Modèle
April 2026
the issue at a glance:
Under the Californian Sun
Beauty Favorites
Echoes of Italy in Sonoma Valley
editor’s guide to Sonoma & Napa Valley
Making Room for What Matters
Modèle Fashion
Under the Californian Sun
three spring fashion trendsMixed Textures
Silk midi skirts, soft sweaters, crepe trousers, lace blouses, cotton button-ups, and woven accessories—spring is the perfect season to mix and match your favorite textures before the weather heats up too much. In this “staple” outfit, I opted for a chocolate brown midi skirt with lace trim, a soft white knit whose closure details feel perfect for warmer days, white Chanel loafers, and a mini rattan handbag with a Twilly wrapped around the handle—a look that can easily take you from daytime to a cooler evening.
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Draped Silhouettes
This blouse alone emulates the feeling of a leisurely afternoon, sipping wine under the warm sun. The dark neutral keeps the look grounded in the early season, while the sheerness—paired with white denim—hints that warmer days are on their way. I finished off the look with my favorite perforated suede flats, another great way to add texture.
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Neutral Patterns
Florals and bright patterns make their reappearance every spring, but if you prefer neutrals, animal print is a great way to have fun with pattern. This zebra Mango dress, paired with a leopard scarf, felt like a bold choice while staying true to my palette. Add some slim, round sunnies and an open-toed kitten heel, and you’ll feel effortlessly chic.
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Modèle Beauty
beauty favorites
what i’m currently loving and using
smells like a warm summer evening
keeps your lips lined all day — shade “almond” for a neutral look
less breakouts while traveling
Protects your blowout overnight
keeps your browns in place
every-day coverage that nourishes your skin
Add radiance back into your skin
non-greasy, mineral spf
Modèle Travel
Echoes of Italy in Sonoma Valley
A stay at Kenwood Inn & Spa
“Oh my God.” Those were the first words that fell out of my mouth as my boyfriend and I turned off Highway 12, the sunset fading over Moon Mountain behind us. Gone was the noise of cars rushing by as we entered our own oasis: Kenwood Inn & Spa. Enclosed by trees and manicured grounds were Italian-inspired stucco buildings with perfectly placed arches, wooden window shutters, and vines climbing their walls. No two buildings were alike, mimicking a small village. Even the dim yellow lights felt transportive, reminiscent of a nighttime walk down a European street. It was at that moment I knew this place had already exceeded any expectations I’d had.
Checking into the inn was just as delightful a surprise. We were warmly welcomed by the concierge with two glasses of bubbles and freshly baked, homemade cookies as we were escorted to our room. As the door opened, I was already stunned to see a six-person dining table, a full living area set in front of the fireplace, and a king-size bed—but nothing could have prepared me for what I saw when I turned the corner at the end of the room. Sitting at the end of the long hallway—and practically glowing—was the bathroom of my dreams. It featured a tandem shower with marble walls, jack-and-jill sinks, a large soaking tub, and three expansive windows that let in the most beautiful light each morning. To top it all off, our room had a private balcony overlooking the vineyards ahead—a view we enjoyed with coffee every morning. By the end of our stay, we were joking that if we could sign a lease to live there permanently, we would.
Although we were excited to explore Sonoma and the surrounding areas, it was hard to part with the property. Each morning, the inn provided a delicious farm-to-table breakfast with a spread of quiche, pastries, lox bagels, yogurt parfaits, and overnight oats—and, in true wine country fashion, mimosas. Our routine became enjoying breakfast in the main courtyard, with sunshine filtering through the trees and the sound of the nearby fountain, followed by a stroll around the grounds to explore its many beautiful corners and details. One morning, we even decided to put on our swimsuits and sunbathe by the pool—a sanctuary of its own, with comfortable chaises, cabanas, and inviting blue water. While sixty-five degrees and sunny may not be warm enough for someone accustomed to California weather, we were more than content to soak up some vitamin D—especially after enduring another long, cold Indiana winter.
In the afternoons, when we were finally ready to venture out and explore local wineries, the concierge was incredibly helpful in recommending the best places to visit—even offering us complimentary tastings at two nearby wineries: VJB Cellars and Wellington Cellars. We started at VJB Cellars, an Italian-owned and -inspired vineyard in the heart of Kenwood, complete with a Tuscan villa, Italian varietals, and La Cucina, which serves paninis, wood-fired pizza, and a market of products from their chef, Maria. We sampled six wines, taking a bottle of our favorite home—the Rosso Family Blend—before enjoying a Margherita pizza and afternoon gelato outside on the piazza, an experience that further enhanced the feeling of an Italian holiday.
Wellington Cellars, just over two miles down the road and owned by the same family, was equally pleasant. We tasted everything from Chardonnay to Cabernet Franc, again taking home a bottle of the Estate Grenache—a soft, fruity red varietal that’s hard to come by. Our wine educator, Kyle, even offered us a tour of the property, teaching us more about the estate’s history and winemaking process. We finished our visit with another glass of Grenache while strolling through the vineyards.
Over our four-night stay at Kenwood Inn & Spa, we naturally fell into an evening routine that quickly became sacred. After afternoons spent exploring wineries, we made it back in time for the inn’s daily 5 p.m. wine tasting, which highlighted a different local vineyard each evening (a lot of wine in one day—but hey, when in Rome!). Our preferred dinner was ordering takeout from a nearby restaurant, slipping into our robes, and watching a movie while we feasted. We’d then throw on our swimsuits for a nighttime soak in the hot tub, with the cool valley air and moon as our only companions. Our nightcap was hot chamomile tea—an effort to offset all the wine we’d consumed—before drifting off to sleep in the most comfortable, cloud-like bed.
Some places are harder to leave than others, and Kenwood Inn & Spa was one of them—especially after what was meant to be a three-night stay turned into four. As we packed up the car and turned back onto Highway 12, it wasn’t just the setting that stayed with me, but a sense of calm and ease that lingered long after the perfectly mismatched buildings faded into the rearview mirror.
Written in partnership with Kenwood Inn & Spa
Sonoma & Napa Valley
editor’s guide to 
Best place for bubbles?
Domaine Carneros – Their French-inspired chateau is stunning and it sits on a hill overlooking the rolling hills of Napa Valley. They offer cheese and charcuterie tastings with their wine!
Winery that serves food?
VJB Cellars – Highly recommend getting a glass of wine, pizza, and gelato, and enjoying outside on their piazza
A sobering meal between wineries?
Gott’s Roadside – A diner-style burger joint in the town of Napa. They have super yummy sides, like brussel sprouts and sweet potato fries, and milkshakes too!
A good spot for dinner?
the girl & the fig – A french-inspired dinner spot in the town of Sonoma with a very lively, cute vibe. If they have cream of tomato as their soup of the night, you have to try it.
Most “Instagramable" winery?
Chateau St. Jean – Has the most beautiful gardens with fountains and plenty of places to sit around the property. Definitely a good spot for a warm, sunny day!
Worth the drive?
Fishertarian – A little seafood shack in Bodega Bay, which is a cute town on the coast. I got the lobster roll which is a classic, but Donavan’s fish and chips had it beat!
Best place to stay?
Kenwood Inn & Spa – but you already knew that ;)
Winery with the coolest architecture?
Darioush – An Iranian-owned winery that has architecture mimicking the ancient Iranian city of Persopolis. The inside is just as beautiful.
Your favorite bottle of wine you brought home?
The Grenache from Wellington Cellars – fell in love with how fruit forward and rich the taste was, and we learned that a 100% Grenache is hard to come by!
Something you wish you knew about the area?
In Napa, you can’t just order a glass of wine at a winery or open a bottle to enjoy it there, you have to do a tasting. They have that regulation in place so that they don’t compete with bars or restaurants in the county. Sonoma doesn’t have that regulation, so something to keep in mind when planning your winery visits!
Modèle Lifestyle
Making Room for What Matters
I’ve realized lately that I’m no longer the girl I used to be. The girl who used to be content spending her days laughing with friends, taking a nap when she needed rest, or reading a book for hours has been replaced with a girl who is obsessed with making sure the house is clean, the bills are paid, 10,000 steps are walked, and the to-do list is crossed off. Of course, some of this is an inevitable part of adulting—yes, the bills need to be paid and work needs to get done—but when did we all succumb to this unrealistic idea that we have to do it all in a day? There’s no doubt that social media plays a big role in it—as if there’s an award for “Most Productive Day in the Life,” and I myself am guilty of this. But the truth is: none of it truly matters if you don’t have your health, your family, your friends, or anything else you cherish most.
If you follow my journey on Instagram, then you know that I’ve faced some challenges with my health over the past couple of months. Having surgery to remove a 5cm endometrioma, and then finding out I most likely have endometriosis, was not on my 2026 bingo card, but it’s been a humble reminder of what is truly important in life. My doctor told me that I didn’t do this to myself—I exercise a lot, I eat well, I take my vitamins, and I’m a healthy person—but I disagree with her. While on the surface it may look like I take care of myself, there is one huge factor that interferes with it: stress.
For years, I’ve been crippled by a to-do list, fighting to achieve this unattainable version of perfection and constantly living in a high-cortisol state. Most of it comes from a place of good intention—a passion for following my dreams and trying to “make it” in life. But in all of this, I’ve realized I’ve actually gotten farther away from the person I want to be: a great friend, a great partner, and a great daughter. I have been so engulfed in small things that I’ve forgotten to nurture the people and parts of my life that matter most. When I think about my life fifty years from now, will I think about the time I posted Modèle a day late? That I didn’t post on Instagram for two days? Or will I be grateful for the relationships I treasured and the experiences I lived?
In sharing my recent struggles with my mom, she told me a story about a jar, rocks, and sand—a reminder that the biggest pieces in life, the rocks, must always go in first, or the smaller things will fill the space and leave no room for what matters most. While my career, my home, and my routine are important to me, they should never come before my health, my people, or my joy. To me, this new season feels like a fresh chapter—an opportunity to evaluate my priorities and focus on what is truly significant, rather than what isn’t. And my hope is that I will rediscover the girl who knew how to simply just be.
Hold the story in your hands
A limited-run print of the April issue, made for your coffee table magazine collection.
Available for purchase until April 30, 2026
Modéle
April 2026
Creator & Editor
Daria Afshar
Creative Assistant
Donavan McClintick
Partnerships
Kenwood Inn & Spa
Featured Brands
Aritzia
BÉIS
Clearstem
Dolce Vita
Heaven Mayhem
Kitsch
Levi’s
Madewell
MANGO
Rebecca Minkoff
Reformation
Réalisation Par
Summer Fridays
Shevoke
Skin by Ella Rose
The Skinny Confidential
Typology