Sunday Reading List #12
This Weeks Reads, Ideas and Inspirations
Happy Sunday!
This week’s reading list has been full of inspiration — a moment for recalibration as we move further into spring and into the early momentum of summer. It’s been a busy week behind the scenes, from BBFW 26 to client sourcing, engagement ring conversations (notably emeralds), and exploring Rachel Boston’s new Echoes collection.
As things begin to gather pace, I’ve been intentionally returning to reading as a way to reset: finding new Substack voices, collecting fresh ideas, and building out a more considered archive of inspiration to carry into bridal styling over the summer months.
Even though it isn’t always easy to slow down in the midst of it all, there’s something refreshing about actively seeking out new perspectives — from food writing to bridal imagery and everything in between — and letting them subtly shape how I’m thinking creatively right now.
These are the pieces I bookmarked, reread, and returned to this week.
Consider this more of a snapshot than a roundup — a handful of things that lingered long after I finished reading them and felt worth passing along. I hope they spark curiosity, inspiration, or simply offer a pause you didn’t realize you needed.
Share in the comments or join the chat if something stood out to you this week.
**A small note before this week’s reading list — there’s been a subtle design refresh to bring the Sunday edit more in line with the wider visual direction of the brand. I wanted it to feel cleaner, calmer, and a little more editorial overall, so I’d love to hear your feedback on the updated format. Substack has also introduced a new feature where linked writers now appear as expandable blocks throughout the piece — if you click “read more,” it will take you directly to each writer’s page. It’s a new update, so let’s see how it goes!
This conversation with Pia Mance, founder of Heaven Mayhem, offers such an interesting look into how personal taste, observation, and instinct shape a modern brand. What stood out most was her approach to design — treating inspiration as something found in everyday life rather than pulled from the same recycled digital references.
The piece also explores how she thinks about hiring, collaboration, and growth with a level of intention that feels refreshingly grounded. Less about virality, more about conviction, curiosity, and building a brand world that remains deeply connected to its founder’s perspective - a must read if you're building your own business!
Molly Ford’s joyful spring edit that captures the shift into warmer days with a mix of fashion, home, and lifestyle finds. Written almost like a seasonal journal entry, it moves between small pleasures — coffee outside, blooming flowers — and a curated selection of wardrobe pieces, home objects, and skincare staples that reflect her current spring mood. (Second the Tata Harper!)
At its heart, the piece is less about consumption and more about atmosphere: a celebration of seasonal change, lightness, and the everyday rituals that make life feel a little more expansive and alive.
This piece offers a sharp reflection on the difference between fashion history and true heritage, arguing that age alone is often mistaken for authenticity. It reframes heritage as something living — sustained through craft, trained artisans, and continuity of a house’s original vision, rather than a date on a label.
Using Hermès as a reference point, it highlights how genuine heritage is maintained through ongoing technique and making, even as a brand evolves. Ultimately, it questions whether we’re engaging with real craft, or simply the story of it.
The Golden Wellness - We are missing the point of the meal
This week’s read from Golden Wellness reflects on returning to simple, traditional cooking as a way to reconnect with nourishment and rhythm in everyday life. Through discovering more of an Italian cuisine the writer explores how modern food culture has drifted into convenience, trends, and over complication, often at the expense of real nourishment.
At its heart, the piece is a reminder that simple, consistent meals — made with intention — can be deeply grounding for both body and mind, and that cooking can be an act of care in a fast-moving world.
Grace Welter - this is the summer of physical media
Grace’s visual notes never disappoint — the classic lime green iPod Nano paired with wired headphones completely drew me into this piece. In Grace’s article, The Physical Media Revolution, the longing for nostalgia and the return to physical media is articulated with such clarity and intent. A nostalgic read I didn’t know I needed.
The Food Inspiration I can’t stop thinking about!
Substack’s food community feels uniquely intimate, from personal and generational recipes to new ideas and even wedding inspiration. These are the recipes that stayed with me this week.
Jamie - Same but different
These need no introduction — they honestly deserve their own Substack page just to be admired. Mocha-soaked chocolate olive oil cake, salty espresso whipped cream, cherry jam, fresh cherries, and brown butter brown sugar Swiss meringue buttercream - I mean what! Just simply divine!
Decadent, bridal, and completely swoon-worthy — whimsical in all the right ways. The perfect seasonal transition bake, marking the end of spring and the start of summer. An inspiring standout this week, without question.
Aran Goyoaga - Bread
New discovery this week, and a very pleasant one: a gluten-free chef whose work around bread is genuinely inspiring. Aran Goyoaga never fails to disappoint — her baking is as beautiful as it is considered, and it effortlessly spans gluten-free recipes, baking inspiration, and everything in between. A food aesthetic find that I’ve really enjoyed this week.
Ryan Nordheimer - Four Asparagus Recipes Perfect for Spring
I’ve never been so excited about asparagus before — these four spring recipes from Ryan felt incredibly thoughtful and artistic. I mean, a fish-shaped pastry? Completely beautiful. The whole piece captures that balance between seasonal cooking and visual storytelling in a way I absolutely loved this week!
Andrea Mozoni - The most perfect cardamom buns ever!
These cardamom buns from Andrea instantly reminded me of the ones from my local bakery — completely divine. Andrea dedicated an entire spread to them this week, and honestly, they deserved every bit of bun glory! Beautiful, poetic, and the kind of thing you can’t wait to eat but equally want to take home and admire first. Love, love, love these!!
Alex Roberts - More Bun Content
I mean, could we ever really need less bun content — especially from Alex Roberts? The before-and-after process shots were what completely drew me in this week: all the delicate layers upon layers, the proofing, the texture — such a beautiful reminder of the craftsmanship and patience behind baking. I’m fully loving my bun-heavy feed at the moment.
Patricja - High Protein Apple Crumble Cake
Patricja’s high-protein apple crumble cake immediately stood out for its simplicity and comfort. It’s something far more considered — thick, fluffy, and soft in the centre with pockets of baked apple, finished with a buttery crumble topping that feels like a classic bakery-style dessert. Reminiscent of a childhood cake for me - I can almost taste it!
It’s the kind of recipe that sits perfectly between nourishment and indulgence: uncomplicated, satisfying, and impressive in its result.
Alexis Benveniste - a case for a green home
This green-toned interior palette feels exactly like the kind of inspiration we needed moving into spring and summer — refined, understated, and incredibly chic. The layered shades of green immediately evoke the calm beauty of the outdoors, bringing such a grounded, natural atmosphere to the spaces. I love green interior.
Sandy Sanchez - Mini olive oil cake for my birthday & Paris interiors (1995)
Sandy Sanchez’s mini olive oil cake paired with the Paris interiors book felt like such a perfect piece of visual inspiration this week. The single-person birthday cake styling, set against a vintage book at home, captured that balance between simplicity and beauty so effortlessly. Just the kind of thoughtful, everyday design inspiration I always find myself drawn to.
Jessica Haberland - just because there’s space in the calendar doesn’t mean you have capacity
Jessica’s quiet reminder that just because you have space in your calendar doesn’t necessarily mean you have the capacity for more really resonated with me this week. It’s such a gentle but important distinction — especially when it’s so easy to feel pressure to be present for everything at once. A much-needed reminder to slow down and be more intentional with energy, not just time. Also, I absolutely loved the soft pink calendar visuals throughout the piece.
Taking Notes - Substack feed
I mean taking notes quite literally!! This Substack feed is beautifully refined, aesthetic, and so grounding. I love the clear colour direction, the muted tones, and everything in between. This was a definite standout piece of design inspiration for me this week.
Ilé’s florals this week really caught my eye — the subtle pop of blue made all the difference. Dreamy, minimal, and incredibly eye-catching in the most understated way.
Sunday Reflection
As this week comes to a close, I hope you’ve had a moment to realign, refresh, and perhaps discover a new piece of writing or perspective that leaves you feeling a little more grounded going into the week ahead — whatever pace it may bring. A gentle reminder, too -
that it’s good to stay present in the moment, but equally important to allow yourself moments throughout the week to re-centre and return to yourself.
I hope this week’s reads introduced you to something — or someone — new and inspiring. I know they certainly did for me.
I’d love to hear what pieces, moments, or writers stayed with you this week - leave a comment below or in the chat!
Until next week, my loves — wishing you a calm and beautiful start to the week ahead.
Thank you 🙏🏽 so glad you liked it !
thanks for including me!!<3