeem your complimentary paid trial to browse the rest.

Below, I’ve answered a few Qs, linked a few letters, and made some suggestions on what to read while I’m away. And if you’re reading this some time in the future, forget all that stuff about my honeymoon and just consider this a beginner’s guide to all things B List. Welcome!

Before you know it, I’ll be back spamming your inboxes with fashion musings, honeymoon recaps, summer predictions, and all that jazz.

Until then — ciao for now!

x BGF

Hey, so…Remind me who you are again?

Great timing, as you’ve caught me fresh off an identity crisis. I’m Bella Gerard Fayne — you can call me BGF. Online, I’ve always been Bella Gerard, and you can find that byline on publications like Marie Claire, InStyle, Fashionista, TZR, Who What Wear, Bustle, Byrdie, StyleCaster, Health.com, et cetera. Here’s a full lineup.

I’m a newlywed (hence the honeymoon!) with a brand-new name, so I’ve switched Gerard to my middle name and taken my husband Pat’s last name, Fayne. Who doesn’t love a rebrand?

I’ve always considered myself an industry Hannah Montana — editor my day, creator by night. I left my full-time fashion editor role in early 2022 and have been juggling content creation and editorial work ever since. Over on TikTok and Instagram, I’ve partnered with brands and retailers like Nordstrom, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, TRESemmé, Elemis, Lancôme, Batiste, Strathberry, Tory Burch…you get the idea.

I love working with brands on paid partnerships and contributing to digital publications as a freelance writer and editor, but I made B List as a space to share more musings on a whim. Sometimes, we’re going deep on the meaning of life. Other times, I’m ranting about the fugly new trends I fear my beloved Blisters will fall victim to.

Most often, I try to share insights as honestly as possible from my very specific POV. And every now and then, we get a brand deal on here, too (thank you for that!).

Wait, what even is a Blister?

You, if you’re reading this! A Blister is a B-Lister — a reader, follower, or subscriber to this silly little newsletter.

And if you want to be a Paid Blister, you can gain access to even more special editions and additional newsletters, including but not limited to our in-depth monthly mood boards, hot takes I’m too scared not to paywall, and other niche musings galore! Not to mention the occasional beauty box giveaways and other fun treats.

I Subscribed Fairly Recently. What’d I Miss?

Girl, kind of a lot.

We have a few different series here on B List. First, there’s The Biweekly Blister, a very-much-not-biweekly letter detailing the things I’m Buying, Loving, In Search Of, Sick Of, Trying, Eating, and Reading. It’s a hoot.

There’s also For Your Consideration, in which we cover multiple different topics in one letter, and within that, there’s Stuff You Should See — a segment detailing, well, stuff I think you really ought to see.

There’s B Roll, a minute-by-minute look at NYFW and other fashion-y events, and of course, our monthly mood boards for a necessary vibe-check exactly twelve times per year.

Paid Blisters often get access to even more private series, like raiding my screenshot folder, my Instagram bookmarks, and more.

So What Should I Read While You’re Away?

You’ve got options! Let me walk you through some oldies-but-goodies. The B List Starter Pack, if you will. Click to read:

^ Back where it all began, ranting and raving about wraps and pashminas.

^ Our gut-check checklist for making a big splurge or fancy purchase (and this letter, in which I put the checklist into practice in real-time).

^ A message to the logo-obsessed among us.

^ One of our most popular series, B Roll, in which I recap NYFW events minute by minute.

^ Just in case you’re spending your final days of May/early days of June downtown!

^ Just in case you’re spending those days in Palm Beach! Manifesting this for you!

^ A reminder just in time for summer (I’m wearing a new pair of Castañers as we speak).

^ Speaking of “just in time for summer” content…

Anything More Recent?

But of course! Reminder, you can see everything in the B List Archive, but here’s what we’ve chatted about super recently:

^ My manifesto on the pros of seasonal pieces and the necessity of 3SS staples.

^ A hard truth: clothes rarely ever Fit Like A Glove without a trip to the tailor.

^ Our Big Spring Beauty Debrief, which sparked a hot-button debate about trending manicures.

^ An ode to the maximalist Blisters.

^ A sister edit! In which I take my younger sister, Sophia, shopping.

^ Another sister edit! In which I take my older sister, Morgan, to Bridal Fashion Week.

Wait, I’m Obsessed. But What About Honeymoon Content?

Loving your energy, but I just left today, so it’s going to be a while before I’m back at my desk and writing. In the meantime, I’m sure I’ll be posting on Instagram and TikTok. Maybe you can check me out on there? I can’t actually follow myself, but I’ve heard great things!

And with that, I’ll leave you to the rest of your inbox. Arrivedérci!

In preparation for my honeymoon (don’t worry, I leave this week and will stop talking about it soon), I’ve been helping my wonderful husband, Pat, procure a few new wardrobe staples.

While he is definitely my ideal man, it appears Pat’s frame is not so beloved amongst the folks structuring size charts these days. Pat is 6’4 — so, very tall — and slim but athletic in build. It’s almost impossible for him to find pants that aren’t too short, too tight, or worse: some terrible legging-like combination of the two.

Once, in desperate pursuit of pants suitable to Pat’s lengthy limbs, we bravely walked ourselves into a Big & Tall store, only to be told he had to be both big and tall to shop there. They literally told him he wasn’t big enough, and we left with our heads hung low in shame.

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For a long time, I would joke to Pat that I had no sympathy for his struggle with finding clothes that fit. Try being a petite, curvy woman for a day! In fact, try being any type of woman at all.

Still, after years of watching him cling to the few well-fitting pairs of pants he could find, I felt intent to help him secure some really great items for our honeymoon. And it turned out, finding pants for tall men was about as hard as finding a good bra. Near impossible!

After ordering upwards of 13 pairs of pants, we did find a few winners. These J. Crew pinstripe trousers look amazing on him, and Proper Cloth’s Amalfi pant felt like an answered prayer. Best of all, we were shocked to find the perfect white vacation pant from none other than Lilly Pulitzer’s limited menswear offering. Who would’ve thought?

Here’s the kicker, though. Even harder than finding good pants, apparently, would be convincing Pat to keep them.

Extremely utilitarian when it comes to worldly possessions, Pat couldn’t fathom keeping pieces that he’d only wear in the summertime. After getting excited about a potential new wardrobe addition, he’d nervously ask me whether or not it could be worn year-round. If the answer was no, he’d hem and haw over if the purchase could be justified.

As I watched understanding wash over my sweet, practical husband’s face, it occurred to me that some of you Blisters reading might need this reality check, too. Of course you want pieces that you can wear often and transition through the seasons. But you don’t need to gaslight yourself out of good clothes just because they might not suit a Manhattan heatwave and a Swiss ski trip!

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Here’s why: even if a lightweight summer knit could be transitioned into the winter months, it’s highly unlikely that you’d actually reach for it. Why? Because you’re probably reaching for that chunky winter sweater you look forward to wearing for the holidays!

You can, of course, force things to work year-round, but because you likely have a few strictly seasonal pieces by nature of being alive, you really don’t need everything to work for every moment. See what I mean?

The way I see it, pieces that go the distance for three out of four seasons are the ultimate justifiable buys. For example: a lightweight linen-blend rollneck knit like this one from J. Crew is a perfect transitional piece to pair under a trench in the spring, draped over the shoulders of a tank top on a chilly summer evening, or alongside cords and a cashmere bandana scarf come fall.

You could push it to be layered come winter, if that’s your thing, but if you have a warmer sweater you’d rather don in December, then guess what? You’re not a bad person, and you didn’t make a bad purchase!

Perhaps no one ever told you so, and now I feel it’s my obligation to free you from buyer’s remorse. It worked for Pat! Rather than return the drawstring linen pants we’d hunted for, simply because they wouldn’t work with his winter parka, he was able to see the benefit of finding a perfectly versatile piece that wasn’t entirely useful to him year-round. Talk about progress!

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In honor of this realization, I thought it might be fun to round up a few pieces I’ve dubbed 3SS (3-Season Suitable). They might not suit you year-round, but they’ll definitely go the distance in terms of versatility.

And of course, I’ve thrown in a few season-specific pieces I’ve got my eye on for the months ahead, because the maximalist in me still wants a few things that really scream “Summer”.

For Spring/Summer/Fall:

All of the above are gorgeous and beautiful — but not exactly snow-apropos. This light-blue leather Longchamp bag is best for transitional dressing or peak summer wear — same goes for green satin ballet flats. A cropped funnel-neck jacket works for temps we’d consider “chilly” but should certainly be swapped for something longer and heavier in the cold.

Pieces like this Kujten knit tank are total shapeshifters when it comes to versatile styling. Same goes for this cotton Simkhai dress, to be paired with heels, flats, or even boots. And perhaps it’s just me, but I have cold-weather sunnies and warm-weather sunnies, and to me, they should look completely different! I’d happily reach for these Ray-Bans three quarters out of the year.

For Fall/Winter/Spring:

As for the pieces I rely on in fall, winter, and spring, but wouldn’t be caught dead in come summer? For this distinction, it’s all about material. Heavy pieces like faux-fur jackets and leather pants are, of course, gone the second the sun comes out.

Same goes for certain textures, which rules out accessories like suede handbags, pony hair loafers, and snake-print boots. And of course, at the end of each spring, I hold a proper funeral service for the black turtlenecks that got me through the prior months. May they rest easy until they are resurrected again come fall.

For Summer, Specifically

Call me a fashion hoarder, but I love leaning into seasonal dressing — even if it means I wind up with pieces that can’t be classified as “versatile”. Bring on the novelty, like beaded starfish bags and fishy flip flops! I want a bamboo-handled Simon Miller bag with lime green fringe!

And of course, I’m lusting after all the seashell pendants money can buy, or at least a few shell-printed dresses like this gorgeous mini from Hunter Bell. Statement buys like Pucci-printed sunnies and sequined micro-shorts may have their seasonal limitations, but in my opinion, they’re well worth it for the few months they turn heads.

Are you a strict minimalist that needs every piece in your closet to be easily transitioned? If so, you fascinate me, and I’d love to know more. If you’re more like me — a 3SS collector who still indulges in season-specific statement pieces — know I absolve you from any guilt. This is a safe space!

All this to say, when you see me posting photos of Pat and I on our honeymoon and you notice his outfits are on point, know that effort was made, regardless of whether or not every piece ended up 3SS. Wardrobes should always be a work in progress!

x BGF

Happy Friday, folks. This week’s letter is coming to you a little late — largely because I spent my designated writing time ooh-ing and ahh-ing over Jonathan Anderson’s first Dior Cruise collection instead. Oops!

If you took a look, I’m sure you’ll hardly blame me for being mesmerized. The whimsical debut had it all in terms of texture and quirk, and I now feel inspired to wear something fanciful and frilly. Apparently, I also need a coral necklace and a trailing flower brooch or two, stat.

I’ll keep the above in mind as I soldier on, recruiting pieces for my spring/summer 2026 wardrobe. This brings me to a nice little segue as we dive into today’s first topic up for your consideration: FLAG Theory.

Debunking FLAG Theory

For a long time, I utilized FLAG Theory to justify purchasing or passing on an article of clothing. If you don’t know, FLAG stands for “Fits Like A Glove” — with this in mind, I’d only buy something if it was practically made for me.

With this line of thinking, I bought a lot less. Which, overall, was a good thing! But I ended up missing out on more than a couple of killer pieces, many of which could have fit me like a glove, with just a few small tweaks.

The wrong fit is the wrong fit — but as a curvy, short-torsoed woman of 5’1”, I can hardly expect stores to be designing with my exact measurements in mind. Often, all it takes is a simple hem here, a shortening of the strap there, or even a nip in at the waist to take a frock off the rack and make it look totally custom.

I basically became besties with my tailor, Cathy, in the lead-up to my wedding last year. It seemed every little white dress I loved required some tweaking, and after she’d earned my trust, she earned the rest of my business, too.

At the start of each season, I visit her almost weekly with items to alter and adjust.

Here me out: my dismissal of FLAG Theory does not mean you shouldn’t be considering fit when shopping. No matter how gorgeous the item, how luxurious the fabric, how brag-worthy the brand, know this: your clothes will look like shit if they don’t fit well.

That said, don’t let the need for minor tweaking stop you from getting an item you feel passionate about! A few extra bucks at the tailor can be well worth it if you know a garment could stand the test of time in your wardrobe, if only it were adjusted just so.

Because of my particular body shape and measurements, I don’t think twice about tailoring to meet my needs. Here’s a look at a few new items in my closet, all of which went to Cathy before earning their respective hangers.

I often receive the compliment that I’m good at “dressing for my body.” While I don’t always love the implications behind comments like this, the truth is that I am good at it. And that’s because I’m intentional about how my clothes fit me!

When the fit is on point, I look and feel my best. Alterations are cheaper than therapy, anyway (well, depending on the fabric…).

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Recap: Jenny Bird’s Summer Press Preview

On Wednesday, I popped over to Hotel Chelsea to preview some newness from my favorite fashion jewelry brand, Jenny Bird. The majority of pieces I wear that aren’t vintage or heirloom are from JB, and their newest collection, La Spiaggia, feels particularly fitting for my Italian honeymoon (I leave next week, if you’re sick of me talking about it!).

Right away, the Slim Nelle Hoop Earrings caught my eye as the ideal mid-size puffy hoops for day-to-night wear. Next up, the Rue Pendant Necklace, a bit further out of my comfort zone, but potentially perfect for some summertime layering.

Online, I noticed they also styled the Rue with the pendant trailing down the model’s back. I love the versatility!

‘Tis the season for anklets, so the JB team adorned my ankles in a few new styles. Bringing the Rome Anklet to Rome feels on the nose in the very best way. When I want something slightly more subtle, I’ll be reaching for the Kate.

La Spiaggia is available now, but there was lots more to see at the preview. The best part of a showcase like this is getting a sneak-peak at what’s to come for the rest of the year; the worst part is then having to wait to shop it all.

I’ll include some photos below of what’s on the horizon, and I’m genuinely sorry in advance for tempting you. Everything you see will be available before the end of the year, including the world’s most perfect pinky ring, complete with a varsity striping of pavé diamonds. Swoon.

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A Peek At My Actual Beauty Empties

Something about running out of multiple products at the same time makes me feel like I’m Doing A Good Job. I can’t really explain why! Regardless, I’ve used up all of the above within the last couple of weeks. Here, a few takeaways:

• EOS Cashmere Body Wash in Vanilla Cashmere: Jackie Aina influenced me to buy this, and I’m glad she did. Great smell, even better price point. I’m only not repurchasing because I have a few other body washes to get through, first. BTW, the matching shave oil is even better.

• Ourself Complexion Brightening Serum: Probably the best serum I’ve ever used for treating discoloration. I requested the brand send me another bottle and they graciously did so, but if they hadn’t, I would’ve paid out of pocket, no hesitation. I’m excited to try more products from Ourself as the year goes on.

• DIBS Beauty Double Standard Primer & Mascara Duo: I actually only use the primer side of this mascara, but I’d honestly repurchase just to do exactly that again. There’s nothing wrong with the mascara, I just have others I prefer. But the brown primer side is perfection for priming my upper lashes and wearing on my lowers for just a little something.

• It Cosmetics Do It All Sheer Tint Face Balm: I have been using this religiously for the last few months, and I already went out and repurchased my shade, plus a slightly tanner shade for summer. I feel like this would suit virtually all skin types. I apply with a brush and blend out with a sponge. Note: the shade range runs very, very warm.

• 4AM Skin Clean Sheets: I am constantly repurchasing these, and they’re finally available at Target! I went to college with the founders of 4AM Skin, and it has been extremely cool to watch them grow their brand. These are not makeup wipes: they’re entire skincare routines, finessed into credit card-sized sachets. I won’t travel without them.

The Summer Collab To Out-Mog Them All

Curvy Blisters to the front! Plus-size fashion favorite Eloquii just dropped a really stellar collaboration with It Girl brand PatBo, and it is very much worth the hype. Many of these pieces appear to be heavily inspired by actual PatBo best sellers, which isn’t always the case when brands collab in the extended sizing space. Before seeing the collection, I was worried we’d see overcompensating sleeves and excess fabric; luckily, the lineup proved otherwise.

My favorite pieces are the ones bearing layers of swishy fringe, so this collection includes two must-cop looks: a white maxi dress for my bride-to-bes (and anyone else sporting a great tan this season) and a raspberry fringed top and maxi skirt combo that looks great together, and can be styled separately for even more wearability.

But my number one rec? An all-around better version of the PatBo top I wore on my bachelorette, the iconic embellished flower appliqué top. The traditional PatBo one is totally backless, save for two strings tied bikini-style. That’s not a lot of support! This version features a stretchy side and back zipper, and the updates feel intentional and impactful.

From the front, the top looks exactly the same — but it’s probably a hell of a lot more comfortable and easy to wear. Oh, and did I mention that the Eloquii version costs $199, and the PatBo one costs $725? Do with that what you will!

Bravo, PatBo and Eloquii. Here’s hoping there’s a second drop to come.

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SYSS (Stuff You Should See)

1. Meet Longchamp’s new bag, the Le Pliage Xtra M Shoulder Bag. Not only is it a perfectly everyday-sized take on the iconic tote, but they’ve done it in a smooth leather instead of the range’s usual nylon. Gorgeous! I really want the yellow one.

2. I don’t usually like fruity scents, but this Strawberry Jam Eau de Parfum by The 7 Virtues is so good, I find myself spraying it on even before bed just to catch another whiff.

3. After I detailed my no-mani manicure routine back in March, Fyle sent over The Kit, which helps you pull off a near-perfect Russian manicure at home. As someone who loves taking the time to do my nails, I’m really pleased with the set.

4. I’ve been on the hunt for a good white top to bring to Italy, and the Sézane Elie Blouse really did it for me. I wish it was a little thicker and more opaque, but the silhouette is so romantic, and somehow, it doesn’t show my bra at all. That’s good enough for me!

x BGF

When I was working in editorial as a full-time beauty writer, I used to always joke that you could spot us beauty girls from a mile away, because we had the worst skin.

If you’re a beauty writer reading this, please, don’t get offended! All I mean to say is that, for a sensitive-skinned gal like myself, the duty of trying new products and evaluating different formulations on the reg often came at the cost of my complexion. I wouldn’t promote a product unless I’d tried it firsthand — and of course, not everything would prove to suit my specific skincare needs.

Still, a proper trial allowed me to determine which skin types certain products would be ideal for, if not always my own.

I stand by my approach to trialing new products on the market, but there were times when it definitely messed with my personal skin maintenance. When I found a product I loved, I could only enjoy it for a matter of weeks before it was on to evaluating the next thing. And my skin paid the price!

Now, as a writer with a great deal more freedom, I’m especially careful about the products I agree to try — and even more picky about what earns a coveted place in my everyday routine for the long term. So when I partner with a skincare brand in a paid capacity, you know I’ve really given them my stamp of approval.

The only travel plans on my calendar this summer involve my honeymoon to Italy — but my skin? My skin gets to fly first-class to Iceland, a la a full routine from Blue Lagoon Skin Science. This is a brand I’ve loved for ages, and rediscovered fairly recently after being overcome with a strong desire to bring back the humble clay mask.

I’m a sheet mask superfan, no doubt, but there’s something more tactile about smearing on a glob of clay mask that really makes me feel like I’m ~doing something good~ for my skin.

Perhaps this stems from watching my mom splurge on specific mud masks while I was growing up. She was always generous with sharing her beauty products, but at that age, I’d often chosen her shiny black Chanel compacts over anything skincare-related.

Still, the image of a mask that could cure all complexion woes stayed with me.

Today, many of my favorites are from Blue Lagoon, especially when it comes to multi-masking: a targeted application technique involving placing multiple masks on different areas of the face to address different concerns. Think: the purifying Silica Mud Mask on my congested T-zone, the hydrating Mineral Mask on my forehead, and the nourishing Algae Mask on my jaw and necklace lines (this is how I’ve chosen to refer to my visible signs of Tech Neck, thank you very much).

Though not a classic leave-on formula, I’m also a big fan of the exfoliating Lava Scrub Mask on occasion, and I plan to pack the entire Signature Masks Travel Set for my honeymoon next month. I am, by fault, a chronic over-packer, but I refuse to apologize for bringing an entire skincare routine on an important trip.

Airplane skin will not plague my museum tours and gelato dates!

Another must-pack will be Blue Lagoon’s newest innovation, the BL+ Cleansing Balm. As the name implies, many of the brand’s formulations revolve around seawater benefits. Utilizing microalgae and silica from the actual Blue Lagoon, the brand has produced their own potent signature ingredient, the BL+ Complex, that stimulates collagen and aids the skin’s barrier.

Typically, my ethos for skincare is to spend more on the products you keep on all day or overnight. There’s less need to splurge on the ones that get washed down the drain in seconds! But when it comes to cleansing balms in particular, I’m far pickier. My double cleanse routine is top priority.

I wear a lot of makeup almost every day, so I want a thorough cleanse and the knowledge that I’m not only ridding my pores of foundation and cream bronzer, but leaving behind good-for-it ingredients in their wake to strengthen my skin barrier.

Other standouts in the BL+ line are BL+ The Cream and the BL+ Eye Cream, but I’ve recently replaced the latter with the BL+ Eye Serum for summer, especially during the daytime. I’m non-committal when it comes to eye cream at the moment, and I often forego it during the day altogether, as it rarely sits well under my makeup.

With this eye serum, though, the texture is much thinner than a typical cream, and the cooling rollerball is ideal for de-puffing before makeup. I also like placing it beneath reusable eye patches like these when I work from home.

Not only will this eye serum make my honeymoon skincare routine, but I’ll be bringing it in my carry-on tote on the plane for an immediate post-flight perk-up.

Ciao, Rome airport employees! Sì, la mia pelle ha un aspetto fantastico!

Have I inspired you to give your routine a pre-summer reset? I hope so! Now, if you’ll excuse me — I need to go wash my face.

x BGF

May 1-21st have virtually no appeal to me, and will be spent thinking about and packing/prepping for my honeymoon. Come the 22nd, I’ll be whisked away from my mundane Manhattan existence (via an economy seat on a red-eye flight) to Rome, Italy. Ciao Bella!

I’m sure the first two-thirds of the month have lots in store, but frankly, I’ve got a one track mind and a 119-day Duolingo streak, so you’ll have to bear with me while my upcoming getaway consumes my every thought (and entire personality).

While it’s standard practice to go on your honeymoon immediately after your wedding, I’m grateful that we decided to take a beat instead. We got to spend the days immediately after our wedding reliving the day with family — then, we stole away to the Catskills for a minimoon to hold us over. Six months and some change later, we’re ready to take a great, big trip and make even more memories together.

With that, let’s talk details and take a look at my Italian mood board, shall we? Andiamo!

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Greetings, beloved Blisters. I write to you from an apartment absolutely overwhelmed by tulips. 120 tulips, to be exact! I think this could be classified as max bloom capacity.

I don’t always start the week off with a burst of productivity, but after such a wonderful weekend with family and friends, banging out a Biweekly Blister for y’all came easily. IYKYK: we celebrated Pat’s 32nd birthday on Saturday, and my sister, Sophia, got engaged on Sunday. Lots to celebrate!

This week is a busy one, and my cup runneth over with work opportunities (because of you, thank you) and events (like ten TDWP2 screenings). We’ve also crossed into the sub-30 day countdown to my honeymoon (only 25 days to go!) so there’s a lot to get done before I take my Italian hiatus.

Right now? We’ve got much to discuss. Read on for everything I’m Buying, Loving, In Search Of, Sick Of, Trying, Eating, and Reading. Enjoy!

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Physically, I am a married fashion editor and content creator living in Hoboken. But spiritually? I’m a single art dealer and gallery curator living in Manhattan, meeting up with my three best friends on the regular to drink cosmos, talk shit, and look amazing. Oh, and my hair is perfect.

Spiritually, I am Charlotte York. And while our lives are actually pretty different, we do have some genuine similarities. I, too, like meeting up with my friends to drink cosmos, talk shit, and look amazing. And I, too, strive for great hair.

I wrote about my quest for Charlotte York hair back in March, and many of you shared my sentiments. Traditionally, mid-length brown hair isn’t seen as all that glamorous. But on Charlotte? It’s so chic! Polished, but effortless.

I did a Big Chop after my October wedding, and I’ve spent the months since trying to figure out the right way to style my hair. My usual waves didn’t feel quite right on a shorter length, and after growing out my layers for my bridal style, I could hardly remember how to make them look intentional once I had them back.

Then, I found a routine I felt really worked for me. But damn, was it a lot of work! I’d blow-dry, straighten with a heated paddle brush, and set my hair in rollers. And while this did give me the Yorkian results I craved, it was a lot of work for everyday.

With my Italian honeymoon a month away, I knew damn well I wasn’t about to miss out on sightseeing and pasta to sit in my hotel room and let my rollers set. Not exactly effortless…

Cue an intensive trialing of every hot tool and styling system I could get my hands on. Nothing quite did the trick! But when BabylissPRO approached me with the news that they’d revamped their iconic Style/Switch with new configurations, I thought I might just have a winner. Thus, this partnership was born!

Here’s What It Comes With:

Unlike most other styling tool systems I’ve seen on the market, BabylissPRO offers two different versions of the all-new Style/Switch, intended to suit different hair types.

For me, the Straight & Wavy Kit is ideal, with the concentrator dryer attachment, two brush attachments (paddle and round), two 1.5” curling barrels, a sectioning comb, creaseless clips, and a convenient kit bag. In the Curly & Coily Kit, the paddle brush is swapped for a diffuser. Same with the creaseless clips for duck bill clips, and the sectioning comb for a mini edging comb.

Here’s How I Use It:

Immediately, the concentrator dryer attachment had me thinking this tool could be The One. I find dryer attachments are often the weak link for these types of kits, as brands know many consumers use their own blow dryer of choice to rough-dry before styling, anyway. But it’s clear BabylissPRO knows the benefit of their tool being a truly effortless all-in-one, because this dryer attachment rocks. It’s powerful, but also concentrated, so I start smoothing even as I rough dry.

Since I’m used to using a heated paddle brush after drying, I thought I’d favor the paddle attachment as step two, but it turns out, the round brush is my perfect pick. Instead of fully drying, then smoothing, then curling, I can use the round brush attachment to deliver heat and air at the same time. And really, that’s all I need!

I take a section of hair, brush it out, and wrap it around the brush. I then pull through, rolling the brush a couple of times at the bottom to really flip the ends, and release.

If I’m not perfectly describing the motions, you can see me use it in action here. The kit also comes with access to The Studio, a digital content hub with tons of professional tutorials and tips for styling. If you’re a visual learner, this is the ultimate way to make the most out of your purchase.

And that’s it! If I wanted to go above and beyond, I could then utilize the curling barrels and clips, or throw in some rollers to really lock it in — but for everyday styling, this dryer/round brush combo is virtually all I need.

Here’s Why It’s Honeymoon-Approved

The Style/Switch is dual voltage, which makes it ideal for overseas travel — aka, my honeymoon! At home, I love that I have an all-in-one kit with so many tools and attachments at my disposal — but for my trip, I’ll be packing my tried-and-true dryer/round brush attachment combo, the sectioning comb, and a few of the creaseless clips.

And that’s literally all I’ll need to ensure my hair looks perfectly Yorkian as I’m touring the Colosseum, in Rome, shopping Santa Maria Novella in Florence, and lounging seaside in Sorrento. Talk about effortless!

Shop the Style/Switch here!

x BGF

There’s a part of me that feels guilty crowding your inbox with yet another email on the most Summer Friday-esque spring Friday of all time, but we’ve got lots to discuss. Silky scarves, appropriate pants, buttons, and panty liners, to be specific. Urgent stuff that simply could not wait!

But before all that — thank you for the lovely feedback on our last two letters, one of which featured time spent shopping with my younger sister, Sophia, and the other a trip to bridal fashion week with my older sister, Morgan. It was a treat to share the other Gerard girls with you, and I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I’m also happy to confirm all rumors that I reek of Middle Child Syndrome. I fear it’s true. Nevertheless, I persist!

Today’s letter is a classic For Your Consideration post, with a smorgasbord of fun topics, and a special partnership with Cora. I didn’t know I had any real preferences when it came to period care before trying this brand early last year, but since then, I’ve become picky in all the best ways. We’ll talk a bit about their new launch below. Thank you, Blisters, for allowing me the opportunity to work with incredible brand partners here on B List <3

With that, let’s dive in.

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PSA: You Don’t Need An Unlimited Spring Scarf Budget

Can I level with you? I know every girl on Pinterest has you chomping at the bit to tie a little scarf around your head/hips/handbag, but this is not the kind of trend you need to go broke over. It’s also not a Labubu/Sonny Angel/Pokemon gotta-catch-em-all kind of thing.

One good scarf will do ya! Or one smaller, one larger, max.

I have a few scarves in my arsenal, admittedly, many of which were gifted to me. They’re so small and easy to store, it seems harmless to keep ‘em! But the truth is, I usually reach for the same one or two on repeat. Unless you’re a true Scarf Girl and feel like you’ve found the look you’ll commit to for life Grey Gardens style, you really just need a couple, max. And they definitely don’t have to break the bank.

At the Chelsea Flea last weekend, I noticed multiple vendors touting suitcases and bins of beautiful scarves, most for under $5 a pop. I see the same at many thrift stores, and have for years. These secondhand scarves are often great quality, and they’ve always got unique patterns and prints that you’re guaranteed to never run into someone else wearing. And isn’t that the point of the whole bit? To add something distinctive to your look?

That said, Christopher John Rogers was wise to include a few scarves in his new collection for Old Navy, and I was happy to receive a matching set featuring this dotted skirt and scarf combo. If you want a coordinated set, then by all means, buy a fresh scarf! But otherwise, there’s a good chance you can make due with the one you already have at home.

Calling attention to the stunning scarves above makes me feel like part of the problem, but some of you will just want to click and order, and I respect that. In fact, I secretly want the cherubic Tory Burch one for my Italian honeymoon. But I’m resisting!

It’s a judgement free zone here on B List, baby. Quite literally! We’re just sentences away from talking about my period. How’s that for a segue?

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Ask Me About My Thong (Liner)!!!

I’m not saying that the Cora marketing team is the best in the world, but they did track my cycle and time their latest launch to the final days of my period for an authentic wear-test. I feel like that alone deserves major props.

Full disclosure: I’m a Pad Girl™. Always have been, always will be! (Aren’t you glad you asked?) And just in time for me to transition from five days of full-bum undies and heavy-duty absorption back to my regular skivvies and a lightweight liner, Cora has blessed us with The Less-is-More Thong Liner (they’ve also dropped The Applicator-Free Tampon, for those of you who aren’t Pad Girls™.)

I really do lean into the Having My Period of it all in the first few days of my cycle — I stay in bed, lounge around in my comfies, eat whatever I want and don’t give a damn what I look like. But I can only withstand a handful of days like this before it’s back to the grind. I’m a girl on the go, and The Less-is-More Thong Liner allows me to return to my usual wardrobe, and therefore, my usual schedule. I’ve pretty much always got one in my bag, if you need one. (Also, these babies have wings. So few thong-shaped pads have wings!)

Not only is this liner flexible and absorbent, it’s also hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested, which is part of the reason I love the brand so much. It’s important to be conscious about the chemicals you allow down there, and Cora takes out the guesswork.

I think of Cora to period products as SKIMS is to shapewear: they take shame and embarrassment entirely out of the conversation, and prioritize education and comfort above all else. And their good efforts go beyond normalization of the taboo that is the female body — for every Cora purchase, they also provide period products and body literacy resources to folks who otherwise might not have access.

BTW, they sell at Target, so feel free to grab during your next Target run, along with any other period craving snacks or essentials. No judgement.

Burl Girls, Assemble

Emma Chamberlain’s West Elm collection is here, and as a girl with a penchant for all things burl wood, I approve. The most notable piece, for me, is the giant burl wood button wall art piece she poses with in the image above.

Considering I just broke a large, round piece of wall art over our dining room table, I’m awfully close to purchasing. My only qualm: how much burl is too much? I’d love to invest in a larger piece of burl furniture down the line, and I’d rather not drop $200+ on a literal button if it won’t stand the test of time in my home (although it could parlay into a future nursery theme down the line, don’t you think?).

Still, it’s a great way to get in on the action, as big burl items can be quite pricey. Another option is to opt for burl wood frames — Framebridge’s Cairo frame houses many of my favorite wedding photos.

Some Niche Bella Lore for you: I play guitar, and I have a beautiful burl wood acoustic-electric that I keep in my office on a wall mount. That counts as wall art, right?

The burl got my attention, but it’s the button motif itself that really proves Chamberlain gets it when it comes to rising trends. Buttons that don’t button up, so to speak, are about to have a major moment in fashion. Just look at her skirt!

While I admittedly don’t love the button-covered pillow cover in her West Elm drop, brands like Staud are churning out button-adorned styles this season, like a summer tank with decorative button-trimmed neckline, or a shoulder bag decked out with mother of pearl buttons to the max.

Not to climb back up on my “you can find this at the thrift store” high horse too quickly, but this is the kind of thing you could DIY with a bag of buttons and a dream. Or, just go to Staud. Whichever suits!

A List of 5 Non-Negotiable Spring Pants

1. The Linen Pant - Whether you’re going to the beach, the market, or out to brunch, a lightweight linen pant is a cool, effortless swap for denim. I got these Banana Republic Mid-Rise Kick Flare Linen Ankle Pants in black, but I’m eyeing the green, too. My sister, Sophia, has a straighter build than me, and she said these low-rise linen flares from Gap fit her perfectly.

2. The Beach Pant - A casual step down from the linen pant is the beach pant, stretchy and often with a drawstring or elastic waistband. My favorites are from Old Navy, and I’ve just picked up a couple of their new High-Waisted Crinkle Gauze Barrel Ankle Pants. The classic wide-leg option is great, but the barrel leg and rope tie really elevate these. To be worn with a bikini, obvs.

3. The Balloon Pant - If you’re the kind of person that hates fabric touching your skin in spring and summer, let me intro you to your new favorite trend. Not quite a full-on harem pant, ballon pants are essentially joggers that look like you’ve stuck a portable fan up each ankle to aerate. But make it fashion! I love this tangy orange pair in nylon from Tibi, but I’m also into BDG’s Cloud Low-Rise Baggy Balloon Pants, and these from Free People, too.

4. The Capri Pant - Ladies, we’re showing ankle this season!!! The true trend of the moment is a retro, fitted capri that ends just at the kneecap — like this pair from Favorite Daughter — but I’ll be honest, they don’t suit me. If you do go that route, just try not to go too stretchy, lest they start to resemble bike shorts (this Good American pair is as stretchy as I’ll permit). Me, personally? I’ll be wearing classic capris with a slightly longer leg, but still hinting at that retro vibe using fun colors and patterns, a la these red gingham Ciara Trousers from Sézane.

5. The Lace-Trim Pant – Last but not least, a little lace trim is the ultimate way to dress up your bottom half this spring. Reformation’s Carolina Short Pant is proof! I’ve also been wearing these from Anthropologie on repeat. If you want, you can even go for something a little more vintage-inspired with a true pantaloon silhouette. It’s giving romance novel!

SYSS (Stuff You Should See)

1. At Bergdorfs last week, I spotted the most beautiful, supple flats from Bottega Veneta. Meet the Lagoon Knotted Mary Jane Ballerina Mules. Way out of my budget, but worthy of our appreciation!

2. CYKLAR dropped a new product, and I tried it the second I got it in the mail. The Self-Tanning Milky Essence glides on like a dream, ideal for anyone who hates traditional self-tanner application. The color itself leans a more orangey-warm than I’d like, but I’ll definitely still reach for this for everyday glow. For more major occasions, I’d probably book a proper tan appointment. ‘Til then, this certainly does the trick.

3. I must bring to your attention the fact that my favorite coffee set for two from Villeroy & Boch is currently 50% off. Talk about luxury meets whimsy. I can’t recommend it enough.

4. I’ve been debating and almost-buying the Jacquemus Salon clutch for years, but at $1.8K, it’s just not versatile enough to justify. This incredibly similar striped crochet clutch The Wolf Gang at Anthropologie, though? Much more realistic. Bonus points for the removable strap!

That’s all for this week! Thanks for reading B List.

x BGF

Oh, you thought I could post a B List featuring my younger sister, Sophia, and my older sister, Morgan, wouldn’t get her time to shine? As if! I wrapped up my time in Florida last week one day early to catch the tail end of New York Bridal Fashion Week — largely because Morgan is a 2026 bride who deserved to have her fashion week moment (and did!).

She’s already got a fabulous dress on lock (Shout out Kleinfeld’s!), but seeing the collections is a great way to get bridal fashion inspiration for her entire wedding season, from events dressing to accessorizing her gown, venue, and more.

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Given that we were a bit short on B Roll coverage from February fashion week, I thought I’d deliver a special bridal edition, with by-the-minute updates of our day. Read on for everything we saw and did — and if you’re a 2026 or 2027 bride, be sure to bookmark the brands we saw for consideration!

12:24AM My day technically begins when my flight touches down in Newark, after five long hours delayed at PBI and three in the air. After arriving at the airport and learning about the delays, I should’ve went back to the condo and booked a flight home for the morning, but I was intent on making it to Bridal Fashion Week, so I waited it out until United got it together.

12:40AM I jump in a cab (luggage be damned, it’s still in Florida!) and head home to sleep. Let’s fast-forward a few hours, shall we?

7:00AM I wake up and snooze my alarm. I didn’t get home until around 1:15AM, and I’m exhausted.

7:17AM I’m up, I’m up! I give myself a lot of time to get ready — even with the excessive snoozing — since I don’t have my usual products, courtesy of my luggage abandoned at PBI. I throw on a shower cap and jump in for a quick rinse, then spend a lot of time trying to de-puff my tired face before doing my makeup (God bless this Rhode mask.)

I’m eager to wear my new shoes from Tory Burch, since they’re all-white and that feels particularly ~bridal~. I plan for jeans, but at the last minute, I decide to go all in and grab the frilly white Selezza London skirt from my bride era. Perfect.

My hair too dirty to save, I slick it back into a ponytail and finish with my black Morgan cuff from RPZL, which feels fitting for today, given that it’s named after my sister. This is my go-to on bad hair days, and it saves me every time.

8:41AM I’ve spent too much time preening, and I have to power-walk to the train. Off I go!

8:49AM I make the train, but not without some casualties. I have scuffed the front of my new heels. Cue a mini silent crash-out.

9:04AM My train rolls into the station and I meet up with Morgan, who suggests White-Out to conceal the scuff on my shoes. She’s a genius.

9:15AM We hop in a car to pick up coffee before our 10AM runway show, but traffic is nuts, and we decide to go directly to the Ukrainian Institute and get something to sip on afterwards instead. A tough call for me, a tired gal in desperate need of a hot coffee.

9:30AM A fresh edition of B List arrives into the inboxes of my beloved subscribers. Thank goodness I pre-scheduled it the day before! I post about it on my Instagram Stories and Morgan and I discuss Sophia’s purchases in the car.

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9:48AM We arrive early at the Ukrainian Institute to see the Lee Petra Grebenau collection, dubbed Salon Privé. Not early enough for coffee, though, so we take our seats.

10:02AM No time for coffee, but caviar will do! LPG has employed a team for caviar service, and we make the most of it as we wait for the show to begin. We decide Morgan definitely needs to hire the same team for her wedding. Chic!

10:27AM The runway show begins, and it’s a total treat. I always RSVP ‘Yes’ to shows at the Ukrainian Institute, a historic mansion that serves as a particularly dreamy setting.

There are a few big ballgowns in the mix, but lots of slinky, sparkly moments, too. As an all-lace bride myself, I really appreciate the abundance of textures, and Morgan notes a few great updos we snap photos of to refer back to for her hair trials.

A few of the models laze down the runway while flapping lace folding fans — an incredibly cool move that warm-weather brides would do well to copy.

10:55AM The show ends, and we make our way towards The Plaza, intent to grab coffee on the way. As we walk, we look through our gift bags from the show. The brand teamed up with Parisian perfume house Ex Nihilo Paris to select a special scent for the collection, and we’ve each received a small bottle of Blue Talisman Extrait. It smells delicious, and I put it on immediately.

11:10AM We stop at Ralph’s for some coffees. I get a hot latte, but Morgan orders an iced drink with the Brown Sugar Cream Top. Clearly, the better move. She says it’s fabulous. I need to return on a warmer day to confirm.

As we sip our drinks, we mosey over to Central Park to peek at the cherry blossoms in bloom. There’s a horse brigade roaming the grounds, and a sweet horse named Teddy approaches Morgan for a photo. I document like a proud pageant mom and let his rider know that Morgan rides, too!

11:40AM Our new equine pal has delayed us, and we need to book it to The Plaza. Commence power-walking!

11:50AM We arrive and head up to a suite to see Jaclyn Whyte’s new collection. Whyte is a favorite designer discovery from past bridal fashion weeks, and it’s lovely to see her. She made my cousin’s dress for her wedding in Italy last year, and we gush over the photos.

While I like a runway show as much as the next girl, these salon-style presentations are a favorite during bridal week, as we get to hear directly from the designer regarding what went into each dress. I love listening to the buyers ask their questions, as it helps me get a feel for exactly what real brides are buying from their shops.

Whyte excels when it comes to unique lace textures and placements, as well as dresses with versatile styling options. I fall in love first with a bolero equipped with its own Watteau back, and then with a macrame guipure lace number.

A crowd favorite is a pink-and-white lace gown with a removable bottom half, revealing the prettiest bridal mini. Often, two-in-one gowns look hacked in half, but Whyte’s approach is intentional and gorgeous. We leave inspired!

12:42AM We pop into the bathroom for an impromptu photo sesh before heading to Bergdorf Goodman. Morgan is in need of some bridal wardrobe pieces, and also wants to peek at the home goods floor and start thinking about her registry.

12:55AM We do all the above, but leave mostly empty-handed. Morgan likes the cream and brown Oriente Italiano plates by Ginori. Noted for future!

On the shoe floor, a wild discovery: the Chloé Susanna boot is back. Like, not only readily availably in stores, but being heavily promoted. There’s even a cute mary-jane version!

High School/College Me dreamed about this silly studded bootie like it was the be-all, end-all in high fashion. I even had the Topshop dupe. Suddenly, I feel very, very old. We need to leave Bergdorfs ASAP.

1:43AM We hop in a car and head to Flatiron for our third and final appointment of the day, the PatBo bridal preview, at their private showroom.

2:04PM We arrive at PatBo and check out the Spring 2026 bridal collection, some of which drops before my honeymoon. Hello, inspo! There’s lots of sparkles, crochet, beading, shells, and other beachy elements perfect for destination brides (or honeymoon travelers like myself).

3:12PM After chatting with the PatBo team for some time, we decide our day is done. We need to eat and go home. We are steps away from Kyma, a Mediterranean spot typically reserved for large group birthday dinners that involve loud music, pita, and napkin-twirling, but we are too hungry to think of other options.

We sit down and devour dips and chicken kebabs. No regrets.

4:03PM Across the street is a Levain Bakery, and I hear my sister Sophia’s voice in my head. She recently mentioned wanting to try the new carrot cake cookie. I pick one up for her and bid Morgan farewell. I’ve had enough Good Sister-ing for one day.

4:07PM I head home to do some desk work and unbox the PR mailers that accumulated while I was away (and taped it for you, here!). So concludes my day at Bridal Fashion Week.

x BGF (+ MNG)

Two things went horribly, terribly wrong during the last week spent with family in Florida. Firstly, I spilled a freshly-brewed iced coffee all over my laptop mid-meeting, thereby murdering it in cold, caffeinated blood. Not only did I then have to deal with the consequences of my actions, but I had to do so uncaffeinated myself.

The second thing? I packed and wore a really great pair of new linen pants, and then promptly shrunk them when I forgot to hang-dry them instead of popping them in the dryer. The laptop murder will cost me more, but honestly? Having to repurchase this pair of pants is pissing me off most of all. Don’t you just hate when you mess up like that?

With these expenses top of mind, it’s safe to say I didn’t shop much for myself during my stay — but that doesn’t mean I didn’t shop! My younger sister, Sophia, mentioned needing a few pieces for her spring and summer wardrobe, so off to the mall we went on the rainiest day of the week.

Sophia and I have very different taste in clothes. She is a simple dresser, though not necessarily minimalist. She hates feeling too dressed-up, but she loves a good shift dress, a party pant, or a versatile going-out top. She thinks most of what I wear is crazy (but in her Maid of Honor speech, she admitted that often, she finds herself seeing the same trends everywhere a few months later and wanting them for herself. I’m good at my job!). Most importantly, she likes to be comfortable.

Up until a year or so ago, Sophia didn’t like to go shopping IRL. She was guilty of placing a few orders a year from her go-to stores (Zara, Abercrombie, and Old Navy) and doing an at-home try-on sesh, often followed by a series of returns.

Now, she likes a trip to try on in person, and gravitates towards department stores for variety — although every influencer she follows has her convinced she can find everything she needs at the right Aritzia. And she probably could! She also loves Self Portrait for special occasions, Hutch for more wearable unique pieces, and Levi’s for jeans (I turned her on to my favorite pair, and she looks better in them).

On this particular shopping trip, Sophia was open to letting me style her just a bit, and helping her stock her wardrobe with both staples and special pieces. Maybe she was taking pity on me because she knew I was pissed about shrinking my pants.

Regardless, here’s everything she bought:

Stylish Powder Blue Separates

Sophia is a really big fan of Aritzia’s Posh Tube Top, and wears it in black year-round. When we stepped into the store and saw it in the summery Crepette fabric and Ripple Blue hue, we knew it was a must-try.

While she usually wears her black top with jeans or patterned pants, I encouraged her to try on a monochrome moment with the Lodge Pant in Ripple Blue Crepette, and it looked so good. If she didn’t already have a skirt in a similar shade, I would’ve made her get the matching midi skirt, too.

Not only does the set look great together, but both pieces style out well with the rest of her wardrobe, which made this look an easy purchase. I can see her styling these pants with a white tank on more casual afternoons, and pairing the top back to mini skirts, denim, and pretty much whatever else she already has in her closet. Because it fits her like a glove, it’s extremely versatile.

A Much-Needed LBT Restock

Little Black Tops are a summer essential for Sophia, and while her aforementioned Aritzia tube top serves her well, she needed a few more options in her arsenal.

Also from Aritzia, we fell in love with this mega-flattering halter top, which was super lifting and supportive. It featured a subtle flare at the hips, which will create a nice shape when paired with straight or wide-leg bottoms.

Then, she stole a second LBT from right under my nose. I tried on this great stretchy black going-out top with a versatile neckline from Free People while we were sharing a dressing room, and she ended up ordering it online for herself before I’d even changed back into my regular clothes. This one also comes in a nice neutral called Dill Seed.

Lastly, this 100% linen sleeveless top from Madewell, which also comes in a pretty poppy red and a black-and-white floral I’d avoid. This is an amazing top for day or night, and they sell matching linen pant and short options if you want to wear a dedicated set. This also boasted a slightly flared hem, and a cinched waist that helped create some shape and structure. It’s not easy to find summer tops that are modest at the chest, so this one was a big win.

[OK, I did some purchasing after all: I’m guilty of buying the center top, and the other two are currently in my online cart. I may pull trigger after I see what the damage is at the Apple Store.]

An Adorable Summer Mini Dress

Whereas I pretty much only wear midi and maxi dresses, Sophia looks great in minis and short styles. Still, when I grabbed this bubble mini dress from BCBGMAXAZRIA off the rack in Bloomingdale’s for her to try, she wondered if it felt too juvenile (something she’s trying to avoid when it comes to more dressy occasions).

On the contrary, the contoured bubble felt totally elevated to me. The sculpted seams (which needed a good steaming to truly take shape, as you can see in the on-model images) paired with the high neckline looked so good. Paired with a fun earring and a tall summer heel? Even better.

She opted for shade Gardenia, which was infinitely better for warm-toned complexions than the classic bright white option, but when we saw the powder blue option online later, we decided we loved that, too. Good thing we’d already gotten that blue number from Aritzia, or we might’ve done a swap.

The Party Pants She’d Been Searching For

Like so many impressionable girlipops, Sophia is in her “I suddenly love Pucci” phase. And that’s OK! But she’s learned over the years that splurging on designer pieces when she might not love them for life isn’t a great strategy.

Sophia is really great about keeping things in her wardrobe for years, and not buying pieces to get rid of them quickly. When she mentioned wanting a pair of Pucci pants, I felt confident we could find an inspired print that wouldn’t cost her nearly as much. And we did!

On a different day than our mall excursion, we wandered the vias of Palm Beach and stumbled into Island Cashmere, where tons of Pucci-inspired patterned pieces were on display. She ended up nabbing a pair of pink, yellow, and brown-printed trousers that fit her perfectly. And for half the price of similar Pucci pairs currently on sale.

I can’t find any of our boutique buys online, but I’ve included some other options for your consideration. If you want Pucci and no other brand will do, check TheRealReal for secondhand options in your size. Their prints are timeless, so you hardly need the newest options. I’ve also been eyeing the patterned resort wear pieces from Cin Cin for my honeymoon. Lastly, Trina Turk has some capris I’d wear to Capri in a heartbeat. Pun intended!

At another boutique in the vias called Eye of the Needle, Sophia made her final purchase. We were unimpressed with the store’s selection, but at the last minute, I eyed this crochet cover-up alone on a rack. Sophia looks really great in orange tones when she tans in the summer, so I made her try it on. It fit like a glove!

Funky crochet coverups are a summer style that might seem bold, but their cost-per-wear can be worth it if you hit the beach as much as we do. Sophia tends to rotate between just a couple of coverups throughout the year, and she’s relied heavily on the same black tiered dress to the beach for at least half a decade. This is a much-needed upgrade.

I can’t find her cover-up online, but so many beachy brands are trying their hand at specialty crochet items this season, you won’t struggle to get the look. These items can often be a bit pricier because of the handiwork, but if you’re looking for a statement, it’s well worth it.

Not Purchased, But Debated

1. All week, Sophia debated a sardine charm necklace. She’s on the hunt for either a gold articulated version, or some kind of colorful carved stone fish. We didn’t find The One, but she’s open to options if you have ‘em!

2. We both fell in love with the pierced totes at Tory Burch, mostly because the Palm Beach location offered additional piercings you could buy to customize the bags further. In the end, Sophia preferred the smaller size, but the specialty piercings were definitely intended for the larger version. It was a no-go.

3. I really thought Sophia should buy this sweet printed dress from Everything but Water — and so did she, but after we did some damage at the mall, we decided to hold off. I’ve never heard of Australian brand Mon Renn before, but I’m glad to have them on my radar for summer.

4. Lastly, another Free People going-out top. The only reason this didn’t get purchased is because her size was sold out in the color way she wanted both in the store and online.

And that’s it for our sister shopping trip! Hopefully you enjoyed taking a look at a different Gerard Sister’s wardrobe for once. Let me know your thoughts — and pray for me to resurrect my laptop during my Genius Bar appointment tomorrow!

x BGF (+ SJG)

Don’t be mad, but I’m writing this poolside. I know, I know!

I’m currently in Florida on a family trip ahead of Easter, so my April is starting off particularly warm and sunny. And when I get back to New York, the good vibes will continue!

March’s final moments really hinted at spring’s full potential, and I found myself with a revived joie de vivre. I said yes to events, made plans with friends, and spent almost as much time outside as I did inside on my couch. It was glorious.

As you may recall, I turned 31 in March, and I’ll be honest: I didn’t achieve a few of the intentions set on my March mood board. I didn’t learn mahjong, didn’t pick back up my cold plunge routine, and hardly celebrated my birthday with friends as anticipated. I was busy, cold, and tired, and life got in the way.

Usually, I execute pretty much everything on these boards, but March ended up a bit more low-key than anticipated.

I definitely don’t feel like I had a bad month; it just wasn’t as springy as anticipated. For that reason, this month’s board feels somewhat similar to the last one. Cue April with the proper temperatures for fulfilling my outdoor socialization fantasies!

Let’s break down this month’s board:

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Today’s letter is brought to you in part by Gaiam. Let’s get physical!

Happy Monday, and welcome back to B List. This is a double newsletter week, as I’ll be OOO from Wednesday onward, with nothing to do but sit poolside and type up my silly little thoughts for you all. Be on the lookout for our April mood board in a few days!

Before that — I have to thank you for all the love on last week’s Big Spring Beauty Debrief (Meant to be said a la Frozen’s “Big Summer Blowout”. Yoohoo!). It was one of our most-read letters to date, despite the fact that I previously considered beauty one of your least-desired topics here. I got the hint! More to come!

Read the Big Spring Beauty Debrief

Today, you’re in for a classic Blister. Let’s get to it! Ahead, everything I’m Buying, Loving, In Search Of, Sick Of, Trying, Eating, and Reading right now:

BUYING special, beachy pieces for my honeymoon in May. Since I spend so much of my summer down the shore, I’m allowing myself to get whatever sparks joy, because I know I’ll be able to wear these items all season long — and hopefully, for many summers to come.

Some standouts so far? This unreal Camilla coverup (such a birthday splurge, but it was a dream of mine to get a caftan like this for Sorrento), a Pucci scarf top from the outlets, a straw sailor hat, some new sunnies (gifted from Sunglass Hut), and my favorite La Blanca bikini in a new print.

One pricy piece I’m debating? These Valentino cherry sandals. They’re ridiculously sweet, and I feel like I’d have them forever, but I’m worried the first scuff will kill me. Thoughts? Is it worth it?

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LOVING these jeans I got from Spanx that are equal parts stretchy and shaping. I was sent them just before Fashion Week in February, and I can honestly say I’ve hardly reached for any other denim since. These are my new go-to for dark wash.

I have two pairs, but my favorites are the SPANXshape Authentic 360 Wide Leg Jeans ($158), particularly in the Marina colorway. It’s a super dark indigo that immediately looks expensive and dressy. But so few of my expensive, dressy items are this comfortable! They come in five other washes, and I’m debating the Alabaster for summer.

The other pair I love are the SPANXshape Authentic 360 Cuffed Horseshoe Jeans ($109, originally $158), which are super exaggerated in a great way. They’re more of a fashion moment, and you would never know both pairs feature a 360-degree shaping panel for subtle compression.

I’m usually a 28 or 29 in jeans, and I wear the Medium in these. They’re available in sizes XS-3XL, as well as Regular, Petite, and Tall lengths. It’s so obvious that this is a women-led company. No notes!

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IN SEARCH OF new accounts to follow online. I’ve been trying to spend less time on my phone, but honestly? I’m more concerned with how I spend the hours I’m on it. I want to follow more creators and writers that excite, inspire, and intrigue me. So tell me: who do you love for outfit inspo, creative content, a good yap or a long read?

Right now, I’m really enoying Maggie Klimuszko’s just-moved-to-London vlogs on TikTok. I’ve just upgraded to Paid here on Substack to read more from and . I really enjoyed Maeve Reilly’s recent chat with the iconic Rachel Zoe on her podcast, The Inside Edit. Did you read that crazy NY Mag article about the Delvey-level grifters in the Hamptons and Palm Beach?

While less screen time is always the goal, I really do delight in time spent looking at people and things that inspire me. DM me recs! Tag me in posts! Comment below! I’m scrolling and searching as we speak.

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SICK OF not knowing how heavy a jacket to put on when I leave the house in the morning. Anyone else? One day it’s sub-thirty degrees, the next it’s 55 and sunny. I’m completely fine with either — I just want to be dressed appropriately!

While I’ve always been a long-jacket girl, I’m sprucing up my lightweight outerwear this spring with more cropped silhouettes. Think: fitted leather motos, unique denim styles, low-waisted leather jackets and, of course, bombers. I’ll definitely still be wearing my longline trench (I’m on the hunt for a new one, actually) but I’m also debating a short version to pair with midi skirts. Thoughts?

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TRYING to work out more at home in between sessions with my trainer, Leo. I rarely work out in my apartment, but some upcoming travel will keep me out of the proper gym for a minute, and I rely so heavily on Leo planning out our sessions to keep me engaged. And TBH, with my honeymoon two months away, now is not the time to slack!

Lucky for me, Gaiam sent over the Studio Select 3-in-1 Resistance Tube ($19.99), from their exclusive Target range, and it’s pretty much all I need to do a quick at-home session without crowding my apartment full of larger gym apparatus I’ll rarely use. My aunt owns a pilates studio and uses a lot of Gaiam equipment in her classes, so I knew they’d have just the thing for me to finesse studio-level quality at home.

This set boasts three resistance cords in one — you simply clip either the Medium, Heavy, or Extra Heavy cord onto the handles and go! It comes with an exercise guide, but I made a point to bring it to my trainer for his approval. He recommended not only using it at home, but packing it in my suitcase during my travels since it’s so compact (is he trying to tell me something??).

Leo showed me a few moves I can do at home, and I’ve been hard at work replicating the circuit on my own time. Who needs that viral Bridal Arms workout when I can get Honeymoon Arms + Abs at home?

Shop Gaiam at Target

EATING around a long, beautifully-decorated table with a bevy of other creative women, all dressed in head-to-toe Anthro. I had the pleasure of being invited to a supper club soirée hosted by Anthropologie Home and Club Crumbs founder, . From what I understand, anyone can apply to join her members club and experience an evening of great food and girlhood. I wish something like this had been around when I’d first moved to the city back in 2017!

Highlights included a cherry-covered chandelier, cookbooks at each setting in lieu of a proper seating chart, and lots of great outfit and tablescape inspo courtesy of Anthro Home. Oh, and some welcome facetime with , whose Substack I adore!

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READING Margot’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe. I’d heard of this book before, but it never caught my attention until I learned that Elle Fanning was attached to the Apple TV series based on the book. Fanning is one of my fashion favorites, so of course I’ll be tuning in when it premieres in mid-April.

Inspired to know more in advance, I picked up the book and read it in a few afternoons. I really loved the unique narration technique of jumping from first-person to third-person based on how comfortable Margot felt with sharing certain parts of her story. The ending felt a little lackluster, but it’s still a fun book I’d recommend reading before the series airs.

I also read The Guest by Emma Cline over the weekend (OK, in about four hours. Totally devoured it.). For some reason, I’ve never felt inclined to give it a go, maybe because it had the kind of aestheticized cover that made me think it was better for Pinterest flatlays than actual reading (am I the only one that sees a photo of this book on their feed like, once a week?). Welp, I totally judged a book by it’s cover, and I was delighted to be wrong. The pacing was spectacular. I’ll definitely be looking into Cline’s other work very soon.

x BFG

Welcome, one and all, to B List’s Big Spring Beauty Debrief!!!

I don’t do a ton of purely beauty-focused letters, but I had more than a handful of beauty topics on my mind this week, so I decided to go all in. Today we’re chatting hair, skin, nails, spas, salons, fragrances, and so much more. Let’s spring-clean our bathroom cabinets and declutter our makeup bags before we fill both back up, shall we?

Before we dive in — I feel the need to flag that this is a very affiliates-heavy letter. We’re talking product recommendations galore, even more so than within our usual shopping content. Nothing sponsored, but lots linked.

It should go without saying, but I only share things I really love, here and elsewhere in my editorial pursuits. Many of those things were sent to me by brands for consideration, and frankly, it’s not normal to have so many products at one’s disposal. You do not need everything I recommend! Or everything anyone recommends, for that matter. But you might come across a few standouts that really do it for you, and hopefully, those make reading this worthwhile.

With that, read on for my guide to the no-mani manicure, my top recs for cool-girl beauty locales across Manhattan, and most importantly, the realization that led me to stop hating my hair during the dreaded growing-it-out phase.

Happy Spring, Blisters! Oh, and happy two year anniversary to B List! 💓

The Charlotte York-ification of My Mid-Length Brown Hair

I’ve always considered mid-length hair to be a bit lame. Either commit to luscious long locks, or endure the upkeep of a crispy-cool bob. Anything in between feels, to be literal…mid.

That said, I’m in the process of growing out my post-wedding lob, and I’ve been feeling so uninspired by my not-long, not-short strands. I really want to grow it long for summer, but until then, I’m stuck with an unsatisfying in-between.

At least, I was, until I realized my hair is perfect Charlotte York length. And who has better hair than Charlotte?

This simple realization has reinvigorated me, and I’ve been putting extra effort in to make sure my mid-length hair looks bouncy and beautiful, a la Charlotte leaving the salon to head to the gallery with a fresh blowout. Chic!!!!

What’s been working, you ask? A new favorite is the Ouai Bond Repair Balm ($50), which just launched. A stylist at Rob Peetoom used it on me pre-blowout last week and I was able to go without washing for way longer than I usually can when I get my hair professionally done. It really helped prolong that post-salon smoothness and shine.

At home, I’ve become a big fan of rollers. I’m not great with them, but even my mediocre application of the RPZL x Caroline Malloy Red Velcro Hair Rollers ($45) gives my hair the body I crave! After my shower, I always brush my hair back instead of to the sides, and spritz with the K18 AstroLift Reparative Volume Spray ($46) before blow-drying. Then, I finish heat styling and set with my rollers. I try to leave them in for at least one hour, usually while I’m doing my makeup and picking out my outfit.

Another savior for me has been using brushes that work with my hair, not against it. I love La Bonne Brosse Brush No1 ($198) because its boar bristles help distribute natural oils evenly throughout my strands. This makes a major difference for me when I want to go a few days without washing, but don’t want a dreaded oily roots/dry ends combo to be a dead giveaway.

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ISO: The Perfect Honeymoon Fragrance

If you read my ode to scent as sentiment back in 2024 (no, really, where has the time gone?) you’d know I’ve spent the last two years trying to become a perfume girl. And in that time, I’ve discovered I prefer to pair up scents with experiences to create a memory-based fragrance wardrobe. I love taking a whiff of one bottle or another and being instantly transported back to a special moment, trip, or other noteworthy occasion.

That said, I’m hard at work determining which of the summer scents on my radar will be The One to join Pat and I on our honeymoon to Italy at the end of May. I need something that lends itself to tourism in Rome, shopping in Florence, and sunbathing in Sorrento, so I’m craving versatility. Plus, a beautiful bottle, of course!

Right now, I’ve got six strong contenders; four already in my possession, and two more on the way. If I want a romantic, warm gourmand, the new Summer Fridays Sunlit Vanilla Eau de Parfum ($82) could be just the ticket, with notes of bergamot, vanilla, and caramel. That said, I’m also eyeing PHLUR’s Honey Moon Eau de Parfum ($99), partially due to the name. It’s a warm floral with mandarin, manuka honey, and vanilla bean, which sounds divine.

Toeing the line between warm and juicy is REPLICA’s Chasing Sunsets Eau de Toilette ($170), a unique fruity floral with juicy mango accord, sandalwood, and cardamom. And just as juicy is Molton Brown’s new Tea Ceremony Eau de Parfum ($180). At first sniff, I expected sweet matcha, but instead was delighted by dewy nashi pear, earthy matcha accord, and green tea. Refreshing.

And speaking of fresh, I’m eager to try Orebella’s most unique launch to date, Jasmine Blues Eau de Parfum ($100). Notes of jasmine, blue lotus, and bergamot intrigue, and I’m a big fan of the brand’s signature oil-based formulation, especially to spritz on in the warm weather for a glowy décolletage.

Last but not least in the fresh department, LORE’s Sublimity Eau De Parfum ($92) is a fresh solar with notes of coconut nectar, ylang ylang, and sea salt. I like that it’s beachy, but not tropical, and the travel-size bottle is as pretty as the full-size — ideal for such a special trip. Brands: Normalize beautifying your travel-size options, please!

Any other honeymoon perfume recs I should consider? Do tell!

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Can I Offer You An Instagram Story With Your Beauty Treatment?

RIP to the all-white, pillowy, purgatory-esque spa standards of the past. I don’t want to listen to the sounds of a babbling brook, or other ambient spa music that makes me feel like I can’t speak above a whisper. I want a luxe experience that feels cool! And looks pretty! And offers excellent service.

Lucky for us, New York is overflowing with beauty locales that combine the best of aesthetics (medical) and aesthetics (grid-worthy).

First up is SPENCER’S in Soho, a spot I reached out to after seeing every cool girl on the Internet rave about it. The dreamy waiting room/lounge lived up to the hype; I could’ve spent hours in there answering emails and sipping green tea post-treatment. I went in for a massage, and while the space features curtain-partitioned areas instead of private rooms, I still felt the experience was special, even without the classic white-robe-and-locker-room treatment. They even provide a pair of actually-cute branded socks you can keep.

Next up is a favorite you’ve heard me sing the praises of a dozen times over: Refinery4, Samantha Susca’s elevated oasis within the WSA Building down in FiDi. Her boutique space is beautiful and relaxing without feeling too fussy, and her knowledge as a master esthetician is incomparable. I’ve been seeing Susca since 2024 and relied heavily on her treatments for getting my acne-prone, scarred skin wedding-ready, and she did not disappoint. Now, I pay her a visit monthly for my beloved Green Peel (as covered here for PopSugar) and usually leave with either the banana cookie or an iced latte from the WSA cafe, Flavors.

Lastly, I paid a visit to an old favorite hair salon last week, and was reminded that it’s totally worth the trek to Williamsburg. Rob Peetoom hosted an event for editors and influencers featuring blowouts to trial that new Ouai product I mentioned earlier, and I jumped at the chance to return to such a gorgeous space. I used to get my hair done here regularly when I lived a bit closer, and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a high-end salon experience. Lots of the stylists were brought over from the Netherlands to ensure the quality the Peetoom name is synonymous with. Their Bali location is on my eternal bucket list, but for now, Brooklyn will do.

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Nobody In Vogue Gets Their Nails Done Anymore

OK, that’s not technically true. As I eagerly flipped through Chloe Malle’s first official Vogue issue for spring, I noticed something surprising. While Rosalía graces the cover with chrome tips, I clocked short nails with no more than a clear coat in all the Chanel adverts. Gucci, too. Dior, Fendi, and Bottega followed suit. Short, buffed fingernails adorned the fingers clutching Miu Miu bags and piling on Bvlgari rings.

As I flipped through the glossy introductory pages, it took until page 49 to find a Dolce & Gabbana model with a slightly elongated pale pink mani. Finally, on page 61, Burberry went bold with some sketchy silver nail art. And on page 70, Ashley Graham sported the first long, dark manicure of the issue in an ad for Omega timepieces. Ariana Debose is beside her with a full-on nail art mani, each finger bearing a different design.

It seems the Clean Girl aesthetic has indeed taken over the nail world, with Naked Nails dubbed the blasé rebuttal to too much talk about dip powder and nail art over the last few seasons. Apparently, It Girls have too much going on to sit at the nail salon for an hour plus every three weeks!

That said, simply cancelling your next manicure appointment isn’t enough to nail this trend, pun intended. Naked Nails are often anything but, and they require a lot of prep. While the look leans bare, it’s still polished and tidy.

Luckily, I often sport a no-mani manicure when I’m in between sets of my beloved press-ons (I hate going to the salon). One of my favorite things to do is pop on a YouTube video or podcast and spend a good twenty minutes cutting my cuticles and filing my fingernails. It’s cathartic, really!

For this, my essentials are the Tweezerman Rockhard Cuticle Nipper ($28) and the Olive & June Mani Cuticle Pusher ($10), although any decent brands will do. If I don’t have the luxury of time, I utilize the Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover Oil ($7), which is also handy if the idea of cutting cuticles makes you squeamish.

Then I file and buff, usually utilizing the SugarbearPRO Combo 2-in-1 Glass Nail File Set ($30) to get my nails super shiny. [Yes, this is the same Sugarbear Hair that we used to see in gummy form all over the Kardashian feeds. I don’t know why they sell these files, but I have them, and they’re fab.]

My biggest secret? The Manicurist Active Glow Raspberry Nourishing Treatment Nail Polish ($19), a translucent perfecting polish that adds a little ~life~ to bare nails without losing that nearly-naked effect. I also make sure to keep cuticle oil on standby in case my nails need to look especially nourished. Tenoverten’s The Celery Oil ($26) is my favorite. It smells as the name implies, and I love it.

On My Shelf, In My Trash, Etc.

OK, let’s wrap this newsletter up with a lightning round, shall we? Here’s a peek at everything on my shelf (aka in my current routine), in my trash (empties I’ve run out of), on my desk (new-in products I’m eager to try), and in my makeup bag (current cosmetic favorites). Ready, go!

• Elemis Pro-Collagen Hydrating Cleansing Mousse ($60): I love all of the Elemis cleansers, but this one is especially nourishing. Perfect for a double-cleanse.

• First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydrating Pillow Pads ($49): These are so delicious. I reach for them if I want to hydrate mid-day or post-workout, or if I’m particularly dry and need an extra step before my other serums.

• Bio-Therapeautic bt-sculpt GEN2 ($345): This expensive tool really is my savior, as daily microcurrent has been a game-changer for my skin. I apply a bit of the brand’s Clarity Serum ($84) for traction and do a five-minute treatment each morning.

• Ourself Complexion Brightening Serum ($189): My aesthetician Samantha recommended I swap my hydroquinone for this, so I’ve been applying it nightly, followed by the Daily Renewal Cream ($85) at night and in the mornings. The brand’s patented Tiered-Release Vesicle Technology is what makes the serum so efficacious, and I’m loving the results so far.

• Rhode Caffeine Reset Sculpting Cream Mask ($38): This is one of two masks I’ve been reaching for when I wake up puffy and want to show my skin some love. The other is the…

• Dime Dewy Recovery Mask ($48): This mask utilizes snow mushroom extract, NAD+, and vitamin C, and I like that I can do a quick fifteen-minute application in the AM, or leave it on overnight for a more intensive treatment.

• Dime TBT Eye Cream ($38): This is the eye cream that inspired me to start using eye cream nightly. Not an easy feat!

• Beekman 1802 Oh! Mega Milky Oil Fermented Barrier Boosting Facial Oil ($56): Not only the best product I’ve tried from Beekman, but likely one of the best new skincare products I’ll try this year. This milky oil is sooo luxurious and nourishing (yes, I’m over-using the word nourishing in this letter, but nourishment is one of the main things I look for when it comes to beauty!).

• Living Proof Full Shampoo ($36) and Full Conditioner ($36): Is there anything better than finishing up a shampoo and conditioner at the same time? This was a solid combo, and while I like to switch up my shower routine when I hit empty, I’d definitely get these again.

• The Laundress Soft Focus Laundry Detergent ($26): To me, this is basically skincare! I nabbed a few bottles of The Laundress from my friend, Collins, and out of all the types I tried, Soft Focus’s lovely white santal fragrance made my laundry experience the most luxurious.

• KORRES Black Pine Primus Youth Renewal Sleeping Facial ($62): This ended up being too rich for my face, so I used it as a neck cream instead. It got the job done!

  

• Tata Harper Crème Supreme ($248): I attended a lovely Tata Harper masterclass earlier in the month, at which I tried out the brand’s newest moisturizer, and it was especially hydrating. It’s supposed to improve elasticity and radiance over time, and I really appreciate how innovative the brand can be while staying true to its natural ethos.

• The Routine from DUA by Augustinus Bader ($180): I’m so curious about this trio of products approved by Ms. Lipa herself. It’s peculiar to me that the range claims to be powered by Augustinus Bader science, and yet everything is priced so reasonably compared to AB’s usual selection. I’ll definitely be giving these a thorough trial and reporting back!

• Personal Day Soft Slip Priming Milk ($32): After loving the Beekman milky oil, I’m so eager to try out another milky option from a brand I love. This one is technically a priming milk, so I plan on reaching for it before I do my makeup to see if it sets my skin up for success.

• Tatcha The Dewy Milk Moisturizer ($64): One more milk for ya here. I haven’t tried many Tatcha products, but I just received a generous package, and this stood out right away. Here’s hoping it becomes a summer staple.

• It Cosmetics Do It All Sheer Tint Face Balm ($34): I am thoroughly obsessed with this new balm. It’s so lightweight, with just the right amount of coverage for everyday. I hope they come out with an SPF version for summer.

• Rhode Pocket Blush ($25) in Teacup: This is only my second Rhode blush, but Teacup definitely beats Date Cake, the first shade that inspired me to Add To Cart. It’s a perfectly pinky raspberry color that’s ideal for springtime, when I’m still enjoying pinky hues before summer sparks favor for corals and sunburn hues.

• L’Oréal Blurfiller Blurring Lip Contour ($13) and Hyaluron Tint Lip Stain Serum ($14): Fantastic drugstore lip combo alert! I love these blurring liners for a barely-there lip look. The Hyaluron stain goes on a bit intense, but it settles into the most beautiful, wearable finish that feels like nothing on the lips. It definitely exceeded my expectations upon first wear.

• Lancôme Lash Idôle Curl Goddess Curling & Volumizing Mascara ($30): 95% of the time, I’m wearing a tubing mascara. Now, the other 5% of the time, I’ll be wearing this. It really does do a great job of holding curl, and the unique wand helps target hard-to-reach lashes.

• Morphe Nano Brow Pencil ($11): The teeniest, tiniest brow pencil I’ve ever tried, ideal for drawing in hair-like strokes that actually look realistic.

• Prada Touch Cream-To-Powder Soft Blur Longwear Blush ($42): They really did their big one with this packaging. Total flatlay bait for a gal like myself. Luckily, I’m liking the formula, too!

That’s a wrap on our B List Big Spring Beauty Debrief. Hope you loved it!

x BGF

Every time I think about writing a Raiding My Instagram Bookmarks piece, I tell myself not to do it. I’ve just written one recently! It’s surely too soon!

I don’t know why I always think this, because I am indeed always wrong. I wrote two bookmark raids last year — one in March, and one in July. Not only is it not too soon, but in fact, it’s once again long overdue!

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When it comes to hunting and gathering virtual inspiration on Beyoncé’s Internet, my findings live divvied between Pinterest, Instagram, and my camera roll Screenshot folder. I use my pins to gather fodder for my monthly mood board collages, and my screenshots to refer back to things I may otherwise lose or forget.

But Instagram? It’s simply a place to keep track of everything I find pretty. And, in my opinion, these are often the things worth sharing.

For our second letter of the week (thanks again for letting me take off last week for my birthday), you won’t find any articulate arguments, hot takes, or even rambling spirals. Just pretty things that made me press “save”.

I hope you like ‘em as much as I do!

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I’m all for letting people do whatever they want — unless the thing they want is to wait on a long line outside a shop, in hopes of buying something just because everyone else seems to want that thing, too.

Kidding! Kind of.

In the past, this ick has largely been reserved for edible fads, like the cronut or the lattes at 12 Matcha. But as I ambled past a Chanel boutique this weekend and saw the good Fashion People of New York City lined up to buy a pair of pony hair flats or turquoise-toed heels, I felt that familiar notion of disdain bubble up.

It’s imperative that I preface this ick with the declaration that I, too, debated purchasing shoes from Blazy’s new Chanel. The aforementioned pony hair ballet flats, to be specific.

Almost every pair of shoes in the new creative director’s first shoppable collection is spectacular. Just like Tom Ford’s Gucci and John Galliano’s Dior, I predict Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel will gain its own notoriety amongst collectors — so, while I often turn up my nose at impulse-buying It pieces, this feels like the exception to the rule.

These really are special shoes. A part of fashion history. It makes sense to want them!

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Imagine wanting a pair of shoes because they are unlike any pair you’ve ever come across. They’re beautiful, unique! Now imagine everyone you know wearing them constantly. They look no different than before, but all of a sudden, they seem a bit…lackluster. Just me?

Personally, I cannot fathom waiting hours in long lines, just to pray that a sales associate deems me worthy of getting a pair they may or may not have stashed away in case a more prominent VIC shows up. That doesn’t feel worth it. Especially if it means half of Manhattan will be wearing those same special shoes every time I decide to slip them on.

One day, I’ll find the thing I deem Worth Waiting In Line For and I will relate to these shoppers on the level typically reserved for daughters relating to their own mothers after they’ve give birth themselves. I’m told suddenly, their mothers’ actions make so much more sense.

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This is in no way me judging the people who chose to wait. In fact, I sort of love the idea that, with all the chaos of the world weighing us down these days, there was a cute pair of shoes powerful enough to get everyone giddy and excited, if only for a moment. (And for those who scored, I can’t wait to see how my fashionable friends and online follows style their new footwear. If that’s you, then please: send feet pics!)

Rather, this is my recounting of how an item’s popularity can sometimes work against it, ultimately transforming it from a must-have into a turn-off.

I have a few good pairs of pony hair flats in my arsenal already (thanks, Prada and Tory Burch!), so it wasn’t a hard decision to skip the lines last week and make due with the shoes in my current possession. But the real reason I didn’t get them was because it seemed like everyone else would soon have them, too. And for some reason, this bothered me.

I’ve never been a Not Like The Other Girls type of shopper. I like to twin with my friends, and I get a rush whenever someone purchases something because they saw it on me and liked it. Truly, I have no deep desire to be the most unique or interesting dresser on your Follow list.

And of course, I am not so vain to think that only I can see the beauty in a pair of pony hair flats designed by one of fashion’s most talented creative directors, for one of the largest and most iconic fashion houses in the world.

I am, indeed, exactly like the other girls. And I love that about myself!

That said, I’ll still go out of my way to avoid dropping half a month’s rent on shoes that might ultimately make me feel basic. So, the Chanel pony hair flats were a pass for me. Their distinctive nature had been steamrolled by the masses pedestaling them as a capital-N Need. Suddenly, I need them not.

Which is a good thing, because, honestly? I probably wouldn’t be able to get my hands on them, anyway. And should I still be lusting after them six months to a year from now, I can only hope that someone with a size 37.5 foot and buyer’s remorse takes to TheRealReal with a listing meant for me. Until then!

x BGF

We’ve made it to March, Blisters! January felt like the longest thirty-one days of my life, but February flew by so fast, I hardly realized Pisces season had kicked off. Now it’s here in full swing, and I’m ready to make the most of the month, birthday and beyond.

Yes, you read that right: I’m a March baby. I’ll celebrate my thirty-first birthday on March 11th, and like a true Pisces, I’ll likely spend the day doing something creative and then crying. Who’s with me??

And speaking of crying — did I mention I spent most of last week trapped in Tahoe sans-luggage? If you’re reading this, JetBlue, you’re dead to me. I traveled over with the lovely team from The North Face to gear-test some ski apparel, but after a nine-hour delay, my luggage never made it on the flight. Cue a crash-out.

I still had a nice time (despite having one pair of daily contacts, one pair of underwear, et cetera) but I’m definitely hoping for some smoother trips this month. I know the weather will be in like a lion, out like a lamb, but let’s cool it with the blizzards early, shall we?

With that! Let’s get into our March mood board. Breakdown below:

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Did I draw you in with that headline? I won’t lie, I tried! But the empath in me was scared to commit to the clickbait. Still, I’m sure you’ve read your fair share of “How To Dress Like CBK” propaganda, so I thought I’d pitch you something different.

Firstly, I want to divulge two truths: 1) I did indeed binge the first four episodes of Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette on Friday while in bed battling a lethal combo of common cold symptoms and post-funeral fatigue,

and 2) Even though I stand strong in my belief that CBK is not and never could be my style icon, I have a lot of respect and admiration for her as a person (and a great dresser!) and I hope the final episodes of the series portray her as accurately and appropriately as possible given the sensitivity of her untimely death, the publicity of her relationship, et cetera.

I’m definitely not loving the show’s portrayal of Jackie O, which feels exploitative and unnecessary, and I’m hoping as the series progresses, I don’t find myself feeling so icky for watching.

All that said: The girls who get it have revered Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s effortless style since she first made headlines. And now, a new swarm of young and impressionable fashion-lovers are being introduced to her world of Calvin Klein skirts, tortoise acetate headbands and Selima Optique sunnies.

And they’re riveted! And they should be! That said, I’m also noticing a third party of folks, suddenly very vocal about CBK having ~always~ been their longtime style icon, when it’s clear she wasn’t on their radar until roughly this time last year. Interesting!

Seasons: The Newsletter

Why you can't "get" the Carolyn Bessette look

Unfortunately, you can’t simply slip into a black turtleneck, black pair of flared bootcut trousers, a pair of loafers and a Prada bag and call it a day, “I’m channelling Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy”. It doesn’t work like that, as much as we’d all like to. Carolyn was striking not because of her minimalistic outfits but because she was herself. Yes, she fa…

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3 months ago · 233 likes · 13 comments · Anna S.

Regardless, all three groups are entitled to their admiration of such an enviable wardrobe. But what makes Carolyn’s style so good is that it’s so truly her own. Her commitment to her personal style shows intention and taste, and whether or not it directly aligns with yours or my preferences, props are always in order for someone doing it Their Way. That’s what makes a person worthy of the title of Style Icon. It’s no wonder folks are drawn to her vibes!

Even though there are elements of CBK’s style that I genuinely resonate with on a 1:1 level — it was modest and Prada-forward, she paid attention to the material and fit of her basics, and she knew a good hair accessory could completely transform a look — I’ve never identified her as one of my personal style icons.

Here’s why:

1. I Love Color Way Too Much To Go Full-On Neutral

Carolyn was nothing if not a neutrals girl. The majority of her wardrobe existed in a spectrum of blacks, whites, and browns, save for a few sweet summer dresses and some noteworthy coats.

I really align with her tendency towards clean lines and traditionally flattering silhouettes, but it’s the lack of color that lessens the appeal for me overall. A good pop gets me every time!

And while I do indulge in monochrome neutrals every now and then, I’m highly likely to add a colorful knit or bright bag to a simple ‘fit to make it feel more Me. The same goes with prints. CBK was a solids girlie, and preferred to play with texture over pattern to diversify her options (OK, maybe one pop of leopard was indulged).

2. She Never Wore Much Jewelry, If Any

This is actually a point we align on, but I’m actively working towards becoming a Jewelry Person, so it isn’t an element of Carolyn’s style that I necessarily admire. The girl never, ever wore jewelry! Aside from her diamond and sapphire engagement ring and her wedding band, of course.

CBK was simply not one for excessive styling — a true minimalist! For me, my tendency to forgo jewelry is more so due to forgetfulness. I have a Post-It note that reminds me to put on earrings before I leave the house.

Since making a concerted effort to acquire pieces that really excite me, I’ve definitely gotten better at putting on a big earring before I leave the house. Actively reaching for necklaces, rings, and bracelets are habits up next on my To Conquer list.

3. The Hair Is The Outfit, And I’m Not A Blonde

I’m not saying you can’t admire her style without a bleach and tone, but the fact of the matter is, Carolyn knew that sometimes The Hair Was The Outfit.

Whether she donned tousled waves to the office, a fresh blowout for a pap walk with JFK Jr., or a slickback with her signature headband for a more low-key day out and about, her perfect blonde strands really did elevate a lot of her simpler looks, acting as an accessory that almost explains why she didn’t need a pop of color in her apparel. The blonde was the pop.

A black sweater looks good on everyone, but it doesn’t do the CBK thing on me when my dark brown hair sort of blends into the neckline. There’s not enough contrast, enough oomph! For this reason, any attempt to recreate a head-to-toe Carolyn look is sabotaged by my aforementioned head.

Still, she inspires me to think I can, on occasion, wear a headband. She also serves as a reminder that a more blasé blowout looks way cooler than one with perfectly kept curls.

4. She’d Cringe At The Number Of Handbags In My Closet

Some of y’all claim to be minimalists despite always having the latest It Bag. Which is wild, considering your so-called faves and style icons — CBK, Jane Birkin, et cetera! — made a point to really wear and use the select few handbags they owned.

Y’all would rather buy a pre-distressed bag to fake that level of commitment (or worse, damage a new bag in the hopes of achieving the worn-in look).

Handbags are my sartorial sweet tooth, and while I do try to veer away from the obvious It Bags, I have accumulated a few over the years, in addition to my more unique pieces. And I love that variety! I will forever be the girl unpacking one bag just to repack another with my everyday essentials.

I do admire the clear lack of consumerism, a combined result of CBK’s locked-in understanding of her personal style and a simpler time when a buy-buy-buy wasn’t the norm like the Internet has led us to believe it is today.

But heck, maybe if I had a black Birkin, I wouldn’t feel the need to buy so many bags either! That said, her Prada totes are easily my faves in her rotation.

5. Basics Simply Don’t Hit The Same On My Figure

Perhaps the truthiest truth of all, and one few like to say out loud: CBK’s minimalist flair looks especially chic because of her modelesque shape. She rocked the hell out of her Calvin skirts and sweaters because they were designed specifically for her body type.

And that’s no shade to her, nor is it a comment meant to undermine her very intentional way of dressing. She knew what worked. That’s a talent all on its own.

But here’s the thing: so do I! And I know that if I were to wear some of her most ~iconic~ looks, I’d look like a dowdy secretary at a 9-5 job that still enforces a five-day in-office work week.

I know a lot of girls who dress exactly like Carolyn, and most of you would submit them to be on the OG version of What Not To Wear (before Stacy and Clinton got nice for the rebrand!). You can try to blame it all on fit, tailoring, and details, but there’s a larger conversation here to be had on body worship and thinspo culture. I’ll save it for another time.

Those nineties pencil skirts that hit just below the knee? Criminal on my wide hips, short legs, and thick calves. The effortless white blouses worn with simple black pants? On her it’s giving classic, but on my, it’s giving maître d'.

I can’t stress enough that everyone can and should wear whatever they want, but I personally do enjoy dressing for my body type. That’s not to say I do it all the time — I will certainly wear an unflattering look if it inspires me for whatever reason, and I have worn many! — but I genuinely do feel best when I think my attire is flattering.

Isn’t it funny that that feels like a controversial thing to say? It shouldn’t be!

A plain white tee will never hang effortlessly on my DD chest. Even the finest vintage Levi’s will still cling just a bit to my inner thighs before they flare out. I love my body and all the outfits I can pull off because of my curves, but I’m also realistic about what’s probably not for me. And it’s safe to say CBK and I would be the kind of friends who could shop together with zero fear of fighting over the same piece with one item left on the rack.

BGF vs. CBK!!!

With that! I thought it might be fun to put a BGF spin on some CBK style staples. Below, a few looks mildly Carolyn-coded looks that I don’t think she’d hate, but for one reason or another (be it bold hues or too many accessories) she’d probably never, ever wear. At least, not styled to my liking.

I wanted to style this Ferragamo set two different ways, because in another universe, this is the kind of set that might’ve been right up her alley.

On one end of the spectrum, I opted for her beloved: monochrome black. Still, this jacket has some major hardware going, and the skirt boasts a patent leather sheen, making these separates anything but simple. Paired with an equally glossy Liffner bag, some Fendi slingbacks (my sister has these and says they’re so comfortable), and my favorite sunnies, I wonder if I could win CBK over with this one. I may lose her at the chunky stud earrings, though.

Over in Color World, the same jacket leans a little more Western in supple nubuck suede, in a camel hue we know CBK favored. Here, I’ve gone for the skirt in a tangy clementine patent, and played nice with accessories. A Prada tote and tortoise headband fall squarely in her Safe Zone, and these Tod’s mules are hardly a risk.

I would’ve loved to see her embrace the occasional pop of color in this way more often. I know she didn’t because she didn’t want to, but hey. A maximalist can dream.

Now, two pants-and-a-white-top outfit recipes. The perfect white tee and jeans would likely get Carolyn’s stamp of approval, but I think she’d prefer a slightly more structured camel coat to the oversized wool one I’ve pulled here from COS, which I adore.

I could see her styling the Toteme T-Lock bag, but I think the double-calf hair moment between the handbag and the patterned Tory Burch flats would send her into sartorial orbit. Too much! At least we know she’d be into the Carolyn sunnies, named for her by Selima Optique, as she so adored their Aldo frames.

One more for the road, and I’ve gone buck wild (by CBK standards) with a dual pop of color! I love to coordinate my bags and shoes, and I can so see her carrying this Jacquemus Salon Charm bag in black — the red with the coordinating mismatched heels, though? Highly unlikely.

I’ve grounded the look with a crisp white blouse and cropped black pants, but topped the whole thing off with this unreal Tory pony hair coat. And do we think she ever wore a tortoise hair pin, or only headbands? An updo is essential here.

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So would you wear any of the above, or are you too CBK for a red bag or a leopard pony hair ballet flat? If you’re watching Love Story and you have thoughts on the show, on Carolyn as a fashion icon, or your own passionate love for neutrals, let me know!

x BGF

Remember that second B Roll I promised you last week? Welp, I messed up my schedule on Google Sheets and accidentally missed a ton of things on the day I was doing my minute-by-minute recounting. Between that mix-up and a total crash-out upon realizing, I figured it wasn’t interesting enough to post. If you want it, you can have it! Just let me know, and perhaps I’ll put it behind a paywall for the most loyal of Blisters to laugh at.

Regardless: New York Fashion Week is over, and she truly came and went in a flurry. This felt like the fastest fashion week ever, and I spent more time working on partnerships than I did watching models strut. In general, this season had a serious lack of proper runway, although great showings from Tory Burch, Cult Gaia, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, AKNVAS, Altuzarra, and FFORME were enough to keep me convinced that NYFW as a whole isn’t entirely unnecessary. There’s plenty of good stuff to see, if you know where to look for it! You just have to weed around the influencer events and brand activations [I say, as an influencer who did indeed find herself at a few between shows.]

I think the reason this season felt so fast also had a lot to do with me skipping parties and completely nixing Sunday from my schedule. So, yeah, maybe it wasn’t all that fast for those of you that actually did the damn thing. But I have no regrets! In fact, I had a great time — even if the discovery of a certain color comeback almost ruined my week altogether.

Yes, I’m talking about my least favorite color-slash-condiment. Let’s get into a few of my fashion week-y thoughts below. Nothing too serious. It’s Fashion Month, after all!

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I Need A Word With The Trend Forecasters

…Are we seriously bringing back mustard? Out of all the colors to ever exist? I, for one, am peeved. Not only do I look absolutely terrible in mustard, but the shade itself calls to mind some of the cringiest 2010s styles ever to exist. And none of the above is convincing me that a revival will look any better!

If I had to pick a few mustard looks I didn’t despise, the select few here don’t make me want to hurl. Rather than go full-on, head-to-toe condiment, these looks mix and match mustard with neutrals like brown, tan, cream, and black.

It’s still not my favorite, but it works.

Fortunately, the runways predict mustard won’t be the only shade vying for Number One Yellow. We aren’t done with butter yellow quite yet! Not if Sandy Liang and AKNVAS have anything to say about it. [Including Jacquemus and any other relevant FW26 collections that didn’t take place during NYFW here, too.]

While also deeply unflattering on my personal skin tone, I must say I don’t hate the acid-yellow-and-black takes seen for FW26 via Ashlyn and Prada.

I won’t be trying this combo for myself, lest I risk looking like a fashionable bumble bee, but I applaud it.

The last thing I’ll say about color trends: I couldn’t help but notice an abundance of another early-aughts-beloved shade that I hoped wouldn’t return…and y’all are pairing it with mustard. Why???

My disgust aside, I’m not sure what we’re officially calling this shade of blue these days. Turquoise? Aqua? The wall color I painted my entire bedroom at sixteen and was stuck with until my parents moved? Let me know. I don’t like it.

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Meanwhile, at Marc Jacobs…

Let’s shift gears into something a bit more positive, shall we? I loved, loved, loved the Marc Jacobs collection. While I know not everyone felt the same, I was happy to see what felt like a more wearable interpretation on the silhouettes and themes Jacobs has explored in recent seasons.

Call me basic, but I really do like seeing clothes I actually want to wear! Now excuse me while I begin building a collection of super-skinny belts, starting with this one…

The new collection keeps in line with the whimsical dress-up, paper doll elements of seasons prior, but instead of exaggerated structures and ballooning build-outs, things are slimmer and stiffer.

And while the glam looks subdued in comparison to years past, it’s worth noting that the models are actually wearing wigs styled to exactly resemble their real hair. Why, you ask? Because it’s Marc, and it’s camp.

And speaking of the glam — rumors swirled that none other than Marc Jacobs Beauty was responsible for the makeup worn by models at the show. The brand was discontinued back in 2021, but Marc confirmed a revival over on his IG, and I truly can’t believe that something this good is finally happening. We deserve this!

No products have been confirmed specifically, but you can’t tell me the above model isn’t wearing black Highliner on her waterline and a combo of Dew Drops Coconut Gel Highlighter and O!Mega Bronzer to give her skin that dewy sheen and bronzy glow. I’d stake my life on it.

For real, though: I still have very old, very much expired MJB products in my drawers that have survived numerous declutters, just in case a comeback was to occur and I’d want to compare. It seems I might get my chance — and soon.

How I Dressed Vs. How I Want To

I recently bought a new mirror from Wayfair in hopes of upping my mirror selfie game, and honestly, it worked. Does that mean I can write it off as a work expense? [It does, if you’re curious.]

Above are a few snaps I took running out the door to shows, events, and appointments last week. A common theme? Great jackets, long pants, and a commitment to color scheme. Other than the occasional pop of red — like this great sweater-sleeve scarf, or my new Marc Jacobs Shoulder Snapshot — I tend to stick to one color throughout. I need to be more bold when it comes to palette!

Not only that, though: below, a few more runway picks I’ll be taking inspo from while getting dressed. Seriously, I can’t believe I made it through a season of NYFW with so few skirts on my body! Blame it on the cold front.

And Now…Some NYFW Hot Takes!

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Good morning, Blisters, and happy New York Fashion Week!

Happy but different, I’d say. Maybe it’s the extreme cold temperatures, or the overwhelming number of activations and events in lieu of runway shows, but this season doesn’t really feel like Fashion Week to me. It feels more like a super busy work week.

And I guess, that’s technically all NYFW really is for me. But most times, I’ve got enough funky outfits and content ideas to romanticize the hell out of it.

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By the time you’re reading this on Thursday morning, it’s likely the week will have hit its stride. But I’m writing this late Tuesday night, and as things haven’t kicked off yet, I’m not totally in the spirit. This season feels a bit more pared-down and practical. I’m not dressing up as much, and I have to spend more time working on partnerships than attending shows.

Of course, I have a ton of great things on the calendar, but compared to other seasons, my schedule is definitely not as runway-heavy as usual.

That said, partnerships that pay the bills and excite me creatively — as well as opportunities to write editorially and here on B List — really are the reason I do what I do. I don’t have to do them, I get to. Dressing up is just a bonus. So to kick things off, I’m firing up our favorite series: B Roll.

Below, a by-the-minute recap of my Tuesday, which was very much a get-my-shit-together-before-the-shows sort of day. No runway fodder here, but this won’t be our only NYFW B Roll, so stay tuned for more fashion-y recaps to come.

x BGF

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6:43AM Pat and I both decide to Wake Up around the same time, before our alarms go off. He immediately brings me a glass of apple juice (for my low blood sugar!) and an ice roller (for my puffy face!). The puff is at an all-time high because my friend Kelsey and I kit up Katz’s Deli after an event last night for some matzo ball soup. No regrets (OK, a few).

6:50AM Done de-puffing, I do my daily Duolingo lesson — Italy honeymoon prep! — and scroll socials. The Marc Jacobs show is self-referential in a great way. It’s my favorite I’ve seen in a while. Love the Prada-y color stories, the skinny belts, the more wearable take on his beloved paper doll silhouettes. It’s all fantastic.

7:05AM I turn to my own socials and post some Instagram Stories about last night’s NYFW kickoff party with Who What Wear and Marie Claire. I’m writing a story about my most-worn street style trends for Marie Claire this season, but honestly? All I want to wear is a great coat and a pair of jeans.

7:29AM I leave my bed and make an iced coffee. Commence an hour of emails, glam, etc.

8:40AM A little over the allotted hour later, I’ve gotten completely ready and landed my an outfit for the day. Spanx sent over these stretchy horseshoe jeans, and I couldn’t love them more. I paired them with some new pieces from Jenny Bird’s latest collection (this ring is my fixation) and my Marc Jacobs deer print coat in honor of his great show.

I’m also lugging a boatload of returns to do in between events. Chic.

8:45AM I call a Lyft (thanks for the credit, Solawave!) and head out to my breakfast.

9:10AM I arrive at Two Hands in Tribeca for breakfast with Solawave and immediately hit a biker with the car door. Oops! Dent-free and cussed out, I head inside for breakfast tacos and some chat about their newest LED innovations.

In addition to a face mask, they’re dropping an LED mask for chest and décolletage, which I vow to start using nightly. Their masks boast 320 LEDs, above industry standard. Plus, they’re pink. I leave with both.

9:58AM I call a car to Macy’s in hopes of freeing my hands of returns. In the car, I realize just how comfortable my Spanx jeans are. These are definitely Sitting Jeans.

As we drive (lots of traffic today!), I start posting and vow to update my Instagram Stories in real-time. I almost never do this, but I’m worried I’ll be too tired in the evening.

10:17AM Traffic. I check my e-mail and get some updates to my calendar. I’m doing a brand deal that entails going to a show with my hair done by a brand, and they’ve switched my seat from Kallmeyer to AKNVAS. I was already going to AKNVAS, so that’s one thing off my plate. I move around my schedule to accommodate the change.

10:33AM I arrive at Macy’s and do some returns. They’re is sending a camera crew to follow me around for some NYFW moments on Thursday, and I needed to grab a new outfit for filming. I had already picked out a few things, but I changed my mind and wanted to swap.

11:29AM New items acquired, including a gorgeous suede Coach bag that will serve as the focal point of Thursday’s look. Eager to stop looking like a bag lady, I take off the protective wrapping and start using it immediately, filling it with the contents of two other bags. It’s so spacious!

11:45AM I head back downtown to the Alexandra Alonso Rojas showroom for my only real fashion appointment of the day. I’ve never been to the space, but I’m a casual fan of the brand. I’m looking forward to seeing the collection, called Metamorphosis.

12:04PM I arrive and am greeted by AAR herself in a beautiful, minimalist showroom. She walks me through her intentions when it comes to creativity and sustainability, and shares that the entire new collection is made from repurposed fabrics from past designs. Many of the pieces have been dyed and hand-pleated, and everything is beautiful and intentional.

A drop-waisted light blue dress with a dainty bow wins as my favorite from the collection.

12:24PM Satisfied, I head out and call another car, back to midtown for a hair appointment.

12:28PM I take the world’s dirtiest uber to RPZL, my favorite salon, to see my stylist, Steph. She did my wedding hair, and we are great friends. My appointment is for 1:30PM, so I text her that I’ll likely arrive early.

1:13PM Not too early, thanks to traffic! Steph can take me right away. I bring a smattering of different Morgan Cuffs — the Allure award-winning sku from my accessory collaboration with the salon. NBD!

We choose the black one for a twisted, asymmetrical updo that will hopefully lend itself to whatever I’m wearing later tonight. One of the brands hosting an event is dressing me, and I’m praying there’s a package at my door by the time I get home.

2:35PM Steph does her thing and my hair looks so cool. I call yet another Uber and I’m homeward bound. (Let the record show I rarely call a car in my regular life, unless I’ve been given a discount code. But given the number of events during NYFW, I justify them as work expenses. Which they are, but still. It’s a lot.)

3-5PM I am home for a glorious two-hour regroup. I unbox some PR, including a loaner sweater from Hades, who reached out after I mentioned one of their pieces for SYSS. There’s also a Valentine’s gift from Anthropologie, and — hooray! — the dress I’m meant to wear tonight to Sau Lee’s Lunar New Year celebration.

The dress is gorgeous and fits well enough, but it’s very long. I stitch it up and wear my ugly-but-practical platform heels to make it work. At first, I’m a little nervous to wear it because it’s essentially a modern qipao, but according to the brand, my friends, and the Internet, that’s okay, especially in the context of their hosting a party for the holiday. It does look amazing with my updo.

I get a little work done, make a note of what’s still left to be done (like transcribing these timestamp notes) and enjoy the calm before the storm.

5:00PM I call a car on the dot and head to not one, not two, but three events for the evening.

5:26PM I arrive at an event hosted by and Substack. My dress looks so out of place here — it’s a Madewell denim event, so almost everyone is in jeans — and I keep my coat on.

Boy, have they nailed their target audience! In addition to drinks and a gorgeous grazing station, they’ve created a curated Style Library of books and vintage magazines that we can each pick something from. I leave with Helmut Newton’s Pages From The Glossies.

They also have a station where artists will paint your monogram onto a notebook. This is a writer’s dream event! I want to stay for a panel, but I know I have to head out to make my other two events. Both are dinners.

6:08PM Sad to go after chatting with friends, I call my car and head to Chinese Tuxedo.

6:25PM I arrive at Chinese Tuxedo for the Sau Lee dinner and see that they’ve gone all out with Lunar New Year decor in the Moon Room. It looks gorgeous! Even though I’m a bit late, I’m one of the first guests there. The team is lovely and I get settled right away.

I don’t know the majority of attendees (it surprises me that, even after all these years, this can still happen) but I end up seated next to Donna, the writer that penned my Vows feature for The New York Times. Kismet!

Sau Lee is a brand I absolutely love, and have ordered dresses from many times. It’s a treat to learn more about the team behind the brand, and they lean all the way in for the new year, encouraging us to write down our wishes and hang them on a wishing tree.

The event photographer photographs my wish, and I wonder if it won’t come true as a result, like the consequence of speaking your birthday candle wish out loud.

7:35PM I am a six-minute walk from my final event, and even in heels, I know I can’t call another car. I stay for a few rounds of food — including spicy cucumbers, spring rolls, hamachi crudo, and some unreal braised black pepper oxtail buns. Who knew I liked oxtail?

7:49PM Reluctant once again (I hate leaving when I’m having fun!) I begin my stroll through Chinatown toward my evening’s final event.

7:56PM Last stop! I arrive to a second-floor event space for dinner with Rowie The Label, a new-to-me Aussie brand. There are two long tables of guests already enjoying drinks and appetizers, and a spot for me is open next to my friend, Kelsey.

I sit down and we devour apple cider chicken, an amazing lemon farrow pasta salad, and berries with fresh cream for dessert. Kelsey and I compare calendars and realize we have the Cinq à Sept show together the next day. I add her as my plus one for the Dries Van Noten party after.

9:16PM I lick the last of the cream from my spoon and call a car. I’m exhausted! I know I have to go home and finish editing a video for a partnership, and I’m hoping to lay in bed and watch at least one episode of Scrubs with Pat.

Spoiler alert, we do exactly that, while eating black and white cookies I grabbed at Katz’s the night before. The perfect NYFW nightcap.

Blisters, I never thought I’d see the day: Friday! I’ve been waiting on this one.

Between a disappointing groundhog, major NYFW prep, and about a million other things, this week felt longer than a Grammys acceptance speech by an artist who “didn’t prepare anything” and proceeded to go off the dome for way too long making sure they thanked every person they’d ever made eye contact with. You know?

Similarly, today’s letter is a long one, with a smattering of topics for your consideration that range from Rhode reviews to a petition to invest in your home attire. Oh, and a rant against buying the things you love in multiple colors. Meet me atop my soapbox to hear more!

No More Buying Things In Another Color

Remember the viral TikTok sound, “If I like it, I’ll just grab it in another color” that so many of us utilized to show off favorites we’d purchased multiple versions of? Randomly, I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately. I’m not sure it’s the best approach to building a wardrobe of possibilities.

Here’s the thing: there’s a high likelihood that I already bought my favorite colorway the first time around. Sure, if I got a neutral, I can pick up a bright, and if I went bold the first time, it’s nice to have a more wearable version, too, but I rarely end up wearing the second purchase as much as the beloved original. If I already have a thing I love, why am I looking to buy yet another thing?

Why doesn’t having a thing I love check off a box in my brain that says, “Mission Accomplished, No Need To Search For More.” Why, instead, does it prompt me to go out and get another thing?

Recently, I fell in love with a set I purchased on sale at Athleta: this leggings/long-sleeved top/sherpa pullover trio. And let me just say, I adore it. I only really buy my activewear in matching sets (as you know) and the Truffle colorway is such an elevated neutral. I’ve been wearing the set non-stop, to the point that I debated investing in a second colorway.

A problem arises: I really like the colorway I have, and getting another set actually means I’ll be wearing my favorite version of this outfit less now that my wear-time will be split between the two. So like, why do it? If anything, I should buy a backup of the Truffle colorway while it’s so dramatically discounted!

The obvious solution is to buy nothing, of course, but I’m speaking as a shopper. So, instead of liking something so much that I buy it in another color, I’ve decided to buy more things that compliment what I already own, so I can maximize wear for the pieces I already have and love.

Rather than get this trio in a new colorway, I’m investing in other items in the shade Truffle that I can mix and match with my go-to set.

A tee shirt like the BodyMove Crew Neck Tee ($49) would help me wear the leggings more in the summer, and for when I need a true pant, the Tempo Mid Rise Wide Leg Track Pant ($64.99, originally $129) would be fab with the long-sleeve I’ve already got. Heck, I might as well get the Cloud Cable Knit Scrunch Socks ($13.30, originally $19) to finish off the look while they’re on sale!

When you like something, do you tend to justify buying it in another color? Next time you’re smitten and looking for more, try this approach instead. You might find it yields more options overall.

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One For The Rhode

While en route to Palm Beach to escape last week’s winter storm, I had the privilege of trying out a few new rhodies (think: Rhode roadies) as part of Rhode’s Testing Panel. Almost more interesting to me than the products themselves — which I loved, but stay with me, here — I have to first applaud Rhode for consistently nailing their promotional efforts. The panel itself is a masterclass in building relationships and brand identity, as usual.

A new drop from a brand this popular locks in a certain level of coverage and posting guaranteed, because, well, it’s bound to be talked about. But in enlisting creators and editors to try in advance in a more official way, they’re creating a relationship that goes beyond the standard send-a-mailer-and-cross-your-fingers approach.

This strategy garnered more engagement, genuine intrigue, and of course, made panel members feel like a part of something. Who doesn’t want to promote the thing that they’re a part of?

I get samples for dozens of soon-to-launch products a week. I don’t post about the majority of them. But Rhode had me — and so many others — out here eager to share our little lab samples on socials (and can I just say, a true lab sample warms my heart! The wannabe scientist in me just loves a little tube or vial with “sample” stickered on).

Moreover, followers saw just about everyone teasing these new masks in unofficial packaging. It looked exciting! We felt in the know! And yet, it was no more complicated on the brand side than the usual mailer approach. In fact, it probably cost them less to send everyone “lab samples” in lieu of the products in their final packaging.

To be the clearest, I’m praising Rhode for this strategy. There’s no trickery in getting the folks that matter invested in your launches. I think it’s genuinely smart, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see more ~official testing panels~ rolling out in the near future. [In addition to all this, they’re also hosting a traditional brand trip in Montana as we speak. Manifesting an invite for all the panel members next time!]

Of course, I wouldn’t be commenting at all if the products weren’t so damn good. I’m a fan of the majority of Rhode’s skincare, much of which is formulated by the talented Dr. Ron Robinson, and the new Peptide Lip Boost ($23) and Caffeine Reset Sculpting Cream Mask ($38) were the perfect picks to reach for after a day of airplane travel.

The Lip Boost — which comes unscented and in Sweet Mint, the latter of which I sampled — is a luxuriously thick lip mask that wraps the lips and claims to plump. I didn’t notice major plumping, but I loved the taste, the texture (I put it on at night and could still feel it when I woke), and the subtle pink tint. If you have a great lip mask, you can skip it, but if you’re ISO, I recommend.

The Caffeine Reset Mask is my favorite of the two, as I don’t think I even own another cream mask that claims to depuff and sculpt. I put this on when I woke up, puffy after a day of travel, a dinner of sodium, and a night of uneasy sleep, and I really did notice a difference. While touted as a “cup of coffee for your face”, the caffeine content here won’t actually energize you, but caffeine as an antioxidant does a lot for de-puffing, and that alone helps ~wake up~ your face.

All in all, it’s an innovative angling, a gorgeous formula, and I’ll most definitely be reaching for both during NYFW to help me de-puff in between busy days. Both products launch on February 9th.

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An Investment In Getting Ready

Why is my Pinterest overflowing with aesthetic getting-ready imagery, when I’m sat at my desk putting my makeup on in a stained big tee with holes in the armpits? No more!

If you recall, I’ve been slowly revamping my robe situation over the last year. I got an amazing oversized terry robe from Missoni during my trek to the Belmont Park premium outlets, and before that, I snagged the most amazing zip-front caftan from Kassatly’s, the oldest shop in Palm Beach.

The caftan is a Made for Kassatly’s exclusive piece, and therefore unlinkable, but holy hell, has it ever helped me romanticize my getting-ready routine. In the odd moments between towel and attire, I slip it on feel ridiculously chic.

That said, the above iteration screams summer to me, so when I returned to Worth Ave last week, I vowed to find a more wintery version. Leave it to me to find the only leopard-printed zip-front caftan in a sea of pale pinks and baby blues. I’ve never purchased something so quickly!

Online, it seems these zip-front caftans are hard to come by — in fact, the only brand I can find making them is Natori. A silky robe does the trick, although I’m definitely partial to more of a house dress/mumu situation as I get frustrated with making sure my robe stays closed.

Still, some of the options below are so pretty, I’d make it work. It might feel silly to invest in something like this, but technically, I wear it more than anything else in my closet!

And it makes me feel like a retro movie star getting glamorous at my vanity. Is that so wrong?

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SYSS (Stuff You Should See)

1. Jenny Bird has launched a brand-new collection inspired by my very favorite archetype: the Italian nonna. Whether we’re talking my own Italian grandmothers or Miuccia Prada herself, I concur that there are no more stylish people on this planet than Italian women. The collection consists of a few different Woven Square pieces, and the standout, to me, is the massive Mega Woven Square Bangle ($348). Worth mentioning that at first glance, it reminded me of the logo. Fun!

2. A fun story for you: while ambling the Vias of Palm Beach, I stumbled into a boutique and saw the prettiest vases I’d ever seen. Immediately, I learned from the shop owner that they were the product of Studio Lucie de Moyencourt’s Shellegance. How beautiful! Unable to drop a grand on a vase, I threw her a follow and moved on with my life. Only later, when scrolling her socials, did I realize I already own a platter from her very-limited Anthropologie collab, which I got on sale in 2023 because it spoke to me. I had no idea it was anything special, and now I’m so glad I’ve got it! Not only is it beautiful, but I feel that buying it without knowing solidifies the longevity of my good taste. Maybe I’ve earned a vase, after all.

3. Knitwear brand Hades is newly on my radar. The Handbag Cardigan ($480) is essentially a wearable flatlay of the coolest kind, and it’s only one of a wealth of clever designs. Also of interest: this cardi with tiny faux-cigarettes for buttons, this tote resembling a pet store bag o’ goldfish, and pretty much everything else on the site. If you’re looking for a statement piece for NYFW, order now.

4. I’ve been getting targeted on Instagram with loads of ads for Grand Tour Collection rings, and let me tell you, they’re working. I’m not always one for a massively chunky ring, but the color and pattern combinations on these resin rings really speak to me, as do the carved motifs, ranging from Medusa to Pegasus to Cupid riding a lion. Talk about variety! I may have to pick up one of the spotty dalmata resin styles when I’m honeymooning in Rome come May. I feel like these have the potential to gain La Manso-level popularity amongst the It Girls. Remember those?

x BGF