Hi, it's me, Isabella, back in the hot seat of my own making.
This week, I'm inviting you inside my brain. The brain I carry outside of my body. The brain inside my phone. My brain is TikTok.
I've spent most of this year unsuccessfully seeking employment in a new country (girl bosses never die), which has been amaaazing for my ego and even better for my screen time.
I know my TikTok's just an echo chamber of things I like, specifically catered to my interests, but also, exactly! How fun for me!
I’ve pulled together five of my favourite fashiony follows, so please enjoy your wander through my head; don't mind the echo.
Morenike Ajayi
Morenike can turn a look, but it's the hyper-specific, hypothetical situations and outfit combos that really tickle me.
Like “Meeting Their Chic Mother For The First Time”, or my fave, “Help! My Sibling Is Graduating How Do I Make This About Me?!”
I'm still apologising to my sister for how mean I was to her at my graduation (it was my day??), so there's no way I could pull this trick, but if you have a healthier relationship with your family, please replicate and report back.
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Tariro Makoni
Tariro's joyful approach to personal style, trend forecasting and analysis is infectious. She treats the frivilous with (neccessecary) reverence, like this ecstatic review of her Susan Alexandra beach bag or her perfect summary of Diet Coke being a 'quiet luxury' item (below).
Into The Gloss, recently ran a feature on her which made my millennial heart skip a beat. And if anyone knows anyone, I'm available.
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Emily Wood Makeup
Emily is a UK-based makeup artist who paints in the most jarring, over-the-top, absolutely fantastic way. Her videos are amazing, with close-ups of fingers smudging bright shadows while her hair whips and birds chirp (or cows jump) in the background, or just tender moments with her nan.
This is my asmr.
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Maggie Villamaria
Firstly, what a name. Secondly, this is how I dress in my head. I know I have access to a mirror and I'm responsible for putting my outfits together, but this is still how I think the world sees me.
Maggie's an NYC designer, jewellery maker, artist, and just the right amount of batshitcrazy for someone so talented.
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Ariel Kellog
THE DANCING. THE JEWELLERY. THE NUNCHUCKS.
No notes.
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That’s all from this iPad kid, but I’m back on Instagram (miss me?) and selling my soul on TikTok, so slide into my dms or whatever.
Misc. Recs
📿 Saying “grace”
I’m not religious (all hot girls are lapsed) but Matt and I have recently started saying “thanks for the food we’re about to eat” to each other, the ceiling, the universe, or just as an elaborate cheers before dinner each night. A little moment of gratitude before something delicious. In other news, keep an eye out for my self help book!
😈 Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
Demon Copperhead is set in small town Virgina, and follows the story of a boy born into poverty, battling broken homes, a failing foster system, the opioid crisis, love and loss. It’s not a light read, but there was always a reason to hold out hope.
If the name’s familiar, it’s based on the Charles Dicken’s novel, David Copperfield and NOT the life of the American magician, David Copperfield. They’re easily confused.
Annnd we’re done. Catch ya next week!