Illumination Through Surrender

On finding light in the letting go.

Oct 26, 2025

MY REFLECTION

The last couple of months, I’ve kept returning to one simple truth: the light doesn’t come from doing more — it comes from letting go.

For so long, I’ve lived inside the rhythm of effort — the cycles of optimizing, perfecting, preparing. It’s served me in so many ways, yet lately that rhythm has started to hum too loudly. My body and spirit have been asking for quiet, for softness, for space to simply be.

September and October arrived with its own kind of whisper — a reminder that rest is also movement. My journal filled with phrases like “I am a Sun being,” “taking up space,” and “I am doing enough.” At first, they felt like affirmations. But over time, they became something deeper: permission slips. Permission to glow without grasping. To shine without proof. To trust that the right things are already unfolding.

There have been recent seasons when the light felt far away — when experiences of loss asked me to begin again in ways I didn’t choose. This year, I’ve learned that healing isn’t about returning to who I was before, but about discovering the quieter radiance that emerges through surrender. Even in the emptiest moments, something within me remembered how to rise — and to choose acceptance.

It’s humbling to realize how much of our light dims not from darkness, but from the weight of our own striving — the doing, the fixing, the constant hoping to arrive somewhere that finally feels enough or complete. The last two months taught me that illumination doesn’t require more effort — only more presence.

So I’m leaning into that. Letting my light come from within. Remembering that even the Sun doesn’t rush to rise — it just knows it will.

MY CHECKLIST

October took me back to Europe — first Milan, then London — two cities that always remind me why I fell in love with design.

In Milan, I went for HOST — the hospitality trade show that brings together over 1,700 exhibitors from 50+ countries. To kick things off, one of our longtime partners, Sambonet, whisked us two hours outside the city to Langhe for truffle hunting with Tartuflanghe, the family-run company behind some of the world’s best truffles since 1975. I left with the lingering scent of truffles — and a dinner where they were anything but scarce!

The next day, we toured Sambonet’s 1.2 million-square-foot factory, where all the brand’s tableware, hollowware, and kitchenware are made. I saw the molds that shape the flatware and artisans bringing silver-plated finishes to life — leaving with a deep appreciation for Italian craftsmanship.

Milan highlights // the Sambonet factory, HOST finds, a Sunday antique market, dinner at Beefbar and drinks at Rumore, gelato while shopping, favorite shops: Antonia and 10corsocomo.

After five days in Italy (and more late-night dinners than I’ll admit), I headed to London to finalize guestroom and uniform designs for our new Mayfair property opening next year. Between meetings, drizzle, and the endless charm of London streets, I found myself re-inspired — that creative recharge that only comes when you’re both working and wandering.

With the weather swings, time zones, and full days, I relied on a few favorite things to keep me feeling grounded — here’s what I packed, what I discovered, and what I’m loving lately.

What I Packed / Purchased

Loafers that actually make it through 15K steps. Confirmed comfort: Massimo Dutti, plus favorites from Dear Frances Drew (modern shape), The Row (soft-ruched), and ATP Atelier Airola Canella — a brand I once carried at Seldom Seen.
A souvenir sneaker moment. Scored the last pair of Salomon XT-6 × Margiela at 10corsocomo — and in my size. Meant to be.
Button-downs, always. My uniform, but never boring: Sézane Bilma Shirt, COS Tie-Side Denim Overshirt, COH Kayla (perfectly oversized), and Cordera Jacquard Classic for dress-up nights.
Nightly ritual. No matter how late I got back to my hotel — my red-light mask = non-negotiable.
Morning recovery trio. Minimal sleep requires Monastery Flora Botanical Cream Serum + Mount Lai stainless-steel gua sha + Dieux eye mask.
Jewelry that stays on to make sure I don’t forget anything as I bounce from hotel to hotel. I wore a present to myself — a Marla Aaron babylock strung with vintage charms I’ve collected over the years.
Currently using Ceremonia’s Guava Protect & Repair Wash Duo at home and if I’m unsure about the hotel’s lotions & potions, I pack my own hair care.
A denim and tailoring mix. Got lucky and found these off-white twill denim (TTS) and dark indigo mid-waist slight tapered jeans (sized up one size) while shopping in London. Both complimented the medium indigo straight leg jeans and the Cordera Tailoring Pant I packed.
I rarely NOT travel without a CABaN sweater. Japanese brand made of cotton cashmere that comes in a beautiful range of colors. This trip I packed the cardigan in red to wear over denim and to drape over a dress at night. Two other styles in heavy rotation - unisex pullover in grey and fitted crewneck with a mini pocket in black.
The carry-all. My Lemaire medium croissant bag — roomy enough to wander any city and still look chic.

Outfit inspo // Packing always starts with shoes, then the color palette — this trip: a mix of browns, black, off-white, and a pop of red.

What I Discovered in London

Mayfair Chippy — the quintessential British spot for award-winning fish ’n’ chips. On the last night, we had dinner outdoors in the rain = perfectly London.

The Genesis Exhibition: Do Ho Suh – Walk the House at the Tate Modern (until 10/26).

A WILDSMITH facial at the Treehouse, located on the 4th floor at Liberty. An immersive experience with WILDSMITH’S botany products and a rebalancing massage that includes breathwork, myofacial relase and craniosacral.

What I’m Loving Lately

Scent: Vyrao Sun Rae — formulated to spark joy and happiness.

Zac’s Style: A new discovery from Seoul — Estudio Niksen and a signet ring added to his jewelry collection from Bunney.

Reading: Midnight Journal on Substack. Gifted by my BFF, the recent piece “How to Stop Carrying Other People’s Moods” reminded me that you can care deeply without absorbing the chaos around you.

As I ease back into daily life, I keep coming back to the quiet truth that though I love travel, whether in Milan, London, or home, inspiration is found in how I move through the world. It’s presence that turns the ordinary into light.