Current Musings: A Digest of What’s on My Mind

Exploring the Latest Thoughts, Trends, and Inspirations Fueling My Current Obsessions

From the trendiest European city right now, to a super stylish English football club, here’s what’s been on my mind since our latest edition.

The Balenciaga Motorcoss Bag

Not gonna lie, the vintage Balenciaga Motorcoss bags have been growing on me lately. As someone who’s been buying more second-hand items in the past few months, I’ve really come to appreciate the nostalgia these bags evoke and how great they still look despite years of wear and tear.

Introduced by Balenciaga in the early 2000s, the Motorcoss bag quickly became an iconic symbol of the brand’s innovative approach to accessory design. Balenciaga's creative director at the time, Nicolas Ghesquière, envisioned a bag that combined the durability and practicality of motorcycle accessories with a chic, modern flair.

One of the key reasons for the bag's enduring popularity is its versatility. The Motorcoss bag seamlessly transitions from casual daywear to elegant evening outfits. I’ve noticed that this model has been making waves recently, especially in street style at fashion weeks. The variety of colors available is both exciting and overwhelming—I can’t decide which one looks best!

Cool girls go to Antwerp

Can Antwerp be considered the new Copenhagen? The Belgian city has been popping up in our feeds lately, catching the eye of fashion enthusiasts and trendsetters. Known for its vibrant streetwear scene, Antwerp is home to an array of stylish boutiques and cutting-edge stores that are redefining urban fashion.

The city’s creative spirit extends beyond clothing, with a coffee culture that rivals its Scandinavian counterparts. Trendy cafes and artisanal coffee spots are sprouting up, offering both locals and visitors a taste of the city’s dynamic and modern lifestyle.

With its blend of high fashion, unique stores, and sophisticated coffee culture, Antwerp is quickly establishing itself as a new hotspot for style and innovation, potentially rivaling the iconic status of Copenhagen.

Cayumas Slippers

I was walking by one of my favorite concept stores in São Paulo when I saw a pair of Cayumas for the first time. Their different colorways and printed details really caught my attention. The footwear brand known for combining modern trends with traditional craftsmanship has been creating standout pieces recently and being a part of the wardrobe of some major it-girls such as Kelly Rutherford and Leandra Medine.

The brand began in 2017, inspired by the traditional friulanes, which are elegant Venetian shoes made of velvet and sewn by hand. These shoes, which have been popular since the 18th century, are known for their comfort and timeless appeal. Unlike many modern shoes, they’re made without glue or cardboard and are crafted with care using organic materials, English fabrics, and recycled rubber from bicycle wheels. Cayumas continues this tradition by creating their friulanes in small, colorful batches. They’re lightweight, versatile, and suitable for wearing all year round.

Besides the more traditional Italian designs, the brand also creates what they call "Updated Mary Janes," which are my favorites right now. I didn’t resist and went back to the store to buy a pair. The updated Mary Janes combine classic charm with modern twists, like sleek materials and contemporary colors, making them both stylish and versatile. I’m definitely excited to unbox and wear them.

The Victoria Park Vixens

My partner, who’s a huge football fan, and I have been chatting non-stop about our favorite soccer uniforms, especially with the whole blockecore trend going strong. He was telling me how Kappa is backing some cool alternative teams and making a really impressive comeback, blending football with fashion. Their jersey drops are now a big deal, highlighting the sportswear brand’s impressive resurgence over the past couple of years.

One team that’s really stood out is the Victoria Park Vixens. They started out as an Instagram call-out for girls to join a football team back in early 2019 and have quickly grown into a club that captures the spirit of grassroots football. What began with just thirteen players quickly expanded to twenty-three. In just six months, they played at Stamford Bridge, rolled out a fantastic new Nike kit, and even got featured in Mundial Mag.

Their growth has only continued, and today, the Vixens are thriving, with teams in both men’s and women’s divisions playing almost every day of the week. And can we talk about their merch? I’m completely obsessed! The jerseys and accessories, especially the tote bag, look amazing both on and off the pitch.

The Room Service Project by Michael McGregor

This is definitely one of my favorite art projects right now. The artist Michael McGregor has compiled over 100 drawings on hotel stationery from around the world. Based in Los Angeles, McGregor’s vibrant, gestural drawings delve into themes of luxury, leisure, and travel, capturing and preserving fleeting moments from his journeys.

His work is characterized by representations of traditional subjects, particularly still life, which seek to challenge and our appreciation of everyday aesthetics. His vibrant and thought-provoking approach reimagines familiar themes, encouraging viewers to see the beauty in the mundane.

McGregor's art has been showcased in exhibitions across the US, the UK, Italy, and Mexico, and he has contributed to numerous international magazines, further establishing his presence in the global art scene.

And of course most of my beauty products have run out all at once! Here’s a quick rundown of the must-haves I’ll be restocking:

Aquaphor Lip Repair: With São Paulo’s chilly and dry weather, I’ve tried almost every lip balm out there and Aquaphor is the only one that truly keeps my lips from staying constantly dry.

Drunk Elephant Beste™ No. 9 Jelly Cleanser, La Roche-Posay Effaclar Cleanser, and Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant: Since learning more about double cleansing, I’ve been loving the routine of removing my makeup in the shower with Drunk Elephant’s cleanser, then using the Dermalogica exfoliator along with the La Roche-Posay cleanser.

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer: The last time I went to Sephora to repurchase my usual concealer, a super nice employee gave me a sample of this one to try instead. And let me tell you…it definitely worked! This concealer offers very discreet coverage, perfect for days when you just want to cover up a bit of acne or scarring with minimal product, along with a touch of blush and transparent mascara. It’s ideal for that no-makeup look.

Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm +Red Correct: This is also a huge favorite of mine, especially for days when I’m opting for skincare over makeup—whether I’m working from home or heading to fitness classes. It effectively reduces redness and features powerful skincare ingredients that nourish, moisturize, and visibly restore the skin.

Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial Mask: I was never a fan of overnight masks, but this one has been a game changer for me. I love using it with the T.L.C. Framboos™ Glycolic Night Serum or even on its own when my skin needs extra hydration, like during winter or long-haul flights.

Dr. Jart Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment: This product aims to neutralize redness and even out skin tone, just like the Hero Cosmetics one mentioned earlier, providing a healthy, natural look. It’s most effective when used over a larger area and applied before makeup, offering a lighter coverage.

Caudalie Vinopure Serum: I honestly love Caudalie overall, especially the Vinopure collection. This specific product helps reduce the appearance of blemishes and minimizes the look of pores, visibly improving the texture of acne-prone skin. It has worked wonders for my skin and smells amazing. I also enjoy using other products from the same line, such as the Pore Purifying Gel Cleanser and the Salicylic Spot Solution.

Articles That Recently Caught My Attention

The New Generation of Online Culture Curators In a digital landscape overrun by algorithms and A.I., we need human guides to help us decide what’s worth paying attention to. THE NEW YORKER

Everyone is wearing clown make-up because everything is absurd Since 18th-century pantomimes, clown make-up has been a symbol of rebellion against conventional beauty standards and the status quo. Now it’s infiltrating the mainstream. DAZED

High Brow, Low Blood Sugar On the ‘lipstickification’ of urban gastronomy. FARSIGHT MAGAZINE

How and why Glastonbury is cooler than Coachella In the universe of musical festivals England beats California. NSS MAGAZINE

It’s All “Irrational Clothing” The Spring 2025 Menswear Shows Reflect the Chaotic State of Fashion. VOGUE

The Champagne City In SoHo restaurants, Madison Avenue boutiques, and East Side real-estate offices, no price is too high for the lords of luxury. VANITY FAIR