Career. Style. Restaurants. Life upgrades. And whatever else happens to be living rent-free in my brain that week. Every Thursday. Happy you’re here!
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What’s got me thinking this week:
A few things living rent-free in my brain this week:
Mechanics deserve better PR - well he actually was there to install my subs because ya girl loves a good bass.
My car needed help this week and, as someone who knows approximately nothing about cars, this man could have absolutely upcharged me into another tax bracket.
Instead, he was kind, efficient, honest, and had me in and out without making me feel dumb.
Faith in humanity: slightly restored.
Kim Kardashian accidentally motivated me?
I know. I know. First of all…the recent season came out like so long ago.
Say what you want about the Kardashians, but watching Kim juggle law school, businesses, kids, filming, fashion, and whatever else that woman has going on made me weirdly inspired.
Not because I want her exact life.
But because I love seeing women refuse to shrink what they want.
The Bear really said the quiet part out loud.
There was a line this season about a baby not wanting to look at a sad face all day because their mom gave up the thing she loves. I think it was Tina our fiery Latina “Jeff” to Sugar - Carmy’s sister.
And unfortunately, that one hit.
Not because everyone has to make the same choices.
But because women are so often expected to make themselves smaller in the name of being “good.”
I’ve been thinking about that a lot.
THIS WEEK’S EDIT:
I don’t think I want to choose
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about women, careers, motherhood, ambition, and the very fun little societal expectation that we’re somehow supposed to do everything while making it look effortless.
This came up for me in the most random ways this week.
A line in The Bear.
A Kardashian episode.
Conversations with friends.
Wedding weekends.
Even just thinking about the next few years of life and what I want them to look like.
And I keep coming back to the same thought:
I don’t want to choose.
I don’t want to choose between having a career and having a family.
I don’t want to choose between being ambitious and being present.
I don’t want to choose between building something creative and building a home.
I don’t want to look back one day and feel like I quietly abandoned parts of myself because life got bigger.
And obviously, I say this with the full awareness that “doing it all” is not simple. It requires support. Help. Systems. Money. Flexibility. A partner who actually partners. Workplaces that don’t punish women for having lives outside of work.
But I also think there’s something powerful about admitting what you want before the world starts negotiating it down for you.
Because the conversation around women having kids and careers can get exhausting fast.
It often turns into:
Can women really have it all?
Should women want it all?
Is it selfish?
Is it realistic?
Is it too much?
And maybe the better question is:
Why are women still expected to be the only ones making the trade-offs?
I want a life where my husband and I both get to chase what matters to us.
Where we both make room for each other’s dreams.
Where having kids one day, if that’s what happens, doesn’t automatically mean one person’s ambition becomes the family sacrifice.
I know becoming a parent changes everything.
And honestly, I hope one day I get to experience that change.
I think children are one of life’s greatest blessings.
I just don’t believe that blessing should come at the cost of becoming less of yourself.
Maybe that’s idealistic.
But it’s the kind of life I want to spend the next few years trying to build.
But I also know myself.
I want the career.
I want the creative life.
I want the family.
I want the dinners, the trips, the projects, the house, the friendships, the stories, the big dreams and the small everyday routines with my children.
Maybe that sounds like a lot.
But I think I’d rather build a life that asks a lot of me than live one that asks me to want less.
Because at the end of the day…I WAS NOT PUT ON THIS EARTH TO REST OK!!!
WHAT I WORE
Cute Father’s Day Fit
One of those outfits that somehow feels polished without trying too hard. The cropped trench makes wide-leg denim feel more elevated, and I love mixing structured pieces with relaxed ones. Especially when I have to EAT! Also…this little beaded bag has quietly become one of my most-used accessories.
Why it works:
- A cropped jacket keeps wide-leg jeans from overwhelming your frame.
- Neutral accessories make this easy to wear from brunch to dinner.
- Mixing structured + relaxed pieces always feels expensive.
Shop the look → ShopMy& Amazon
A Few Prime Day Faves That Are Still Giving…
Prime Day may be over, but these have definitely earned permanent spots in my closet. This butter yellow set has been on repeat for workouts, errands, and honestly just pretending I have my life together.
Why it works:
- Butter yellow somehow goes with everything.
- Matching sets remove all decision making.
- Add sneakers and you’re done in under two minutes.
Shop the look →here
Some Outfits I’m Wearing This Weekend…
This outfit convinced me burgundy is basically a neutral. The boots make it feel intentional instead of overly sweet, and I love how the denim balances out the feminine top. Definitely one of those outfits that’s even cuter in person.
Why it works:
- Contrast is everything: feminine top + structured denim.
- Burgundy accessories instantly make summer outfits feel more elevated.
- Knee-high boots keep shorts from feeling too casual.
Shop the look →here
Work Smarter
8 AI prompts that save me hours every week
I’ve been using AI less like “write this for me” and more like “help me think clearly faster.”
The biggest unlock has been using it for the messy middle of work: dense Excel files, meeting notes, presentations, schedules, and all the random information that somehow needs to become a clear point of view by 3 p.m.
Here are a few prompts I’d actually use and are basic for even the most new user:
1. Turning a messy data dump into a deck outline
“Act as a performance marketing strategist. I’m going to paste a dense data table with campaign performance across channels. Summarize the top 5 insights, identify the biggest risks or opportunities, and turn this into a 6-slide executive deck outline with slide titles, key bullets, and recommended charts.”
2. Comparing multiple presentations
“Act as a senior marketing manager. I’m going to paste notes from multiple presentations. Find the common themes, contradictions, open questions, and decisions needed. Then create a concise summary I can share with leadership.”
3. Creating a meeting agenda
“Help me create a 30-minute meeting agenda for this topic: [insert topic]. The goal is to align on decisions, clarify owners, and leave with next steps. Include time stamps, discussion questions, and what should be decided by the end.”
4. Taking notes while staying present
“Turn these rough meeting notes into organized notes with sections for key decisions, open questions, action items, owners, deadlines, and follow-ups. Make it clear enough that someone who missed the meeting could understand what happened.”
5. Planning my office days
“Act as my workday planning assistant. Based on this calendar, tell me which days are best to go into the office, when I should commute, when I should protect focus time, and which meetings would benefit from being in person. Prioritize minimizing commute stress and maximizing collaboration.”
6. Turning a big workstream into next steps
“Act as a project manager. Based on the notes below, turn this into a clear action plan with priorities, owners, dependencies, deadlines, and risks. Separate what needs to happen this week from what can wait.”
7. Making an executive summary less wordy
“Rewrite this update for a senior leader. Make it concise, clear, and decision-oriented. Lead with the most important takeaway, then include supporting context and any asks.”
8. Preparing for a meeting where I need to sound smart
“Act as my strategic thought partner. I’m attending a meeting about [topic]. Based on this XYZ background, give me 5 smart questions to ask, 3 risks to listen for, and 2 points of view I could contribute.”
The trick is giving it a role, a goal, and the output format you want.
AI is not replacing your brain.
It’s helping you get through the annoying blank-page part faster.
Come with me as we get more crazy with agents to work smarter not harder!
WHERE WE ATE
Mijote - SF
Mijoté - San Francisco
Grounded in French technique with Japanese precision, Mijoté is one of those restaurants that quietly becomes your new favorite. Chef Kosuke Tada changes the four-course prix fixe menu every week based on what’s in season, so no two visits are exactly the same.
We actually got a special Tex-Mex inspired menu as the chef and his wife were on mat-leave…seriously…again with the through-line of motherhood…I’m really onto something here…can’t make this shit up if I tried.
Mijote - SF
The intimate chef’s counter makes dinner feel more like being invited into someone’s home than eating at a restaurant, and the natural wine list is just as thoughtfully curated as the food. It’s refined without ever feeling stuffy—which is exactly my kind of dinner.
Good for: Date night, foodie friends, celebrating something, chef’s counter lovers
Also worth your reservation:
SF
Happy Family
One of my favorite comfort food spots in Chinatown whenever I’m craving noodles. Their handmade dumplings and noodle soups are simple, affordable, and consistently delicious. Nothing fancy—just the kind of place you’ll find yourself coming back to over and over again.
Breadbelly
Without question one of my favorite bakeries in San Francisco. The kaya toast completely lives up to the hype, the pastries are beautiful, and everything blends Asian flavors with California café culture in the best way. Order extra—you’ll wish you had.
Bageltopia
If someone told me these bagels came straight from Brooklyn, I’d believe them. They’re fermented for five days before baking, giving them that perfect chewy texture, and the homemade spreads are just as good. Whether you’re a classic bagel person or want to try their incredible vegan options, this spot is worth the drive.
NYC
Bubby’s
An NYC classic for a reason. The pancakes somehow manage to be fluffy, buttery, and enormous all at once, and the whole menu leans into comforting American brunch done really well. It’s the kind of place I always recommend to first-time visitors.
From Lucie
If you know me, you know I’m always searching for the best carrot cake, and this one immediately earned a spot on my list. It’s light, perfectly spiced, and topped with a tangy crème fraîche buttercream that keeps it from being overly sweet. Worth the trip to the East Village for dessert alone.
Ho Foods
One of my favorite cozy East Village finds. Their Taiwanese comfort food is incredibly satisfying without breaking the bank, making it perfect for lunch or a casual dinner. It feels like one of those neighborhood spots you’ll want to keep to yourself.
LA
Chill Since ’93
One of LA’s coolest casual lunch spots. The chicken sandwich on fresh focaccia is incredible, but honestly you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. Great ingredients, fun vibe, and somewhere I’d happily send anyone visiting LA.
The Win~Dow
The definition of a perfect casual LA meal. Affordable smash burgers, crispy fries, and don’t leave without ordering the soft serve. It’s quick, consistently good, and one of my favorite lunch recommendations around Santa Monica.
Mamie
One of the best Italian sandwiches I’ve had in LA. They bake their bread fresh every day, pile on high-quality ingredients, and somehow every sandwich tastes like it came from a tiny neighborhood shop in Italy. Simple, fresh, and ridiculously good.
HIS EDIT
PAAK’S PICKS
This is one of those outfits that quietly makes everyone else look underdressed.
Relaxed proportions, monochrome layers, polished accessories, and enough texture to make monochrome feel intentional. We wore this to the Don Toliver concert in LA, and it felt just dressy enough without trying too hard.
Why it works
- Relaxed trousers balance the cropped jacket.
- Mixing textures (denim, cotton, leather) keeps an all-black outfit from feeling flat.
- A silver chain and watch add just enough contrast.
- Chelsea boots instantly dress everything up.
Shop Paak's look →here
Things Earning Permanent Shelf Space
The least glamorous recommendation in this newsletter…and maybe the most important.😂I throw this into my morning smoothie and never think about it again. Zero taste, zero texture, happy tummy.
shop now
Respectfully…sometimes a girl just needs to poop .Need I say more? And for vacay…YES.
shop now
Everyone was right. I hate that everyone was right. This somehow gives my hair volume, texture and makes it last another day. Expensive? Yes. Worth it? Unfortunately…also yes.
shop now
If crunchy hairspray gives you trust issues, this one’s for you. It actually holds your style without looking like you shellacked your head. The perfect finishing spray.
shop now
CLOSING VIBES
Watching: Sugar
I started Sugar thinking I was watching a stylish detective show with Colin Farrell.
And then suddenly…aliens?
Truly one of the stranger genre pivots I’ve seen in a while. It starts as a very sleek neo-noir Hollywood mystery and then fully turns into sci-fi, which I still do not know if I respect or resent.
Either way, I kept watching.
So I guess they won.
Watching: The Bear
The Bear is back and somehow still making me feel emotionally attacked by people yelling in kitchens.
This season has been especially good at showing how work, family, ambition, grief, and identity all get tangled together.
I came for the food.
I stayed for the emotional damage.
Watching: House of the Dragon
House of the Dragon came back and immediately said, “Nobody get comfortable.”
Every episode feels like someone is either being betrayed, burned, beheaded, or emotionally ruined by a family member.
So basically, peak television.
Watching: MasterChef, Global Gauntlet
MasterChef going international during World Cup season feels so chaotic and perfect.
Food competition plus global pride plus Gordon Ramsay yelling?
Honestly, that’s programming.
Wedding thought
There is something so special about cross-cultural weddings.
The food, the families, the music, the traditions, the aunties, the outfit changes, the speeches, the tiny moments where two worlds meet in one room.
Filipino weddings especially have this way of being emotional, hilarious, chaotic, warm, and deeply family-centered all at once.
Which is maybe why I always leave them full, sentimental, and slightly overstimulated. Oh, and hungover. The Henny was flowing.
Something I learned
There’s a real term called the “motherhood penalty,” which refers to the career and pay disadvantages women can face after becoming mothers.
Meanwhile, men often experience the opposite effect, sometimes called the “fatherhood premium.”
Anyway.
Love that for society.
Something funny
Prime Day has become the Olympics for people with Amazon storefronts.
Everyone is suddenly an investigative journalist, personal shopper, deal analyst, and warehouse logistics expert.
Including me.
What else, what else…catch us on the GRAM & TikTok for Weekly Edits to capture a few highlights before deep dives Thursday’s here in Gabriella’s Edit!
As always, tell me what you’re loving, what you’re hating (respectfully LOL), and any other thoughts you have! I love to hear it all!
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. 14 next week.
🤎
