Arts & Culture
Every time I see a concert that I’d love to go to, 9 out of 10 times it’s impossible to find a reasonably priced ticket (let alone get one face value when they go on sale). Because of these insane prices, it’s also nearly equally impossible to find friends to go with. Justifying the cost is ridiculous. That’s exactly how I ended up, at the very last minute, going to The Sweat Tour solo last fall (do I regret it? No. It was probably the most fun concert I’ve ever been to. But do I wish I shared that experience with a friend? 100%).
Live music has been one of my greatest joys for as long as I can remember. The amount of times my dad would drive my friends and me at 12-15 years old to The Rave in Milwaukee or House of Blues in Chicago to see some angsty band? I truly cannot count. I spent ten straight summers at Lollapalooza-it was the highlight of my year every year. There’s nothing I love quite like screaming my favorite songs at the top of my lungs, surrounded by friends, completely in the moment. It’s a shared experience that means so much to me. And now? It’s become a privilege reserved for people willing to drop several hundred-to-thousands just to be in the room.
I’ve been waiting fifteen years to see Lady Gaga again since I first saw her at Lolla in 2010. And after all that time, I can’t even attempt to get a ticket without battling 100,000+ people in a virtual queue or staring at a $1,270 price tag for a basic 100-level seat at MSG. And I’m definitely not going to settle and pay $680 for a nosebleed seat where my head is practically scraping the ceiling of MSG. It’s really shitty that this is the new normal when it comes to live music.
I’m lucky to live in NYC, where at least Broadway shows offer lottery tickets and discounted ways to see performances. But the fact that concerts-something that used to feel accessible and communal-are now nearly unattainable? It makes me so deeply sad and angry. What used to be fun now feels extremely exhausting, frustrating, and like an absolute waste of time to even entertain.
Fashion
We’re kicking off the new season with a Spring Refresh sale at Maison Rogue with 25% off everything thru Sunday. It’s the perfect excuse to swap out the old, welcome in the new, and give your closet a little glow-up. Below are my personal picks that I’m adding to my cart:
(clockwise from top left):
Loren Stewart Onyx & Marble Tic Tac Toe Set
Christopher Esber Gondola Mini Tote
Sandy Liang floral jacquard mini
For more of what’s in my closet, what I’m currently obsessing over, shopping guides & more, check out my ShopMy. Looking for some personal style advice? Whether it’s for curating a flawless vacation wardrobe, hunting down the perfect shoes, or finding the best basics for your closet, I’m here to help—just reach out!
Food
I hadn’t been to The Commerce Inn in probably three years, but I kept hearing that the brunch was worth checking out, so I finally made my return.
This place almost feels like a secret, despite being from the same people behind West Village institutions like Via Carota, I Sodi, Buvette, and Bar Pisellino. Tucked away on one of the cutest streets in the neighborhood, it looks and feels like you’re walking up to a movie set.
The menu is Shaker-inspired (forgive my ignorance, I have no idea what that means, but I’d describe it as vaguely old-timey American, like something I’d imagine early settlers probably ate). The food was incredibly good. Fluffy, delicious pancakes, a classic breakfast platter with eggs, potatoes and bacon done right-simple, well-executed, and exactly what I want out of my breakfast/brunch.
They serve breakfast every day and brunch on weekends (in addition to dinner, of course), and I think this is one of those rare West Village spots where you can actually have a quality meal without waiting in an impossible line for.
I do have to say, the service could’ve been much better-definitely not up to the usual standard of this restaurant group. But hey, there was a solar eclipse that day, everything’s in retrograde or whatever, so I’ll give them a little grace.
Current Obsession
Maybe it’s just me, but I see so many people in NYC who only deal in surface-level friendships - connections that feel more transactional than genuine. And don’t get me started on the people who only pop back into your life when they need something from you (they seem like a dime a dozen in this town tbh).
Lately, I’ve been feeling so incredibly grateful for the amazing friends in my life-the ones who are real, who show up, who I can truly count on. It’s something I cherish and try not to take for granted, especially as we get older and life pulls us in different directions. Having friends who live close by, people I can go on a walk with on a random Tuesday, meet up with for a workout class after work, or have an impromptu plan with, is something I value so deeply.
I won’t get too mushy, but simply put: good friends are everything, and I’m super grateful.
On My Radar
12 Matcha on Bond Street, where the tea is sourced from a pedigreed family of Japanese farmers, and the pastry program has Noma’s head of pastry involved (so you just know it’s going to be amazing). They even have matcha ice cream that I cannot wait to get my hands on - it looks insane. The weekend lines looked crazy (though it did quite literally just open), so I’d suggest swinging by on a weekday.
One day only Montauk General Store pop up at Greenberg’s Bagels on Carmine St on Saturday, April 5 - not exactly sure who this diva is, but I keep seeing the name Montauk General Store being mentioned and their matcha being raved about (some special collab items on the menu will be maple matcha lattes, maple matcha cream cheese, and maple syrup breakfast sandwiches). You know the line is going to be nuts, so go at your own risk. Oh, and grab me a maple matcha latte if you do.
Cats: The Jellicle Ball appears to be making a comeback! I know Cats is controversial, and I knew absolutely nothing about it before seeing this production at the PAC NYC last year, and it was a wildly entertaining and fun ride. Definitely keep an eye on it and get tickets when they go on sale.
Sandy Liang's sample sale this weekend (details below):
Until next week -
xo
Lo
Sad day for us little monsters 😢 but I’m still holding out hope 🫶🏼
DEATH TO TICKETMASTER.
The Commerce Inn pancakes look gorg. I need to know if they can do a chocolate chip situation because that would be heaven.