Life Lately | June

Garage art projects, book recs, interior inspo, and a life update!

Hi, hi! I have so much to share with you in this post — one art project, two books I’ve been loving, three favorite outfits of the month, and my recent interior design inspiration. I’ve also got a pretty big personal update at the end, too, so stick around for that.

Here’s what happened on Unfancy in June:

• In our Sunday ritual, Let’s Get Dressed Together, I shared a week of black and white outfits, and a peek at my plans for the summer solstice (which was exactly as lovely as I’d hoped).

• It’s hot! The question on everyone’s mind is: How do I get dressed when it’s blazing out…and still look good? So for paid subscribers, that’s exactly what we talked about. I shared 23 ways to layer when it’s too hot to layer, and a 16-piece capsule I packed using the sudoku method (with a downloadable planner!). Seriously, it was a GOOD month around here!

STORIES FROM THE ART STUDIO

Also known as my dad’s garage

I am not a painter, but I often feel pulled to various art projects, and decided to paint a very large, very dark abstract painting for my white-walled apartment. Something that would contrast all the lightness and be a resting spot for the eye — also something that would make you lean in and go, “What’s going on here?”

What I loved most was that it became a shared project between me and my dad. He helped me build the canvas frame, gave me advice when the painting felt “off”, and built a beautiful frame around it once it was finished. It took three months from start to finish! Here’s a photo diary of the entire process:

A very large roll of canvas

My dad helped me built the canvas frame — it’s taller than me!!

Stretching the canvas over the frame.

Painting with acrylics and very old brushes

This was the very first iteration, where I was just getting the main shapes on the canvas — I learned so much about not judging something while it’s in process. 😅

After months of work, it was finally finished! My dad built a frame around it, and here he’s blowing off all the dust.

And here she is, hanging in my apartment! I love her!!!

What really settled on me was that I couldn’t entirely control the outcome. Did it look different than how I imagined it at first? Yes. Do I love the way it turned out even more? Yes! * Life lesson *

WHAT I READ

All the Beauty in the World by Patrick Bringley

In what turned out to be a stressful month with lots of unanswered questions, this book calmed me. It’s a memoir of Patrick’s time working as a guard at The Met — a job he took for solace after his brother’s cancer diagnosis. Reading the book felt like a reprieve from life-optimization content. There was not a single suggestion that I buy anything or climb any ladders or upgrade my existence. 😌

Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner

My mom gave me a copy of this historical fiction novel years ago, after she’d read it and loved it herself. I never got around to reading it — until now.

I cried so much, but in the healing way that you do when encounter a real human story, not the social-media template “I struggled with this, but then I found the answer — now everything is fine, and everything can be fine for you too if you buy xyz!”

I’ve noticed that even passively encountering enough buy-it-to-fix-it content reinforces this idea I can’t start living until I solve every problem and make everything make sense, which I can’t seem to do. This book met me there. The themes of what to do with regret, with dreams you never quite get to see through, with learning to forgive yourself — there was something deeply comforting about sitting with them.

INTERIOR INSPO

Lucy Williams’ layered home

Find the full tour here.

Do you ever feel like you have to pick a lane when it comes to your style — home, clothing, or otherwise?

I sure do.

Over the past 10-15 years, I’ve noticed I’m most consistently pulled toward both cozy cottage vibes and minimalist art gallery vibes. Quite the different styles there! And I often get caught in a game of “Which one?”

But Lucy Williams’ home tour reminded me that the two can coexist and be all the better for it. Seeing that her home includes both a Noguchi paper lamp and floral wallpaper, cool modern art and skirted chairs — it got me excited about blending both my beloved cottage vibes and art gallery vibes.

The timing couldn’t have been more perfect because I’d just recently replaced my worn-out bedsheets with some floral ones — a departure from my typical minimalist all-white bedding, so I was worried they wouldn’t “go.” But their cheerful quality brings me so much comfort every time I slide into bed. It was the right move even if it took me a second to acclimate.

My new bedsheets and snippets from my apartment.

I plan to paint another moody abstract and hang it over the bed. Can’t wait to see how they play off each other.

FAVORITE OUTFITS

White and khaki all day long

I put together some outfits I’m REALLY happy with this month:

Everything about this outfit! The pleated white dress, the sturdy jacket, the necklace and sandals — just a 10/10 outfit for me.

I’ve never worn this mini skort with a belt before — it made the skirt feel entirely new to me! Amazing what a fresh accessory will do to a familiar piece.

Again with the theme of all white under a khaki jacket. Of course, it’s way too hot to wear this jacket now — I enjoyed it while I could in early June!

WHAT’S IN STORE FOR JULY

A personal update

This is the part where I usually share what’s coming next on Unfancy. But this time it’s a little different, and that’s because I’ve recently taken a full-time office job. (!!!)

As I transition into this new season, I’ll likely slow down my posting schedule for a little bit, but I also know I have SOOO MANY THOUGHTS about this fun new dressing challenge.

For years I’ve been dressing as a self-employed WFH-er. Now I’m dressing for an office! And you KNOW I already have MAJOR thoughts about what to wear. Comfy shoes for all day in the office? Pants that don’t wrinkle? How to let your personality come through in a pretty formal environment? Now I’m getting first-hand experience, and I HAVE THOUGHTS!

So, for a little bit, posts may be less regular, but I’m excited to keep sharing here and find a new rhythm. Thank you for letting me take some time and get my feet under me. I’m really excited about all the new style thoughts this job will unlock!

In the meantime, how was your June? See any good movies? Read any good books? Have any style breakthroughs? I’d love to hear about them — share away in the comments!

Want 2026 to be your year of style? Here’s how I can help:

★ Book a 1:1 styling session and we’ll turn the clothes you have into outfits you love.

★ Hop on the waitlist for my upcoming style masterclass.

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