Kind reminder that this week’s content is for paid subscribers only, and you’re welcome to join anytime! Your subscription helps me continue this work, and it means so much that you’re here.

Before I start on the travel guide, I want to let you know that this week’s vlog (Maine travel + a few days in NYC) will be the last piece of weekly scheduled content because I’ll be in Vietnam. As explained at the end of last week’s vlog, here, I cannot mentally and physically write, film, and edit content the week of while I’m away, especially when I’m with family. Promise I’ll share everything when I get back. Meanwhile, you can always follow me on IG and TikTok and feel free to reach out if you need anything!

Southern Main Guide

*resharing my August playlist that I’ve been playing on repeat

**rating each spot with Maine icons/emojis: 3 emojis meaning it’s an essential/must-visit, 2 emojis meaning it’s a crowd’s pleaser, and 1 emoji meaning it’s worth to try once!

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Just a heads up that there will be a temporary pause on my weekly Substack and vlog content when I’m away. More details and dates to look out for, coming later this month! Meanwhile, you can always reach me on IG and TikTok because I’m always on there, posting whenever I can.

I hope you’re well, and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you ever need anything- links, recommendations, etc. Thanks for reading and supporting!

17 Fun Things to Do in NYC in August & September 2026

1. If you’re in NYC and looking for dinner ideas, definitely follow my Sotol Romo Route. Click for links to videos!

• Stop #1: Nobu Downtown

• Stop #2: Nubeluz by José Andrés at the Ritz Carlton in Nomad

• Stop #3: Oriana Restaurant

• Stop #4: El Fish

Sotol Romo Route - Stop #4 - El Fish Marisquería, UWS

I got invited back by the wonderful Sotol Romo team to dine at another partner restaurant, El Fish, and try out their food and cocktail (made with Sotol Romo) pairing. If you’re looking for seafood Mexican-inspired dishes with a coastal setting in uptown NYC, definitely plan it for a date night. The El Fish team surprised me with some dishes and the Sotol Romo drink (served neat; warning: it’s very strong!), accompanied by dessert, and the team made me feel very special! I’ve heard the Lobster Aguachile is really good, so let me know if you try it!

2. ‘Botero in New York” (July 22 – September 7, 2026) at Sotheby's (The Breuer Building: 945 Madison Ave, New York). This is the first Sotheby’s selling exhibition at the landmark Breuer building that dedicates to a single artist. Admission is free.

Fernando Botero (April 19, 1932 – September 15, 2023) is a Colombian painter and sculptor. He’s one of the most famous artists from Latin America in his lifetime. His signature style, famously known as ‘Boterismo’, depicts subjects in their voluminous, exaggerated size and proportion. His time in New York, from 1960 to 1973, was the pivotal time where he made this artistic change — the familiar ‘round’ Botero figures, Pop Art style, are said to have poked fun at history, politics, etc. It’s definitely a good NYC summer art stop, worth an afternoon trip uptown

3. Portland, Oregon-based ceramicist, Sara Victorio, from HOTEL (yes, it’s the chunky colorful mugs that you see everywhere on social in the past few years!), is popping up at Dinner Party (274 Hall Street, Brooklyn) from August 22 - 23, 2026. I already know that it’s going to be packed with Brooklyn girlies who love mugs and have followed HOTEL on IG for years. Hours are from 10 am to 2 pm.

4. August weather is perfect for an outdoor summer movie. If you’re in NYC, I’d recommend coming out, packing along a picnic blanket and snacks. ‘Movies With A View’ (Thursdays in July & August - September 18) is Brooklyn Bridge Park’s most popular series ft. free outdoor movies on the waterfront. Entry is free, and capacity is on the first-come, first serve basis, starting at 6:00 PM. Movies begin at sunset. Location: Pier 1, Harbor View Lawn.

5. I know that Brooklyn Bridge Park is such a heavily touristy spot, but I cannot deny the fact that it is made for everyone. I love going near the water, and I wish I lived within a walking or biking distance. Here’s the park map and list of all of the must-do things when you’re here.

• Take photos at DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass)

• Ride the historic Jane’s Carouse

• Pier 1 - biking (to Pier 6), ‘Movies With A View’

• Pier 2 - kayaking, roller skating (skate rentals cost $8).

• Pier 3 - labyrinth, picnic lawn and plaza

• Pier 5 - soccer, fishing, picnic & BBQ, playground, Brooklyn Bridge Marina, Oddfellows Ice Cream Co.

• Pier 6 - green relaxing retreat with lots of playgrounds for kids, volleyball,

• Wander through Squibb Park and take photo of you in front of Lower Manhattan skyline view in the background on the bridge!

6. The 2026 US Open runs from August 23 through September 13, 2026, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, Queens. Yes, tickets to go watch the US Open are crazy expensive, and it’s every New Yorker’s bucket list thing. I wish I was a bit more sporty, but I really want to go and experience it once. There’s also Fan Week, and it takes place from August 23 – 29 with free grounds access. If you go, please share about your experience!

7. Mark your calendar for the largest free Literature Festival in NY: The Brooklyn Book Festival (September 20 – 28, 2026). See details below:

• Citywide Bookends - Sept 20 - 22, 2026. Locations in all 5 boroughs

• Virtual Festival - September 20, 2026. 1pm - 6pm

• Children's Day - Saturday, September 26, 2026 - Brooklyn Borough Hall (209 Joralemon St.). 10am - 4pm

• Festival Day - Sunday, September 27, 2026 - Brooklyn Borough Hall and surrounding venues. 10 am - 6 pm

8. Inspired by this post titled ‘Experience NYC’s Diverse Chinese Cuisines’ from NYC Tourism that I came across this week, I thought I’d share my own list: An’s List - Chinatown NYC Food Guide 2026 (updated for 2026 and posted last week). If you’re in the mood for a food crawl to do with friends, pick one of the 3 Chinatowns, bring cash, and go with an empty stomach and friends. It’s best to do a mix, starting from ‘Chinatown Classics’ to street-side snacks, food carts, food halls, and sit-down restaurants serving classic or modern dishes. Hot pot. Dim Sum. Don’t forget the bakeries and desserts including cakes, boba, and fruits. And, don’t forget to learn a little bit of the history of these places in Chinatown, too.

9. I’m so sad that I’ll miss most of New York Fashion Week (September 10 -15, 2026) happenings in NYC because I’ll be in Vietnam. Last year, I almost got booked a job, NYFW-related, but it didn’t happen. I’d love to attend NYFW festivities, but hopefully, I won’t miss out too much this year? Some of my favorite brands that I’ll be on the look out for their runway shows include Kallmeyer, Tory Burch, Calvin Klein Collection, Khaite, Magda Butrym, Fforme, and Heirlome.

10. Visit beautifully designed stores, furniture galleries, hotel lobbies, coffee shops and bars, just to take a photo and then admire the interior is one of my favorite things to do when I’m in a big city. If you’re able, of course, you should buy something to support the business, not just there to take the photo and leave, think things like a drink or a small gift. I’d always say hi and try to engage/talk to the employees/owners, give compliments, or at least show that you’re here to browse for ideas and inspiration. Some places such as furniture or art gallery spaces are more strict with photos and videos, so it’s always nice to ask before you take the photos or recording!

Let me know if you’d like me to do a part 2 because I know a lot more cool spots! :)

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11. I’m curious to know if you’d like your corn sweet or savory? I love corn, and I love it in every way how it’s prepared! This summer, I’ve seen so much corn related content on TikTok, and it inspires me to compile this list of corn dishes that I love including desserts and baked goods that you can get in NYC. Hopefully you’ll get to try something new with corn in it before the summer ends. I also made corn pasta last week on the vlog! 🌽🌽🌽

• Culture Espresso: corn cookie

• Claude: corn pastry - Maïs

• Lisbonata: sweet corn soft serve

• Schmackerty’s: corn cookie

• Caffe Panna: last year’s sundae

• Radio Bakery: blueberry corn croissant, corn cake, corn focaccia

• Cosme: corn husk meringue

• Hani’s: corn, blackberry pastry

• Red gate bakery: triple corn cake and corn bun

• Chim Chim: sweet corn cheesecake

12. I think coffee beans make such great gifts for coffee lovers, and you cannot go wrong with any locally roasted beans from locally owned coffee shops in the city or region that you’re traveling to! My favorites in NYC are highlighted below.

• Devocion - the freshest beans from Colombia! I’m an affiliate partner, and you can shop via my link or use the my code ANTRIEU at checkout for 20% off. I usually order mine online and pick the beans up at their store in Williamsburg, but other times, I’d get them shipped if I can’t commute to the store.

  • If you’re in New York, come by Devoción Nomad café (1134 Broadway) this Saturday, August 15. They’re hosting the Latin Run Club starting at 9 am and donating 100% of the proceeds to the National Colombian Coffee Growers’ Federation (FNC) to support coffee growers and their communities affected by the earthquake (a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Colombia this past Monday).

• La Colombe - They’re a Philly coffee chain, but I want to share the words. I think they’re more known in the east coast, but again, I like La Colombe espresso drinks with milk. My go-to order is usually an oat latte, and it’s the only latte I’d ever get sweetened. Anything on the draft is good, too, but it’s too milky to my liking. If you buy beans directly at La Colombe stores, you can get a cup of hot brewed coffee or a cold brew for free! They’re also widely available at a lot of grocery stores and coffee shops in NYC.

• Oslo - Opened in 2003, Oslo’s HQ is the Williamsburg, Brooklyn location (not Norway), and it’s where I frequent the most, especially when I have the car and drive around for errands. They also have another Williamsburg store, one in Yorkville UES, and in the West Village.

• Café Integral - Founded in 2012, Café Integral offers fine coffee from Nicaragua. If you’re near Chinatown/Nolita area, I’d highly recommend stopping in for a cup of espresso drink and take home a bag of beans.

13. Chelsea flea market is one of my favorite flea markets I’ve been to. There are

14. The NY Times released The Best Clothing Stores in New York, and I think it’s such a great idea to do a crawl if you’re in the mood to go shopping and crossing off everything in the list during your trip in NYC.

• Dover’s Street Market NY

• Blue in Green

• Front General Store

• La Garçonne

• Lara Koleji

• Outline

• Tokio 7

• Ven Space

• KITH

• Nepenthes

Places on the list that I haven’t been to: Arete Studios, C’H’C’M’, Dave’s New York Hat Club, Illisa’ s Vintage Lingerie, Makie.

***I went to OUTLINE archive sale haul this week - scored some really good pieces and shared a haul at the end of vlog 160, live this Sunday 10 AM!

15. I was shocked to learn that my partner got us tickets to see The Odyssey on IMAX (70mm) at AMC Lincoln Square 13 next week. So far, I’ve watched a ton of videos to refresh my Greek mythology knowledge, and I have about a week to catch up with my reading, Circe by Madeline Miller. If you’re in NYC, I’d highly recommend watching it on IMAX (70mm) at AMC Lincoln Square 13. We only have one true IMAX 70 mm theater in all of New York City!

16. If you live in NYC and have not made a trip out of the city, take this as a sign. You can rent a car and pitch in with a friend or two and head upstate or out of New York, exploring other states in New England. This would be a great idea if you’re visiting as well, and of course, you’d need at least a weekend to do this. It’s best to fly into Boston, rent a car and drive out to the coast from there. From NYC, it’s a trek, but my partner and I do it at least once a year in the summer. New England fall is a completely different experience and trip, and I will cover more of that next month!

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Maine weekend getaway

In fact, this weekend, by the time this newsletter gets to you, I’d already make it to Boston. My partner and I are heading to Maine for a last-minute and quick little road trip, just the two of us. We’ll do Portland, Kennebunkport, and Ogunquit, and visiting family in Boston first thing. It is my dream to be able to book and stay at one of the historic and charming properties along the coast, but everything is just so incredible expensive in the summer (same thing with fall here because of the foliage!). However, this time, I’ve marked a bunch of new spots on my Google Maps. I’m most excited for lobsters and some relaxing time spent just between us two!!!

If you have any other recommendations for food and fun things to do in the south of Maine, please send them my way.

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The perfect summer show to watch right now!

And lastly, if you’re looking for a feel-good show about sisterhood, you have to watch the newest show on Prime, Sterling Point (2026 - Drama, Romance, Mystery). I really didn’t expect much from the beginning, but towards the second half of the show, I literally felt butterflies in my stomach! The cast is beautiful, and the scripts are undeniably good. Think long summer days in cottages on a remote island… with such like-able characters. Ahh! It’s a good Gen Z teen drama that I know a lot of millennials would enjoy because it manages to be nostalgic and current at the same time. I wish that season 2 would be here already, but again, you have to watch it before the summer ends.

Take care!

x

An

For now, please enjoy my updated food guide for 2026! This is the list of food recommendations that I’d share to friends and family ft. my favorite spots in Chinatown in Manhattan, Chinatown in Brooklyn, and Flushing, Queens. If you’re visiting NYC and crave Asian food, start here! And again, don’t forget to subscribe below for more NYC recommendations like this!

Chinatown NYC Food Guide 2026

A few tips before we start. Know these before heading to Chinatown:

• For local experience, it’s best to go to Chinatowns early hours of the day!

• CASH IS KING! Small restaurants will only take cash, but most will offer a cheaper bill if you pay with cash. Just ask if you don’t see it posted anywhere.

• In Manhattan, Little Italy is a tourist trap, but much of Chinatown isn’t. You can find very affordable authentic Asian food, and most of the businesses are ran by Cantonese, Fujinese, and ethnic Chinese-Vietnamese communities.

• Stalls along Grand Street, Hester Street, and East Broadway sell fresh, seasonal fruits at good prices. I mostly buy from the biggest stall at the corner where the owner (and the kids) speak Vietnamese because they have the largest offerings. I know that Viet people tend to be super picky with their fruits, so just trust me on this! Bring cash!

• Flushing, in fact, has all of the best Chinese food, but it is worth it to go if your nyc visit is longer. If you don’t have a car, skip Chinatown in Brooklyn. Chinatown in Manhattan has most of everything you’re looking for, and don’t get in that long line unless you really want that ‘viral’ food (for example: the pineapple bun at Mei Lai Wah, the $28 weekend Bánh Mì Chảo at Phê by Mắm, or BBQ meat with rice lunch offering at Wah Fung No.1 Fast Food). I promise it will not change your life!

CHINATOWN, MANHATTAN

1. Tan Tin Hung Supermarket - 121 Bowery — I only go here for Vietnamese spices, herbs, and dry goods to restock my pantry. They don’t have fresh produce and have a very limited prepared food and snack options. Here’s a quick list of what I typically get here:

   • Herbs: rau răm (Vietnamese coriander), rau ngo/ngo om (rice paddy herb), ngò gai (culantro), diếp cá (fish mint), tía tô (perilla), lemongrass.

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I’m addicted to buying… good wardrobe basics.

It’s not like I’ve made it my lifelong mission to pursue it, but I take great joy in doing it. I love and appreciate a well-fitting tank or T-shirt, good jeans, and soft, comfortable underwear. Good basics make dressing so easy because I can throw on and call it a day.

So here’s the start of my new wardrobe series, sharing about good basics, starting with my collection of tanks and T-shirts from my favorite brand FLORE FLORE.

My FLORE FLORE tee and tank collection

In case you’re not familiar, FLORE FLORE, founded by Flòrian van Zuilen in 2021, is a brand of ‘cotton classics made for the modern woman.’ They’re based based in Amsterdam.

FLORE FLORE tees and tanks are made from 100% organic cotton in Portugal. Their most well-known fabric is the thicker cotton with a slight stretch and the middle seam in the back, and my favorites include the Esme, Hannah, and Max. The Maggie is made from thicker, jersey-like cotton material, also with a central seam in the back. The Anna and Olivia are slightly sheer, rib-knit fabric, a completely different fabric than previous styles.

Iman long-sleeve, black, size S

The Iman has just come in this week, purchased from SSENSE, and I’m pleased to share that it’s a great top. I love the fabric, the fit, and the deep curvy V-neck!

Hannah tank, white & navy, size S

I love halter neck tops with racerback cut like this on me because I think it helps drawing people’s attention upwards. If you have slightly chunkier arms like me, try a halter top! I have the Hannah in white and navy, and I specifically reserve the white for special occasions. It means that I’m more careful when putting it on or taking it off, and wearing and washing it less.

Maggie long-sleeve, navy, size M

Since the Maggie has a looser-fit, I sized up to M so that it fit more oversized. It also has the central seam at the back, but the fabric is the thickest with jersey-like finish. It’s definitely not the summer fabric, but I know I will reach for it a lot again late summer night and early fall.

Car tee, pickle, size S

I bought this tee from OUTLINE just because I wanted to buy something that one visit. I think another reason is because of the color. It’s called ‘Pickle’, so I have to have it. So far, I’ve only worn it once in Barcelona!

Olivia tee, brown (choco plum), size S

Anna tee, white, size S

The Anna tee is made from the same slightly sheer knit cotton fabric as the Olivia. I love the sleeve length, and the fabric clings beautifully on the body and feels so good on. Underneath, I have on this mesh triangle bralette, also slightly sheer, and I definitely plan on adding a pair of nippies.

Max long-sleeve tee, black, size S

The Max’s fit is exactly like the Iman’s, but with the crew neck instead of the deep V. The thick ribbing detailing at the neckline as well as the wrists add a bit of form to such simple top. It’s a great top that I see lasting in my wardrobe for many years!

Dewi tee, white, size S

COS and GAP have a really good dupe of this V-neck styled tee (would love to own the Jill!), so I’d say to go for the cheaper alternatives. I wish I got it in size XS because of the gapping around the neckline. The deep V-neck cut is so flattering, but I wish I sized down.

Steffi tee, white, size S

If you watch my vlogs, I talk about how obsessed I am with 3/4 length sleeve all summer long. And there’s no doubt that the Steffi started it all. Again, it’s made from the same thick cotton fabric, and the boat-neck cut with the thick ribbing hug around my shoulder in a way that no other tops can do. It’s so flattering, and I love how it also hugs around my waist and ends right on top of the waistbands of most of my pants. No need to tuck in!

• Good alternatives: LA APPAREL (I have color navy!), CouCou Intimates (I have it in black!), Reformation

Hillie tank, black, size S

I find that scoop necks tend to age me a bit, but that’s not the case for this one. I love the wide shoulder straps and the fact that they hug the chest area so perfectly. It’s slightly cropped, and I feel supported without even needing a bra.

Esme tee, black and white, size S

Esme tees are the oldest and most-worn in my collection. The higher crew-neck and straight sleeve cut with the thick ribbing as well as the slightly cropped length and thick enough, slightly stretchy fabric make it the most perfect tee that ever exists in my opinion. The white color picks up makeup and sweat stain easier, and it’s the reason why I don’t reach for it as often. But the black color deserves to be on the top #1 of this list!

• Good alternatives: VIR VITA, GAP

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Overall, I love all of my FLORE FLORE tops, however, this ranking is based from the most to least worn and how versatile each style is: Esme (black), Steffi (white), Anna (white), Hillie (black), Iman (black), Olivia (brown), Max (black), Dewi (white), Hannah (white & navy), Esme (white), Maggie (navy - because the fabric is thick, I don’t reach for it in the summer!), Car (pickle - least fav mainly because of the color choice). The Iman, Anna, and Hillie are new in my collection but ranked higher because I already know I’d reach for them all the time.

• Where to shop for FLORE FLORE - Online: SSENSE, NET-A-PORTER, MODA OPERANDI, FWRD, MOHAWK GENERAL STORE, ELYSEWALKER. In-person in NYC: OUTLINE (Brooklyn), BOMI (SoHo)

Note that FLORE FLORE has increased their prices quite a bit over the years. In person, OUTLINE used to be where I shop because their prices are sometimes $20 - $30 cheaper than what you’d see on SSENSE. Now with the separate tariff charge, I’d recommend checking for the total price on SSENSE and compare it with other retailers. I went to check out FLORE FLORE at OUTLINE recently, and their prices are the same as what you see online. I’m, again, disappointed because OUTLINE used to pride themselves as having no online presence and prioritize in-person shopping. The upcharge is usually associated with the cost of website and shipping, however, I understand that it’s still much better to support local businesses. I still still come in and shop at OUTLINE as well as many local clothing boutiques and am happy to pay for the convenience.

If you need fun color options, FLORE FLORE really nails every single shade. For basics, of course, you absolutely do not need to spend this much. However, to me, no other tanks and tops in my collection can ever surpass FLORE FLORE in terms of quality and fit (at least for now!). I’d love to know your favorite basics or request for our next wardrobe basics. I hope this collection + review is helpful.

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Some good tanks & tops I’m eyeing:

left: Cou Cou Intimates tank; right: Leset tank

Eterne - left: boxy tee; middle: Duke tank; right: Hedi tank

FLORE FLORE - left: Jill tank; right: Esme LW

left: Leset Margo baseball tee *I’d size up to M or L.; right: Renggli long-sleeve tee

left: Almada Label tank; right: Still Here toggle tank

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Let me know what wardrobe basic category you’d like me to cover next!

Take care and see you this Sunday for another ‘life in NYC’ vlog!

X

An

An’s Brooklyn Apartment Favorites

Living Room

1. CB2 Floor Mirror $399 $499 - This was my very first big apartment decor purchase and the exact mirror I had back in Seattle. I loved and missed it so much that I had to buy it again since I sold the first one and moving it from coast to coast wasn’t an option. It’s a full-length leaning mirror, and I do have to remind guests to be mindful around it every time. Note that you can also mount it on the wall. It’s a sturdy, minimal, and high quality mirror that I think everyone should have in their home.

2. Floyd Sectional Sofa $2,440 - This was our first big purchase after signing the lease to our first NYC apartment in Bushwick. It’s nice, sturdy, and durable, and I barely have to do anything to upkeep it. The modular design means that I can turn each piece in any directions whenever I want to change out my living room layout.

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First, some great news! This week, we found out that we won the lottery… to attend the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Watch Party in Central Park! For now, all I hope is that the air quality will improve by the weekend; otherwise, I’ll be ok watching it from home! I also have some very exciting brand projects in the works, so make sure to follow me on IG and TikTok—so you won’t miss them. At the end of August, I will be traveling to Vietnam for 2 weeks, so please send me recommendations for HCM City and Nha Trang!

July Favorites

WATCHING

I finished watching all 6 seasons of HBO’s Girls (the reason why I was MIA on social this week!) after hearing so much about Leena Dunham’s new book, Famesick. The show plus this interview helped me understand the Lena Dunham lore, who she was as the highly praised (and critiqued) show’s writer, director, and creator, and how early fame has affected her life.

Girls, premiered in 2012, follows the friendship of 4 female friends as they navigate life in New York City in their early 20s. The show captured many aspects of the human experience in a raw, honest way, and I enjoyed it even when I watched it 10 years later. Then at a point, things just got so annoying and exhausting, like all of the characters in the show were self-absorbed and insufferable. The final episodes made me scream ‘what’ and ‘why’ every 5 minutes, like the whole show was supposed to be a ‘tragedy’? I did not like how it ended, but overall, it was an emotional ride and I promise it would be worth your time watching.

READING

Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin is the book I will be rereading very often because I just love the beautifully written words — genuine, powerful, but heavy at times. I understand it now why he and his work are so celebrated and would love to read Go Tell It on the Mountain next!

Normal People, a 2018 novel by Sally Rooney (the Irish author that probably needs no introduction at this point) was turned into a mini-series. The book is about the very young flawed characters, Marianne and Connell, with more complex and serious self-esteemed issues while the show is more of a feel-good romance. I loved the show and couldn’t wait to dive deeper into the book this weekend!

A Little Life novel by Hanya Yanagihara has been on my ‘TL;DR’ or "too long; didn't read" pile for about 2 years now, and I think I’m ready to hop back to it (after I’m done with Normal People). The book is about life of the four college friends with topics about fame, addiction, relationships, and trauma, and I’m aware of many warning adjectives like ‘emotional and manipulative,’ ‘broken and damage’, or ‘intense and exhausting’.

EATING & DRINKING & OUTFITS

Last weekend, I got a chance to be a part of the Sotol Romo Route in celebration with the brand since they have just launched in the US (first in NYC and the Hamptons!). My task was to pick 3 out of a list of partner restaurants to dine in and tried Sotol Romo cocktails, filmed and shared about the experience on my social.

Sotol Romo is an ultra-premium Mexican spirit crafted in Chihuahua, Mexico. It’s ‘clean, dry, and precise, with herbal, fruit, and mineral notes and a composed, elegant finish’. Claudia, the 4th-generation family distiller and founder, shared the Sotol Romo & Soda or Sotolita (Two ounces of Sotol Romo Blanco, a little lime, a touch of agave, a pinch of salt. Shake hard, pour over ice.) as the best drinks for the hot NYC summer weather. I loved the cocktails that I tried at the 3 restaurants and couldn’t wait to get my hands on a bottle of Sotol Romo soon.

THREE STOPS ON MY SOTOL ROMO ROUTE:

1. NOBU DOWNTOWN

Nobu was my first pick and first stop, and I was thoroughly impressed. I followed recommendations on Reddit for best dishes to order, and everything was perfect. The miso black cod lived up to the hype — it’s well-marinated, sweet, savory, and moist. The pink item rested on top of the miso black cod is a pickled gigner stem, known in Japanese as hajikami.

American Apparel navy boat neck top (S), COS black nylon skirt (6), Toteme thong heels, Veronica Beard leather clutch bag gift, Lili Claspe silver choker necklace and earrings *gift

2. THE RITZ-CARLTON NUBELUZ - Nomad

Nubeluz is a rooftop lounge on the Ritz-Carlton with incredible views from Midtown Manhattan. Go here an hour or two before sunset, order a cocktail then sit back and enjoy the views! Note that they have a pretty limited food menu, so be sure to have a dinner plan before or after your visit.

Last Sunday happened to be the last day for Manhattanhenge, shared in last week’s newsletter, so we ran to the nearby street, 34th street in front of the Macy’s. It was funny and cute seeing so many people who were just as excited as I was to see this incredible sunset.

3. ORIANA - Chinatown

Oriana opened on May 28, and I knew right away that it was my kind of restaurant. I love wood-fire cooking, new American cuisine.

The duck wasn’t available (or I was told that it was sold out since my reservation was at 8:45 pm on Tuesday). I ordered the popular grilled bread, and it was chewy and went perfectly with the whipped butter yogurt and chive oil. The hanger steak, salmon, and broccolini were good, but they were all a bit too salty to my paste. I think it’s very easy for restaurants to overdo on the salt because wood-fire cooking typically requires little seasoning. Well, as long as the ingredients are fresh, and you can achieve the crispy exterior, moist interior, and the smokiness from the charcoal high heat oven.

My cocktail order at Oriana stood out the most out of the three that I tried as they’re stronger and tastier. I loved the glassware choices, too! Note that they charged a premium price tag, so make sure to confirm the price with your waiter.

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Hana Gelateria (LIC) serves tea-inspired gelatos, and I’m pleased to share that it is pretty good. I got the oolong gelato with mochi and a strawberry matcha latte, and they both had a strong floral hint of jasmine. The oolong gelato was smooth, lightly sweetened, and I could taste both jasmine and oolong tea flavor. The jasmine flavored matcha latte with bits of strawberry jam was ok although I thought they tasted weird together.

Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pie (Red Hook), shared in last week’s edit, is another new dessert favorite I discover this month. You have to order both, the classic pie tart and the raspberry-chocolate Swingle! And at last but not least, a stop at Caffè Panna never disappoints!

A few new addition to my always-growing NYC list:

• Bridges, Lei, Corima, Prosciutto, Pizza 4P, Cafe Bar J. F

• Bakery: Saison Bakery,

• Library: Poet House,

• Brewery: Farm.One (625 Bergen Street),

• Dessert: Unnecessary

• Coffee shops/cafes: The Duo Coffee & Bar, Off-Peak Coffee (Flushing), Varierty Roasters in Chelsea, Stars - wine bar but now open for coffee and breakfast on the weekend

• Gourmet grocery: Rigor Hill Market, Meadow Lane, Happier Grocery, and now, H. Valley - a new gourmet grocer, coming to the West Village (569 Hudson Street).

WHAT I BOUGHT & RETURNED THIS WEEK

left: COS barrel pants (6); middle: Veronica Beard clutch *gift; right: Sundae School linen pants (S) *gift

RETURNS:

St. Agni textured petit bagu in chestnut - I love everything about this bag, however, it’s just too small. It does fit my books and daily essentials though, however, I’m not looking for another small bag like this at the moment. I did have to pay the $12 for return shipping, ugh!

Reformation x Courtney Grow white t-shirt (S) - I think the cut of the neck, cap sleeves, and length of this t-shirt are perfect! It’s a return because I’m not a fan of this stretchy ribbed fabric. It doesn’t feel as special.

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x

An

Summer 2026 has truly felt like the best summer ever, and I cannot wait to share everything I have saved on my list of ‘Fun things to do in NYC’ to share with you this month! And again, if you’re able, please consider upgrading to be a paid member. Your subscription helps me continue this work, and I appreciate your support so much!

16 Fun Things to Do in NYC in July 2026

1. On Sunday, July 19, Central Park’s Great Lawn is hosting one of the largest FIFA World Cup Final watch parties. Tickets are free, but you need to sign up HERE (via the Global Citizen lottery system). If you’re in NYC, I hope we all get to go and be a part of this historic 50,000-person watch party!!! Doors open at noon, and the Final kicks off at 3:00 pm est. If I don’t get the tickets, I plan to be out at a bar to watch the Final with everyone!

2. On Thursday this week, I got invited to come check out Uni’s Summer Pop-up, The Shack in SoHo. It was so cool to have witnessed the 5 NYC yellow taxi line-up (with ‘Kaia Gerber for Uni’ ad on display) as a photo-op.

I got to try Uni’s new Rain body serum and body oil and took home the full-size bottles. Rain has been my go-to perfume ever since I received the travel size when it launched in spring. I hope you get a chance to stop by the pop-up otherwise as an fyi, Uni products are available exclusively at Ulta.

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Words are such powerful tools!

I love it when I find a good book, something tangible and physical to quiet the digital noise.

Last weekend, I did almost nothing besides the usual grocery shopping and going out to eat. I did stop by the Aesop Queer Library and picked up a book on Friday. It’s so great that Aesop would continue to offer this for free for the community after so many years, and their team is always so lovely.

I’m half way into James Baldwin’s most-beloved novel, Giovanni’s Room, and I can already tell it’s going to be the book I’d think about all the time. It is a short read (150+ pages) that explores queer love theme, topics about love, sexuality, and societal pressure. David, an American expat who’s engaged, falls fast in love with an Italian bartender, named Giovanni, at a Parisian bar back in the 50s.

The Bear’s final season was released this week. Although I wasn’t a fan of the build-up (it’s so stressful!), especially the noisy background with the constant rainstorm leading up to the final episode, I enjoyed it so much!

Earlier this week, I made over 100 egg rolls earlier this week and recipe tested some shrimp balls (They’re the dim-sum style balls, inspired by my aunt’s version, fried and wrapped in strings of egg roll wrappers. I think my next batch will be better, and I’ll share the recipe in a future vlog!). Then on Thursday, we have some family and friends over for a small dinner, and the shrimp balls were a hit. We also cracked open some tins of fish that we bought from Spain, enjoyed them with crackers, olives, and orange wine. To end the night, we made spring rolls with buttered beef, shrimps, and squid (it’s my family go-to meal in the summer!).

We’ll be outside with family for the fireworks, but for now, I’m not sure how early we should head out, considering all of the extreme heat warnings. Please be safe and stay cool!

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Favorite heat-proof outfits

wearing Ralph Lauren plaid shirt from eBay (L) - left: Lido shorts (L), COS beaded necklace, Porselli flats; right: TT Studio tank, Clyque Hunter pants (M), Jonak flats, St. Agni tote

wearing COS white drawstring pants (size 6) - left: RLT boyfriend t-shirt, Porselli flats, Mango tote; right: RE ONA halter top (S), Porselli flats, St. Agni tote

Been wearing the same Cou Cou skirt almost every other day these past weeks, and this time, I paired it with my favorite Flore Flore tank, Jcrew bag, TKEES fip-flops (size up!), and Thistle Al sunglasses.

wearing Toteme T-clutch bag - left: Flore Flore Steffi tee, COS white pants; right: Flore Flore Esme tank, COS navy pants, Toteme thong heels

June 30th was the last day to use my Chase Sapphire restaurant credit for the first half of 2026, booked via OpenTable, so we took ourselves out on a spontaneous date. Not sure why I’ve never taken advantage of this perk because I’ve had the card for 6+ years? Anyway, I’d highly recommend Union Square Cafe for date nights or celebrating special occasions with family. I’ll definitely take my parents here one day!

Also as mentioned in last week’s vlog, I was also going to apply for Global Entry (as you’d get reimbursed by Chase if you have the card!) since I’ll be traveling back to Vietnam very soon. I used my points and booked a two-way flight back to Vietnam once before, and I only had to pay some fees. If you’re looking for a credit card with great travel perks, YOU CAN SIGN UP USING MY REFERRAL LINK HERE!

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Let me know if you have any summer travel plans. I’d love to know!

Currently in my cart

Black bermuda shorts - left: Venroy shorts; right: Bear Park Carmen shorts

More blue checked/plaid shirts - left: MATTEAU flannel shirt; right: AIMÉ LEON DORE checked shirt

This shade of blue… International Klein Blue (IKB) aka Klein blue, especially when paired with brown.

Work utility jacket - left: ARKET utility jacket (via ASOS); right: Le Laboureur x Gardenheir French work jacket (worn/on me above)

left: HAVAIANAS flip-flops; right: middle: Flore Flore Esme tank

Hats are great ways to block off the sun! - swan hat, books hat, ‘take off your clothes’ hat

How amazing are these colors that DONNI recently released? DONNI makes great pants, and I wear mine all the time! - left: linen pants in lapis; right: sheer cargo pants in iris

More summer heat-proof favorites

I often get questions about undergarments or what I wear under certain outfits, so here are a few favorites for the hot weather!

Comfy bralettes & undies

left: Triangle bra (I have white and nude color); middle: Dive bra; right: Recline bra

left: Calvin Klein cotton thongs (worn under leggings and jeans); middle: Commando nude seamless thongs (worn under fitted and sheer bottoms); right: Calvin Klein boy shorts (worn to sleep)

I’ll share about my Flore Flore collection in the near future, but for now, these are some of my most-worn tanks and tees.

left: Esme tank (S - I have black and white); middle: Dewi tank (S, white); right: Hannah tank (S - I have white and navy!)

left: Flore Flore Steffi tee (S, white); right: Cou Cou Intimates Rina top (S, black)

left: Thistles Al sunglasses; right: UNDO claw clip No. 5

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Happy 4th! See you next week!

x

An

Also, if you haven’t already heard, Widow’s Bay (2026 - Comedy horror), written and created by Katie Dippold (who previously wrote for Parks and Recreation), is the hottest TV series to watch right now. As a fan of Stephen King’s books and universe, I can totally see the inspiration. The references and clues are good, and the jokes are done so effectively. Think of a cursed remote New England island with superstitious locals, where the new mayor struggles to revive the community and then realizes the hardest truths at the end. Ahhh, it’s easily the best first season of a comedy horror show I’ve ever watched. Another perfect summer watch, and I’m so excited for season 2!!!

One of our favorite summer activities to do in NYC is to go for a sunset walk across the Brooklyn bridge from Brooklyn to Manhattan. Just last Friday, we decided to walk the Manhattan Bridge for the first time, and we ended up doing it again on Saturday! It’s a bit loud since the trains would come and go every 5 minutes, but I like that Chinatown is right on the other side.

Gentle reminder that this week’s content is for paid subscribers. This week’s upstate guide is my updated list for 2026 ft. places I’ve been/would recommend/would love to come back and places I want to visit next! Please consider ‘upgrading to paid’ subscription if you enjoy my content as it helps me continue this work as a content creator and writer. For the price of a coffee a month, you’d get access to my 3+ years of content archive including upstate travel guides like this and more. It’s like you’re buying me a coffee a month, and again, thank you so much for your support! I’m really glad that you’re here!

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I love sitting out in my backyard, especially in the late afternoon on days like this when the temperature feels just right. The birds are chirping. The wind is blowing, rustling the leaves, and the church bell is ringing in the near distance. Not to be weird, but I love the smell of the laundry detergent mixed in with the warm summer heat. I love it when the warm sun touches my skin.

After 2 months of trying to acclimate my Dracaena marginata ‘Colorama’ plant in my living space, I’ve decided to move it to the backyard and repotted it into this (15 in) planter. The leaves are droopy, so I think it’s the combination of low light, low or over-watering, and the shock of the environmental change. I’m sure the sun would help review it, but again, I’ll have to keep a close watch on the rainy days and the squirrels.

Life lately + exciting brand events & pop-ups in NYC

• St. Agni is popping up at Beverly’s 1975 (27 Orchard Street, LES) from June 18 - 21, and I wish I could stop by. If you don’t already own anything from the brand, I’d recommend this woven shoulder bag or this suede tote because they’re 2 of my most complimented bags that I own. And they’re both from St. Agni. I’m obsessed with this bag and this dress from the edit.

• I treated myself to this skirt from the Eckhaus Latta x Mango collection, and unfortunately, the fabric was awfully sheer and cheap. This bag, which took forever to arrive, ended up being perfect and exactly the size (fits my laptop!) and style I had been looking for. It’s lightweight and made from 100% leather.

• The Aesop Queer Library returns on Friday, June ‌26‌ – Sunday, June ‌28‌. I’ll try to stop by the Nolita store to pick up a book next week! Speaking of books, I really want to give Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke and Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle Burden. They’re both are being made into films, and I cannot scroll through my FYP without seeing someone talking about these books.

• Still Here is opening their 4th location in NYC, and it’s a few doors from Buck Mason in the West Village. I couldn’t stop thinking about these since I last tried them on in store. This tank in black was sold out, but I already signed up for an email restock.

• Massimo Dutti is opening a store in NYC! Do you know that they’re owned by the Spanish retail giant Inditex, which also owns Zara and Bershka? I no longer shop at Zara, but I keep finding myself browsing the Massimo Dutti site. Same with Zara, Massimo Dutti do not use good materials, and I hate how they do pants like they’re just never as flattering on me for some reasons. After Spain, I can confirm that Massimo Dutti in the US is overpriced. If they have a store in NYC, at least, I can easily return and shop at their sales in-person.

• Toteme is launching menswear! Learned it from laurareilly___ of Magasin from her IG stories this week!

• Radio Bakery is opening in the West Village and the UWS! I noticed when I searched for direction to get to their Greenpoint location, and there were 4 locations popping up. Their croissants are great because they do collabs with fun toppings and using seasonal ingredients. I love their Focaccia Sandwiches, but why are they $16+ for such small portion?

• The New Yorker's “After the Comeback” issue (June 22, 2026), cover illustrated by Pierre-Emmanuel Lyet, caught my attention when I first saw it on IG. I reposted it on my IG because the cover was a wonderful depiction of what the city was like after the historic NBA finals win in Game 4. Then the Knicks defeated the Spurs in San Antonia in Game 5, and the city erupted last Saturday. I was so glad that I decided to be out at the last minute that night. On Tuesday, I saw this post from Casa Magazines (22 8th Ave), and I thought it would be cool to have a copy of this issue myself. To my surprise, there was a line, but at least they had inventory and allowed a copy per customer (with a $22.65 mark-up, not the $10.99 price tag as said on the top left of the magazine). Crazy, but I already saw the issue being sold for quadruple the price on eBay!

• Kye Intimates had an online sample sale, said to be through Monday, June 22, but I doubt they’d have enough inventory. I blinked and two of the tops in sizes that I wanted were sold out, so I got the next size up. I bought this mesh bra (0, white - have and love the black and nude), recline boat neck top (3, red - I have the black reline set), and recline boat neck long-sleeve top (3, white - I have this white set, scoop tank and matching pants)

• Cou Cou Intimates’ Summer Pop-Up (262 Mott St)’s last day is June 20th. I ended up placing an online order this week (for research purposes) because I heard the pop-up’s inventory was limited. Here’s my order: this white tank, black slip skirt, and black long-sleeve shirt.

• COCO is the new beauty magazine by Chanel Beauty and @welovecoco. After Casa Magazines, I decided to stop by AIR MAIL (546 Hudson Street) on the next block. Turned out this first issue was free, so I got myself a copy (out of 8 cover options) and a few postcards. I love it when brands do things like this, and I would definitely recommend a visit if you’re free this weekend.

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• I’ll be one of the first to get in line at LAOBRA, a new coffee shop in Fort Greene, Brooklyn! I already know that the space is going to be gorgeous, and I would just hope they’d allow laptops and have free wifi for everyone. And more importantly, the coffee is good.

• And lastly, I finished this week’s newsletter at the new Variety (190 Franklin St) in Greenpoint. It’s nice and spacious with lots of seatings and outlets. Greenpoint is slowly becoming one of my favorite neighborhoods in Brooklyn. I love the community feel, and there are a lot of new and exciting openings that I keep wanting to go check out.

Also, if you missed… I started a new series on Tiktok this week, ‘NYC neighborhood guide.’

My long summer wishlist

Here’s my ultimate summer wishlist, mainly things I want to make and go do!

Day trip or weekend trip upstate (I’m heading upstate this Sunday for the first time this year!, GARDENHEIR, CALLISTO, Shaina Mote, Stissing House again, check out a new swimminghole)

Day trip or weekend trip to the Hamptons (planning one in July after the 4th - A beach day at Coopers Beach, Round Swamp Farm, The Row store in Amagansett, etc.)

Go to Shelter Island and check out the North Fork in Long Island for the weekend

Nantucket or go back to Martha’s Vineyard

New England road trip - Massachusetts (Brimfield Antique Flea Market, Widener Company, Cape Cod again) and Maine road trip (lobsters), Vermont (The Vermont Country Store)

Upstate camping in our tent, hiking, and cooking out

Euro summer? Greek islands. Paris.

Mexico City!!!

Catch an outdoor movie at Bryant Park or Brooklyn Bridge Park

Bike or walk a portion of the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway (32-mile route - 11–12 hours to walk or 3–4 hours to bike)

Have a picnic at Central Park’s Sheep’s Meadow

Honing in on apartment search and viewing apartments

Declutterring the basement storage, preparing for the move

Moving at the end of summer or early fall

Stay longer at events to make friends

Pick up a paddle to play tennis or pickleball (mainly to tone my arms and thighs)

Running? Running a marathon?

Go experience the US Open

Take photos at a black and white vintage photobooth at Old Friends

Frolicking through a field in a long white dress

Brewery hopping in Red Hook, exploring South Slope

Go to the Korean spa in NJ

Score a dinner reservation at the Polo Bar

A solo day in the Upper East Side

Check out the Frick Art Research Library - and work there for the day

Make or try key lime pie in the city

Make rhubarb pie or cake

Remake tiramisu

Make and eat more salads

1. crispy chicken cutlet & a simple salad with house dressing; 2. Shirazi salad; 3. another simple sale with house dressing; 4. Hot Honey Radicchio Salad; 5. green goddess salad; & 6. Cobb salad

Dinner at Cleo, Bridges, Lei, Borgo, Ceres, Place des Fetes, Claude (mainly for their famous chocolate cake slide)

NY spots I want to go back to: Red Hook Tavern, Lilia, Rolo’s, The Four Horsemen, Via Carota, Frog, Stissing House

Curious to know what’s on yours?

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Summer beauty favorites

• stick bronzers (sunbed & bake) - extremely blend-able, great color payoff, and truly worth the hype!

• translucent loose setting powder - just picked up from Sephora, and the reunion was much needed! I use it with this triangle sponge to bake and set corners of my face.

• my perfect under-eye concealer & shade (3.2 O for olive)

• stick highlighter (sculpting)

• setting spray - fine and hydrating mist

• blush brush - fluffy and effective at placing and blending out blushes

• dual-ended sculpting brush - I use the small end to contour the sides of my nose and big end to blend out bronzer!

• hair brush - still the best! I just bought one for my friend’s birthday this week!

• treatment mask - incredibly hydrating and nourishing mask

• illuminating primer - hydrating, glowy and lightweight

• anti-wrinkle serum - so grateful I got a restock of this!

• powder blush - pigmented and gorgeous color range

• summer robe - lightweight and breathable

• waffle bath towels - fast absorbent, airy, and lightweight

• hair brush that I cannot live without!

• hair oil - lightweight and smells incredible!

• dry texturizing spray - the best!

• cleanser - used as second cleanser, so hydrating!

• lip mask I use at night - love the jelly texture!

• toothpaste - the best tasting toothpaste!

• shower gel - needs more mentions on social!

• filtered showerhead - yes, I’d recommend it!

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Thank you for reading!

x

An

• Follow me: IG @antrieu • TikTok @styleandsenses • Style & Senses blog

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How’s June? Just as I was about to say how perfect June weather had been, we got hit by a heatwave and a potential storm. For that reason, I didn’t get to be out as much as I wanted to this week, so I focused a lot of my research on writing a really good newsletter this week for you!

16 Fun Things to Do in NYC in June 2026

1. First, let’s start with sports! I wish I were more into sports to be qualified to share about these 2 huge sports events that are happening in NYC this month, but well, at least I try! :)

• The New York Knicks currently lead the 2026 NBA Finals 3 games to 1 against the San Antonio Spurs. With all of the Knicks content that I’ve been getting (like daily, and this past Wednesday night game comeback/win was literally iconic!!!), I think it’s time for me to pick a sport and become a fan because the FOMO has been real. I will be watching game 5 (Saturday, June 13 8:30 pm) and would absolutely be out celebrating if the Knicks wins. They need to win 4 games in order to become the NBA Championship since it’s been 53 years (since 1973!). I think the houses and the streets in NYC would burst if that happens this weekend, and I’m so excited for everyone!

• Soccer (or we call it football in Vietnam and everywhere else in the world) is the sport I grew up with. My family and friends are huge fans of the sports, and I know my brothers still play until this day. Yes, even though the national team has never made it to the finals, people would still pour out to the streets to celebrate if their favorite team wins. I was actually hoping that my dad would be here in the US with me by now because being able to take him to a World Cup game was a dream of mine! Anyways, New York and New Jersey are co-hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026 (11 June - 19 July 2026), and I will be on the lookout for the 3 final games. Schedule, here.

2. Raphael: Sublime Poetry (March 29 – June 28, 2026) at The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of my absolute favorite exhibitions that the Met has ever held.

I’m sure you know or have heard of Michelangelo (known for David, the iconic marble sculpture in Florence, Italy). Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael were the greatest trio that defined the Italian High Renaissance. Leonardo da Vinci, famous for Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, was the oldest of the trio. Many people say that Michelangelo and Raphel were ‘The Rivalry’ while working on the Sistine Chapel under Pope Julius II’s commission in Rome. Michelangelo painted the ceiling while Raphael helped design the tapestries hung in the lower walls of the Sistine Chapel. As a huge lover of classical art, I find the trio’s intersecting paths and artistic competition super fascinating, and I learned so much after this recent Met visit. You have to go see Raphael before the exhibition ends this month!

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June has been off to a glorious start! And you guessed it… I’ve been spending a lot of time outside, whether it’s sunbathing in my backyard, going for a neighborhood walk, or browsing the shops and hopping between art galleries.

In June, I have a lot of family and friends’ birthdays to look forward to. None of them live in NYC, but I really wish they did because it would be more fun to have people join the endless summer events and activities in the city. I want to go to the beach asap (like Cooper’s Beach in the Hamptons) and head upstate at some point this month.

This year, Macy's 4th of July fireworks will be one of the largest in NYC history, marking America's 250th birthday. The 25-minute show will begin at 9:25 PM and will launch from the Brooklyn Bridge, the Lower East River (Seaport District), and the Lower Hudson River (not over on the Queens side like previous years!). I have some family visiting on the 4th weekend, and we are planning to head out to see the fireworks.

I’m currently working on ‘16 things to Do in NYC’ - June edit, and it will go live next Friday. Subscribe below, so you won’t miss it!

Summer makeup (linked everything I used - HERE!)

@styleandsensessummer makeup #grwm #makeup #fullfacemakeup @Jones Road @Kosas @Saie @chanel.beauty @Charlotte Tilbury @OSEA Malibu @dermalogica @SHISEIDO @Ciele Cosmetics @NARS Cosmetics @Armani beauty @CANMAKE-SHOP @sephora @Lancôme #beautytips #summerskin

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A few outfits this week

left: Brandy Melville baseball t-shirt $18 (similar here and here), COS pants size 6, St. Agni tote (on sale!!!), Thistles Al sunglasses, Tony Bianco flip flops; right: Brandy Melville New York t-shirt $20, Thistles Al sunglasses, GAP carpenter pants (men’s, size 28), Tony Bianco flip flops, JCREW Berkeley tote

A few new home things

As shared in last week’s vlog, I had a Saks Fifth gift card and wanted to spend it on some makeup, but that led to a series of failed shopping attempts and a frustrating call with Saks’ customer service. Long story short, I somehow landed on a $90 bottle of soap from LOEWE. And yes, I finally got to use the gift card!

My other reason to justify this purchase was that this would be an investment for the home, a gift that would keep on giving! Of course, I bought it for the scent (green, earthy, and slightly tangy like imagine the smell of crushed vines on a sunny day in the garden!), and it reminded me of the LOEWE flagship store scent in Madrid. The bottle is glass and quite iconic looking, definitely a level up from my current soap bottle from Aesop, and I could reuse the bottle! I actually have had my eyes on this bottle of soap and this candle, specifically the Tomato Leaves, for many years. I’m genuinely so obsessed with it!

H&M HOME - stainless steel coasters x 4, picnic plates x 2, red porcelain bowls x 2 (for ketchup), seashell bottle stopper

Right after I got back from Spain, I went over to Atlantic Ave in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn, to do some shopping for home decor things, hoping to style my Article dresser for the shoot. I sent over photos and videos (for brand use) and a post on my IG in exchange for these pieces. I don’t know if you know this, but lot of the time, I have to spend my own money on these decor items or things I’d use as props in order to make these home shoots happen.

left: Primary Essentials - 372 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn; right: my new Article dresser

All I bought from this trip was this 12” beeswax pillar candle. I loved how Primary Essentials styled it with this David Mellor candle holder. I styled it with my Georg Jensen candle holder that I bought from the sample sale late last year. Oh, and I got 2 bouquets of tulips and some groceries for the week from Trader Joe’s.

Tess’ toy haul inspired these toy purchases… I shouldn’t have added them under this home category, but oh well!

Best bites in NYC recently

• left: Edith’s Sandwich Counter - 495 Lorimer St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn - The Edith & The tuna melt (really good sandwiches, but overpriced for what it is. Long wait, so I’d suggest to place an order online!);

• middle: Deluxe Green Bo - 66 Bayard St, Chinatown Manhattan - dinner after walking the Brooklyn Bridge. I was surprised by how young the customer base of this spot was, for being such old establishment? Food was decent but wasn’t my most favorite in Chinatown Manhattan. Again, there are many better authentic Chinese spots that the Asian elders would dine in, and I actually prefer them over restaurants like Deluxe Green Bo.

• right: Fat Cat Flatbread - food stall inside New York Food Court in Flushing - We got the black pepper beef to try, and it was so good. It’s slightly crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, and the filling is so addicting. One definitely wasn’t satisfying because we devoured ours in one minute. It took awhile for them to make it (*yes, it’s made to order!), and each costed $7 - $9, depending on the fillings.

Dean’s - 213 6th Ave., SoHo - A very vibey spot that I think you all should check out. I love the choices of the porcelain plates, beer glasses (thin rim, brand unknown), silverware and candle holder (Match), and silverware (Georg Jensen) that they use, and the interior feels modern and bright. I love the modern take on our favorite British fish and chips, but the fish was so small. Fyi, they used hake, not cod, but the doubled fries were phenomenal! I also got curious and wanted to try the Stargazy pie $35 that wasn’t listed on the menu, but I knew about it from a few online articles prior. Imagine clam chowder but chunks of fish with a flaky puff pastry on top. It was a bit runny and not as flavorful, but fun (loved the use of the fish head and tail!) and worth a try!

• left: Nippon Cha (214 Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg - Brooklyn) - It’s my second time getting the Cold Whisk Ichiban Matcha, and it’s as good as I remember. Again, I’d always get it non-sweetened!

• middle: Sorate (30 E 18th St, Flatiron) - iced matcha latte, non-sweetened

• right: Sieve (7-57 Seneca Ave, Ridgewood - Queens)’s coconut matcha is really that good, and I get it very often like twice a month! The coconut water that they use is none other than Harmless Harvest, the best coconut water out there, and you can tell by their pink color.

FULL NYC MATCHA GUIDE + REVIEW

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Recent screenshots and saves

This summer, I have a very strong interest in making and trying out more desserts like ice creams, sorbets, desserts with rhubarb, canelé, croissants, pies…

Floral arrangement in stainless steel vases

More beautiful home things:

How good is this ECKHAUS LATTA X MANGO collection!!!

Ghost Stone, Stephen Lichty’s first solo exhibition at YveYANG in SoHo

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Hope you’re well.

x

An

I’m so happy to be back on schedule and to share with you all the things I've been loving: outfits and life in NYC.

May recap

Last Memorial Day weekend, I hosted my friends from Hawaii (with their 1.5-year-old Lili) and had so much fun taking them around my neighborhood and some of my favorite NYC spots. Honestly, I have so much respect and admiration for new parents traveling with their babies while trying their best to stay present and enjoy time with friends. Parents are the real-life superheroes and deserve a standing ovation! It’s also cool and funny seeing how much attention we get when going places in NYC with a toddler, honestly, pets, too, like they’re such easy natural conversational starters.

May was definitely the month of a lot of cleaning and reorganizing, between unpacking from Spain and getting my apartment back in shape to host my friends. I felt like I couldn’t catch a breath all month, and now May is over. I have yet to put away my winter jackets and coats, and soon, I’ll have to declutter the basement because our storage area has definitely doubled in size.

Article* - storage bed (queen, white oak), nightstand, 9-drawer dresser

• everything else in my Brooklyn apartment

I made a May playlist ft. songs that I’ve been listening to on repeat. They help me stay focus while working, especially when writing and doing research.

Next, let’s talk summer wardrobe starting with outfits I wore in Spain, what I wore this week, and some recent pickups. I got a new bag, sunglasses, ballet flats, sneakers, and a lot of new clothes!

I hope May has been good to you!

Kind reminder that this week’s newsletter is for paid subscribers. If you’ve been reading An’s List and enjoy my content, I’d love if you consider the upgrade to paid option as it helps me continue this work. Thank you so much for being here!

Spain outfits

(*) gifted

Spain travel vlogs are now live on my Youtube - WATCH PART 1 & PART 2. For written travel guide, PART 1 & PART 2 are also up on my Substack. Stay tuned for a blog post on Style & Senses ft. lots more photos!

Valencia outfit 1: RLT baby T-shirt (S), Banana Republic maxi skirt* (S), Valesque bag, Tony Bianco flip flops, Aurate NY tennis necklace* & silver mini hoop earrings* (use code AN20 for 20% off), Kye Intimates recline bra

Valencia outfit 2: 525 America rugby striped polo* (L), Clyque Hunter pants (M), Posse tank (old, similar here or here), same bag, loafers, & hat

Valencia outfit 3: Massimo Dutti linen top (M), Donni scallop pants (M), Arket earrings

Tossa de Mar outfit 1: Bondi Born silk kaftan* (S), Faithful bikini* (plumeria), Jack Rogers sandals* (platinum), COS hat

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While moving between cities by trains, I also got to see a little bit of the Spanish countryside with miles of lush farmlands and olive groves. One of my favorite activities when traveling to a new city is to go to the local grocery store or farmer’s market. We got to sample fruits and could confirm that they were great!

First, let’s start with some travel favorites.

Luggage: I was able to fit 10 days’ worth of clothes, a packed pouch which fit all of my travel makeup essentials, my small Calpak toiletry bag, and 4 pairs of shoes in my new BEIS carry-on suitcase. I was impressed with the smooth 360° wheels, how much fits inside, and how easy it was to zip up everything. For my personal bag, I went with my trusty Jil Sander tote, and it never failed me.

Walking shoes: Note that businesses in Spain would close between 2 - 5 pm, and I did change out my outfit and shoes mid-day most days (after taking a power nap!). Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia are very walkable cities, and almost everyone I saw had on sneakers. These Asics were no doubt the best for walking and most comfortable shoes I own, but they were my least-worn shoes this trip. The reason simply because I didn’t pack many sporty outfits. I wore these Tony Bianco flip flops almost every day because they worked with most of my city outfits.

Besides flip flops, ballet flats and soft loafers are favorite shoe categories that are comfortable and versatile city shoes as they would work with shorts, trousers, skirts, and dresses, just not the most ideal for walking long hours or 10K+ steps. I brought my Banana Republic loafers and bought these Jonak flats at the Jonak store in Salamanca, Madrid, and they go with most of my outfits.

More city walking shoe recommendations, here!

More wardrobe favorites: I was surprised at Spain’s early May weather as in it was quite cold and rainy, so this JWA windbreaker I picked up on sale at Uniqlo was massively helpful. Also, I was glad that I packed this 525 America cotton roll-neck and this polo sweater. This knit hat from COS was the hero piece, rain or shine, and especially on bad hair days! I bought this TWP shirt at their sample sale in SoHo, and the done-up sleeves, color and slightly cropped fit paired perfectly with these barrel pants. This was the only dress that I got to wear, and this shirt from Massimo Dutti was the only clothing item I bought (*I paid half of the price in Spain with the VAT tax refund!)! For bags, I rotate between my Valesque nylon, Mango baguette, and Lemaire croissant.

For skincare, I brought my favorite Shiseido eyecream, DIEUX moisturizer, and OSEA lip mask. This UNI scent and this La Roche-Posay serum sunscreen were my daily go-to! I only packed my Armani Luminous Silk foundation, and it kept my skin looking perfect all day every day. Lastly, you know my love for natural dewy makeup, so the Saie Cityset setting spray travel size and Chanel highlighter in Sculpting do the trick.

Next, I want to address the pickpocketing that’s been going on in Madrid (in Puerta del Sol or Sol and public transport) and Barcelona (hot spots: Las Ramblas, Sagrada Família). Good practice is to always have your stuff closer to you and watch out for one another if traveling in a group. Don’t leave your phone out on the table when dining out or bag hung on a chair unattended. Don’t answer strangers on the streets or sign any petitions/charity scams. We got approached a couple of time by people asking for money. It was difficult to say no, but we had to. Just like NYC, there were a lot of people outside during the day, so we felt safe.

I brought some cash with me but never felt the need to convert it at all. In Spain, most businesses take Apple Pay, including the small corner shops and street vendors. You’d need cash only if you want to buy from some small local businesses, like for us, it was at a Vietnamese grocery store in Barcelona and at a small ceramic shop in Tossa de Mar. We walked by ATM machines and local banks, but really, we didn’t feel like so.

Spain 10-Day Itinerary

Part 1: Day 1 - 5

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I’m currently traveling through Spain, visiting Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia for the first time, and I’m so excited and cannot wait to share everything once I get back. There will be no vlog on Sunday (5/3), as shared in last week’s vlog, and for now, you can follow me on IG stories @antrieu if you’re curious what I’m up to.

First off, I want to start off May strong with your favorite series, 16 Fun Things to Do in NYC. I hope you enjoy, and don’t forget to subscribe for weekly newsletters!

16 Fun Things to Do in NYC in May 2026

• Mother’s Day gift ideas

• NYC art, design, and vintage shopping guide

• My favorite spots in Ridgewood, Queens

• Where to shop for art prints

• Many more things to do in NYC!

1. Audible Story House is a free month-long community hub and listening lounge at 260 Bowery in New York. Hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 11 AM to 7 PM. I’ve added myself to 2 event waitlists, this and this (both hosted in partnership with my favorite art cafe, Happy Medium), and hopefully, something will open up (if someone cancels their spot!). I wish I had found out about this earlier! If not, I’ll try to pop in to check it out if I’m nearby on a weekday.

2. Mother’s Day is on Sunday, May 10, 2026. For product recommendations, I’ve created a page on my ShopMy, Mother’s Day gift ideas 2026, ft. products I own or have bought to gift to my mom and aunts for Mother’s Day. I have a few more fun ideas (if you’re in NYC with mom or any mothering figures in your life!):

• Macy’s Flower Show at Macy’s Herald Square (151 W 34th Street - April 23 – May 10, 2026). I’m excited to stop by the Lancome pop-up on Saturday to pick up a bouquet and this limited-edition La vie est belle Gift Set for my mom (*PR invite)! LEGO also hosts LEGO Spring in Bloom build (tickets are already sold out), but I’ll definitely check it out to see if they’d allow walk-ins.

• For shopping, I love the idea of bringing mom into stores for a shopping spree: Jones Road if she needs makeup, Aesop for scented body products, Bergdorf Goodman for bags and clothes, & Mejuri for every day jewelry. I love doing a day trip to Woodbury Common Premium Outlet because they have so many of my favorite designer brands there! You’ll never know what they have in store, and to me, looking at design stuff on sale is a fun experience on its own. For kitchen and home, I’d always recommend the classics: Crate & Barrel, William Sonoma, or Sur la Table. Go to Industry City for discounted designer furniture or this Lowe’s for herbs, seeds, and garden supply if she wants a spring garden!

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Spring is here in full force with multiple types of flowers that are in bloom and warmer weather that’s reaching 80 degrees this week.

I’ve been staying in and working at home most of this week, but I look forward to spending a lot of time outside this weekend. Funny how I got to watch our magnolia tree in the backyard as it went from near-peak, peak, to past-peak within 36 hours, like such a dramatic sight to see. The tree is huge, so imagine each bloom is as big as my hand. The entire backyard is filled with the magnolia scent, and I wish I could package and send it to you all.

Last night, we finished all 8 episodes of Beef Season 2 in one sitting, and I felt like I was watching Parasite 2.0. It was a chaotic journey, but I thought the ending was so bad. The Gen-Z couple though? So annoying and hilarious! The Testaments’s first few newly released episodes are pretty good so far. After watching Euphoria’s first episode of season 3, I’m really hoping they’d put an end end to the show. All I’d ask for is a good ending for Rue, played by Zendaya!

Outfits I’m planning to wear in Spain

I’ve been feeling incredibly inspired by prints and colors lately. With my upcoming trip to Spain, it’s an even better excuse to shop for things that I wouldn’t normally go for. And of course, I had to bring my warmer clothes out from storage and started planning for some outfits.

Toteme scarf (worn as headpiece & tied at waist), COS knit hat (M/L), COS dress (sold out, browse similar. Love this!), Mango nylon 90s bag, Tony Bianco flip flops

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This week, we signed the lease to extend our stay at the current Brooklyn apartment.

It’s on a month-to-month basis, and that means we could be moving anytime. Currently, we’re looking for a 2-bedroom, pre…

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