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EVERY OUTFIT I WORE IN ITALY

It’s official – I’m having a Sophia Loren summer. Full skirted dresses with fitted waists, red lips, straw bags, hair scarves.. give me all of it. Of course, it’s not far off from how I typically dress – but after leaning in further for our trip to Italy, I’m excited to continue the pattern for the warm weather months to come. And you can bet I’ll be rewearing everything I had packed. For the sake of fitting in a carry-on, I stuck to easy cotton and linen dresses for day, walkable block or wedge heels and a simplified color palette of black, white, tan, red and green (a bit of a nod to the Italian flag!). Below – everything I wore on our trip.

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(Above): This vintage 1960s cotton eyelet dress felt like it set the tone for my whole suitcase. Very Gwyneth Paltrow in The Talented Mr. Ripley.. my ultimate summer style icon! Paired with old faithful sandals from J.Crew plus a new to me leather and wicker bag.

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This dress reminded me of one of those classic Italian painting, all curves and draped fabric. And the green felt different for me – but very appropriate for emerald Taurus season! Worn for my favorite dinner of the trip. And can I give a shout-out to these raffia wedge heels? They went with half the outfits I packed and were so walkable and comfortable. 10/10.

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Off the plane (and the trains and the water bus) we quickly freshened up to grab our first dinner of the trip in a nearby piazza. I love this polka dot slip skirt and linen vest – already worn to work since we’ve been back! And this particular little rose embroidered straw bag is my very favorite – a souvenir gift from Adam, bought on a trip to Paris two years ago.

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Now this was a fun one. The cutest cherry print dress (going to run around New York City all summer in this), lace-up red sandals – practical thanks to a low block heel but they really pack a punch – a vintage bag, Adam’s sunglasses and my late Nan’s rings around my neck (she didn’t get the chance to travel the world so I like to ‘take her with me’ when I go someplace like this that I know she would have loved).

This red dress was the first thing I bought for our trip – I think back in February! It might have been before we even booked the flights – dress for the vacation you want, right? It’s a bit on the pricier side but it’s the most beautiful weight linen with a great structure and fit. Very much a forever dress. And I’ll tell you, it felt perfect wandering through Verona, sampling food from the local markets and stepping onto “Juliet’s balcony” in this. Very Sophia Loren summer coded.

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I wore this on our last morning in Italy for a quick breakfast before we headed back to Milan to catch our flight home (don’t worry I swapped the sandals for sneakers to go to the airport!). I always say I want to invest in more tops and this short sleeve linen one is going to get a lot of wear this summer. Worn with my favorite jeans and a vintage silk scarf in my hair.

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Date night, personified. I love this little black dress so much, the square neck, the wrap skirt. It’s easy and comfortable and can easily be punched up with accessories – like these veryyy fun cherry earrings, a sleek little bag and red sandals.

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There’s something so timeless about a linen shirt dress – I love the sort of oatmeal color of this and while I think it would look great with brown or tan accessories too – I loved the contrast of the black raffia belt and sandals here. Paired with a favorite vintage bag and I felt like a postcard from Italy circa 1958.

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Saved one of my favorites for the last night of the trip – a sunset boat ride and a delicious dinner tucked away in a beautiful little courtyard outside of the Opera house. This dress got delayed in shipping and I was certain it wasn’t going to arrive in time for the trip, but then miraculously landed on my doorstep the day before we left. It’s made from the most beautiful heavy cotton (almost like a light canvas) so it really keeps it’s shape and wears so well. Hoping to find another occasion to wear it soon!

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CLASSIC SPRING STYLE UPDATES

As we speak I’ve got my bags packed (spoiler: with quite a few of the pieces below) – I’ve mentioned it before but if I’m lucky enough to be traveling at the start of a season I love to use it as an excuse to pick up some new items that I’ll then continue to wear throughout the months ahead. This trip I really leaned into a simplified color palette and classic styles that feel fitting for where we’re headed but that I also know will quickly become wardrobe staples once we’re back home in New York.

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LET’S CATCH UP 5.5.24

Happy May! I always feel like late April/early May is when my year begins in earnest. The weather is cooperating more consistently, everything is in bloom here in New York, I’ve got some sun on my skin (thanks to Palm Springs), and a birthday on the horizon. What can I say.. I’m a true Taurus. Below, what’s on my mind, on my bookshelf and in my cart as we head into the week ahead.

ON MY MIND:

  • We leave in 2 days for our next trip. I’m definitely feeling the crunch of that as I try to plan for a new destination for us, work is buzzing and I’m still desperately hoping a couple of online orders arrive in time.. but c’est la vie! Or I suppose this time I should I say.. Così è la vita?!
  • After a few months of solid training, my sister and I ran Philly’s Broad Street 10 mile race this morning. While it rained all morning as we corralled at the starting line, it held off for the actual race and we both felt good the whole time. Feels like I’m ready for a half marathon in June next! I know it seems obvious but it’s on days like today where it hits me that all of the little habits of the past 10 months have suddenly added up to big changes in my strength and how I feel overall.
  • I’ve been saying this for a few years now, but I really want to start being a person that wears perfume – at least occasionally. YSL Beauty just sent me a bottle of their Libre scent and it feels like 7PM on a Saturday to me. Golden hour light, a vinyl on the record player and I’m sipping a drink, getting ready for a dinner date. It’s musky (which I love) but kind of softens into something slightly more floral as you wear it.

ON MY BOOKSHELF:

  • I’m 17 books into the year so far and after focusing most of the winter on the books I already owned, I suddenly have a lot of newly bought books stacking up again! Oops! I think I’m diving into debut novel Worry by Alexandra Tanner – a story of two sisters that I’ve heard compared to the old HBO show Girls.
  • Book of the Month sent me a free trial of 5 books from their online subscription service and I can honestly say – I was really pleasantly surprised at their offering. I grabbed a rom-com, thriller, historical fiction, contemporary fiction and book of short stories – all that I’d been eyeing lately at the bookstore but didn’t want to shell out for the regular hard cover prices on. For $16.99 a month you can pick a new release hard cover (or any of their back list options!) and you can always skip a month free of charge. For people looking to read more (I hear this from so many of you!) this feels like such a great option. If you sign-up now you can get your first month for just $5 with code: PETALS.
  • My friend Ellen and I checked out Bibliotheque in Soho on Wednesday – the buzzy new book bar on Mercer Street. It can get super crowded but we made a reservation and on a weeknight it was nice and quiet by the time we had our apps and glasses of rosé. So fun to be able to have a drink in a space that feels like someone’s gorgeous personal library.. and then you can shop the shelves after! We both picked up Funny Story by Emily Henry. I love kicking off my summer reading with one of Henry’s reliably fun rom-coms.
  • I mentioned this on Instagram but I ended up reading 3 back to back 5 star books recently – which almost never happens! All very different and – in retrospect – all pretty sad in context (but also all with great moments of levity) – I loved these: Grief is for People by Sloane Crosley (a story of loss), Good Material by Dolly Alderton (a break-up story that felt like the modern High Fidelity) and The Things they Carried by Tim O’Brien (a backlist title from the 90s about O’Brien’s time in the Vietnam War). I told you they weren’t light! But they were all fantastic.

IN MY CART:

  • Admittedly, I’ve been known to want to pack too many pairs of shoes for travel.. but these black raffia wedges kind of feel like unicorns and I’m planning on pairing them with a solid half of the outfits I’m packing. 40% off this weekend too!
  • I feel like I’m preaching to the choir but the new arrivals at J.Crew feel like they just keep getting better and better. I grabbed this sailor style sweater for our trip – will wear on the plane and throw over mini dresses if the morning temps are cooler.
  • Here in the city, all the 20 somethings are wearing boxer short style shorts this spring. I’m not against the trend for running errands or an afternoon in the part – but think I like it best for me when paired with more classic pieces, like this easy linen button down shirt and classic ballet flats.
  • I’m loving the look of all the cute exercise dresses and skirts on the market these days – after we get back from travel I want to place a test order on a couple – how cute is this one and this one? Do I need to take up tennis?!
  • With all of the running lately my skin has been more fickle than usual – I just dipped into my back-up supply of these Elemis resurfacing facial pads. I find they really help make my skin feel extra clean after I wash it and help to smooth things out.
  • I naturally gravitate towards dresses, but I’m trying to remind myself to pick up tops when I think of it – as I always feel it’s what’s sort of missing from my wardrobe. I think this off the shoulder one and this sweet button down one will be great for mixing and matching this summer.

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(ALMOST) EVERY OUTFIT I WORE IN PALM SPRINGS

I made this very fun Reel (if I do say so myself) in Palm Springs as an easy way to capture what I was wearing as I, quite literally, headed out the door. I thought it would be helpful to add still shots here (in some cases I had better photos than just the door shot) and all the links + some notes on sizing, etc. Also – I fit this all in a carry-on suitcase + this magic shoulder duffle that holds a ton but still fits under airplane seats. Where’s there’s a fashion will.. there’s a way.

LOOK 1:

*I took my smaller size in this dress and probably could have sized up, but it has a good amount of stretch. Shoes and sweater are old from J.Crew. As always, my sunglasses are prescription from Warby Parker – which is why I have them on so constantly!

LOOK 2:

*I took my regular size in the top, bottoms and skirt – I’d say they all fit pretty TTS – but the bottoms definitely have a skimpier cut.. which is why the skirt is so nice to have too! Sandals are old from J.Crew.

LOOK 3:

*The pants run large – I sized down to Petite (I’m 5’4″ for reference) and still probably would have gone down another waist size had it been available, but with a belt they work just fine! I would size up in the strapless top if you have a bigger chest.

LOOK 4:

*Top and skirt both fit TTS, the tank is perfectly cropped so that you don’t have bulk tucking into pants or skirts, but it just grazes bottoms that are high waisted. Mesh bag is old H&M.

LOOK 5:

*Dress is TTS and has a built in cotton slip and drawstring adjustable waist. Bag is old from Anthropologie.

LOOK 6:

*I probably could have sized down in the top and shorts but I like that they have a lived in, slightly slouchy fit!

LOOK 7:

LOOK 8:

*Bathing suit runs slightly small, I sized up in the bottoms. Shirt is an oversized fit.

LOOK 9:

*To note – shoes are incredible comfortable! No break-in time, they feel like butter.

LOOK 10:

*Dress runs slightly large. Shoes are old Loeffler Randall

LOOK 11:

*Dress is an oversized fit. Comes with a detachable matching fabric belt.

LOOK 12:

*Fit TTS – I sized up as I hate when running shorts feel too small and wanted to be able to layer under the pullover.

LOOK 13:

*Important to note! The vest runs pretty big (I actually had mine altered to fit as the smallest size was sold out at the time – looks to have since been restocked and now on sale! Of course! – but the shorts run just a bit small. I took my usual size but they have a high waist and no stretch – I like the fit this way, but if you want more breathing room, size up in those.

LOOK 14:

*Bottoms are a cheeky fit so you could size up for slightly more coverage and if you have a larger chest I’d size up in the top.

LOOK 15:

* Dress runs TTS although on the shorter side – I went with my smaller size as it’s a somewhat stiffer fit (though not at all uncomfortable) so I didn’t want a lot of extra fabric.

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ON LIFE: FINDING A HAPPY PLACE IN PALM SPRINGS

As someone who recharges in direct sunlight, enjoys being surrounded by well manicured nature (love a formal garden.. do not love camping.. you know what I mean?) and strongly identifies with 1960s/70s aesthetics – Palm Springs feels like a personal oasis. This was our fourth time there and every time I arrive it feels like an exhalation. It’s a real treat to be able to find a place that makes you feel that way and an even bigger one to have the privilege to return to it year after year.

As such, I like to dress for the style I think that it deserves. A raffia dress (have you ever seen anything better?) and matching headband! Rainbow platform sandals! A punchy bag and lipstick! It’s all welcome here. Order a tiki drink and stay awhile.

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