Cool Stuff Pt.15
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!
New Brand On My Radar
Keeping up with new brands is part of my job: reading, discovering, and finding a true diamond in the rough is the most thrilling part of it all. However, I sometimes miss certain gems and arrive at the party a little late. This tends to happen with brands born in parts of the world that centre their vision somewhere other than the US or Europe.
One of those discoveries is THNGS/world, a brand I came across a while ago and that absolutely deserves a place in Cool Stuff. What first caught my attention was the aesthetic: imagery that feels closer to still-life compositions than traditional e-commerce shots.
As you might know by now, my personal aesthetic leans heavily on vintage-inspired imagery that holds a story — simplicity in composition, symmetry, and shapes that genuinely stop me in my tracks. Colour alone doesn’t necessarily make me fall in love (I have a very specific, personal palette — with a lot of brown in it, I know boring), but compelling art direction, interesting casting, and refined styling with real character? Oh yes, I will click on that! THNGS/world delivers exactly that.
Their catalogue includes vintage one-of-a-kind finds alongside handmade pieces that feel thoughtful and unique rather than trend-driven. I don’t yet know exactly where the brand comes from or who founded it, but what’s immediately clear from their online presence is a sensibility rooted in craft, individuality, and an object-led curiosity rather than trend urgency. These are my favourite pieces:
Beauty Favourites
Have you ever had a beauty product so good that it actually makes you excited about the moment you get to wear it and use it? Well, in my rotation right now, I have plenty of those. In months like January, when it’s cold and I’m feeling dry after the socially very demanding December I spent, this is the time when I try to reconnect with the small things that make me happy. That can be a good meal, a hot melatonin tea that knocks me out at 9pm, or a new addition to my beauty routine. These are the stars I’m currently loving — the ones adding a little extra sparkle to my everyday.
Hair:
The Chris McMillan Glassy Smooth Blow Dry Spray changed my blow-dry forever. I’m very minimal when it comes to hair and keep my products to a minimum. This is the only heat protector that doesn’t make my hair feel heavy. It’s light, adds shine, protects, and leaves zero fizz. I’ll buy it over and over again.
Skin:
I’ve been using the same foundation for… what? Three years now? The truth is, I’m very reluctant to try anything new for my base, but my make-up artist friends kept raving about how the right primer can help it last longer and make your pores look pretty much non-existent. Enter: Vieve Skin Nova Primer. This is a hybrid product that gives you the right amount of glow while also caring for your skin and making your base last longer. I honestly love it.
For days when I really don’t want to see any kind of make-up but still want to look put together, I also got a new ally: the Natura Bissé Diamond Cocoon Sheer Cream SPF 30. This cream does everything in one step — it’s colour-correcting, helps diminish signs of ageing, protects your skin from sun radiation, pollution and blue light, and deeply hydrates. If you’re a lazy girl like me, this will be your holy grail. That said, it is very rich, so perfect for this time of year but less suitable for summer days, at least for my combination skin.
Another massive favourite is Susanne Kaufmann. This brand is the emblem of pampering. I’ve already told you about it because I love their pomegranate body oil and eye rescue serum to bits. I’ve also tried the hand cream (so good my mum stole it), their Nourishing Day Cream, which I adore, and the Advanced Anti-Ageing Rich Cream, which I’m already almost finished with. I love brands with natural ingredients that, through their unique scents, make me feel like I’m truly taking care of myself. I love you Susanne, thank you for making my days, spa days.
You can get 20% off Susanne K with the code THEINSIDEPOCKET20.
The Workshop That Time Forgot
In a quiet Florentine palazzo, behind an unassuming door, Giuliano has been shaping metal since 1962. Down in his basement workshop, time behaves differently: tools are old, gestures are slow, and the lost-wax technique feels almost magical. For years, almost no one noticed. The shop was nearly forgotten, tucked away among the shiny new openings in the Florence’s streets.
Then one day, the new world crossed paths with the old one. A few curious visitors, a TikTok video, and the strange magic of internet virality. Suddenly, Giuliano’s hands, still keeping an ancient craft alive — were doing so in front of millions of people. I love when the internet shines a light on forgotten corners of the world without destroying them. To me, it feels like Giuliano’s talent was finally rewarded: a reminder that beauty doesn’t expire, and that sometimes the most modern thing of all is paying attention to the old, maybe a bit dusty, yet incredible things that already exist.
You can find Giuliano’s atelier in Piazza Santo Spirito, Florence. He works with all types of gold and also hosts lovely workshops. I can’t wait to go back to Florence to visit him.
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Vintage Wedding Dresses
I am not getting married, I swear. However, my algorithm seems to be sensing my thirties and keeps pushing things I’m apparently supposed to engage with — or perhaps things my peers are engaging with? Honestly, I have no idea, and I’m not here to complain about algorithmic ageism or to question why. I just genuinely enjoy looking at wedding dresses, especially when they’re not new to the altar. Vintage, I mean.
I came across Vague Atelier after seeing some amazing editorials where unconventional brides were wearing very old-school wedding dresses. If I were a bride, I’d want drama — it would all be about making an unforgettable entrance, almost like playing a character. And the selection at Vague Atelier is astonishing, perfect for brides who want exactly that.
This is clearly not for every bride, but if you are (or will be) one, what kind of bride do you see yourself as? And is this your cup of tea?
Deux Amis
I first heard about Deux Amis from my lovely Taylor Barnett — anything she touches turns to gold. So when I saw her wearing a beautiful dark pearl long necklace with what looked like a pearl tassel, I was stunned and instantly sold.
That’s how I found Deux Amis, born from a collaboration between Danielle Daiz-Zdanowski and her husband. Both passionate creatives, they saw an opportunity to combine their talents and create something meaningful together. The idea evolved through their frequent travels to Europe, particularly their love for Paris, where they’ve been inspired by its beauty, elegance and flair. And you can definitely tell by how classy their Deux Amis designs are.
Carefully produced in New York City, where the duo is based, their pieces embrace that je ne sais quoi I’m always looking for in jewellery — unique additions to everyday life that transcend the passing of trends and time, while adding just the right amount of newness and personality. My love for tassels is definitely fulfilled now, especially thanks to their Tassel Cord Necklace and the true star of the show, the Black Onyx Pompon Necklace.
Needless to say, they both look gorgeous styled with a very simple black or cream turtleneck. Absolutely gorgeous.
The Bag That Could Fit a Panettone
Remember when I was raving about Birrot, the niche Copenhagen brand I fell in love with while in Copenhagen? One of their most unique (and most dreamed-about) pieces was found under my tree this Christmas, and I couldn’t be happier. As I’ve said many times, what really catches my attention when it comes to my wardrobe is shape, and this perfectly cubic brown leather bag is just so chic and gorgeous.
I took it with me on my trip to Italy and my friends asked me if I’d brought a panettone with me, which I found pretty funny, given the shape so closely resembles a panettone box. So please now feel free to unleash your creative jokes about it in my comment section.
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 purchased by me. Rest assured I only feature what I truly believe in: things I’ve tried, loved, and would buy again and again. Thank you for your trust, it means the world.
No brand is paying to be featured in this newsletter. If that ever changes, I’ll always let you know. Everything I share here comes from my own research, taste, and quality checks.
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I need a panettone handbag prontissimo! ♥️
Gorgeous eye!