Inside My Daughter, Alexandra’s Curated Favorites
Today it’s my honor to present my daughter, Alexandra as a guest writer. You have seen many glimpses of her over the years with her wedding shower, Madrid wedding and baby shower.
What you might not know is that Alexandra (I still call her Alie) is a top executive for a major advertising agency and is fluent in three languages. She is also has a flair for vintage dressing and is a great hostess. Ok, I will stop gushing now…
Alexandra De Laurentiis’ Things She’s Loving Edit
Hello, I’m Alexandra! I live in Los Angeles with my husband Luca, kids Louisa (3) and Leonardo (1) and our pup Dolly (named after Dolly Parton).
After spending three weeks with my parents in Florida, swapping design and fashion ideas (we also started dressing sort of alike) we thought it would be fun to share a guest edit for things I’m loving in the New Year. Let us know what you think and maybe we’ll make this a regular thing…
“Cabbage Crush” for 2026
Seems like everyone including Pinterest is predicting Cabbage Crush (or Cabbage Core) as one of the big trends for 2026 and I’m excited!
Luca was an early adopter (ha!), always seeking out cabbage dishes on menus… we made a Tahini-Smothered Charred Cabbage above (recipe HERE) recently and it was delish. I’m also excited to whip out our cabbage plates (similar link HERE or HERE). We got them as part of our wedding registry years ago and they are really fun for layering on a table.
A Great Silky Western Blouse
My mom, Mercedes and I were shopping the post-holiday sales and when I stepped out of the dressing room to show them this green western top, both my mom and Mercedes were holding it, too. All three of us loved it! I wore it to work with jeans recently and it also works as a nice, flowy layer over a silky dress for dinner out.
Some more fun ones (HERE) and (HERE).
‘Memories At Home: Interiors by Heidi Caillier’
My mom gifted me this coffee table book for Christmas and we both enjoyed reading it over the holidays. Some of Heidi’s style tends to be a bit too “cottage core” for me, but I love her playful aesthetic, mix of colorful patterns (pattern washing!) and use of vintage.
Our painter is coming Saturday to color wash my son’s room in a soothing tealish (like my mom’s dining room HERE)… a slippery slope as I also started a mood board for an update to my kids’ bathroom. More to come!
A Perfect Personalized Tote Bag
My friend Shireen gifted me this Land’s End personalized tote when Leonardo was born and it’s been great as a baby and travel carry all. Unfortunately I don’t have any photos from the trip home from Florida because as you can imagine a cross country trip with two toddlers was… wild… but here I am with Leo restocking with his favorite Trader Joe’s finds.
The totes come in a range of colors, styles and sizes. I have the Large Navy tote one but would love a few more – great for weekend trips or grocery runs as well.
Scent Layering with Maison du Roc
Another 2026 prediction is scent layering – basically mixing perfumes to create your own signature scent. My mom and I started doing this with the Maison du Roc Discovery set. While my favorite was the Mousse De Cuir scent (ambery, leathery, milky), I loved it even more with a touch of the Crépuscule (floral, woody, fruity).
Note from Mary Ann: Maison du Roc is offering this discount code: CCH20 for 20% off. My favorite is the Ylang d’Or (floral, spicy, fresh). It’s concentrated and lasts on my skin.
Luca’s (Perfected) Paella Recipe
My mom featured this before but on New Years day Luca really seemed to perfect the recipe.
Inspired by our trip to Valencia to visit family (he was born in Spain), Luca realized the trick is… LESS RICE (so it’s bit al dente) and to experiment a little bit with ingredients. This time he did mild Italian sausages and more veggies (tomatoes & green beans).
Recipe HERE – still 100grams/person but reduce overall rice to ¾ – 1 cup. Will serve less but that’s ok! Have a salad or roasted vegetables and of course some bread for the roasted garlic.
Traditionally Paella is a lunch dish in Spain, followed by a siesta which Louisa and I tried on New Years Day and it was delightful. Remember you need a good paella pan (HERE) and we like the Paellero Spices (HERE). Amazon also has a fun gift set (HERE).
Anyways, thank you for letting me share some things I’m excited about right now! We are making changes to the kid’s rooms so I will have a few more fun things for you in the future.
xo, Alexandra
I’m late with my comment, but Alexandra’s post was wonderful and I hope she will continue to share with us, her ideas and knowledge as an added extra bonus to my very favorite blog! Like mother, like daughter she is truly a gem!
I loved your daughter’s post! Sweet season of life for her. Great mother/daughter team. Makes me smile to see you have similar taste and style. My daughter and I share interests and laugh when we show up almost “matchy-matchy”. Lucky us! More. Please.
Lori, I could never buy for Alexandra though as our tastes used to be different but they seem to be aligning more lately.
Your daughter is a very accomplished person – as you are! I would love to see more posts with her. I too love and have two great Lands End totes. So sturdy, versatile and I throw mine in the washing machine/hang dry when needed.
So good to know about washing the totes since they are white, Deanna!
This was great! A regular feature from Alexandra would be most welcome! I loved the variety of her recommendations complete with links. Well done!
Hi Mary Ann,
What a wonderful post, Alli is gifted in so many ways. What an incredible family she has. You must have a fabulous time when you are together. Well, look at her mother.
I would enjoy seeing more of your daughter on the blog. Thank you for sharing.
So sweet, Kathy!!
Wow this was fun!! Loved learning more about Alie. I have always admired her sense of style. Make it a regular series!!
This may convince her, Cindy…she is just so busy.
I loved reading Alie’s recommendations and hearing her voice! She’s a lovely addition! My daughter is about the same age, and we’ve had our large red-handled Lands End bag since she was a toddler! It was perfect for San Diego beach days here. I just got her one for hauling her kids stuff around. Anyway, I’m off to find cabbage plates! Come back, Alie. You two compliment each other. Of course. xo
There is a lot of sentimental value there for your daughter, Jennifer.
Very enjoyable! More Alie please!
Thank you for introducing your lovely daughter to your blog. I hope she keeps up sharing all her styles. I so enjoyed reading this today.
Thanks, Marian!!
Fantastic idea – we want more Alie features!
GREAT, Martha!
Fun to learn more about Alexandra! I’d love to have that stylish last name 😉, too. A delish cabbage dish I grew up with: sliced cabbage, sautéed bacon, sliced celery on diagonal. Sauté / stir fry, adding a small amount of water and cover briefly. This was one of my Chinese-born mother’s best side dishes! I just loved it as a kid.
That sounds great and right up Luca’s alley!
Dear Mary Ann,
Thank you for sharing your Alexandra! Your introductions through the years helped create a seamless story line which I hope you continue from time to time.
Most importantly, the ways the two of you embrace Mercedes is remarkable.. She must feel and appreciate your extravagant love.
Hugs from Mercer Island, Diney
We DO love Mercedes, Diney!
Welcome Alexandra, my daughter is similar in age to you and it’s always fun to hear your ideas, I look forward to more inspiration!
Thanks, Annette. Aren’t we lucky moms?
Refreshing post❣️Such a sweet mother daughter relationship- just what every mom wants.
Keep giving us glimpses
Thanks, Cathy. This was fun for us.
Oops, sorry about the spelling.
More from Alexandria, – she is as lovely and delightful to read as her mother.
You are so sweet, Sylvia.
Happy New Year Alex and MaryAnn!
Love cabbage but beware the dry recipes of kale!!
Great guest post! So fun – you have such an amazing family! Cabbage plants have been having a moment the last few years in Nebraska — they grow so well and last well into our cold season. Just a tidbit from me!
Maybe we should plant some in our planters!
I had no idea cabbage was having a moment, but I have been all over it, too, lately. Sometimes I amaze myself when I discover I have been trending without realizing it! Ha!
Red cabbage diced and sautéed with red onions is so good.
That sautéed cabbage does sound delish.
I love this post!! What a fun idea! Love the idea of scent layering, the silk western shirt and how Alexandra is wearing it. So versatile! I hope you and Mercedes got one too!
Xx
I bought the shirt for us to share, Annie…so I’m taking it back with me next visit 🙂 Mercedes did buy it too.
This was fun! More from Alexandra, please!
I will twist her arm 🙂