Shopping
The second the temp dipped into the mid-70s, I threw on a light cardigan. I’m yearning for early fall - and for all of you saying I’m going to regret saying that because summer is the best season, I wholeheartedly disagree with you. My favorite time of the year is that perfect period when you need a light sweater/jacket in the morning, it gets warm enough in the afternoon to throw it over your shoulders, and then it goes right back on once the sun goes down.
That being said, most of my sweaters have seen better days - holes, stretched out, pilling beyond repair. It’s time to rotate a few out and bring some freshness into my closet, so I’ve been on the hunt for some perfect transitional sweaters - light enough to wear now, but still useful once we get into actual fall.
A few of my favorites are below, and I pulled together a much bigger edit here.
I also still think this cardigan reigns supreme. It’s polished, so flattering and works just as well buttoned up on its own as it does open layered over a tee. I’ve worn it with skirts, trousers, jeans, shorts - you name it. It’s one of those pieces that works with everything without being boring.
I also recently picked up this cardigan and I absolutely love the curved hem - to me, the shape is very reminiscent of Celine’s tweed jackets.
Food & Drink
I’ve been meeting friends out more casually lately - for a coffee, for a drink, less so for a full blown meal. Maybe it’s a sign of the weather being too uncomfortable for such indulgent meals, maybe it’s just a sign that I’ve been craving a slower pace lately. A small change I’ve really enjoyed lately is, instead of eating in my apartment on days when I’m having dinner in, I’ve taken my dinner to go to the West Side Highway for a BYO picnic with friends. Really trying to take advantage of these last bits of summer.
That being said, I have still been out & about. A rundown of some spots I’ve been to recently:
Tall Poppy: finally tried this bakery in Chelsea, and it did not disappoint. We tried their rainbow cookie croissant, prosciutto + brie + peach jam croissant (my favorite of the 3), and the everything cruffin. I’m not usually a big fan of sweet specialty coffees, but I’ve been indulging in them lately, and their Cereal Milk Cold Brew Latte was delicious.
Buddy Buddy: speaking of fun, indulgent caffeinated beverages, the awfulness of the Dunkin peanut butter latte made me desperate to experience the PB coffee from Buddy Buddy again. And dare I say, it was even better than I remembered? Their peanut butter cold foam is, as my friend put it, the best thing they’ve ever put in their mouth.
Limo Bar: a lively new spot in the East Village with solid cocktails. Great bartenders/service as well - when one noticed my friend spilled something on her shirt, he handed her a can of club soda and a stack of napkins. Class.
Elvis is a place that had been on my list for awhile to visit. I adore this space and the past couple of iterations of it (RIP The Jones & Great Jones Cafe). It’s from the same team as Le Dive, but Elvis has a decidedly less pretentious attitude (and much friendlier service). An A+ happy hour spot.
Golden Swan: Not my first time here, but my first time having brunch, which has been on my radar for awhile. The vibe of the hostess this day was icy and hostile, and our waitress genuinely gaslit us about the omelette (we ordered one kind; they brought us a different one and wouldn’t admit it. As someone who despises goat cheese, I can tell if there’s goat cheese in something). That being said, I really like the ambiance in here, particularly in the more cosy and casual downstairs bar area. And okay, they did throw a candle in our pancakes (delicious btw), so bonus points for that.
Movies
Tony is a movie I was apprehensive to see, and was pleasantly surprised by. I really enjoyed the fact that it was not at all an attempt to make a sweeping biopic about Bourdain - rather, it was a snapshot of a particular moment in time in his life, a particularly formative moment. Also, the Eric Ripert cameo tells me that he likely would have approved of this film.
On My Radar
Apparently a lot of things…!
A closet sale at Nine Orchard that sounds well worth going to if you’re in the city this weekend (hosted by Amanda Lee Burkett with goodies from the closets of Maryam Nassirzadeh, Mari Giudicelli & more)
Pony’s, a new bar in Red Hook
Sandy Liang x Cou Cou Intimates have a collab launching today at noon ET
Wine at Maayan’s, a new wine & cheese bar in Soho
Floradora, a rebrand of relative newcomer Chateau Royale in Greenwich Village, opens today. They’re flipping the concept to be a more casual neighborhood spot, which I think will benefit them.
Matches in Greenpoint, a new restaurant in the space previously occupied by Enids (RIP) and across the street from the bar that the name pays tribute to, Bar Matchless (double homicide!!). Looks like it transitions late night into a spot with DJs & dancing
(*side note: my recent repeated instances of reminiscing on places that have closed over the years is making me feel so. damn. old lately*)
Cecilie Bahnsen x ASICS new drop (august 28)
20 Blocks, a new sandwich shop in the East Village. Their turkey sandwich looks A+
Paranormal Activity on Broadway (yes, really). I’m very intrigued, and it’s getting a lot of buzz right now.
Still Here’s new West Village store
Saolea, a new Thai-American wine bar in the West Village
Rok, a new spot for matcha & coffee in the West Village by way of LA
Spotless Acne Clinics is opening a location in Greenwich Village on Wednesday, 9/2
Until next week -
xo
Lo