The Princess of Wales loves a re-wear, but on Garden Party hosting duties, Kate Middleton opted for a new vintage find in the form of a wide-brimmed chapeau.
The Princess of Wales loves a re-wear, but on Garden Party hosting duties, Kate Middleton opted for a new vintage find in the form of a wide-brimmed chapeau.
Let’s talk about premenstrual syndrome, better known as PMS. If you’ve ever felt bloated, emotional, exhausted, or just a little off in the days before your period, you’re far from alone. Research suggests that up to 75% of menstruating women experience PMS symptoms each month. And as a nutrition consultant, I can vouch for this. It’s one of the most common topics that comes up in my client sessions. But remember, just because something is common doesn’t mean it’s inevitable. Below are a few na
Let’s talk about premenstrual syndrome, better known as PMS. If you’ve ever felt bloated, emotional, exhausted, or just a little off in the days before your period, you’re far from alone. Research suggests that up to 75% of menstruating women experience PMS symptoms each month. And as a nutrition consultant, I can vouch for this. It’s one of the most common topics that comes up in my client sessions. But remember, just because something is common doesn’t mean it’s inevitable. Below are a few natural ways to relieve PMS symptoms that I often recommend to clients.
What Causes PMS?
After ovulation, the body enters the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. During this time, progesterone rises, and estrogen fluctuates. If pregnancy doesn’t happen, both hormones drop sharply in the days leading up to your period. It’s this hormonal shift that gives most of us (menstruating women) a run for our money. They typically trigger many of the symptoms associated with PMS, including bloating, fatigue, mood changes, headaches, breast tenderness, and cravings. While we can’t completely eliminate these, we can support the body through them.
Why You Feel So Bloated
If your jeans suddenly feel tighter the week before your period, you’re not imagining it. Many women notice increased water retention in the week before their period. Hormonal fluctuations influence fluid balance and sodium sensitivity, which is why that familiar pre-period bloating can appear almost overnight. Fortunately, a few simple nutrition habits can help ease some of that fluid retention.
Strategies to Combat Bloat
Most importantly, become more mindful of sodium intake during the late-luteal phase of your cycle. Ultra-processed foods, restaurant meals, and packaged snacks tend to contain large amounts of sodium that can contribute to fluid retention. Instead, focus on meals built around whole foods such as colorful veggies, protein, healthy fats, and fiber-rich carbs. Staying well hydrated and including potassium-rich foods (like avocado, bananas, leafy greens, and sweet potatoes) may also help support fluid balance.
Brain Fog or Clumsiness Before Your Period
Bloat aside, you may also feel mentally foggy—or slightly uncoordinated—before your period begins. While research on this is still evolving, hormonal fluctuations influence everything from fluid balance to sleep quality and neurotransmitters in the brain. All of which may contribute to that “off” feeling many women recognize. If this tends to happen for you, it’s often a signal to slow down slightly during this phase of your cycle. Prioritizing sleep and (to the best of your ability), avoid overstimulation. Think late nights, excessive caffeine, and HIIT sessions.
Natural Remedies for PMS Cramps
Let’s talk cramps. Menstrual cramps are caused by uterine contractions triggered by compounds called prostaglandins. In essence, higher levels of inflammatory prostaglandins can make cramps more intense. Several natural strategies can support your body during this time:
Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fats have anti-inflammatory properties that are known to reduce menstrual pain. Fatty fish—I love salmon, sardines, and mackerel for omega-3s—are excellent sources. You can also get omega-3 fatty acids from plant foods, like walnuts, chia seeds, and flax seeds.
Magnesium
Magnesium is involved in over 300 processes in the body, including muscle relaxation and nervous system regulation. Many women find that adequate magnesium intake helps reduce cramping, headaches, and sleep disturbances around their cycle. I recommend taking magnesium at night before bed!
Ginger
Like magnesium, some research suggests ginger may work similarly to common pain relievers by helping reduce the prostaglandins that trigger uterine cramping. Try adding fresh ginger to tea, smoothies, or stir-fries in the days leading up to your period.
Sleep
Prioritizing sleep in the week before your period can make a surprising difference in how you experience PMS. Hormonal shifts during the luteal phase can affect energy levels and mood, so giving your body a little more rest can help support recovery, reduce irritability, and improve overall resilience during this phase of your cycle.
Gentle heat and movement
Last but not least, don’t underestimate a heating pad, warm bath, or light movement (walking, yoga, etc.). These relax the muscles of the lower abdomen and improve circulation.
Mood Swings and PMS
Inevitably, the emotional side of PMS is often the most frustrating. Hormonal shifts can influence neurotransmitters like serotonin, which is why mood changes, irritability, or increased emotional sensitivity are common during the late luteal phase. A few habits that can help stabilize mood during this time:
Prioritize balanced meals. Meals that include protein, fiber, and healthy fats help stabilize blood sugar (and support brain health!), encouraging stable energy and mood throughout the day.
Be mindful of caffeine. If you’re prone to anxiety, irritability, or breast tenderness before your period, consider slightly reducing caffeine during this phase of your cycle.
Consider herbs like vitex. Vitex (chasteberry) has been studied for its potential role in supporting hormonal balance and reducing PMS symptoms in some women. As with any supplement, it’s best used under the guidance of a healthcare provider.
If emotional symptoms feel severe, persistent, or interfere with daily life, it’s worth speaking with a healthcare professional about the possibility of PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder).
A Gentle Reminder During Your Cycle
One of the most helpful shifts I encourage clients to make is simply recognizing that the body is not meant to feel the same every day of the month. Energy, mood, and recovery naturally fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle. Instead of fighting those rhythms, supporting them can make the entire cycle feel more manageable. Nourishing foods, adequate rest, and small lifestyle adjustments often go much further than trying to “push through” symptoms.
Edie Horstman
Edie is the founder of nutrition coaching business, Wellness with Edie. With her background and expertise, she specializes in women’s health, including fertility, hormone balance, and postpartum wellness.
This post was last updated on May 10, 2026, to include new insights.
At Coveteur, our jewelry rotations just never feel complete—there's always room for a new butterfly shaped labradorite ring, gold locket necklace, or crocheted pearl earrings, especially when made intentionally and with love. This month, we're taking the time to shout out our favorite AAPI brands that we love shopping and admiring year-round. Some of these jewelry brands pour their family heritage into each and every piece, others are inspired by the places they live now or came of age, and som
At Coveteur, our jewelry rotations just never feel complete—there's always room for a new butterfly shaped labradorite ring, gold locket necklace, or crocheted pearl earrings, especially when made intentionally and with love. This month, we're taking the time to shout out our favorite AAPI brands that we love shopping and admiring year-round. Some of these jewelry brands pour their family heritage into each and every piece, others are inspired by the places they live now or came of age, and some are dedicated to the places and materials they've discovered along the way.
Some are producing pieces meant to be kept on from day to night, others are creating statements meant for special occasions. All seven of these brands have this in common, though: they're selling pieces that are distinct, high quality, and deserve to be seen.
Ahead, the AAPI owned jewelry brands that need to be on your radar.
Jennie Yoon founded Kinn Studios in attempt to replace the antique jewelry her parents lost when their home was robbed. Because of that, her designs incorporate vintage-inspired elements and her utmost goal is to sell pieces that stand the test of time—rather than trends that will cycle in and out.
Founded by Wing Yau in Brooklyn in 2012, WWAKE is known for their use of stones like opals, ethereal aesthetic, and use of recycled metals. Yau studied sculpture at the Rhode Island School of Design, which is clear through her designs that bridge the gap between contemporary art and jewelry.
Vietnamese-born Chan Luu founded her namesake brand in 1996. The brand's humble beginnings included Luu, who had worked in retail for years, making jewelry in her garage—and, to this day, the brand's ethos prioritizes handmade pieces. Now, her niece Tessa Tran is the CEO and Creative Director—a true family business.
Seoul-born and New York-based Aeri Go is a trained silversmith and graduate of the Royal College of Art in London. She founded her namesake jewelry brand in 2018, partially out of curiosity and fascination for different materials, and partially based on a genuine love for the craft. Her brand's ethos embraces imperfections—imprints and irregularities that make it clear that her pieces were made by human hands.
While some of us picked up hobbies like baking banana bread during the 2020 pandemic, Clare Ngai-Howard was pioneering the chunky resin jewelry boom. Her brand, BONBONWHIMS began as a passion project to keep her busy during troubling times, and remains a source for playful, nostalgic, and colorful Y2K-inspired pieces.
NOTTE Jewelry founder Jessica Tse has spent time living between New York and Florence, with both places very much present in her pieces. Tse is passonate about selling "mood-boosting" jewelry—pieces that are whimsical, handcrafted, and playfully designed. NOTTE's current offerings include beaded necklaces begging to be worn on a Mediterranean vacation and statement rings begging to be worn everyday.
Founded by twin sisters Kate and Chloe Lee, Avec New York is committed to slow fashion and creating pieces that can be worn every day, from day to night. Both sisters come from creative backgrounds and studied fashion design at Parsons School of Design in NYC. Now, they produce jewelry out of only the finest, most high quality materials.
Created with Givenchy
Welcome back! This week has been predominantly overrun by the Met Gala—fashion’s most anticipated night—and boy! There were a lot of opinions. Many of our red carpet faves and Met heavyweights suspiciously opted out of attending…but we won’t speculate too much on that. This year, the Met Museum raised a record-breaking $42 million thanks to the attendance of plenty of tech bros who picked up the tab, proving that fashion fundraisers still do immense numbers for cultural ca
Welcome back! This week has been predominantly overrun by the Met Gala—fashion’s most anticipated night—and boy! There were a lot of opinions. Many of our red carpet faves and Met heavyweights suspiciously opted out of attending…but we won’t speculate too much on that. This year, the Met Museum raised a record-breaking $42 million thanks to the attendance of plenty of tech bros who picked up the tab, proving that fashion fundraisers still do immense numbers for cultural causes, but it did beg the question: at what cost?
As far as the looks went, nothing felt overwhelmingly memorable, except perhaps Madonna’s interpretation of Leonora Carrington’s 1945 painting, The Temptation of St. Anthony, where she arrived in Saint Laurent with 7 ladies-in-waiting, and Bad Bunny’s abstract interpretation of the theme in which he attended as an aged version of himself. So Meta in the context of…the honorary chair and sponsor of the event, not to mention what’s happening in the aesthetics space in Hollywood right now.
Other notable mentions included Heidi Klum’s truly wild living sculpture interpretation of The Veiled Vestal, Anok Yai’s beauty look, Troye Sivan’s on-brand Mapplethorpe cosplay with Prada, and the sheer amount of pretend nipples that emerged on Monday night.
Catch up on what else has been happening in fashion this week, below.
Givenchy Launches Voyou Bucket Bag
A sense of refinement has been reinstated at Givenchy, extending beautifully into its accessories. Embodying the house’s signature balance of chic effortlessness and modern edge is their latest addition: the Voyou Bucket bag. I always loved the biker style of the Voyou bag, and now the roomy bucket shape with a simple leather drawstring feels like a natural extension of the Givenchy attitude: refined, confident, and effortless. The new Voyou iteration is crafted in smooth, shiny calf leather with a fine grain and has a supple yet high-shine finish. I also love that it has three different carry options: a top handle, a crossbody, and over the shoulder straps for any preference, embodying an on-the-go sensibility. Apparently, the Voyou takes its name from French slang for a mischief-maker. Always the perfect accessory addition!
A.P.C’s New Artistic Director Is Ludivine Poiblanc
This week, A.P.C announced French stylist and creative director, Ludivine Poiblanc, as their new artistic director. Presenting her debut collection at the Milan showroom on May 20th and in Paris at Rue Madame on June 15th, Poiblanc’s oeuvre includes legacy titles such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Vanity Fair, and as a celebrated voice in the fashion landscape, will no doubt bring her discerning eye to the elevated basics brand. A.P.C is also celebrating working with Brain Dead once again. The collection, which features looser, more relaxed cuts with A.P.C’s signature fabrications, inspired Brain Dead’s Kyle Ng to gather members of the Brain Dead community to write and record four original songs inspired by the collection. I love an involved creative collaboration.
Versace Releases La Vacanza Spring 2026 Campaign
Versace is getting us excited for summer with the new release of their latest La Vacanza campaign, Versace Obsessed. Lensed by Steven Meisel, the campaign is set throughout a series of bedrooms by the water, starring new faces and house favorites like Ella McCutcheon, Sabryna Oliveira, Betsy Gaghan, Alvise Candida and Jackson Roodman, who lounge in the rooms wearing Dario Vitale’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection. The dreamy images evoke nostalgia for the late '90s/early '00s Versace campaign images by Meisel, which is all we could ever really want.
Lié Studio and LESSE Collaborate On A Leather Pendant
Yesterday morning I had a cardamom bun in SoHo to celebrate the launch of Copenhagen based accessory brand, Lié Studio’s collaboration with LESSE, the skincare brand courtesy of fellow Australian angel, Neada Deters. Together they have birthed what feels like the way forward for lip balm-losers everywhere, with a leather pendant that functions as a lip balm holder (LESSE’s Soothing Lip Balm, to be exact). I love it when form and function come together, and in the age of functional leather pendants, this is a must have.
Login
Cosmopolitan
Vogue
Camille Styles
Coveteur
ELLE
