Cool Stuff Pt.13
A roundup of the cool things that inspired me this past week
Welcome back to Cool Stuff!
If you are new here (welcome!) Cool Stuff is The Inside Pocket series where I present some inspiring and beautiful finds from the fashion world and beyond, hoping to bring you a bit of joy, of course. :)
Here’s a list of things I loved this past week, as usual, in no particular order:
Check out the previous volumes!
If you are looking for inspiration you might also want to take a look to the Visual Voyage series!
Tights
Layering, fur, croc leather, knee-high boots… there’s so much to love and experiment with when it comes to fall-winter dressing. But one element that’s often underestimated is tights.
Something I absolutely hated as a child: itchy, constrictive, far too delicate for the little Giulia’s energy. Funny to see that they have now become one of my favourite garments. I love a good pair of tights. They make my legs look great, they add structure to my looks, and they let me play with texture and colour when I want to give a new twist to my outfit.
This season, tights are having an especially fun moment — showing up in unexpected shades and patterns that instantly elevate even the simplest ensemble. Below, you’ll find my favourites.
Pro tip: if you spot a tiny hole, don’t panic. To prevent it from running (though honestly, who cares, it’s quite sexy), spray a bit of hairspray over it. Thank me later.
A Spa Moment
Some genuinely cool stuff has landed on my beauty shelf lately. Susanne Kaufmann, who was kind enough to send me a few of her products to try, has completely won me over. Her Eye Rescue Serum is packed with caffeine, hyaluronic acid, baobab pulp, hawthorn flower, and chicory root extract — a blend that quickly surpassed my caffeine under eye patches. The metal rollerball adds a refreshing chill that instantly depuffs my sleepy panda eyes. I’ve been using it every morning, and I swear it works like a small miracle. I can already tell it’s going to be my secret weapon on long-haul flights. I absolutely adore it.
I also tried the Glow Mask that smells like lemon custard, it leaves my skin softer and brighter than ever, while the Pomegranate Body Oil is pure indulgence, it smells and feels like a day at the spa. Susanne, an Austrian skincare pioneer, infuses her products with Alpine botanicals and a sustainable ethos, creating minimal packaging and divine, earthy scents that bring a touch of nature into your daily routine.
Barbara Johnson Scrap Book
Barbara Johnson was just eight years old when she started recording every dress she made. Each fabric sample was carefully pasted into a little scrapbook, with notes on price, yardage, and where she wore it. And she kept going, for nearly eighty years.
Her meticulous “material account book,” now preserved at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, is one of the most personal, detailed glimpses into 18th- and 19th-century fashion ever discovered. More than just a diary of clothes in my opinion, but a proper time capsule and a reminder of how creativity, curiosity and consistency can turn the ordinary into history
.I find that idea both funny and quite moving. Thank you, Barbara, for recording every piece of clothing you ever loved — centuries later, we’re basically doing the same thing over here.
A Simple White Shirt
This shirt is the one I keep returning to, again and again. It’s been washed a million times, and she’s still immaculate. I love how she barely needs ironing if I let her air-dry on a hanger, and how soft she feels against the skin. Yes, she is definitely a she.
With Nothing Underneath is the only brand I buy my shirts from. If you’ve been hesitating, take this as your sign: tried, tested, loved.
A New Brooch
Another little jewel to add to my growing brooch collection, which, if you’ve seen my Brooch Map, you’ll know is becoming something of a personal archive. I love how brooches can instantly change the tone of an outfit: they’re conversation starters, memory keepers, and wearable art all in one.
I Look Two Years Younger
I know I’ve mentioned this before, but it deserves another shout-out. I genuinely love when something works, especially in the world of beauty gadgets, which too often prey on women’s insecurities.
I’ll admit I was skeptical about ZIIP Halo, just like any other beauty tool too seen online, until it proved me wrong. After three months of consistent use, my forehead lines have visibly softened, and my skin looks fresher overall. It’s like having a mini facial at home that actually delivers. It’s also so cute and tiny I don’t mind having it around in my bathroom.
If you’ve been considering it, here’s a little treat: use code INSIDEPOCKET for 10% off your device.
Just Pumpkins, Really
I’ve been in my pumpkin era lately. Not the one of spicy pumpkin latte, which by the way I’ve never tried lol? I discovered, that you can cook an entire pumpkin in the air fryer. Yes, the whole thing. Once soft, scoop out the flesh, add a little flour, and voilà: the easiest pumpkin gnocchi ever. Now, mine did not look like perfect pumpkins like the ones of this italian creator, but I believe they were just as delicious and I can confirm because I do not have any picture of them.
Serve them with a creamy gorgonzola sauce, maybe a sprinkle of crushed walnuts on top, and you have a dinner that feels both indulgent and autumnal. Comfort food at its finest.
This Book
I recently did a small round up of my favourite inspiring books on Instagram, and the Japanese Dictionary of Colour Combinations was the one that had the most success. Beyond being visually mesmerising, it’s a design treasure: a guide to perfect pairings that works for both your wardrobe and your home.
Each page will show you how subtle variations can completely shift mood and meaning. It’s a beautiful reminder that colour is emotional and that inspiration can come from something as simple as the precise shade of a persimmon or the blue-grey of a stormy sky.
On this note, I’m working on something very exciting with my brilliant friend and fellow Substacker Taylor Dedeaux aka the undisputed queen of perfect pairings, so stay tuned!
Thank you so much for sticking with me. I’ll see you very soon with another volume of Cool Stuff.
I love you all,
Giulia xx
Some of the products mentioned in this article were kindly gifted, others paid by me. Rest assured I only feature what I truly believe in: things I’ve tried, loved, and would buy again. Thank you for your trust, it means the world.
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So many interesting things!
The Japanese book… wow!
I LOVE your little instagram reels - so authentic and chic!! Keep going with them! I’d never heard of that colour book and now I desperately need it x