a stylist's guide to writer's block & self alchemy

kind of. i also tell you my skincare & messy makeup routines. plus, fragrances that transport you

5,374. That’s, on average, the amount of thoughts swirling in my head at a time. Subconscious not accounted for.

Including but not limited to: Is my blood sugar low? What does the ‘it girl’ mean to us in the age of late stage social media? I want to re-watch a David Lynch joint. Why did I buy the Strawberry Dunkin Donuts Deodorant when I don’t even like sweet scents and have never tried Dunkin Donuts? I forgot where I put my hand cream. Will my chronic pain conditions forever affect how much I can be loved? Ralph Lauren’s ideals and his customer’s ideals are totally unaligned, interesting. Did I miss therapy today or is that tomorrow? Same with Rick Owens.

And usually, if it reaches 5,375, I no longer feel I can think about anything at all. It turns into hyperactive mush. Like running at a wall in a video game. So I turn to my solutions.

Not for any purpose, just wanted to share. Perhaps you can find yourself in these photos? More below.

The following are my sometimes-effective antidotes to a day when I want to write, need to express, but am hitting a form of writer’s block- however strange the path. When I need to reconnect with myself, or rather, the world around me- for inspiration sake.

I hope this post tastes like rose tea and smells like perfume with notes of hay, jasmine, cat fur, and suede.

(I also tell you my skincare tips, makeup routines, and my favorite, most transportive fragrances, amongst other things that may seem meaningless to those who don’t yet see the value and sentiment to habits that make you feel like you. Showing reverence to yourself is exactly how you break writer’s block, afterall.)

the steps

1. Fragrance is alchemy. As an avid sample collector and weird-scent-trier, I pick something that entices and confuses the senses. Wakes them up. Or sometimes, I just need to feel like me. Below find the fragrances I believe can transport you to yourself. Or someone else.