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…
Summer has a way of convincing us every decision is a good one.
I don’t know what happens the second the weather hits 75 degrees, but suddenly everyone is booking flights, saying yes to weekend trips, buying patio furniture, planning girls’ dinners, and convincing themselves they absolutely need that one thing they’ve somehow lived without until July.
I’m trying to resist…which actually brings me to this week’s edit.
Because let’s just say my twenties taught me a very expensive lesson about impulsive decisions.
Our wedding videos finally arrived.🥹
There’s something really surreal about getting to relive a day that already feels like it happened a lifetime ago. We’ve laughed, cried, paused every five minutes to point out random family members in the background, and immediately wanted to do it all over again.
Highly recommend marrying your best friend. The paperwork is kind of annoying, but the memories are pretty great.
I’ve been trying to participate more than I consume.
This thought has been following me around lately.
Less researching.
More doing.
Less saving things for “one day.”
More actually living them.
I’m realizing the weeks I feel happiest usually aren’t the weeks I consumed the most…
They’re the weeks I participated the most.
THIS WEEK’S EDIT:
The version of success I was trying to buy
The life I couldn’t actually afford
Once upon a time, I had about $15,000 in credit card debt.
Very glamorous. Very “girlboss.” Very much sorry to my parents if you’re reading this.
And I wish I could tell you it happened because of one huge emergency or one unavoidable life event, but honestly…it was mostly just me being in my 20s, making high-risk financial decisions with the confidence of someone whose frontal lobe was still loading.
I got my first credit card senior year of college and, like many people who suddenly get access to money that does not technically belong to them, I started using it like future me was a very wealthy and responsible woman.
She was not.
At one point, I had around $7,000 in debt with interest piling up. I got lectures. I deserved them. And thank God I had parents who were able to help me get back on track, because I know that is not everyone’s situation.
But the lesson did not fully land the first time.
Because then there was the Vegas timeshare.
Yes. A timeshare.
My best friend and I went on one of those tours, got talked into the dream, and suddenly I was paying around $200 a month for Hilton points that were, in fact, not nearly as magical as they sounded in the presentation. Then came the yearly fees. The fine print. The realization that “vacation ownership” sounded a lot cuter than the actual math.
Don’t worry. I eventually offloaded it.
But to this day, we still talk about it because truly…what were we doing?
And then, later in my twenties, it happened again. Not to the same extent, because ya know, growth. But going into wedding planning, I still wasn’t in the financial position I wish I had been in.
I had moved. I was adjusting to a new living situation. I had bought way too much furniture. I had money invested in my 401k, Roth IRA, and stocks, which was great in theory, but in terms of super liquid, available cash?
Not enough.
And suddenly I had a wedding to pay for.
That was the part that really humbled me.
Because from the outside, things can look very “adult.” You can have the job, the relationship, the apartment, the furniture, the wedding plans, the Pinterest boards, the savings accounts, the investment accounts…and still feel financially stretched behind the scenes.
That’s what I wish more people talked about.
A lot of money mistakes are not just about math.
They’re about identity.
They’re about wanting to feel successful before you’ve actually built the foundation.
They’re about seeing the life you want and trying to finance your way into it before your bank account has caught up.
Lifestyle inflation is the term people usually use for this: as your income rises, your spending rises with it. But I think there’s an emotional version too. Your expectations rise. Your friend group changes. Your taste changes. The restaurants, trips, clothes, apartments, and furniture that used to feel like luxuries suddenly start feeling normal.
And credit cards make it dangerously easy to blur the timeline.
You can have the thing now.
The bill comes later.
And future you can deal with it.
The problem is future you is also trying to pay rent, save for a wedding, go to dinner, buy groceries, contribute to retirement, replace the couch, book the flight, and somehow be financially responsible while living a full life.
She is busy.
So here’s what I wish someone had told me earlier:
Success is not something you should have to finance.
A beautiful apartment is not financial stability.
A full cart is not a full life.
A wedding is not worth carrying debt into your marriage.
And looking like you have it together is very different from actually feeling secure.
I’m not sharing this because I have money completely figured out now. I don’t. I’m still learning, still adjusting, still trying to balance enjoying life today with taking care of future me.
But I do think I understand one thing much more clearly now:
The goal is not to look successful.
The goal is to build a life that can actually hold the things you’re asking it to carry.
And sometimes that means waiting.
Sometimes that means saying no.
Sometimes that means buying the cheaper version.
Sometimes that means admitting you are not in the season for the thing you really want yet.
Which is humbling.
Annoying.
Deeply unsexy.
But also probably the most grown-up lesson money has ever taught me.
WHAT I WORE
Mijoté Date Night
One of those outfits that makes you feel like you belong at a chef’s counter ordering natural wine.😂I wanted something that felt polished without being overly dressy, and this little chocolate polka dot romper somehow does exactly that. The brown accessories kept everything feeling warm and effortless instead of too formal.
Why it works
• Brown is quietly becoming my favorite neutral.
• Keeping everything in the same color family makes the outfit feel elevated.
• A fun print does the work so you don’t need much jewelry.
Shop the look →here
Don Toliver Concert
Concert outfits are always a balancing act—you want to look cute, but you also want to survive standing for four hours.😂This lace bodysuit and denim skirt combo felt equal parts edgy and feminine, and the burgundy boots ended up stealing the whole show.
Why it works
• Mixing delicate lace with structured denim keeps it from feeling too sweet.
• Burgundy accessories instantly make an all-black outfit feel more intentional.
• Knee-high boots are basically my cheat code for making any outfit feel cooler.
Shop the look →ShopMy here&Amazon here
LA Nights
I don’t know what it is about LA, but it always makes me want to wear polka dots and oversized blazers. This felt very “cool girl grabbing a drink after golden hour” without trying too hard. I also love mixing playful pieces with oversized tailoring—it keeps everything from feeling too precious.
Why it works
• An oversized blazer instantly balances a fitted top.
• Chocolate brown accessories make black feel softer for summer.
• Polka dots somehow feel timeless every single year.
Shop the look →ShopMy
One Thing I Learned
The concept: The Zeigarnik Effect
In plain English…
Have you ever noticed that the things you haven’t done somehow take up more mental space than the things you have?
The text you forgot to answer.
The Amazon return sitting by the door.
The half-written presentation.
The recipe you meant to send your friend.
There’s actually a name for that: The Zeigarnik Effect.
Psychologists discovered that our brains naturally hold onto unfinished tasks because they’re still searching for closure. In other words, your brain isn’t trying to annoy you—it’s trying to help you remember.
What I’m stealing from this…
I’ve started asking myself one question:
“Can I either finish this…or decide exactly when I’m going to finish it?”
Because apparently making a real plan gives your brain permission to let it go.
It’s one of those tiny psychology concepts that’s changed how I think about productivity.
Sometimes the goal isn’t to get more done.
Sometimes it’s just to stop carrying everything around in your head.
Things school never taught me about succeeding at work
School taught me calculus.
My job taught me everything else.
These are a few things that have probably made a bigger difference in my career than anything I learned in a classroom.
1. Learn how to tell a story—not just present data.
People don’t remember spreadsheets.
They remember the one insight that changed how they think.
The best presenters don’t overwhelm people with information—they help them make a decision.
2. AI is replacing “being good at Google.”
Five years ago, being “good at Excel” made you valuable.
Today, knowing how to work with AI is quickly becoming just as important.
Learning how to write good prompts, summarize information, automate repetitive work, and think with AI (instead of just asking it to write for you) has probably been the biggest productivity unlock of my career this year.
If you’re not experimenting yet, start now. Don’t be scared! I’ll help you!
3. Your reputation compounds.
People remember what it’s like to work with you.
Do you follow through?
Are you prepared?
Do you make meetings easier?
Can people trust you?
Talent gets you in the room.
Your reputation keeps getting you invited back.
4. Learn to read the room.
Sometimes the meeting isn’t actually about the agenda.
It’s about understanding:
Who’s worried?
Who’s excited?
Who hasn’t spoken yet?
Who actually makes the decision?
Technical skills get your work noticed.
Emotional intelligence gets your ideas adopted.
5. Organization is a career skill.
I used to think organization was just about having a clean desktop.
Now I think it’s one of the biggest competitive advantages you can have.
Knowing where information lives.
Keeping good notes.
Building systems.
Using AI to summarize meetings.
Automating repetitive work.
WHERE WE ATE
Yonsei Handrolls - Albany
Yonsei Handrolls — Albany
I love restaurants where someone else makes the decisions for me.
This one is about letting someone else do the thinking.
Yonsei’s entire menu revolves around hand rolls, but what I love is that you can choose your adventure depending on your appetite (or your budget). They offer three omakase-style sets—from an approachable five-roll introduction all the way up to an indulgent lineup featuring toro, caviar, and uni.
I ordered the OG set, Paak upgraded to the Yonsei set (because of course he did😂), and then…we still couldn’t resist adding another hand roll.
No regrets.
Yonsei Handrolls - Albany
The fish was incredibly fresh, every roll was made to order right in front of us, and because you’re served one at a time, each one stays perfectly crisp and warm instead of sitting on a plate getting soggy.
It’s casual enough for a random Tuesday but special enough that it still feels like date night.
Good for:
Date night • Sushi lovers • Casual celebrations • “Let’s split everything” couples
Also worth your reservation:
SF
Beit Rima
One of those restaurants that immediately makes you want to order for the table. The Palestinian food is incredibly comforting, packed with flavor, and every dip somehow deserves its own pita. Go hungry.
Base Camp
If you’re looking to branch out from the usual dinner rotation, this is it. Their Nepalese dishes are warm, comforting, and full of spices that somehow make you want to order one more thing before you leave.
Yasukochi’s Sweet Stop (inside Super Mira Market)
One of San Francisco’s best desserts is hiding inside a grocery store. The famous Koffee Krunch Cake absolutely lives up to the hype—light, nostalgic, and somehow impossible to stop eating.
NYC
Clinton St. Baking Company
The pancakes really are worth the wait. Fluffy, buttery, and somehow still better than you expect after hearing everyone talk about them. A mandatory brunch stop if you’re visiting the city.
Veniero’s Bakery
An old-school Italian bakery that’s been around forever—and for good reason. Their carrot cake is denser than most (lots of walnuts and pecans), with just enough tang in the frosting to keep you coming back for another bite.
Mary O’s Irish Soda Bread Shop
The warm Irish soda bread scones with Kerrygold butter and homemade berry jam might actually be one of my favorite breakfasts in New York. Tiny shop, huge payoff.
LA
Folks Pizzeria
The sourdough crust is the star here. Puffy, chewy, and somehow even better dipped into whatever olive oil is left on the plate. Don’t skip the Caesar or the house bread either.
Salt’s Cure
These pancakes deserve every bit of their reputation. Crispy edges, fluffy centers, and somehow simple enough to remind you why classics exist in the first place.
Matsu
A tiny Japanese spot that’s perfect when you’re craving sushi but don’t want a super formal omakase experience. Order the hand rolls, add the crispy rice, and thank me later.
HIS EDIT
PAAK’S PICKS
Casual doesn’t have to mean boring.
This is proof that basics can still feel intentional. The oversized cargo pants give the outfit a relaxed silhouette, while the knit polo keeps it polished enough for dinner, drinks, or wandering around SF.
(Which…we absolutely were.😂)
Why it works
• Mixing a knit polo with cargo pants balances polished and casual.
• Cream, olive, and burgundy feel elevated without relying on black.
• Vintage-inspired sneakers keep it relaxed while the Dodgers hat gives it personality.
Shop Paak’s look →ShopMy
Things That Made Life Better Lately
This shampoo & conditioner line
I fear expensive shampoo might actually be…worth it. If you’ve been trying to grow your hair or just want it to look healthier between salon appointments, this one has definitely earned a permanent spot in my shower.
shop now
This shape wear
The amount of stress this has saved me…
It smooths everything out, actually stays up, and the built-in underwire gives enough support that I don’t spend the entire night pulling my outfit back into place.
These serving platters
One of those hosting purchases that instantly makes everything feel more put together.
I use these constantly for appetizers, charcuterie, desserts, and honestly anytime people come over.
shop now
These socks
Listen…I refuse to wear ugly grip socks.
These are actually cute, have the little ruffle detail, and still keep me from eating it during reformer. Small purchase, disproportionate amount of happiness.
CLOSING VIBES
🍣The appetizer everyone asked me for…
There are certain recipes that disappear before you even get a chance to sit down.
This became one of those.
It’s creamy, crunchy, salty, spicy, bright, and somehow tastes like something you’d order at Nobu—but takes about fifteen minutes to throw together.
I’ve already decided this is my signature summer appetizer.
(Full recipe below at the very end because I refuse to gatekeep.)😂
🥐Eating: Whole Foods Cinnamon Rolls
Every time I walk into Whole Foods I tell myself I’m just grabbing one thing.
Every time I leave with cinnamon rolls.
They’re soft, buttery, perfectly spiced, and somehow taste homemade without requiring me to actually…make anything.
Dangerous information to possess.
🥂Summer Trend
Apparently this is the summer of…
✨Butter yellow
✨Hugo Spritzes
✨Chilled red wine
I’m fully on board with two out of three.
Still undecided on chilled red wine.😂
🌎 Internet Rabbit Hole
Fiber is having a moment.
Apparently one of Google’s biggest summer trends this year isn’t protein…
It’s fiber.😂
Searches for “fibermaxxing” have exploded, with more people trying to eat 30+ grams of fiber a day instead of obsessing over protein alone.
As someone who literally recommended fiber and Ex-Lax in this newsletter…
I’d like to think I’m ahead of the curve.
🎬 Pop Culture
The Emmy nominations just came out, and The Pitt absolutely dominated with 25 nominations. Hacks and The Bear also showed up in a big way, so my TV choices are apparently feeling very validated right now.😂
😂Something Funny
My toxic trait is believing one grocery trip can completely reinvent me.
Blueberries?
New woman.
Fresh basil?
Chef.
Sparkling water in a glass bottle?
European.
☁️ Tiny Joy
Paak & I took a pilates class together. That’s the joy. Watching him suffer.
But he said he’ll be back.
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. 15 next week. Exciting updates coming soon!
🤎
Recipe & Outfit
Gabriella’s Crispy Sesame Tuna Dip w/ Whipped Kewpie Cream
Tuna tartare or tuna dip…but make it asian
8 oz sushi-grade ahi tuna, diced / ended up doing sesame crusted fully cooked then flaking it and mixing it into the dip instead!
2 tbsp finely sliced chives
* 2 green onions, thinly sliced
* 1 tbsp soy sauce
* 1 tbsp ponzu
* 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
* 1 tsp chili crisp oil (or just the oil from the jar)
* 1 tsp grated ginger
* 1 tsp yuzu kosho (optional but sooo good)
* 1 tbsp finely diced shallot
* 1 tbsp finely chopped capers (optional—I actually like a little briny bite)
* 1 tsp toasted white sesame seeds
* Juice of ½ lime
⸻
Creamy layer
¼ cup Kewpie mayo
¼ cup whipped cream cheese disss what I used!! Heehee or strained Greek yogurt (lighter)
* 1 tbsp ponzu
* 1 tsp sriracha
* 1 tsp honey
* Juice of ½ lime
* Tiny drizzle sesame oil
* Pinch garlic powder
* Pinch salt
Whip until smooth.
⸻
Crunchy topping
Top with:
crispy fried shallots
toasted sesame seeds
* sliced chives
* micro cilantro
* thinly sliced Fresno chili or jalapeño
* optional: crispy garlic chips
⸻
Serve with one of your choice (or all!)
✨Kettle chips
✨Seaweed sesame rice crackers
✨Wonton chips
✨Shrimp chips
✨Nori sheets cut into squares for little hand rolls
✨Cucumber slices if you’re pretending to be healthy😂
⸻
Nobu version
Add diced avocado
Finish with black truffle oil
* Garnish with tobiko
Filipino-inspired version
Replace some soy with calamansi
Add crispy garlic
* Tiny splash of cane vinegar
* Finish with fried shallots and scallions
Spicy date-night version
Chili crisp
Crispy shallots
* Avocado
* Tobiko
* Drizzle of spicy mayo
* Furikake
⸻
My dream presentation
On a chilled silver platter:
1. Spread the whipped ponzu-Kewpie cream.
2. Spoon the tuna on top.
3. Drizzle spicy mayo in a zigzag.
4. Tiny drizzle chili crisp oil.
5. Tobiko.
6. Crispy shallots.
7. Chives.
8. Sesame seeds.
9. Finish with flaky sea salt and fresh lime zest.
Then open a bag of kettle chips tableside like you’re at a dinner party.😂
I actually think this has major newsletter potential too. It feels very “The appetizer everyone asks me to bring,” and people love saveable recipes that look impressive but take 15 minutes.
