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Party Pants:

It must be peony season because petal pink is the color of the moment! Some of you were very invested when I wondered aloud on IG if I should get these Pucci pants I found on TRR. Spoiler alert… I got them! They’re totally outside what I would normally go for, but they just SPOKE to me. I was so thrilled when I unboxed them and they fit and were as cute as I had imagined them to be. I had to figure out what top to wear with them and this whisper pink shirt from TWP was a great match! Had to toughen things up a lil so wore my trusty black Alaia’s + black sunnies. There are so many great options if you are in the market for some party pants of your own! Live a little!!!!

• You may have seen these pants on JLaw paired with a red sweater. Obsessed!

• If you don’t feel like trolling TRR for vintage Pucci, Ref made some super cute shorts for us.

• I’m also dying for these white eyelet jeans. Counting the days til the preorder arrives!

• Chan Luu forever! The pink techno taffeta’s are insane.

• Ciao Lucia’s pink party pants are so fun. They also come in a dress!

• The new floating diamonds from Dorsey are magical. I loooove mine in this rosey shade.

• I went to a cute dinner celebrating Alex Mill x Harvester (popping up in LA thru May!) and all the cool girls were wearing Thistles sunglasses. Act accordingly!

• Dear Cecilia’s bag continues to bring a smile to my face. I take any excuse to use it! I’m now lusting over the apple charm to go with.

• My daily lippie these days is Westman Atelier’s Hydrabalm in Nectar and is included in Violet Grey’s Put it in the Bag event. XO!

• Can’t get my mind off of Jude’s Rooty sandal. I love it as a contrast to these girly pants!

• This suede pouch is so chic and comes in all kinds of delicious colors and sizes.

Island Time

This vibe is based around the incredible surfy Madesome pants. It’s giving Blue Crush, but she’s grown up and staying at a chic house in Kauai. I love the resurgence of a graphic T. Wish I didn’t get rid of sooo many good ones when cleaning out my closet and trying to be minimal! BTW, I think this style reads young, but is totally great for all ages! Add in a touch of sportiness and see how you feel!

• Ok this dress is reminiscent of the infamous Chanel surf dress. Might have to get her to scratch the itch!

• Sweet little bonnet that sits close to the head. Looks v cool on.

• Celine shades. Nuff said.

• If you’re not already aware, Climax is a very cool bookstore in NY and London. They’re a great follow on IG and happen to make incredible T shirts.

• GWS makes some of the best SPF I’ve tried. I actually look forward to putting it on! I’d put some in your bag @ Violet Grey if I were you.

• Lesse x Lie Studios chapstick holster! Unbelieeeevably chic. I hope they restock!

• Marlien posted this Prada swimsuit and I died. My birthday is at the end of the month if anyone is feeling very generous.

• Aforementioned Madesome pants! I want all the colors. And the shorts. And the T shirts!!!!

• Madewell x Melissa jelly flip flops: Cuz I’m not quite ready to shell out $300 for flip flops. Reserving the right to change my mind on that.

• Dorsey Enamel everything: I received a necklace and bracelet this week and they have not left my body since! Obsessed with the colorways and will need to order the anklet pronto! They are sooo charming IRL and add the perfect lil touch of summer to any look.

• Did you know that Roman Coppola has a really cool bag brand called Pacific Tote Company? They are some of the very best and such good quality. Now you know!

• The best makeup to bring on vacation… Barely anything, but gives a touch of color and makes rosy cheeks look intentional.

• One of the best moments on holiday is getting back to your room after a big day in the sun, taking a shower and doing a face mask before dinner. I love Blue Lagoon’s Mineral Mask because it’s super hydrating and makes me feel revitalized after swimming all day.

Florals for Spring

Here are some romantic, flirty looks that would be gorgeous in Puglia or Provence or the idyllic holiday in your imagination. Perfect for frolicking in a sunflower field or stopping to smell the roses.

• Matteau Broderie: I have their black top and wear it constantly. Was so cute while pregnant! I just got the white dress and it’s a stunner. Goes without saying, but their 90s maillot is a perfect one piece that will last forever.

• This begonia print from Doen has my heart! The dress is absolutely gorgeous and if you have a wedding this summer… wear this!!! I just ordered the shirt and will be wearing with light washed baggy jeans.

• Butter yellow top to wear with everything.

• A perfect, classic cat eye. Looks great on just about everyone.

• I just got this embroidered Apron Skirt in the mail and immediately put it on and pranced around the house, it is SO cute and flattering! Wear with a slinky black spaghetti strap or a white button down tucked in!

• Easy breezy flip flops to go with everything.

• Cutie top and skirt for sipping a spritz in the town square. Cin Cin!

• Sweet daffodil colored bandana to tie in your hair or wrap croissants in.

• Since I am Basket Girl, I feel I have the authority to declare this as the basket of the summer. Yes, we need baskets for our phone!

• Patiently awaiting these dreamy pants from Christy Dawn.

• Don’t even think about going to Europe without a pair of Friulane slippers! So comfortable, light and elevates even the most casual of outfits.

• Carolina Bucci bracelets are just my favorite. They’re woven from 18k gold and colored threads. You tie it on your wrist with a double knot and it just stays on! Plus you’re supposed to make a wish when you tie it. Cutest gift from such a thoughtful friend.

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Thank you for being here! As always, appreciate you and til next time!

xoxoox

M

p.s. if you make a purchase using the links above, I may make a small commission, so merci! xo

I couldn’t be more thrilled to be heading into my first Mother’s Day. We are 5 months into life with our gorgeous little Miss Baby and I feel like I’m in a really good place at the moment. We can’t imagine life without her, but there was a long time when that was a very real possibility. So I want to acknowledge what it took to get here. Things might look pretty smooth and cute from the outside, but we literally fought to get to this point. In some ways, it was a miracle. I am overwhelmed with gratitude to have made it through an extremely difficult chapter in my life and now have the honor of being my daughter’s mom. It was all worth it. BUT, I still want to be honest about the realities here, because I know how sensitive this day can be. This letter will be for paid readers as it’s quite personal. I hope it helps anyone in the thick of it feel less alone. Big love to you all.

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So today, I’m here with the second chapter of my fertility journey. If you missed Part 1, here it is! I want to be able to talk about this time of my life honestly before it fades or changes. I was ‘trying to get pregnant’ for much, much longer than it takes to have a baby and it was actually really hard to let go of that chapter/identity once we were actually pregnant. More on that later, but today I’ll be sharing my experience of my first round of IVF itself. My intention here in sharing our story is to be open and honest about how we got pregnant and hopefully provide some solidarity and encouragement to others going through fertility struggles. This is for the women who feel isolated by this process, who feel like nothing is working, who feel upset, disappointed, confused, and, the cherry on top, wildly hormonal. I know all too well how that feels and felt the exact same for years. In many ways, I still do. Our experience is not uncommon and for anyone feeling like it is, believe me, sooo many people go through IVF and fertility treatment for a myriad of reasons. Our story isn’t one of those where “We finally went on vacation and boom! Got pregnant!” It took a lot of hard work and daily dedication to get where we are today, so if you’re looking for a non-sugar coated, but still encouraging and hopeful story, here we go!

I’ll pick up where we left off, which was the first of 6 surgeries I underwent after the saline bubble test showed enough polyps that Dr. Brower, my fertility doctor, wanted

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Catch of the Day

I am obsessed with my new fishing lure sweater! It’s getting me so excited to go to the lake in Minnesota with my fam this summer. I wore it to an event hosted by Mother along with their Reifler jeans. Damn they are some real good jeans.

Bernard Maisner

Bernard Maisner is THE calligrapher for those in the know. A true artist! I love browsing his IG and snooping on whatever fabulous soirees he is working on. I yearn for the day I receive an invitation designed by him. As we make our way into entertaining season, be inspired by his whimsical, magical menus and invitations. The Miro-esque ones are my favorite. Hot tip, he has a collection on Paperless Post!

Counter

I’m really excited about the new brand Counter, founded by Gregg Renfrew who, who you may remember as the founder of Beautycounter. Counter is a pioneer of clean beauty, and they are super transparent about all ingredients and processes used in their products. We love! They’ve brought in the dream team to lead creative and brand, so watch this space! I recently went to their event to get shade-matched by makeup artist Christy Coleman and check out the new collection. I immediately added a few of their products to my daily makeup routine. The shades are so flattering and formulas feel so good on my skin. Good news, they are having their Friends and Family Event from May 4-10, offering up to 30% sitewide!

Here’s what I’m wearing above and what I recommend putting in your cart:

• Sheer Genius conditioning lipstick in Terra - perfectly creamy and hydrating and SUCH a flattering earthy pink shade.

• Cheeky Clean cream blush in Chai. This is my new daily blush! The texture is perfect, and the color is a golden dusty rose that reads like a fresh suntan.

• Skin Twin foundation in Light 240. I’m loving this foundation when I want flawless skin. It gives good coverage and still lets the skin breathe! Ideal.

• Velvet Cream bronzer in No. 2 Honey Bronze. This is so easy to apply, I just use my finger to do a little light contouring and blend it out for a natural glow!

• Lid Glow cream shadow in Aura. I love a creamy shadow… just swipe and go! This pearlescent glowy beige would look beautiful on any skintone.

• Clean Swipe tinted lip balm in Pinch. I’ve already told y’all how much I love this product. I’ve used it every day since I got it. I’m almost through my first tube already!

A thank you to my friends at Counter for partnering with me on this issue!

TWP

I got to check out TWP’s amazing collection in LA this week. Remember their insane garden show? So freaking fresh… Who doesn’t wanna look like that?! Very inspired by the styling and the pieces were even better IRL. Highlights for me were this gorgeous dream leather jacket, little rubber red bag, and their hat! Life’s a garden… Dig it!

STORM I & II

If you haven’t watched this music video yet, what are you waiting for?! Some old buddies of mine from a previous life Surkin and Romain Gavras have come together with Yung Lean to make an absolute banger of a song and music video. The unbelievable choreography is by Damien Jalet. If you need to get pumped up, here ya go. Highly recommend watching the video a few times then listening to the songs full volume in the car while driving to errands.

Aaron Levine for Zara

I’ve heard Aaron’s name around town as a very stylish and cool fashion guy. We met through some mutual friends and I was happy to discover that he’s also super lovely too! His second collection for Zara dropped last week and is soooooo good. The styling alone should be studied! I’m also screenshotting this lookbook to shop my own closet with. I guess it’s technically menswear but I think anyone who wears it would look awesome. I’ve got my eye on the flannel, grey suit, the red breton. There’s a pop up in NY, so go snag some gear! Aaron also has his own line which is excellent. I need me a shell sweatshirt.

The Original Face

This week I spent two glorious hours in the hands of Sylvia aka The Original Face. Sylvia is a master in the art of face modeling. She does deep fascial massage and gets into the fascia, your ears, your mouth, your chest, neck and head which all affect your face! Super helpful for TMJ. It was a magical and transcendent experience that was more powerful than just a surface level treatment. Since it’s such a deep massage, some parts can be a little tender and sensitive, but it was such a relaxing experience. Sylvia uses kinesthetic tape to help further lifting or lymphatic drainage. My jawline and cheekbones were absolutely snatched afterwards and the results keep developing over the following days. I can’t wait for my next session. I’d highly recommend booking a session before Sylvia leaves for the summer!

Valerie Confections Afternoon Tea

Such a fun Mother’s Day idea is High Tea To-Go from Valerie Confections. Comes with tea sandwiches, sausage rolls, scones, jam, clotted cream and of course, tea! Order this and serve mom breakfast in bed! If you’re not able to pick up from Valerie’s cafe in Glendale, they may be able to arrange delivery if you ask nicely.

And there’s still time to shop for mom! Or yourself. Everything on this list would make a fabulous gift for moms and non moms alike!

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Thank you for being here and for reading Amuse Bouche! Your support means so much to me! If you enjoyed this post, go ahead and give it a heart! It makes my day.

Lots of Love!
Michèle

p.s. if you make a purchase using the links above, I may make a small commission, so thank you!

Wow, I can’t believe we’re coming up on my first Mother’s Day. As I’ve written before, it was a long and winding road to get here which is quickly fading into a distant memory. I know personally how this holiday can feel tough when all that you want is to join the club, so if you’re going through it, I’m sending you a big hug right now. And now that I’ve become a mom, I am even more in awe of the strength, softness and resilience mothers provide their families 24/7! We should be treating every day like Mother’s Day… They truly are superheroes! Of course flowers, cards and breakfast in bed are all wonderful, but here are a few other ideas to kick it up a notch. She deserves it!

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Jewelry
You can’t go wrong with a piece of jewelry for Mother’s Day. There are so many ways to symbolize your kids or family through jewelry, but I love the simplicity of an initial or two. Here are a few different vibes that might tickle your fancy. A new discovery of mine is Parisian brand Bangla Begum. Their Bright Words Initial Necklace is so cool and unique. Adina Reyter has just launched a mini version of their super popular groovy initials. A Sophie Bille Brahe diamond initial ring is the dreaaaam. Starling’s birth month flower pendants are very special as well! Or if she’s more of an earring gal the Dorsey Lucien’s are a slam dunk. Super sparkly and fab and look way more expensive than they are.

Dear Cecilia Leonora Tote
This is such a cool tote for moms and horse girls alike! I love the wide, east west design and know I’d be able to throw everything for me and baby inside while still looking chic! It comes in black too, but I love the citron color with the lucky horseshoes on the bottom. P.S. It makes the perfect Farmer’s Market bag, just used it yesterday!

AERIN Beauty Mediterranean Honeysuckle Soleil
My idea of a dream day consists of taking a dip in the Med, followed by a long lunch in a garden surrounded by my best friends and family followed by more swimming and rosé as the day falls into evening. Aerin Beauty has bottled that essence in their Mediterranean Honeysuckle Soleil! Such a warm and cheerful fragrance that has notes of Neroli and Solar Manoi flower. Basically it smells like vacation! The bottle is stunning and looks beautiful on my vanity. I love the idea of gifting a perfume, the wearer can think of you as she spritzes it each day!

AERIN Beauty Tinted Lip Balm
Aerin Beauty is also doing fab limited edition tinted lip balms. These are often sold out, so snap them up while you can! If anyone knows a great lip, it’s Aerin Lauder, granddaughter of Estée Lauder. These sheer, buildable shades are universally flattering and give a subtle touch of color while being hydrating. I live for a tinted balm! I love wearing Petal Pink for daytime and Dusty Rose in the evening. These are perfect for travel and when you want a little touch of color without wearing too much makeup. My mom is a natural beauty who I know will love these.

J.Crew PJ’s
I personally have 4 or 5 pairs of J.Crew PJ’s and I swear they make me sleep better. When I was freshly postpartum, I basically lived in them! Actually a very lovely gift for someone having a baby soon! I love the light blue with navy piping and actually have matching pairs with my mom lol. Pro tip, get them monogrammed plus they’re on sale.

Margaux Flats
These flats from Margaux are so elegant and comfortable. The shape is similar to my Charvet slippers, but a little more structured for daytime use and just as chic! If I know anything as a new mom, it’s that hands free shoes are key. Something I can throw on with ease, but still look put together… ideal! I love the tan suede to wear with denim all Spring and Summer! If you’re a size 8.5, grab them in ochre satin! SO gorgeous.

Photo Session
Most moms I know would love to have more pics with their family! It’s always something that seems hard to nail down. You could book a session with a photographer who specializes in families. In LA I love Michaela Winstone who shot me while I was pregnant! It was a 10/10 experience and the photos will be treasured forever! Bonus, get them printed, framed and hung on the wall!

Linnea Lund Cashmere
A truly luxe gift for the mom who likes to feel cozy. Linnea Lund is a Swedish company, based in Paris and uses ethical and traceable cashmere. I am lucky to have a few sweaters from them and they are seriously next level. My latest addition is the Ralph polo in cherry red. It’s delicious.

Underwater Basket Weaving
I’m no stranger to the joys of a good basket. In fact, my bestie Sam calls me “Basket Girl” and I revel in the advent of Spring/Summer… Official basket season! Underwater Basket Weaving is the stunning brand founded by artist Erin Pollard who learned this craft from her mother while growing up in Maine. I love how they are combining a fresh, contemporary point of view with traditional craft techniques. The basket shapes are so chic and elegant. Please see the laptop basket, the Carol lunch basket, and for the DIY queens, they make kits!

OSEA Hydrating Trio
An absolute staple in my home… OSEA’s Undaria Algae Oil and Body Moisturizers are best in category! The body oil would be so nice on a belly or for postpartum abhyanga massage. This is perfect for the mom who loves a little at home spa moment or if you want to upgrade your shower/bath situation! Also, OSEA was founded by a mother and daughter in Malibu! We love to see it.

Personalized Forgrave Tea Caddy
Look… moms love tea! It’s just a fact. How chic is this tea caddy that you can write a special message on?! J’adore! So sweet to have your mama wake up with a cuppa and a love note. I’d go for Earl Grey. You can really go all out and send along a Fellow Teapot. (I recently gave my mom one and she’s obsessed.)

Vintner’s Daughter Botanical Serum
Both my mom and I swear by Vintner’s Daughter. Their botanical serum is all time miracle product that just works on seemingly everyone! It’s very hydrating but doesn’t clog your pores thanks to the tiny molecules in their formula. I love giving moms something to make their daily life a bit more luxurious, fun or special. A bottle of Vintner’s Daughter would do just that. Plus it smells incredible.

Flamingo Estate Tomato Candle
Everyone loves this candle. It’s not too floral, not too woodsy, just right and smells like a tomato garden. It’s like umami in a candle. Put a cute note from the kids on the label! She can use the jar to hold her makeup brushes when done with the candle.

A Tree
If you’re really stumped on what to get someone, the gift of a tree is what you’re looking for. Unbelievably chic, special and hopefully lasts a very long time! I suggest going for a Meyer lemon, kumquat or olive tree. Pop by your local nursery to pick one out. You could even plant it for them in a gorgeous pot like this from Olive Ateliers.

My Dear Tejas Jacket
My moms friend Susan Kim makes the most divine fringed deerskin jackets under her label My Dear Tejas. These are super tiny production and made by artisans in Texas using sustainably sourced leather. They are absolutely chic and worn by fabulous women such as Leandra Cohen and my own mom, Melinda Kearney. These are very IYKYK and for the woman with the discerning eye. I can’t decide which I like the best between black, white or honey. Reach out to Susan if you want one made with your measurements!

Lorenza Wine
Shameless plug for me and my mom’s wine company, Lorenza! We started making wine together over 15 years ago as a way to stay connected as mother and daughter. Our wines pair great with picnics, beach days, family dinners and beyond. We’re known best for our Provençal by way of California rosé and our crisp, refreshing Mediterranean wines. I think 3 bottles of Rosé Bubbly makes for an excellent gift! We’d love to be part of celebrating the moms in your life.

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Thank you for reading Amuse Bouche and to my friends at AERIN Beauty for partnering with me on this issue! If you liked something on this list, feel free to forward to your significant other, child or treat your dang self! Sending lots of love to you all. And remember to call your mom!

XO

Michèle

p.s. if you make a purchase using the links above, I may make a commission. merci!

My steak frites obsession is still going strong. Kind of the perfect meal, non? Last week we went with a couple friends on another Steak Frites Adventure to Camphor! On Thursday nights they do a steak frites prix fixe menu and it came highly recommended as one of the best in the city! Let’s get into it!

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The Scene:

I hadn’t been to Camphor in a …

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• M.ph is def a new favorite of mine, I especially love and trust makeup artist founded brands!! I adore the Lip Ciggies and keep one in every purse. They’re super light and so easy to throw on without a mirror. My go-to shades are Slow Burn and First Base. I also love her Le Skin foundation for a night out or photos. It’s silky and makes you look picture perfect but not cakey at all. Get the brush!

• Everyone knows I’m Fara Homidi’s #1 fan. I am also lucky to call her a friend! Fara and I worked together a lot for Madewell and J.Crew and she knows how to make you look like yourself, just a little bit enhanced! All of her products are must-haves but I am especially excited about her new Eye Compact! The taupey/chocolate colors are so beautiful, but the sneaky star is the blue shade! I finally used the blue this week for a dinner and was obsessed with how it made me feel. Something out of my usual comfort zone but so cool and chic. The formula is very creamy and forgiving so you can’t mess it up! I’m also taking the chance to restock my fave Lip Oil. It’s so cute and makes me happy every time I put it on.

• Prada blush! I am excited to try this, just for fun! Sometimes our makeup bag is the perfect place for little luxuries and a Prada blush is just that. I’m going for shade Dahlia.

• Tower 28 Sunny Days tinted spf is one of my desert island products. I’ve repurchased maybe 4 times? It’s very natural for daily use and I like the fact that there’s a lil spf in there. I love that Tower 28 is formulated with sensitive/eczema prone skin in mind. I’ve never had a breakout using their products! Their SOS spray is so good if you’re feeling red or inflammation, especially post workout. Keep it in the fridge for maximum cool. I want to try their cute eye shadow sticks!

• Westman Atelier is another all-time fave founded by iconic makeup artist Gucci Westman. The new HydroBalm in English Rose is FAB! It actually can make a whole outfit! I’m gonna pick up a second shade, nectar while it’s on sale! I’ve been loving their Bronzing Drops too.

• Crown Affair’s hair ties have actually made my life better! I am no longer running around the house looking for hair ties! I permanently have one around my wrist. You deserve better than the too tight cvs rubber bands!! Grab one of their hair towels while you’re at it. Makes wash day more fun!

• Fresh Sugar Lip Exfoliator is a makeup artist’s secret weapon. This is usually step #1 for skin prep! Take a dab of the exfoliator, rub on your lips and it smoothes out your lips and helps remove any dry skin. Now your lips are perfectly smooth and ready for lipstick! I’m also really into their Soy Cleanser. It’s a classic for a reason. Did you know one is sold every 60 seconds?! It’s so hydrating and gentle, I’m not surprised.

• Saie’s Big Brush is my most used makeup brush by far! It really makes a difference with how my makeup looks and is so fluffy and soft. Their dew blush is my everyday favorite and lasts forever. I get shade Rosy!

• Sofie Pavitt Micellar Pads are my favorite makeup removers and are perfect for travel! They were sold out for a while and now back! Can’t wait to stock up. I’m also curious about her Nice Ice frozen toner pods. Just sounds so refreshing!

• ROZ Milk Hair Serum, Shampoo and Conditioner are the holy grail of my hair. My hair has truly never looked better since I started using ROZ. It also doesn’t bother my very sensitive scalp! I use the Milk Hair Serum every single day for hydration and a little bit of smoothing. Can’t recommend enough.

• YSE knocks it out of the park with everything, but I highly recommend their Eye Masks and Under Eye Concealer. Two easy things you can do to look more awake, which is a top priority lol.

• Laniege Lip Mask is the GOAT for a reason. I have them all around the house, the car, in every bag. They are a little pricey so I love to wait for them to be on sale and stock up! Luckily they last a good long time. I think I’ve been using these for like 8 years or something?! Tried and true.

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Thanks for joining me here today! Hope you found some lil goodies for your own makeup cabinet. Or perhaps a Mother’s Day gift! I’ll be back soon with updates on Steak Frites, Ojai and more! Thanks for reading Amuse Bouche… Give it a heart if you heart it!

xo

Michèle

p.s. if you make a purchase using the links above, I may make a small commission. merci!

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It’s been quite the busy and exciting week over here, so coming to you one day late! Still trying to figure out how to be a new mom, person, wife, daughter, sister, friend AND write a newsletter every week. Giving myself a little grace here and if it’s a day or two late, so be it! Thanks for being along for the ride. This week, my daughter and …

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It’s been a sunny week here in Southern California. The blossoms are blooming and spring is springing! Right now, I’m leaning into the beauty of nature to keep me optimistic despite everything going on around the world. All you have to do is go to your nearest farmer’s market to see the carrots, snap peas and tulips in all their glory. Also,…

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First off, it was my last mom/baby yoga class with my incredible doula Patti! If you are pregnant or postpartum (a subject on which I will be writing about here soon), definitely check out her courses available both in person and on zoom! This group of gals has been so special and supportive during such a tender time for me. It takes a village. Proud of us!

Last Friday, I went to a rooftop pilates class to celebrate Oak Essential’s new Mineral Body SPF. I slathered it all over and it is so nice n smooth! And it was exactly what I needed as it was ROASTING on the roof, and voila, no sunburn! (apologies to those in chillier locales). Also obsessed with their Balancing Face Mist. Putting mine in the fridge for Spring/Summer spritzes. Btw, this workout set is v nice.

Later that afternoon I met my husband and our friend Sarah Watson at Frieze for a lil stroll through. Sarah used to be the director of Gagosian so she obviously knows her art and was such a fun and efficient guide. Our favorite pieces were by Clare Woods, Reggie Burrows Hodges and of course love a bit of Ed Ruscha.

My husband and I had some errands to run on Montana and it turned into a cute little day date! We hit up McCall’s for some steak to cook that evening. (In case you missed last week’s letter, I’m very into steak right now.) I was intrigued by a head spa I spotted… Has anyone gone to one of these? Curious to hear what you think, but sounds pretty heavenly. We finished things up with lunch at one of our favorites, Crudo e Nudo! Still one of the best meals in LA.

On Thursday, I ventured to West Hollywood to try the new Ilia concealer. It was at a chic lil house with a pool and a matcha bar. Peak LA! Btw, the concealer is very good, I got shade matched and then went on with my day and many many hours later when I looked in the mirror, my under eyes still looked good and fresh!

After that I headed around the corner to AOC for a lunch honoring the Frank and Eileen Foundation. Wow, this was soooo inspiring. Frank and Eileen founder Audrey McLoghlin has already pledged $20M to help empower and educate young women and has now launched the Frank and Eileen Foundation to continue making an impact. I’m so impressed with how she is using the success of her business to make real change with fellowships for young women at MIT, Babson, Stanford and Marlborough. How major is that?! Makes me wanna buy another shirt from F&E (the Shirley is my fave)! Or you can donate directly with their Giving Club.

And finally, I took a flower arranging workshop at the Good Bacteria pop-up on Abbot Kinney hosted by Brrch Floral! This was so much fun and a real sensory experience. We used Swiss chard, basil, cilantro flower, French tulips and more to make gorgeous bouquets that are nearly 100% edible! If you find yourself in Venice this weekend, stop by or sign up for one of their free workshops! Super cute.

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And now I need a nap! Cannot wait to dive into the tennis at Indian Wells and F1 race this weekend! Sporty spice is baaaack. Sending you all lotsa love, thank you for being here. If you liked this issue, throw it a heart or a comment! It warms my heart!

xo

Michèle

p.s. if you make a purchase using the links above, I may make a small commission! Merci!

Last week I was overcome with an extreme craving for steak frites. I’m a somewhat recent convert to eating meat after 15+ years as a pescatarian. My gateway bite of steak was at Don Julio in Buenos Aires… I thought, when in Rome?! This is arguably the greatest steak restaurant in the world, might as well see what the fuss is about. That bite was…

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The state of the world is pretty bleak right now. I don’t need to remind you of everything here, but rather I’ll share some things that are giving me a boost right now! There are a lot of Spring launches to dazzle the eyes with freshness and the promise of good times ahead. Sometimes a little retail therapy is just what is needed. Here are some…

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I’m one of those people who think Valentine’s Day is cute and fun! Whether your coupled up or not, it’s a day where we’re reminded to spread a little love. I’m a big fan of the Valentine’s Day party. Skip the awkward dinner reservation and get the whole gang together! Have everyone dress up and enjoy the frivolity! In fact, I wrote a whole post las…

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Coming to you today with the things giving me life right now. Having an 8 week old baby means my world looks a lot different than it once did. I’m definitely still in the cozy newborn bubble, but starting to look outward a little bit and rejoin the world. I’m finding joy in the little things like a really good iced tea, a cool planner, an excellen…

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It’s mid-Jan and I think we could all use a little inspiration to keep things rolling. I know a lot of us have goals of eating healthy and making more food at home, so I’m resharing one of my most popular posts from last year all about cooking! Last year we swore off food delivery for the month of Jan. It was actually really easy and fun once we got started. How we did it, recipes and grocery list below. Because the key to cooking more is having food in the house!

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How to go Postmates Sober:

Hopefully this will crack the habit of ordering in by default on a near daily basis. Convenience is king, but I want to be more conscious for my body and my wallet. (Did you see The Cut article on Friction Maxxing? Interesting stuff.) I know a lot of us want to ‘be healthy’ this year and cooking more is a great place to start. I’m trying to set myself up for success and get some menus and recipe ideas ready so I don’t panic and get hangry. There’s something so satisfying and meditative about getting your supplies, putting on some music, setting up your mise-en-place and making yourself a meal - made just how you like it!

BREAKFAST:

Currently, I’m in a greek yogurt, granola and berries phase coming off of a breakfast taco phase. I make those with scrambled eggs, spinach, avocado, salsa of your choice, and Tehachapi Grain Project tortillas which really take it to the next level. TBH, sometimes I don’t eat breakfast and settle for a morning tea, but I really try to because it helps me avoid becoming a monster by lunchtime.

LUNCH:

Lentil Salad with Radicchio, Cauliflower and Caramelized Onions: Whipped this one up a couple years ago and it’s such a good one to have in the arsenal! The leftovers are endlessly customizable - just add a fried egg or avocado or the protein of your choice!

Frittata: Our weekend brunch special takes on a new role as a quick weekday lunch! Make ahead of time to have on hand. Use whatever veg you like, but my favorite is potato, onions, chard, cherry tomatoes and fontina. I’ve linked my buddy Nik’s video because it helped me step up my frittata game big time.

Fried rice bowl: I’m one of those people who could live on rice. Day old rice is best for this dish. I usually sauté some veg/greens with some onion, garlic, ginger and while that’s cooking, I whisk together a couple eggs in a bowl. I then add the rice to the eggs and mix well and season with salt and pepper. Once the veggies are heated, I make a lil space in the center of the pan and pour the eggs/rice. I stir and let that cook a bit before combining with all the veggies and add a lil dash of soy - Cabi’s Umami Dashi Soy is my fave. Top with avocado, pickles, spicy garlic crisps and fresh herbs!

Soup: I survive on chicken soup from Erewhon. It’s easy to heat up during the day and I am a certified soup freak, so I’m happy to eat this day after day after day. I jazz it up with a squeeze of lemon, dill, cilantro and my beloved Bunkus Bagus sambal goreng. Of course, you can easily make your own brothy delights such as these: ’s Soup with all the Greens, Sophie Dalah’s Lentil Soup with carrot pickle, or the cabbage soup recipe by yours truly below!

DINNER:

One Pot Chicken and Rice with Caramelized Lemon and Olives: WOW @grossypelosi knocked it out of the park with this one! I made this the other night and it blew my mind! Absolutely delicious and so flavorful! It was my first time cooking chicken (I didn’t eat meat for over 15 years) and I can’t wait to make this for friends soon. ENJOY!

Donabe with Salmon, daikon and garlic butter miso sauce: Another nourishing and cozy dream recipe from Mrs Donabe. Just be sure to season your salmon with salt as recommended in the recipe! I serve with a healthy sprinkle of shichimi togarashi which is so good and spicy. YUM! If you don’t have a donabe, this works well in a dutch oven too!

Squash, Red Lentil and Coconut Curry: This stew from Hemsley + Hemsley is probably the recipe I’ve made the most in my life! I used to cook this constantly when I lived in NY and I still love it. Really comforting and warming, perfect for winter nights! Also this recipe makes quite a large serving, so it’s good for a group or lunch the next day! Serve with a wedge of lime and plenty of cilantro! Heaven!

Sheet Pan Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Radicchio and Halloumi: I love this recipe from Peter Som - preorder his new cookbook Family Style for more winners! This comes together really easily all on a sheet pan and the flavor combinations are divine! Bitter radicchio, sweet potatoes, salty halloumi! I usually forgo the chickpeas and balsamic drizzle in favor of a tahini dressing.

Cabbage soup: If you are a passionate cabbage lover like me, try whipping this up! Modify as you like: Sautée onions and garlic, then add half a head of chopped cabbage, then add chopped parsley and a dash of curry powder, then pour in some broth of your choice and a can of rinsed chickpeas. Bring it all to a simmer, then turn the heat to low and cook for about 15-20 mins. At the end, add a dash or two of champagne vinegar, trust! Serve topped with dill, lemon, olive oil and a dollop of Sunny’s tahini and with a side of toasted crusty bread - if you’re in LA and you can get your hands on a fresh loaf from , lucky you!

Roast Veg platter: I’m always happy to throw some veggies in the oven. I used this recipe over thanksgiving to help with cooking times/temps, but you can just take it as some suggestions. I usually do cabbage, beets, sweet potatoes, broccoli (coated in a gochujang sauce). You can add a protein of your choice, or stay veggie! Make extra for your lunch the next day. I usually serve with some kind of tahini dressing.

If I have food in the house, I know I can whip up something quicker than the 40-65 minutes estimated by Postmates! I am always fascinated by other people’s fridges and pantry’s, so I thought I’d share my typical grocery list in case it sparks any ingredient inspiration! I also love the concept of the book Chef’s Fridges where some of the finest cooks in the world reveal what they eat at home.

-lemons
-greens: rainbow chard, kale, spinach
-sweet potatoes
-sunny’s tahini
-whole milk (A2)
-eggs
-parmesan
-halloumi
-aromatics: shallots, garlic, onions
-can of coconut milk
-rice
-herbs: cilantro, dill, parsley
-a head of green cabbage
-yogurt (I’m addicted to Painterland Sisters skyr)
-berries

Thanks as always for being here! Appreciate you bearing with me while I try to get back to my usual posting schedule as we’re still in our newborn bubble! But I’m very excited for 2026 and have lots of fun ideas coming up. Stay tuned!

xo Michèle

It was amazing to see last week’s Year of the Bitch* post resonate with so many of you. I thought it would be fun to follow up with a few ideas on how to dress like a bitch! I think the main idea here is giving yourself permission to live a little louder. So many of us have been conditioned to play small and blend in. YOTB is about tapping in…

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I’m an eldest daughter and have also been working as a model since I was a teenager. If there’s a career that breeds people pleasing, modeling is it. You’re meant to be a canvas that other people project their creativity onto. Just like the line in Devil Wears Prada, ‘a million girls would kill for this job’ is t…

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The holidays are HERE! Hopefully you’ve nearly done with your shopping and if not, here is my Female Founded Gift Guide! We are thrilled to have welcomed our baby girl a few weeks ago and have been completely ensconced in the newborn bubble. While this year we are keeping things extremely low key and low lift, I wanted to share some inspo for The Feast of the Seven Fishes, one of my favorite nights of the year. I originally sent this out last year, but all recommendations still stand. Fun ideas to incorporate into your holiday dinner or you can go for the full shebang!

This is an Italian-American tradition held on Christmas Eve and was introduced to me, by my legendary Italian-American mother in law, Joan. We have loved bringing this fun night to our friends and family in California. It’s a celebration of good food, good times, and getting together. Time to make Martha proud. Here’s how I do it!

As the name suggests, it’s a feast where you eat 7 different kinds of fish and is rooted in the Catholic custom of abstaining from meat on Christmas Eve. We aren’t religious, but we do love seafood and throwing an elaborate dinner party! This night is all about the spectacle of bounty. Now, some people make a cioppino or a seafood stew and call it a day, but that’s just not the kind of people we are! I usually take over our dining table and create a grazing seafood feast so people can serve themselves. Of course I’ll be using all my favorite Ginori platters, silver trays, silver coupes etc. It’s good to create some different height and dimension on the table, so you can use a cake stand or even use a small box to place a dish on. We typically forgo the formal place settings and have guests sit on the couch, on pillows on the floor etc. Cozy and fun is the vibe.

Le Menu! We always get a lil carried away, so it often winds up over 7 fishes.

First things first, the drinks! We are big champagne lovers, so will have plenty of bubbly on hand. Our fave is Bereche, an incredible grower champagne, highly recommended! I also make a batch of freezer martinis for tiny tini’s. So fun and keeps things somewhat under control. Of course will have lots of Lorenza including our NA Sparkling for those who aren’t drinking.

Caviar with all the fixings… When guests ask what they can bring, we say, a tin of caviar!! Of course you can go super fancy here, but there’s also some great more ‘affordable’ options. For an occasion like this, I tend to go for the biggest tin of a decent quality. More is more! We like Petrossian, Roe, and Big Pearl. I like to serve caviar alongside potato chips, toasted blinis, creme fraiche and chives. Don’t forget the pearl spoon and a chic silver bowl to fill with ice to put the tins on. While we’re still in the fish egg category, we’ll also be doing bread and butter with salmon roe. Pick up some freshly baked bread and create a beautiful bowl of European butter topped with salmon roe. Decadent and delicious!!

Oysters are a must for most of our gatherings. Order a few dozen from your favorite local seafood restaurant or Island Creek for east coast and Hog Island for west coast. Make yourself a beautiful tray or platter using pebble ice with some sliced lemon wedges. We love using Lorenza Rosé to make a frozen granita to serve alongside, here’s our recipe! P.S. Learn to shuck your own oysters! An endlessly valuable skill that will serve you for years to come.

My husband’s signature party snack at our house is shiso leaf topped with uni, tuna sashimi or scallop crudo. Not only is this a gorgeous dish, it’s so easy to make and will definitely impress. He usually does a dab of wasabi on the shiso leaf then tops with uni and ikura. The tuna sashimi might get a drop of ponzu sauce and the scallop crudo, a touch of yuzu kosho! If you want, you can add a small scoop of caviar to all of the above! We go to Mitsuwa (or another Japanese market) to get our fish for this.

Can never go wrong with shrimp cocktail at a party. You can poach your own pretty easily or this is an easy item to outsource. I like to serve it with both cocktail sauce and Molly Baz’s dilly horseradish dip. People freak for this stuff!! You could serve in martini glasses or on a big bowl filled with ice. My opinion is more is more!

My mother-in-law prepares her famous lobster salad. You can throw this together as you wish, but hers includes lobster meat, mayo, celery, chives, lemon, salt and pepper. Serve chilled. TBH, I could just eat this and be happy.

She also makes incredible baked stuffed clams that are totally addictive! There are lots of different recipes for this, but she makes a breadcrumb mixture with the clam meat, onions, parsley, and a pepper for a lil kick! These can be prepped ahead of time and popped in the oven when guests arrive. Serve with lemon wedges and watch them disappear.

Gotta have some greens on the table so we’ll do a grilled romaine caesar with anchovy dressing. Also, its rosalba season at the farmer’s market and always love a gorgeous pink salad!

It ain’t Christmas Eve without crab and our friend Jordan always sources something fun. This year we want to go for stone crab claws!! You can order from Joe’s Stone Crab in Miami. Decadent and so fun.

This year, we are planning on doing spaghetti with shaved bottarga and breadcrumbs. Super simple, super good! We’ve actually never made this, but we like to live on the edge.

The final touch will be a Baked Alaska for dessert… I have a hankering for lighting something on fire! The spectacle! And each year, I have a goal of making an elaborate dessert and leave it til the holidays to execute. Wish me luck!

Along with some amaro, we love to finish the evening by playing a silly and raucous game of celebrity. You know the game where everyone writes a celebrity’s name on a piece of paper, stick them all to our foreheads, and badly guess our way to the answer. Then we hang the stockings and call it a night.

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I’ll be back this weekend with the 2025 Amuse Bouche Awards. Hope you have a wonderful week with your loved ones and thanks as always for being here!

Xo

Michèle

P.S. If you make a purchase using the links above, I may make a small commission at no cost to you! Merci!