It’s Time We Return to the Art of Browsing

👁‍🗨 Welome to The Browse: Issue #001

The Browse is a bi-weekly curated list of objects of affection, unique shops/brands and style content I’m browsing each week.

My dearest browsers,

Thank you for being here!!! Or at least … for taking a peak. This is an idea that first came to me as an essay, but I later wanted to put into practice. And that idea is around modern shopping, tastemaking and our relationship to both. As someone who loves to shop and collect beautiful things, I feel like we’ve lately lost the thrill, but also patience of browsing.

I believe that bringing back the word “browsing” into our shopping vocabulary is a must in the fast-paced world we live in. For one, it’s just more fun. But also: it teaches us how to be resourceful and discerning instead of expecting everything to be handed to us.

The environment of shopping has changed a lot, but I still love a good shopping *experience*, which IRL means a good vintage store, a flea market or an experiential boutique. But online, we get sucked into the vortext of ads, influencer marketing the promise of overnight shipping. With these semi-monthly posts (twice a month), I want to encourage you to go on your own journey of finding an item (which might even lead you down a rabbit hole to something different). I want us to lead with curiosity, not urgency.

Think of this as a virtual window shopping session with yours truly where we grab a coffee, take our time and go through things to buy, not buy, try on or just browse! Every other sunday, you’ll get a chance to get a peak into my wishlist (that I haven’t shared with anyone, not even TiKTok) of things that I find unique and beautiful.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s

What to expect from The Browse format: The format of this series will be brief introduction where I reflect on kernels of shopping wisdom I’ve acquired, a reflection around a particular item I bought/rediscovered lately, etc. Then I’ll get into the links of style content, news and occasional sales I’ve been seeing and then a list of my browsing history. These listed items won’t likley be things you need, but things to consider. No pressure to buy — just encouragement to look around.

Each issue will also include one of my favorite shops (usually online, sometiems in person) to browse. Because with how oversaturated online retail has become and the encouragement to simply swipe up and buy things without thinking, I think there’s value in having a couple unique, browsable shops in your toolbox.

Also, the format and additions to this series is endless! So if you have questions you want me to answer or anything else you’d like to see, send me a line.

Happy browsing! — Yours, Arbela 💌

Now … let’s get into the meat and potatoes: THE LINKS.