The Lo Down: 5/7/25

It's okay to just admit that you're jealous of me...

May 07, 2025

Music

Charli xcx’s concert last week felt like stepping onto the set of a hyperpop Sunset Boulevard - choreographed brilliance, just Charli playing to the camera like a one-woman spectacle. No backup dancers, no elaborate set pieces - just a girl and a vibe (and occasionally a glass of white wine), carrying the entire show on her back with an unmatched level of effortless cool. She’s one of very few entertainers who can do that. Nearly everyone in the crowd was dressed in brat theme (yes, even Nicole Kidman!), and I’ve never seen so many people wearing sunglasses indoors at night. She’s built something real in the culture that is both powerful and fun - making a statement while also not taking itself too seriously. When she posed the question at the end of the show “Is brat summer over?” a part of me felt nostalgic and sad to let go, while another part of me is happily looking forward to see what’s next.

Food

I’ve been in Ireland for most of the past week, and while the food isn’t too much to write home about (quite literally), I had dinner at Tolo last week before I left. It’s a great spot to sit al fresco in Dimes Square, and I enjoyed it more than other buzzy spots in the area (the crowd seemed way more relaxed than the people you see at nearby Le Dive, Kiki’s or Cervo’s). It’s a casual Chinese spot with small shared plates and interesting wines. The order: raw tuna, prawn toast, water spinach, string beans, crab fried rice, sweet & sour crispy fish.

I’d been seeing a lot about the opening of SunLife Organics in Soho, so I stopped by to see what all the buzz was about. First of all, their menu reads like the terms & conditions in a legal contract. It’s so overwhelming and I couldn’t make sense of it, so when it came my time to order, I asked the employee to suggest a chocolatey smoothie because that’s my jam, and to my surprise, the one she suggested was 900 calories. Shocked and taken aback, I opted for a different, non-chocolatey, popular smoothie she suggested (this one coming in at only 560 calories), the ‘Million Dollar Smoothie.’ It is my fault for not looking at the prices before ordering, but I was shocked when that pesky little iPad turned on me and said my total was $24. This must be what it’s like to live in LA and go to Erewhon. Well, at least I’ve heard good things about the smoothies there - this smoothie I got was disgustingly grainy, and tasted like it had been made with banana Laffy Taffy’s, not a real organic $10 banana. I’ll just get a milkshake across the street from Morgenstern’s next time.

Travel

I took a family trip to Ireland and stayed at Adare Manor, which is set to host The Ryder Cup in 2027 - and if that didn’t scream top tier, the fact that Loro Piana was on site for a corporate trip certainly sealed the deal. It’s easily one of the most magical and impressive places I’ve ever stayed - my first time sleeping in a manor (apparently, the only difference between a manor and a castle is a defense system. Chic.) Adare is a rare example of a calendar house - one symbolically built with 365 windows, 52 chimneys, 7 stone pillars, and 4 towers, representing the full year (they certainly do not put that much thought into architecture these days. A lost art!). Think grand, neo-Gothic opulence with ornate details everywhere - it is truly magical, and now plays host to an array of on site activities, including fishing, carriage rides, falconry, shooting & archery, a padel club, a chocolate factory and shop, to name a few. And of course, world class golf. While I don’t feel especially tethered to heritage, I did get a kick out of seeing the name O’Neill everywhere in Ireland - somebody told us that Niall of the Nine Hostages (allegedly the OG O’Neill) is second only to Genghis Khan in number of descendants. Ireland is absolutely stunning - lush landscapes, idyllic little towns, and incredibly kind people. But, I need to say…the sticky toffee pudding there? Criminally underwhelming. I’ll be making my own the minute I’m home.

Fashion

My best & worst dressed from this year’s Met Gala (honestly, I have so many more people to put on my worst dressed list - Hailey Bieber, Dula Peep, Chappell Roan…but I ran out of room).

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!

On My Radar

Kalei, a playful gallery space in Soho that has collectible vintage design, as well as a coffee shop

Papa San, the Peruvian-Japanese izakaya restaurant from the Llama San team

Cactus Wren (currently at the top of my list to try), the new LES restaurant/wine bar from the chefs behind Sixty Three Clinton

Bar Bianchi, the East Village aperitivo bar from the team behind The Nines & Le Dive (complete with gelato-inspired ice cream and sorbet from Caffé Panna on the menu)

Until next week -