I had an incredibly hard time focusing this week. I have many family members, friends, and coworkers who live in L.A. and while everyone is thankfully ok, many of them have had to evacuate and/or prepare to evacuate due to the multiple fires burning throughout the county. My heart goes out to everyone who has lost their home, their school, their place of employment, their favorite restaurant, or any place that was meaningful to them. I can empathize but truly can’t even imagine how devastating that must feel. But as a wise person once said to me, when you’re feeling helpless, help someone else. With that in mind, the L.A. Times has a very comprehensive list of how to help the fire victims. I’ve already made a donation to World Central Kitchen and am preparing a box of new & unused toiletries (I have lots of these!) to send out. It’s the least I can do.

In the meantime, we’ve had five earthquakes in San Francisco in the last three days—four on Friday and one (so far) this morning. This is by no means anywhere near as serious as what’s going on in Southern California. The strongest quake was a 3.7 and lasted only a few seconds; if you’ve never experienced one, they can vary in rhythm but tend to feel like you’re sliding from side to side versus a vigorous rattle. Generally, these little earthquakes are a good thing: they help release seismic tension in the fault lines (thus hopefully mitigating a future bigger earthquake) and tend not to incur much damage. But they’re also a reminder that it’s been over 35 years since we’ve had a big earthquake in Northern California and one could happen at any time. Being prepared for one—or any other kind of natural disaster—obviously won’t prevent it from happening but can at least give you peace of mind that if it does, you can be ready to go in minutes.

We have a go-bag that lives above our refrigerator in our kitchen. It has face masks, flashlights, batteries, a first-aid kit, duct tape, nonperishable food, matches, a Swiss army knife, a tarp, water purification tablets, rope, and a few other supplies inside. We also keep two gallon jugs of water right next to it. You can assemble your own, or you can buy a ready-made one on Amazon. After the events of this week, I am putting together a personal go-bag with a full change of clothes, several pairs of underwear and socks, toiletries, reading glasses, and a towel. Many media outlets have reiterated the importance of not leaving the house without the 6 Ps as well, which are:

• People & pets

• Prescriptions & glasses

• Papers: important documents, passsports, etc.

• Pictures & irreplaceable things

• Phone & PC

• Plastic (e.g. credit cards) & cash

These are all things you hopefully keep in an easily accessible place and can grab quickly. I have a folder of my important papers that lives in my desk drawer (where my PC also is); all of my prescriptions are in the pantry, next to the cabinet with the go bag. My glasses, phone, and credit cards live in my purse, which is kept about 5 feet from my front door. But the one thing on this list that I find overwhelming is pictures and irreplaceable things. How do you decide what you absolutely can’t replace—and whether you can (or can’t) afford to take it with you in an emergency?

I was 23 years old and living in New York City on September 11, 2001. I woke up that morning to a live feed of one of the Twin Towers burning and watched as the 2nd plane crashed into the other tower. For some reason, probably shock, I decided to go to work that day (we were evacuated about 10 minutes after I got to my desk), and while I spent the rest of the day panic-watching CNN, I was thankfully safe. Later that evening, however, a bomb-sniffing dog laid down on the ground—which was apparently what it was trained to do when it sniffed a bomb—at the Empire State Building, which was four blocks away from my apartment at 37th and Madison. My friend Jamie called and told me to come over to her apartment immediately, and I remember having a split second to think about what I needed to save. I grabbed my jewelry box, my passport, and my checkbook (remember those?!), I threw them into my Kate Spade tote (remember those?!), and I made it 13 blocks uptown and 2 blocks crosstown in under 10 minutes. Of course, by the time I got to Jamie’s, they had determined that there was no bomb at the Empire State Building; the dog laid down because he was tired from sniffing bombs all day.

I will obviously never forget that day, and to be completely honest, I still have PTSD from it, almost 25 years later. But I will always remember what went through my mind when I thought there was a strong possibility my building was going to be blown to shreds: It’s just stuff. Now, I love stuff—I write a blog about shopping, after all—and yes, the home I own more has far more meaningful things in it than my crappy post-college walkup. I have my grandmother’s paintings and antiques, my father’s ashes, wine I’ve collected, the wardrobe I’ve spent years (and thousands of dollars) curating, and yes, photos and journals from my entire life. I would be wrecked if I lost any of it. But how do you decide what to pack when you have only moments to grab it? What do you take when you can bring only things you can carry? What’s worth saving and what can you handle letting go of? There are no right or wrong answers, but I hope these are decisions you never have to make.

This week on the blog

This is going to be an awkward transition no matter how I make it, so I’ll just say that if you need a little distraction or pick-me-up or whatever you want to call it, this week I’m sharing 10 beauty products I discovered (and really loved) last year. And know that I will never, ever judge you for indulging in a little retail therapy.

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Now, onto all the products I finished in December.

Left to right:

Sephora Collection Big by Definition mascara $13

I tried a mini of this and liked it enough to buy the full-size version, however I found the formula in the bigger tube to be wetter and sloppier. The consistency improved over time as it dried out a bit, however I feel like that made my lashes prone to clumping. There are better cheap mascaras out there, TBH.

Eighth Day The Reparative Moisturizer $95–$180 (c/o)

This was left over from a collab I did with Eighth Day awhile ago and I’d been hoarding it for some reason; I think I waited too long to use it, because the consistency became so clumpy that the pump didn’t work and I had to scoop it out of the tube manually. (Moral of the story: don’t wait to use the good stuff—use it now!) That said, I fished out every last milligram of this moisturizer, because it plumps and smooths skin like no other. I hesitate to recommend expensive products, but this cream (and the even-better serum) is actually worth it.

Kosas Air Brow eyebrow gel $22

This is my ride-or-die eyebrow grooming product because it’s easy to use, doesn’t get crusty, and the Taupe shade (currently out of stock, sadly) is pretty much an exact match for my natural eyebrow color. (In case you were wondering, yes, I am actually a natural blonde! Although I do get highlights, like every other natural blonde I know.) I will gladly buy this product forever and ever.

Santa Maria Novella Rosa Gardenia body lotion $75

I bought this particular bottle in Rome last summer; it lasts about 3 months with daily use, although getting the last 10% of the lotion out of the bottle can be a challenge. Most importantly, the scent is divine and layers nicely with my perfume (Eau Capitale by Diptqyue). It’s a splurge, but I’m worth it.

Corpus Neroli natural deodorant $26

This is another holy grail product for me, and one I’ve featured in my empties many times before. It’s a water-based formula (and free of baking soda, which irritates the ish out of my pits); I’ve tried Corpus’s other scents and this one works the best for me personally. I am not a chemist, but my theory is that the natural acids in the neroli (a citrus blossom) neutralize my BO. Again, this is a product I will happily pay for until the end of time.

Paula’s Choice Resist Barrier Repair Advanced Moisturizer $39 (c/o)

As I noted in my rundown of everything Paula’s Choice, this stuff is really THICC, but I found it to be not at all oily, and it sinks in quickly enough to wear under makeup. It’s ultra moisturizing, making it a great choice for winter, and like most of Paula’s Choice products, the price is right. Definitely recommend if you’re looking for a non-irritating, ultra-hydrating daily moisturizer for this time of year.

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This week on the blog

As I was doing a little intention-setting for the year ahead, I decided to take a look back at everything I bought in 2024 and assess my best buys. I’ll have a roundup of my favorite beauty products coming next week, but first, my favorite clothes, shoes, and accessories of the year. Enjoy!

Madewell Skinny Western Belt $55

Thanks to my roundup of Khaite dupe belts, which was my most-read post of 2024, the belt I’m wearing here narrowly won the most-purchased product of 2024. I wear this belt all the time—it adds a nice bit of waist definition without being too flashy. The leather is a little on the stiff side, but it’s getting softer over time (and you don’t want a too-soft belt anyway). And of course you can’t beat the price.

Spanx Flare Jeans $148

I featured these jeans in an honest review back in 2021, but for the fourth year in a row, these jeans were one of your most-bought items—in fact, they were narrowly edged out of first place by the Madewell belt above. What can I say? They are incredibly flattering and really comfortable. Double win.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream $140

I was happily surprised to see Elemis overtake True Botanicals as your beauty brand of choice, probably thanks to my more recent honest review. I am a big fan of this brand, and their Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm is my all-time favorite cleanser.

Zimmermann Matchmaker Tiger-Print Dress currently on sale for $803

I was really surprised to see this one in the top ten. First of all, it’s a much higher price point than I usually feature (I got mine on major sale), and secondly, I only showed it in a mirror selfie. That said, it’s a fabulous dress, and fully worth it—I plan on wearing mine every chance I can get.

Petit Moments Roswell Debossed Belt $55

I don’t actually own this belt, but it was one of the options I featured in the Khaite belt dupes post, which obviously a lot of people were in the market for this year. This one has a fancier Western feel to it, but unlike the Madewell, it’s faux leather.

Quince Washable Silk Slip Skirt $59.90

I was glad to see Quince in the top 10 this year! This skirt is such a wardrobe workhorse. The silk is so incredibly soft that it feels like you’re barely wearing anything, and the way it skims your body is so flattering. It comes in 15 colors; I own two of them (I’m in the burgundy above) and will probably add more.

Eighth Day the Regenerative Serum $195

I’m currently on my last bottle of this stuff, and I may shed a tear when I finish it. I hate to tell you that an expensive serum is worth it, but…this stuff is worth it. It makes your skin plumper, smoother, brighter, and just better. Literally overnight.

Madewell ‘90s Straight Jeans $39.99–$109.99 (currently on sale)

This is an interesting one; as I noted in my review last year, I should have sized down in these jeans, and I was really unhappy with how this post came out. (I actually ended up selling my pair.) Hopefully all of you followed my advice and got the right fit!

The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm $13

This is another interesting one—in my honest review of The Inkey List from several years ago, I mentioned having tried a different cleansing balm that was not my favorite and speculated that this one would be better—which, after having since tried it, I can confirm it is. It’s also a great price, which doesn’t hurt.

Spanx Faux Leather Leggings $49 (currently on sale)

Like I said, you all love your Spanx and so do I. At this point, I’m amazed that people don’t own a pair of these already, but maybe you’re replacing an old one? Either way, they’re a classic.

This week on the blog

This week on the blog, I’m taking a look back at 2024, highlighting my favorite items, your favorite post, plus a bunch of other wins. I’m taking the next couple of weeks off for the holidays but I’ll be back at the end of the month with Things I Finished. In the meantime, happy holidays to you and yours!

& Other Stories ruched top $119 and tailored wool trousers $179

I was late to the & Other Stories game, but it’s quickly become one of my favorite brands this year for having well-made, well-priced classic-with-a-twist pieces. That said, I find it just a biiiit overpriced, so I like to shop it on sale. I have been searching unsuccessfully for a pair of gray wide-leg pants, and while these are soooo close to what I want, the waistband is uncomfortably snug, so back they go. (I’m in my usual size 6.) The top (I’m in a medium), however, was an impulse purchase (I am human and this happens!) that I’m absolutely in love with.

Maeve Iridescent Sequin Skirt (sorry, it’s sold out now!)

This mermaid-like skirt was a love-at-first-sight situation for me (I featured it in my gift guide), so as soon as Anthropologie’s sale emails went out, I hit that checkout button. (I also ordered the black version of my favorite knee-high boots.) Shout out to Anthro for the super-fast shipping—this skirt came in 2 days, just in time for Thanksgiving dinner!

Everlane Alpaca Crew Cardigan $148

Apologies for the terrible photograph—this sweater is really soft and warm and I can’t wait for the weather to cool down so I can take better shots of it! I hadn’t bought anything from Everlane in years, as they’ve gone kind of Gen-Z anti-fit, but after this sweater, I may be back in. I am in a medium, although I could have gone with a small.

Quince Italian Wool Double-Breasted Coat $189.90

This coat was part of the Black Friday preview sale, and while I had been planning on ordering black, I switched to the Dark Chocolate color at the last minute, and I’m glad I did—this has strong Carolyn Bessette vibes. I’m hoping I’ll be able to wear it in NYC over the holidays, although it’s not as thick and heavy as you’d expect. Like most Quince items, this one runs a bit small; the fit is very tailored, and I almost wish I had ordered a Large so I could layer some thicker pieces underneath (I’m in a medium).

Quince Cashmere Fisherman Cropped Cardigan $119.90

This sweater is already an insane deal when regular-priced, but it was $30 off during the Black Friday Sale and I had a black cardigan on my shopping list, so here we are. This is also the one thing at Quince that runs big; I’m in a small and wish I had ordered an XS.

A bunch of flatback studs from Studs

I lost my moissanite studs earlier this year (this is a common problem with me and earrings) so I took advantage of Studs’ sale to refresh my ear party (I have two holes in each ear). I love mixing and matching their studs, and more importantly, the flatbacks are comfortable enough to sleep in, plus they’re super-secure, so they won’t fall out and get lost.

I’m still waiting on a few gifts to arrive, as well as my order from BlueMercury, but like I said, I am pretty much done with my holiday shopping now—not to mention, I cleared out quite a bit on my shopping list. What did you get during the sales? Tell me in the comments below!

This week on the blog

I wanted to do a holiday outfit post but in a more low-key, true-to-my-everyday-look fashion. So this week’s post has a variety of looks, from casual to dressier (but not super-dressy because this is California). I have been breaking out major sparkles for some of my holiday events, however, so watch for more of those on the ‘gram.

Left to right:

Iris & Romeo Weekend Skin SPF 50 $50 (on sale for $35) (c/o)

I raved about this stuff in my Honest Review of Iris & Romeo; it provides a very light amount of coverage with a subtle glow. The texture is very smooth and it melts into your skin, and I really like the pump dispenser. That said, $50 for tinted sunscreen is a bit much. HOWEVER it happens to be 25% off at the moment for Black Friday, and that seems like a more reasonable price to me.

L’Occitane Shower Oil $29 (c/o)

I am generally not a huge fan of shower gels because I feel like the plastic bottles are terrible for the environment, however this one is refillable and the oil is the most moisturizing body cleanser I’ve ever used. Highly recommend it for shaving your legs too (it won’t clog your razorblades).

Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base $69 (on sale for $51.75) (c/o)

This stuff has been around for ages and is one of the best priming moisturizers out there—it makes your makeup go on super-smoothly, without streaking or creasing. It has a nice light citrus scent and in spite of its thick texture, it’s not at all greasy. If you have super-dry skin like mine, I suggest layering over a super-moisturizing serum this time of year.

Versed Water Rush Intensive Hydrating Serum $14.99 (on sale for $10.49) (c/o)

Speaking of which, this is a super-affordable, super-moisturizing serum that works quickly without irritating your skin. It’s nothing fancy—just good old hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5—but it’s lightweight and fragrance-free, and it does the trick. Great for under your daily moisturizer; I especially like this under a retinol cream at night for a little skin-barrier protection.

Youth to the People Polypeptide-121 Future Cream $68 (c/o)

This moisturizer got a lot of hype when it came out, and like most of Youth to the People’s products, I found it to be…just mid. It did plump my skin, thanks to a nice cocktail of ceramides and peptides, but I couldn’t figure why it made me a little irritated too, and turns out it has niacinamide, which I feel like is the red wine of skincare ingredients—a little can be great, but too much is an absolute disaster. (Full disclosure: there is niacinamide in the Iris & Romeo sunscreen above, and for whatever reason, my skin can handle that.) I still finished this entire jar, although I have no idea why, other than to warn you to tread carefully with this one.

Versed Gentle Hydrating Cleanser $12.99 (on sale for $9.09) (c/o)

As stated in its name, this cleanser is both gentle and hydrating, and I’d like to add non-irritating too—you can get all up in your eye makeup with this one without a problem. I don’t like this as much as Versed’s excellent Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm, but that’s a matter of personal preference only—I tend to like a thicker, balm-like consistency for my reptile skin.

3 things to ask yourself while sale shopping

So, I’m not going to name names, but I’ve seen several other creators write well-worded but somewhat tone-deaf treatises on not shopping Black Friday sales, because sales benefit retailers and not you. The former is certainly true, but honestly, it’s the holidays and unless you’re one of those super-organized people who shops for gifts year-round, you’ve got stuff to buy, and why wouldn’t you want to save money? That said, it’s easy to get swept up in the psychological tricks of sale season, so here are my tips on how to stay on track.

1. Is this on my list?

   I keep a shopping list in my Notes app with all the things I want to buy, whether they’re on sale or not. This keeps me in line, because it’s pretty simple to follow: if it’s on my list, I’m allowed to buy it. If not, I’m not.

2. Did I want this when it was full price?

   This one is a little more nuanced than “Would I pay full price for this,” because that’s not a realistic question for anyone on a budget (which is most of us). You can still want something when it’s full price but only be able to afford it when it’s on sale (this is true for most of the designer pieces I own). Hence the point of shopping sales!

3. Does this fit into my life now?

   I’m all for leaning into an aspirational lifestyle, but if something is too big/small/dressy/casual/wild/quiet/bright/dark/whatever, needs an ambitious amount of tailoring, requires purchasing something else to wear with it (like shoes or shapewear), or otherwise is just not “you”, then just don’t.

I hope these tips help you. By all means, don’t feel guilty about sale shopping—it should be fun, especially if you ascribe to the “one for you, one for me” mindset (I certainly do). Coming next week: everything I bought!

Fashion & jewelry

INEZ: Cheryl15Fall24 for 15% off

I am wearing their Caro boots in the above photo, which was from my honest review last week on the blog (you may have missed it since I didn’t send a newsletter)!

Uncommon James: CHERYLD for 20% off

I was supposed to do a partnership with Uncommon James (Kristin Cavallari’s jewelry line) and they never sent me the jewelry I picked out, but my code still works—win!

Canvelle: CHERYLSHOPS for 20% off

I have an upcoming collab with this brand (the quilted sling is en route to me as we speak), and their utilitarian nylon bags look great for travel.

Cords Club: CHERYLSHOPS for 10% off

I am still under negotiation with this brand (lol) but looky-loo, my code already works! I’m particularly intrigued by their flat-back studs.

Home

Levoit: CHERYLM10 for 10% off

Not my sexiest partnership, but air purifiers are essential (I have one in every room) and make a very practical gift!

Beauty

Dr. Brandt Skincare: CHERYL30 for 30% off (!!!)

This dermatologist-created skincare line has been around for ages, but their No More Baggage is one of the best de-puffing eye creams around to this day. Look for my upcoming collab with them. ;)

Clarks Botanicals: CHERYLSHOPS20 for 20% off

This is a super-clean skincare brand, and I’m excited to be doing a partnership with them (coming soon!). I haven’t tried their products yet, but have heard great things about them.

SkinGloPro a.k.a. Alastin: CHERYLSHOPS25 for 25% off

My dermatologist sells this clinical skincare line and I’ve just started testing it, but so far, I like what I see—and my code takes out a huge chunk of the doctor’s-office markup.

GoodJanes: CHERYLM20 for 20% off

I partnered with this brand earlier this year, and I’m a huge fan of their Best Face Oil. Their current discount will override my code, but you can save mine for a blue moon.

Versed: CHERYLSHOPS for 10% off

This is a really solid mass-market clean brand—read more in my honest review—and their prices are already great, but my code sweetens the deal just a bit more.

This week on the blog

Yay, I did the shopping for you! My 2024 Holiday Gift Guide is live, and I’m really excited about it (partially because I’ve already ordered several items I featured, whoops). Putting these together is always a labor of love, and I’d like to give a shout-out to Anthropologie for sponsoring this year’s edition. I hope it helps you knock out your holiday shopping list!

Knit blazer, tee & wide-leg jeans

Ancient J.Crew knit blazer (here’s a dupe) | Anine Bing T-shirt | L’Agence wide-leg jeans | Quince moccasin slippers

Turtleneck sweater & carpenter jeans

Reliquary sweater (current version) | Free People Major Leagues jeans | Quince moccasin slippers

Lady jacket & wide-leg trousers

Lillusory cardigan (currently 50% off!) | Nili Lotan Flavie pants (on sale in gray) | Quince moccasin slippers

Lady jacket & barrel pants

Zara jacket | Quince cashmere sweater | Nili Lotan Shon pants | Celine Triomphe belt | Quince moccasin slippers

Cream cardigan & utility pants

Gap cardigan | J.Crew vintage cotton tee | Anthropologie necklace | Old Navy Pulla utility pants | Quince moccasin slippers

Sweater & wide-leg jeans

Quince cotton boyfriend sweater | Mango culotte jeans | Quince moccasin slippers

My election day outfit 🥺

Margaret O’Leary cardigan (similar) | Hotties for Harris tee | Levi’s 501 jeans | Quince moccasin slippers

This week on the blog

I feel like the photos from this shoot look how I feel right now: kind of a mess. But don’t let that deter you—in this week’s post I’m singing the praises of the Madewell Dimes boot, a dupe of a dupe that’s even better than the original. They’re giving Cat Lady and I’m here for it.

DS & Durga I Don’t Know What Body Lotion $90

I Don’t Know Why I bought this ridiculously expensive body lotion (I don’t think I paid full price for it, actually), other than I love the scent, and people frequently stop me on the street to ask what perfume I’m wearing. The texture of this lotion, however, is very thick and takes forever to absorb—I think more of it ended up on my bathrobe than on my skin. Getting the last quarter of it out of the bottle was an entire ordeal too.

K18 Peptide Prep Clarifying Shampoo $38 (this mini was part of a gift set)

Like all of K18’s products, a little goes a long way. I think this works well in conjunction with the leave-in mask, but as far as clarifying shampoos go, this one does not feel as gentle as I’d prefer—my hair felt super dried-out after washing. In terms of bond-repair systems, I still prefer Olaplex—I think it just works better for my hair.

L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil $29 (c/o)

This stuff has a cult following, for good reason—it’s the rare body wash that doesn’t strip your skin, and it’s excellent for shaving your legs. The scent is really lovely too. I also appreciate that L’Occitane now offers refills, as I hate the plastic waste that shower gels create. This is probably my favorite L’Occitane product of all time.

Aeonia Eye Refresh $75 (c/o)

I did a collab with this brand a few months ago, stopped using the product for awhile, then found it in my medicine cabinet and finished it up. The metal tip is really nice and cooling when you apply this, and I do think this cream is effective on dark circles and puffiness, however you really don’t need to spend this much on an eye cream.

Iris & Romeo Lash Up Peptide Mascara $29 (c/o)

This tubing formula is a little on the dry side, which I how I prefer my mascara—too wet and it ends up smeared all over my face—however the curved brush was a deal-breaker for me, especially since it causes the tube to be extra-huge. Which is too bad, because I really liked the volume I got from this one. Let’s hope they rethink the brush.

Kiko Milano Sun Protection Fluid

I unfortunately can’t link to this product from the US because of our antiquated laws around sunscreen (sunscreens are SO much better in literally every other country on the planet, and here’s an article that explains why). But the next time I’m in Italy, I am literally buying 10 tubes of this stuff because it’s so freaking good: it absorbs, it protects, it smells amazing.

I have not yet decided what I’m buying from the Sephora sale, but in case you need any other ideas (especially gift ideas!), L’Occitane sent me this beauty advent calendar and it honestly made my week. I am so excited to open it, but I am going to behave myself and wait until December 1st so I can do it properly, one day at a time. I fully intend to document the entire thing on IG stories, of course, so stay tuned.

This week on the blog

I have a long-standing relationship with Paula’s Choice, and it’s one I’m proud of—it’s one of my favorite skincare brands, and I never hesitate to recommend the line, as it’s (I think) easy to understand and, more importantly, the products are incredibly effective yet gentle (for the most part). And while I’ve featured them many times on Instagram, I’ve never done a full breakdown on the blog until now. So I went through all of the Paula’s Choice products I’ve ever tried and decided to give my honest review of everything. And PS most of these are available at Sephora too!

Top row:

Three Ships Beauty You Can Dew It Hydrating Duo

They had me at hydrating. I will definitely try this serum and moisturizer set. If I like it, expect to see it here soon.

Solar Eclipse Handbag Heroes Set (not yet available)

I would not have chosen this for myself, but I will likely keep these in my desk drawer for a quick touch-up (it’s a brush and clip duo).  

OSEA Smooth & Glow Undaria Duo 

I split these up (whoops) but have high hopes for this body oil and exfoliant set, especially when my skin will go into winter reptile mode in the near future.

MOB Cream Clay Shimmer Eyeshadow  

These have a really nice creamy texture, which I like. I literally cannot use eyeshadow fast enough (I wear it every day, I swear!) but hopefully I will get around to these.

Middle row:

Follain Back to Basics duo 

An eye cream and moisturizer—what more could a girl want? These are full size but well under 100ml each, so they will likely end up in my travel bag.

Caftari Scent of Nirvana candle

This has a certain eau de hippie about it, but I’m not mad at it. I love to have a candle burning most of the time (especially in winter), so I will likely reach for this one at some point.

Nopalera Cactus Soap Mini Trio Set

I actually prefer bar soap to shower gel (less waste!) so I am excited to use these. I have a feeling I’m going to like some scents more than others, however.

Sidia Nirvana: The Hand Serum

This product has been getting a lot of editorial coverage—I feel like I saw it in every September magazine—so I am excited to try it. First thoughts: texture is light and silky, scent reminds me of shampoo, and hands already feel softer.

Bottom row:

Gen See Mixed Media Must Have Set

This is entirely too many eyeshadows, and I already have a bunch of them because Gen See also sends me product. I will likely be giving this set away to a friend.

Dedcool xtra milk room + linen spray

This smells really nice, like a high-end hotel. I am somewhat nervous about the glass bottle, but will likely put it in my WC anyway and hope for the best.

Tower28 lil softies set (not yet available, but here’s the full size)

These are itty-bitty little lipglosses, and they’re the perfect size for stashing in my going-out bags, which is exactly where they’ll be going.

Westman Atelier Petite Fete Edition 

I’ve loved everything I’ve ever tried from Westman Atelier, so I am particularly excited about this set, which includes mascara (which I haven’t tried yet).

This week on the blog

Two important things: one, I finally found a pair of barrel pants that work for me. Two, I’ve discovered a new-to-me brand that does elevated basics really well. I’ve incorporated them both in three recent outfits I’ve been wearing on heavy rotation.

Levi’s 501 jeans

Turns out Shopbop had a major sale during Prime Day—25% off a bunch of great stuff—so I took the opportunity to buy a fresh pair of my beloved Levi’s 501 jeans, a.k.a. the greatest straight-leg jeans of all time. With all of my recent struggles around wide-leg jeans, slipping into these felt like unlocking my own front door and coming home to my happy place. Honestly, why do I even bother with any other fit?

The God of the Woods

I stayed up five nights in a row past midnight reading this book. It’s the best kind of page-turner. I am pretty picky about mystery-thrillers—I find them generally cheesy, predictable, and/or upsetting—but this one was so subtle yet completely engrossing. It’s equal parts coming-of-age tale, detective story, and social critique; it reads like a really well-written Mary Higgins Clark book (I mean that as a compliment!). Shout out to Grace Atwood for the recommendation.

Kiko Milano Glossy Dream Sheer Lipstick

I bought this back in Rome when I blacked out and spent $100 on makeup. Unexpectedly, this is the perfect everyday lipstick. It’s light and moisturizing, but the color is more rich than you’d expect from the semi-sheer consistency. This is not a stay-all-day formula (you’ll definitely need to re-apply after a meal) and I kind of hate the case, but I would 100% buy it again. My color is 204 Warm Rose.

Bob’s Red Mill Old Fashioned Rolled Oats

I recently read an article about how we’re eating too much protein; I’ve been having a protein shake every morning for breakfast ever since Sean and I tried a high-protein diet (long story short, it was not a good fit for us at all) and honestly, I was getting sick of them. So I recently switched to oatmeal—I add cinnamon, a splash of maple syrup, and if I’m feeling really fancy, blueberries—and wow, do I feel way more satiated.

Anthropologie heart pendant (c/o)

I’ve been eyeing the Rosie Assoulin heart pendant for months but was put off by the price and the idea of doubling the chain to make it shorter (this always ends up choking me). Anthropologie let me choose a dress and a few accessories for a sponsored IG post (read on for more from this week’s blog post), and this necklace was my favorite thing I ordered. The pendant is very lightweight, and I love how the cord is adjustable—no choking necessary!

This week on the blog

I was super pumped when Anthropologie reached out to me for a sponsored IG post; I decided to get a little extra mileage out of the pieces they sent me and do an honest review of the Somerset dress, which is such a top-seller for them, they’ve spun it off into an entire collection of dresses, skirts, and pants. I see why people love this style so much—it has pockets! Read on for my full review.

I’m going to assume you already have a pair of black leggings, so let’s get right to the blazer, which is the key part to dressing up this look. You want something tailored yet oversized, with a butt-covering length, which is key for wearing over leggings. My vote is for this super-popular Frankie Shop style, which has a nice year-round weight.

Frankie Shop Gelso oversized blazer $345

You might already have a gray cashmere sweater to throw over your shoulders, but if not, Quince is the way to go—this one is nice and oversized and still squeaks in under $100.

Mongolian Cashmere oversized crewneck sweater $99.90

The other key item in this look is the boot. Again, you likely already have a knee-high black boot in your wardrobe, and if that’s the case, by all means, don’t go buy another pair, especially if a chunky platform like this is not particularly your style. But if you’re into it, a more streamlined platform is the way to go—I like how this pair manages to look refined in spite of its chunkier sole.

Camper Milah Platform boot $290

Finally, the bag, which looks to me like the Bottega Veneta mini Jodie. There are countless dupes of this bag out there, so no need to spend $3k. This one is a little bigger, but speaking from experience, you probably want a little more room anyway. Also, you can’t beat the price for real leather.

Leather woven baguette hobo $59.99

This week on the blog

Speaking of dupes, this week on the blog, I found a pretty great knockoff of the Khaite Scarlett cardigan. It’s from Gap, which is having a bit of a renaissance at the moment. Seeing their new ad with Troye Sivan pretty much cemented this for me—remember the dancing khakis ads from the ‘90s? Now if they’d just bring back Gap Grass…

Like nearly every other blogger or influencer out there, I am an Amazon Creator (aka affiliate), which means they give us a preview of what’s going to be on sale. I don’t know the exact prices for things—and there will definitely be many more items added—but I combed through thousands of products to find the ones I use and recommend. Here’s what’s worth buying on sale, plus you can find everything in my Amazon Prime Day shop.

Beauty

Vegamour GRO serum: Yes, I think this stuff actually works (read my honest review!)

Kiehl’s Avocado Eye Treatment: An all-around great eye cream

Lancome Lash Idole: My all-time favorite mascara

Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentré: A cult-favorite moisturizer for all skin types

Biodance Bio-Collagen Masks: The Internet-famous sleeping mask

Revlon One-Step Volumizer: The lazy girl’s secret to easy blowouts (read my honest review!)

Crest 3D Whitestrips: A must if you drink coffee, tea, red wine, or all of the above

CosRx Snail Mucin cream and essence: The best K-beauty products I’ve ever tried

Bioderma Sensibio micellar water: A must for removing makeup

Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA: My holy grail exfoliator

Fashion

Lillusory cardigan: a dupe for the J.Crew Lady Jacket (I bought this last time and wore it here)

Levi’s 501 jeans: one of the best straight-leg jeans of all time

Lolong tank top: incredibly flattering although you need to wear a racerback bra with it

Sojos sunglasses: a Bottega Veneta dupe that gets so many compliments

The Drop Avery sandals: surprisingly comfortable for a strappy sandal

Home & gifts

Bose Quiet Comfort Headphones: I use these literally every day and especially when I travel—best headphones ever (and an amazing gift!)

Levoit Air Purifier (also in medium and small sizes): this makes a huge difference in my allergies—highly recommend

Thermo pro digital thermometer: not the sexiest thing on the list, but essential if you cook a lot of fish and meat (like I do)

Ancestry DNA kit: I did this years ago but still get periodic updates on my genetic makeup and find them fascinating—this is really the gift that keeps on giving

Shark FlexStyle: according to my stylist, this is better than the Dyson AirWrap, and if I make any impulse purchases during this sale, this is probably going to be it

This week on the blog

It’s my final trend report of the season and I saved the best for last: suede. I have a somewhat fraught relationship with this material—love the look, hate the upkeep—but have some tips on what to invest in, including my favorite boots from Anthropologie.

Vegamour Gro Dry Shampoo (c/o) $36

I usually prefer a powder dry shampoo versus an aerosol because I think they’re better at absorbing oil (Klorane is my all-time favorite), however this one was a pleasant surprise—it’s one of the better aerosol dry shampoos I’ve used. The price is a bit much, however. (For more on Vegamour, here’s my honest review.)

Natura Bissé Diamond Extreme Oil (c/o) $185

This is very pricey but lasts forever—it took me about 2 years to get through this bottle, which I used every other night (on and off, to be fair). The texture seems very light and slippery, but it’s great for locking in a hard-working serum and/or night cream—your skin will look extra plump and smooth in the morning. One thing to note, this product has a STRONG, potentially polarizing scent.

Peach & Lily Power Calm Hydrating Gel Cleanser (c/o) $29

Peach & Lily is a Korean brand that leans heavily into the Glass Skin trend; they sent me a bunch of products and this is the only one that didn’t give me a rash. The texture is that of a creamy gel, and it definitely does not strip your skin, nor did it irritate my eyes. Is it the best gentle cleanser ever? No. Is it a decent one for the price? Definitely.

Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eyeshadow Mini $17

This is one of Laura Mercier’s hero products, and it used to be one of my eyeshadow go-tos until I discovered Bobbi Brown’s Long-Wear Cream Stick. I obviously love a stick eyeshadow—I am lazy and like to apply things with my fingers—and they’re great for traveling, especially this mini size, which lasts a lot longer than you’d think. It does heavily crease, however, which is why the Bobbi Brown product is superior.

Tower28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray $28

This spray has a cult following, so of course I had to try it for myself. I’ve found it has the greatest effect when my skin is irritated (which is actually quite frequently); it manages to calm down redness and bumps significantly. But when my skin is in better shape, it doesn’t really do much to improve it. Honestly, I think this Avène spray does a better job for $10 less.

One Love Organics Skin Dew Coconut Water Cream (c/o) $59

I really like this brand—they really walk the walk when it comes to clean beauty, and they have a lot of great products (especially their cleansing oil). This moisturizing cream is decent and the jar lasts a long time. I personally prefer a heavier moisturizer for my dry AF skin, but even if you like a lighter water cream, you don’t have to pay this much for one (try The Inkey List’s instead, which is a steal).

MDAiRE NMF Hydrator Barrier Repair (c/o) $145

I tend to be very skeptical of pricey serums because there are a lot out there and more often than not, they tend to be just okay. This one, however, is very good—it’s got peptides, collagen, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and a bunch of other super-moisturizing ingredients. I also really like the packaging—I feel like it keeps the product airtight and free of contamination. I always hesitate to recommend products that are this expensive, but this is a solid serum for all-around hydration.

This week on the blog

I have tried on an exhausting amount of wide-leg jeans over the last few years in search of the perfect pair; I’m wearing Mother’s The Spinner above, and they’re hands-down my favorite (full disclosure: Sean hates them, but I don’t care!). So this week on the blog, I’m sharing tips on how to get the right fit, as well as a few more styles that have caught my eye. (Pro tip: look for a palazzo fit, and you may need to size down.) Happy shopping!

What I already bought

Frame long barrel jeans $187 (25% off through 9/29)

In one of my Substack groups, multiple women were raving about barrel-cut jeans and how flattering they are for “real” bodies, so I decided to try these from Frame, my go-to denim brand (long live le high straight), which is currently running a 25% off sale. The good news is that they arrived in 2 days. The bad news is that I have already sent them back—as you can see from the photo, this fit is definitely not for me. Back to the drawing board!

Freda Salvador Brooke boots (20% off $495 with code FALLFRIENDS)

I am not a chunky platform shoe person, however I’ve been looking for a good pair for months—San Francisco’s sidewalks are not the cleanest and I’d prefer to rise above the filth, literally and figuratively. These are incredibly lightweight in spite of the thick sole, more streamlined than you’d think, and as a bonus, they’re waterproof. If you’re not familiar with them, Freda Salvador is a local SF brand (they have a cute store in my neighborhood) and their shoes are just so cool—check out the woven ballet flats too.

Madewell The Dimes knee high boot (25% off $298 through 9/30)

Yes, I bought two pairs of somewhat basic black boots this week, but like I said, I’m filling gaps in my closet. I bought a pair of really uncomfortable cowboy-style black boots last year, which after I wore them to a line-dancing class a few weeks ago and had foot pain for three days afterward, I decided finally needed to go. I own the shorter version of these boots already, so I know they’re going to be comfortable.

What I haven’t bought yet

& Other Stories suede tote $139 (currently sold out)

Everyone and their mother is obsessed with suede for fall, and I can speak from personal experience: it’s not the most durable choice for shoes and really not great for bags, especially Khaite-inspired totes like this one, which tend to take a lot of wear and tear. So I’m kind of happy that this one is sold out at the moment (although that hasn’t stopped me from setting a back-in-stock alert for it).

Nili Lotan Shon pants $375

I know, these pants look crazy, but people RAVE about them (and apparently they run 2 sizes big, which my ego loves). They are sadly not included in the Neiman Marcus nor Saks friends & family sales happening at the moment; I might actually have to pay full price for them, le sigh.

J.Crew pailette mini skirt $128

I really do not need another sequined skirt (I have several and wear them infrequently) but this one has been living rent-free in my head for a few weeks now. It’s also not included in J.Crew’s current promotion but the price is pretty reasonable regardless.

Quince Italian wool slouch coat $199.90

Again, it’s definitely not yet appropriate weather for a coat like this—and if I’m being honest, the last thing I need is another piece of outerwear—but it looks like The Row and I can attest that the wool is super-high quality. I am going to wait a month or two for this one, but you can expect to see it on the blog later this year.

This week on the blog

Speaking of Quince, this week’s post is heavy on items from them—the oversized leather jacket and slip skirt are two of my all-time favorites—but the overall story is burgundy, which is a fall trend I will be partaking in this season. Cheers to this super-rich (and wine-inspired) shade!

Rome

Where we stayed

I cannot recommend Casa Montani enough. The location is perfect (just outside of the Piazza del Popolo), the rooms are spacious, the beds comfy, and Andrea, who works there, is so incredibly lovely. This was, hands down, our favorite hotel of the trip.

Where we ate

Ginger: Good for a snack, aperitivo, shopping break, etc. Great for people watching.

Osteria da Fortunata: Right outside of the Pantheon, recommended for the carbonara, and in that, it did not disappoint.

Sensorio Coffee Roasters: This was one of the best breakfasts I had on the entire trip. Great coffee too.

Osteria Barberini: Known for its truffle dishes, although the linguine al vongole is nothing to sneeze at either.

Niko Romito: This place is a scene but the food and wine are fantastic, and the views are even better. Incredible service.

Where we shopped

The best shopping area is basically between the Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps, between Via del Babuino and Via del Corso. Via del Condotti is the famous cross-street with all the luxury stores. My favorite places to hit are:

Il Bisonte: The Coach of Italy—beautifully understated leather goods.

Sermoneta Gloves: Every type of glove you could dream of, many in buttery-soft leather.

Iosselliani: Really cool, accessibly priced demi-fine jewelry. (Sadly closed when we were there in August!)

Campomarizo70: Allll the niche fragrances, and one of the few places to buy Fornasetti in Rome.

Santa Maria Novella: One of three locations in the city (there’s another in the same neighborhood, and one more closer to the Pantheon). The best body lotion and soap on the planet.

Kiko Milano: The MAC of Italy. I am so far incredibly impressed with everything I bought here (which was a lot). Their sunscreen is incredible.

Where we sight-seed

The Trevi Fountain is a non-negotiable must-see. The Spanish steps are very romantic too. The Pantheon is a marvel. And on this trip, I finally went to the Galleria Borghese, and it is 100% worth the hassle of getting tickets.

Amalfi Coast

Where we stayed

We decided to base ourselves in Massa Lubrense, just outside of Sorrento, which is a flat (and much more walkable) coastal town on the other side of the peninsula. Getting to Positano and the towns on the actual the Amalfi Coast takes about an hour via ferry; I’m glad we stayed where we did, but if I ever go back (and have unlimited funds), I’d probably stay in one of the quieter towns like Ravello or Atrani. As for our actual hotel, Bellavista Francischiello was clean, family-run, had a gorgeous rooftop pool (and bar!), delicious breakfast, and a bus stop right in front to take us into town (about a 10-15 minute ride). Everyone who worked there was so kind and welcoming; my one bit of criticism is that the beds were hard AF, but we encountered this in several places—maybe it’s an Italian thing?

Where we ate & drank

O’Murzill: Super fresh seafood pastas. Delightful service. A little off the beaten path, in a good way.

Piennolo Land Food: The food here was way more serious than you’d think, judging by the look. This was the best spaghetti al nerano I had on the trip.

Frankie’s Pizza: Very casual, affordable Neapolitan-style pizza with many different topping/sauce options (and vegan ones as well).

Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria: Expensive aperitivo but you’re paying for an amazing view and somewhat fussy service.

Ristorante La Torre One Fire: Michelin guide; really fresh seafood and lots of locals eating here. I will say, this was the one place on the entire trip where we were asked to tip, and the service was not at all worthy of it.

Grand Hotel Quissana: We ate lunch here on Capri because it was one of the only places open before noon (we had to be back on our boat at 1pm). The food was ok but wildly expensive—I had a glass of prosecco and a Caprese sandwich and it was the second-most expensive meal of the trip. A+ people watching however.

Da Vincenzo: I had a gazillion restaurant recommendations for Positano; this was the first place we came across, after climbing what felt like 8,000 steps. It was solid, however nearly all Americans inside.

Taverna Buonvicino: This was, surprisingly, one of the best meals we had on the entire trip (Sean & I both had the tuna, which was the catch of the day). The incredibly hot Italian waiter didn’t hurt.

Where we shopped

Antica Sartoria: As I noted in last week’s newsletter, this boutique has locations in nearly every southern Italian vacation town, and it’s a must for affordably priced dresses that scream vacation in the best possible way.

Casa e Bottega: This place has gorgeous ceramics and linens at Positano prices (the napkins I liked were 30 euro each!).

La Bottega di Brunella: Quiet luxury, vacation edition. Lots of loosely woven linen pieces, most in the 100-200 euro range.

Carro Positano: This place had really nice leather bags at reasonable prices; I am kicking myself for not buying one.

Emporio Sireneuse: Super high-end gift shop for the super high-end La Sireneuse hotel. Gorgeous things, priced accordingly.

La Scuderia del Duca: Paper goods for days (Amalfi has been making them for centuries). A great spot for gifts (one for me, one for you).

Stefania Shoes: This is where I got my custom-made pair of sandals (for a very reasonable 90 euros). Great service, and a super-fun experience.

As for Capri, the main shopping streets are Via Furolovado, Via Vittorio Emanuele, and, most famously, Via Camerelle. I will say, I was almost offended by how expensive everything was. The one store where I bought something (a gift) was Ricciocaprese, which has incredibly beautiful (but not ridiculously priced) ceramics.

What we did

I highly recommend Ferryhopper for booking ferry tickets. You can take the bus to the Amalfi Coast towns for 2 euros, but the ferry is faster and arriving from the water is far more dramatic.

For our day trip to Capri, we used Lubrenese Boats. We were in a small group (there were 10 of us total), the captain was excellent, and they gave us lots of prosecco and snacks. My only quibble is that we were supposed to go to the Blue Grotto, but it was closed due to high seas, which was out of their control and apparently happens a lot.

In Positano, we spent the afternoon at Da Ferdinando, a very off-the-beaten-path (but amazing) beach club—there are several clustered on that beach. To get there, DO NOT follow Google Maps walking directions; take the footpath that starts by the Covo dei Saraceni hotel and winds along the water. Best part: there’s a boat that takes you back to the ferry so you don’t have to climb the steps again.

In Amalfi, we went to one of the clubs at Tonino’s beach, right by the ferry. We paid 20 euros each for our chairs, and were back on the ferry in under 10 minutes. Well worth it.

Puglia

Where we stayed

In Puglia, you basically have two types of accommodation: a masseria, which is a farmhouse out in the country, many of them very luxurious; or a villa in one of the towns. We went with the latter, at Palazzo Fiscaiolo in Monopoli, which is a seaside town with lots of affordable restaurant options. It was the right choice for us—after driving around to various other towns in Puglia, it was nice to park the car, then walk to dinner. Our villa was very well located, pretty affordable, and very quiet. Our room was a bit smaller than we expected (it was advertised as a junior suite, which was a stretch) but our host was lovely, and we got free breakfast every morning.

Where we ate & drank

My Wine: Not just wine (although that was fantastic)—we had really good seafood here, with several daily chef’s pasta specials to choose from too.

Barumba Café: Right in the main square of Monopoli, great for people-watching and very reasonably priced drinks (although they have food too).

Trattoria Pizzeria Da Zi Ottavio: Huge wine list, surprisingly innovative appetizers and specials, and really good pizza.

CarloQuinto: Great views (right on the sea), great people-watching, decent seafood. There were a lot of tourists here.

Caffe Letterario: We had breakfast here every morning (it was included with our villa). Very sweet servers too.

Trattoria La Locanda dei Mercanti: One of the best (and most affordable) meals of our entire trip—we were glad we saved it for the last night. You definitely need a reservation.

The Super Mago del Gelo Mario Campanella: Quaint old-school place for gelato and coffee in Polignano a Mare. Get the “special coffee” (it’s spiked).

La Veranda di Giselda: Literally fresh-off-the-boat seafood by the kilo. We went to Sunday lunch here and it was an event with the locals. Amazing views too, and friendly service.

Bar Enoteca a Casedd: This was a totally random little bar that we stopped at in Alberobello. We just had spritzes, focaccia, and burrata, but all were incredibly affordable and fresh.

Borgo Antico Bistrot: We only had aperitivo here, but the drinks were great, the views were amazing (all the way to the sea!), and the food looked pretty good.

Cremeria History Vignola: We stopped here for coffee during our bike tour through the Itria valley (more on that in a bit). Worth it for the views alone!

Masseria Madonna Dell’Arco: This is where our bike tour stopped for lunch. After riding 18 miles, I would have eaten anything, but everything we had here was super fresh and I ate an embarrassing amount of burrata.

La Perla Nera: We decided to be incredibly lazy one day and parked ourselves at this beach club (I think 2 chairs and an umbrella were 35 euro, which seemed reasonable to us). We hit the restaurant for a light lunch, but I wouldn’t go out of your way to eat there. The beach club, however, was perfect.

What we did

E-bike tour: This was one of my favorite days of the trip. We rode really nice e-bikes on a tour through the Itria valley, through the towns of Martina Franca, Locotrondo, and Cisternino, and past all manner of masseria, trulli (the stone houses), and all-around gorgeous views. I found the e-bike incredibly easy to ride, and it was such a fresh way to see the countryside.

Polignano a Mare tuk-tuk tour: We were supposed to do a boat tour of the grottos on our last day, but it got cancelled due to rough seas, so we ended up on this instead; you ride in an Ape, which is like a scooter with a golf cart attached. It was an unexpected delight, and Polignano a Mare is a freaking gorgeous town.

Alberobello: A UNESCO World Heritage site, this hillside town has a huge cluster of trulli, the adorable hut-like stone houses that are everywhere in Puglia. It’s touristy but totally unique and worth visiting.

Ostuni: A whitewashed hillside town with a lot of great ceramics stores (I cleaned up at Carella) and great views all the way to the sea.

Matera: We stopped here on the way to Puglia (we drove from Naples) and were blown away by how amazing it was. Also a UNESCO World Heritage site, it’s one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world, and wandering through the sissi (the streets carved out of caves) feels like you’re inside of a painting. Words cannot describe what an incredible place it was—a highlight of our trip.

This week on the blog

Whew, ok, that went on way longer than I had anticipated, so thank you for making it this far. This week on the blog, I decided to do a trend report of sorts, and first up is barn jackets—mine is from Old Navy(!) and $60(!!!).

I’m wearing: Antica Sartoria dress, which got a “belissima” from the old Italian ladies in the piazza | Fe Noel x Target bag | sandals from random store in Sorrento

Antica Sartoria has a shop in every town in the Amalfi Coast (there are a bunch in Puglia too) and once you see their acqua-blue shopping bags, you will spot them everywhere. You will also see their one-size-fits-all dresses on women everywhere—they are colorful, bedazzled, and very vacation-y. I also bought the above necklace and swim cover-up and bunch of fun statement earrings for some of my girlfriends at their store in Positano. Everything is very reasonably priced (especially for the Amalfi Coast!) and well made. This is the store in Sorrento below.

As for the sandals I’m wearing in the very first photo, while they look like Hermès, they are from a random store in Sorrento and I could not tell you where it was or what it was called to save my life. They were only 29 euros and thus a complete impulse purchase; I discovered later that they’re made in China, not Italy, but I kind of don’t care. They are surprisingly comfy (especially for my swollen vacation feet) and great on cobblestones. Here’s another look.

The sandals on the left are from Stefania Shoes in Amalfi. I had been all pumped to get a pair of custom sandals on Capri because that’s supposedly the thing to do there, but like everything else on Capri, I was somewhat offended by the prices (starting at 120 euros for a very basic pair). Luckily, I stumbled upon this shop in the town of Amalfi, where prices were much more reasonable (I think these were 89 euros) and the woman who helped me was lovely. The sandals are custom-fitted to your foot: they start with the footbed, then they place the straps and hammer them in by hand. Mine are even stamped with my initials! You aren’t supposed to take photos in the store, but I sneaked this one in so I could show you the range; they also make loafers, men’s shoes, and all kinds of footwear.

BTW, there are A LOT of dupes in these stores; mine obviously look like Valentino with the studs. I kind of wish I had bought a pair of loafers too, but…next time.

The town of Amalfi is actually best known for its paper, and the place to go for it is La Scuderia del Duca, where I bought the above notecards, hand-printed notebook, and gorgeous mini watercolors (as well as some gifts, which I’m not showing, so I don’t ruin the surprise). The main store is right off the ferry dock—you can’t miss it—and its offshoot next door has gorgeous vintage ceramics too.

Speaking of ceramics, I knew the Amalfi Coast and Puglia were known for them, but I was not prepared for how beautiful everything was. Most of the stores will ship internationally, which is a dangerous thing to know, but I tried to confine myself to what I could fit in my suitcase. In both regions, you’ll see pinecones galore; they’re a symbol of welcome in southern Italy. The southwestern version was more spiky-looking; I went for the Apulian version above, which has more of a leafy design, and I liked this one in particular because it’s a fragrance oil diffuser. I bought it at Carella in Ostuni, which has a ton of gorgeous ceramic shops. The town of Grottaglie is supposed to be the best for pottery, but unfortunately we didn’t have time to visit that one.

For the beauty junkies out there, Rome is your spot. Our hotel was located right off of the Piazza del Popolo and within walking distance of some of the best shopping in the city. I always hit Santa Maria Novella, which isn’t significantly cheaper in Italy, but that VAT refund does help. My friend Emily dragged me into Kiko Milano, which is kind of like the MAC of Italy, and in spite of really not needing any makeup at all, I somehow spent 90 euros. I will say, their sunscreen fucks. It is so good: it smells amazing, blends in easily, and protects so well—as you can see, I used up the entire tube in a week. Unfortunately, you can’t buy it online (I’m assuming because of the stupid US rules around sunscreen & FDA approvals) but next time I’m in Italy, I’m buying a ton of it. Also pictured above, I bought a small bottle of Acqua di Positano at Emporio Sireneuse (the gift shop at Le Sireneuse, a gem of a hotel I hope I can one day afford to stay in), which was pretty much the only thing I could stomach at that very pricey shop, although I was very tempted to buy this beach bag.

I am probably forgetting a few things (I did end up buying a bottle of limoncello at the airport like a dumb American, but only because I had 20 euros to burn), but that’s pretty much everything, excluding a few gifts that I have not yet given to people who read this newsletter. I’m super happy with everything I got, and even happier with the VAT refund process at the Rome airport (I came home Monday and have already been reimbursed!). You can get a VAT refund on any purchase over 70 euros, so don’t forget to bring your passport with you when you shop!

This week on the blog

On Cheryl Shops the Blog (not to be confused with Cheryl Shops the Substack—should I have a different name for that?) I’m sharing (almost) everything I wore in Italy, which, as you may recall, I packed in a carry-on.

Coming next week to Substack: everywhere we stayed, ate, sight-seed, and more in Italy!

This Sienna Miller x Marks & Spencer dress is definitely coming with me.

Step one: plan your color scheme

I stick to all neutrals with one accent color—in this case, red. This way, nearly everything I’ve brought can be mixed and matched, and I have options if the weather changes or if I’m just not feeling a particular outfit.

Step two: make a list

I start with how many days I’ll be gone, then work backward from there in terms of what I’ll be doing and what I’ll want to wear. I figure I’ll wear most bottoms at least twice, so I should have more tops that. I am probably bringing one dress too many, but one night is a very special occasion, so I needed to make room for a very special dress. I am also bringing one more pair of shoes than I normally would, but the sneakers will fit in my personal item and the other pairs are very squishable. Thankfully most of my summer clothes are on the lighter side, but that leads me to my next point, which is very important in making sure everything actually fits in your carry-on.

Step three: roll everything up and put it in packing cubes

When I say that packing cubes have changed my life, I am not exaggerating. They not only help you maximize the amount of stuff you’re packing, but they help you stay super-organized too. My packing cubes are from Flight 001, which has sadly gone out of business, but these Eagle Creek cubes are very similar to mine in that they have clean and dirty sides. I roll my clothes and stand them up so I can see everything I packed at a glance; my swimsuits get folded because they’re a little more complicated in terms of padding and construction. I know these pouches look like they’re bursting at the seams—and they are—but once you zip them up, they’re all compressed and neat.

Step four: pack it all in

This can become a game of Tetris to a certain degree, but you’ll figure it out. The packing cubes make it easy to squish everything in (my big one on the right is still unzipped). Here’s my suitcase with my main clothing cube, my swimwear cube, my undergarment cube, my toiletry bag, three pairs of shoes, and a few other odds and ends that go in my zip pockets.

Step five: get dressed for the plane

I have a go-to plane outfit, which is a blazer, T-shirt, jeans or wide-leg pants, and sandals or sneakers depending on time of year. This is what I wore last year to Japan, but I’m planning on the exact same outfit for Italy, except that I just got a slightly larger belt bag from Quince. Don’t forget your personal item with all your essentials—I put a change of clothes, another pair of shoes, my vitamins, power cords, and iPad in mine.

This week on the blog

I shared a throwback photo from my last trip to Italy 10 years ago (!!!) and explained why I made the move to Substack, which is kind of a moot point for this newsletter, since you’re already here.

I also just realized that I forgot to share last week’s post, which was an honest review of Iris & Romeo makeup (no wonder traffic was so low on that one!). Spoiler alert: I am really a fan of the Weekend Skin tinted moisturizer, but read on for my thoughts on the rest of the line.

I will be taking next week off from blogging, but I’ll be back in September with so much Italy Content™, so stay tuned!

What’s in my bag

Old Navy Canvas Barn Jacket $59.99 (currently 40% off)

The fashion girlies—including Jess Graves, who’s one of my favorites—have declared that fall is Barn Jacket Szn, and while there are a bunch of predictably luxe takes out there (including a very chic Toteme version), my favorite is this one from Old Navy, which is giving early ‘90s Eddie Bauer right down to the corduroy collar. Full disclosure: I may have just convinced myself to order this.

Toteme Organic Cotton Poplin Drawstring Pants $390

While the above jacket is a screaming good deal, at first glance these pants seem wildly overpriced for what they are: wide-leg cotton pants with an elastic waistband. And yet the cut of the leg looks perfect—not too wide, not too straight—and the utility pockets give them a little something extra. I am sitting tight on these and waiting to rack up a few more Nordstrom Notes (also praying for a sale).

Zadig & Voltaire Elya Strass Cashmere Sweater $149.99

Speaking of things that tend to be wildly overpriced, Zadig & Voltaire is a brand whose vibe I really like in small doses; they showed up on 260 Sample Sale this week and even at their prices, I figured I could do better. And turns out there’s a bunch on Rue La La with much more reasonable pricing. (If for some reason you’ve never shopped Rue La La before, here’s $10 off your first purchase.)

Number 5 Charm $35.65

I am trying very hard not to buy cheap, janky jewelry and yet it keeps following me all over the Internet, including an ad for these charms, which I get served every time I’m on Instagram. Five is my favorite number, and I would love to wear a necklace with a striking charm like this, but I just wish it were at least gold-filled instead of “18k color,” whatever that is.

Isabel Marant Bellary Bucket Hat $119 (on sale)

Revolve sent me a promo code for 10% off, and I’ve had this hat in my bag for several weeks now. Is it ugly or is it cute? Ugly or cute? I keep asking myself over and over. I’ve missed my window to order it in time for my trip, and yet I can’t seem to get it out of my head. IDK, what do you think?

What’s on the way

& Other Stories Embroidered Ruffle Mini Dress $59.99 (plus an extra 30% off)

I looooove & Other Stories and it feels like a travesty that we don’t have a store in San Francisco, although on second thought, that’s probably a good thing. I got a text that they were having an extra 30% off sale, clicked, spotted this very Isabel Marant-y number, let it linger in my bag for approximately 10 minutes, then promptly checked out. It’s currently scheduled to be delivered the day I leave for Rome, so say an early delivery prayer for me, please.

Prada Beauty Moisturizing Lip Balm $50

I know, $50 is a ridiculous amount of money to pay for what’s essentially a mood lipstick for grownups with too much disposable income, but the packaging is gorgeous (and refillable) and honestly, this isn’t much more than Dior Addict, plus I had 20% off for Sephora Friends & Family (thanks, Kat!).

DIKGROP Backless Tank Top $26.99 (plus 20% off with coupon)

I have been panic-ordering for my vacation on Amazon; I had a moment where I decided I didn’t have enough cute tank tops (to be fair, it’s currently in the 90s in Rome), so I was influenced to buy this one by Courtney Grow, who I think has impeccable taste. This top is so not me, but sometimes you need to push your boundaries and try new things, so I was willing to take a chance. Stay tuned for results.

Left to right:

Mdaire Regenerative ECM Eye Complex $122 (c/o)

Mdaire is one of the many new clinical-clean brands out there, with a key proprietary ingredient and yadda yadda. I was sent this product for a collaboration, and in case you’re wondering, yes, I always try everything I feature and I also put an escape clause in my contracts if I think the product sucks. I don’t always finish everything down to the last drop, but I did with this one. It’s a very nice, light texture that absorbs quickly—it’s more lotion than cream—and it made my under-eye circles appear not as dark and deep. The pump packing is really nice and airtight too, however it conceals the fact that there’s much less product in there than you’d expect. This is a very good formula, but there are better eye creams out there for a lot less, and you get way more product.

Caudalie Vinoperfect Moisturizing Vegan Body Butter $38

I bought this in a panic at Sephora, thinking it was Vinosculpt, which it…is not. I will preface this by saying that Caudalie is a great line and I really like a lot of their products, especially the Premier Cru cream. As an avid wine drinker, I also appreciate the grape polyphenol-based science around it. But this cream was not my favorite. The scent is VERY almond-heavy, the texture is a bit on the greasy side even for a body butter, and the cream pills on your skin if you rub it in too much (which you want to do because like I said, it’s THICC AF). I finished it, but would not repurchase.

The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser $13 (c/o)

I have very big, deep pores on my nose that always look all gunked up, and I read on Reddit that massaging for at least a minute with salicylic acid will help clear them up. I can’t say that it has eradicated the problem, but my pores do look a lot cleaner. I’ve been using this every other morning in the shower, and only on my nose (salicylic acid on the rest of my face would be a disaster) and this bottle lasted me close to six months. I’m a huge fan of The Inkey List—their products are so accessible yet effective. I’m currently using another cleanser on my pores in the name of investigative journalism, but would definitely go back to this.

Christophe Robin Color Fixator Wheat Germ Mask (discontinued)

I take an embarrassingly long time to get through hair masks, as evidenced by the fact that I finally finished this one, which has been discontinued for awhile, it appears. To be fair, I only do a mask once a week, and I alternate with several others (my favorite being this one from Davines, which btw is now available at Sephora!). I feel like people either love or hate Christophe Robin products; some of them turn my hair into straw, and others are just divine, like the volumizing paste. I can’t say I loved this mask, which is maybe why it too me so long to get through it. Alas, since it’s now discontinued, that’s a moot point.

Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Multi-Peptide Booster $58 (c/o)

My skin had been freaking out from another serum which shall remain nameless for the time being, and I reached for this on a whim. By the next morning, my redness had greatly calmed down, and within a few days, my skin looked plumper, glowier, just better. And I felt like the results were amplified the more I used it. I will say, this stuff does not smell great and the bottle does not last long (I got through mine in about 6 weeks with daily use), but when Paula’s Choice hits, they hit it out of the park. I have another bottle waiting for me already, and I can’t wait to use it.

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This week on the blog

If you’ve been subscribing to my former newsletter, you likely know that I just wrapped my first-ever No-Buy July. This week on the blog, I’m sharing 7 big takeaways, as well as an eye-opening look at my finances 👀.

Thanks for reading this week’s newsletter! I’m so glad to have you here!

I started my blog back in 2003 (!!!) so I could share my favorite things with you—fashion, beauty, home, and more. I’m still posting there regularly, but think of this as me after a glass of wine: a little looser, more casual, and less polished.

Things you can expect to see here: mini beauty product reviews, outfits I wear IRL, current obsessions, a look inside my various shopping bags, and whatever off-the-cuff thoughts I decide to share. Substack feels like “the good Internet” and I’m really excited to be a part of it.

Pro tip: take it to the next level and get my posts delivered straight to your inbox every week. As a bonus, paid subscribers will receive a monthly Real Talk newsletter with content so spicy I have to put it behind a paywall, plus monthly swag giveways and Ask Me Anything access. Thanks for your support!

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