may favorites
a handful of things I’m excited about, plus one purchase I regret (just a little)
I've realized that many of my favorite purchases are rarely the most exciting ones.
They're usually the things that quietly become part of my routine; the sweater I wear three times a week, the lip product I keep reaching for, the notebook that follows me from meeting to meeting, or the café order I keep ordering.
But this month, I did buy several things that are outside of my usual comfort zone that I am anticipating in the mail. Two of them are still on preorder; one arriving in June and the other in August.
Instead of a usual roundup, I thought I would share what I genuinely loved in May.
Favorite Purchase: Crispy Pants
This:
Tibi’s nylon tops, blazers, trousers and skirts never miss. And they come in wide range of sizes, so I always end up finding one that fits my 4’ll frame. I love a good slouch, a relaxed silhouette, something that I can wear with confidence and feel comfortable in throughout the day.
Their crispy collection is so packable and lightweight; they can get all wrinkled up and still look good. 100/10. Little pet hairs will fall right off, and it’s so incredible low maintenance that I’ve been wearing mine nearly everyday:
which brings me to…
Favorite Outfit Formula
I tried maintaining a capsule wardrobe. Though I love the idea of streamlining the styling process by having a select few pieces, it just did not work for me. It felt too restricting, and frankly, kind of boring. This year (especially in the summer), I want try something different. So instead of having a capsule, I wanted to work on a formula:
A base (Skims bodysuit or fitted long sleeved top)
Comfy layer (like a sweatshirt- been reaching for my Jamie Haller one in navy constantly)
Finishing touch (my Elsa Peretti vase necklace)
A base can be anything; a fitted tee, body suit, or tanktop. And in staying true to what makes me happy, I like wearing a relaxing knit, bomber, blazer or sweater or keeping one at hand. A finishing touch can be a necklace, earring, handbag or shoes.
Favorite Beauty Item
Once in a while, I need something that I can apply without looking in the mirror for a quick touch up. Enter the miracle balm:
A few swipes gives me a hint of color and a subtle sheen I appreciate, all without having to look at my phone or mirror. And it stays.
Favorite meal or drink
An iced matcha latte with a pump of of vanilla or agave syrup. It’s not too heavy, not too sweet, and not too bitter either. A local coffee shop near my home has a maple cinnamon option that comes with cinnamon powder on top, which is also a nice treat. A couple of my favorite places for iced matcha:
Rye Goods (Costa Mesa/Tustin)
Maru Coffee (DTLA)
Homeboy Coffee (Artesia)
YAMARI (inside Mitsuwa marketplace)
Favorite Writing Tool
There’s something about a fountain pen that makes writing so enjoyable. Even the process of filling a pen with a specific ink is calming. It’s a ritual I’ve started looking forward to whenever I have a pen to fill. I’m no pen connoisseur but I do appreciate a good one when I find it.
I have a few bottles of Dominant Industry inks, and when I heard about their first fountain pen and saw it online, I had to get it:
I bought mine with a Fine nib, and filled it with the Bungubox Ink Thumbelina.
Bungubox inks are on the pricier side, but the flow and consistency are smooth and comfortable. The pink is vibrant and beautiful, the heel shaped bottle is unique.
As of now, my new fountain pen lives in one of the pockets of my Luddite pencil case:
Favorite Read
Slowly but surely, I am getting myself out of a reading slump. I have a bit of a way to go with catching up on my to do list, but this month, I was able to pick up the pace a bit. Audiobooks are a great way to get motivated again, especially since I like reading multiple books at once (part of the joy of reading, IMO).
I picked up Dostoyevsky’s The Idiot this month, and I forgot just how good it is. Classics are classics for a reason. Dostoyevsky has an incredible way of writing distinct, memorable characters, each with psychological depth and moral dilemmas.
Given how dense this book is, it is still a compelling novel.
Favorite Podcast or Video
I started listening to Radio Lab (Patient Zero is an awesome episode, highly recommend. Another very interesting one is The Living Room) which has held my attention for the way the stories are told via intersecting voices.
Honorable mention goes to Unbinged for episode breakdowns (Euphoria Season 3, Beef Season 2, and hopefully soon, House of the Dragon). Sometimes I need to hear discussions for analyzing the details I may have missed or not understood.
Favorite Small Luxury
Do moments count? Because I absolutely love this month’s gel nail set:
The shape is “slim almond” and definitely the treat I needed. I like getting my nails done especially with gel because it keeps me from picking at my fingers. And they hold up well. Silver is my go to for nails, but for this set, I went with a green vibe at the nail artist’s recommendation.
Favorite Unexpected Find(s)
Remember when I said I wanted to get out of my comfort zone? For May, I’ve been loving prints and vintage again, upcycled with quality material tees. Emily Dawn Long also has a Substack that is so much fun to read (loved the story behind Phoebe Philo’s bag, so I had to get one preordered too).
And am honorable mention purchase I’m anticipating goes to…
The Why: I need basics that are breathable and easy to wear. Something I can put on without thinking so much. Once soldout.nyc restocked the Perfect Skirt I couldn’t click “checkout” quick enough. And one cannot have too many Perfect Linen Shirts either.
Something that wasn’t worth it
The Why: This one’s tough. Because I wanted to love it so much. To be fair though, there is nothing wrong with the item itself.
I have to be honest: it was a bit of an impulse purchase. Because I was so excited for my new fountain pen, I felt like I had to buy a complementary ink. This one is the Dominant Industry Pink Robin, and it is a pretty pink hue. But with the fine nib, it was just so scratchy and frankly, unenjoyable to the writing experience. I refilled the pen with Bungubox’s Thumbelina and it was so much more preferable. Did I need another pink ink? Absolutely not. I wish I had been more mindful before making the purchase, but this one is on me, not so much the product itself. Perhaps with a medium nib it might work?