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Style Capsule: Staples

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It feels faintly absurd to talk about fashion when the country reads as if it has been scorched—our civic life corroded, our norms dissolved, the air thick with something like acid rain. The erosion of the rule of law was already alarming, treated with the casualness of leftovers pushed aside and forgotten. But earlier this week, I felt my stomach drop when Donald Trump remarked in an interview, “when you think of it, we shouldn’t even have an election.” The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, later suggested it was a joke. Photo by Valna Studio on Unsplash If it was meant to be funny, the humor is inaccessible to me. I don’t lack a sense of irony or satire, but jokes rely on shared boundaries. This crossed none I recognize. Perhaps my tolerance for absurdity has thinned as the stakes have risen, but dismissing such a statement as unserious feels willfully naïve. After everything that has already been tested, strained, and broken, pretending this is unthinkable requires a s...
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Mongolian Beef

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Mongolian Beef is my all-time favorite Chinese dish—savory, slightly sweet, garlicky, and finished with that irresistible glossy sauce that clings to every slice of beef. Despite its name, the dish isn’t from Mongolia at all; it’s a Chinese-American creation inspired by flavors and cooking techniques from northern China, popularized in Chinese restaurants in the United States. The combination of tender sliced beef, aromatics like ginger and garlic, and a rich soy-based sauce makes it both comforting and bold, the kind of dish that feels special yet familiar every time it’s served. INGREDIENTS one pound of boneless ribeye steak, sliced one and a half tablespoons of cornstarch two tablespoons of Tamari soy sauce two tablespoons of vegetable oil one tablespoon of cooking Michiu two teaspoons of oyster sauce two teaspoons of Sriracha sauce one tablespoon of roughly chopped ginger two garlic cloves, sliced four green onions, diced a half teaspoon of sesame oil Toss sliced ribeye st...
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Shrimp Stew

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Rustic and comforting, this tomato-based shrimp stew is gently spiced with fennel, allspice, and chili, balanced by a touch of sweetness and slow-simmered aromatics. It is the kind of dish that fills the kitchen with warmth and begs for a crusty baguette to soak up every last spoonful of sauce. INGREDIENTS one pound of shrimp, peeled, deveined, and tails removed one fourteen-ounce canned tomatoes a half cup of finely chopped parsley two jalapeños, finely chopped one red onion, chopped one cup of water three garlic cloves, sliced two tablespoons of olive oil one teaspoon of granulated sugar a half teaspoon of fennel seeds a quarter to half teaspoon of chili powder a quarter teaspoon of ground allspice salt to taste Heat a Dutch oven over medium heat and add the olive oil. When the oil is warm, add the chopped red onion and cook until softened and translucent. Add the roughly chopped canned tomatoes with their juice. Stir in the sugar, a quarter teaspoon of chili powder, the fennel seed...
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Six Trash Bags to Clarity

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Cluttered. It is one of the most damaging states, physically and emotionally. We often speak of clutter as something physical, yet how can the mind remain clear when the space around it is not? Over the past year, clutter invaded both my space and my mind as I navigated a workplace shaped by toxic management. It spilled over first emotionally and then physically. Fatigue and labile hypertension drained me, stealing my ability to be intentional with my time and space. On weekends, I found myself trapped in bed, fast asleep. Movement that had once been effortless and woven into my daily rhythm disappeared, and with it went the balance I had worked so hard to maintain. I told myself I was doing okay, that resting when my body demanded it was enough. And yes, we must listen to our bodies. But I also praised myself for letting unfinished tasks linger, for abandoning healthy routines, for ignoring the agenda I had once relied on. I congratulated myself for being flexible with time, even as m...
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Style LookBook: December 2025

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December’s StyleLook arrives draped in timeless elegance—an ode to black, chic sophistication with a whisper of old-school glamour. Think Breakfast at Tiffany’s reborn for the modern woman: poised, refined, and effortlessly dressy. This is the kind of look that moves seamlessly through the day, commanding presence in the office before slipping, without missing a beat, into a dinner party where style truly matters. Classic silhouettes, luxe textures, and a hint of vintage allure come together to create a wardrobe moment that feels both iconic and entirely now. December never looked so polished. [DRESS] SELF-PORTRAIT Embellished Tweed Dress [HEELS] MACH & MACH Crystal Bow 110mm Pumps [GILET] MANIERE DE VOIR Lira Faux-Fur Belted Gilet [BAG] GIVENCHY Mini Antigona East-West Tote Bag [GLOVES] HIGH HEEL JUNGLE Florence Leather Opera Gloves While all items are curated by me, I earn commission from retailers on purchased items. Items shown are not shown in scale.
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Cilantro Chili Sauce

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The blender was already out on the counter, liberated from its usual spot on the shelf, and half a bunch of cilantro lingered from my Piri-Piri recipe testing. The stage, also known as the kitchen counter, was set. So I figured: why not? A few minutes of tinkering later, a vibrant green chili sauce came to life. This little burst of flavor confetti goes well with just about everything, but be warned: it’s highly addictive spooned over warm basmati rice. Consider yourself warned. Just blend all the ingredients listed below in a blender.  INGREDIENTS a garlic clove a half bunch of cilantro, roughly chopped a serrano pepper a red pepper a shallot, halved a lime, juiced a half cup of extra virgin olive oil a half teaspoon of salt, plus a pinch or two more to taste a Calabrian cherry chili pepper (from a jar)
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Style LookBook: November 2025

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It still feels like autumn at most — those late summer days when the heat slowly fades in Los Angeles — so I’m not quite ready to embrace winter. Staying true to my vibe, I curated a sophisticated look that whispers fierce. [TOP] NASTY GAL Twill Buckle V-Neck Halter Neck Top [SKIRT] DONNA KARAN Seam Faux Leather Pencil Skirt [HEELS] JEFFREY CAMPBELL Good Luck Pump [BAG] MARC JACOBS The Dakota Suede Tote Bag [ACCESSORY] HIGH HEEL JUNGLE Florence Leather Opera Gloves [COAT] MANGOSelection Classic Cotton Trench Coat While all items are curated by me, I earn commission from retailers on purchased items. Items shown are not shown in scale.
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