Just off the coast of Sicily, a volcanic archipelago offers rugged landscapes, a quieter pace, and beautiful beaches—book an Airbnb in the Aeolian Islands to experience it firsthand.
I’ve always had a complicated relationship with articles that promise to reveal what successful women do every morning. Not because I don’t want to know (I absolutely do!). But those pieces tend to blur together fast: wake up early, drink water before coffee, work out, and don’t (ever! ever! ever!) touch your phone. The details change; the formula never does.
I never walk away feeling like I actually know how these women start their days. And more importantly, I never walk away feeling like any of it is for me.
So when I sat down to revisit one of our most-read pieces—a roundup of morning habits from women I admire—I wanted to go somewhere different. Not to a checklist of habits, but something more honest: how do women who are actually busy and actually juggling a lot, *actually* create clarity before the day starts asking things of them?
Morning Rituals for Clarity—According to Women Who Actually Live Them
Our Wake Up Call series has always been where we go for the real answer to that question. So I went back to those conversations, pulled the best moments from our archive, and reached out to a few new faces.
What I found was something better than a perfect routine: a sense of ownership over how the day begins. Here’s what that looks like in practice.
They Start With How They Want to Feel
Before any habit, there’s a decision. Mimi Bouchard, creator of Activations and author of Activate Your Future Self, believes that question—how do I actually want to feel today?—is the foundation everything else stems from. “Calm, clear, energized, magnetic… whatever it is, let that be the anchor,” she says. “Then give yourself permission to get there in different ways on different days. Some mornings it’s journaling. Some mornings it’s a workout. And some mornings it’s honestly just snuggling in bed. But seeking a consistent feeling? That’s the throughline. Everything else can shift.”
Mimi has also found that without this step, even a full routine can feel hollow. “You can do all the habits, but if you’re moving through them on autopilot, it doesn’t really land.” It’s a deceptively simple reframe—and it’s a pattern that keeps showing up across every conversation I’ve had about morning rituals.
They Protect One Non-Negotiable Moment
For Nicole Wegman, founder and CEO of Ring Concierge, that moment is school drop-off. “Dropping my daughter off at school is the one moment in my day that’s completely non-negotiable,” she says. “It grounds me before everything else starts moving. I’ve learned that if I go straight into email or work mode, the day can feel reactive from the start. Even if everything else is moving quickly, having that slower, more present start makes a big difference in how I show up for the rest of the day.”
Creator and host of the Note to Self podcast, Payton Sartain-Ross finds her anchor in a few simple steps: a large glass of water, her skincare routine, and time outside with her dog Winnie in the morning sun. “I consider my morning walk and being in the sun an essential ritual,” she says. “Feeling the sun on my skin, gently moving my body, and getting some fresh air always makes me feel more awake and connected.”
Across our Wake Up Calls, this pattern holds. Catt Sadler, Emmy-winning journalist, entrepreneur, and host of the Catt Sadler Now podcast, keeps it straightforward: “I don’t like less than seven hours of sleep anymore. The older I get, the more sleep I require. I make listening to my body a priority.” It’s a good reminder: protecting rest is just as valid as any other morning ritual.
“I’ve learned that if I go straight into email or work mode, the day can feel reactive from the start. Even if everything else is moving quickly, having that slower, more present start makes a big difference in how I show up for the rest of the day.” – Nicole Wegman
They Get Into Their Bodies Early
Across interviews, movement keeps showing up. But before you skip it, hear me out: this isn’t an intense, optimized, get-your-heart-rate-up workout. Think of it more as a way to align your mind and body before the day really gets rolling.
Sartain-Ross’s morning sun and walk. Camille’s own post-school-drop-off strolls with Adam. And Bobbi Brown’s principle of “exercise before order.”
It’s a simple principle that the famed makeup artist and founder of Jones Road Beauty, takes seriously. “Exercising—even 10 minutes of movement—changes everything,” she says. “This morning I just walked around the park, and it energized me for the day.”
The women in our archive echo this. Lauryn Evarts Bosstick of The Skinny Confidential and The Bossticks podcast, builds movement, sunlight exposure, and hydration into the same moment: “I immediately open the shades and drink a mint water or warm water with lemon on my walk to the coffee shop, so I get light, movement, and hydration.” Shani Van Breukelen, creative director and co-founder of AYOND, keeps it intuitive: “Sometimes I may stretch and work out or spend extra time doing my skincare routine. I am not too structured in the morning—I like to listen to how I feel.”
They Create Space Before Input
This was the most consistent thread across every conversation: the women who feel most grounded in the mornings are the ones who delay the outside world (and protect those early hours fiercely).
Wegman is intentional about not going straight into email. “Once that tone is set—reactive, response-mode—it tends to carry through the rest of the day,” she says.
Melanie Masarin, founder of Ghia, has found that the first two hours after waking are her most creative and clear, and she now treats them as sacred. At least twice a week, she doesn’t go into the office until 11 a.m.—protecting that morning window for writing, strategy, or whatever needs a clear head.
“Blocking off that morning window has been key to finding enjoyment in my work this year,” she says. “Without it, follow-ups pile up, projects don’t move forward, and I feel like I’m just in execution mode.” – Melanie Masarin
They Ground Themselves in Ritual
Dianna Cohen, founder of Crown Affair, builds the same principle into her mornings through ritual rather than scheduling. She starts with a three-minute gua sha massage, then eases into journaling, a stretching, and breakfast before she heads toward her inbox. Her advice for anyone wanting more intention: “Start small. Consistency matters far more than duration. Even two or three minutes daily is better than occasional, longer sessions.”
Mimi has a similar awareness: “A successful morning to me is just being able to do what I want. As long as I’ve had one moment that feels like mine before the day starts asking things from me… I’m good.”
In Camille’s morning routine, she’s come to think of this first hour as sacred. No email, no social media. Just coffee, skincare, time outside with her dog, and some combination of reading, journaling, or writing—whatever she’s pulled toward that morning. She closes it out by writing her top three priorities for the day. Even if everything else goes sideways, she knows where to keep her focus.
From the Wake Up Call archive, Nicole Gibbons, founder of Clare Paints, has her own version of this: “One ritual, as strange as it sounds, is that I clean my kitchen every morning. It’s become a daily ritual that helps me start my day with some productivity momentum.” Beauty creator Anna Mae Groves turns on music, reads, journals, and prays with her morning coffee.
Different shapes, same idea: a small ritual that’s entirely yours, before the day’s chaos creeps in.
They Hydrate Before (and Sometimes After) Their Coffee
Yes, we know about the cortisol spike. And yes, many of us are drinking our coffee first thing anyway. Brown heads straight downstairs for two glasses of water with electrolytes or AG1, and only then allows herself her espresso. And Masarin has held the same ritual for 15 years: hot water with lemon, ideally drunk in bed with her boyfriend before either of them reaches for a phone. “It’s the gentlest part of my day,” she says.
Real estate broker Tracy Tutor wakes up when it’s still dark and immediately chugs 16 ounces of celery juice before making her coffee. Liana Levi, founder of Forma Pilates, keeps a bottle of water on her nightstand and reaches for it before she’s even fully awake.
Others have developed their own rituals around hydration. Agatha Relota Luczo, founder of Furtuna Skin, starts with a shot of olive oil and warm lemon water.
As for me? Coffee first, always. It’s what I look forward to, and I’ve made peace with that. I let it brew while I do my red light mask and snuggle my cats. It’s a moment of connection, peace, and yes—caffeine before water. But rather than being strict about my routine, I orient my morning toward joy.
They Turn Small Moments Into Something More
Bouchard’s approach to the morning hours leans hard into habit stacking. Taking a walk becomes an opportunity to connect. Brushing your teeth becomes a moment to stretch. “The minutes are already there,” she says. “You’re just finally using them fully.”
It’s a romanticized form of efficiency, and one I’ve been thinking about a lot. The shower is where I do my best brainstorming and creative thinking. (Science supports me.) I also love closing my eyes and taking a moment to meditate while I brush my teeth. Neither takes extra time—they make the time I already have feel more expansive.
They Let Their Routines Evolve
Wegman put it plainly: “Being a mom and an entrepreneur forced me to let go of the idea that a ‘perfect’ morning needs to look the same every day.” She no longer tries to check every box. Instead, she focuses on presence, even when the structure changes.
Masarin describes the same shift: “I have so much energy in the morning. I used to dive right into everything, but I’ve learned to slow down and channel it where it needs to go most.” Her advice is to understand when your mind is sharpest, and protect that window instead of filling it with the first thing that demands your attention. “The goal is to swim with the current. It makes life a lot easier.”
Bouchard allows her mornings to shift too. A good morning, for her, is “space, freedom, choice—I can listen to my body, follow my intuition, and do what feels right on that specific day.”
Morning Rituals for Clarity, at a Glance
Here’s the short version—a handful of ideas worth trying, in whatever combination feels right for you.
To set the tone:
Decide how you want to feel today. Let that be the anchor, not a to-do list.
Write your top three priorities before other tasks come up.
Take even five minutes for stillness.
To ground your body:
Start with a large glass of water before anything else.
Get outside, even briefly. Morning light and fresh air shift everything.
Move your body, even for just 10 minutes. Exercise before order.
To protect your focus:
Treat your early hours as sacred thinking time, and think of them as your most creative window.
Delay input (email, social, the news) for as long as possible.
Start small. Even two minutes of ritual is better than none.
To make it stick:
Pay attention to your energy and work with it, not against it.
Let your routine evolve as your life does. Rigidity is the enemy of consistency.
Your Morning, Your Way
There’s no single version of a perfect morning in any of these stories. No universal wake-up time, no checklist that guarantees clarity, and no routine you have to follow to get it right. What shows up again and again is simple: a few minutes that feel like yours, a small ritual you actually look forward to, and the willingness to let it all evolve as your life does.
That’s what I keep coming back to. Not the structure, but the intention behind it. Make your morning something you genuinely look forward to. That’s the whole secret.
Welcome back and happy Chanel Cruise week to all who celebrate. On Tuesday, Matthieu Blazy took to Biarritz to show his debut Cruise collection for the house, and in doing so, bagged a viral shoe moment that has been living rent-free in my head ever since. The shoe in question was not really a shoe, but a mere “heel cap” with a lace up ankle detail. Some were outraged, others intrigued, others delighted! It’s not the first time an impractical foot-forward shoe would grace a runway and it certainly won’t be the last. But it did get us thinking about the trend cycle’s more recent gravitation towards foot liberation. First the Tabi, then clear jelly shoes; last summer saw a serious flirtation with Vibram 5-finger shoes, and now we’re ditching soles altogether for a full blown-foot fest. The fetishists must be having a field day.
Chanel Tops The Q1 Lyst Index
Speaking of Matthieu Blazy’s viral capabilities, the Lyst Index 2026 has officially dropped for Q1, and to no surprise, Chanel has bagged the top spot. It’s no doubt driven by the brand’s sustained demand and increased visibility under Blazy’s direction, which has seen products like the pumps and the re-imagined Maxi flapbag reach new heights in terms of demand. Saint Laurent sits in second position, while Dior comes in at third, thanks to Jonathan Anderson’s genius. Interestingly, Gucci is back up in the top five for the first time since 2022, showing an increase in a 12% day-on-day spike in demand immediately after the show—yes, the show that copped a huge amount of backlash for being…too boring? Apparently I wasn’t the only one who liked it after all!
Gucci Releases “Generation Gucci” Campaign
Next up for Gucci is Demna’s newly released “Generation Gucci” Campaign, a campaign that centers on a collective of individuals who embody the new generation of the House under Demna’s direction—including top models such as Alex Consani, Amelia Grey, but also influencers like Meredith Duxbury and Alton Mason Via a series of 84 images, one for each look, Demna photographed silhouettes of his new Gucci that we know and love: the knife-point pumps, the Giglio Bag, the monogrammed fanny packs, the jersey dresses, and more. Per the Lyst index’s findings, if there is one thing Demna is going to do, it’s turn a brand around. And fast!
Burberry Unveils Hunza G Capsule
As part of its high summer campaign, Burberry has collaborated with Georgiana Huddart’s Hunza G, the cult swimwear label famed for its Original Crinkle ultra-stretch fabric. For the collaboration, the brands have combined the classic Hunza G fabrication with iconic Burberry colors and Burberry Check trims. After a Burberry bikini summer last year, the collaboration makes perfect sense to further Burberry’s swimwear offering. To celebrate the launch, a series of portraits by Ryan McGinley captures British actor Simone Ashley and model Alva Claire wearing pieces from the swimwear capsule on the beach. Let’s go, Europe summer!
Cou Cou Intimates Partners with Adwoa Aboah
The It girl lingerie brand that does numbers with the gorgeous girlies of the world has partnered with Gurls Talk founder and model, Adowa Aboah, to create a t-shirt in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month in May. The special edition “Out of Order” tee has been designed with life’s messiness in mind, and the profits will go to Aboah’s Gurls Talk community-led nonprofit organization, dedicated to promoting the mental health and wellbeing of adolescent girls and young women. In a moment where our mental health is deteriorating in the face of geopolitical issues, social media addiction, and general social and political chaos, we could all do with a little extra support—and a little extra conversation.
Now that spring has (technically) fully sprung, I'm prepared to pack away my knits and winter accessories. While living in NYC comes with limited storage space, there's something exciting about swapping out your wardrobe as the seasons change and rediscovering the pieces that you know and love. My spring wardrobe of course comes with more dresses, more skirts, and more color, but even my bag rotation changes a bit. Dark colors are swapped out for neutrals and pops of color that complete a look, and the texture comes out to play—this season in the form of beads.
There's a reason why the beaded bag has stood the test of time. From the beaded fringe bags of the '20s and '30s, the chunky acrylic beads of the '60s and '70s, to bold colors and beaded illustrations of the '80s and '90s, the beaded bag is and has always been a tried and true way of adding a statement to any look.
At Fendi's Spring/Summer 2026 show, the brand paid homage to the bags featuring beaded illustrations with floral beaded iterations of their iconic baguette bag and staple pouchette. For the baguette, the white and black beads are contrasted by a bright yellow strap and lining. In the case of the pouchette, the bag isn't lined at all—the gaps in the beaded pattern are wide open, exposing all of your everyday essentials (a travel sized bottle of Fendi's Ciao Amore fragrance, anyone?)
Beaded bags offer just the right amount spring and summer energy, so they're perfect for those seasons, but could also arguably be pulled out in the gloomy months when you're in need of a little sunshine.
On Stella McCartney's Spring/Summer 2026 runway, I spotted two trends merged into a single vibrant red pouch bag: crochet and beads. There is something about crochet that just reminds me of a fun, carefree spring and summer—even more so when paired with beads. This pouch is begging to be taken on a tropical vacation and carried out to a dinner on the beach.
Chanel's Metiers d'Art 2026 collection, on the other hand, paid homage to beaded fringe of the '20s and '30s. In this collection, the house's forever iconic flap bags were dripping in dainty beads. This bag calls for a chic, sophisticated night out at a jazz club: martinis, men in suits, and a place where smoking cigarettes inside is allowed.
There's a beaded bag for all occasions, so I think it's time that we all purchase numerous of them.
As we prepare for May and the inevitable mayhem that accompanies the Met Gala, we're taking a quick pause to reflect on the month of April—is it just us or did it really fly by? While we're still not quite sure of what to make of the weather and everyday continues to be an ongoing battle with the question what are we supposed to wear? at the forefront, we have warm weather on our minds. We are desperately craving spring and already trying to make plans for summer—everything is truly moving so fast. This craving is reflected in the ways we've been shopping: swimwear, wedding season pieces, pops of color, and kitten heels begging to be paired with little dresses and skirts. We're taking it one day at a time, but manifesting through the things we pick up along the way. While it might feel like everything is changing all at once, Coveteur editors being indulgent avid shoppers will always be a constant—and that's honestly weirdly comforting to me.
Ahead, the fashion finds and beauty picks that we coveted throughout the month of April.
"Every woman needs a red silk dress. This one from Jandeque is the perfect silhouette. Lightly body-hugging in all the right places, but with wispy and romantic details for a fairy-esque fit." - Faith Xue, Editor-in-Chief
"This is my new carry-everything bag, whether I'm toting around my laptop and gym shoes to work or piling my toiletries and books into it as an in-flight carry-on. The soft black leather has the perfect slouchy shape, and it looks chic with every outfit without sacrificing on space (it holds a shockingly large amount of things)." - Faith Xue, Editor-in-Chief
"Sau Lee designer Cheryl Leung makes gorgeous pieces inspired by her US-meets-Hong-Kong upbringing, and this sheer white late dress is at the top of my list to wear to a chic summer soirée." - Faith Xue, Editor-in-Chief
"I love a mint shade for spring at the moment, and this scoop double layer top from fruity booty feels both practical and a sweet layering piece for the warmer months." - Ella O'Keeffe, Senior Fashion Editor
"Spring has sprung, and suddenly I’m looking for every excuse to wear a kitten heel again. I always come back to Franco Sarto, who makes chic, wearable heels I can actually walk in. And the best part about these? They’re currently 30% off at Famous Footwear." - Kala Herh, Social Strategy Lead
"I’m already starting to think about swimwear sets, even though it’s only the beginning of spring. But honestly, it’s never too early… because the best ones always sell out way too fast. Currently, I’ve snagged this one from Free People as it has that elevated feel I always look for in swimwear. The satin finish makes it feel a bit more special than your standard bikini, and the halter shape is super flattering." - Kala Herh, Social Strategy Lead
"Shopping for my bridal wardrobe has been a struggle, so when I found a unique brand with the most beautiful pieces, it felt like a sign. I hadn’t seen any other bride wear this, and it was the perfect going-out dress—from the low back to the sequins. Not to mention, I danced in it for hours and it was surprisingly comfortable. The dress arriving at my doorstep the morning of my bachelorette party? A true miracle." - Natasha Sheridan, Social Creative Lead
"With summer coming up way quicker than I expected, I’ve been refreshing Baobab’s new arrivals every week. I love finding pieces that have multiple uses—I can wear this as a bathing suit cover up or style it for a chic dinner moment with shorts. The colorful resin stones are chefs kiss." - Natasha Sheridan, Social Creative Lead
"Cult Gaia coming out with a bridal collection is probably the greatest news during my bridal era. When I saw these new shoes—a twist on their classic Calla Lily style—I had to have them. Calla lilies are the main character at my wedding this summer, so this feels like a match made in heaven." - Natasha Sheridan, Social Creative Lead
"I've been slowly upgrading my jewelry rotation and this cuff makes the perfect statement. I love how it feels like abstract art, futuristic, and subtle all at the same time." - Bianca Asare, Associate Editor
"I feel shoes serve as the perfect opportunity to add a pop of color to your look and red sneakers are having their moment this season. I love how these Puma's feel old school, have a slim silhouette, and are genuinely comfy." - Bianca Asare, Associate Editor
"I'm the type of girl who never takes her rings off, for better and often for worse—so, I'm working on changing that. Part of this evolution includes building a larger rotation and swapping out rings based on my vibe and my look. This Silpada ring has been the perfect addition to my collection—it's simple, goes with everything, and still features some fun wavy details." - Bianca Asare, Associate Editor
"I've been a fan of House Of Bō's lush, gender-neutral scents for awhile now, but the new Xu Xú fragrance has jumped to the top spot for me. A sweet blend of clementine, white musks and Mexican vanilla that fades into a damask rose and earl grey tea base, it's a gourmand scent that feels flirty, yet sophisticated. I've been wearing it non-stop since I received it and each time, it gives me a dopamine boost." - Faith Xue, Editor-in-Chief
"As a girl who doesn’t wear lip gloss, Celine’s tinted matte lip balms are a dream come true for moments where you want a little something, but prefer a more muted look." - Ella O'Keeffe, Senior Fashion Editor
"I finally tried the Biodance collagen mask everyone’s been talking about—and I get the hype now. After running through a full pack, this overnight mask (you leave it on for 3–4 hours) has become my go-to when I want my skin to look really good with minimal effort." - Kala Herh, Social Strategy Lead
"I’m usually wary of hair oils because I never want that greasy, weighed-down look—but this one from Chris McMillan completely changed my mind. The mist applicator delivers a light, even veil that leaves my strands with a healthy, glossy finish. I've found it especially great for refreshing a blowout, instantly smoothing frizz, and restoring shine." - Kala Herh, Social Strategy Lead
"If you’re like me and love a floral fragrance but still want that edge you usually get from something muskier, this Creed fragrance is for you. You still get the floral right away, but it’s not one of those scents that stays overly delicate. As it wears, a warmer undertone comes through, giving it more depth and keeping it from feeling too light or predictable." - Kala Herh, Social Strategy Lead
"Red light has always been one of those buzzwords I couldn’t ignore—I’ve tried the masks, the saunas, all of it. But when I came across a showerhead filter with built in red light, I was instantly curious. Filtration and full body red light? That’s my kind of efficiency. Manifesting longer hair and glowing skin." - Natasha Sheridan, Social Creative Lead
"I’m incredibly picky when it comes to my brows. I had heard great things about this brow gel, but I was worried it wouldn’t be as heavy duty as I like, and I was happily very wrong. My brows look like I just got a fresh lamination, and they don’t budge. Consider me converted." - Natasha Sheridan, Social Creative Lead
"I own these in probably every single color and no matter which one I reach for on any given day, at least one person always asks me what I'm wearing. I mostly lead towards this warm terracotta and the warm rich brown, but when the weather finally remains consistently warm, I know I'll be reaching for the pinks." - Bianca Asare, Associate Editor
"My signature scent forever and the one that I get the most compliments on. I just love the balance of zest and aromatic herbs. It's unlike any other fragrance that I own and any fragrance that I've ever smelled." - Bianca Asare, Associate Editor
"As a dry-skinned gal, I've tried a good handful of overnight masks—but I always return to this one. My skin just seems to love the squalane and I love how the consistency feels on my skin. So much so that I sometimes layer it over my moisturizer during the day." - Bianca Asare, Associate Editor
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