So, I will be the first to admit that my stamina faded pretty quickly for our beloved (by whomst, exactly? lol) Things That Worked series.

In honor of a shiny New Year, I thought we could pivot and chat about the things that I am thinking about, considering buying, and whatever else will very likely work well in 2026. Are you still with me?

I’m branding this post the lazy man’s trendspotting. Which in this day and age, any attempt to nail down a trend or fad is such an unwieldy concept! Either way, here we go!

• White tee and denim— We’re off to a blistering start, huh? I am deeply committed to taking my lower key dressing into the dawn of a new year, and have stumbled on a few street-style shots and editorials that are giving ample inspiration. This ad via Celine is my holy grail with the perfectly-fitted denim, crisp tee and luxe but understated extras, yet also an unhinged number of rings. Also loving Rosamund Pike and Michaela Coel in their own versions of this look. Pairing Slvrlakes with this tee, vintage leather and very random, but great new boots.
• Y’all, I am actually considering getting bangs again in this the 2026th year of our Lord. I’m sorry, but Daisy Edgar Jones is really tempting me. I got them every fall for 4-5 years in my early 20’s and adored them. Stay posted— I may just be having a pre-40 mental break!
• I will continue to wear stirrup leggings as if my life depends on it! Arielle Charnas looks **so perf** in hers styled with fur (duh) and slim flats. I will be recreating x1000 for my upcoming NYC trip! Still loving my two pair via Athleta, but will be on the lookout for a truly non-athletic version.
• I have been awash in unnecessary hairbrushes the past few years. There have been random Amazon purchases, a few from Whole Foods because why, and my beloved mini from the unfriendly hotties at the Tribeca Pharmacy. Thanks to a random shout-out in New York Magazine, I have found my holy grail— Japanese brand, YS Park. I insomnia-ordered this style, which is now sold out, and feel like I have a whole new head of hair! Perfect timing for my ill-fated bangs dream!
• On my Q1 to-read list: The Black Utopians by Aaron Robertson, more Ann Patchett on audiobook, Clear by Carys Davies that someone lovingly shared with me, finishing Nathaniel Branden’s Six Pillars of Self-Esteem, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Purple Hibiscus and finally cracking Sally Rooney’s Intermezzo.
• Watching: Dying for the new season of Industry! S3 was life-expanding for me, and I started my full series re-watch in anticipation of S4. The richness of the storytelling is so phenomenal, I am constantly in shock that this delight of a show does not have a bigger following/more accolades. Also, dying for Marisa Abela’s super chic and rowdy UK wedding!
• Less Big Tech: the news is AWFUL, amirite? Pinging back to my 2024 stance of “you break it, you buy it” regarding the 50M fucking idiots who supported this GOP lunacy– I am minding my business and focusing on my own community, family and life! With that said, over the past 9-12 months, I have put forth intentional effort towards two goals: 1) eliminating the scroll/social media consumption 2) drastically bringing down my screen time. The first has been a home run with the occasional TikTok, Reddit or Facebook pop-in. None of those platforms are as addictive as Instagram was for me, so I can easily love it and leave it. The second is a work in progress with all success being led by the Opal app, a powerful and intuitive app/screen blocker that allows you to pre-set time limits and also spontaneously go on a blocking binge. In just a few months, I feel less of an attachment to my phone!
• I saw Marty Supreme during the holidays and it was a wild, NYC-centric and entertaining ride. Chalamet continues to steal my heart (loved him as Laurie in the 2019 Little Women) and GP was delivering high levels of epic Movie Star x Christmas Blockbuster. Ahead of her return back to the screen, Gwyn did some fantastic interviews with Chalamet and Jacob Elordi. Both of these young hotties held their own, but Jacob is literally 6’5” and very, very hot. **plays Saweetie “My Type.”** He is also very confident and seemingly considerate and intelligent. So, I will generally just be thinking about that energy for the rest of the month! Interview here.
• Thinking about on a loop: Meg and Klay being cute AF non-stop, Morgan Stewart McGraw’s perfect TikTok content, preparing for an epic joint birthday girls’ trip that will include one bananas night in Miami, winning Mahjong and the difference between playing with women vs. men (unhinged confidence), finally getting a massage/pedicure after an ankle injury in Nov, and doing whatever the fuck I want for the next 359 days ☺️

Ok, babydolls, lace up those thinking caps and share what is captivating you for early 2026! Happppy New Year— I will be saying that until Jan 31, FYI. Xx