SAVAş is a modern woman's destination for how to live a stylish, well-rounded life. Read on for breaking entertainment news, fashion tips, health, and more.
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.
It’s not often that wedding dress trends are practical. But if New York Bridal Fashion Week’s best and brightest of the Fall 2025 season tell us anything, it’s that versatility is slated to be next year’s number-one trend.
With the rise of the “wedding wardrobe,” many brides feel the pressure to turn out multiple looks on their big day. But, as Enaura designer Sohil Mistry notes, it can be difficult to find one dress to do it all.
“During a wedding, you have your ceremony, your reception, and your after-party — even though this all happens in one day, they can be such different vibes,” he says. “During the ceremony, you might be more modest. At the reception, you want to have fun with your guests. During the after-party, you can let loose. Each part of the wedding deserves a different look.”
In the past, this might’ve meant swapping your ballgown for a reception dress, then slipping into yet another ensemble for the after-party. In the latest round of bridal runways, though, designers are dedicating their efforts to creating convertible components that can be added or subtracted, giving one look multiple opportunities to shine. Some pieces, like boleros and removable sleeves, provide modesty; others, like embellished capes, pack on the drama.
This has also resulted in a rise in bridal separates, particularly corsets and skirts. The idea is that they can be swapped in and out throughout the entirety of one’s bridal era, resulting in more wear time and more options. After all, who says your wedding style has to actually involve a dress?
Now, just because the emphasis is on practicality doesn’t mean the season’s collections were dull. On the contrary: The Fall 2025 bridal collections explore texture in a way that’s a feast for the eyes, with over-the-top lace, decoupaged appliqués, embellished corsets, and 3-D florals disguising the more functional elements and creating an overall opulent throughline.
Ahead, browse seven of the top bridal fashion trends for 2025 that nail the balance of practical elegance.
2025 Bridal Trend: Separates
There’s always a trend or two crafted specifically with cool brides in mind, and, this season, it’s the plethora of dreamy church-and-state separates. Elevated bridal brands like Kyha Studios, Milla Nova, and Jeofroi challenge the idea of a wedding “dress” as the norm by exploring two-piece options that allow brides to mix and match for exactly the look they want. At Wiederhoeft, designer Jackson Wiederhoeft described the trend as possessing a sort of “girl math sensibility,” noting customers were eager to invest in a special piece — like one of the brand’s premium corsets — and wear it for multiple bridal occasions, as well as after one’s nuptials.
2025 Bridal Trend: Corsetry
“The word of the year is snatched,” declared Toronto-based designer Jaclyn Whyte. “Everyone wants to be snatched. They’re looking for a corset for that cinched look.”
Two types of corsetry stood out this season — and they just so happen to be polar opposites: Maximalists will love the heavily embellished styles from Milla Nova, Pnina Tornai, Kim Kasas, Yulia Lobachova, and Wiederhoeft; while minimalists will gravitate towards ultra-simple unlined designs with visible boning, like those at Jaclyn White and Galia Lahav.
2025 Bridal Trend: Toppers
It felt as though every dress I saw this season boasted an add-on to offer additional coverage. Perhaps brands are attempting to keep things very mindful, very demure — but Mistry argues it’s all about embracing elements of nobility that feel perennially chic.
“I think the demure trend comes down to being timeless,” he shares. “When you think timeless, you think royalty: what princesses wore back in the day — long sleeves; high, covered necklines.”
Of course, not all brides want a covered-up look — some only want it during their ceremony. These toppers allow them to control how much skin they show and when, while providing a transformational element to their look. Whip off a lacy long-sleeved bolero and, boom — you’ve got a brand-new neckline without having to change into a new dress.
2025 Bridal Trend: 3-D Florals
Texture ruled the runway for most of New York Bridal Fashion Week, with 3-D florals blooming all over pieces by Galia Lahav, Pnina Tornai, Marco & Maria, Kim Kasas, Nadia Manjarrez, and Yuliia Lobachova. This trend looks great on bigger ballgowns, but it also prevents body-conscious or minimal silhouettes from falling flat. Whether you opt for beaded blossoms, tulle rosettes, or dainty chiffon petals determines the feel of the final look, as does the decision to start with a lace base for contrast, or something simple and smooth so the flowers can pop.
2025 Bridal Trend: Skinny Straps
Anyone who’s ever donned a strapless dress is familiar with the unavoidable need to pull it up throughout the night — especially when you’re spending said night on the dance floor. This season, designers are throwing brides a bone: delightfully delicate straps on would-be strapless styles for a little extra support. Some, like Anne Barge, offer barely-there spaghetti straps, while others, like Claire Pettibone, adorn them with appliqués for a bonus moment of detail.
2025 Bridal Trend: Doilycore
This season’s selection of bridal lace hardly compares to your grandmother’s doily collection — except, of course, for when that’s exactly what designers wanted to emulate.
Simple all-over lace styles have their place, but many brands are getting creative, mixing and matching different types of lace in one gown, or cutting out appliqués and placing them strategically to flatter the silhouette. Some lean into the material’s classic elegance, while others — like Galia Lahav, Arava Polak, and Pnina Tornai — embellish with sparkle and glitz to give lacy looks a glamorous upgrade.
2025 Bridal Trend: Capes & Coverings
Capes are the ready-to-wear trend infiltrating bridal runways this season, with brands like Francesca Miranda, Nadia Manjarrez, and Wonà Concept using sheer and embellished toppers to give their dresses the royal treatment. Other popular coverings included puff-sleeved styles seen at Milla Nova and Jaclyn Whyte, often attached to long, trailing jackets that act as detached trains for brides who might not want to be held down post-ceremony.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.
On days when we want to wear less makeup, we’d happily ditch our trusty skin tints and liquid foundations for a slick of concealer. A great one should tuck away dark circles without effort, minimize the appearance of breakouts in moments and dial down redness fast. So whenever there’s a new concealer launch, we take it upon ourselves to investigate. The latest one, Victoria Beckham x Augustinus Bader The Concealer Pen, has so much hype around it that we made sure to get our hands on it ASAP.
Victoria Beckham branched into the beauty world a while ago now — we have heard great things about Posh Balm, $32, and Satin Kajal Eyeliner, $32 — but this is the pop icon-slash-fashion-mogul’s most ambitious launch yet. The new Concealer Pen is a collaboration between Beckham and Augustinus Bader, one of the most celebrated science-backed luxury skincare brands of the moment. This concealer is available online on both Victoria Beckham and Augustinus Bader’s websites.
This concealer claims to not only cover up any blemishes without any creasing, but it’s also packed with a skin-improving formula that rejuvenates your complexion in as little as four weeks. The star ingredient is TFC8®, a technology patented by Bader that encourages skin cell renewal (more on that later). Beckham herself is a long-time fan of The Rich Cream.
With a steep retail price of $68, these are certainly bold claims — ones that our team of beauty enthusiasts were keen to unpack. Without further ado, read ahead for our honest review of this buzzy concealer pen, complete with before-and-after photos.
“At $68, it’s the most expensive concealer in my burgeoning makeup bag, and in the past, I’ve not been the biggest fan of click pen products. But it’s arguably the best concealer I’ve tried in recent years. So much so I’ve been wearing it on my entire face since I discovered it, not just on dark circles or breakouts. The texture is so different to everything else out there. It’s smooth and silky, as opposed to chalky, but the coverage is great. I’d say it’s on par with the Tarte Creamy Creaseless Concealer, $30, or NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, $32.
“Whenever I use this concealer, it makes my skin look glowy and alive. That’s all thanks to moisturizing squalane, glycerin and polyglutamic acid, which is known to be substantially more hydrating than everyone’s favorite skincare ingredient, hyaluronic acid. The big hitter, though, is TFC8®, a patented technology found in Augustinus Bader’s iconic skincare product: The Cream. This is essentially a mix of amino acids (the building blocks of skin-strengthening proteins) and various vitamins. As such, I’m convinced it’s making my skin look better underneath! If all you wear is concealer here and there, it’s absolutely worth the investment.”
“I take concealer very seriously. As someone with deep dark circles, freckles and a few pigmentation marks left from blemishes, I typically use a heavy-duty concealer such as Pat McGrath Sublime Perfection Concealer, $34, to, well, conceal. I will also use another one in a lighter shade to brighten under my eyes. I have been excited to try this Victoria Beckham x Augstinus Bader Concealer after reading the claims of a second skin-like finish and reduced dark circles in four weeks. Plus, I am a sucker for chic packaging.
“There were several deep shades to choose from, and there was a match tool, but I still struggled to match my skin and undertone with the models pictured. Shades M2 and MD1 were a touch too light for my post-vacation skin, but will be perfect for me as the weather gets colder and I inevitably get paler. The finish was a little sheer at first and the bluish tones under my eyes peaked through, so I went heavier with the application. I looked immediately brighter and rested. I love dabbing this concealer at my inner corners to make my eyes pop. I set under my eyes with a powder to prevent creasing, but I did see some creasing by the end of the evening. The brush tip is absolutely great for spot concealing; I simply dabbed the product with my finger to blend in with my skin and poof my dark spots are gone. I can’t wait to try with a darker shade for a seamless match. It’s so easy to use and conveniently sized, I want to carry it with me everywhere.”
“I got into a minor accident about eight years ago that left a small scar on my left eyelid. It’s not that noticeable unless you get super close, but I can tell it’s there, and I’ve tried every type of concealer under the sun to cover it up ever since. This concealer has done the best job by a long, long shot: The click pen disperses just the right amount of product that coats the scar and makes the discoloration all but disappear. The formula feels silky and nourishing, thanks to moisturizing ingredients like squalane (which retains moisture). I don’t feel like I’m wearing any makeup, and yet the product stays on all day.
“The shade match quiz told me that based on my everyday concealer shade, LM2 is my best match. While it’s perfect for camouflaging my eyelid scar and acne bumps around the edge of my forehead, I find that it’s a tad too dark for my cheeks and under eye area. For that, LM1 is a much better fit. For my dark circles, I think I still prefer my go-to, Kosas Revealer Concealer, $30, since I can get a decent chunk of product from the wand in one swipe and blend with my fingers. However, this concealer pen is a marvel when it comes to hiding the finer texture and blemishes that just bug you. The fact that I can simply paint over them without any blending — and get near-perfect results — is enough to persuade me to fork over the $68.”
“Thanks to my ‘there-again, gone-again’ acne cycle and reactive skin, I would call myself somewhat of a concealer aficionado. Think of any viral concealer and I’m willing to bet I’ve tried it. I am a hardcore loyalist to my Huda Beauty #Fauxfilter concealer, $31, and it takes a lot to make me reach for anything else. So, when this concealer landed on my desk, I was skeptical, to say the least — partly thanks to its price tag.
“If you can afford it, though, the formula is phenomenal. I look airbrushed and edited in real life, but not cakey. In fact, here you can see that I’ve added a splattering of faux freckles to stop my skin from looking too ‘perfect’. It even lasts through very sweaty commutes without separating, which is a pet peeve of mine. I love that it’s packed with skin-loving ingredients like amino acids, glycerin and squalane, too. It makes me feel a bit better about slathering makeup atop my already-angry skin.
“Where I think it falls is on its applicator: It’s not easy to deposit onto a separate brush. I had to put the product into a palette and then use my own brush to apply it to my acne in a bid to prevent bacteria from spreading and making my acne worse. If you also struggle with acne, it might just be too much work. My truthful verdict is this: The Concealer Pen would be the world’s best concealer if it came with a pump or doe foot applicator, with more product, and at a slightly less eye-watering price.”
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Welcome toMoney Diarieswhere we are tackling the ever-present taboo that is money. We’re asking real people how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we’re tracking every last dollar.
Today: a physician assistant who makes $127,000 per year and spends some of her money this week on a leather passport cover. If you’d like to submit your own Money Diary, you can do so via ouronline form. We pay $150 for each published diary. Apologies but we’re not able to reply to every email.
Occupation: Physician assistant Industry: Healthcare Age: 28 Location: Oregon Salary: $127,000, with the potential for about $40,000-$60,000 extra in call weekends, late pay and bonuses. Assets: HYSA: $32,500; checking: $5,500; Vanguard brokerage: $2,300; employer 401(k): $48,000; Vanguard Roth IRA: $22,000; car: about $25,000 (per Kelley Blue Book). Debt: Student loans: $13,500. Paycheck amount (2 x/month): About $3,000. Pronouns: She/her
Monthly Expenses
Housing costs: Rent: $1,350 (my half for a two-bed, two-and-a-half-bath condo I share with my boyfriend, M.). This includes utilities, wi-fi, TV and a storage unit that has a bunch of my stuff in it. Loan payments: Student loan: $800. Health insurance: $39 FSA: $1,000 for the entire year. Retirement: 17% of my paycheck. I had a lower percentage earlier this year while trying to pay down student debt but recently increased it to try and max out my 401(k) for the year. My employer matches 4% yearly. Car & rental insurance: About $500 every six months (bundled). Gas: $50 — I can walk to work most days now but still drive to the hospital one or two times a week. Phone: $0. I’m still on my mom’s plan and have offered numerous times to pay her but she always declines. Spotify: $10.99 Apple iCloud: $2.99 Disney+, Amazon, Paramount+: $0 (from my dad). Netflix: $0 (from my mom). MAX & Apple+: $0 (from M.). Savings: About $3,000 a month (this definitely varies).
Annual Expenses
Ski pass: $900
Was there an expectation for you to attend higher education? Did you participate in any form of higher education? If yes, how did you pay for it? There definitely was. I grew up in the suburbs in Colorado and my public high school had about a 95% graduation rate. My friends and I were all in AP classes and almost all of my friends went to college. My dad has his bachelor’s and went into the navy after graduating college. He eventually opened his own business and has become successful from this. My mom finished her master’s in computer science when I was a baby and has always been an advocate for women in STEM. I never really thought of another option besides college. My parents had 529s set up for my sister and me so I knew that if I went to an in-state college, I would have most (if not all) of my undergraduate education paid for. Prior to undergrad I knew I wanted to pursue a career in healthcare but I wasn’t sure if it should be as a physician assistant or MD. I applied to several BA/MD programs but did not get into any. After my first year in undergrad, I decided to move in with my mom again to save money since she offered to let me live rent-free and cover groceries. I commuted 30-45 minutes a day to my campus (on the bus) and it saved me so much money. I also worked a part-time job for all of undergrad. By the time I graduated, I still had money left in my 529 and used this for an EMT class and to help pay for grad school. I got into PA school in NYC right before the pandemic (I moved there in February 2020). My parents agreed to cover my living costs (which was HUGE given the cost of living in NYC) and I was responsible for my tuition. I had enough savings (between working during/after undergrad, money from a car crash settlement, and selling my car) that I did not need to take out loans until my last year. My total PA grad loans ended up being $41,000, which was significantly less than most of my classmates.
Growing up, what kind of conversations did you have about money? Did your parent(s)/guardian(s) educate you about finances? My parents started talking about money from a very young age. Starting around kindergarten, my parents would pay us an allowance for doing chores. My sister and I received $5 total but only got to keep $4 as the extra $1 was put away into “savings”. My parents then opened a savings account for us. Growing up, I was extremely scared to spend money; I refused to buy almost anything. I’m not really sure why — maybe because my parents kept reinforcing the idea that saving money is good and debt is bad. It was not until after undergrad that I started to feel more comfortable with spending money on myself, including on clothes, going out or travel. Although my parents had a good mindset about money, it was usually my mom who was the most savvy. She grew up low-middle class and had to pay her way through college and life. She never had savings growing up. She has worked her way up in the IT world and taught herself about stocks and real-estate investments. She could technically retire now but continues to work to help build her nest egg. She was always adamant about spending money on things she enjoys most like skiing, traveling and trips to see family. My dad has become better with money over the years but he definitely struggled after my parents’ divorce. My sister had to lend him money at times. After starting his business he became fairly successful. He states that all his assets will go to my stepmom and he plans on spending all of his money by the time he passes away (which is hopefully many decades in the future).
What was your first job and why did you get it? My first job was as a soccer referee when I was 12; this lasted about three months because the parents on the sidelines were too mean. I started babysitting shortly after that. In eighth grade, my mom moved to a new neighborhood with all new, young families. I quickly became the go-to babysitter for about 10 families. One of the families had me babysit every Friday night for about two years. I would also house-sit for families (sometimes several at a time). By the time I was 16 years old, I was basically babysitting every weekend night, plus some weeknights. I mainly did this to build up my savings because I was too scared to spend any of my money.
Did you worry about money growing up? I worried that I did not have enough money. However, in the grand scheme of things, I lived a very comfortable childhood. Looking back we were definitely upper-middle class. All of my friends received cars (usually used) for their 16th birthdays. Everyone was enrolled in extracurricular activities. We always had ski trips in the winter and beach vacations in the summer. My mom did save in other ways. We always shopped the sale racks/clearance items. I always carpooled or biked to after-school activities. I think it was my parents arguing after their divorce that gave me some negative connotations about money. My mom made more money than my dad, which definitely made him feel insecure. He was also not very good about saving his money, or at least not as good as my mom. My mom is still better off than my dad but they have both done very well for themselves.
Do you worry about money now? Yes and no. Since finishing grad school and starting my job, money has been less worrisome. After grad school I had $41,000 in student debt and $25,000 for a car loan. I paid off my car in one year and have paid off the majority of my student debt. Trying to pay off debt while maxing out 401(k)s, Roth IRAs and savings has been hard. I’ve also been spending more money on travel and things I like, since I had to sacrifice most of my personal life for the two and a half years of grad school. My biggest concern is that my boyfriend and I are not on the same page about money. I know I’m much better at saving money and paying off debt. My coworkers and friends like to discuss our salaries and job growth as most of us work in STEM or healthcare and constantly feel like we have to break the glass ceiling compared to our male counterparts.
At what age did you become financially responsible for yourself and do you have a financial safety net? At 26. I finished grad school and had the summer living at home with my mom prior to starting my job and moving to Oregon. Once I started my job I was 95% responsible for all bills and expenses. This felt like a long time coming but also hit all at once between rent, student/car loans and the cost of life in general.
Do you or have you ever received passive or inherited income? If yes, please explain. Yes, for undergrad and part of grad school. I never received an inheritance but my parents paid for all of my undergrad and NYC living costs while in grad school. I know my mom has a large net worth but I hope both of my parents live long enough that I don’t have to think about an inheritance for several more decades.
Day One: Tuesday
6:15 a.m. — Wake up after snoozing my alarm for 30 minutes. I’m the girl that sets 15 alarms five minutes apart because I struggle to get out of bed so bad. Go downstairs to start the coffee in the French press, then go back upstairs to get dressed (joggers and a comfy T-shirt) before heading back down to finish getting the coffee made. Kiss my boyfriend, M., goodbye and walk to work. Since I moved in with M. in March, my work is only a five-minute walk away. From October to March it rains, so we’ll see if I keep up this routine throughout the rest of the year.
7 a.m. — Get to work and change into scrubs. I work as an orthopedic physician assistant (PA) and today is our operating room day. We have about 10 cases and run two different rooms. I’m in charge of positioning the patient, suturing the skin and placing any splints on the patient. I also have to place medication orders and discharge orders for all patients. It’s been a while since I haven’t had a trainee working with me so the booked schedule is definitely going to make me tired. Luckily the doctor I work with is in a good mood.
11:12 a.m. — Finally have a break between cases to go to the bathroom and grab a snack/lunch. I’ve been stuck in heavy OR lead (to protect from all the X-rays we take during cases) and I am sweating! Between retracting, wearing OR gowns, and hot OR lights, I feel like I sweat out my body weight every day. Grab a Chomps stick, fruit snacks and Perfect bar to hopefully sustain me for the rest of the day. Cases have been going well overall and we have good OR banter. Fun fact: We learn that bats have nipples in their armpits — the more you know.
5:55 p.m. — Finally finish cases. We ran behind and had an add-on case that no one knew about. My body is exhausted after the day. I usually try to run three or four miles after work on Tuesdays but it is not going to happen today. M. texts and says he’s at the grocery store (thank god). Change out of scrubs and walk home.
6:45 p.m. — M. cooks quinoa bowls for dinner (he bought groceries). He’s definitely the cook out of the two of us. I have no desire to cook and could sustain myself on packaged salads and frozen Trader Joe’s food (Girl Dinner, anyone?) but he prefers to make really nice dinners. We catch up on work (he just quit his job as an ortho rep and there’s always drama to be had). We just started watching The Bear so we watch a couple episodes before bed.
10:30 p.m. — Finally head up to bed. I read a couple pages of a book I’m not interested in and scroll on Instagram for a bit, then finally get to bed around 11 p.m.
Daily Total: $0
Day Two: Wednesday
6:10 a.m. — Another day of snoozing all my alarms. Go downstairs and start the water for the French press. Get dressed in sweatpants and a shirt (it should be illegal how I show up looking for work, but no one sees me in my Crocs-sweatpants combo so I stopped caring). Kiss M. goodbye and wish him a happy two-year anniversary, then head to the main hospital for work.
7 a.m. — Get to the main hospital for another OR day. Today it’s total joint replacements (hips and knees), plus a couple of trauma add-ons. These days are also physically exhausting but luckily no 20 lb OR lead. As the assistant I’m expected to hold and retract. This basically means that I hold the legs of patients and help dislocate/reduce them. What patients don’t always understand is that I’m holding their 50-100 lb leg and manipulating. What this basically means is that my work can feel like a workout. I see the other PA that’s helping out during cases today and we catch up on life since it’s been two weeks since we’ve worked together.
3:48 p.m. — Finally get a break in the day to eat a snack. We usually try and have a quick 10-minute lunch break between patients but we’ve been too slammed today to fit one in until now. I’m pretty shaky and hungry, and scarf down an oat milk yogurt, banana and peanut butter before the next cases start. This hospital expenses all food for PAs, doctors and NPs so no cost for me.
5:07 p.m. — Finish cases. Luckily I’m not the late PA today as M. and I have our anniversary dinner tonight at a local restaurant.
7 p.m. — Head to a town just outside of where we live for dinner. The place we are going to is a family-run restaurant that is really hard to get reservations at. While on the drive there, M.’s oil light comes on, which is worrying. Earlier this summer, we were driving to Washington for a concert when his oil light came on and a full weekend adventure ensued of trying to fix a blown-out oil pan, riding in the car on the back of a tow truck (not sure if that’s legal) and driving home in 100-degree heat with no A/C for fear of stressing the engine. When we get to the restaurant there doesn’t appear to be any leaking oil. I try not to get too anxious but it definitely puts a damper on the mood. We still have a nice anniversary dinner. M. pays — we spent the past weekend on the coast and M. paid for the Airbnb but I bought food.
10 p.m. — Get home from dinner after sitting in construction traffic. I tell M. his anniversary gift is flights to Colorado for a ski trip with my mom and sister in February; he says my anniversary gift is a weekend in Portland. Head to bed, honestly too tired to do much besides immediately fall asleep.
Daily Total: $0
Day Three: Thursday
7:50 a.m. — Finally get to sleep in a little. I work four days during the week and always get Thursdays off, which is a godsend. I try to sleep in more but I’ve become pretty bad at it. Usually I try to go on a trail run on Thursday morning but my body is just not feeling it this week. I try to respect it; maybe I’ll be motivated for yoga later. M. brings me coffee in bed (my favorite) and we have a nice lazy morning.
11 a.m. — M. gets called in to drop some stuff off at the hospital. We make a game plan for the day. M. will run over to the restaurant from last night because the owner texts us letting us know we forgot half our steak. I’ll then run to Home Depot to pick up some paint for the bathrooms. We recently replaced the light fixtures and there is some ugly paint underneath. I look through the five shades of white paint buckets we have in the closet and try to find the best match. Head to Home Depot to buy some more and it sort of matches but doesn’t seem perfect. I’ll go back later next week with a paint chip to see if that works better. $15.93
4 p.m. — Time for pottery! I started making pottery in May as a way to destress and have a creative outlet. At the time, I’d just finished a half-marathon and was feeling like I needed another outlet in life. I’m absolutely hooked. I buy the classes once every two months and am halfway through this current batch. I glaze a couple of pieces, trim a couple of mugs and throw (on the wheel) what I hope will be four tumbler mugs.
8:30 p.m. — Get home from pottery and make some mac and cheese from the pantry. Also eat a couple of peaches that I got from my aunt’s peach tree. Catch up with M. and watch the reunion episode of Love is Blind UK. Despite M. protesting watching it initially, I think he secretly loves the drama and relationships. Now we just need another US season. In bed by 10 p.m. after struggling through a couple more pages of my book, which isn’t great.
Daily Total: $15.93
Day Four: Friday
5:20 a.m. — The struggle of waking up today is real. Make coffee and kiss M. goodbye. I have to go round patients admitted in the hospital from the OR two days ago. One guy is super grumpy about the nurses from yesterday and the other guy just wants me to close his blinds.
7 a.m. — Finally get to the other hospital (I work out of one surgery center and two hospitals). We normally have clinic today but once every four months we pick up a Friday at this hospital. Today is another day of total joints and my body is TIRED. I run into M. as he’s here repping a case for another surgeon — it’s always fun to see him. Today’s his last day of work and he is over it.
12 p.m. — Grab a vegan chicken salad and jerky stick from the doctors lounge for lunch. I’m feeling more laissez-faire today and not really rushing to set up cases. We have a really tough total knee replacement after lunch, luckily everything looks good by the end.
5:36 p.m. — Finally finish work. Change out of scrubs and into the sweatpants/Crocs combo I showed up in. Now it’s time to rush home as I’m getting dinner with the girls from work. We all started as PAs within two months of each other and have become pretty close over the last two years.
6:47 p.m. — End up being a little bit late and struggling to park. Two of the other girls are here so we stand in line to order tacos. I get fried tofu (delicious) as well as fried scallop (sorta good). I also order a taco for the one girl who is running late, since the line is super long now. Everyone finally arrives and we have a great night catching up. Half is catching up on personal life (engagements, babies, boyfriends), the other half is venting about work. We have high-stress jobs with patients who aren’t always happy and it can take a real mental toll. Trying to balance the personality of the surgeons, patients and other support staff can be difficult at times. We all love our jobs but can get pretty exhausted by them. $22.42
8:50 p.m. — Finally get home and chill with M. He plays video games and I catch up on YouTube videos (I do love a good vlog or Future Proof episode). I end up scrolling on Amazon and buy a new passport case on sale for $55 (for my British passport, which I got two years ago. I’ll probably just use my US passport when I go to Spain and Portugal on a family trip in October but it’s fun to have options). I also buy some hat hooks ($27) for the guest bedroom since I had a cleaning spree yesterday and need to do some reorganizing. $82
11 p.m. — Finally get to bed and PTFO.
Daily Total: $104.42
Day Five: Saturday
6:10 a.m. — It’s Saturday but it’s one of my call weekends. I do my usual morning routine but start by just wearing scrubs since I most likely won’t be in the OR. Kiss M. goodbye.
7 a.m. — Get to work and start looking at the patient list. I’m responsible for rounding on all of my practices’ patients. The other PA shows up around 7:30 a.m. and will be in the OR helping the hand surgeon as well as the trauma surgeon.
10:30 a.m. — Finish most of my rounding and talking to patients. Now I just need to write some notes. Grab some food with the other PA from the doctors lounge (kombucha and a brownie). We love free hospital food. Finish up my notes. I realize I’m also on office call and have to field the calls from patients coming in. Some need more emergent care but most just need reassurance.
12:30 p.m. — Finish up at the hospital and decide to head to Costco. It’s surprisingly empty for a Saturday — I think it’s because there’s a big college football game today. Pick up groceries, including strawberries, raspberries, avocados, two caesar salad packs, four cases of Olipop (my favorite, especially since I don’t really drink alcohol), one case of coconut water, Q-tips and two sweaters for a total of $175. I always consider it a win if I leave Costco without spending $200. I then run to get Costco gas ($30) and run into one of my coworkers who’s also getting gas. $205
1:45 p.m. — After unloading the groceries, I decide to go over and do some pottery. I’m not a member so can’t go on Sundays and they’re closed this Monday. M. is watching college football all day (which is not my favorite). I field some more office medical calls but for the most part have a great time doing pottery. I trim some of the pieces that I made on Thursday and throw a couple more pieces. Basically I’m planning ahead for Christmas gifts this year. Everyone will get a mug whether they like it or not (mainly because I don’t have space for 40 mugs in our kitchen).
5 p.m. — The pottery studio closes at 5 p.m. and I’m rushing to finish everything. I get home and M. is still watching football. He ran to the store earlier today for nacho supplies, which will also use our leftover steak from two days ago. M. makes delicious nachos; he has a beer and I have an Olipop (Olipop, please sponsor me). We finish the night watching football and the teams M. was cheering for win. Towards the end of the games I realize that a Broadway play on tour has finally released tickets. I convince M. that it’s going to be a great time and buy them. When living in NYC, I was able to go to 12 Broadway plays since I would win the lottery tickets that cost $40 or less. This is the one play that got cancelled because of COVID-19 so I’m stoked I’ve finally got tickets. $134
10 p.m. — Read a couple pages of my book (I am still struggling to get through this one). Head to bed. Hopefully no patients call me in the middle of the night.
Daily Total: $339
Day Six: Sunday
6:15 a.m. — The joy of a call weekend. Up again after snoozing alarms. Dress in scrubs, drink an exorbitant amount of coffee and head to the hospital. When I wake up I notice my neck is pretty sore. It’s been sore the last two days but holy smokes, today I can barely turn my head. I think it’s from three super-long OR days lifting heavy patients. This happens to me every four to six months but ugh, not what I want to deal with today.
7 a.m. — Get to work going over the patient list and rounding on patients. Same deal as yesterday. The neck gets a little more loose throughout the day but still isn’t great.
10:30 a.m. — Finish notes and rounding. Call is way too easy this weekend. Normally I work until 3 p.m. and cover cases at another hospital but I’ll take it. Grab a kombucha and jerky on the way out from the doctors lounge and head home.
10:45 a.m. — Get home and put a heating pad on my neck. Try to do some yoga exercises. Complain to M. about my sore neck. We’re planning for another chill day. He decides to go golf (his main outlet for fun/stress when not training for marathons/triathlons). He’s been pretty stressed with the job change coming up so I encourage getting out and blowing off some steam.
1 p.m. — Eat some caesar salad from Costco and try to continue to massage out my neck. I decide that some movement will help so I go on a three-mile walk along the river while listening to Girls Gotta Eat (my favorite podcast). Walking and stretching the shoulder and neck helps a little but it’s still pretty sore. When I get home I decide to organize our camping stuff and spare closet. I’m trying to make the spare bedroom less of a disaster zone and a place where I can hopefully do yoga this winter.
5 p.m. — M. gets home from golf and goes to pick up some groceries. He’s trying to replicate a meal we had on the coast last weekend. He ends up making salmon with peaches, poblano peppers and mozzarella. It’s delicious by the time we eat, which is around 8 p.m. I try to always do the dishes when he cooks (usually there’s a lot). When motivated, I cook once a week, but I’ve been slacking this week. Our dishwasher is also broken and won’t be replaced for another week so there’s even more dishes than normal.
8:30 p.m. — Turn on a couple episodes of The Bear (such an anxiety-inducing show but so good). I make myself some tea in one of my handmade mugs, which makes me happy.
10 p.m. — Turn on the heating pad for my neck and read a couple of pages. Off to bed.
Daily Total: $0
Day Seven: Monday
6:10 a.m. — Wake up after a couple of snoozed alarms and holy smokes, my neck is stiffer than yesterday. Turn on the water for coffee and google YouTube videos on how to stretch the neck out. Put on some Voltaren gel (my go-to NSAID gel that is technically for arthritis), hoping if nothing else it has some placebo effect. Chug the coffee and kiss M. goodbye. It’s Labor Day and M. is technically unemployed so he gets to sleep in.
7 a.m. — Go over the patient list and round on some patients. Consent a patient for surgery tomorrow. Try to banter with the surgeon but I struggle every time. He’s always so serious and I only talk to him once every couple of months. I wonder if it’s me who’s awkward or him.
10:30 a.m.. — Finish work early again. Grab a kombucha and brownie from the doctors lounge before heading out. At least it’s been a fairly low-key weekend and people haven’t gotten seriously injured.
10:45 a.m. — Decide to go to TJ Maxx on the way home for shampoo. Next thing you know I’m buying some 5 lb weights for yoga sculpt, 1 lb ankle weights for yoga, two types of shampoo and four bags of artisanal coffee. I’m trying to have a low-buy year to help pay off my student loans and finally be debt-free. However, I also want to maximize my health workouts, especially when it gets dark and rainy during the winter. I justify most purchases by seeing how much I saved compared to the normal price. $75
12 p.m. — Get home and M. has the tent set up in the bedroom, lol, what in the heck. He says he wants to go on a three-day backpacking trip that he’s been wanting to do for years. Now that he’s technically unemployed for about a week, this is his chance to do it. He’s never actually gone backpacking — only car camping — but I encourage him that this is going to be great and exactly what he needs. I pull out all my backpacking stuff that I’ve accumulated and we make a list of things we need from REI.
2 p.m. — Well, so much for my low-buy year. We divide and conquer at REI. At least they have a sale. I buy some fuel for the jet boil, biodegradable soap, Patagonia Baggies shorts (on sale) and some compressible packing cubes for my trip to Spain and Portugal. At the register I double-check the price of the packing cubes because they’re supposed to be on sale, which they are. When I leave and look at the receipt I realize they forgot to charge me for one of the cubes. My guilty conscience says I should go back and tell them but I also don’t want to spend more money, especially since I’m currently failing at my low-buy year. M. gets some socks, a compass, map, eating utensils and backpacking food, which he buys himself. We get home and he gets to organizing. $70
2:30 p.m. — Decide to veg out at home. Put the heating pad on my sore neck. Contemplate going for a run but decide I’ll just run tomorrow and try to rest my neck some more. Contemplate doing more core in the future and look up better ergonomics for posture and so on to not repeat the neck dilemma. Watch YouTube videos and have a catchup phone call with my mom to go over some Spain and Portugal planning.
6:30 p.m. — Cook up some Trader Joe’s ramen that I find in the pantry. The living room is a little bit of a disaster with M.’s backpacking stuff. He says he may leave tomorrow or the next day. I become a blob on the couch and drink my daily allotment of Olipop (I’m hooked). Watch a couple episodes of The Bear.
10 p.m. — Heating pad on and book read. This week was exhausting and the neck thing is annoying me. Time to rest up before another surgery day tomorrow.
Daily Total: $145
The Breakdown
Money Diaries are meant to reflect an individual’s experience and do not necessarily reflect Refinery29’s point of view. Refinery29 in no way encourages illegal activity or harmful behavior.
The first step to getting your financial life in order is tracking what you spend — to try on your own, check outour guide to managing your money every day. For more Money Diaries, clickhere.
Do you have a Money Diary you’d like to share? Submit it with ushere.
Have questions about how to submit or our publishing process? Read our Money Diaries FAQ dochereor email us here.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.
While some people wish never to recall early 2000s trends, to this day my inner pre-teen clings to the skirt-over-jeans look. Protest all you want, but there’s something so right about Ashley Tisdale in a sequin mini skirt and matching ballet flats, bridged by baggy boot-cut jeans.
The Y2K trend has gradually returned to mainstream fashion over the last few years, but it remains as polarizing as the skinny jeans debate (which is also turning on its head, by the way). Our cultural consensus swings from skirts-over-jeans being cool to it being a total layering faux pas. But as seen with this year’s capri pants renaissance, it’s often the most divisive trends that make the best outfits.
The fall/winter 2024 runways proved its sartorial power, with Paloma Wool and Conner Ives pairing bubble skirts with pants, and Marques’ Almeida styling a mini dress on top of wide-leg jeans. For spring/summer 2025, Chopova Lowena and Diesel’s runways were masterclasses in double-denim looks, while Bottega Veneta previewed midi skirts over pants, too.
Besides being designer-approved, wearing a skirt over jeans also has practical benefits. The additional layer extends the wear of your summer skirts, keeping you warmer than tights. By blending feminine and flowy styles with casual bottoms, you can transform both items for any occasion, from the office to a night out.
For tips and inspiration for this nostalgic layering hack, scroll on to discover the four ways I’m styling skirts over jeans this fall.
How To Wear A Midi Skirt Over Jeans
Start with a midi skirt over jeans if you’re dipping your toe into the trend: The longer length allows for more styling freedom. I was inspired by Chopova Lowena’s pleated skirt styling and paired a knee-length kilt with oversized jeans for this off-duty ‘fit. While the outfit would have been pretty classic without the jeans, the added layer gives it the perfect laid-back vibes for casual weekend plans.
How To Style A Skirt Over Printed Jeans
Print-clashing can be daunting but thanks to the eclectic styling of this trend, bold pattern choices work well. Here, I paired a Marine Serre tartan mini skirt that I got from Depop with my faithful leopard-print jeans to achieve a rebellious schoolgirl look. Keep it simple with neutrals everywhere else to avoid the existential crisis vibes.
How To Style A Mini Dress Over Jeans
I know, I know: A mini dress isn’t technically a skirt — but tell me this doesn’t have the same indie-inspired impact. I love this party dress from the Turkish brand Maksu, but rarely have an opportunity to wear it. By adding jeans and a motorcycle jacket, I can dress it down for various occasions and wear it more often throughout the year.
How To Wear A Skirt Over Metallic Jeans
This combination of a black mini with metallic pants proves a skirt over jeans can be dressed up, too. By styling with dark neutrals throughout the rest of the outfit, you can ensure your jeans (and you) will be the star of the show. Pair with pointed-toe shoes to elevate the look.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
When you’re a person online, your audience has a front-row seat to your evolution.
Take the case of Jadé Marie — you might better recognize her by her online alias, JadeyWadey180 on Instagram and YouTube. The now holistic esthetician launched her career in beauty at 19 years old, sharing dramatic makeup transformations on YouTube and Instagram — false eyelashes, contour, the whole nine. She moved from Utah to L.A., grew her followers to over a million, and did the beauty influencer thing (brand trips, PR hauls, etc.). Then in late 2019, Jadé looked in the mirror and didn’t recognize herself. She realized the glam content and online persona she’d built for over a decade no longer resonated, so she endeavored to rebrand.
Jadé describes her rebranding — she’s dropped the makeup entirely and is now a full-time esthetician specializing in holistic skincare — as a “coming home” to herself. Before anyone knew her as JadeyWadey, the makeup artist and influencer, Jadé was an esthetician in Utah. After graduating from cosmetology school, she worked in holistic wellness spas and clinical studios and learned about skincare (really, the base of makeup). But this happened to be the early 2010s, Instagram was still new, and makeup content was trending — people wanted the dramatic before and afters.
“I’d share my skincare tips in my YouTube videos, but I didn’t feel like it was popping off at the time,” explains Jadé of the early days of beauty influencing on Instagram and YouTube. Makeup though? Her followers couldn’t get enough. As a savvy young entrepreneur and talented artist, Jadé followed the opportunities. “It was like this overnight transformation where JadeyWadey, really took off,” she says. “So for 10 years, I focused on the makeup side of things.”
Here, Jadé opens up to R29 about the “really big pivot” that changed her life and career, how being online eroded her sense of self, the wellness tips she learned in her journey back, and how they influenced her to create her skincare brand, JADÉ Complexions.
What was it like being an OG beauty influencer? How did being online at such a young age affect your self-perception?
When I moved to L.A., I felt pressured to stay up with always looking glamorous and covering myself with makeup. I always struggled with this idea of perfection. When you’re on social media at a super young age, it does something to you. There are all these filters, FaceTune. You fall into this place where you have to keep up appearances. With makeup and enhancements, I tried to mirror what I thought I looked like online. But in my real life, it wasn’t who I was.
You say you experienced a “really big pivot” in your life. What was that change?
I was deep in the beauty industry — and this was right before 2020 — and I got to a point where I did not recognize myself anymore. I felt like I needed a total rebranding to get back to the core of why I got into the industry in the first place, which was to help other people feel comfortable in their own skin. Ironically, the more popular I was online, the less comfortable I felt in my skin.
“The more popular I was online, the less comfortable I felt in my skin. ”
Jadé Marie
What practices and lifestyle changes helped you get back to yourself?
I retreated for a bit. I was less focused on social media because I felt that taking care of myself was the most important thing. I started to dabble in mental health practices: meditation, affirmation, and holistic practices that I was taught at a young age when I first learned about skincare. I became plant-based. I did a 180. The transformation was so extreme; I saw it in my skin but in my mind, too. I was like, how can I get this methodology out to other people?
How do you infuse these mindfulness and mental health practices into your facials?
In my private skincare studio in West Hollywood, I have a Signature 180 Facial that starts with breathwork. I play a meditation. There’s also a sound bath. It’s more than a facial, it’s an experience for the skin and the senses.
What does your social media content look like today?
I knew it would be a big risk to do a whole pivot because people followed me for the makeup, but my passion and first love has always been skincare. So bringing that back and reviving the esthetician side of my career was honestly like coming home to myself. In my YouTube series, I talk about meditation and all the aspects that helped me on my own personal journey, mixed with skin education.
“I knew it would be a big risk to do a whole pivot because people followed me for the makeup, but my passion and first love has always been skincare.”
Jadé Marie
What’s your skincare routine?
I’ve never felt that you need a 10-step routine. I’m a big believer in getting facial treatments and doing them yourself. Through my YouTube series, I teach viewers how to do at-home facial treatments with minimal products. I’m a big believer in having an amazing exfoliator to help resurface dead skin cells and help with cell turnover. I love having an oil for self-massage, and a gua sha tool.
My little brother Stephen. He was dealing with a bunch of different skincare concerns: cystic acne, uneven texture, clogged pores, hyperpigmentation. I would give him facials once a month, but his skin wasn’t getting better. So I started mixing him custom blends. Over time, this little mask formula I made was helping his skin so much. I was like, ‘We might have something here.’ I never thought I was going to be creating a brand. But from the results I saw with my brother’s skin, I knew I wanted to help other people with similar concerns.
It’s a physical and chemical exfoliant. On the physical side, it has a gentle amount of baltic gem powder, a tree resin that helps polish away dead skin cells. On the chemical side, it has glycolic and salicylic acid to help with brightening, acne, and breakouts. I also found this unique algae called Jade Alga, sourced from France, that’s very hydrating. [Ed note: The Facial Polish comes with an affirmation: ‘I am ready to shed what no longer serves me. I welcome softness.’]
How do you use the polish?
I use the facial polish as a 10-minute mask two times a week, at night. It smooths out uneven texture, dissolves pore congestion in clogged areas like the T-zone, and helps alleviate breakouts quickly. You could also use it as a pimple spot treatment or a clarifying cleanser, mixing this with an oil cleanser to enhance your cleanse experience.
Exfoliation is so important if you want your other products to penetrate and work into your skin. If you layer serums and oils on top of dead skin cells, they’re not going deep enough into the epidermis to do anything for you to see results.
You have over a decade of experience as a makeup artist. So I’m curious, what does your makeup routine look like now?
It’s honestly become very simplified, because of this product. In the past, I struggled with breakouts and clogged pores, so I felt the need to add a ton of glamour. People probably miss the glam stuff I used to do…but now I love a good glowy, dewy tinted sunscreen look, minimal eye makeup, and lip balm.
What advice would you offer young beauty influencers today? What would you want them to take away from your experience?
I’m very open about speaking about the negative effects that social media can have. I think the biggest thing is to be authentic and not feel like you have to change yourself. The world needs that. The world needs to see the true us, unveiled and unhidden.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
On your mark, get set, go! The next several weeks are going to be super exciting and thrilling. Venus enters Sagittarius on October 17 (staying in the fire sign until November 11), giving us rizz and bringing exuberance to our lives. This is a time full of chance, truth and inspiration in both romance and money matters.
Venus in Sagittarius is a daredevil when it comes to making investments. Always looking on the bright side of situations, Venus in Sagittarius is often too optimistic about financial planning. Positivity can backfire and they may not know when to stop betting against the house. Venus in Sagittarius must set a limit and boundary regarding how much they want to lose, because they often gamble.
Venus in Sagittarius is also extraordinarily generous; they might want to help those in need without questions. If a friend requires a loan during this transit, it’s essential to define the terms clearly or even create a contract to understand how and when they plan to repay you. It is necessary to have the agreement set in place because Venus in Sagittarius can lose money as fast as they make it due to their generous nature, and then promptly forget about money-related matters.
Venus in Sagittarius focuses on the here and now, not the future. Being present and mindful is vital to their essence, which explains their impulsive spending habits. Spending money on experiences like travel, education and extravagant meals is essential to Venus in Sagittarius. They may not buy flowers or send frivolous gifts — but they’ll treat you to the front row of a Taylor Swift concert. All the more reason why saving cash is hard for Venus in Sagittarius. But at least they have bragging rights when sharing their stories and can enjoy the moment.
Regarding matters of the heart, Venus in Sagittarius is more of a “love the one you’re with” type. Rather than force a partnership to form, this astrological transit urges us to focus on who wants to be with us and relationships that are easy. Yes, Venus in Sagittarius will fight with their lover, but they don’t like nonstop drama. A significant other or crush who isn’t high maintenance allows them to commit easily (noteworthy, considering this placement is hard to pin down). Venus in Sagittarius wants a co-pilot in life who’ll run wild with them and be 100% real with them. Venus in Sagittarius is in it to win it.
When it comes to amorous affairs in the boudoir, Venus in Sagittarius doesn’t hold back. They are honest about what pleases them and do not like frills. Sexting and foreplay are big turn-ons; however, a small amount of pre-sex mystery will increase their passion. Anticipation is key for every adventure, including the sensual ones.
Enjoy the exciting days ahead by leaning into your desires. Life will feel like a never-ending party so try to ground your energy and keep your head out of the clouds. Focus on what you wish to attain and give to others during Venus’ journey in Sagittarius.
Important Dates
October 17: Venus enters Sagittarius, starting a nearly three-week-long adventure, fun and extravagance in love and money.
October 22: Venus in Sagittarius connects with the Nodes of Destiny, uniting us with people who’ll play an essential role in our future. This is a time to make fated relationship decisions.
October 28: Venus in Sagittarius squares Saturn retrograde in Pisces, limiting our spending and restricting our emotions. Our confidence may flounder so try to do something nice for yourself today.
November 3: Venus in Sagittarius opposes Jupiter retrograde in Gemini, heightening our desires. Luck is in the air, making matters seem more accessible than ever.
November 3: Venus in Sagittarius harmonizes with centaur Chiron retrograde in Aries, helping us heal our wounds and augment the past.
November 9: Venus in Sagittarius aspects Neptune retrograde in Pisces, making us feel more sensitive. We may trust others easily, spend cash without thinking clearly, or enter relationships. Be careful of the moves you make.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Now that the eclipses are finally over, we can lean into the first full moon of fall. And it won’t disappoint in the drama department. If theatrics are what’s desired, then an Oscar is coming your way. October 17’s full moon in Aries is going to bring you chills, thrills and messiness. We might even get whiplash from the twists and turns this lunation brings our way. Be forewarned: The full moon is coming in hot!
Since the blood moon rises in the zodiac sign Aries, it will make us powerful and assertive — especially since the lunation connects with the action planet Mars, expansive Jupiter and transformative Pluto. All these planets, combined with the moon, will push us to move forward with our lives. Since the eclipses, we may have been stuck contemplating, resolving matters or elevating situations. The full moon gives us the drive and determination to make the necessary changes to release the garbage standing in our way towards attaining greatness. To paraphrase Sabrina Carpenter, it’ll be hard for us to relate to desperation, as we will be bold and defiant.
The full moon is going to be intense. A lot of residual emotions that have been lingering in our hearts over the past several months will finally come out. This isn’t a time in which we’ll want to hold back. We may over-express ourselves and say things we might regret. Don’t allow yourself to get caught up in the should-haves, could-haves and would-haves you’ll feel during the blood moon. Everything you express and let out is part of the universe’s divine plan to help you move into a better state of being. It may not feel like it when it’s occurring, but it’ll allow us to evolve and transcend on a better path.
Later in the day, Venus enters fiery Sagittarius. The planet of love, confidence and money-shifting signs will infuse us with the passion and desire to improve our situations. We will no longer feel as though we have to hide from facing reality. We’ll march towards realness and certainty with strength and ferocity. We might decide to take steps towards rebuilding our foundation and creating a better sense of self due to Venus in Sagittarius adding an adventure to our sphere and allowing us to see that the possibilities in which we proceed are endless as long as we do so with optimism in attaining our goals.
The first matter of business is changing the dynamic with ourselves. Being the first sign of the zodiac gives Aries self-reliance and confidence; therefore, it’s time for us to reshape how we treat and talk to ourselves. Stating positive affirmations in front of a mirror and stopping negative self-talk is essential. Choose words that describe how incredible you are. Repeat this activity twice a day to comprehend the goodness and positivity running through your body. The objective is to start practicing a more tender and loving way of caring for ourselves, and doing this practice will help.
The next step is making a list of what is serving us and what is not. Anything or anyone that falls short of fabulous should be cut. We are focusing on what is incredible and extraordinary about ourselves and how we can bring that energy into our lives, so ridding ourselves of those people and situations that are creating negativity or holding us back is essential to our growth as individuals.
Lastly, don’t forget to satisfy the urges of your inner child, and be aware that the Aries full moon might bring up more issues from our youth. To deal with these sentiments, we must indulge our personalities’ fussy and temperamental sides. Treat yourself to something enjoyable that you’ve always wanted to do. If you plan on having a day for yourself, make sure you have arts and crafts or other hobbies available to satisfy your curiosity. With time, your inner child will thrive when confronted with situations that trigger it.
As always, giving yourself the love and light you deserve is essential. Be kind and gentle to your tender heart, and allow yourself to be vulnerable. Letting out your feelings will benefit you so don’t hold them in. Allow yourself the energetic release you need.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Welcome toMoney Diarieswhere we are tackling the ever-present taboo that is money. We’re asking real people how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we’re tracking every last dollar.
Today: an airline pilot who makes $255,000 per year and spends some of her money this week on Loro Piana shoes from the Pearl Market in Beijing (which started to fall apart almost instantly).
If you’d like to submit your own Money Diary, you can do so via ouronline form. We pay $150 for each published diary. Apologies but we’re not able to reply to every email.
Editor’s Note: Prices converted from CNY and EUR to USD via Google. Conversion rates correct at time of writing.
Occupation: Airline pilot Industry: Aviation Age: 33 Location: San Francisco, California Salary: $255,000 Assets: Checking: $48,500; savings (high yield): $17,500; Roth IRA: $60,000; 401(k): $164,500; various brokerage accounts/traditional IRAs/misc: $385,000. Debt: $36,800 (new Tesla, 1.99% APR, made more sense to take out a car loan than pay with cash). Paycheck amount (bimonthly): Varies, average: $5,500. Pronouns: She/her
Monthly Expenses
Housing costs: $2,275 rent. Loan payments: $541.49 (new car payment — first one due this month!). Utilities & water: ~$120
Wi-fi: $50 Gym membership: $30 Spotify: $18 (I pay for my family). Phone: $80 (T-Mobile is the best for global travelers IMO). Streaming platforms: $0 (my sister covers the family. I tend to only use Hulu these days).
Was there an expectation for you to attend higher education? Did you participate in any form of higher education? If yes, how did you pay for it? Yes, I believe there was always an expectation that I would attend higher education. But when I graduated high school, I found myself confused and uncertain about the future. I had no real sense of what the real world was like — in my mind, it seemed like an exhausting rat race of “living for the weekend” with no clear way out. Being risk averse, I was determined not to take on a lot of debt. I chose a local college and simultaneously studied/worked as a server. All 50ish of my high school AP credits transferred over, allowing me to complete a four-year undergraduate degree in just three years. My parents assisted me financially, since their parents had done the same for them. We split the bill 50/50. At the same time, I discovered a passion for flying, which sparked a new direction for me. Eventually, all my discretionary income would go to flight time.
Growing up, what kind of conversations did you have about money? Did your parent(s)/guardian(s) educate you about finances? Growing up in a middle-class family, with my dad as the primary breadwinner, we were taught to be mindful of money. Frugality was a core value in our household but looking back, I think my siblings and I were raised well because we never seemed to ask for much. My parents did a great job making sure we had everything we needed. Additionally, as a kid, I spent most of my time reading (library books are freeeeeee).
What was your first job and why did you get it? My first real job was at a pizza place when I turned 18, and it was terrible! I quickly learned everything not to do when running a restaurant. The owners who had bought the franchise were always watching us on the TV cameras from the comfort of their home (creepy), management was a mess, my hours were constantly getting cut and the drama among staff was nonstop. Eventually, even fate seemed to agree that the pizza place had to go. Just a few months into my time there, a rogue tornado tore through the shopping center and leveled the restaurant. I got the news when my poor friend and coworker, who had taken shelter in the walk-in, called to inform me not to come in for my shift that day.
Did you worry about money growing up? I’ve always been the kind of person who’s generally content with what I have. As a kid, I never worried about money. But once I moved out and started paying rent, I began to realize just how essential money is to daily life. The bills seemed endless — I had no idea it was so expensive to live! That’s when I made up my mind: I wanted to earn more money so I could avoid the constant stress and uncertainty that come with financial strain.
Do you worry about money now? No, because I keep a good amount of liquidity on hand. I try to spend more money on people/experiences than on material possessions. Also, I spend a TON of money on projects, investments and personal growth. People ask me if I’m ever going to buy a house, and my answer is always “not in California!”
At what age did you become financially responsible for yourself and do you have a financial safety net? Once I turned 19, I moved out of my parents’ house and found an apartment with my best friend. It was a two-bedroom/two-bathroom and at any one time we’d have four or five women staying there to make the rent cheaper (I would pay $200-$300 a month, which was a lot at the time). I was going to school, working and (eventually) starting flight lessons, so I always had a lot on my plate. I would consider that the pivotal moment in which I became financially responsible for myself, but I did have the safety net of being able to move back into my parents’ house if I needed to. Additionally, I stayed on my parents’ health insurance plan for a couple more years.
Do you or have you ever received passive or inherited income? If yes, please explain. No.
Day One: Sunday
4:30 a.m. — I wake up in Beijing feeling like a million bucks. For the record, I am not an early riser. Usually, if I’m up at this hour, I’m sleep-deprived and in desperate need of caffeine. On this particular morning, my internal clock is still on San Francisco time. We landed in Beijing yesterday afternoon and despite my intention for a quick nap, I ended up passing out cold, another victim of the seductive comforts of a hotel room after a long flight.
5 a.m. — I check my phone and decide to call my best friend, S. As we chat, I glance out the window and see rain coming down hard — good thing I postponed my Great Wall of China adventure. August is still monsoon season and the rain hasn’t let up since we arrived. I head down to the enormous hotel gym that has me, a workout enthusiast, feeling like a kid in a candy store. I hop on the treadmill for a 5k run. The screen is all in Mandarin but thankfully treadmills are pretty universal — I can easily figure out the basics: calories (卡路里), distance (距离), heart rate (心率).
7 a.m. — Post-workout, I’m ready to devour breakfast. For $20 (¥150), it’s basically an all-you-can-eat passport to breads, congee, sushi and Western staples like eggs, waffles and pastries. The currency here is RMB (renminbi), which translates to “people’s currency” in Mandarin. I was confused at first because I thought the currency was the yuan (CNY). Apparently “yuan” refers specifically to the unit but most people just refer to it as renminbi. The exchange rate is roughly 7:1 (7.11 CNY = 1 USD). $20
9:30 a.m. — I hear that the Pearl Market is a must-see, and it’s indoors, so one of my colleagues and I grab a taxi — a quick 20-minute ride costs just $4.92 (¥35). This market has a rich history as one of the go-to places for both locals and tourists seeking high-quality pearls, jewelry, various electronics, clothing and souvenirs. You don’t have to say much for the vendor to take you aside and shuffle you into a backroom full of bags, shoes and clothing bearing a striking resemblance to high-end luxury brands. This is the real thrill of the Pearl Market. Although I’m not much of a shopper, I can’t resist a lululemon jacket ($16.88/ ¥120), earrings ($28.14/ ¥200), and a pair of black Loro Piana suede mules ($49.24/ ¥350) which retail in the States for $950. I walk away feeling like I got a good deal, even though I know the quality can be dubious to say the least. $99.18
2 p.m. — The taxi ride back to the hotel costs $4.01 (¥28.48) and we quickly change, repack and meet downstairs with the rest of the crew for the van ride back to the airport. Time to go to work! I snag some Chinese pastries to bring back to the US ($15.55/ ¥110.50). $19.56
5:30 p.m. — The 11.5-hour return flight is notably quieter and less dramatic than our trip to China, where one passenger downed over 800ml of duty-free whiskey in three hours, putting us nearly at risk of a diversion. (As far as I know, he is doing alright.)
Daily Total: $138.74
Day Two: Monday
2 p.m. — Modern aviation is, in a sense, a time machine. We take off from Beijing at 5:30 p.m. on a Monday and land in San Francisco three and a half hours earlier. Whenever I touch down in a place earlier than when I took off, it creates the illusion that we have somehow cheated time and reversed the clock. It’s a bit of a mind-bender.
3 p.m. — After clearing customs and doing the quick stroll to my car, I am home in no time. I am ecstatic to see that a package is waiting for me by my door — a mobile charger for my new Tesla! After four years in the Bay Area, I joke that the transformation is now complete.
4 p.m. — It doesn’t take long to install the 110V mobile charger and by that time, I am ready for bed. Usually, I try to be productive in my post-flight zombie state — cleaning the bathrooms or going for a light jog — but today, even that feels ambitious. Instead, I pass out to an episode of Bob’s Burgers and sleep straight through the alarm I’d set for a salsa class. Clearly, rest was what I needed most.
7:30 p.m. — When I finally wake up, there are just 20 minutes of daylight left, so I take a quick walk through the neighborhood. I chat with my good friend B. along the way. Back home, I prep mocha overnight oats, unwind with some chess puzzles, and listen to a podcast before drifting off to sleep once again.
Daily Total: $0
Day Three: Tuesday
7 a.m. — I wake to my alarm blaring, signaling the start of a big day: It’s the day I sell my beloved 2012 Toyota Corolla. I purchased the vehicle five years ago in Texas, for $8,500 cash. While it’s difficult to part with, I must admit the wear and tear has finally taken its toll. Years of being parked under the scorching Texas sun, followed by the salty air of San Francisco Bay, have left the bright Barcelona red paint job peeling and faded. Despite my affection for the car, ongoing engine misfires coupled with the shoddy paint finally convinced me that it was time to move on and purchase my dream car. A week ago, I took delivery of a red Tesla Model 3.
8:30 a.m. — I have an appointment today at a car dealership in San Jose. After a few bites of overnight oats, I head outside, determined to make my car shine. Though I already vacuumed the car last week, I spend a good hour washing the windows, spot-cleaning the interior and checking all the hidden compartments to ensure I don’t leave anything behind. The paint may be far from perfect but I want the car to reflect the care I’ve put into it over the years.
By 11 a.m. the sale is done. (I don’t waste time shopping the car around different dealerships, having already received several quotes last week.) After some negotiation, we agree on $4,800 and an Uber ride to the nearest Caltrain station. As my car heads to auction, I make my way back home, content with the outcome.
12 p.m. — It is my first time riding the Caltrain ($8.25) and while I’m not exactly a train enthusiast, I thoroughly enjoy the ride. Driving up and down the peninsula is my norm, so it is refreshing to see familiar landmarks from a different perspective. Since I am alone in the train car, I take the opportunity to cancel my Corolla’s insurance, saving me some money. I arrive at my neighborhood station and, with the sun shining and a sense of accomplishment, I walk the remaining mile home. $8.25
1:30 p.m. — After a profitable morning, I am starving. With the fridge empty from my recent trip, I head out to Guerrero’s Taquería in Pacifica for a breakfast burrito ($17.09) — a massive meal that usually lasts me two sittings. Once home, I spend the afternoon focused on work stuff. $17.09
3:30 p.m. — Catch up with my bestie, S., again. We make plans for me to visit her later this week during a Paris layover. Once the call is over, I dive back into work and lose track of time.
6:45 p.m. — I decide to break free and get some fresh air with a run outside. Much like yesterday, daylight is fading quickly, so I plug in my earbuds, queue up my salsa/bachata playlist and hit the trail. Occasionally, when the path is empty, I find myself singing aloud when I run. As the sun sets, it casts a golden glow over the hills and I have one of those classic “pinch me” moments. The beauty of California is almost worth the high cost of living — almost.
7:45 p.m. — I manage to complete a four-mile run before it gets too dark. On the way home, I call my mom to share the good news about selling the Corolla. I spend the rest of the evening winding down with some light chores — dishes, oatmeal prep for tomorrow morning, etc.
10:30 p.m. — I get into bed and start scrolling through dog training videos (though I don’t own a dog) and playing chess, finally dozing off around midnight.
Daily Total: $25.34
Day Four: Wednesday
5 a.m. — I spend a solid two hours snoozing my alarm before finally dragging myself out of bed. I am hoping for another productive day like yesterday, though I only have half a day to knock out errands. This afternoon I am scheduled to operate a flight to Paris, France (Charles de Gaulle).
7 a.m. — I grab my oatmeal from the fridge and brew a cup of Persian tea. I have a Zoom call with A., my business partner, which lasts a good 45 minutes. We discuss an upcoming conference, product details, contract manufacturers and other miscellaneous items. [Clarification: As yet, there’s no income to report from this venture.]
10:30 a.m. — Time to run errands. I make stops at the dry cleaners, Salvation Army, Daiso ($51.34) and 85 Degrees Bakery ($16.94). After all that, I head home and prepare for the trip to Paris. I repack my bag (which, in all reality, I never unpack) and head out to the airport. $68.28
1 p.m. — Once at SFO airport, I swing by Klein’s Deli and order a mission sandwich ($18.58) — roast turkey, Pepper Jack cheese, avocado, red onion, lettuce, tomato and special sauce on ciabatta, toasted, as per usual. In hindsight, I’m not sure why I got it toasted, since I plan to eat it in flight and it will have cooled down by then. $18.58
2:40 p.m. — Off to Paris! With three pilots, we rotate breaks. Unfortunately, as the “bunkie,” I have the first break and, as often happens, I can’t sleep at 3 in the afternoon. Instead, I stay up working on my computer and listening to Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History podcast. Eventually I lie down to rest, setting an alarm just in case I doze off, but sleep never comes.
5:40 p.m. — Once my break ends, I return to the flight deck and the other first officer goes back for his rest. Nine hours later, we shoot the approach into Paris CDG airport with 500’ ceilings (this is an aviation term: it means the cloud bases were 500 feet), decent visibility and light rain — a not-too-uncommon welcome to the City of Light.
Daily Total: $86.86
Day Five: Thursday
9:15 a.m. — We arrive in Paris. Next challenge is getting to the hotel. Our company-arranged transportation takes us counter-clockwise along the périph from CDG airport to Montparnasse (14ème arrondissement). I’ve had the ride take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours. Today, we are lucky. Only one and a half hours.
12 p.m. to 7 p.m. — I catch up on some much-needed rest, sleeping for about seven hours. Around the time I wake up, my bestie, S., arrives. Every time I’m in Paris, we try to meet up. On this occasion, she has arranged a little meetup with friends. I get dressed, slipping into the Loro Piana shoes I got from the Pearl Market in Beijing. I notice that the soles are already starting to look worn. How could they be falling apart so soon? I’m reminded of the saying, “Fast, good, and cheap: Pick two.”
7:50 p.m. — We start getting ready. Just before heading out, I remember I am on a mission — I need to pick up sunscreen for my business partner back in the U.S. I rush to a nearby pharmacy ($71.87/ €64.78) and make it just in time, about 10 minutes before they close. Thankfully, I know exactly what I need to buy. $71.87
8 p.m. — We run back to the hotel to meet up with S.’ friends and start exploring the area for dinner. We find a food hall, called Food Society Paris, which has a variety of options: sushi, empanadas, fried food and more. The setup is modern and efficient — order on your phone, pay and get notified when your food is ready. Quite a nice concept ($22.19/ €20). I opt for a flight of empanadas (onion, beef, and chicken) and a four-cheese pizza, though I quickly realize my eyes were bigger than my stomach. We spend the next couple of hours eating, laughing and enjoying great conversation. $22.19
9 p.m. — The sun has set and Paris’ vibrant nightlife is in full swing. The four of us stroll through the city, talking and taking in the atmosphere. Then something unexpected happens. Someone gasps, and we look down to see a thick leather wallet lying on the ground. S. reaches down and picks up the wallet. Inside, we find an ID card, a Carte Vitale (health insurance card), credit cards and more. The name on the ID is “A.” We can’t find a phone number; however, the address on her ID is only a five-minute walk away, according to Google maps. Determined to return the wallet, we head to the address. When we get there, the building resembles a classic Parisian apartment — a discreet entrance, code-protected, on a quiet street. We knock on the door but get no response. Not that surprising. Generally, le rez-de-chaussée (the ground floor/reception area of a building) has an area for mail and an elevator (or staircase) and that’s about it. We gaze up, trying to see if anyone is home. Only one unit has lights on. We call out “A.! A.!” to no avail. We wait for a neighbor to come out or go in, but no such luck. It is so aggravating to be so close and yet so far from solving the puzzle. At this point, we are all invested in the mystery of this lady and her missing wallet. Just as S. suggests we give up and turn the wallet into the police, the light on the ground floor flickers on. Someone is there. We pound on the door again and this time a man appears, looking quite surprised to see us. In a flurry of French conversation, we realize he is talking to someone on speakerphone, and when we glance down at the phone in his hand, we see the name “A.” on the screen. We found her. Great success! “A.,” he says, “Come back! These four young people have found your wallet!” We wait outside the apartment and within minutes we see her coming down the road towards us. She is wearing glasses, her brown hair longer now, but she is clearly the person on the ID card. She explains that she must have lost her wallet earlier that evening on her way to a book signing. She thinks it slipped out as she reached into her purse for cigarettes. Her husband mutters that it might be a sign to quit smoking. With the mystery solved, we say goodbye and head back to our respective places. There’s something satisfying about returning a lost item and closing the loop on a small adventure. Plus, it never hurts to get some good karma.
Daily Total: $94.06
Day Six: Friday
5 a.m. — Five hours of sleep and I’m woken up by my alarm once again. I always find myself wishing these layovers were longer; 22 hours is not nearly enough time in Paris.
6:20 a.m. — The captain, the other first officer and I meet downstairs in the hotel lobby so we can head to a nearby patisserie. We are second in line when the shop opens at 6:30 a.m. I buy croissants, pains au chocolat and other assorted viennoiseries ($27.80/ €25). Not only are the pastries exponentially better in France than back home, they’re also cheaper. $27.80
7 a.m. — The drive to the airport only takes about 30 minutes since it is so early in the morning. After enduring a particularly tedious security check (both my colleagues have their bags scanned by the machine twice), we find that we have plenty of time to review the flight plan, indulge in a second breakfast at Paul ($23.91/ €21.50) and engage in some duty-free shopping. I board the plane with two huge shopping bags full of chocolates and gifts for friends ($62.83/ €56.50). We are delayed getting off the gate due to some convective activity over the UK. Fortunately, we are able to make up some of that time in the air. $86.74
12 p.m. — Back in the States, I breeze through customs once again and head home. Usually, after a flight like this, I’d crash immediately from exhaustion. But today is different — I have an appointment downtown San Francisco (parking $5) for a Dexa scan ($49). I first heard about Dexa scans when I was doing a lot of Olympic weightlifting during the pandemic. Since switching to the 777 fleet, the long trips have made it difficult to stay consistent at the gym. I figure I have lost a fair amount of muscle mass, so I want to establish a baseline for when I get back into regular lifting. $54
2:20 p.m. — The scan is quick! I am told to expect the results later that day. Afterwards I stop by a nearby coffee shop for an espresso and a quinoa salad. Typical San Francisco — $25 for a salad. I take out my well-worn copy of The Almanack of Naval Ravikant, a book I turn to when I need a little perspective. It’s already heavily marked but today I reread the section on happiness, pen in hand, underlining new insights. $32.77
3:30 p.m. — S. calls. I finish my salad and head back to my car. Even though we’ve just seen each other in Paris, we always have a lot to talk about!
4 p.m. — Finally back home, I collapse on my bed. My head hits the pillow and I am out in an instant.
11:30 p.m. — Strangely, I wake up feeling hungry. I break my fast, raiding the pantry for Pringles and the fridge for string cheese. That does the trick and I drift back to sleep.
Daily Total: $201.31
Day Seven: Saturday
10 a.m. — After hitting snooze more times than I care to admit, I finally drag myself out of bed. Outside, the day is perfect — clear blue skies with just a faint breeze. I can feel the excitement bubbling up inside me. I love being back in the Bay Area, and even more, I love having a day with no plans. A day to catch up on my to-do list, dive into a book or just recover. For breakfast, I whip up a feast: scrambled eggs on avocado toast, a bowl of cottage cheese, part of a burrito from earlier in the week, and banana slices dipped in chocolate hummus. As I eat, I play a few rounds of chess on my phone.
11:30 a.m. — I swing by Kohl’s to return some Amazon items. Of course they hand me one of those “you might as well buy something” coupons, so I select some picture frames ($19.58) to decorate my place. Gotta hand it to their marketing team. Sixty percent of the time, it works every time… $19.58
12:30 p.m. — Next, I decide to cruise on down to San Francisco. After stopping by a local coffee shop for a quick dose of caffeine ($3.16), I arrive at Crissy Field, a scenic promenade along San Francisco’s northern waterfront with stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. I pay $6 for parking and spend the afternoon reading The Count of Monte Cristo and sipping my black coffee. $9.16
5 p.m. — I finally make it to mass at Saints Peter and Paul in North Beach, a vibrant and historic neighborhood in San Francisco referred to as “Little Italy.” I’ve walked past the church countless times and always vowed to make it back on a weekend. The iconic landmark, with its Romanesque architectural style, beautiful stained glass and intricate carvings, was also the site of Joe DiMaggio’s wedding photos with Marilyn Monroe in 1954. San Francisco is full of so much fascinating history.
6 p.m. — On the way home, I realize that I have not prepared any dinner, so I stop by Fairuz Eatery for a falafel sandwich ($23.52). Despite being in the heart of the Italian district, I wasn’t in the mood to wait 30+ minutes for a pizza at Tony’s Pizza Napoletana (one of the best in the nation). As I wait for my food, I find myself serenaded by the music of Fairuz. Her voice strong and ethereal, each note full of emotion. A huge mural of her stares down at me from the wall with a warmth that mirrors the richness of her melodies. Oh, and the falafel sandwich? Phenomenal. Fresh pita, perfectly cooked falafel, and spices that dance in my mouth. I’m surprised. Quite possibly the best Middle Eastern food on the peninsula. $23.52
9 p.m. — Despite being late, my body is craving a workout. I throw on a BODi Max Out Sweat session (33 minutes of pure HIIT madness) and wrap up by 9:45 p.m. I’m a huge fan of high-intensity interval training, especially when it’s late and I can’t run outside. Plus, a good evening cardio workout helps me to relax and unwind. I finish off the night with an episode of Futurama. Before the theme song even finishes, my eyelids are heavy and I’m out like a light.
Daily Total: $52.26
The Breakdown
Money Diaries are meant to reflect an individual’s experience and do not necessarily reflect Refinery29’s point of view. Refinery29 in no way encourages illegal activity or harmful behavior.
The first step to getting your financial life in order is tracking what you spend — to try on your own, check outour guide to managing your money every day. For more Money Diaries, clickhere.
Do you have a Money Diary you’d like to share? Submit it with ushere. Have questions about how to submit or our publishing process? Read our Money Diaries FAQ dochereor email ushere.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Follow Us
Were this world an endless plain, and by sailing eastward we could for ever reach new distances