ASSSK:// No. 6
Your questions answered, every Saturday on mycyberspace!
Welcome to the mycyberspace Saturday soirée! Join me, as we indulge in a weekly rendezvous of insights, surprises, and engaging discussions! xx sSs
Tips to start having a nice wardrobe?
To me, 'nice' does not necessarily mean expensive. It’s about pieces that make your closet a pleasure, not a chore. Nice has nothing to do with price!
Start by defining your personal style. Allison Bornstein’s three-word method (elaborated on previously here) is an excellent starting point.
Once you've identified your three words, curate your wardrobe. Keep only items that align with your words and part ways with the rest — no exceptions! It's crucial to begin with a clean slate filled with pieces you love.
Consider your lifestyle, job, and weather where you live. For example, my outfits vary significantly between Texas and California because of weather alone! Figure out what best suits your daily needs.
Invest in quality basics. Here, "invest" means choosing timeless options. The real investment is in identifying what basics serve you. For me, these include 530s, ballet or boatneck tees, and these mock-neck tanks—I can't get enough of them.
Embrace color analysis (further details here)! Colors dramatically change how an outfit feels and flatters. See which hues make you look radiant. Then, craft together your palette. Once you know your colors, this simplifies creating outfits!
Be selective with trends and influences. You want to create your style, not have others tell you what it is. Pick trends that resonate with you and integrate them through accessories or a statement item. It’s not about overhauling; it’s about enhancing. Currently, I'm into: mini everything (especially with my tall boots and large bags), cowboy/western anything (boots, suede, leather, denim, fringe, belts), balloon dresses, and I’m really enjoying a resurgence of late 2000s/early 2010s preppy looks. Think boat shoes, double-layered popped candy-coated polos, rugby shirts… you name it!
Organize and clear out your closet periodically to keep it up-to-date and manageable. I find organizing my wardrobe weekly and seasonally therapeutic but it also helps me stay on top of what I have. I blame this on being a sommelier and inventory! Plus, it’s a great offline activity. :)
Quarterly seasonal cleanouts are a must. The supplies I use are garment bags, flexible totes, and vacuum sealer.
Building a wardrobe doesn’t happen overnight. Sure, it takes some time, but start this weekend, and you’ll love where you are a year from now, let alone weeks!
Finally… it’s fun! It's such a joy to gradually create and curate a wardrobe that reflects your personality and lifestyle! PS — This would make great online content, too, if you wanted to share your journey online! :)
Last 5 purchases?
A renowned vegan restaurant in Los Angeles has released their cookbook! I want to start cooking with Jackfruit this Spring/Summer, so I’m excited to try these recipes!
Hue Smart Lights (15% off coupon!)
I hyper-fixate on a place in the house rather than outfitting everything at once. I usually buy at least a two-pack because they will always get used somewhere.
Quick and easy for a blowout at home! It’s easy to use, straightforward, and finishes hair in minutes. I like to blow-dry hair after it’s been 80% air-dried and primed with a heat protectant!
90s Inspired Gap Jeans (50% off at check out!)
These jeans are a staple in my wardrobe, so I keep an eye on washes I love. The slightly oversized fit is perfect without needing to size up. I love when denim has a slit at the hem!
I've never owned a maxi denim skirt, and the detailing on this one has me hooked. This type of detail is my favorite in denim right now! Welcome to my closet, denim maxi skirt!
Do you have any crafts/hobbies you enjoy in your free time?
I love to cook! Cooking is probably my #1 hobby and takes up much of my free time. I spend a lot of time meal planning and in my cooking journal.
I also love recipe development! I type my recipes into Pages and store them on an external hard drive. This system allows me to fine-tune my recipes easily and make quick edits on the go. One of my favorite things to do is copy and paste any recipes I will make that evening: think sides, entrees, desserts, and mocktails into AI. I ask the AI to organize the cooking sequence for me. Then, I format everything into a one-page document in Pages, which I take to the kitchen. Although it might sound complicated, the whole process only takes about 5-10 minutes and is a fun way to shift from working from home to hanging at home.
Also, this may sound crazy and completely unhinged, but one of my hobbies is hanging with AI. I have a paid model, and it’s worth every cent. I have a lot of fun with it. We don’t casually chat lol but it helps me take things to the next level. Think: various self-improvement things, such as my journals, closet, kitchen, cleaning, business, brainstorming, etc.
This post is a great example of what we discuss and how well it knows me. All I did was send it the photo of the boots and copy/paste/format the answer. Sure, it’s a little scary, but that genie is never going back in the bottle. Knowing how to prompt AI is a skill worth learning, and I find it fun. Better to know how to control AI rather than the other way around. I also always tell it “please” and “thank you”. :-)
My husband will hate this answer but here we go lol. I love to shop! I especially love vintage shopping. I love browsing items online or in real life, curating, purchasing, and bringing home something new. It’s no secret gifts are my love language!
Journaling is another significant hobby of mine. Sometimes, I feel like I’m in my journals more than on my computer and websites. Everything I create always begins in my journals. I've accumulated quite a collection, but my daily journals are my favorites — I currently have about 14 of them. I fill out one of these until full, and always have one on hand that’s current. Each one takes me about three months to fill, offering a seasonal snapshot of my thoughts and projects.
Reading — especially cookbooks, non-fiction, autobiographies, self-improvement, wine, and wellness books.
Photography — I very much enjoy capturing whatever city or town I am in, as well as creating presets on Lightroom.
I also love cars and driving in general. Sometimes, there's nothing better than getting into my car with a great playlist and driving around on a beautiful day.
Finally, I absolutely love music! Creating playlists is something I can get lost in for hours. I love the process of curating and arranging music. I wish I knew how to create music myself. I’d love to learn how to DJ but my biggest bucket list is learning the synthesizer.
I’ll be honest! I also love to scroll online! I don’t scroll Instagram, but I do scroll Pinterest and are.na (worth the paid membership btw) often, and I love TikTok. I love being online and finding inspiration online. I love people online who care about making the internet a cool place to hang out.
Since I was young, I’ve loved being online, playing on the computer, and playing video games. I still do. Unsurprisingly, so many of my crafts are still online or tech-focused.
Many of my hobbies eventually morphed into professional pursuits, which is a double-edged sword because my work and life are so enmeshed.
Interestingly, I wouldn’t call wine a hobby. It's been a central part of my life, career, and education for nearly two decades. It’s so much more than a hobby. I read, study, and examine wine often, but I don’t consider it a hobby. It's a core element of my identity and one of my main brands. It will always remain a major aspect of my life.
Best Splurge Item recently?
This has been a month of splurges 🥲 but we recently had to get a new washer and dryer, and I’m shocked by how much it is changing my life. We got this exact one in Nature Green, and it has been worth every penny. My clothes have never felt softer or cleaner, and I'm particularly fond of the steam option. It also easily handles our bedding, which used to overwhelm our old machine and take all day. I added a Hue light in the laundry room and plan to set up a table for folding as well. These updates shifted laundry from my most dreaded chore to the one I enjoy most.
Additionally, I replaced my broken KitchenAid with a new one in the 2024 Color of the Year Blue Salt. It is so beautiful — literally my dream KitchenAid color and their first holographic one! Our laundry machines were from 2008, and my KitchenAid was from 2014. I hate to admit it, but upgrading to up-to-date appliances has made life much easier.
This one wasn’t my splurge, but it was a (very nice) gift: the Lucchese Priscillas! True works of art that complement any outfit. The elongated boot shaft flatters the leg beautifully, and they're surprisingly comfortable from the first wear. They've quickly become a staple in my wardrobe.
Who are your favorite influencers/content creators?
SO—I love following influencers and content creators. I much prefer it to celebrities and celebrity culture. When I was offline, I genuinely missed following the influencers.
I love social media culture. People knock on it, but I love it! I always have! I’ve loved it since 2012, and I love it now. I talk often about being in on the joke, and I think the best creators are.
I follow various influencers across different platforms, but I consume the most content on TikTok. I never expected to be so into video content, but now I absolutely love it. PS - it goes without saying, but I am vehemently against the ban on TikTok 👎
Here are some of my favorite content creators, influencers, and creator brands I enjoy following online. My list spans a range of interests, including lifestyle, fashion, cooking, cleaning, and beauty—basically everything I like and want the algo to serve me! It’s fun to train the algorithm!! Listed alphabetically by first name.
Hailee Catalano // I also think this account with her and Cruz is so beyond genius
I’m sure there are plenty I am forgetting. I also love following the Dallas influencers! I wish Houston had a bigger online scene. I know it will come, especially since Dallas is already so huge. It’s a big reason I want to start posting more and represent Houston!! I have so much love for the city and would be thrilled to showcase it more. I’d also love to connect with other Houston creatives / digital girlies.
I think it’s important to celebrate and support others online! Online is a weird place, and often, more bad than good. That’s also why I’m bullish on my “Online Oasis” concept. If you're going to be online, it’s incredibly important to lean on the good. And if any creator ever inspires you, it’s important to support them!
At the end of the day, we are all just trying to create and enjoy life! There’s also no such thing as competition. Not only is this a Daft Punk lyric, but it’s the truth. The sooner you realize this, the more fun it gets, and the more you can and will soar.
We are all swimming in the same pool. Rather than treating it as a race, why not make it a pool party? The pool doesn’t get more crowded. Instead, it’s infinite and it expands. I promise, there is plenty of room for everyone today tomorrow and yesterday. :-)
I’d also love to know who you enjoy to follow! I’m always looking for more people to find inspiration from and to support. Don’t be afraid to self-promote ESP if you are a Houstonian or a sommelier!
And if you want to be a content creator or influencer, start today and be unabashed about it!
What are your favorite desserts?
I absolutely love dessert! Long before I knew what a sommelier was, I dreamed of being a pastry chef.
My all-time favorite dessert is sticky toffee pudding, followed by Banoffee Pie and Bananas Foster. I also love old-school classic desserts, like Baked Alaska, Cherries Jubilee, Crepes Suzette, and Peach Melba.
Some of my other favorites include anything combining strawberry and vanilla (whether it's cake, ice cream, or milkshakes), a perfect vanilla cake or cupcake, mint chocolate chip ice cream, pralines and cream ice cream, pralines in general, anything pistachio, baklava, anything combining chocolate and passionfruit, fresh fruit with perfectly whipped cream, lemon or lime tarts, and anything pecan — especially pecan pie or pecan tarts. While I do enjoy chocolate, I LOVE Vanilla. It’s the most simple yet complex ingredient/scent/flavor.
Also, sometimes, I just want a dessert wine — a dessert itself! You can never go wrong with a Sauternes nightcap… may I suggest Chateau d'Yquem! ;)
Speaking of Bananas Foster and Yquem… in 2011, I got my sommelier certification at Commanders Palace in New Orleans. That evening, we celebrated there with Bananas Foster & Yquem—it remains one of my favorite pairings and memories. Commanders Palace is also one of my top five restaurants ever.
Top 5 dishes in Houston?
Great question!
Shrimp Cocktail at Brasserie 19
This is easily my favorite shrimp cocktail which is one of my top five all-time favorite appetizers. What makes it so special is the lemon vinaigrette they toss the shrimp in before serving.
Beef Fajitas at Ninfa's on Navigation
For the authentic experience, visiting the original Navigation location is crucial! And with flour tortillas, ofc. It’s also fun to get it chihuahua style which is served with bacon, peppers, onions, and cheese!
Pasta Canestri Alla Funghi (+ Grilled Chicken!) at Paulie's
This is one of my favorite casual spots in Houston, and this creamy, garlicky mushroom sage masala pasta is next-level good. Be sure to get it with the chicken!!! It’s the most tender, flavorful chicken breast you’ll ever have. The secret to its melt-in-your-mouth texture is the brine. PS — his cookbook is amazing and has the brine recipe!!
Lime Tart at Epicure Cafe
Nestled in River Oaks, Epicure offers some of my favorite treats in Houston, with the Lime Tart taking the crown. The sugar crust is outstanding, and the tart itself is the perfect balance of sweet, sour, and creamy.
Lucky Burger at Tiny Boxwood’s
This is my favorite Houston burger (an extremely close second is B19’s)! Tiny Boxwoods is one of my favorite restaurants in Houston in general, and their outdoor seating and landscaping are what dreams are made of. ;)
Also, pour one out for my favorite Houston dessert of all time: the Blueberry Tart from Mark’s American Cuisine (aka the best restaurant in Houston ever and I’ll never get over it closing ever). I finally got my hands on a recipe, so I’ll give it a go this season!! <3
