The Noteworthy Weekly Edit 6.20.25
Where to eat in NYC and Paris this summer, practices that help you understand what you want out of life, noteworthy summer sales, a great new blush I tested, how I rang in my birthday + plenty more.
It was a week full of celebration and I've just been smiling so much through it all as I turned 40 this past Sunday. I truly felt surrounded by so much love and joy. (The comments on this post alone!!) I got to ring in this milestone in Paris - surrounded by friends most of whom I didn't know when I first began coming to the city regularly ten years ago. I was looking around the room, laughing so, so much and just in awe of the little life I've built in Paris.
And, back home in New York this past week, even the man at the post office wished me a happy belated birthday and my UPS gal told me by hosting a dinner party in NYC with my loved ones (particularly amidst all that is going on in the world right now), that I was putting out good energy to those I love to get great energy back from the universe. How sweet is that?
Overall I feel like this birthday was filled with so much reflection, so much gratitude and a lot of looking towards what I want out of the next ten years. (I even came up with a pretty fun idea on how to chronicle this that I'll share soon!)
I was also really lucky to spend the past two weeks with two of my dearest friends who cherish goal setting and reflection the way I do and they filled our days asking me thoughtful and poignant questions. These girls both didn't come into my life until my mid-30s and it just felt really special to spend quality time with women who have made my friendship circle all that more special and I was honored that they wanted to show up and celebrate with me in my favorite places. I wrote more about what my friendships have meant to me in my Turning 40 essay for paid subscribers (as all my personal essays will be moving forward) along with a lot of other thoughts, too, of course.
I'm ending this week with an immensely full heart and loads of optimism. Thank you all for the kind words and celebrations from near and far - I'm so grateful for this community!
I hope you enjoy this week's edit and have a wonderful weekend!
Weekly Edit 6.20.25
This week's Substack-exclusive WCWRBC:
Wearing: This favorite dress from two years ago to my birthday dinner this week in NYC. (Size L). And this necklace I’ve donned all week.
Caring: Where to begin this week? ICE raids, the NYC mayoral race, the domestic policy bill…
Watching: N/A this week!
Reading: Starting Maine Characters by Hannah Orenstein.
Buying: A gua sha for travel to fight my jaw pain when it happens away from home, SPF for my lips for upcoming trips.
Cherishing: Feeling incredibly loved.
WHAT I DID THIS WEEK:
Shared a peek at my 48 hours in Burgundy, France.
Turned 40 in Paris! Made a fun little reel with some life lessons to celebrate. Here's part one of what I did in Paris and this is the dress (size L) I wore to my party (on sale!)
I gave a big refresh to My Closet in The Shop!
I threw a private dinner party at my neighborhood favorite Inga's Bar to ring in 40 with my NYC nearest and dearest. It was so special to look around the table at people from every chapter of my life in NYC and sip champagne, eat burgers and fries and tell them why I loved them and how special it was to celebrate with them.
READ + LOOK + LOVE:
A good travel PSA if you're going to/through JFK T4 this summer.
Practices that help you understand what you want out of life. I loved this!
The travel writer's dilemma- share or gatekeep? (I am obviously largely in team gatekeep for a variety of reasons: over- tourism, overwhelming small businesses, inability to book, business drivers, etc.)
The best regional salads from around the world.
Terraces in Paris to enjoy this summer according to ELLE France.
And the best spots to eat in NYC this summer.
I want to try these frozen negronis ASAP.
NOTEWORTHY FINDS TO SHOP:
My Shopbop Hearts are all updated! Spotted a lot of goodness in their new arrivals.
These jeans I was wearing non-stop all Spring (see on HERE) are now 40% off! I have size 28.
I was thrilled to partner with Mango for the first time this week! I curated a bunch of budget-friendly vacation ready finds for any of your upcoming summer travels! Check it out HERE.
Hill House dropped an Event Capsule and I am swooning over this dress. I think it would be so beautiful for an outdoor wedding this summer! And speaking of Hill House, I came home to my order of this nightgown dress and it is dreamy. Perfect for hot days around the house or add a slip underneath it and dress it up for a summer evening. I hope they restock it because you guys, it is so good.
Don't miss J.Crew's 50% off sale on select linen dresses and pants! I lived in this linen set during my trip to the South of France — a summer vacation must-have.
There have been quite a few gems at LOFT lately! This poplin shirtdress, crochet crossbody, petite straw bag, and strapless dress all caught my eye (plus many are on sale!)
A chic straw bag under $100.
Le Bop might be *the* cool girl brand of the Summer. Don't miss this smocked dress, this vest and matching skort, and this vest dress. I've heard it is hit or miss in terms of quality (but perhaps that's to be expected at the price point.) I haven't yet tried it myself.
This Caterina Bertini bag is perfection.
Spotted: One of my most worn bags is 40% off.
DISSH is 20% off sitewide! This is my favorite retailer for linen pieces and Summer dresses and they rarely do sales. I'm eying this midi dress, this chic polka dot number, and this linen mini dress.
This gingham mini dress from the Gap x DÔEN collab is cute.
This Veronica Beard dress (size 10) I wore in France in April is now on sale.
Last week I did a campaign on Instagram Stories with Soshe Beauty - a great clean makeup brand - for their new blush. It is just dreamy. It blends out beautifully. Let me know if you give it a go!
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
The Best Chanel Makeup Products (freshly updated!)
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Would love to hear your thoughts on Maine Characters once you’ve finished!