the sixth edition
printemps, bunny mellon's townhouse + mayoral style regrets
happy new-ish year! i, like most people you know, was struck down by the flu and am only just beginning to feel human again. the last thing you/we need is another year-end recap, “best of” list, or any resolutions. instead, i’ll just continue sharing beautiful things to inspire us (collectively) to forget (for even just a moment) that the world is burning. welcome back to the wandering i.
💭 can’t stop thinking about: mixed metal hoops
when it comes to new jewelry purchases — fine or costume — i gravitate toward pieces that feel like wearable art: distinctive, expressive designs that add instant personality with minimal effort. i’m especially drawn to earrings, inviting a bit of romance into the everyday down to the small ritual of removing them after a long day. (nearly as satisfying as taking off your bra after a particularly exhausting workday.) because earlobes deserve to be beautiful, too, no?
mixing metals plays into that wearability too. these pieces integrate seamlessly into more looks, can be worn more often without feeling repetitive, and ultimately deliver a lower cost-per-wear while still feeling considered and special.
🛍️ a visit to printemps, nyc’s most beautiful store
after 160 years of providing consumer delight to discerning parisian shoppers, printemps opened its first stateside outpost right off of wall street, ostensibly our country’s capital for capitalism. but whatever you do, do not call printemps a “department store”:
From five dining concepts to exclusive events to wellness and sartorial services, Printemps is not a department store... It’s where hospitality, gastronomy, culture, design and retail converge.
located in a landmarked art deco skyscraper, it is truly a feast for the eyes and everything you see — from the light fixtures to the wallpaper in the bathroom — can be purchased.
there are multiple food/drink options, from an all day cafe to the champagne bar that doubles as a work of art. you can wander down the beauty corridor, discover emerging designers in the “playroom,” and even explore a literal forest of shoes (explore all of the rooms here), but do not expect bargains. warn your wallet in advance of your visit.
📍 1 wall street, typically open daily 10am–8pm
bookmark this spot to visit in the future. follow the wandering i on google maps to access all of the unique locations mentioned.
🗞️ the latest beauty-ful news
looking to zhuzz up your coffee table? hyperallergic published its list of favorite art books of 2025.
i’m still on a post-mayoral inauguration high, so i couldn’t resist including gabriella karefa-johnson’s full fashion breakdown on what it took the stylist + editor to make our new mayor and first lady look so damn good. her one regret? “i should have made her wear the fucking gloves.” (it was around 28°F in nyc that day)
2025 was the year k-beauty fully infiltrated american shelves. target, in particular, has increased its collection of k-beauty brands by 80% since the fall. haruharu wonder is the latest addition to its roster.
dieux just launched the perfect moisturizer for winter. enter: skin mercy intense recovery cream. this is dieux’s first over-the-counter formula, certified by the fda thanks to the inclusion of 1% collodial oatmeal and is an ideal option for those of us with sensitive skin and/or facial eczema 🙋🏻♀️ i scurried into sephora the day it launched and can attest to how beautiful this moisturizer feels; it emulsifies, melting right into skin without greasiness.
i walk by bunny mellon’s townhouse as often as i can. the neoclassic french-style mansion is more modern than i’d thought — built in 1960 — and was the former home of the horticulturalist/gardener/philanthropist/art collector/socialite until her death at the age of 103. it most recently sold in 2015 to a buyer for $41M. according to a broker, “the rooms weren’t that large,” but the courtyard space comes complete with its own pond. how many new yorkers can say they have their own pond?
📍 125 east 70th street (note: it is a private residence so try not to lurk)
💖 things i saw + loved this wk
angela caglia’s cell forté serum is a lush, ultra-hydrating dream for skin and worth every penny, according to the staff at violet grey (in person and online)
i fell in love with everything marfa stance, much to the chagrin of my wallet
roxanne assoulin has a new ues location where you can make your own bracelet on site; a calendar of add’l events is coming soon