I am back home from traveling and getting back into the routine of everyday life this week. Not only am I getting back into my regular routine, but I am also upgrading some areas too as mentioned on Wednesday’s post. The process and work has been enriching and I am looking forward to implementing even more ideas throughout the year too. This week though we do make it into another week closer to spring and there are so many great things to share to start the season. With my most recent trip to Costa Rica I am also starting to dream of summer days by the pool and iced lattes. So this week, I am mixing in a little spring with summer for those who like me, are already dreaming of longer days and warm sunshine.
MODERN CLASSIC FINDS
I recently picked up this Rattan Fruit Bowl Dark Walnut from Target for only $22.00 and currently use it to store our coffee pods for the Nespresso. It’s a beautiful, natural piece that truly brings about the everyday luxury of making a coffee in the morning.
Another great find that I came across at Target recently was this Straw Mini Slouchy Shoulder Bag that I bought for my trip to Costa Rica. I wanted a medium sized summer kind of bag that I could easily carry and this one made for a perfect bag for my trip.
Inspired by casual Aerin Lauder style, this striped top caught my eye. One thing that I notice is that she loves a good striped shirt and this Heritage terry boatneck sweatshirt from J. Crew would make a for a cozy shirt to wear while at home.
After a week in Costa Rica and enjoying the pool everyday, I decided that I needed to get at least one more swimsuit coverup and this Samara Sarong from Banana Republic is on my list. It would make for an elegant and chic summer accessory for the season.
I love a beautiful statement piece of clothing and this Preston & York Martha Wrap Crepe Long Sleeve Point Collar Jacket would be an elegant item for office wear.
With the weather warming up outside (at least here in Raleigh), I have recently been burning the Santal & Ginger Candle from target. Not only is the packaging luxurious with its minimal design, but the scent is too with notes of Cardamom, Ginger, Musk, Sandalwood. At only $15.00 for a 3-wick candle, it’s also luxury on a budget.
I’ve recently been loving beautifully clear etched vases for flowers and picked up one this weekend at Marshal’s, but this crystal glass vase on Amazon would be a beautiful selection too that would look very high-end in the home.
BOOKS
Being regarded as “the thinking person’s thriller”, One of Us: A Novel being released this past week is delivering incisive commentary on the hypocrisies of the elite in this juicy ensemble drama about old friends and dazzling wealth that perfectly captures the uneasy balance between personal ambition and collective responsibility. One of Us is a page-turner with a mash-up of The Wedding People and Succession…darkly comic and cutting, as well as unexpectedly hopeful.
A book that I discovered recently at the bookstore and was placed on my TBR list is How to Be an Epicurean: The Ancient Art of Living Well. In How to Be an Epicurean, philosopher Catherine Wilson shows that Epicureanism isn’t an excuse for having a good time: it’s a means to live a good life. By applying this ancient wisdom to a range of modern problems, from self-care routines and romantic entanglements to issues of public policy and social justice, Wilson shows us how we can all fill our lives with purpose and pleasure.
Another book that I came across recently that is also now on my list is The Black Swan: Second Edition: The Impact of the Highly Improbable. It’s a thought-provoking exploration of highly improbable, unpredictable events that shape our world and challenge conventional thinking. Elegant, startling, and universal in its applications, The Black Swan will change the way you look at the world. Taleb is a vastly entertaining writer, with wit, irreverence, and unusual stories to tell. He has a polymathic command of subjects ranging from cognitive science to business to probability theory.
If you are a fashion lover, Azzedine Alaïa’s Dior Collection would make a great addition to your home library. Explore famed fashion designer Azzedine Alaïa’s exceptional personal collection of Dior designs, revealing a fascinating connection in fashion history. This book showcases for the first time the priceless personal collection of Dior designs that Alaïa assembled over decades, pieces by Christian Dior as well as the artistic directors that followed him at the helm of the House. The collection is analyzed through chapters dedicated to the elements that awakened the curiosity of Alaïa’s collector genius.
MOVIES/TELEVISION/MEDIA
To start off this week’s media finds I am sharing the playlists that I have been listening to since this past Friday. I came across it on YouTube and loved it so much that I have been listening to all the playlists available from this creator nearly nonstop. This is from the YouTube channel of Cigarette in Paris. The many playlist videos offers a perfect mix of relaxing music, smooth beats, and soulful vibes. Featuring deep chillout rhythms and French vocals, this playlist creates a dreamy atmosphere for studying, working, or simply unwinding.
Carolyn Bessette Kennedy has always been a lifestyle and fashion muse for me personally, and so this show is on my list to watch this season. Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette is a limited series that explores the undeniable chemistry, whirlwind courtship and high-profile marriage of one of the most iconic couples of the 20th century. Sure to be full of style inspiration and intrigue.
Another miniseries that is also on my list, which will be available on BritBox, is A Woman of Substance from Channel 4. Based on the multi-million bestselling novel, Emma Harte, an impoverished ambitious maid in Yorkshire, England goes on a dizzying journey to become the world’s richest woman, gazing down from a sprawling luxury New York penthouse. A rags-to-riches tale of women through the 20th century, Emma defies the expectations of her society, fearlessly challenging the roles she’s given, smashing glass ceilings, and never, ever deviating from her masterplan: Get to the top. Whatever it takes.
A podcast I have been listening to and enjoying is the CHANEL Connects, the Arts & Culture Podcast. The series connects pioneers from the worlds of art, dance, food and literature to discuss the future of creativity and the curiosity that powers their work. An elevated listen for anyone interested in cultural pursuits and knowledge.
ELEVATED LIFESTYLE ARTICLES OF INTEREST
90’s fashion is in the style conversation at the moment with the release of Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette and here is an exploration of What Love Story Gets Right (and Wrong) About Calvin Klein’s Influence in the ’90s.
And since we are on the subject of 90’s fashion and the chic Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, here is How to Channel Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s Iconic Style.
A look from Ralph Lauren’s Spring/Summer 2026 Runway Collection new season’s styles looked back with purpose, channeling restraint and elegance. Rendered almost entirely in black and white, punctuated by the occasional flash of red, it read as a confident homage to the brand’s golden era while introducing a modern throughline of lightness and youth. You can see the Highlights from the Ralph Lauren Spring 2026 collection here.
Hospitality, especially in the world of luxury hotels, can be a transformational experience. In this article you can take a look Inside the New Women-Led Era of the Luxury Hospitality Industry.
Jackie Kennedy was known for her impeccable style and taste and you can read more about Jackie Kennedy at Home: The Icon’s Domestic Life in 25 Photos.
As one who has Japan on the list of travel destinations, I enjoyed reading Inside Japan’s Quietest Luxury: the Traditional Ryokan Experience.
If a more minimalist, chic look is what you love in home decor, then you’ll enjoy perusing Return to Simplicity: A Biophilic Luxury Home Honoring Desert Living in Paradise Valley.
