we're going to need more wine
LUSH LIFE in OUT Magazine; Inspirations + Writers to read- and I asked for my bags back from The Real Real... and other miscellaneous life updates.
Hello Lush Life friends,
What a year - at least this year, each month feels like a year with all the happenings in the world. ICE in LA?! Gaza. Ethnic “Cleansing”/Genocide. Iran. Bombings. Politicians talking about bombing an entire country with 92 million people on international television without blinking. The Congo. Hurricane warnings. Supreme Court rulings. Plantations burning down (yes). Beyonce’s concerts have not sold out (recession indicator!). Tariffs. Luxury Fashion Price Increases (in this economy?!).
Is it just me or am I still recovering from witnessing wildfires in L.A.
I’m just now beginning to actually mentally digest that the whole world was on lockdown during to a global pandemic that took the lives of millions.
It feels like a lifetime ago (and only yesterday) that we were told to inject ourselves with bleach and pray for the best (COVID).
I’m constantly in a tailspin, mentally- and must confess I’ve been getting headlines here and there, everywhere whilst trying to run a business (some days it feels like winning, some days it feels like failing), and get things done. And i’m sure we all are needing just a bit more energy to muster to get even more basic things done.
This month I dedicated my content offerings to other aspects of life: sharing my piece on navigating intimacy or the legacy of black trans women in the 1800’s and of course, organizations I feel very blessed to work with and champion, and who’s mission I believe will help make the world a better, and hopefully safer world to live in.
I hope you liked the direction- I wanted to try something different so as not to let you press SNOOZE. I don’t want to bore you. Please tell me if these offerings bore you. LOL.
My Spiritual Experience At Dries Van Noten
I read once, that there is a spiritual experience that happens to you when you are surrounded by Dries Van Noten.
What I’ve Been Reading This Month: Nonbinary Lions?!
I’ve been incredibly inspired by other writers on the Substack platform, and thought I’d share some lovely finds for your reading enjoyment.
Did you know that some lionnesses (LIONX?!) have manes too? And this might be considered a “non-binary” experience in the animal kingdom?
I’ve been obsessing over
‘s and making science so much more fun to read- and with a twist!
What To Watch? Notes on AJLT + The Royal Tenenbaums
I’m going to be radically honest- And Just Like That’s newest season just isn’t holding my attention like Sex and The City once did. The storylines feel off- like is Carrie now in a down low relationship with Aiden? And why is Lisa Todd Wexley upset that her video editor of 10 years finally has a chance to work on an Oscar buzz project?
I also still think it’s weird that Charlotte gets her daughter condoms, but perhaps that progressive parenting? (I couldn’t imagine asking my mom to do that which is why it makes for good tv?).
Remember when we actually used to buy DVDs and actually own a movie?
I went through my old APPLE account and rediscovered films I purchased back in the old days when we had to buy the movies we wanted to watch, and I rewatched The Royal Tenenbaums and fell back in love with film and Wes Anderson’s visual feast for the eyes, all over again.
I felt re-inspired to create more art direction for this platform and for my work with BAACAL. so many ideas. so satisfying.
Summer Cocktail Recipe : The Best APEROL SPRITZ
Your welcome, in advance darlings.
My dear friend Sean put me on to this a couple of years ago, and it’s my go-to recipe for my cheat days (you guys know I’m zero sugar, except on sundays).
You’re going to mix APEROL, with San Pellegrino’s Aranciata and your favorite Prosecco for bubbles. In a wine glass, with ice, stir and add a slice of lemon, lime or an orange.
Your. Welcome. Summer Unlocked. In A Glass. CHEERS.
I’m In Emotional Rehab
I’ve been thinking a lot about a particular magazine cover from my youth, where Lauryn Hill was actively being labeled as “crazy” and “difficult to work with”, as she eventually transitioned from mega star to her private life in New Jersey, floating back into pop culture here and there. I think about that a lot- her decision to walk away during her prime to reassess her priorities and values, and I wonder (often) what clarity she found.
Naturally, I deleted my social media accounts (again) last week. I was gone from socials for about 7 months and returned when I began working more formally with BAACAL to provide visual styling content and produce in-person activations with the brand.
Sometimes you learn that not every audience or platform is meant for you. I miss when instagram was basically tumblr 2.0. but things change.
I Asked The Real Real To Send My Bags Back
A few months ago, I shared my decision to sell the remainder of pieces from my designer handbag collection- what started as 70-75 pieces eventually over time, came down to 20 and after my last consignment with The Real Real, a final number of 7 of the pieces I couldn’t live without.
First world problems I know. But I learned a valuable lesson, namely about value. Two of my items were rare collectors items from Gucci Tom Ford era, and I was incredibly surprised when The Real Real priced them under $1k- and then sold instantly. Like literally as soon as it was listed, they all sold.
Which would be great if I was desperate for funds- but I wanted my ROI from my archive and The Real Real has an audience of 33 million active users which means your coveted items do sell quicker but also you have a varied audience- like Hollywood film studios for example, source from The Real Real, etc. etc. So there were bound to be users who knew exactly what I was consigning, who would have paid the market rate premium for it.
I’ve since learned after I complained to The Real Real (no, I didn’t get my rare items back) from Tik Tok is a growing phenomena where employees at The Real Real will *ALLEGEDLY* price items incredibly low so that they themselves can purchase before it’s shared to the marketplace.
It’s been an ongoing whisper for those of us who sell on TRR that this may in fact be the case, but to see it play out with my own collection made me feel robbed. For one of my items, Sotheby’s has the same item from the Gucci 2003 runway show that just sold for $2800. My exact same item in pristine condition sold for $600. And it’s because they priced it low and then bought it before it could be launched, and once it’s sold, it’s sold. I can’t ask for it back.
After a day of back and forth, I decided to request that the remainder of my items be sent back to me, outside of the rare pieces and other items that sold (sunglasses, jewelry, etc).
While selling pieces from my closet has allowed me to keep up with the realities of my life as a solopreneur and pay my lawyer, my accountant, and health insurance premiums and catch up on Miss Amex- I can’t just sell my pieces for pennies on the dollar.
So, they are back with me, and I’d rather that. No more selling, especially on The Real Real.
Of course, I always see things on the marketplace I adore, but I honestly, just don’t need anything- especially when it comes to handbags. I've had my fill, and I love my collection so much that I’m incredibly satisfied.
I would like a bedazzled clutch. That is on the wishlist. But beyond that, I’ve been on a shoe kick and on the hunt for blouses for the extreme summer heat of Houston.
Emotional Rehab: Part II
Stevie Renee was my Editor when I was a contributing writer at Refinery29- and since then, they still write for Essence and other platforms, but they also have launched their wellness and healing channel. I’ve been listening and watching in, and feel incredibly blessed by their work and words, and thought I’d share.
LUSH LIFE in OUT MAGAZINE
Thank you OUT Magazine for the feature on my work with LUSH LIFE. And thank you Marie Adelina De La Derriere for letting me be radically honest.
Until next time,
Aria
