And We're Back...

It’s been a minute, and it feels good to be back in your inbox.

Summer in the city, in an simple tee and pant / set I’ve been wearing on repeat

Okay… so I may have taken my own advice — Take Your Time — a little too literally.
I haven’t sent a newsletter since May 9. I’ve still been here in the Notes, reading your letters, but between traveling to Japan and Copenhagen, everything happening in the Crown Affair universe, and just feeling generally drained by social media and the state of the world… I needed a pause. A real one. The kind where you’re not just filling the silence with more noise.

But now, your girl is back.

I’ve been listening to my body when it says “rest,” and now I feel recharged — thanks in part to a truly life-changing EMDR therapy session (I’ll share more soon). Let’s just say I’ve been able to rewire a few patterns that got me where I am… but won’t get me where I want to go. The pressure feels lighter. I’m creating from a place of play and safety. Which is exactly why I’m more excited than ever to be here again — sharing the things that spark joy and creativity for all of us.

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about you — who’s here, and why. Throughout the summer, I’ve met so many of you in real life — on airplanes, in restaurants, in the most unexpected places (truly nothing makes me happier than when you come up and say hi). It fills me up every single time. You tell me you love Crown Affair and the Take Your Time philosophy, and I realize: this is a place on the internet that feels good. You’re not here for filler or algorithm bait. You want something more intentional. And so do I. When I’m here, I feel better. Inspired. Connected. This is the good part.

So, welcome back to more regular programming of the Take Your Time world. I’m so glad you’re here.

A few things coming your way over the next month:

• Turning on a paid tier— I went to my first Substack-hosted breakfast recently in New York and learned that to be verified — and a part of the larger writer / trending letter ecosystem — one needs to turn on a paid option. Take Your Time will remain mostly free, but I’m (officially) opening up a paid tier, maybe for direct chat and more personal dispatches. I’m still mapping it out in real-time, but more regular newsletters to come with additional details soon. Thank you for being here in any and all capacities.

• Guides from my travels — Japan and Copenhagen took weeks of research to plan (and it’s taking me just as long to recap), and I can’t wait to share them with you.

• More of what you love — You’ve told me you enjoyed my posts on style and manifestation / moodboarding. What else do you want more of? Sound off in the comments :)

Take care — and take your time, always.

Dianna

(elft) Suzie Kondi cozy, (middle) one of the many Ossa phone charm wristlets I’ve been loving, (right) 11/10 concealer formula

And now… 3 Things I’m Loving and a Haircare Tip

1. Suzie Kondi Set — We’re calling this The Summer I Turned Into… a set person. Sets make me feel instantly pulled together when I don’t have the time to figure out what I’m wearing. Lately, that’s extended to my travel-day fit, too. Suzie Kondi has become a cozy go-to, with a style that channels the comfort and nostalgia of a Juicy tracksuit— but reimagined in a 70s-inspired silhouette. The fabric is lovely, the lining feels smooth and cool (temperature-wise), and it somehow hits that sweet spot: I’m warm enough on the plane, but not overheating when I step into Miami’s summer humidity to find my Uber post-flight.

2. Ossa Phone Wristlet —I didn’t think I was a phone charm person, but then I saw Duda from Eliou with one (slide 12), and my tune changed. It’s such a fun-meets-functional accessory. I started using it on my Japan trip and haven’t looked back. Most days I mix it up with the shorter strap, but for full sightseeing and museum days, the crossbody (phone facing up / out) is the way to go.

3. Sarah Creal Concealer — Sarah is a real one. She co-founded Victoria Beckham Beauty, she was one of the forces behind OG Prada Beauty, and a veteran of Tom Ford, AERIN… you name it. You can feel every bit of that experience in these formulas. I’ve tried countless concealers (swore Armani was the one), but this is it. The bronzer is just as good, as is this concealer brush (yes, the tools matter) — and now I can’t wait to try more from her line.

Also, pro tip for a ‘Thing I Loving’ for a long time that’s on sale now — THE Attersee Sculpted vest. In every size available, go get her.

1 Hair Tip: It’s Time for a Nighttime Haircare Routine

The way you care for your hair before bed can completely transform how it looks—and feels—when you wake up.

• Step 1: Brush it out — A few slow passes with The Brush No. 001 or 002 before bed distributes natural oils, detangles, and signals your nervous system it’s time to wind down.

• Step 2: Dry shampoo (no aerosols please, but you knew that)— I like to apply The Dry Shampoo BEFORE bed so it absorbs oil as I sleep. You wake up with refreshed scalp and the best volume at your crown.

• Step 3: Repair while you dream — Shhhh our newest product (launching later this month) is your answer to repairing dry or damaged hair. You’ll want to reach for this serum for your mid-length to ends and wake up with princess hair. Stay tuned.

• For your silkiest strands: Swap your standard pillowcase for silk one. It keeps your cuticle smooth, reduces frizz, and feels like a small luxury you get to enjoy every night.

Hair, like skin, responds to consistency and care. Build these little evening moments into your routine and you’ll wake up with hair that looks as good as it feels.