Back to School
Launching a business, making big things feel small and trying to be an adult
Opening Note
As you know, if you’ve been following me on IG or my substack, I launched a business a couple of weeks ago. Sorry I had to take some time off here—but that last month was a complete behemoth for me. I felt like that gif of the lady doing math at every moment with my to do list floating around in my head, trying to make sure everything was right without totally knowing what was right. Is that what parenting feels like? Or just being a fully formed adult in general? I am truly in awe of my friends who have kids and are entrepreneurs.
My incredible friend India de Beaufort told me that after she had her boy, she felt like a new part of her brain unlocked and she was just able to do more. Women really are astonishing, able to spin a million plates in the air. My fiancé sent me a video of a former Fortune 500 CEO discussing how there is no balance for women, just juggling. Just figuring it out as you go, not trying to do it all yourself but just make sure it gets done. I think sometimes it’s good to have too much going on, so no one thing feels too big, or too daunting. You just don’t have time to let it be! Forge ahead.
Me at my Privet (say the T!) Launch party at NAL studio in LA.
The Cabinet
P L A C E S
Another Italy gem for you: Grottaglie. Listen, there is not much going on in this town other than ceramics. Kyle and I tried to have a cute vibey Italian summertime lunch there, but as Puglia can be in the summer, there was no way we could eat outside it was about 1000 degrees. It honestly felt like Vegas in August. I wouldn’t generally recommend going to Puglia during inferno season, but we chose to do that. Oh well! I dragged my fiancé to about five or six different ceramics shops which is exactly what he wanted to do. He actually did get about 10 espresso cups and saucers that he uses every day and are very cool. The first ones he got were a classic Puglian splatter in fun colors—great for a spring dinner party and about 3 euros a piece. Then we went to the one shop, that you must stop for, even if you only have one hour to detour into Grottaglie. Antonio Fasano. Don’t get confused by the many Fasanos. Definitely go to Antonio. Behold.
This is where i mention that PLACES and ART + CULTURE are combined this week, because this man is an Artist, capital A. His pieces are elevated, modern, elegant. Taste level 1000. He was there and he is also an absolute gem of a man. He was so curious how I planned to ship them back—which required a detour to the closest mailboxes etc. This was pre tariffs, but uncomplicated. I emphasized to the shipping lady molto ballato which is definitely the wrong way to say lots of bubble wrap, but I gestured heavily, so she got the gist. They arrived two weeks later in perfect condition. I couldn’t be happier!
S T Y L E
It’s fall now and I stopped in my tracks at the perfection of Margot Robbie in this photo. When I found this blazer and jeans at Sézane, I immediately grabbed them to recreate the vibe. Perfection at a much more accessible price point, but size up a bit in the blazer.
B E A U T Y
So I did sofwave. I have to say I loved the immediate results. It uses heat to rebuild collagen without melting any fat. My doctor (Dr. Fincher) told me the results would sort of go away after a week and then return for about a year. But the snatchedness immediately post was arresting. In a verrryyy good way, I was like omg am I Rosie Huntington-Whitely now?? TBD on results 8 weeks out. It wasn’t intolerable from a pain perspective and I only had 20 minutes to numb. Keep you posted.
W E L L N E S S
I have been having some stiffness and swelling around my knee. Why? Who knows? Tightness? Autoimmune reaction? Stress? All of the above? I have been using this dry brush and I definitely feel like its helping with some of the fluid retention around my knee, and it’s a great way to lightly exfoliate before a shower.
F O O D
There is a guy named Michael in LA who is an excellent Baker. And his last name is…Baker. It’s almost like it was meant to be! He uses extremely expensive high quality ingredients for all his cookies (the plain ol’ choco chip are my favorite). I feel like this is still kind of an IYKYK thing at the moment but I just know this guy is gonna blow up. Kyle and I met him because he used to work at The Bird Streets Club, but he’s now baking full time. Which I could’t be happier to support. It’s his namesake for goodness’ sake. Check them out.
Closing Curiosity
In a pinch needing to refresh a piece of clothing? I wanted to share a trick I learned from a costume department: vodka in a spray bottle. Spray on clothes at armpits/all over for a refresh. Works shockingly well (less well with synthetics). I carry a little spray bottle in my toiletry kit when I travel and it is a hack I cannot live without. This is a busy adult juggling tactic I can certainly get behind. Happy spritzing!
OMG, that’s the answer! I need to have another child to unlock a new part of my brain!!!