The first time I visited Hearst Castle as a child, I was captivated by the intricate design of its pergolas. One, in particular, stood out—the remnants of a seemingly endless pergola shading a riding trail along a sun-drenched hill. Another, still in working order, gracefully sheltered the swimming pool area. These weren’t merely decorative flourishes; they served a deliberate purpose. The Hollywood starlets who frequented the estate sought to preserve their porcelain skin, a beauty standard of the time that demanded total avoidance of the sun. Whether horseback riding or lounging by the pool, they remained cloaked in shade, embodying an ideal that defined elegance and privilege.

This notion of beauty felt worlds apart from my own childhood in Lake Tahoe, where tanned skin was a badge of summer freedom. My friends and I spent entire days at the beach, our deep tans reflecting the carefree attitude of endless sunshine and water. In visiting Hearst Castle, I realized how fluid beauty standards are—how deeply they’re tied to history and class. During Hollywood’s golden age, pale skin symbolized wealth and the luxury of avoiding outdoor labor. Today, bronzed skin has become the marker of leisure, signifying the privilege of vacationing in sunny locales or indulging in expensive tanning products.

These shifting ideals expose the arbitrary nature of trends. They often feel less like authentic expressions of beauty and more like societal signals meant to denote status. Even something as seemingly trivial as fingernails reveals this dynamic. Long nails, once a symbol of privilege that signified freedom from manual labor, became popular across all classes, prompting the elite to pivot to minimalist, practical styles. This endless cycle of trends chasing one another feels exhausting—and, if we’re honest, a little absurd.

As I prepare to launch the Kathryn Hastings étui seal next month, I’ve been reflecting on the true meaning of luxury. For many, luxury is misunderstood as a display of wealth or a way to stand apart. To me, luxury isn’t about status. It’s about the richness of life—the quality of one’s experiences and the joy of finding beauty in the small things.

the long and meandering reminanats of the Hearst Castle Pergola

I think back to those shaded pergolas at Hearst Castle. As a child, I might have pitied the starlets, imagining them missing out on the joy of splashing in the sunlit pool. I understood that true luxury isn’t about conforming to or rejecting trends. It’s about understanding what brings you joy and embracing it unapologetically. If you love the sun, sit in it. If your body craves movement, honor that. If it needs rest, let it rest. Luxury, at its essence, is about living authentically and cherishing the moments that make life extraordinary.

Though I design luxury products, I’ve always believed that true luxury doesn’t need to come at an unattainable price. A handmade card, a lovingly crafted wax seal, or a heartfelt handwritten letter can hold far more meaning than anything designed to signal status. These small, thoughtful gestures remind us of our uniqueness and the beauty in what we create with intention and care.

This holiday season, I want to help you create moments of true luxury—moments filled with creativity, connection, and joy. Starting December 1st, I’ll be celebrating the 12 Days of Christmas by sending an email each day with something special from my shop, paired with an idea for a handmade gift or treat you can create for your loved ones.

As you move through the holiday season, I hope you’ll embrace this idea of true luxury. Whether through a heartfelt handmade gift, a quiet moment of creativity, or a cozy afternoon spent doing something you love, may you find beauty in the things that matter most—not in comparison to others, but in celebration of your own sensibilities.

Mark your Calendar

This Friday, November 29th, at Noon Pacific (3pm ET), I will be running a free letter-writing session on Instagram. While much of the world is Black Fridaying, I hope you'll take a moment to write a letter that you can send as a gift to someone this holiday season. ✨

Seal of the Week: God Gives Us

The wax seal depicting a cornucopia and the inscription "God Gives Us" carries the symbolism of abundance, gratitude, and divine provision. The cornucopia, a classical symbol of plenty, overflows with fruits and grains, representing nature's bounty and the blessings of sustenance. Its association with harvest and prosperity aligns with the theme of divine generosity expressed in the inscription.

Color of the Week: Diana

Named after the goddess who was revered for her skill, determination, and connection to nature, Diana represents the power of the natural world and the courage to pursue one's passions. Sealing your letters with Diana is a symbol of your own strength and resilience, and your appreciation for the beauty and mystery of the wild.

This bright green is also favorite for the holidays. I love pairing it with lucky red for an extra cheerful look.

“ Beauty is truth, truth beauty,—that is all Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know. — Excerpt from Ode on a Grecian Urn by John Keats

Ode on a Grecian Urn by John Keats

Thou still unravish'd bride of quietness,
Thou foster-child of Silence and slow Time,
Sylvan historian, who canst thus express
A flowery tale more sweetly than our rhyme:
What leaf-fringed legend haunts about thy shape
Of deities or mortals, or of both,
In Tempe or the dales of Arcady?
What men or gods are these? What maidens loth?
What mad pursuit? What struggle to escape?
What pipes and timbrels? What wild ecstasy?

Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard
Are sweeter; therefore, ye soft pipes, play on;
Not to the sensual ear, but, more endear'd,
Pipe to the spirit ditties of no tone:
Fair youth, beneath the trees, thou canst not leave
Thy song, nor ever can those trees be bare;
Bold Lover, never, never canst thou kiss,
Though winning near the goal—yet, do not grieve;
She cannot fade, though thou hast not thy bliss,
For ever wilt thou love, and she be fair!

Ah, happy, happy boughs! that cannot shed
Your leaves, nor ever bid the Spring adieu;
And, happy melodist, unwearied,
For ever piping songs for ever new;
More happy love! more happy, happy love!
For ever warm and still to be enjoy'd,
For ever panting, and for ever young;
All breathing human passion far above,
That leaves a heart high-sorrowful and cloy'd,
A burning forehead, and a parching tongue.

Who are these coming to the sacrifice?
To what green altar, O mysterious priest,
Lead'st thou that heifer lowing at the skies,
And all her silken flanks with garlands drest?
What little town by river or sea shore,
Or mountain-built with peaceful citadel,
Is emptied of its folk, this pious morn?
And, little town, thy streets for evermore
Will silent be; and not a soul to tell
Why thou art desolate, can e'er return.

O Attic shape! Fair attitude! with brede
Of marble men and maidens overwrought,
With forest branches and the trodden weed;
Thou, silent form, dost tease us out of thought
As doth eternity: Cold Pastoral!
When old age shall this generation waste,
Thou shalt remain, in midst of other woe
Than ours, a friend to man, to whom thou say'st,
"Beauty is truth, truth beauty,—that is all
Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know."

With love,

Kathryn