we were always experimenting. spending a month only eating food grown within 100 miles of where we lived. moving from a little bungalow by the sea to a mountain house 30 minutes from the closest grocery store. choosing a different country at random each week to fully immerse ourselves in from the language to the traditions to the cuisine.

as i got older and was exposed to more of the world, i began to notice a pattern. within three to five years of my mom exploring a new interest, hobby, or lifestyle, it would suddenly become the next big thing.

example: in the fall of 2023, she became fascinated with the decline of magazines. publications like o, the oprah magazine and martha stewart living were now only available online, and it seemed the few remaining in print had switched from a monthly to a quarterly schedule.

so naturally, she started asking friends and family about their thoughts on magazines and if they would even be interested in reading a print format today. this then led to investigating the usage of other analog items like books over kindles, letters over emails, cookbooks over recipe blogs. she started to explore ways she could migrate her daily activities back to analog form.

lo and behold, 2026 has been named the year of “analog.” now obviously, she is not the first person to develop an interest in such things, but it’s incredible how often she has unintentionally become an early adopter of future trends. so after years of watching this happen, i’ve finally learned to jump on board when she gets excited about a new idea.

here are just seven of the “trends” she started us on young that i’ve seen reach their peak popularity over the last few years:

1. vision boards.

   my mom used to tell my sister and i that if we visualized exactly what we wanted, the universe would deliver. every new year’s day, we’d collect old magazines, scissors, and glue, and piece together our vision boards for the year. sometimes it was making new friends or redecorating our rooms, other times it was making the dance team or getting straight As, and almost always it had a big dream like buying a horse (my sister) or a trip to paris (me). even as young as the fourth grade, i started to notice little things i was manifesting coming to fruition. it wasn’t until high school that i began to hear other people talk about creating vision boards. i'm so grateful that little 8 year old laying on the floor with cut out pictures of the empire state building had faith that the universe would deliver the image in her head of reading by the window of her new york city apartment with her cat on her lap while rain falls gently outside.

2. lagree.

   my mom came across the lagree method about ten years ago while looking for a low-impact alternative to running. she dragged me out of bed before 6am to try it with her, and i thought i was going to collapse halfway through class. i was sore for the next three days. this was back when there was only one studio in town, and now there are at least three within 15 minutes from our house. still my go to for strengthening my core, you’ll find me in class at least once a week.

3. podcasts.

   before everyone and their mother had a podcast, the only time i had listened to one was when i was assigned an episode of diary of a ceo as homework. i knew my mom listened to a few different shows, but i thought of them as solely educational. one morning my freshman year of college, i remembered my mom had sent me an episode of the tim ferriss show. bored on the treadmill, i decided to listen. an hour flew by and before i knew it, i was halfway through the next episode. i found comfort in listening to other people’s conversations and was fascinated by the range of subjects emerging on the scene. i now listen daily to my favorite shows, discussing everything from pop culture to books to just girly chat.

4. meditation.

   right before my alarm went off each morning, my mom would tip toe into my room to see if i wanted to meditate with her. we would lay on the floor of our living room and listen to a short 10-minute guided meditation. half of the time i would fall back asleep, but i began to notice that the days i started with meditating were days i felt more calm, had better focus, and wasn’t as easily overwhelmed. now with so many mindfulness apps on the scene, it’s hard to choose just one.

5. journaling.

   i cannot wait to read my mom’s journals from the nineties one day. of course what used to be a simple notebook has now evolved into prompted goal-setting, 5-minute gratitude, nature journals, bullet journals, travel journals, garden journals and more. and believe me, she’s tried them all. i live and die by my planner, but it took years of convincing for me to finally pick up a journal for anything else (who wants to write down their feelings and make them even more real?). you’ll now find me with a pocket notebook at all times, jotting down to do’s, books to read, interesting quotes, gift ideas, meal plans for the week… basically everything.

6. french style.

   simplicity is key. a crisp white button up, perfectly fit jeans, comfortable slingbacks, and simple pearl earrings. never leave the house without lipstick. a trench is your best friend in the transitional seasons. take one thing off before you leave the house. my mom’s effortlessly chic style inspired by french women taught us that less is more, and also had us shopping at sézane long before they had even opened their first US store.

7. substack.

   so now you know why i'm here today. my mom was one of substack’s first subscribers and has been the biggest supporter of the platform ever since. if we’re being totally honest, she told me to start a substack over three years ago… but better late than never. and if it’s like anything else my mom encouraged me to try, it’s only up from here.

listen to your mom. she may be on to something xx

i notice while i'm on vacation or have visitors in town that this number drops significantly. i’m only using my phone for the essentials (texting, photos, maps) so that i can get what i need and quickly return to the present.

but when i'm alone, there’s either a) no one there keeping me accountable, b) too much time with my thoughts, or c) boredom settling in. and as someone who schedules themselves out from the second i wake to the second my head hits the pillow, i really shouldn’t have any time for boredom.

the thing that really sneaks up on me is those in-between moments in an average day. the time between my morning routine and starting work. the extra five minutes i get when a meeting ends early. the 3pm slump when i'm looking for something to stimulate my brain. the post-work decompress. the evening routine that doubles in time because i'm multitasking on my phone.

so if you add up all those little pickups, quick responses, brain break scrolls, and maybe going down a rabbit hole or two, you’re quickly climbing up to that dreaded screen time number that makes you feel like you couldn’t possibly have wasted that much time in your day.

so what if, instead of grabbing for your phone when you have 5-10 minutes of downtime, you replaced it with something else instead? that hobby you say you never have time for, the chore you keep putting off, or even just a small check in to see how you’re really doing.

here are 10 things i'm implementing into my days to keep me present and grounded in the in-betweens:

1. pick up a book

   i set a lofty reading goal this year, and i’m only about halfway there. part of the problem is that i typically only reach for my book when i’m ready to turn out the light and my eyes are already halfway closed. but when i keep a book accessible (at my desk, in my bag, next to the couch), i notice myself reaching for it more often to read a couple pages here and there as i have time.

   

2. try an analog hobby

   we’re talking needlepointing, knitting, sketching, coloring, puzzling, beading . something you can easily pick up for a few minutes to keep your hands and your mind busy before returning to the task at hand or the next item on your to-do list. earlier this year i decided i was going to pick a hobby of the month, so this july you can find me sketching in the in-betweens.

   

3. play with your pets

   so often i let work and daily obligations take over once everyone has been fed and walked, and engaging with my pets falls by the wayside until everything else is done (unless they’re jumping in my lap to remind me of their presence). the amount of joy it brings my dog when i pick up the ball to play fetch or the purrs i get when i sit down to brush my cat is a feeling that’s unmatched.

   

4. check in with yourself

   close your eyes. hands over heart. three deep breaths. how are you really feeling? i tend to reach for my phone out of desperation for a break from whatever stressful thing is in front of me. i like to play “how quickly can i distract myself for even a few moments from reality.” but distraction only lasts so long, and checking in with yourself to see what you really need (movement, caffeine, even a 30 second break) goes a lot further in the long run.

   

5. five-senses grounding

   my mom taught me this technique when i was little to add to my “tool box.” name five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste. i like to do this while on a walk to bring me back to the present, and i always come home feeling more grounded than when i left.

   

6. get up and walk around

   with only 5-10 minutes, maybe it’s just a walk around the block. or even a lap around the house to stretch your legs. or perhaps it’s simply walking to the kitchen for a sweet treat (this counts!).

   

7. write a little note

   i love stationary, and what better excuse to buy more than to use the stash i've already built up? thank you cards always go out after holidays and birthdays, but i love getting a little note from someone just to say they’re thinking of me, and i want to return the gesture.

   

8. brain dump

   i constantly have 101 things on my to-do list. the appointments to schedule, groceries to buy, errands to run, chores to do, plans to make. of course, these always come to me right in the middle of doing something else or as i'm about to shut my eyes for the night, so i bought a little notebook to keep with me that i can pull out whenever the thought strikes. plus, isn’t this so much more chic than a running list in your notes app?

   

9. clean/organize something

   maybe it’s the dishes that have been piling up since breakfast. or the junk drawer you’ve been meaning to go through. or the pile of clothes on your bed waiting to be folded. i like to take advantage of those extra few minutes i get back from meetings to do something productive and leaves me feeling accomplished.

   

10. call a loved one

    i will choose short frequent calls over long occasional calls any day. so what better way to stay in touch with friends and family that you want to check in with (but don’t want to talk your ear off) than a quick check in with some spare time in your day? it’s also just so much more personable to pick up the phone instead of sending a quick text.

what will you do with your in-betweens? xx

there are still so many places i’m dying to explore in the northeast, so i wanted to start a little series to share each mini getaway along with some field notes on what to do, where to stay, how to pack… you know, the essentials. think anywhere that’s a train ride away from nyc and can be done in just a few days.

to kick us off, we’re starting with a fourth of july trip to lordship, connecticut. random? yes. but we had stumbled upon a quaint little hotel that still had availability for the holiday weekend, so we couldn’t say no.

now, if you’ve never heard of lordship, you’re not alone. it’s a little waterfront neighborhood in stratford spanning less than one square mile. we went into this trip mostly blind (never even setting foot in connecticut before), and what we were met with is the most quintessential new england coastal small town. and the best part? no crowds.

where we stayed: the surfside hotel

literally on the beach

yummy onsite restaurant

free bikes + paddle boards for guests

saltwater taffy + free books in the rooms

what we did:

morning bike ride through the charming neighborhood to grab coffee

lots of beach (best tan i’ve gotten all summer)

happy hour drinks on the patio

night out at seagrape in fairfield (young, but fun)

cozy movie night in the room

where we ate:

riley’s by the seawall (walking distance from hotel)

little pub (bonus: grab a drink to go for the beach)

drowsy whaler (highly recommend the butterscotch latte)

sophie’s pizza bar (staff has great going out recs)

the sinclair (cuisines across the board)

what I packed:

sunscreen

beach read (summer of ‘69)

polka dot bikinis

sunglasses for every outfit

lots of linen, stripes, blue, and white (nautical maxxing)

what I brought home:

a cup full of seashells

surfside hotel playing cards

100% chance of fun matching t-shirts (obviously)

~

what’s your favorite new england coastal town? xx

If you have not taken on this endeavor before, I highly recommend to both locals and tourists alike. This video had come across my feed, and I immediately decided it was a must, especially considering there were so many corners of the city I had yet to explore. There’s no better way to see the city than by foot, and there’s something so special about walking from one neighborhood to the next and getting to experience just how unique each one is.

There are of course a million and one ways to do this, but the general idea is to start in Inwood and finish at The Battery. My mom surprised me with an NYC bingo card she put together to gamify our walk and ensure we were hitting all the highlights. Your hour-by-hour breakdown below:

8am. Take the subway up to Dyckman St station to start the journey at Inwood Hill Park. You’ll enter a forest that feels miles away from the city and venture up to the nature center where you’ll see the very tip of Manhattan’s most northern point.

9am. While you’re up there, check out the beautiful architecture of the Met Cloisters (and if you have time, the art museum inside as well).

10am. You’ll make your way down through Fort Tryon Park along the Hudson for some stunning views of the Englewood Cliffs. Again, feels like you’re no where near NYC.

11am. Once you’ve hit Washington Heights, head east to check out Sylvan Terrace and Morris-Jumel Mansion. This little pocket feels like you’ve been transported back in time, not to mention the mansion is the oldest house in Manhattan.

12pm. Make your way through Harlem, taking in the beautiful brownstone facades and stopping by the iconic Apollo Theater.

1pm. Your halfway marker is Central Park. The perfect time for lunch in Conservatory Garden and walking down Museum Mile. Head back into the park at The Met to stroll by the Boathouse and make your way down through Central Park Zoo.

3pm. Time to hit 5th Ave. Make your way past Rockefeller Center to Grand Central and take in the stunning ceilings. Head down Park Ave where you’ll peak the Empire State Building and Flatiron Building to your right.

4pm. The final quarter of your walk will take you through downtown. Stop for quick break in Elizabeth Street Garden before making your way through Little Italy and Chinatown to FiDi.

5pm. End your journey in Battery Park for stunning views of the water and Statue of Liberty. Highly recommend hitting Stone Street for a burger and drink to celebrate.

In a city like New York, the going out scene is never-ending. New restaurants, new cocktail bars, new gallery openings. There’s always something to do. It’s part of what makes the city so special.

But what happens when you’ve done the dinner out with a new friend a handful of times, or you really like your friend’s friend you met at a party and want to get to know better, or you keep chatting with that girl in your pilates class who you just know you’d have a lot in common with?

Enter: supper club.

After almost two years of living in New York and finally feeling like I was starting to meet people I really clicked with, I wanted to find a way to expand my circles while also deepening existing friendships in a more intimate environment.

So was born the idea of “bring a dish or bring a friend.” Pretty self-explanatory, and it leaves the invite open to friends of friends (aka new friend opportunities). It’s a standing invitation for the first Friday of every month, so there’s no pressure if you can’t make it one month since there’s always another right around the corner.

I hosted my first supper club last September. I was cautiously optimistic and pleasantly surprised. Hosting 10 people in my 400 sq ft apartment isn’t an easy undertaking, but the payoff was worth it. Almost the entire guest list showed up, dishes in hand, with a few even bringing new faces.

After nearly a dozen supper clubs, I’ve started to get into a rhythm with the planning and hosting process so that I can feel truly present on the day of and enjoy the company I’m inviting into my home. Along the way, I’ve picked up a few tips and tricks that have helped make this a long-lasting tradition without spreading myself too thin.

the guest list

Invite everyone you know. Literally everyone.

It’s hard to make friends in your 20s, in a new city, in a time when so many screens compete for our attention. So why not be the person who reaches out first?

Invite your neighbor, your coworker, the girl you met at the dog park, the friend of a friend who just moved to the city, friends from home, friends from school. Not only does it increase your chances of making a new connection, but you never know who might click from different circles in your life.

the invite

Send out the invite about a month in advance to get it on calendars early. Partiful makes it easy to send over text and automatically reminds guests as the date gets closer. I also like to invite more people than I think I should, knowing that a few inevitably won’t be able to make it.

the theme

Everybody loves a theme. I’ve done garden harvest, après ski, pancakes & pillow talk, and country club, to name a few. A theme guides the menu, dress code, music, and decor. Plus, it keeps things feeling fresh month after month.

the menu

Keep it simple. Commit to making one or two items yourself (I usually do a main dish and a drink), and if you have time, test the recipes beforehand. About a week out, I like to take the temperature of what everyone is planning on bringing so I can make sure there’s not too much (or too little) of any one thing.

the setup

I don’t believe in plastic dishes or utensils, so I invested in full place settings for 10 guests. Unnecessary? Probably. But it matched the vision I had.

If you live in a tiny apartment like me, you’re probably working with four chairs max. Stackable stools or bar stools are easy to store, and a foldout table is a worthwhile investment that can slide right under a couch when not in use.

the checklist

one month out:

• Pick a theme

• Plan the guest list

• Create the menu

• Send out the invitation

one week out:

• Confirm RSVPs (and what dish everyone is bringing)

• Buy ingredients, alcohol, and any florals or décor

• Make place cards (I like to seat new people next to each other to mix it up)

the night before:

• Prep any food you can in advance

day of (starting around 3pm for a 7:30pm dinner):

• Finish prepping the food

• Set up any additional chairs and set the table

• Clear counter space for serving platters

• Turn on the background music

• Light the candles to set the mood

• And don’t forget to take pictures!! (always slips my mind)

Each month, I modify, simplify, and figure out where the gaps are or where I’ve overcommitted myself. It’s ever-evolving, but I’m building it with the intention of making it last a lifetime.

One day, I picture my friends bringing their husbands and babies, and hosting in my brownstone overlooking the park. But for now, I’ll settle for my little apartment, with a pile of heels stacked by the door, a room full of laughter, and new friends gathered around the table on my favorite night of the month. xx

Let me start by saying I've always been independent. I'm your classic introvert who recharges by spending time alone. But I learned that taking time for yourself and truly enjoying your own company are two entirely different things.

I learned this on my first night in Paris.

I had taken a stroll around the Latin Quarter, and it didn’t take long for me to come across the cutest little café. As I hesitantly sat down, the waiter came over to take my order. An older gentleman in his 60s or 70s with a mustache—the quintessential Parisian waiter.

He asked what I would like, and as I began stumbling through my French, he smiled. “Ah, American! Is it your first time in Paris?” I nodded and told him I had just arrived. He said I had come to the best neighborhood in Paris and that I would have a wonderful time.

As he walked away, I checked my phone and then quickly put it back in my bag. I was in the city I had been dreaming of for as long as I could remember, and I wasn’t going to waste a second not being fully present. Plus, that would look so American.

Instead, I started taking in my surroundings. Locals chattering away, waving their cigarettes as they spoke. Commuters biking home from work. Shopkeepers locking up for the evening.

I took a second to check in with myself. I noticed I had been fidgeting with the menu, and after my initial scan of the area, I didn’t quite know where to turn my attention. My waiter must have noticed too, because when he brought me my drink, he looked at me and said in his heavy accent,

Relax! You are in Paris! There is nothing to worry about. Enjoy your evening, and everything will be good.

I can’t even make this up. It sounds like a scene right out of one of my favorite rom-coms.

Most of that first trip to Paris felt like magic, but this will always be my favorite memory. I needed that reminder that it was okay to slow down and simply be.

I spent the rest of that summer focusing on immersing myself in these new cities. Taking a pasta-making class in Florence. Going on a running tour of Edinburgh. Learning how to make chocolate in York. Taking a sunset boat ride along the coast of Cinque Terre.

It was nice to meet locals and fellow tourists along the way, but the moments that stick out to me the most are the ones I spent alone. Wandering up the hills of Monterosso al Mare and discovering the most serene convent. Finding a quiet spot to journal in Inverleith Park. Eating fish and chips on the beach in Brighton. Going to a show in the West End. Getting dressed up and treating myself to a four-course meal on a cliff overlooking the sea in Levanto.

There were moments when I thought it would be nice to share these memories with someone. But there was also an underlying sense of peace and freedom in knowing these moments would be mine alone.

Each time I left my little Airbnbs, I could feel myself growing more confident. In the way I carried myself. In the way I interacted with others. In the way I made decisions.

When I returned from London that second summer after graduation, I knew it was time. I could feel it in my bones. I was ready to make the leap I had been wanting to take since I was a little girl.

I was moving to New York.

It was now or never.

When I first moved, and even now, I had friends and family ask me how I moved to a new city by myself. Now, we can get into the logistics (and we will), but the number one thing I tell them is how much confidence traveling on my own gave me.

I learned to trust my instincts and that if I got into a sticky situation (boarding the wrong train, getting food poisoning, walking five miles home from a winery in the South of France along a highway…), I could get myself out of it. I learned that I could enjoy extended amounts of time alone and also know what to do if I started to feel homesick or lonely. And even though it sounds cliché, I learned how important it was to take risks and go after what I wanted.

I spent years dreaming about exploring the world, but I think there was a small part of me that doubted it would ever happen. A part of me that wasn’t sure if I could really “make it” in New York.

This taught me that I could.

Now that I’ve settled into my new city—working a corporate job, teaching fitness classes on the side, making new friends, and caring for my two sweet pets—I don’t get around to solo traveling as often as I’d like (we have rent to pay now).

So I try to carry a little bit of those summers with me, creating space in my everyday life to slow down, be present, and reconnect with myself.

1. Solo dinner dates. Put the phone away.

   You can bring a book or a journal, but challenge yourself to see how long you can go without looking at your phone. Order a full meal, sit back, and relax. I promise, no one is looking at you (they’re all too busy worrying about themselves).

2. Go for an architecture walk. No headphones.

   I call these my architecture walks because the purpose is not to exercise or get to a final destination. Just go out and take in the scenery. I love when you can feel the energy of a city, and I find that most often when I’m strolling down little streets and taking in the buildings and storefronts (with maybe a little window shopping on the side).

3. See a show. Don't wait for someone else.

   If you haven’t been to the movies alone, I highly recommend. It’s a great place to start with solo activities because you’re sitting in a dark theater where literally no one can see you. From there, try a Broadway show, the ballet, or maybe even a concert. You’ll miss opportunities if you’re always waiting for other people to do something with you.

4. Read at a café. Bonus points if you're facing the street.

   There’s nothing better than a good book with a coffee (and maybe a pastry) in hand on a café patio. The best feeling is looking at the time and realizing you’ve been there for hours and it’s time to get moving because they’re closing up shop.

5. People-watch in the park. Be fully present.

   Find a bench with a view and watch as people stroll by with their dogs, little kids ride by on bikes, and nannies chatter away while pushing their strollers. Listen to their conversations as they fade in and out of earshot. Take in the fresh air.

6. Wander into stores. Just because they look interesting.

   This is not shopping, necessarily. It’s taking the time to notice stores you may have walked past a hundred times, wondered about, and never gone into. Take the five minutes and step inside. You may find something you love, the perfect gift for a friend, or just meet some really sweet shopkeepers.

Whatever you do, I hope you enjoy your own company xx.

To be fair, the trip was only supposed to be a month.

The plan was to spend two weeks traveling with my friend through Croatia, Germany, France, and England, and then spend the last two weeks with family friends just outside London. But when your job is mostly remote and the family you're staying with offers to let you stay as long as you want… you say yes.

Thankfully, I had started with a capsule wardrobe for the trip, knowing I'd be traveling through different climates and dressing for a variety of activities. So when I decided to hop over to Scotland and Italy, I already had what I needed to get by.

I've been a carry-on girl for the past few years (one lost suitcase on the way back from Switzerland is all it takes). And there was no way to justify packing more when I knew I'd be using a variety of planes, trains, and automobiles to get around. That being said, I want to level set that I typically operate under the notion of fashion before function, so my suitcase needed to consist of items I actually wanted to wear.

This trip was also my first step toward building a capsule wardrobe at home. I realized that if I could dress for 10 weeks with fewer than 20 items and still feel cute, maybe I didn't need to overstuff my closet with pieces I only wore once or twice a year (luckily, I learned this lesson before moving into my 400 sq ft New York apartment).

So let me walk you through the initial packing list:

Blue striped tank

Tan striped tank

White tee

White button-up

Silk statement top

Short-sleeve sweater

Blue jeans

Black jeans

Tan silk pants

White linen shorts

Sundress

Silk dress

Blue and white striped sweater

Black jean jacket

Crewneck

Everyday sneakers

Black sandals

Comfortable tan heels

Now, this list did indeed get me through my first month.

When I was packing, I knew every top needed to be versatile enough to pair with every bottom. So I stuck with the basics: white, tan, blue, and black. Solids and stripes. My friends used to call me the girl who never wore the same outfit twice, and believe it or not, I managed to keep that streak alive throughout the month.

Toward the end of that first month, I picked up a pair of jean shorts and a jean dress, both of which got a lot of use throughout the rest of my stay. The only item I had shipped to me was my running shoes, since the second half of my trip included more early morning city jogs and light hiking.

I won't lie to you. By the time I was loading up my bags to head back to the States, my suitcase and personal item were bursting at the seams between a few extra clothes, souvenirs, and skincare products from French pharmacies. Since then, I've also picked up the habit of buying most of my seasonal wardrobe in vintage and consignment stores while I travel (I now pack an extra empty duffel for this exact purpose).

Knowing that every inch of suitcase space is valuable, I've taken this packing list down to the studs and created a standard outline that I can reference every time I travel. I now use variations of this list for both domestic and international trips, making the packing process more efficient and saving me hours of overthinking every item.

Don't forget your pajamas, underwear, and toiletries!

Basic Packing List:

Black tank

White tee

Button-up (white or blue)

Statement top (for an evening out)

Jeans (blue or black)

Trousers (silk or linen in the summer)

Shorts or skirt

Cute dress (for day or night)

Sweater for layering

Jacket (usually denim or leather)

Workout set

Everyday shoes (wear on the plane)

Running shoes

Nice pair of shoes (something comfortable for both day and night)

~

Happy packing! xx

But of course, like any middle schooler, required reading turned me off from reading for pleasure until around the time I graduated college. With school behind me, I slowly began to rediscover my love of books and why they shaped so much of my childhood.

So with that being said, I now present to you the most recent books that made me fall back in love with reading:

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
My dad had been recommending this book to me for years, so when it was my turn to pick our next book club read, I decided it was the perfect opportunity to branch out from my usual genres. Worth it. Set in post–Civil War Barcelona, this captivating story of a boy, the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, and the mysterious disappearance of an author and his novels pulled me in from the very beginning. Bonus: it’s a book I felt smart carrying around.

One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle
I read this while spending the summer in Paris (I know, so close), and it was the perfect vacation read. I devoured it in less than three days. My mom is my best friend in the entire world, and imagining getting to meet her and spend time with her at my age was so heartwarming.

Woodswoman by Anne LaBastille
For my last birthday, my mom gifted me a collection of books that inspired her when she was in her twenties and opened her world to new perspectives at a pivotal time in her life. Among them was Woodswoman, written by an ecologist detailing her life post-divorce as she builds a home for herself in the Adirondacks. As a New Yorker, it felt like the perfect escape into cabin life and the solitude of nature, with a thoughtful perspective on independence versus loneliness.

Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
If you liked The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, this one’s for you. Alternating between a present-day enemies-to-lovers storyline and the past love story of an iconic Hollywood couple, it’s the perfect blend of romance, mystery, and historical fiction. I’m also a sucker for Emily Henry’s witty writing that actually makes me laugh out loud.

Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten
I only recently discovered how much I enjoy listening to celebrity memoirs. I didn’t know much about Ina before this, but ever since, I’ve been obsessed with all aspects of her life. It’s inspiring how far trusting her instincts and taking risks got her. And now I would also love to own a shop in the Hamptons and have a flat in Paris one day…

First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison
This felt like reading a movie. Loosely inspired by Sleepless in Seattle, it delivers ’90s rom-com energy in the best way (with a little spice). Another easy read with lots of heart that didn’t make me feel like I was losing brain cells while reading it. Just a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

Happy reading! xx

Morning

Pick up a bagel at Kossar’s and head to Central Park to enjoy on a quiet bench while people watching.

If you’re looking for a true diner experience, start your morning at The Mansion (featured in Only Murders in the Building) for more menu options than you could dream of and Frank Sinatra playing softly in the background.

Afternoon

On Sundays, you’ll find me at the Grand Bazaar browsing antiques and handmade goods. On your way out, check out the farmer’s market (open year-round) and pick up some fresh tomato jam to take home.

If you didn’t start your morning at the park, now is a great time for a walk around the reservoir with stunning skyline views and the best row of cherry blossoms along the west side (if you’re visiting in April). For lunch, set up a picnic in front of Belvedere Castle with snacks or prepared foods from Butterfield Market, or just go straight for their unbeatable frozen yogurt.

For more of an Upper East Side shopping day, I like to start in Carnegie Hill and window shop my way down Madison Avenue. Stop into Zitomer for an eclectic collection of pharmacy products and accessories (the chicest combs and toothbrushes you will ever find), before continuing to the mecca: Ralph Lauren’s flagship stores. If you’re lucky, you may be able to grab a coffee without the line wrapping around the block, but be sure to explore every floor of both the women’s and men’s stores for style and home inspo beyond your wildest dreams. By this point, you’ve worked up an appetite from walking 20 blocks in your Manolos, so head to J.G. Melon for one of the best burgers in the city (cash only!).

Museums

This needed its own section to pair each museum with the perfect accoutrement:

My favorite will always be The Met. I’ve wandered through countless times and still find new corners to explore. I like to follow it with a post-museum drink at The Boathouse while admiring the rowers from the patio.

If I’m heading down for a show in the evening, I’ll stop by the MoMA to check out the new exhibits before enjoying a drink at The Plaza.

The Museum of Natural History is also a wonderful option for an expansive collection of artifacts, which I like to finish off with a glass of wine from Le Vin Coeur, a cozy little wine bar around the corner.

Evening

For dinner:

The Polo Bar, my favorite restaurant in the city period (book a month out!).

Friend of a Farmer, which feels like stepping into a Vermont inn, and the chicken pot pie is a must.

Nightly’s, a chic spot with sticky toffee pudding that’s to die for.

For a drink:

Bemelmans Bar, the iconic piano bar inside the Carlyle.

Cafe Commerce, an intimate neighborhood spot that makes you feel like a true local.

Casa Tua, where you can move to the lounge (after first enjoying some homemade pasta) for an after-dinner drink.

Hope you enjoyed your stay! xx