It’s so nice to connect with you again. The past few weeks, I’ve had a difficult time showing up here. I think it’s a combination of so much going on IRL, plus hitting a wall every time I sat down to write something. But, it seems we’re all going through something similar, no?

We’ve got a lot to catch up on! And we’re officially on the eve of the holiday season, with Thanksgiving just over a week away.

So, the plan for this Substack is to share:

• Seven outfits I’ve been wearing lately

• A very short street style report

• My plan for Thanksgiving (including what I’m hoping to wear)

• Three recent reads

Hope you’re hanging in there. If you are participating in or celebrating any holidays in the coming weeks, I’m sending you a warm hug. They can be the best of times and the worst of times, haha. Wishing you a sweet and chill holiday!! <3

All my best,
Natalia

*POSTSCRIPT* I just went in and bolded the items I’m wearing that are on sale now for the holidays. As things become available, I’ll update this post!

Seven Recent Outfits

Last month, I spent a few quick days on the East Coast—NYC and Connecticut—to visit family. My husband had a board meeting, so we planned it so I could join him before heading on our vacation in France. I spent the initial forty-eight hours in NYC running up and down Manhattan, visiting with friends and family (and getting as much work done as possible!!).

A Mini Street Style Report

Reader, I had this folder of street style images I took while in Paris, and they’re all horrible pictures!! Haha. It feels weird to me to take pictures of total strangers, so I ended up taking very zoomed-out shots of them walking away, which means it’s mostly the backs of coats. Not great for our purposes.

The only salvageable one is a picture I took within five minutes of arriving in NYC. My husband and I were on our walk to dinner when I spotted this burgundy Balenciaga Rodeo bag.

Thanksgiving Plan

For the last five years (minus last year), I’ve hosted and cooked Thanksgiving, gathering friends and family at our home. It’s one of my favorite meals of the year. This time, we’re having a quiet Thanksgiving (I always love when people say that!!).

Anyway, I always advise people not to mess with the Thanksgiving menu — stick to the classics and use Martha Stewart recipes. If you’re going the traditional route this year, or you’ve got a crowd to impress, you can’t go wrong with her cheesecloth turkey (and gravy, of course) and her mashed potatoes (I always make mine in my stand mixer).

I’m not taking my own advice this year and instead going with an alternative menu for our petite party. On my table: Ina Garten’s engagement chicken (with a gravy from the pan drippings) and green beans gremolata, Alice Waters’s potato gratin, Martha Stewart’s glazed carrots, Alexandra Stafford’s popovers, a simple green salad with a lemony vinaigrette, and for dessert, an apple crisp (likely ’s aunt’s!).

My Thanksgiving outfit plan: I’m thinking Dorsey earrings, a cream cashmere sweater tucked into high-waisted jeans, and flat leather boots. I’ll throw on a black wool wrap coat and sunglasses for the morning coffee run and pre/post-dinner dog walks. And since I’ll be in the kitchen, I’ll put my hair up with my French hairpin (which I never talk about but use every day… get one!!).

Recent Books

The Booker Prize winner was announced last week, and would you believe I was already reading it? Flesh by David Szalay. It took me about a week to read. The first half is slow — I found the main character dry and unattached (so many “yeah”s), which can be frustrating. But the night before the announcement, I pushed through the tedious parts, and I’m so glad I did. The pace picked up, the stakes got higher, and by the time I woke up to the news that it had won, I agreed — it’s a great book.

Earlier in the month, I read two other longlist books: Audition (Katie Kitamura), which I loved mostly for the writing, and Endling (Maria Reva), which has a really interesting structure. I’d recommend picking up both.

Currently, I’m a few chapters into Flashlight (Susan Choi) and hoping to finish it before Thanksgiving.

Thank you for sticking around, and I hope you all have a great and cozy holiday, however you spend it.

Welcome! There’s a good chance this is the first email you’re getting from me. My last post on Thirteen Things I Find Chic brought in many new readers, and I’m excited to have you here. Perhaps you’ve been here for a while, and if so, thank you for your continued support. It means the world to me.

Every few weeks, I send out a books and looks report, detailing (almost) everything I’ve recently read and worn. My reading taste is wide-ranging — from horror to fun beach reads. I’m notorious for putting books down if I’m not feeling them, but also known for reading straight through in one sitting. Of all the books I read, I have a soft spot for translated literary fiction written by women (notably, My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante, and anything by Mariana Enriquez).

My outfits are straightforward and classic. That’s mainly because my life revolves around being present in my relationships and commitments — working from home, walking and playing with my dog, volunteering in my community, date nights with my husband, and as many plans with my girlfriends as I can manage. The farmers market and grocery store aisles are my runway, so I aim to keep it casual, polished, and most importantly, moving.

I hope you’ll find inspiration and companionship in reading my posts. It’s a great pleasure to write and connect with all of you. Thank you so much for being here!

All my best,
Natalia

books

Finished The Wedding People (Alison Espach) and it was a cute read. If you have a vacation coming up that includes reading, bring this book.

Also finished The Unworthy (Agustina Bazterrica), and wow was this an intense book. I tore through it in 24 hours — half right before bed (don’t do that haha) and the rest over coffee the next morning. The story is led by a sharp, compelling narrator who relates a story that is frightening, at times gross, but totally all-consuming. Immediately after I finished, I had to go outside and touch grass to ground back to reality. I recommend it — mostly because I find Bazterrica to be brilliant. Will definitely re-read this in the original Spanish.

This week, I finished My Husband (Maud Ventura), and was completely giddy reading it. I won’t spoil it, but let’s just say I finished the book with a huge smirk on my face. Ah, the games people play! What a treat to read this book from Maud Ventura — now I want to read everything else she’s written.

looks

Early last month, I turned 32! This was the last look of 31.

And this was the first look of 32.

Birthdays are a natural pause point — a chance to reflect on how I lived this past year and what I want for the one ahead. This exercise does not come free of anxiety, judgment, or coulda woulda shouldas, but with each passing year, those feelings are met with more kindness, openness, and a sense of humor that gets better with time.

As part of my annual review, I found myself reflecting on how my style has evolved. Some things haven’t changed (ballet flats, cardigans as tops, DIY jean hems with kitchen scissors), while others have (many more button-ups/downs, more color, and more experimenting).

Below are the looks I wore during the first month of my 32nd year, broken down into four categories: button-ups/down, stand out accessories, cardigans as tops, and trench coats for the rainy LA weather.

Button-Ups/Downs

A wardrobe MVP.

I recently added a denim button-up to my wardrobe and can’t believe it took me this long to wear one.

If you’re interested in more button-down writing, check out ‘s fabulous post from this week, all about button-downs.

Playing With Accessories

Lately, I’m so drawn to fun necklaces. Thatch makes some of my favorite pieces.

Hats are back! One new, one old. This first one is from COS, and it’s perfect for neighborhood walks or outdoor activities in the sun.

The second hat is by . I always wear it in the garden, and sometimes on walks and hikes. It has total coverage!!

I’ve searched for a small, evening type bag for some time and finally landed on this leopard one from Liffner. The size fits everyting I need (phone, wallet, pack of gum, etc), it’s easy to carry, and goes with everything.

I’ll usually wear a bandana in my hair when I’m hiking, but decided to try it out with my daily outfits and really liked it. Was helpful to cover up my grey roots, too!

Cardigans as Tops

The key is to leave some buttons undone so it looks more casual. If you undo the top buttons, and tuck the collar in, it creates a faux v-neck look!!

It’s the playoffs! Which means basketball is on in my house from 4pm to 10pm, no breaks. If you’ve ever wondered what I’d wear to a basketball game, it’s the same thing I’d wear out to dinner, or even to run errands. Sweater + jeans + ballet flats. The only thing that really changes is the bag — I need something small (and Intuit Dome bag policy approved).

Here’s another black cardigan as a top, which I wore on an iced matcha run. By the way, a matcha is the worst drink to spill!! So hard to get those stains out.

Trench Coats

Despite what you may have heard about LA, it rains here!! Finally added two trenches to my wardrobe this year to switch it up from my Toteme barn jacket.

Starting with a classic, neutral trench from Rue Sophie. I love the cropped length — not too long, but not too short. It has vents on the sides, rather than an open back flap, which I prefer.

You may remember this red trench from my spring wishlist post a few weeks ago. I’ve reached for it a ton, and styled it mostly with a white t-shirt and jeans, or a black sweater and jeans.

Not outfit pics per-se, but you can see parts of the trench, and more importantly, a few goodies I picked up this month.

&bonus

Rapid-fire recommendations — three TV shows, an Etsy shop with the cutest straw bags, and the best tea I’ve had in a long time.

TV recs: I started Ransom Canyon (Netflix), am almost done with it, and already scheduled a finale-watching sushi night with a girlfriend. It’s so bad it’s good haha. If you’re looking for something more serious, Your Friends and Neighbors (Apple TV) is fantastic. I grew up in the town/area where it’s set, so it’s fun to spot old neighborhood favorites in the background. The clothes are also great and so fun to spot! Finally, my mom recommended I watch Etoile (Amazon) and I am totally drawn into the magic and drama of NYC/Paris ballet world.

Etsy Shop: Almost all of my straw bags are from PadaWorks on Etsy. Just got a big shipment in and am now fully stocked with mini straw bags to gift this summer. I love filling one with housewarming goodies when we head to dinner at friends’ homes.

Tea: On a recent visit to LA Home Farm, I picked up a tea from Samovar. It’s cacao + mint + lavender, and tastes like a soft, minty hot chocolate. Add some frothed milk on top for an extra creamy cup. I went back to grab more and ended up placing a full order on the Samovar site. I gave a bag to each of my girlfriends, and everyone’s obsessed.

Admittedly, I’ve stopped reading as much as I’d like. For a while, I was hard on myself. How could I let the reading go so easily! But after some reflection, I realized I have too much on my plate and no predictable routine or schedule.

Right before I left for New York/Connecticut at the end of March, I tested a new routine: reading for the first hour of the day. And guess what?! I finally finished the book I’d been slowly chipping away at for two months. Glorious.

So, The Time of the Flies (Claudia Piñeiro) is done, and the last fifty pages were just as shocking as I’d expect them. Piñeiro has a way of packing a punch in the last moments of her story. I love it. My husband had a work trip to Mexico City recently and returned with a copy of her book Catedrales (Cathedrals) in Spanish. I can’t wait to read.

I’m a few chapters into The Wedding People (Alison Espach) and am really enjoying her style of writing and story telling. My only wish? More time to read. :)

looks

Look One — The ultimate sweatshirt from Still Here

Last month, I wrote a post about the images filling up my screenshots folder. Classic grey sweatshirts were heavily featured, and I vowed to try as many as possible. I managed to try 2/3 in person (more on that in the next post), including this Still Here sweatshirt—which I ended up getting in red instead of grey.

It is f-ing perfect. If it’s sitting in your cart, and you’ve been debating it, let me be the one to tell you: hit checkout asap.

Look Two — A perfect RE/DONE cashmere cardigan

The number one thing I pay attention to when I see a cardigan? The buttons. I’ve come across so many cardigans in gorgeous colors and cuts, only to immediately turn away when the buttons aren’t good. Do you know what buttons always look good? Fabric-covered ones. And this cashmere cardigan from Re/Done got it *all* the way right.

Look Three — A Frank and Eileen linen shirt

Maybe you’ve noticed that I’m leaning more toward color. And this blue is a hard lean. I was initially puzzled by how to style it, but relied on an old wardrobe formula that often works for me — white denim + all black accessories.

Wore this on the first “hot” day of the season, and it was perfect.

Look Four — A classic DÔEN top

It’s no secret that I love DÔEN tops, especially once the temps hit the high 70s. I forgot how much I missed the ease of throwing on a light top and jeans and heading out the door.

Another summer staple I pulled out? My vintage Chanel raffia tote—a gem eBay find. I searched for this bag for YEARS and finally went for it when I found one in great condition at a fair price.

Look Five — Finally influenced to try a Quince sweater

At the start of the year, my husband updated his wardrobe with a new grey cashmere sweater. From the first time I saw it on him, I was obsessed—and completely shocked when he told me it was from Quince. It looked so good on him.

Obviously, he influenced me, so I grabbed one for myself. I have a few notes on the fit (wish the sleeves were a bit longer), but overall, it’s cozy, in a good grey, and it works well in my closet. A lot of friends on IG messaged me to tell me they also have this exact one and love it.

Look Six — A grey sweatshirt + white jeans

I really have a thing for grey sweaters and sweatshirts, and they’re even better if I wear them with white denim.

Look Seven — A Marine Layer coat

This camel coat from Marine Layer now has a permanent spot draped over my dining chair—I reach for it constantly. Early garden time with the puppy, evening walks, errands first-thing in the morning… it just works. Can’t believe I didn’t already have something like this in my closet!

Look Eight — A new Patagonia vest

Hiking has become one of my favorite activities, and as I’ve gotten more into it (and logged more miles), I’ve gradually upgraded my gear. I started out in old Lululemon leggings, random APL sneakers (don’t hike in these haha), and basic tees. Now I’ve got proper pants, proper shoes, and—new as of last month—a proper vest.

It’s good for hikes,

and great for neighborhood walks, too.

& bonus

Some things I’ve been doing/choosing/loving the past few weeks:

• Back to manicures (took an unplanned break in January and February). Usually, I wear a sheer pink or a deep red. Always short. Always gel (can’t with the chipping of regular polish).

• Packed light for my trip to the East Coast, and prioritized vintage Levi’s, ballet flats, and my pink journal.

• Last December, I unboxed this laptop case, and my father-in-law (who was visiting for the holidays) was obsessed. He thought it was the coolest thing, and I agree with him. It’s a chic upgrade to make an everyday object special.

• Finally, I recently got the Hatch Restore 3 and can’t wait to work it into my routine. Have any of you tried this? Curious to hear your thoughts on this product!! My screen time hit record levels this year (2025 has been a ride), and I’m determined to cut back—especially at night. The goal: a phone-free bedside table and swapping scrolling the internet for actual reading. Will report back soon on how it’s going!

Last year, I read Elena Knows by Claudia Piñeiro and was blown away by the final chapters. It’s a story I still think about today. So, when browsing my local bookshop, I came across another book by Claudia Piñeiro, The Time of the Flies, and picked it up. I highly recommend it, and anything else by Piñeiro.

looks

On the night of January 31st, to celebrate the end of the longest month of my life, I began this edition of books and looks, fully intending to hit “send” by the next evening. But bright and early on February 1st, my little family and I went on a casual meet and walk with a dog who’d just been rescued, and long story short, he’s sitting next to me as I type this up. More info on him at the end of this newsletter.

For the sake of continuity, let’s rewind to January and review a few looks. As you know (and I talked about it in a post-script of the last books and looks edition), the fires in Los Angeles made the month of January very scary and very tender. Many of the tools I’ve worked on for grounding and stability were unavailable, so I leaned on the ones that were. Getting dressed was/is at the top of that list.

We came back home after evacuating, and it was all hands on deck to help our community. Many of our local coffee shops are hurting from the aftermath of the fires, so we’ve tried to visit as many as we can to support them.

I volunteered as much as my schedule allowed. I loved my time with Altadena Girls and was in awe of how quickly and strongly they built a platform to help those in need.

Kept my usual volunteer/docent commitments once The Huntington opened back up.

One of my favorite things to do is go hiking. There’s a trail in the Altadena mountains that we hit multiple times a week, and it’s become my sanctuary for the past few years. From my research, a part of the trail is gone, another part is in the Angeles National Forest (closed until next year), and the other part is closed to the public.

It’s pushed us to find new trails and visit places outside of LA to get our miles in. A Sunday trip to Ojai a few weeks ago was just what we needed. I wore my usual hiking gear and changed into jeans and flats for lunch in town.

As January dragged on, the temperatures dropped in LA, and we welcomed in some much-needed rain. This marked the return of coats, jackets, and cozy knits.

As I put this newsletter together, I noticed I wore a lot of grey knits.

Remember how last month I found a fabulous vintage Pringle sweater on eBay? I scored again! This time, a red cotton one.

So, I have to share the randomest story. A few months ago, an Instagram friend tagged me in a giveaway for a Junya Watanabe Comme Des Garçons x Harvier Production Spring/Summer 2014 jacket. I tagged her back in the post and totally forgot about it. Then, two weeks ago, I got a notification that I’d won the giveaway! Haha

The jacket is very, very cool, and reversible, so it’s two looks/vibes in one. Grateful to my Instagram friend for introducing me to M1 Lab, a very cool London vintage shop, and to them for sending me this prize!

One last note on the looks. You might have noticed that my Golden Goose sneakers feature HEAVILY in these pictures. I’ve spoken before about how I prefer to wear sneakers only when exercising/hiking. I don’t like the way they look on me, and I have a hard time styling them. These past few weeks, though, required more heavy-duty shoes (volunteering, walking, chasing around TWO dogs, lots of rain), and I didn’t want to wear my usual ballet flats.

I bought these Golden Goose sneakers three years ago because I was drawn to the leopard print and the red. I’m glad I kept them; they’ve come in handy! But now, I think I need to find another pair of sneakers. If you have any recs, please let me know!

&bonus

Ok, so this foster dog situation. We’re spending time with Leo (that’s his name!) while we help find his forever home. He was abandoned in KTown (LA) on/around January 23rd, and was picked up by a kind couple who contacted Wishbone Rescue.

My husband spends a lot of time engaging with rescues, and saw a post about this pup. We set up a meet, so our Meadow could meet him, and we could gauge if they got along. That was 10am Saturday, and by 3pm, he was in the back seat of our car on our way home.

Here’s what we know about Leo after almost 2 weeks fostering him:

• Vet says he’s seven to eight months old, and in perfect health.

• German Shepherd, possibly mixed (awaiting DNA results!!).

• Crate trained (thank you to my husband!!!).

• 100% house-trained with no accidents.

• Not destructive of things inside or outside the house.

• Loves all people, zero aggression, and so cuddly.

• Very affectionate, loves cuddles.

• Plays well with other dogs with proper introductions.

• Is working on walking on a loose leash without pulling all the time. We’re almost there!

• Loves training and learning.

• Spent no time in a shelter thanks to the quick-acting Wishbone Rescue.

He had his neuter surgery last week, and is almost fully recovered. Hoping to get back to long walks and play sessions with Meadow in the next few days.

If you or someone you know in LA is looking to adopt the sweetest puppy, please visit his profile on Wishbone Rescue. Reach out if you have any questions or want more info. I can’t wait for him to find his home and family. They’ll be so, so lucky. <3

My winter break book was The God of The Woods (Liz Moore), and so far, I’m enjoying it. I didn’t have many opportunities to read during the break, so I look forward to having more time to sit on the couch and page-turn this month.

looks

I spent the winter break doing two things: cooking and visiting places with my in-laws.

For each outing, I went with my go-to formula—jeans + a sweater + and ballet flats. It was practical and polished, perfect for long, active days filled with walking, moving around, and plenty of photo opportunities. Knowing that any picture could end up in five different WhatsApp groups within the hour, I wanted to look and feel confident at all times.

The wardrobe mvp award for these days goes to the Khaite Abigail jeans. I wore them a LOT.

This COS sweater was a recent purchase after I saw it on Jess Boardman.

Different sweater/flats combo, but the same idea.

These jeans work well for my body type because I can wear them high-waisted and tuck sweaters or shirts in. Most of my other jeans are mid/low-waisted, so a full tuck doesn’t work (though I’ll always attempt a half-tuck!).

A note on sizing for these jeans: I should have stuck with my true size instead of sizing up. I have another pair of Khaite Abigail jeans from TRR in a size up—they’re snug. The ones pictured, also sized up, are loose in the bum/leg area and slightly in the waist. My plan is to have them tailored, leaving the waist a bit loose for tucking and wearing a belt but streamlining the extra fabric for a true straight-leg fit. If you’re buying these, I recommend trying your true size first and going from there. They definitely loosen with wear, and I’m hearing that not all washes fit the same.

Other than the Khaite jeans, I reached for white jeans from FRAME.

Sometimes, I’ll refresh an outfit by switching out the shoes.

More white jeans outfits:

Keeping with the white bottoms theme, I pulled these Citizen cargo pants out of my closet. Hadn’t worn them since the summer.

And snagged these DONNI baby rib scallop pants during their Boxing Day sale. I wore them from 12/30 through 01/02.

On the morning of January 2nd, I received a long-awaited eBay find—a Pringle of Scotland sweater in the most perfect shade of blue. It was absolutely worth the hunt and the wait.

Washed it and threw it on the next day.

I had sushi dinner plans with my girlfriends later that night, so I swapped the bottoms for dark denim.

Added a coat because it gets cold at night.

&bonus

I’ve felt anxious since the start of the new year. The energy around me has been very chaotic, and I’m craving stability and grounding.

So, I’m working on building daily routines to help me regain focus and flow—those might even be my words for 2025. Mornings are a bit tough right now; getting out of bed isn’t as effortless as it feels in summer, but I’m embracing that. I know this will pass.

My nighttime routine, on the other hand, feels just right. I run a bath while tidying up, prepping Sleepytime tea, and taking a quick shower. Then, I soak in the tub with my tea. My husband often joins me for the last 15 minutes, sitting on the edge of the tub as we chat. It’s a sweet way to end the day.

I love using this muscle soak in the tub, it also makes the best bubbles. I usually throw a little Epson salt in there as well. Just ordered these sleep pebbles from Kate McLeod and am excited to try. First purchase from this brand.

After that, I make my way to bed and curl up with my two “heaters”: my hot water bottle and my puppy (seriously, how are they so warm!!). A little reading (or scrolling) before lights out.

Wishing you a focused and flowy 2025! Thank you for being here. <3

POSTSCRIPT 01.12.2025

I finished writing this edition of Books and Looks last Tuesday around 6 pm. Once I scheduled the post for later that evening, I moved on to make dinner, sat and ate on the couch while my husband watched the Nuggets game, and then checked NextDoor. There were a lot of sirens, and I wanted to see if anyone had any info. I quickly learned that a fire had broken out a few miles from my house. Panicked, I spent the next hours coordinating emergency plans with friends and family, packing go bags, and putting wet towels near windows and doors. We loaded the car early in the morning and received an evacuation warning right as we pulled out of the driveway.

My family, my home, and my neighbors are safe. But many, many… too many are not. My heart breaks for those who lost homes, family members, beloved pets, belongings, collections spanning lifetimes and generations, and a sense of safety. If this is you or someone you love, I am so deeply sorry.

This is a tragedy, and I’m overwhelmed thinking of the road ahead. But if the last few days have shown us anything, it’s that our communities are strong and unified.

I’m sure you’ve seen many ways to help. Below are some more ideas.

• If you’re in the LA area and are available this coming weekend, 11/18 — join me volunteering for We Love LA. Message me directly so we can coordinate.

  

• You can also sign up to volunteer for the Red Cross and World Central Kitchen. If you want to do a shift together, let me know.

• If you’re not in the LA area and want to help, I believe donating directly to affected families is best. Cat Chen put together a list of “neighbors in need.” There are almost 600 entries — it’s really quite hard to imagine. Any little bit helps and counts.

Sending everyone a hug. Message me, please, if you know of someone who needs help or if you want someone to talk to.

I reread Our Share of Night (Mariana Enriquez) this month. It's one of my top five favorite books ever.

Also read Rejection (Tony Tulathimutte), which arrived as part of my Aphilia monthly book subscription. I enjoyed it!

looks

When we last left off, I was in Connecticut, spending Thanksgiving with my family and gearing up for my sister’s early December wedding. After months (really, a whole year!) of planning and anticipation, the big day arrived on December 7th. It was an absolutely perfect New York City winter wedding. There is no greater joy in life than seeing someone you love so deeply experience profound happiness. I wish I could relive it every single day.

We’ve got a lot of looks to cover for this month! I’m going to structure this into three parts:
- cold weather looks I wore on the East Coast for the first half of the month
- wedding-related looks
- winter “break” and holiday looks I wore back home in LA, which I’ll send as a separate post in a few days (I can’t with the super long emails!!!)

Let’s start with the cold weather looks.

While I was home, I acquired two new pairs of shoes.

One pair of jeans.

One set of pajamas, and one monogrammed notebook.

And one faux fur coat.

This brings us into the wedding weekend looks.

There was a rehearsal at the church on Friday morning, followed by a lunch.

After the lunch, my Mom and I joined my sister back at her apartment to finish getting everything gathered and sorted. We made our way over to the hotel in the late afternoon, and set up Wedding HQ in the bridal suite.

When I got married 7 years ago, my sister and I had a sleepover the night before the wedding. We repeated that tradition for her wedding, and it was so fun (and stressful, haha! Lots of things to finish and go over before the next day).

Finally, wedding day! We sent my brother out on a coffee run, and once he showed up with all the coffees, the day officially started. Everybody was right on schedule — my sister is a producer, and it shows. She didn’t miss a single detail.

When putting together my look for the wedding, I had to consider a few key factors:

• The black-tie dress code.

• My visible and active role during the ceremony, which involved moving chairs, straightening my sister’s veil, and constantly getting up and down.

• Assisting my sister (and her new husband) with their Central Park photos, where I’d need something easy to change in and out of without fuss.

• The need for a modest outfit (no uncovered arms or wardrobe malfunctions), easy movement (those chairs were heavy), and still elegant enough for a black tie.

I scoured every retailer I could think of—NAP, MyTheresa, The RealReal, you name it—in search of the perfect dress. I tried on about 30 options, and nothing felt right. Then I remembered that tucked away in the back of my closet was a Nili Lotan silk gown I’d bought last year on major sale. It still had the tags on.

The dress worked, but it wasn’t quite covered enough for the ceremony. During my endless scrolling for dresses, I came across a red coat from Favorite Daughter on Moda Operandi and had a vision: the coat layered over the dress for the ceremony. I ordered a few sizes, hoping the colors and fabrics would align.

When the coat arrived, it was a perfect match, as if they were made for each other. After creating an outfit board for accessories, ordering a few missing pieces, and scheduling a hem for the dress, I was set.

I was so pleased with the final look and felt comfortable and confident all day (and night) long.

Dressing for this wedding taught me three lessons:

1. Prioritizing what feels authentically “me” is everything. After trying on countless ball gowns (who is this? haha), I realized I can adapt any dress code to fit my style. A silk gown that sweeps the floor can be just as elegant as layers of tulle.

2. Shopping my closet should always be my first step, not my last.

Which brings me to lesson #3: always keep an eye out for great evening options, even when there’s nothing on the calendar. My aunt Jacquie and I always joke that the most stunning pieces appear when you don’t need them—but when you do, there’s nothing in sight. If you spot something that fits seamlessly into your wardrobe (and the price is right!), snag it. The occasion will find you. :)

My family is very private, so I don’t have too much to share about the actual wedding or even pics of my sister in her dress etc. But, here’s one of her walking in Central Park with her new husband.

And one of her shoes.

And that’s it! I was so excited to share everything wedding-related with all of you — thank you for reading and accompanying me on this journey.

&bonus

There is no bonus this week because this is already 1000 pages long. I hope everyone had/ is still celebrating a fun and festive holiday season!! Holiday looks in the next send of books and looks.

Friends, I’ve barely read in the past few weeks, so I have no book updates for you. Hoping to read The Other Side : A Story of Women In Art and The Spirit World (Jennifer Higgie) during the Thanksgiving holiday.

looks

It feels like the whole internet is on sale right now, and I’m overwhelmed. I don’t have a full sale roundup, but many of my everyday staples (and longtime favorites) are currently marked down. If I wore it this past month, and it’s marked down, I bolded it.

For other pieces from my closet that didn’t make it into this month’s rotation but are on sale, check out my curated collection here. I also compiled a wishlist of 15 picks from the Luisaviaroma sale—Santa baby, please take note. :)

Anyway, let’s get into the looks.

I learned the hard way that traveling the day before Thanksgiving is always chaotic, so this year we flew to Connecticut on Thanksgiving Day itself. Thankfully, my family was flexible and happy to celebrate on Friday instead.

On the plane, I worked on my speech for my sister's wedding next weekend.

Friday was spent in the kitchen with my mom, prepping for the most delicious meal of the year. It was extra special because, for the first time, all the siblings and all the partners were present. Such a memorable gathering.

The most delicious meal of the year is Thanksgiving.

Let me rewind to last week in LA when it was my husband’s turn to plan date night, and we ended up at a basketball game. If the Denver Nuggets (husband’s favorite team) are in town, we’re there.

I ordered this faux shearling jacket from Modern Citizen a few weeks ago, and it’s the perfect jacket for an LA fall/winter.

Other outfits from this month include a black polo with white jeans.

And my favorite DÔEN blouse.

I’ve been reaching for grey sweatshirts a lot. The one pictured below is from J.Crew (can’t find the grey anywhere, but here is the ivory version which I also have), and I recently got this new version. It’s been my go-to with jeans, flats, and a belt.

It took me a while to figure out how to make sweatshirts feel polished in my everyday wardrobe. The key for me is adding a belt to pull the look together; otherwise, it feels too undone. The denim is just as important—it has to be relaxed and casual, but not overly baggy. This isn’t a piece I’d pair with my more fitted jeans.

My favorite from Donni is on sale right now (they never go on sale!), and I’m considering getting another color.

The Alex Mill vneck continues to be a favorite in my closet.

Love this sweater — it’s such an easy one for me to wear.

Another sweater I’ve reached for a lot is the oversized wool crewneck from Almina Concept. Perfectly oversized — not too heavy, and keeps its shape really well.

My faaavorite jeans from FRAME are on sale right now. I have all three washes and have worn them so much. They also wash and dry really well, haven’t experienced too much shrinking. I know you’re not really supposed to wash your jeans very often, but I do. :)

Finally got to wear this fair isle cardigan from Marine Layer — cozy and festive. And very soft.

The Cooper cardigan from Jenni Kayne is a staple in my cold(er) weather closet. Wore it to a volunteer shift I had earlier this month.

This crewneck sweater from Frank and Eileen is dreamyyy. I immediately put this on my list to gift. It has a gorgeous exposed seam detail on the outside that makes it unique.

I packed all of my Heaven Mayhem earrings for this trip and can’t wait to wear them with turtlenecks and chunky knits.

&bonus

I’m putting together a post for my vintage(ish) finds newsletter, all about vintage Levi’s. To prep, I stopped by RLT, one of LA’s top spots for curated denim.

Their selection did not disappoint. The RLT team has an incredible eye for standout jeans—I tried on three pairs and was tempted to bring them all home, but ultimately chose a pair of 501s from the 90s.

I couldn’t leave without grabbing a vintage tee, too. Some things are just impossible to resist.

Ok, one more thing — if you’ve ever wanted to try Merit, now’s the time. Their whole site is 20% off! The only mascara I’ve worn for 2+ years is the Merit one, and I just restocked it. I also always reach for their brow gel, face stick, and bronze balm.

Ok, I’m back to family time! Happy holidays to all of you.
Xx,
Natalia

I’m midway through my second read of The Story of the Lost Child by Elena Ferrante. This book series has an HBO adaptation, and the final season (based on this last book) is airing now. I’m reading along with the episodes, hoping to catch any details that might get missed onscreen.

My library hold finally came through, so I’m reading my friend Maurene Goo’s book, Throwback. Very much looking forward to starting it over the weekend.

Maurene is a fellow Substack-er! Highly recommend you subscribe and read her publication.

The Mauxdown

Book news, exclusives, good recs, and other very VIP things.

By Maurene Goo

looks

Dear Reader, after nearly a year of weekly Books and Looks, I’m shifting to a twice-monthly format. It’s no secret that I am a major outfit repeater — I wear my clothes over and over again. I’d rather not fill your inbox with the same outfits week after week. Instead, this new schedule should open up more room for fresh ideas—especially with the holidays and festive gatherings coming up.

That being said, here’s what I wore these past two weeks at home in LA. It was chilly, so the sweaters are officially out of storage.

Starting with this cozy wrap cardigan from Lauren Manoogian.

I got it on sale at Net a Porter a while ago, and I love reaching for it in the colder months. My house gets freezing, so it’s the perfect wfh sweater. I’ve got a few other Lauren Manoogian styles bookmarked in hopes of snagging them in the upcoming sale season.

Another sweater I’m happy is out of storage is this Lisa Yang turtleneck I got last winter. I wore this sweater so much in the colder months. The color is soft and creamy, the neck works standing up or folded over and the length is comfortable, but not too oversized and long.

Of course, my trusty grey Zara cardigan from last year is back out. I have this in two sizes (M and L) and alternate depending on what fit I’m looking for. It’s 100% wool and held up really well.

I love pairing grey and blue — an easy way to do this is by wearing a grey sweater with blue jeans. Took advantage of the combo and wore my new/old agnès b. suede coat I got on TRR.

Last spring, I took most of my sweaters to the dry cleaner. While I usually hand-wash them, sometimes outsourcing just makes life easier. When I reached for my cashmere sweater from J.Crew for a Saturday date night, it was still sitting fresh in its dry-cleaning bag.

I left getting ready for dinner until the absolute last second—we were supposed to leave by 6, and I got off the couch at 5:50. When I couldn’t find my black jeans, I grabbed my old Vince black satin pants instead. Forgot how much I like them.

A few sweaters are new in my closet for the season. Remember that black v-neck from Alex Mill I kept reaching for the last few weeks? Well, during my trip to New York, I stopped by their store and got the gray version.

I wore this exact outfit a couple of times throughout the week. Like I said, I’m a major outfit repeater.

By the way, it was a good week to be a Dodger Dog (and fan!!!).

This blue sweater from Gap is also new(ish)-in. I liked it so much I got one for my best friend, who’s five months pregnant. It’s already a big hit with her, too.

I usually try to resist shopping my vintage(ish) newsletter finds, but last week’s all-things-agnès b. edition had me tempted. The snap-cardigan was calling my name.

Seeing Chris Maghsodi in his on a recent Affection Archives post convinced me to order one.

Affection Archives

No. 60: Chris Maghsodi

Chris Maghsodi was born and raised in “The Valley” (Los Angeles), where he was introduced to subcultures and drawn to the allure of what was happening just over the hill. Now living on the flip side in Los Feliz, Chris started his career in editorial writing at Flaunt and has since worked in styling for RRL, Dover Street, and Opening Ceremony, while als…

Read more

2 years ago · 15 likes

Here’s the pic featured in the article, which is also on Chris’s IG. So. Cool.

So, I took to eBay in search of a black one. It arrived two days later from Japan, got a wash (it’s machine washable!), and a wear the next day.

The cardigan feels like a cross between a sweatshirt (part of its origin story) and a boxy lady jacket. It feels effortless and chill, and I love the little details like the fabric tag and the beautiful buttons. Can’t wait to style it a million different ways.

And one last look, featuring a coat Marine Layer sent me. Believe it or not, I don’t have a camel coat in my wardrobe. I used to have one many years ago which I sold when I moved to LA and downsized my coat wardrobe. Turns out, I do need and wear coats in LA — it can get into the low 40s where I live!

While I wait for temps to dip that low, I’ve been loving coats to throw over workout clothes, hiking layers, even pajamas. Especially when getting into a freezing car first thing—having a warm coat makes that icy defrost period bearable.

&bonus

It’s Election Day this coming Tuesday, and a big to-do for me this weekend is to sit at my desk with my sample ballot, the voter guide, and the internet, so I can research everything — especially my local elections. I’ve done this in the past, and it’s made the voting process easier for me.

My plan is to go vote in person on the 5th. Throughout the years, I’ve had interesting and illuminating conversations with poll workers. It’s a part of this experience that I really look forward to. I’ll never forget my first California election (the 2020 primary), one of the poll workers asked me if I was “famous” haha. Obviously not, but that got us talking and sharing. I love connecting with people.

I've checked in with everyone close to me about their voting plan—whether they're mailing in, voting early, or heading to the polls on Election Day. This always opens up a conversation about what's on the ballot and where priorities lie. I love hearing how others approach the issues, and it feels like the more we talk, the better informed we all are. If you haven’t already, chat with your loved ones and make sure everyone’s set to vote (and that you are, too!).

Lots of art books from museum stores recently.

1. Right before my trip, I stopped by the Norton Simon Museum gift shop for a baby shower present, and of course, got something for myself. Inventing the Modern caught my eye and came with me on my trip to NY/CT. So far, loving it.

2. The Whitney Handbook of the Collection, a reference book on the Whitney’s extensive art collection, was my book purchase of my trip. A total gem.

3. While browsing the museum shop, I noticed they had Carrie Mae Weems: Kitchen Table Series. Earlier this year, I got this book at the Getty bookshop, and constantly look through it.

looks

Monday through Wednesday, I visited with my family in Connecticut.

On Wednesday night, I took the train in to Manhattan from Connecticut.

I went straight to my sister’s apartment to drop my bags, and then we hopped on the subway to Brooklyn for dinner at Café Mogador. This spot is a forever favorite that’s still delicious even after 10+ years of going. They have a location on the East Side that’s also great, but I prefer the Brooklyn one because we can go to The Hoxton next door for a drink while we wait for our table.

On Thursday, my sister and I woke up early for a Central Park walk. She lives right off the park and likes to take me on her daily walk route when I’m visiting.

One of my LA friends was also in NY and joined us for our walk. It was a crisp morning and everyone was in a coat or a jacket. Blissful.

We got back to my sister’s apartment and I rushed to shower and change, so I could head downtown to meet my friend Ari.

I mentioned Ari in my last books and looks — we recently met IRL after connecting via IG/Substack. We both happened to be in NY visiting from LA last week, so we made plans to check out a few stores together.

First on our list was Desert Vintage in the LES. I walked right past the shop at first — it’s quite unassuming. But, once you enter through the doors, you can tell right away that you are in the presence of some serious vintage. If I could, I would have taken it all.

On the recommendation of the shop attendant at Desert, we hopped over to BODE. I was immediately struck by how cool everything (and everyone) was. Lots of knits, pants, and a couple random clown suits. Took us a minute to realize we were at the men’s store.

We continued our walk and stumbled into Kallmeyer — a brand I had only ever seen online, but was pleasantly surprised by the quality and craftsmanship irl. This store is impeccably decorated.

We crossed Bowery and stopped at Still Here. I’ve seen this brand (specifically these “Cool” tie front jeans) all over the internet — my algorithm loves them. I had every intention of trying them, loving them, and purchasing them. But, as soon as we walked into the tiny store, another pair of jeans caught my eye.

I tried the Tate jeans in classic blue and fell in love. They look/feel like a vintage pair of 501s, except they actually fit my butt. No saggy fabric here! An immediate yes for me. I’m 5’6ish, and these hit me right below the ankle.

Re: the cool jeans — they are indeed very cool, but not an f yes for me. So I passed.

Our next stop was Khaite, and boy was this a true test for my self-control. Every single piece that was on a hanger was incredible, and the bags and shoes they had on display all earned spots on my wishlist. I was especially blown away by this red bag and this leather jacket. Ooooooooof.

Couldn’t leave without a picture in the red changing room.

Our final stop was Alex Mill. This store is delightful and small, packed with cozy knits, denim, and jackets. I saw my favorite black vneck in the grey colorway, and knew I had to get it. When in Rome!

Ari and I said our goodbyes and I made my way uptown for a quick change and to drop off shopping bags.

Free of excess layers and bags, I zoomed downtown to meet my friend (and fellow Substacker) Raeshelle at the Whitney.

I loved visiting the museum with Raeshelle, especially hearing her perspective and thoughts on the different pieces we saw. Art with friends is fun!

We strolled over to the West Village afterward, and ended up at Joseph Leonard for diet cokes and fries. Been coming here also for 10+ years, and it’s one I always recommend. Raeshelle surprised me with a gift bundle filled with items she sourced on her recent travels around Europe. I felt so special and seen — what a gift to have a friend like Raeshelle. Love you <3

I ended the day grabbing dinner with one of my best friends from college at Sant Ambroeus. I was so excited that she picked this spot for dinner because I love their princess cake. It hits every time.

Here’s a pic I snapped in the bathroom wearing the Tate jeans. Yes, I changed into them shortly after I bought them.

And here’s a pic of me physically exhausted (20k+ steps is no joke), but emotionally elated after a very long and very fun day.

Spent all Friday with my Mom and sister running around the UES/Midtown attending wedding-related appointments. My sister is getting married in a few weeks, so it’s crunch time.

Here’s what I can share about that day (wedding stuff is off the table!!!):

1. I snapped this picture of a very stylish man walking up Madison Ave. I usually shy away from taking pictures of strangers, but I could not pass up this look. Especially since my last post on menswear has me locked in on what the guys are wearing.

2. We popped into The Real Real on Madison Ave for a quick browse and I saw two pieces that will likely end up in my TRR graveyard.

3. I finally made it Monkey Bar — one of my sister’s favorite spots. We celebrated my Mom’s bday with a very large lemon meringue pie.

   

Saturday started off with a soccer game at my brother’s school. It was homecoming weekend.

And then a birthday lunch for my Mom, followed by cake and presents.

At some point that afternoon, I swapped my Chanel flats for these velvet DÔEN ones. I don’t have any pointed toe flats in my closet, so these are special. Bonus points for the velvet and little bows — already planning lots of holiday outfits with these.

Ended the day and the trip with one final neighborhood walk (Connecticut edition). I already miss my family. :(

&bonus

So, I packed a carry-on for this trip, but ended up checking it at the airport. I panicked, thinking it was too heavy to hoist into the overhead bin, and I wasn’t about to struggle in front of everyone (this gives me a lot of anxiety). Thanks to my free checked bag status, I sent that baby away.

Why am I telling you this? Because JFK Terminal 4 is notorious for dragging out baggage claim. I knew I’d have time, so I wandered into duty-free (something I rarely do) and grabbed a new bottle of my forever-favorite fall scent.

Back in college, I had a few classes with the chicest Turkish woman. She always wore the best clothes, carried herself with confidence, and smelled amazing. One day, I finally asked her what perfume she used, and she introduced me to Narciso Rodriguez For Her (the black bottle, not pink!). It became my signature cold-weather scent, and I’ve been hooked ever since.

I did a quick spritz after my purchase, and by the time I reached the baggage carousel, two people had already asked me what I was wearing.

This scent is like slipping on a black wrap wool coat for the first cold day of the season, or the soft cashmere turtleneck you wore to a candlelit dinner with someone you very much wanted to seduce. It has that same rich, indulgent vibe—like dark, moody Lincoln Park After Dark nails wrapped around a steaming cup of coffee. It’s seductive without trying too hard, mysterious but magnetic. There's an undeniable allure that subtly pulls people toward you, leaving them intrigued and wanting more.

If you try this perfume (or have tried it) and love it, let me know! I’m already loving the lingering smell this is leaving on my clothes.

I’m back to getting most of my books from the library, which means that what I’m reading is dictated by the holds’ system of the Pasadena libraries. If it’s available, and I’m up, then I’m reading it!

Recently got Long Island Compromise (Taffy Brodesser-Akner) and Martyr! (Kaveh Akbar). A few days later, I checked out the new Mariana Enriquez book, A Sunny Place for Shady People.

Enriquez is one of my all-time favorite authors — her book Our Share of Night was a haunting introduction to Latin American horror, and I can’t wait to dive into her latest work!

looks

Hi from Connecticut! I’m back east for the week visiting my family, and doing wedding things with my sister as we count down the weeks until her celebration.

I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am to see Connecticut in all its fall splendor. As my Dad pointed out, this is the best week to visit because the trees still have leaves (and in all the colors, from green to red), the weather is pleasant, and everyone is decorating and excited for Halloween. I love it here.

Next week’s books and looks will definitely have colder weather outfits, but for now, a recap of the past few weeks in outfits. As I was putting this together, I realized I’ve been reaching for the same few pieces on repeat, so here are four outfits (or items) that I’ve been wearing often. Sometimes you just find your go-tos, you know?

Alex Mill V Neck Sweater

Last month, I finally ordered a couple new sweaters for the season. First on my list was one from Alex Mill. I can’t tell you how excited AM pieces make me — they’re well-made, expertly cut/made, and fit easily into my wardrobe.

The sweater is cozy and warm, perfect for airplanes. My airport uniform is jeans and a sweater (don’t worry, I’ll pack sweatpants and change into them for longer haul flights), and this has earned the top spot in my rotation.

Love a black and white look, too. Wearing here on another flight.

But, it’s not just a travel sweater — I wear it at home, too!

DÔEN Henri Top

You saw me wear this top in black and white all summer long. And since it’s still 80+ degrees in LA, I’m still reaching for it.

I’ve put the white one away because it feels too summery, but love how the black looks with dark wash denim.

Jeans and a tshirt

My summer uniform lives on.

It’s an outfit formula that works in any city and for any activity. Wore it to my nephew’s soccer game in Houston.

Here’s a better pic:

Jeans and a tshirt works with white jeans too. Especially if you add in brown/black accessories.

Mornings and evenings have been pretty cold lately, so I’ve been adding a sweatshirt for garden time or quick neighborhood walks. DONNI makes one of my favorites — it's lightweight and perfect for layering when you just need something cozy without being too heavy.

Speaking of DONNI, I repeated their red cotton cardigan a bunch these past few weeks.

It’s great for dog walks.

And dog walks that lead to the library.

And daytime errands, coffee runs, and doctor’s appointments.

&bonus

I’ve had my eye on the Toteme T Lock bag, and in the past few weeks, I saw a few stylish women wearing them. My friend Arielle wore it when we met for lunch in West Hollywood a couple of weeks ago, and it looked so chic on her! She totally sold me.

By the way, Arielle has an amazing Substack called Café Café — highly suggest and encourage you to subscribe. It’s one of my favorites.

Café Café

A weekly rendezvous where the worlds of fashion, creativity, and aesthetics will beautifully intertwine.

By Arielle

When I logged onto Net a Porter a few days later, I saw the clutch in a black textured leather and ordered it.

The bag is stunning in person and crafted with exceptional quality—the lining is suede, and the stitching is impeccable. Buuuttt, the size felt off for me. I exchanged it for the smaller one, but that didn’t work either. Now, I’m undecided. I’ll be in New York this week and plan to visit the Toteme store to try on a variety of sizes. Hopefully, this helps me decide if it’ll be my big purchase for the year.

One more thing — I’m a laundry freak, and the TikTok algorithm knows it. I recently came across a great video that taught me a new technique for deep cleaning and sanitizing items like white T-shirts, kitchen linens, and workout clothes. It’s seriously effective, so I wanted to pass it along.

I've been starting my mornings with Sabbath (Wayne Muller), savoring small sections before diving into the day. One of my favorite takeaways so far is how Muller frames Sabbath as "a period of repose, when the mind settles gently in the heart." It's such a calming and insightful read.

I also just finished James (Percival Everett) —a powerful retelling of *Huckleberry Finn* from Jim’s (or should I say, James’s) perspective, which is deeply thought-provoking. If you're intrigued, the New York Review of Books podcast did a fantastic discussion on it.

Lastly, I’m almost done with Three Women (Lisa Taddeo). This nonfiction book reads like a novel—it’s been so engrossing that I've carried it with me everywhere this week, sneaking in pages during breaks. It’s an intimate, gripping dive into the lives of three women that pulls you in from start to finish. It reads like fiction, meaning, you get lost in the story rather than the facts. At least that’s how I’ve experienced it.

looks

We had a blissful week of gorgeous LA fall weather, with some gloomy and foggy mornings too. This means, the sweaters are back. I’ve pulled out a few from cold-weather storage, though let’s be honest, they never really disappeared.

I’m enjoying mixing summer pieces with cozy wool and cashmere layers. If I wear a pullover, I’ll pair it with a cotton tee underneath, ready to shed layers as the day heats up.

If I’m wearing a cardigan, I’ll button it up and wear it as a top. You might have noticed that I rarely wear all the buttons closed (unless layering over a tshirt). Leaving a few buttons at the top and bottom undone looks a little more casual and a little less formal.

This Zara cardigan from last season resumed her rightful place at the top of the clothes pile on my dresser. Welcome back.

The change in season this week reminded me to pull out my sweatshirts. They are the perfect in between piece — I can (and do) wear them out, but they also feel cozy enough for wearing at home. They’re great restorative pieces, and I reached for them a lot this past weekend.

Other than getting dressed this week, I worked, walked, read, and went out for sushi with friends. It was a quiet week, and I’m grateful for that.

On Friday, after a day of working in the morning, I met up for a late lunch with my aunt. We chatted and caught up on family drama and consulted on dresses for my sister’s upcoming wedding. I’m so lucky to have her close by. Afterward, I went to a few local shops to put together a little hosting gift to take to a dinner party that night.

Our friends treated us to an incredible feast. The star was a chicken dish with crispy skin and tender meat, paired with buttery Lebanese-style rice (rice with vermicelli), roasted squash drizzled with mint-pomegranate sauce (I may have gone overboard on that), and a fresh arugula salad. Every bite was divine, and yes—I’ve already requested the recipes to recreate it all.

On Saturday, we set out to our usual trails to attempt a longer hike. I’ve been working up to this, and really wanted to see if I was ready for something a little more challenging than my usual three-mile hike. So, we did seven miles and I wish I had more stamina (and more water) to go on for longer because I enjoyed every minute and every mile.

A big part of this is the after-hike bliss that comes from taking a long shower (and using every product you have in there), putting on fresh and soft clothes. and hitting the couch.

We started our Sunday with a long walk around the neighborhood, followed by homemade breakfast burritos.

In the afternoon, we went out for ice cream at this old-fashioned shop (cash only!!!), had our monthly budget meeting (not fun or exciting, but so important), and watched Grey’s Anatomy. Back in college, my best friend loved this show, but I never really paid attention! Happy to be watching it now.

As I talked about in last week’s books and looks, I’ve been on an anxiety struggle bus, and it’s been a tough ride for me. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who commented or sent private messages—they meant the world to me. The hardest part of dealing with anxiety is how isolating it can feel, and your kindness was a powerful reminder that I’m not alone. Your support helped more than you know, especially when my instinct is to withdraw. Thank you for being there.

&bonus

Now that the seasons have officially shifted, I’m ready to revisit my colder weather wardrobe and fill in any gaps. With two upcoming trips to New York, I’ll need to be prepared for a variety of temperatures and activities.

So, I’ve been building a wishlist. Below is a peek at what I have, you can find more here.

From top left
1. The Noorie coat in chocolate brown from Almada Label. I love that you can wrap it as a shawl collar, or with a popped collar for a preppier look. Wool and cashmere blend.
2. The Val shirt from Alex Mill for a perfect button down that’s not too oversized but not too fitted.
3. Also from Alex Mill, the Cecile cashmere turtleneck. The color on this one is gorgeous — perfect for tonal brown looks or worn with blue or white denim.
4. The Jodie dress from DÔEN’s Fall collection is the only dress that’s caught my eye in a while. I’m drawn to the square neck silhouette, the buttons that are in the same fabric as the dress (no contrast there), and the tweed fabric. I’d wear this just the way they styled it with black tights and slingbacks.
5. This suede bag from Italian brand, Marsèll, stopped me in my scrolling tracks one day. I believe this came to me via a sponsored ad on Pinterest, and it immediately went on my wishlist.
6. Another DÔEN pick, this fisherman sweater is so cozy. I love going for oversized silhouettes in lighter colors (like cream or white) for some contrast. It’s easy to drown in an oversized black sweater, but there’s something about a slouchy white one that is very cool to me.
7. This corduroy jacket from Alex Mill is so cute, and perfect for looks that have jackets as the tops. I’d wear this with dark wash denim, a boot, and buttoned up.
8. Can never have too many cardigans… right? Curious to try this one from DÔEN that I’ve seen all over my feed. I especially love the buttons on this.
9. Last but not least, riding boots are high up on my list for fall. These from COS caught my eye.

Hope you all have a lovely week!
Xx,
Natalia

*items marked * were generously gifted to me

Almost done with James (Percival Everett), have about 60 pages left.

I went to the bookstore to pick up The God of the Woods (Liz Moore)—I've heard amazing things. But on the way to the checkout, a display on rest and unplugging stopped me in my tracks. Sabbath (Wayne Muller) caught my eye, and I’m already halfway through. Written in 1999, yet it feels like it was made for 2024. Exactly what I needed!

looks

Last Sunday, I woke up bright and early so I could get to the Rose Bowl Flea Market.

It was the tail end of a long heat wave in LA, but I knew I had to go. I’m working on a guide to the market, and since it’s only once a month, the chances to explore and connect with new vendors are limited. So, despite the heat, I made it happen!

This time, I stopped by a stall selling $10 leather and suede jackets. Maybe it was the 7am vibe or the rising heat, but nothing really caught my eye. I’ll swing by again in a few months, but it was a bit of a letdown.

I did a big lap around the large vintage/second hand clothing area and found a couple hats (this was on my list going on), and a sick jacket.

After the market, I spent the day with my sister before her evening flight. Having her here for over a week was so special, and I treasured every moment. I can’t wait to see her as a bride in December.

The weekday flew by, and every day pretty much looked the same! Walk/hike and home tasks in the mornings, and work in afternoons.

Here are some scenes from those days:

Kicked off the weekend with my favorite activity — a family hike with my husband and pup.

I’ve gotten the hiking outfits down to a uniform that works for me — Live the Process workout bra, Vuori pants, a tshirt, Patagonia jacket, and Salomon hiking shoes.

After the hike, we got my favorite sandwich in all of LA from Bub and Grandma’s, showered, and took naps on the couch. Total bliss.

That evening, we met up at a friend’s house for a Mexican Independence Day celebration of sorts.

A couple of years ago, I downloaded Bumble BFF and met two amazing women—both close to my age, married, and fellow Latinas. We’ve gotten quite close, and I feel really lucky to have a close group of friends, especially ones I made as an adult. We sometimes invite our husbands to our hang outs hehe.

On Sunday, I woke up a ball of anxiety. That’s been happening a lot lately (more on that below), so we picked up chai lattes and went for a walk at a nearby park.

There's something about seeing kids on bikes and scooters, laughing and having fun, that instantly lifts my spirits. Sometimes, you just need to step outside and soak it in.

Ended the day and the weekend with a yummy home cooked meal, a neighborhood walk, and some puppy cuddles.

*items marked * were generously gifted to me

&bonus

I’ve recently noticed that my anxiety levels have been creeping up. Two years ago, I started medication to manage anxiety and panic attacks, and it helped tremendously.

My husband and I are planning to expand our family next year (yepppp!!! so exciting!!), and after consulting with my doctors, we decided it was time to taper off the meds. I felt stable and ready, so a few months ago, I gradually and carefully stopped (under supervision, of course). But now, I’m starting to feel the effects.

This week, I realized my anxiety has increased. It’s been a chance to revisit all the tools I’ve gathered throughout the years to help manage this.

Getting dressed every day is on that list, believe it or not.

Taking walks is too. It can be a micro walk (up and down my driveway), a lap around the block, an hour-long neighborhood walk, or a hike.

Spending time off my phone, especially social media. I use the app Opal for scheduled time blocks off the social apps.

I’ve also returned to therapy, and it’s been a game-changer. That one hour a week is an invaluable time to work through anything that comes up.

Most importantly, I’m reminding myself to practice kindness and compassion with myself. This transition is challenging, but I’m taking it one day at a time.

If you’re struggling with mental health, or have in the past, I’m sending you a great big hug. Thank you for the space to share this — this community means so much to me.

Still making my way through James (Percival Everett).

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As I type this, LA is on day four of an intense heat wave, with temperatures soaring past 107°F (42°C) and barely dipping below 80°F at night. It's been brutal. I’ve spent most mornings outside from 7-9am, then indoors, hoping the power and AC hold up. It’s my first time navigating a heat wave with a dog, and I’ve been focused on keeping her safe—she’s fine, just a bit stir-crazy!

But before the heat arrived, we started the week with a day off for Labor Day. Our itinerary for the day included a brief beach outing, followed by lunch at In-N-Out.

When In-N-Out hits, it hits.

On Tuesday, I began the day hiking with a friend and our dogs. We usually walk for about 90 minutes, chatting the whole way, and it's always the highlight of my week.

The rest of the day was dedicated to shooting content for a few brands and getting organized for the week ahead—groceries, meal planning, and laundry.

I also sent out a vintage(ish) finds email with my eBay hunting secrets, revealing two of my favorite sellers. If you’re interested, check it out.

On Wednesday morning, I headed to The Huntington for an early walk. If you have a membership, you can access the gardens starting at 8 a.m., giving you two peaceful hours to explore before they open to the public at 10 a.m.

As I prepare for my third (!!!) year of volunteering, I’m ramping up my visits there to reacquaint myself with everything it has to offer.

By Thursday morning, the heat was here. I scrambled to get out early and walk the dog for as long as possible. Spent the rest of the day working.

Friday was business as usual — another early early walk, work all day, and a few errands in the afternoon. After cooking at home all week, I was especially thankful I had dinner reservations lined up that night.

My sister and I met up with a friend for pizza at one of my favorite LA spots — Grá. They make all of their pizza from organic sourdough. The BEST part is the crust —delicious.

The puppy was my husband’s responsibility Saturday morning, so I slept in. Had a slow, lazy morning drinking coffee and chatting with my sister, and then made us some breakfast.

In the afternoon, we drove out for a coffee and dropped my sister off at an event. I’m so sad she’s leaving at the end of the weekend. I wish she lived in LA!!!

As I put this newsletter together, I noticed I’ve been leaning toward darker denim (and white pants, of course) this week. Almost all the dark-wash jeans I own are loose and baggy — there’s a gap in my closet for a true straight style. If you have any favorites, let me know!

Saturday ended with an early pasta dinner (my favorite), a warm and long bath, and tea + reading before bed. Hope you’re enjoying your weekend, and if you’re experiencing this heat wave — stay safe!

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As you can tell from the short "books" section above, I barely read this week. I could blame the heat... but must confess, I spent most of my weekday evenings watching Netflix. Specifically, one show.

When I was younger, I wasn’t allowed to watch tv. But, while my classmates in New York were glued to Gossip Girl or The OC, I would secretly watch telenovelas on Univision whenever I could. I loved them.

And guess what? I still love them. One of my all-time favorites, Pasión de Gavilanes, is on Netflix—all 188 episodes.

As I made my way through, enthralled by the drama and the plot, I realized that the reason this particular telenovela stuck with me was because the leading lady has the best style. And her favorite thing to wear? Suede.

Her looks are country-house chic. The aforementioned suede, lots of denim, easy, uncomplicated silhouettes, and killer accessories. Every single outfit is perfect, and I love that she has a gorgeous, bouncy blowout as well. It’s true effortless style, and I’m taking notes.

Finished Pink Slime (Fernanda Trías), and found it thought-provoking, intense, and incredibly interesting. I especially appreciated learning that Trías collaborated closely with the translator, Heather Cleary, to ensure the language's accuracy. The attention to detail truly shows in the final result.

In the middle of James (Percival Everett) and the book comes with me everywhere I go. I’m hooked.

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I'm not quite sure how to catch you all up on my whereabouts (and wardrobe-abouts) from the past three weeks, but I wanted to share some of the fun outfits I wore in August.

Let’s start with this striped top from DÔEN I got from Net a Porter. The stripes are grey and subtle, and the shape transitions nicely from late summer to early fall.

I also reached for this white Alex Mill cardigan a lot.

The fabric of this cardigan is a heavy cotton, which makes it cozy without making me feel stuffy. Wore it around the house, out to dinner, and on evening walks.

My beloved Henri top from DÔEN got an update, or more specifically, sleeves!

This striped button-down from Sézane was a staple in my wardrobe this month.

Took the outfit from day to night for dinner out by swapping the shoes and the bag.

Of course, I didn’t stay in “proper” clothes all day—I spent much of my time in hiking and walking gear. I racked up plenty of steps over the past few weeks, and I’m feeling so grateful and refreshed because of it.

Ok, now we’re mostly caught up! So, let’s go through this week’s outfits.

Monday brought cooler temps (that stayed throughout the week).

Recently got this red-striped button down from Frank + Eileen — such a fun addition to my closet.

Wore this all day around the house and then out for errands and a manicure. The fabric is so comfortable and lightweight.

After an early morning hike on Tuesday, I spent the rest of the day working from home. With the rest of the week filled with social engagements, I appreciated having a quiet day to recharge.

On Wednesday, I drove out to Beverly Hills for some appointments, and spent the day in the car! Seriously, traffic is out of control in LA.

Thursday was another busy work day, followed by a lovely evening at the Hollywood Bowl.

This time, I went with my aunt and two neighbors, and we had a fabulous time.

On Friday morning, I woke up to a text from my sister saying her flight from NYC was delayed, which gave me a few extra hours to finish up tasks and work at home.

Around noon, I packed up the car and my bags and headed out to pick up my sister at LAX. I planned a little surprise bachelorette for her (she’s getting married in December) and organized a quick trip to Ojai to celebrate her.

We finally made it to Ojai just in time to check into our hotel and make our 8pm dinner reservation.

Ojai is one of my favorite places to visit, and I’m so glad I brought my sister here.

If you’re ever in town, make sure you book dinner at Rory’s place. And don’t forget the chocolate chip cookie with milk for dessert.

Surprisingly, my sister and I were up at 7:30 the next morning ready for coffee.

As soon as we finished our coffees, we threw on hiking clothes and shoes…

and hit the trails.

Back to the hotel for showers and a change

and a prompt 11am checkout.

Before heading back home, we went into town for some book browsing at Bart’s Books, and then some lunch at the Ojai Valley Inn.

I left with a stack of books under my arm, including this Joan Mitchell gem.

We woke up early again on Sunday morning ready for another hike and coffee. We had to get an early start because I’d planned a fun afternoon with my sister.

A visit to The Broad followed by a late lunch at The Ivy. My aunt joined us and we got to continue the bridal celebrations for my sister.

Friends, I’m so happy to be back. Thank you for your patience and space while I took some time off. We’re so back!

Wishing you all an easy first week of September.
Xx,
Natalia

items marked * were generously gifted to me

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This week, I have a question for you. I’ve received feedback here and on social media that listing exact sizes is more helpful than using terms like “true to size” or “size up.” In my recent post, I included specific sizes, and I’m curious if you found it useful or if you prefer descriptive sizing instead.

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Please let me know what you think.

For all My Brilliant Friend fans and lovers, I just found out that the fourth and final season of the show (based on the fourth book) drops on September 9th. In preparation for this, I’m rereading the fourth book this month.

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Last Sunday morning, my husband booked a “sniff spot” for our pup, and we took her swimming. Meadow loooooooves the water, and I felt so much joy watching her experience bliss and happiness jumping in and out of the pool.

Later that day, I went over to visit with my aunt for a quick Sunday catch up. I always say this, and that’s because it’s true, but I’m so happy I live close to family!!!

On Monday, I got up early and went on a long walk with my husband and pup. I noticed that I felt energized for the rest of the day and in great spirits, and miss the cooler weather that makes long walks easier at any time of the day.

Snapped a quick outfit pic outside while the air fryer warmed up dinner.

On Tuesday, I got all my house chores done in the morning and worked in the afternoon.

For the next few weeks, I’m testing out a new weekly schedule, and Tuesday is the best day for me to do household chores while I get computer work done (peep the laundry basket behind me as I get admin stuff done at the kitchen island).

Wednesday morning we went for some coffee outside the house as a mid-week treat. I make 90% of my coffees at home, but getting an iced vanilla latte made by a talented barista is delicious.

Alex Mill kindly sent me a piece from their August collection, and it made me so excited for Fall that I wore it twice this week. Where I live, the first few hours of the day are tolerable, and since I’m inside for most of the day in AC, a cardigan/sweater is usually part of my outfit.