THE ROOT 9: 22.3

This past week, I was knocked down by COVID, and it hit me a lot harder than I expected. My previous experiences with it were mild, never really disrupting my work or daily routine. This time, however, I've been in and out of sleep, resting, and struggling to even look at a screen and concentrate.

While my body has been battling the virus, the mental game has been the toughest part. I thrive on getting things done, and honestly, I just really do enjoy working. Being sick has left me feeling restive. My mind wants to go, but my body isn't cooperating.

Odd as it may sound, even a slow 1.5-2 mph walk on my walking pad has been a lifesaver. Movement has become my go-to for easing my mind. Eeven though I don't have the energy for my Peloton and can’t go to the gym, steps have been a sanctuary. It’s helping me mentally accept that this week isn’t going as planned, while still prioritizing a form of what brings me ease. I'm not 100% yet, or even 75%, but I do feel better for allowing myself this small, restorative act.

Letting Family In

With wedding planning in full swing, I've had a realization that I really enjoy having the final say on details. In my mind, if I make the final call on something and it doesn’t go as planned, it’s easier for me to be ‘ok’ with me being the one responsible for making a decision that led to a less than ideal outcome and take it as a learning. This applies to so many things, from the specific Bulgarian food we'll try to incorporate to the earrings I'll wear, and even the "must play" songs for the DJ.

But this process has also highlighted that one of the most exciting aspects of a wedding is how thrilled our parents are. While I often enjoy deliberating over choices solo and just getting things done, actively seeking ways to include my mom, especially with her being halfway across the country, has created special bonding experiences.

Stepping back from the wedding, this has opened my eyes to countless other small ways I can involve my family, fostering deeper connections and giving us more to talk about than just a daily recap. It could be discussing what I'm packing for a trip, debating our next vacation spot, or even small home decor decisions like what our new color scheme for the bedroom should be. Sounds silly, but even something as simple as choosing a nail polish color can become a moment to connect.

I used to (and still sometimes do) rely on others' opinions for making final calls, and in trying to move away from that I may have swung to the other end in a way that minimizes connection. While there's still a time and place for external input, this experience has shown me the rich opportunity to let my family "in" on my life in a more interactive way, especially as our time apart continues to grow.

So, my ‘fun’ this week is thinking about whether there’s ways in your life you can bring your closest ones in a bit more…it doesn’t mean you necessarily always have to take their opinion. But creating room for them to be included and feel more connected to you may be worthwhile.

Revisiting Ties: YSL and Vaccarello

Two things I'm absolutely obsessed with right now:

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about Jonathan Anderson’s incorporation of the Basquiat tie into his debut Dior show. (here). This week, I stumbled upon Dylan Kelly's TikTok diving into how Anthony Vaccarello, Saint Laurent's creative director, took the business tie and gave it a twist for his Summer '26 show (TikTok below)

Vaccarello twisted and tucked ties under silk shirts. It’s subtle… but gives suiting a fresh, contemporary edge. Needless to say, I am here for it.

Now that Dior and Saint Laurent have done something with the tie, it’s showing how designer brands are ingeniously taking everyday closet staples and giving them a refined and urban spin. In my mind, this makes the runway feel incredibly accessible.

Almost everyone, regardless of age, probably has a few business ties in their closet. This trend creates a connection that allows a younger crowd to tap into an older generation's wardrobe while giving the older generation a refreshing way to re-style their classics. And extra bonus points for bringing creativity into the office setting.