the eighth edition
book totes, new beauty, and a trip to the met
because i am a masochist (and because my mental health was screaming for some vitamin d), i’ve taken not one but two 5-mile-long, below-freezing walks this past week. that was not a brag but an anecdote: this edition was written with half-thawed fingers.
🗞️ what’s the latest?
over the summer, dior started teasing literary-inspired versions of its signature book tote — revealed alongside the men’s spring 2026 collection — and they are finally available. respectfully, it took way too long for the luxury house to be this clever; they clearly needed jw anderson to arrive sooner. thanks to his bevy of famous friends, the bags have already been seen in the hands of jennifer lawrence and rihanna.
the brooklyn museum’s next exhibition will be centered around the work of dutch fashion designer iris van herpen. i had the pleasure of seeing her designs at the ballet last year and can confirm that they are deeply captivating, particularly when in-motion.
A pioneer in the use of new technologies, Van Herpen transcends conventional clothing norms while embracing both traditional couture artisanship and innovative techniques. Ranging from the micro to the macro, the exhibition explores the body’s place in space, its relationship to clothing and its environment, and its future in a rapidly changing world.
the exhibition will be a multi-sensorial experience with more then 140 couture pieces presented alongside art and other archival objects. a “soundscape” was composed by salvador breed to accompany the display. timed tickets required. opens on may 16.
pamela love partnered with the metropolitan museum of art on a collection of jewelry meant to complement the museum’s egyptian wing. the pieces — 18 styles that include earrings, necklaces, and rings — feature symbols pulled directly from the archives, which love felt identified with “the human experience across millennia.”
the lotus symbolizes rebirth
an ankh, the emblem of eternal life
a fly to motivate persistence and courage
the dragonfly, representing transformation
while this is not a fashion blog a la my tumblr of yore, i should not be allowed to write about beautiful things if i disregard bad bunny at the grammy’s. his sculptural tuxedo was schiaparelli’s very-first foray into menswear with a lace-up back evoking the look of a sleek corset; it was inspired by a look from spring 2023 couture, initially designed for a woman. if this week doesn’t solidify benito’s standing as time’s man of the year for 2026, i don’t know what will. should i start a kalshi? (don’t answer that.)
🧴 beauty’s newest beauties
fifteen years of my career working in social media was spent in the beauty industry. nars cosmetics, glossier, origins… that world still holds a big part of my heart and i’m always trying to stay on top of the latest launches. thus, i’ve decided to highlight what’s just landed on shelves that i can’t wait to try.
josie maran released a new line of bodycare — a moisturizer, eye cream, and body butter — packed with pink algae-derived “pro-retinol”, a plant-based vitamin that promises to smooth and retexturize skin gently.
milk makeup revealed gel concealers with 24-hour hydration and Alexis and Christina did a thorough (sponsored) swatching that left me well-intrigued. ‘tis the season for skin dryness, so these feel particularly timely in a way that most launches don’t given beauty’s infamously long production timelines.
topicals now has spot patches to help brighten darkness + hyperpigmentation. the brand is known for outside-of-the-box thinking when it comes to launch campaigns; this one was inspired by boxing and “fight night” and but it should be disclosed that these patches do not aid in healing inflammation or bruising caused by punches to the face.
laneige expanded its lip category with juicepop box lip tint and a colorful campaign with katseye, the girl band of the moment. it should also be said that laneige’s site is hella engaging; its product pages have a “real reviews” section, which leverages quick videos showing usage in a way that feels authentic despite featuring what are likely paid models. real reviews are not included though, so… maybe the section should be renamed? 😅 regardless, i appreciate the UX and haven’t seen anything similar from other brands.
📍 a visit to the met’s american wing
the perfect afternoon destination on a cold winter day is a museum and i am privileged to live within walking distance to the majors. feeling the windchill during one of my aforementioned arctic walks, i took a detour to the metropolitan museum of art with the express goal of wandering around the american wing. i love the museum’s period rooms and typically visit its european reconstructions but i hadn’t previously explored much of america; it is one of the older wings in the museum, having been established in 1924. the skylit courtyard — an epic spot for people-watching — was added in 1980. comprised of 75 galleries, the collection is comprised of around 20,000 objects spread across three floors and 75 galleries, ranging in age from the mid-seventeenth to mid-twentieth centuries. most recently, an installation focused on its development and evolution was added to celebrate the wing’s 100th anniversary.
📢 follow the wandering i on google maps to bookmark this spot.
💖 one final, beautiful discovery
as a virgo, i love a fresh notebook. nothing beats cracking open some spiral-bound newness (particularly if the pages are dotted rather than lined). thanks to A Thing or Two, i learned shorthand has a version for lefties like myself. is this what leveling up feels like?