Coffee Break: The Edit

The hard thing about being a niche creator, is having multiple interests but you’ve been placed in a box so the algorithm decides that no one wants to hear you talk about them. Makeup is for makeup creators, books are for book creators, fashion is for fashion creators and we all need to stay in our own lane. But most of us have a variety of interests so this notion that we need to be singularly dimensional as creators can sometimes feel suffocating.

I am a beauty creator first and an Italy creator second, even though most of you come to my Substack specifically for my Italian musings. But there are a whole host of things I’m into right now that I just feel like sharing. And maybe this will interest some of you too. (Maybe not, and that’s okay.)

That is why I am starting this new Coffee Break series: The Edit. I’m going to chat about things on my radar or things I’ve purchased that I’m loving in the moment. This will encompass all the “niche” topics: books, fashion, beauty, or anything I’m into at the time.

Did you know I was a fashion blogger before I ever ventured into beauty content? I started at the end of 2009 and was featured in multiple publications during the height of the blogging era.

Fashion has always been a part of me and as I move into 50, I’ve noticed my style has really been honed over the years. Stylist Alison Bornstein came up with the concept of finding your style through three words. Then whenever you buy a piece, you make sure it embodies those words. This helps avoid impulse purchases that sit in your closet unworn.

My three words would be polished, effortless, and modern (and I’d maybe throw in classic too.) I love building outfits around basics for the base and then adding coats, shoes, bags, and accessories to bring personality. My closet is built around a neutral palette, where I inject navy, burgundy, and olive green as pops of color. (My color analysis is Deep Winter, so these colors work best for me.)

As for pieces, I am a denim girl through and through. These days, I gravitate toward a straight leg. (Although skinny jeans will always be cool. I don’t care what Gen Z says.) I’ve ditched the heels, something I never thought I’d say, and now opt for comfortable statement flats because comfort reigns supreme. Adidas are my go-to for casual fits. They give that cool-girl fashion vibe while delivering the comfort I want.

Right now I am in love with these OG Sambas with the snake skin embossing in Burgundy. They’re so much more elevated than a typical sneaker and can completely make an outfit. My goal with dressing is polished outfits that feel as easy and comfortable as loungewear.

Florida had quite a cold spell this winter and since I left my winter coat in Italy, I picked up a blazer-style wool blend coat from H&M in chocolate brown. This is a color I’ve fallen in love with this season. It’s such a classic silhouette, but the texture makes it feel modern.

For my birthday last month, I decided to gift myself a leather tote in that same chocolate brown tone. After doing some research online, I discovered Portland Leather and fell in love with their Montana Tote. I use totes in Italy almost daily because I’m constantly on foot and need to carry things with me. The quality of this bag is incredible and the prices genuinely surprised me. For the quality, they are some of the most affordable leather bags I’ve found. This feels like a forever bag and I love it so much.

My friend Lisa became a rep for a jewelry brand called Bomb Party and when she came for my birthday she gifted me some pieces I’ve been wearing nonstop. Garnet is my birthstone and the two garnet necklaces I received add so much sparkle to anything I’m wearing. You don’t know what you’re getting ahead of time, but you can trade in the event you receive something you don’t love. She goes live on TikTok Wednesdays and Fridays, but you can preorder here.

I talk about beauty products regularly on TikTok and Instagram, but two categories I don’t share much about are fragrance and nails.

I’ve shown my perfume collection before and occasionally mention favorites, but one I’ve been loving recently is from LoveShackFancy. Lisa gave me a travel size and I was immediately hooked. It’s sweet with notes of whipped vanilla, champagne accord, and frosted chantilly. It’s whimsical and cozy at the same time.

As for nails, I kicked salon manicures to the curb several years ago. It was an expense I didn’t need and I started to dislike the look of my hands without a salon manicure. When your beauty routine starts making you dislike yourself, you know something has gone in the wrong direction.

So I started painting my own nails. I hate worrying about having to redo them every few days, so I always incorporate glitter because it lasts the longest. I’ve found Olive & June polish lasts the longest and they’re free of many of the harmful chemicals most polishes contain.

But one day, while perusing Target (as one does) I stumbled upon their gel polish starter kit for under $30 and I was intrigued. I love gel, but I hate soak-off removal. There’s a peel-off base coat included in the kit, so I had to try it.

To say I’m in love would be an understatement. I get two full weeks out of them and the polish gives that thick, glossy, salon look for a fraction of the price. I’ve already accumulated 8 shades and this kit will absolutely be coming with me to Italy.

Books are something I rarely talk about, but I’ve been obsessed with reading since I was young. My commitment to it has ebbed and flowed over the years, but I always return to a nightly reading ritual.

When I was younger, I loved mystery novels. The last few years I’ve leaned into fluffy contemporary romance. They’re easy, lighthearted, fun reads and when life gets stressful, they’re the perfect way to unwind before bed. I bought a Kindle a few years ago but lately I’ve really missed reading physical books.

On my birthday, one of the things I wanted to do was go to the bookstore. Lisa and I ended up spending hours in Barnes & Noble. There’s something about being in that store where time doesn’t exist that makes me so happy. There’s no rush. I can just exist, dipping my toes into multiple worlds at once.

We decided to find a book that sounded interesting to both of us and buy it so we could start a mini book club. We landed on a dark romance called Scarred, part of a series we’d never heard of by Emily McIntire called the Never After series. Each book is a standalone inspired by Disney villains.

These are spicy, graphic, and dark. A far cry from fluffy romance, so going in I was nervous. What intrigued us, aside from the storyline, was the presentation. It was a hardcover with character artwork in the opening pages, a map of the setting, quotes on the back to set the mood, and even a curated song playlist to step into the emotional atmosphere of the story. The outside edges were sprayed as well.

These details elevate the experience. Now if a book doesn’t have this, I don’t want it. (Just don’t tell my Kindle.)

1. Adidas Samba OG // 2.H&M Coat // 3. Olive & June Gel Starter Kit // 4. Love Shack Fancy Secret Crush // 5. Wretched Book // 6. Bomb Party Jewelry // 7. Montana Tote

We finished Scarred quickly and loved it, so we decided to dive into the rest of the series. This month, the next book Wretched was released in a collector’s edition. I just started it, so we’ll see how it goes. I’m also simultaneously reading a fluffy contemporary romance called A Very Italian Wedding by British author Donna Ashcroft. It’s my first time reading her work and I’m only a few chapters in.

You might be wondering why I’m reading two books at once. Fair question. The reason is Lisa and I read at different paces because of life, schedules, and commitments. We designate a set number of pages by a certain date. If I finish early, I need something else to read, so I always keep a second book going.

This month my “want to read” list on Goodreads I created monthly TBR lists and started mapping out my reading for the next few months. I’ve fallen down the BookTok rabbit hole and it’s expanding my horizons beyond fluffy romance. I now have quite the genre mix lined up.

The only books I will not be reading? Gory horror. Absolutely not.

If you’re a reader and want to be friends on Good Reads you can find me here. (And if you like to hear what people are reading and want me to do mini reviews, I will.)

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this new series. Are you into a periodic wrap-up of what I’m loving in the moment? If there’s a category you’re especially curious about, let me know!

XO,