I walked into the Cartier Jewelry Exhibit expecting sparkle, as one does, but the scale and intention behind each piece stops one cold. Beyond making jewelry; Cartier shaped culture with a designer’s eye for architecture, history, and form. The exhibit moves through eras, influences, and entire worlds of craft. It feels both extravagant and sharply disciplined, which is exactly why I wanted to see it in person.

Kensington Palace came with high expectations in my book. I’m not obsessed with the royals, but like everyone else, I can’t look away from a Harry scandal or Kate Middleton’s perfect wardrobe (and hair). My mother adored Princess Diana, and as a kid in the ’90s, I remember her death clearly. All of that history sits in the background, so visiting Kensington Palace—the home tied to every one of these figures—felt exciting.