Hi team, I’ve been a very busy girl! May has seemingly flown by—hard to believe summer sweetness is on the horizon. I’m in the midst of exciting and fulfilling design projects and grateful for the creative opportunities. Thank you for reading my newsletter, writing it brings me a lot of joy. I’d love to hear from you. xx

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Design-related…

• “They illustrate the development of British culture and the evolution of advertising and design.” I loved this article about the pub aesthetic from both a historical and cultural point of view. Did you know? “Pubs are a British institution with origins that date back nearly 2,000 years to Roman Britain when establishments such as ‘mansiones’ and ‘cauponae’ served as roadside lodging for travellers.” Get me to London with a pint in hand.

• So you have the same Crate & Barrel sofa as the rest of us? Visually interesting throw pillows are an easy way to both elevate and spice up your living room and let that sparkling personality of yours shine. 20” x 20” size is a good place to start. Favorites for consideration:

  

1. St. Frank Storm Rock Kuba Cloth Pillow, $125

2. Hand Block Printed Pillow Cover, $80

3. St. Frank Honey Diamond Kuba Cloth Pillow, $99

4. Piper Indian Block Print, $83

5. Fortuny Maori Throw Pillow, $375

6. Indian Block Print Pillow, $93

• It only took me 13 years but alas, a visit to the Noguchi Museum was all I dreamt it would be. Come for the art, stay for the tranquil sculpture garden. You may be familiar with Noguchi’s iconic Akari light sculptures—those beautiful, glowing paper lanterns—which were inspired by traditional Japanese Gifu lanterns, but with a modern, sculptural twist. The name Akari means light in Japanese and Noguchi described them as "poetic, ephemeral, and collapsible sculptures"—he believed light should be soft and organic, not harsh and mechanical. Amen.

  

• One of my favorite mediums is modern photography, and this New Yorker feature of rush hour Manhattan from 1998? Heaven. I recognized the artist Matthew Salacuse from his Instagram handle @salacuse—he is essentially resident photographer for the New York comedy scene. I enjoyed reading more about his career and his discovery of this old collection of photographs—a visual time capsule feast featuring an ever-changing concrete jungle.

  

• The AD tour of Lenny Kravitz’ home in Paris is… jaw-dropping (to say the least). Aside from the obvious of beauty of the space’s architecture and the very personal collection of art and furniture it’s filled with, he talks about a sense of place and the importance his surroundings at home play to his being. What design—and any kind of creative endeavor—is about.

• Back again. A first look at the sets of Wes Anderson’s latest film, The Phoenician Scheme, and the director's signature aesthetic—meticulous symmetry and whimsical design—play its own pivotal role once again. Think real master works, fancy stone bathtubs and wild murals—the sets will seemingly pull us into a quirky, 1950s European world, where every little detail feels like a piece of art. It’s out May 30, I can’t wait to see it.

  

• Current infatuation: French furniture artist Gérard Rigot. I envision the mermaid chair in my imaginary impossibly bohemian-chic seaside cottage on the Scottish coast. You’re invited for dinner.

  

Otherwise…

• Rummaging through my wardrobe during the physically daunting task of ‘switching seasons’—I’d love to know the average number of calories burned retrieving clothes from under my bed—I realized all my tees looked tired and sad (note: I don’t like to have a lot of clothes, I wouldn’t go as far as to say I have a ‘capsule wardrobe’ but I keep my closet lean!). A basics haul from Uniqlo and we are back in business for spring/summer—these shorts, this halter tank, and this Skims-like t-shirt are soo good.

• I find The Cut unbearably and unnecessarily negative but I would have to agree. 🥴

• Transport me to anywhere in here, thank you.

• I discovered Yuka and Iife will never be the same. Download the independent app to scan any cosmetic or food item for a rating based on ingredients. I thought I’m more cognizant about what I put on my skin than most, but it turns out not to be the case—a few quick scans on my vanity and the Dove Fragrance-Free Sensitive deodorant I’ve been using daily for the past 15 years? A literal 0/100 rating (thanks to BHT, a synthetic antioxidant and likely carcinogenic endocrine disruptor). I cannot begin to fathom how toxic ingredients like this are unregulated in the United States but that is a rant for another time!!!!!! It becomes a little obsessive, but I’ve started by making swaps with products I use daily. Here’s a list of winners from my latest clean beauty bounty that boast an ‘Excellent’ rating from Yuka:

  

1. Ultra Violette Velvet Screen SPF 50 Mattifying Mineral Fragrance Free Facial Sunscreen | This is the only mineral sunscreen I’ve had a positive experience with—ever. It feels like a lovely serum—I actually look forward to putting it on in the morning.

2. goopbeauty Colorblur Glow Balm in Velveteen | This is very pretty and multi-use. Cheeks, lips, eye.

3. saie Sun Melt Natural Cream Bronzer in Light Bronze | For a creamy glow that’s easy to apply with a brush.

4. rms beauty Hydra Setting Powder | As good as the rest of them, without the nasty ingredients.

5. AKT The Deodorant Balm | Chic packaging, and you become accustomed to the application (your fingers—I’ll take it over swiping on chemicals any day). I prefer unscented, but the scents sound nice.