#14 This and that
A little glam, a shift in habits, and moments in-between
The past few weeks have been a bit of a blur — a revolving door of flights, jaunts to New York, work trips upstate, and a general scramble to tie up loose ends before another round of intense travel. Any semblance of shopping self-restraint tends to evaporate in these in-between moments: whether it’s buying a few things in anticipation of a trip or collecting pieces on my travels, I fully accept that this is my Achilles’ heel. A proper roundup of the best recent buys is forthcoming. In the meantime, here are a few highlights and passing thoughts I wanted to share.
A black-tie affair
Dear friends of ours recently got married in New York, giving us a rare excuse to go full formal. As I’ve said before, you’ll find me in a dress maybe once a year, but when the occasion calls for it, I love the chance to lean in. Wanting to avoid the usual last-minute scramble (panic orders, inevitable returns, and half-hearted compromises), I committed months ago to a dress from The Row that I found on The RealReal. It was virtually pristine and styled so beautifully on the original item page — complete with opera-length gloves.
Since it was a spring/summer wedding, I opted for satin versions instead of leather, but I’d still love to recreate the look in colder weather. The shoes were a last-minute decision: Amina Muaddi “slippers” (on sale) that I think will prove versatile beyond this affair. As for the bag, I carried my newest acquisition — the Fane “bra bag” in Noir Spazzolato. Its simplicity, minimal lines, and perfectly-calibrated strap drop have quickly made it a new favorite.
Belts
In the midst of my recent shopping spree, I finally pulled the trigger on a couple of Déhanche belts — pieces I’d been admiring for a while. They’re clever marketers, offering a 15% discount if you buy two, and, well, I’m an easy target. I chose both the Hollyhock in khaki and the Constance in black/silver, and I’ve been rotating between them almost daily. There’s something transformative about the way they polish off even the most basic tee-and-jeans combo — an effortless upgrade.
Beauty buys
The other day, I placed an especially indulgent order at Violet Grey — the kind that starts with a single, practical item and snowballs from there. The original intention? A pack of hydrogel masks from NakedBeauty MD to use on my upcoming long-haul flights. I haven’t tried these before but they sounded promising for a little hydration and firming boost. From there, the cart expanded to include:
– Dr. Loretta Universal Glow Daily Defense SPF (a longtime staple)
– A Westman Atelier blush/sculpting duo palette (big fan of the brand and have been eying this since its launch)
– Westman Atelier lip balm (just for fun)
– A Les Filles en Rouje palette that doubles beautifully as both lip color and blush
– A second Surratt Beauty lash curler (now I’ll have one for home and one for the travel kit)
Of course a few days after placing this order, I get an email about Violet Grey’s spring sale — up to 25% off. Naturally. It runs through May 26th, so maybe some of you can benefit from my poor timing.
End of a chapter
After four years, I officially gave up the lease on my Williamsburg photo studio. It’s a bittersweet milestone, but the reality is that my work has shifted away from studio settings — and when I do need one, the scale usually calls for a larger space. It also means that, for the first time since 2016, I have only one apartment to my name, which feels both wild and oddly liberating. I haven’t said much publicly yet, but I’d love to start building something new, business-wise (TBD). Photography will always be part of who I am, but I’ve got an appetite to get my hands in a few more cookie jars if the flavor’s right 😉.
A running shift
I’ve always relied on music or podcasts during solo runs but lately I’ve been running without headphones, and it’s been surprisingly meditative. Stripped of soundtrack, the experience feels more grounded. During speed workouts especially, I used to obsess over finding the right song to carry me through — god forbid a slow one came on during an interval. Now, without that crutch, I find I’m more attuned to my breath and my form. It’s harder, yes. But in that challenge, there’s a weird sort of satisfaction, like I’ve unlocked a new level of discipline. (Don’t worry, I’m not totally feral — treadmill runs still require a beat.)
Philly things (or should I say jawns)
I finally tried one of the viral Riverwards smoothies (TikTok has dubbed it the Erewhon of Philly — which… eye roll), and I have to say: it delivered. At half the cost, no less. Post-Prague, Vietnam Café was exactly what I needed — the grilled shrimp in my bún had the perfect smoky char. La Jefa, a new “Guadaladelphian” spot, served up a compact but excellent lunch menu; we’ll definitely be back to try their tequila-based cocktails. And most recently, Sophie’s Kitchen, a Cambodian gem, absolutely hit the mark with juicy meat skewers, savory noodle dishes, and high-acid, high-chile flavors that lingered in the best way.
That’s the snapshot for now. More soon, and possibly a dispatch from the opposite side of the world.