December 2024: Monthly Newsletter

0 - WELCOME

Wearing a Mint Velvet Coat, Khaite Jeans, The Row Idaho Bag (XL version here), Native Sons Sunglasses

The End of 2024

Hello! How are you doing? Somehow we’ve made it to the last month of 2024. Every year seems to get shorter and shorter, even though the days themselves feel just as long. For the holidays, I’ll be in Toronto (as usual) with my family, followed by a road trip to Marfa, Texas. If you haven’t heard of Marfa, it’s the place with that Prada “store” in the middle of a desert. Marfa is a relatively remote town known for its art installations — the closest airport is 3 hours away! Anyway, it will be a fun time. I’m excited to unplug, check out a bunch of art, and visit national parks along the way.

I hope you take some deserving time off as well for the holidays, and we will chat again in 2025!

1 - FASHION

Outerwear

NYC was in a warm spell for so long and unfortunately, I think it’s finally time for winter to arrive. I spent the past few days in Baltimore for (American) Thanksgiving and it was so cold. After walking outside for 30 mins, I had to thaw in my hotel room for an hour lol. Anyway, I am on a self-proclaimed coat ban (at least until I sell one of my existing coats), so here are ones that are living rent-free in my mind:

Hoods, Snoods, Balaclavas, etc.

Maybe it’s the weather, but I am in the market for a hood/snood/balaclava/whatever you want to call it. My coats don’t have hoods and I want something other than a tuque (or beanie for the non-Canadians). Specifically, I am looking for something that is relatively loose (so that it doesn’t mess up my hair, obviously) and can be tucked into a coat. Here’s what I’ve found:

Socks

Lately, I’ve been getting a lot of questions from friends and in my DMs about socks! To be honest, I am a creature of habit and rotate between the same styles. Here are the ones I wear:

Comme Si: I swear by the Tube Socks in Cotton and Merino Wool. They are a little thicker (not necessarily typical “trouser socks”) and always stay up. I wear mine with pretty much everything from sneakers to boots to loafers. I also wear their cashmere socks, which are a bit of a splurge, but obviously feel amazing. PSA: Comme Si is running a promotion until tomorrow where you get a free pair of Tube Socks with any gift set using code THANKYOU, so stock up!
Babaco: I discovered this brand at a store called L’Ensemble in NYC. I bought a couple true “trouser socks”, which are thinner and great for fitted loafers or flats. I wore them over the weekend and they stayed up the whole time (can you tell that I hate when socks fall down?)
Hommegirls: I bought these tube socks on a whim last year and have worn these on rotation with my Comme Si socks. They are longer/hit mid-calf and work great with boots
J.Crew: I recently got these cashmere-blend trouser socks and quite like them as well. They are currently on sale for 60% off, so be sure to stock up on these too!
Falke: My feet get very cold at night and I’ve started to wear sleep socks. I was never one for wearing socks to sleep, but I have since been converted. I love these from Falke

Five Things I Bought

Below are five things that I bought and loved last month:

1. Acne Studios Cargo Pants: I’ve had my eyes on these super cool cargo pants since they came out a few months ago. I am looking forward to wearing them on the weekends and maybe at work (will try to pull them off with a blazer!)

2. Kassl x Tretorn Rainboots: I’ve had Hunters since university and it was finally time to upgrade to something more stylish. These Kassl rainboots have a zipper and are very comfortable. I’ve happily worn them in the rain over the past few weeks

3. Proenza Schouler Denim Skirt: I am still a fan of denim skirts and love that this is a darker blue wash (I realized that black denim skirts are a little too severe for me). I will be wearing this with knee high boots for a very elongating look

4. Sophie Buhai Nautilus Ring: Last month, I said that I was itching to buy the matching ring to my necklace and indeed I did. I am obsessed with everything Sophie Buhai as you all know

5. Sophie Lou Jacobsen Small Petal Plate: My bedroom in Toronto is missing a jewelry tray, and this “plate” is perfect for my dresser

2 - DESIGN

Table Lamps

For me, lamps are an easy way to decorate a space and change things up (whether you actually turn the light on or not lol). Last week, I visited my friends at Renew Finds, one of my favourite furniture stores in NYC, and came across a silver Louis Poulsen Panthella lamp that I cannot wait to get my hands on. It will look great on the dresser next to my Simone Bodmer Turner vase. Here are other small-ish lamps that will certainly elevate a space (clockwise from top right):

3 - OTHER

Gift Guide

Similar to last year, I’ve put together a holiday gift guide of my favourite things to give (and receive), broken out by price point. I hope you find something for the special people in your life. Enjoy!

Art Roundup

Last week, I was finally able to check out a few art galleries in Chelsea. I really enjoyed Cecily Brown’s exhibition at Paula Cooper, which was the antithesis of art I usually like: busy, colourful and a little messy. If you’re in Paris, James Turrell just opened a show at the Gagosian, which I am dying to go to. And what did you think about the Comedian sale? Art doesn’t ever quite make sense, does it?

Styling Ideas

My friend Laurin reached out a few weeks ago with a styling question: How do you style wide leg trousers in the winter for work in a business formal-ish environment? If you are in the same predicament as her, I have put together a few styling ideas here. In my mind, the key is to pair them with pointier shoes and let the trousers puddle if sneakers aren’t an option. And if you have other styling questions… feel free to send them my way as always!

4 - PARTING NOTE

Looking back at 2024, I’ve continued to grow my styling and content creation businesses thanks to your support. Even though these are still both side hustles at this point, they have brought so much joy and fulfillment to me. Receiving your kind comments, whether it’s a quick note about my newsletter or the outfits I’ve helped to style for you, will always make my day. Will 2025 be the year that I step into this full time? We shall see. Until then, thank you so much again! I am excited to see what the new year brings, and hope that you will continue to be on this journey with me.