Everything I Packed For 3 Months Abroad + Summer Reading!
Ciao from Sicily by way of London!
Listen, packing to be away from home for months at a time is not easy. It's my least favorite part about my attempts to straddle two continents. Since living at my parents' house, I've had the privilege of having access to all the clothes I own at once. If I want to pull out a piece I haven't worn in a few years, I can go up to our attic and search through the racks that my mother so nicely organized for me. When I go to London, I have to predict everything I'll be in the mood to wear for the coming months—and I'm a Pisces, so my mood be changing all the time. Even though I keep some basic necessities in London, it still feels like I have to start from scratch to rebuild my life there—and it can feel overwhelming.
My process for packing to go anywhere these days starts with an empty rolling rack. It makes it so much easier when I can see all the potential items in one place. I can see if I'm packing too many blue-striped shirts or if I don't have enough jackets. I can see all the colors that I'm working with. I also try on a lot of the pieces to make sure things fit, I feel good in them, and I might style them out a few ways to make sure I will wear it.
When I pack for summer in London, I've been packing everything in two of the largest-size checked suitcases (you can see my favorites here). I pack one with vacation clothes (summer dresses, matching sets, swimwear). I pack the other with my day-to-day London clothes (where I have to be prepared for multiple climates), and then try to fit all my accessories, toiletries, podcasting equipment (the second season of “I'm Fine, You?” launched last month!) and whatever else in between.
See everything I packed for my trip here
I prioritize my go-to everyday pieces that don't require much thought— the pieces I can just throw on and always feel good in, like Aritzia trousers and cropped tanks, my Maggie Marilyn white mini skirt and matching vest, or basically anything from Reformation*. I tried to bring less denim this time since denim is not as ubiquitous here as it is in NYC. The style here feels more elevated. But I did bring my new wide-leg Rag & Bone jeans I've been obsessed with. I also try to keep in mind that, due to the nature of my job, I will get gifted clothes while I'm away to hopefully fill in any spots or add a little more fun to my wardrobe since I try to stick with the most versatile pieces.
Typically, accessories are where I would add a little more excitement to my wardrobe, but I couldn't pack every funky pair of shoes or handbag I own, so again, major editing was required. I brought a few pairs of sparkly heels from Amina Muaddi and my trusty The Row zipper boots because they go everywhere with me. I added in some flat sandals, slingbacks, ankle boots, and tall boots because I love wearing them with dresses now. Handbags are a little bit easier because all you need is one that goes with everything and then add a few personality picks. I chose a white leather Mansur Gavriel hobo bag that expands into a spacious tote as my “goes with everything” bag. And then my Gucci mini Jackie bag, a snakeskin baguette, my green Wandler Penelope bag, a clear lucite clutch, and a blue iridescent Chanel bag that barely fits anything, but it's certainly fun. I'm also in the market for a new simple black bag that goes with everything.
I've accumulated a lot of skincare and makeup in the last few years and regularly swap out products based on what's happening with my skin and test new ones. But I go bare bones when I'm packing and keep it to my absolute essentials. One cleanser, no more than two serums, separate creams for day and night, SPF, and my prescription topicals. Makeup gets the same strict edit: two foundations, one eyeshadow palette, blush, contour/highlighter stick, my go-to liquid eyeliner and mascara—and whatever tools I need. I bring a generous amount of lip glosses and lip liners.
This was the first time I didn't pack a single book which is very unlike me. I only packed my journal because there just wasn't enough space. So, I will be mostly relying on Audible, which I love when I just need to power through a book.
Now that we're in the full swing of summer, I know everyone's looking for their next page-turner to take on vacation. Whether you prefer a tangible book in your hand, a Kindle, or an audio version (no judgments here!), I tapped some of my favorite voracious readers, Tyler McCall, Danielle Prescod, and Jordan Santos, to deliver a list of their must-reads for the steamy months ahead.
Tyler McCall
writer and Gossip Girl aficionado
She's the most popular romance writer right now for a reason! Love the multi-faceted characters, laugh-out-loud banter and heart-wrenchingly real people and romances.
Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan
Someone recently told me I couldn't be an expert in romance until I'd read Kennedy, and they were right. This book isn't in my usual wheelhouse (I'm not in love with second-chance romances), but I couldn't put this one down.
Tastes Like Shakkar by Nisha Sharma
This won't come out until August 1, but this is the sequel to Nisha's "Dating Dr. Dil" romance book and she is A+++ at spice, plus I love all her characters.
Super fun, very frothy — the ideal summer read. Think Britney & Justin meets High School Musical meets Daisy Jones & the Six.
I'm probably biased as a native Floridian, but this book had me in stitches with its "so-absurd-it's-real" Florida plotline. Also an easy read for summer!
Danielle Prescod
author of Token Black Girl (add that to your reading list if you haven't!) and co-founder of 2BG Consulting
The Rise And Fall of Ava Arcana by Jennifer Banash
Dual timeline story about female ambition and life in NYC before everyone had iPhones. There's a bit of mystery and suspense that doesn't get cliche. Great poolside read.
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Everyone likes this book, and everyone is right. It is incredible. A very tender love story about two friends who become coworkers and suffer through decades of transition and difficulty together.
More insight into the white feminism that makes Shiv Roy an “icon.”
Homebodies by Tembe Denton Hurst
Meta-media novel about the breakdown of the current systems and retaining your sense of self through it all.
Very weird, very sexy and very funny.
Jordan Santos
consultant, founder of Seen Library and How to Be a Woman on the Internet newsletter
It's like a zombie apocalypse story, except what's to fear is modern society and our obsession with consumption, productivity, and mindless routine. It completely transformed my mindset to work and productivity.
One of the best fiction books I've read about sacrifice, family, classism, and belonging - a beautiful and heartbreaking book I learned so much from.
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
A long-time favorite and one I've gifted to so many. It was one of the first books that really made me think about race and identity in a deeper way.
If I Had Your Face by Frances Cha
I found it so fascinating to read into the lives of modern women in Korea. Impossible beauty standards, gender roles, friendship, fandom - so many interesting topics in one book.
Page turning - couldn't put it down. Clever work of fiction about class and race disparity, well-meaning rich people and hypocrisy, the lengths mothers will go to for those they love, and the reality about the American dream and its inaccessibility for so many. As a Filipino, I found the characters to be extremely familiar — the endless hustle, the attempts to assimilate, and familial sacrifice and guilt.
What I'll be reading this summer
How to Love a Jamaican by Alexia Arthurs
I recently read this while on vacation in Jamaica after seeing a few of my British Jamaican friends post about it. It's a collection of essays, some stronger than others, yet, every story felt so deeply relatable and nostalgic. It took me on a bit of an emotional journey with my own relationship with my Jamaican heritage while tackling some generally universal themes like friendship, dating, family, and infidelity.
I've known Aurora for years as the brilliant designer behind Brother Vellies. Despite her immense success as an accessories designer and landing magazine covers, Aurora's upbringing wasn't so picture-perfect. In her memoir, she shows us what resilience looks like when you dare to believe in yourself and your ability to help others.
A Renaissance of Our Own by Rachel Cargle
I discovered Rachel Cargle on Instagram in 2018 and asked her to write about racism for Bazaar—a topic we had never really tackled before. Since then, I've watched her flourish as a writer, teacher, activist, and founder of the Loveland Foundation. Now she adds author to her resume with this memoir meets manifesto about how to reimagine the fight for social justice while taking care of ourselves.
Tinx, also known as Christina Najjar, was one of my favorite creators to come out of the first TikTok creator boom during lockdown. Now, she's become a friend, so I wasn't remotely surprised when she told me she was working on a dating book. So many look up to her for her sage advice, and in this book, she fleshes out her viral dating theories and helps those navigating the tricky dating scene shift the focus away from “Does he like me?” to “Do I like him?”
AND if you're still looking for more advice, you can browse through this collection of books recommended in past newsletters by me and my guests.