May Favorites '25

featuring a stunning beaded purse, my favorite desserts of the month, and some linen pieces for those warmer days

This month flew by — and for good reason. We had friends visiting for a week, and I couldn’t believe how quickly the time passed. It’s true what they say: time flies when you’re having fun! The Spring weather also stabilized a bit more, which made everything feel just a little bit sweeter.

Reading

I haven’t made much progress on the stack of books on my nightstand, but I did enjoy some lovely Substack reads — these two were among my favorites:

• A post by

  Angie Uh
  on the “unsung heroes” in our wardrobes — think grey, olive and khaki/beige tones. She explains why they work and provides great styling examples. Inspired by one of her earlier posts, I picked up a grey t-shirt and have been reaching for it constantly. It’s become a refreshing alternative to my usual white tee.
  

  Meet Your Unsung Color Heroes

• I mentioned

  Natalia Quintero Ochoa
  last month and I continue to be a big fan of her recommendations. I’ve already added a few of her book picks to my reading list. Last week she talked about “outfit remixing” — the idea of rewearing one item from the day before and making it the centerpiece of today’s outfit. I think it’s perfect for those “I don’t know what to wear” days. Angie has talked about following a similar strategy as well, so I’m excited to give it a try! I highly recommend following both of these lovely ladies.

  the case for remixing what you wore yesterday

Eating and Taste Testing

If there’s a matcha with a fruit involved, you can bet I’m going to order it. This month, I had both a strawberry matcha and a blueberry matcha and they were equally delicious. Both featured macerated fruit rather than just syrup, which I loved. It’s more common here, where fait maison (made in house) is something cafes and restaurants take pride in.

a cookie to share and a cappuccino for my husband

Perusing, Paris & Proud Of

Okay, not technically in Paris, but we made a day trip out to Monet’s house in Giverny, and I was in flower heaven. It was packed the day we went, but it was still a dream to wander around for a few hours. I couldn’t resist picking up Christmas ornaments on our way through the gift shop — I’m a sucker for those.

A few more photos from our visit below.

Obsessing Over

Les Hauts de Loire

In case you missed it, I shared a full recap of our trip to the Loire Valley last week. One of my favorite finds was Relais & Chateaux, a group with over 500 properties worldwide. There are already a few spots on my list I’d love to stay at one day. If you’re planning a vacation, definitely check out their website to see if anything catches your eye.

roaming les hauts de loire

Bode

You know the saying that goes, “if I win the lottery, there will be signs”? Well, for me, all my signs would point to Bode. I visited their Paris store earlier this month and everything was a literal work of art. I fell in love with this beaded purse in particular. If you’re new to Bode, it was founded by Emily Adams Bode Aujla in 2016. It was born out of a collection of one-of-a-kind pieces that were made entirely of antique textiles.

clearly I’m into the color red

Recommending To You

To wear your “nice” clothes even if it feels like they’re only for special occasions. Earlier this month, it was a bit chilly, so I wore my wool tuxedo trousers to the farmers market. At first, I hesitated, thinking it felt too dressy, but I decided to wear them anyway. I even repeated a similar look a few weeks later in my What I Wore In Paris This Week — Spring Edition. If you need it, a reminder that any day can be a special occasion and that your clothes don’t need permission to be worn.

Treating Myself To

As you can probably guess, pastries are a serious affair in France. I’ve been lucky enough to eat some incredible baked goods this month. It’s hard to pick a favorite, but these two stood out to me. The one on the left was a tart with vanilla cream topped with strawberries, raspberries, black berries and pistachios. I’ve ordered it each time I’ve been to this restaurant and it never fails to impress! The second was a delicious chocolate filled tart topped with cherries, decadent every bite of the way through.

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Monthly Favorites

New Balance 471

I was looking for a replacement for my New Balance 327’s that I bought last year (and subsequently wore into the ground). I initially had the 530’s in mind, until this blue and red combo in the 471s won me over — I clearly can’t get away from suede. These add a subtle pop of color while still working well with styles that lean more minimal.

ps — the “tongue” isn’t finished on the inside. It doesn’t bother me, but it's definitely something to note!

Buck Mason Linen Tank

As the weather heats up, I’ve been reaching for this tank more often. I wish I had bought a second one, I can’t seem to wash it fast enough! Sadly, the exact same cut is no longer available, but this camisole version comes in the same fabric in multiple colors.

Speaking of Buck Mason, their summer collection is stunning. I’m eyeing a ribbed v-neck dress they teased on their Instagram stories, this entire look featuring a Breton style long sleeve and long black shorts, and these pants.

Linen Pieces

I’ve been leaning into linen on those warmer days — especially if I’m going to be out wandering for a while. It keeps me cool and provides an extra layer of sun protection. I’ve mostly been rotating through button downs (see below), this tank and my Buck Mason tank.

left: last year from Madewell | right: from 2+ years ago from Reformation

Cotton Sweater & Linen Pants

My favorite look from May. I love both of these pieces individually, but especially together. I re-wore this exact outfit a week later because I loved it so much. I’ve easily worn this cotton sweater weekly since it arrived. It’s the first sweater I reach for when I’m looking for a layer and when I want to feel polished.

sweater (gifted) | t-shirt | pants (same fabric, different cut) | flats (left image) | ballerinas (right image | gifted) | trench | purse

Doré Le Serum

I mentioned this serum in a recent newsletter, but it deserves another shoutout. I’ve been loving the consistency of the formula — you don’t have to worry about it oxidizing quickly like many Vitamin C products you find on the market. It gives my skin a lovely dewy finish. Next on my list: Doré’s cleanser as I continue my search for a cleanser I love.

ps — OFELIA10 gets you 10% off all Doré’s products.

Smeg Toaster

We bought this toaster when we moved into our apartment and while I was skeptical of its size at first — I get it now and I’m obsessed. It’s a 4 slice toaster (or perfect for half a baguette, if you’re my husband).

After all the baguettes we’ve toasted, I can confidently say it’s the best toaster we’ve ever had. It toasts to perfection and it doesn’t hurt that it looks great on the counter. Unless you’re toasting baguette daily (or possibly 4 slices of toast), check out the 2 slice option.

10pm Sunsets

I love that the sun sets later — it makes the days feel longer and more magical. I’ve been soaking in the light, the birds chirping, the golden hours, and all the moments in between. The Paris sunsets in late spring are truly magical.

All featured items mentioned here.

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I hope you got the chance to step out and enjoy a few sunsets this month. If not, definitely pencil some in for June.

xx Ofelia

Disclaimer: some links are affiliate links, which means I may receive a very small percentage from a sale. As always, anything that is linked are things I either own, recommend or would purchase myself.

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