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https://shopmy.us/gabriiellas
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What’s got me thinking this week:
For the version of me that overthinks everything:
Don’t be afraid. Just do it.
Most things become significantly less scary once you’ve done them once.
Nobody has your exact perspective. That’s your advantage.
Practice creates confidence.
Prior preparation prevents panic.
Listen more than you speak so you can learn more.
Don’t dwell on mistakes longer than necessary.
Make the reservation.
Buy the concert ticket.
Wear the outfit.
Text the friend.
A surprising number of good things happen when you stop overthinking and start moving.
THIS WEEK’S EDIT:
Why some people keep getting promoted
One thing I’ve noticed throughout my career is that most promotions don’t happen because someone simply works harder than everyone else.
The people who consistently move up tend to approach their careers differently.
They prepare.
They build relationships.
They make themselves visible.
And they understand that perception matters almost as much as performance.
A former manager once told me that confidence is usually just preparation happening in public.
I’ve thought about that a lot.
The people who seem naturally confident in meetings often aren’t. They’re just prepared. They’ve practiced the presentation, anticipated questions, and thought through their point of view before they walked into the room.
Another thing I’ve learned is that strong leaders don’t obsess over mistakes.
They make them.
They learn from them.
Then they move on.
Meanwhile the rest of us are replaying something we said three Tuesdays ago.
The best professionals I’ve worked with also spend more time listening than talking. They ask thoughtful questions, absorb information, and wait until they have something valuable to contribute.
And perhaps the biggest lesson:
Nobody has your exact combination of experiences, observations, skills, and perspective.
You don’t need to sound like someone else to be successful.
You just need to bring something only you can bring.
The people who continue growing in their careers aren’t necessarily the smartest people in the room.
They’re often the people willing to prepare, participate, learn, and raise their hand when opportunity shows up.
WHAT I WORE
Summer loving
Somewhere between spring and summer I became fully committed to dresses, lace tops, corsets, and any outfit that can take me from brunch to dinner without requiring an outfit change.
Polka dot dress
This little polka dot dress feels like summer in outfit form.
Easy, feminine, and the exact type of dress that makes me want to find a patio, order a glass of wine, and pretend I’m the main character.
Shop the look → here
Summer tops
I’ve been reaching for lace tanks, printed camis, and easy dinner tops nonstop lately.
The goal is always the same:
Look put together without feeling like I tried too hard.
Shop the look → here
Cute lil brown-on-brown moment
One thing about me is I’ll find a way to wear brown year-round.
This set somehow manages to feel polished, elevated, and comfortable all at once.
Shop the look →
Corset corner
Amazon corsets continue to exceed expectations.
At this point they’re becoming a recurring character in my wardrobe.
Shop the look → here
Prime Day & Father’s Day Finds
Every year I tell myself I’m only going to browse Prime Day.
Every year that turns out to be a lie.
I rounded up my favorite Prime Day finds along with a Father’s Day gift guide featuring things I’d actually buy for the dads in my life.
If you’ve been waiting to grab something from your wishlist, now is probably the time.
WHERE WE ATE
Happy Crane
Happy Crane (San Francisco)
One of those menus where every dish that arrived immediately became everyone’s favorite.
The menu leans Chinese-inspired with fun shareable plates, creative cocktails, and the kind of energy that makes you want to order “just one more thing” until suddenly the entire table is covered in food.
We came hungry and left very happy.
Happy Crane
A few standouts were the lobster garlic noodles, black pepper grilled skirt steak…but honestly there wasn’t a single thing we regretted ordering. It’s the perfect spot for date night, a group dinner, or when you’re trying to impress friends who are constantly sending restaurant recommendations in the group chat.
One of my favorite kinds of restaurants is the kind where you’re already planning your return visit before you’ve paid the bill.
Happy Crane definitely falls into that category.
📍 Happy Crane - San Francisco
More finds to save:
SF
The Bakery Next Door (San Francisco)
The guava matcha and monkey bread have completely won me over.
Kuidaore Hand Roll Bar (Oakland)
My favorite hand roll spot in the East Bay.
Yutori (Palo Alto)
Part café, part Japanese market, part aesthetic dream.
NYC
Nori Shinn (New York)
One of my favorite recent NYC finds for hand rolls.
Leon’s Bagels (New York)
The hot honey, scallion schmear, and avocado combination deserves awards.
Cafe Mio Mio & Bar Mutsumi (New York)
A café by day and cocktail bar by night. Two excellent finds in one stop.
LA
Jyan Isaac Bread (Los Angeles)
The cereal milk French toast alone is worth the trip. Add some of the best bagels in LA and you’ve got a brunch spot that deserves a permanent place in your rotation.
Tacos Mesa (Los Angeles)
Tiny burritos. Maximum happiness.
The Attic (Long Beach)
Their famous cornbread topped with butter and honey lives up to the hype.
HIS EDIT
PAAK’S PICKS
A reminder that men really only need three things:
A good hat.
A comfortable pair of shorts.
And a pair of sneakers that you could (but he probably won’t) wear to the ground.
This week’s outfit combines all three.
The oversized Nike hockey jersey and Dodgers hat make the statement, while the mesh Abercrombie shorts and Grey Fog SB Dunks keep everything easy and wearable. It’s sporty, comfortable, and exactly the kind of outfit that gets complimented every time he leaves the house.
Honestly, if I could convince him to wear a variation of this all summer, I probably would.
The details:
Red Dodgers Hat
Nike Hockey Jersey
Abercrombie Mesh Training Shorts
Nike SB Dunk Low “Grey Fog”
Shop Paak's look → here
What I’m Loving
This Beast blender
Strong enough for smoothies. Small enough that it doesn’t take over the kitchen.
CLOSING VIBES
A few things I’ve been loving lately:
Vitamin update
I’ve been testing a few new vitamins lately.
I regret to inform everyone that they appear to be working.
Perhaps a little too well.
Let’s just say my digestive system has become incredibly efficient and leave it at that.
The wellness girls never tell you this part.
Here they are friends! Have it but proceed with caution…I can promise a flat tummy but it comes at a cost…
Watching
Sirens. Rich people behaving badly. Beautiful coastal homes. Family drama.
I intended to watch one episode.
That was not what happened.
Things I learned this week
Costco is one of the largest wine retailers in the world.
The average person spends roughly six months of their life waiting at red lights.
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when news of emancipation finally reached enslaved people in Galveston, Texas.
Internet trend I’m watching
Underconsumption core.
People are proudly using products they already own, finishing beauty products before buying new ones, and refusing to replace things simply because TikTok told them to.
As someone who is both influenced and trying not to be influenced, I find this fascinating.
That’s all I got! Open to any topics or suggestions you have - slide into those DM’s, or emails? People still do that right?
Talk to you next week my loves, xx