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https://shopmy.us/gabriiellas

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A few things living rent-free in my brain…

Lately I've been feeling guilty...all the time.

When I'm at Adobe, I feel like I should be creating. When I'm creating, I feel like I should be catching up at work. And when I'm doing either, I somehow convince myself I should probably be resting instead.

Turns out the hardest part isn't balancing two jobs. It's convincing yourself you're allowed to be fully present in whichever one you're doing.

I know everyone waits all year for this.

But respectfully...it's offensively hot in the Bay right now.

I'm sticky, my apartment refuses to cool down, and I've become the type of person who checks the weather every hour hoping it'll personally apologize.

Fall, if you're reading this...I'm ready.

Maybe it's because I've been trying to balance Adobe with Gabriella's Growth. Maybe it's because it's been offensively hot in the Bay Area and my brain has melted into a puddle somewhere around 3 p.m. But I've realized I've become really good at doing things that feel productive.

Researching cameras.

Watching creators.

Saving recipes I'll definitely make someday.

Organizing Notion.

Perfecting workflows.

Reading books about habits.

Planning next week's content before I've even posted this week's.

None of those things are bad.

In fact, they all feel like progress.

But recently I caught myself wondering...

What if I'm confusing preparation with participation?

Years ago, I read a book called Take the Stairs by Rory Vaden. The premise isn't literally about choosing stairs over elevators—it's about choosing the harder path when the easier one is sitting right beside it.

The elevator is quick.

Comfortable.

Immediate.

The stairs require effort.

They're slower.

No one congratulates you for taking them.

But over time, they quietly build something the elevator never could: discipline.

I've started wondering if I have my own version of the elevator.

For me, it's research.

Planning.

Learning.

Optimizing.

Because if I'm researching, I can tell myself I'm working.

If I'm organizing my ideas, I can tell myself I'm making progress.

If I'm watching someone else's video about creating content...

I never actually have to film mine.

Preparation feels incredibly safe.

I think that's why balancing a full-time job with building something of my own has felt so uncomfortable lately.

When I'm working, I feel guilty that I'm not creating.

When I'm creating, I feel guilty that I should probably be resting before work.

So instead...

I somehow end up doing the third thing.

Planning.

The one that makes me feel productive without asking me to be vulnerable.

The funny thing is...

I don't actually need another productivity podcast.

Or another system.

Or another saved Instagram post.

I already know what I need to do.

Film the video.

Write the newsletter.

Go for the run.

Text the friend.

Cook the recipe.

Publish the thing.

Most of us aren't stuck because we don't know enough.

And I think that's something I've noticed everywhere lately—not just in myself.

We're constantly consuming things that look like a better life.

Morning routines.

Book recommendations.

Meal prep videos.

Travel guides.

Workout plans.

Content about creating content.

It's never been easier to learn how to build the life you want.

It's also never been easier to spend hours watching someone else build theirs.

Maybe that's why one of the beliefs I've been writing into Gabriella's Growth has started to resonate with me so deeply:

Because those are two very different things.

I've realized some of the biggest moments in my life happened because I participated before I felt ready.

Applying for jobs I didn't think I'd get.

Posting videos no one asked for.

Starting this newsletter before I knew what I was doing.

Marrying someone who still somehow loves me after watching me rearrange the living room for "better lighting."

None of those moments came from perfect preparation.

They came from showing up before I had everything figured out.

There's another idea from Take the Stairs that I keep thinking about.

Success isn't built in dramatic moments.

It's built in the ordinary choices that nobody sees.

The early mornings.

The workouts.

The drafts that never go viral.

The article you publish anyway.

The camera you turn on when no one is watching.

Those are the invisible reps.

So this week, I'm trying something different.

Instead of asking,

"What else do I need to learn?"

I'm asking,

Maybe that's one video.

One paragraph.

One workout.

One uncomfortable conversation.

One promise kept to myself.

Because maybe growth isn't learning more.

Maybe it's finally doing something with what we already know.

Tomorrow morning...

I'll probably still open YouTube before I open my editing app.

I'll probably still save three recipes I won't make this week.

I'll probably still spend a little too long researching the "best" way to do something.

Old habits die hard.

But hopefully...

I'll also hit record.

And maybe that's all an invisible rep really is.

Not becoming someone different overnight.

Just choosing the stairs one more time.

It's never been easier to learn how to build the life you want.

It's also never been easier to spend hours watching someone else build theirs.

So let’s not do that.

❤️

What I wore: Butter yellow halter mini + oversized chocolate blazer + white wedges.

Why it worked: I swear butter yellow makes everyone look tan. Adding the oversized blazer kept it from feeling overly sweet and made it work once the sun went down. Definitely one of my favorite summer outfits so far.

Outfit details —> here

What I wore: Brown polka dot mini dress, oversized blazer, studded shoulder bag, white wedges.

Why I loved it: Brown has quietly become my favorite neutral this year, and the polka dots made it feel playful without trying too hard. It's giving vintage Italian summer...if Italian summers happened in Oakland.

Outfit details —> ShopMy & Amazon

What I wore

Black structured tube top, taupe bubble mini skirt, oversized suede boots, chunky belt.

Why I loved it

I've been leaning into softer neutrals lately instead of wearing all black, and I loved how mixing different textures kept everything interesting without needing a lot of color. It felt a little western, a little fashion editor, and exactly the kind of outfit that makes me want to wander around the city pretending I'm on assignment.

Outfit details —> ShopMy

We tend to believe other people notice and judge our appearance, mistakes, and awkward moments far more than they actually do. The original research describes this as overestimating how much our actions and appearance stand out to others.

Post the video. Wear the outfit. Ask the question. Most people are thinking about themselves—not replaying your slightly awkward sentence from Tuesday.

Three hours later...

I'd somehow learned that Wimbledon has quietly become fashion's most interesting runway.

Here's why.

Because players are required to wear almost entirely white...

Designers can't compete with color anymore.

So they're competing with something much harder:

Texture.

Movement.

Fabric.

Construction.

Lace.

Pleats.

Cutouts.

Silhouettes.

It's basically the tennis version of couture.

✨ Lace replacing prints

✨ Texture replacing color

✨ Ballet-inspired silhouettes

✨ Floral appliqués

✨ Vintage tailoring

✨ Quiet luxury accessories

Marta

Naomi

Svitolina

Coco

Muchová

Kate Middleton

Still incapable of getting it wrong.

This cobalt blue suit was one of my favorite looks of the tournament because it proved Wimbledon style doesn't always have to mean florals or dresses.

Keira Knightley

Exactly what I'd imagine someone wears when they casually attend Wimbledon after having tea in the countryside.

Maura Higgins

The modern Wimbledon guest.

Polished but cool.

Sienna Miller

Queen of making effortless look incredibly expensive.

I genuinely think Wimbledon is becoming the fashion equivalent of the NBA tunnel walk.

This restaurant confused me.

Because the food?

Really, really good.

The service?

...didn't seem interested in being there.

😂

The standout was easily the crispy pork belly.

Perfectly crisp on top, incredibly tender underneath, with grilled peaches, peppers and herbs that somehow made the whole dish feel surprisingly light.

The open kitchen is beautiful.

The waterfront location makes it feel tucked away from the rest of the city.

And honestly, I wanted to love it.

But the pacing of the meal felt off, drinks took a while, and service never quite matched the quality of the food.

Would I go back?

Yes.

Mostly for the pork.

I'd just plan for a slower evening.

👉 Live list here

A cozy new South Asian-inspired bistro with a rotating menu influenced by the owner’s family and hometown in India. It feels intimate, personal, and like exactly the kind of neighborhood restaurant you want to root for.

Good for: Date night, cozy dinners and trying somewhere new

Come for the dramatic horseshoe bar and stay for an extra-dirty martini, oysters, and steak frites with green peppercorn sauce. It’s a fun new option for cocktails before a Giants game—or when you want game-day energy without actually attending the game.

Good for: Pregame drinks, walk-ins, martinis and casual dates

A dependable neighborhood sushi spot with fresh fish, friendly service, and a fun, casual atmosphere. Perfect when you want really good sushi without committing to a formal omakase situation.

Good for: Casual dates, sushi nights and last-minute dinners

👉 Live list here

The honey-butter pancakes really are worth the hype: fluffy, buttery, and the kind of breakfast you continue thinking about later. The lines can be intense, so try to grab a reservation unless waiting outside has somehow become part of your brunch aesthetic.

Good for: Brunch, out-of-town visitors and pancake people

A casual sourdough pizza spot with lots of fun flavors and one of the better vodka slices I’ve seen lately. Order the vodka slice, broken burrata, spicy vodka pepperoni cup, and Ham Jam—then share everything like responsible adults.

Good for: Walk-ins, casual dates, group lunches and grabbing a slice

The famous tableside butter service is both completely excessive and exactly why you should go. Whipped butter, grilled bread, flaky salt, shallots, cornichons, and assorted accompaniments—it’s essentially an appetizer and a performance. No notes.

Good for: Group dinners, celebrations, date night and tableside theatrics

👉 Live list here

A beautiful new sushi spot with incredibly fresh fish, great hand rolls, and an interior that makes a casual weeknight dinner feel like a proper date night. Adding this one to the “cute but still genuinely delicious” list.

Good for: Date night, weeknight sushi and intimate dinners

Part neighborhood market, part café, and exactly the kind of place I want to wander into during an LA afternoon. Stop by for sandwiches, breakfast burritos, matcha, coffee, and whatever snacks inevitably make their way into your basket.

Good for: Casual lunches, coffee dates, takeout and beach-day snacks

A tiny French bistro that nails the classics: a great burger, steak frites, and a chocolate soufflé you absolutely need to save room for. Cozy, romantic, and an easy date-night recommendation.

Good for: Date night, birthdays, French comfort food and dessert lovers

👉 Live list here

A light wash short-sleeve button-up over a white tank, black trousers, black belt, and sneakers.

Lately we've both been gravitating toward outfits that are simple but have one thing doing the heavy lifting.

For Paak, it was this overshirt.

The white tank keeps everything clean, the black pants ground the look, and the light blue shirt makes the whole outfit feel summery without screaming, "I'm wearing summer colors."

It's relaxed, easy, and somehow works for everything from a backyard party to going out afterwards.

Paak's review:
"Comfortable enough to chase people around a backyard & man the grill. Nice enough that my wife approved." 😂

Love Island USA

The finale officially wrapped, which means we've entered the annual phase of seeing whether these couples survive real life...or immediately pivot to matching sponsored teeth-whitening posts.

Love Island UK

Naturally, I've transferred my emotional instability overseas. Casa Amor, Movie Night, recouplings...the UK producers deserve a raise.

The Capture (Peacock)

Every time I think I understand what's happening, a calm British person in a government building reveals that I absolutely do not. If you like conspiracy thrillers, surveillance, and twists every twenty minutes...please start this immediately.

The Chef (Audible)

A twisty psychological thriller that's free with Audible Plus. It's narrated by two British women, which somehow makes every secret sound even more dramatic. I was hooked within the first chapter.

Sushi Island (Orinda)

Some people have a signature fragrance.

Apparently I have a signature sushi order.

I'm physically incapable of ordering anything other than the spicy hamachi...although I finally branched out and tried the tuna roll with spicy garlic sauce, which has now earned permanent status.

Between Wimbledon fashion and Zendaya's The Odyssey press tour, I've realized fashion has entered its storytelling era.

Athletes are dressing with intention.

Actors are method dressing for entire press tours.

Apparently my current beat is women committing to extremely specific aesthetic universes...and honestly, I'm here for it.

Watching the baby coyotes wander through our backyard like they pay property taxes here.

No lesson.

No takeaway.

Just delight...and mild concern.

If you made it all the way down here…thank you.

Seriously.

Every Thursday you’re choosing to spend a little piece of your day with me, and that means more than you probably know.

I’ll see you in Issue No. 16 next week.

🤎