The best tweets of July 2023.
Read MoreSummer Saturdays Vol. 5
This week’s edition is being written from Scotland, so it might be pretty UK-centric.
With Robbie, Gary & Camden near Edinburgh Castle, Scotland
EATING
Been on a real tapas kick lately, I can’t get enough. Tinto Tapas Bar in Glasgow was stellar.
DRINKING
All sangria, all the time.
COOKING/BAKING
Not a thing. Vacation = no kitchen time.
CRAVING
Need to find some good fish and chips before I leave.
LISTENING
The Barbie soundtrack on repeat.
WATCHING
This 1950s movie called It Should Happen To You that’s about a woman who rents a giant billboard above Columbus Circle just to put her name on it.
WEARING
Aerie leggings are the only leggings to travel in.
EXPERIENCING
Took a day trip to Edinburgh with my brothers and one of my nephews, which was such a perfect day. Went on a boat ride on Loch Lomand with the whole family.
Parents & Camden on Loch Lomand
LOVING
Getting to see what Iceland looks like from above (on an unplanned stopover to Scotland).
SHOPPING
The Barbie section at Primark in the UK is too good.
Barbie socks from Primark
You can read Summer Saturdays Vol. 4 over here, you can see my summer highlights on Instagram over here and I’ve got my Scotland highlights over there too.
Summer Saturdays Vol. 4
EATING
The heavenly latkes at Modern Bread & Bagel on the Upper West Side.
DRINKING
Cappuccinos in the sky at Manhatta. Love that this place doesn’t need a reservation for an evening drink anymore.
Manhatta, July 2023
COOKING
I made some veal meatballs out of some Costco ground veal I found in my freezer, then I baked the meatballs, some marinara sauce and melted fresh mozzarella balls on top. I’m friggin Emeril over here.
BAKING
Black bean muffins and yes they sound gross, but they’re so dark-chocolatey you don’t even taste the bean.
CRAVING
The vegan chicken parm from VSPOT in Brooklyn.
LISTENING
Heart of Stone from Six on Broadway on repeat.
WATCHING
The new season of The Summer I Turned Pretty and it’s so, so good. Love a good teen summer love triangle. Using a pumpkins song in a prom scene? The key to my heart.
WEARING
New favourite thing to do: try on insanely expensive dresses on and take photos. Stay tuned.
Oscar De La Renta at the Nordstrom Sale
EXPERIENCING
My dear friend Marla came for a visit and we did everything. Saw the new wing at the Natural History Museum, the Kusama exhibit in Chelsea, stargazing on the High Line, pizza at Rubirosa, rented row boats in Central Park and saw Six on Broadway.
LOVING
All things Barbie. The movie was phenomenal. Margot Robbie was stellar, Ryan Gosling was so funny, I can’t wait to see it for a second time.
SHOPPING
My favourite bra of the past ten years (Natori) is half-off on sale at Nordstrom right now, so I had to buy a new one.
You can read Summer Saturdays Vol. 3 over here, and you can see my summer highlights on Instagram over here.
Summer Saturdays Vol. 3
EATING
The patatas bravas at Huertas were the best I’ve ever had.
DRINKING
An unholy amount of iced coffees with vanilla sweet cream.
COOKING
I had a piece of leftover steak, so I made Philly cheesesteak potatoes that were unexpectedly great. It was literally just sliced steak, sautéed onions and provolone atop some cubed, roasted potatoes with a basil dip. Am I entering my era of creating my own (albeit basic) recipes? I MIGHT BE.
BAKING
Absolutely nothing, it’s hot as hell.
CRAVING
Making a mental note to get the incredible Emmy burger cheeseburger dumplings (only available in July) at Mimi Cheng’s.
The cheeseburger dumplings at Mimi Cheng’s, NYC
LISTENING
How have I never heard of the song deja vu before? In love.
WATCHING
I watched the newest season of Black Mirror and my favourite was definitely Beyond the Sea. That scene after Josh Hartnett puts his kids to bed and goes downstairs with his wife? May have watched that scene more than once. I also started the newest season of The Summer I Turned Pretty, which can be pretty corny but can also make you teary? Can’t explain it. Love it.
WEARING
Living in these all-red running shoes.
EXPERIENCING
I took a brutal fall on a sidewalk in the East Village and the wound is… wild. I really didn’t want to pay for a doctor visit, so I just went to a CVS pharmacy and begged a pharmacist to take a look and tell me what to do (is that as sad/cheap as it sounds? yup!) and thank christ for pharmacists.
LOVING
I don’t tend to idolize anyone physically, it’s not really my style. (I mean, except for early-aughts Joshua Jackson, Pennywise-era Bill Skarsgård, Riverdale-era Skeet Ulrich and any-time-he-appears-in-water Jason Mamoa…) Okay, forget what I said, I pine like no other. And I can’t get these outfits on these men (below) out of my mind. Just flawless. And they’re all Gucci?? I’ve gotta start paying attention to the Gucci men’s collection runway shows.
Ryan Gosling in Gucci
Josh Harnett in Gucci
Ryan Gosling in Gucci
Oh my jesus, I’m relooking at those photos and maybe I just like a half-open dress shirt?? Yep, cracked the code. Someone convince Nathan to stop buttoning up to his chin, please?
SHOPPING
Secured my Barbie ticket. Now we wait.
You can read Summer Saturdays Vol. 2 over here, and you can see my summer highlights on Instagram over here.
Summer Saturdays Vol. 2
EATING
Finally tried the veggie burger at Superiority Burger and it’s as good as everyone claims.
DRINKING
Not Caesars, that’s for sure.
COOKING
I can’t stop making this steak salad.
BAKING
These protein cookies are perfect as breakfast side, but also great for when you’re traveling.
CRAVING
This garlic butter pasta sauce that looks incredible.
LISTENING
To the new Olivia Rodrigo song Vampire.
WATCHING
I rewatched the second season of Big Brother (mainly because of how much I loved Will Kirby when it first aired) and it’s a great summer rewatch. Also saw the new Indiana Jones, which was great (except for the last ten minutes).
WEARING
The OPI Barbie collaboration has a firm grip on me.
EXPERIENCING
After years of trying, I finally won a ticket to Shakespeare In The Park (Hamlet) and it was so good.
LOVING
Every single thing on the menu at Figlia in Astoria.
Figlia in Astoria, Queens
SHOPPING
The Holler and Glow self-heating eye masks finally got restocked at Target so I loaded up.
You can read Summer Saturdays Vol. 1 over here, and you can see my summer highlights on Instagram over here.
Summer Steak Salad
Summer steak salad
Summer steak salad
I adapted this Food & Wine steak salad recipe and I can’t describe how much I love my version better. A perfect summer meal. I promise you.
Ingredients
Romaine lettuce (or whatever leafy green you like)
Grilled halloumi, chopped (or shaved slices of parmesan)
1/4 cup red onion, sliced
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon maple syrup
Kosher salt
Pepper
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
2 cuts of steak, grilled (your choice)
Directions
In a large bowl, whisk the red onion with the rice wine vinegar and let stand for 10 minutes. Whisk in the olive oil and mustard and season with salt, pepper and maple syrup. Add the tomatoes and lettuce and toss to coat. Lay the sliced steak atop the salad and pour a little of this basil vinaigrette onto the steak if you’re feeling fancy.
June Jaunts 2023
Sometimes you need a mini day trip to see a horse in New Jersey
Sometimes you need a mini day trip to see a horse in New Jersey
June was so packed with stuff, I can’t believe it’s actually over. Here’s what went down!
I started a new series of posts I’ll do for the whole summer - Summer Saturdays, which is just a summary of what I do each week. Volume 1 posted over here.
I recapped how I did with my spring bucket list.
I wrote a brand new summer list of things I’d love to do.
I finally wrote about seeing the Karl Lagerfeld exhibit at The Met.
The best tweets of June can be read over here.
I made these strawberry cobbler bars that were pretty good, but I think I liked this strawberry crumble cake recipe a bit more.
Strawberry cobbler bars
I bought this Aritzia 1/2 zip sweatshirt in both white and black and I’m really considering getting the pink one now, too. I might have a problem.
If you like dark chocolate, then you must make this dark chocolate cake. It’s the absolute best recipe I’ve ever tried. And with this chocolate icing? Unreal. It’s heavenly. (Pro tip: don’t refrigerate it, it tastes incredible at room temperature, even days later.)
Dad’s 100th birthday cake
I was about to talk about how great my dad’s 100th birthday went, but there are so many details that I’ll just do a post about it this week instead.
I will never get over how incredible the frozen yogurt at Freshii is. Nobody talks about this enough.
Freshii frozen yogurt might even be better than TCBY
A great small batch pancake recipe I keep using.
I went to Activate and it was surprisingly really fun! It’s kind of like Squid Game but in real life and with less death.
I made this basil sangria during a blackout at my parent’s house and it was so strong and perfect.
Did you know about the secret, unadvertised Baskin Robbins deal? On the 31st of every month (on months that have 31 days), they offer 31% of all scoops and pints. Pass it on.
I made a lemon blueberry layer cake that was such a great summer dessert, absolutely would make again.
I ate at the S&P counter and it was only fine? NYC has so many options, I’m angry that anyone ever told me this place was anything special.
The duck confit spring rolls at Sojourn however are little bites of luxury. I will return.
Here’s one of the recent Zara dresses that I can’t stop wearing.
I’m so sick of pants without pockets, so I’m obviously in love with these green Halara bike shorts.
A great (updated often) list of carnivals in the NYC area.
Always gonna be excited when Trader Joe’s drops a new candle scent.
Trader Joe’s salted caramel and pistachio scented candle
I tried some curried fried rice at a friend’s house recently and I can’t stop thinking about it, such a genius way to do fried rice.
I’ve been eyeing mattress toppers for a few months now (my mattress is old and springy), but they’re always too expensive. So instead I bought a thick comforter for about $20 and spread that underneath my fitted sheet and it is now the most comfortable bed in this country. It’s a strange feeling to have all the answers and still not be ruler of the world?
Officially into rhubarb now since I was introduced to this rhubarb syrup, which is a phenomenal mixer for anything alcoholic.
Rhubarb syrup with club soda
Lays, I love you. Never stop with your insane flavours.
Lays Italian Red Meat Flavor
I was in Canada for a bit and good god, it was a perfect spring visit.
Dinner in the sunroom during a blackout
Nephews & Baby Dog
These only bloom on my dad’s birthday
Fully recommend having friends who just GET IT
I went to Canada’s Wonderland with my nieces and there is nothing more satisfying than the end-of-day funnel cake you’re legally required to have before leaving. Also loved the new(ish) Yukon Striker.
Funnel cake at Canada’s Wonderland
I stopped by the new reincarnation of Zellers (it’s in a weird, small section at the back of The Bay) and the deals are wild. Go. If they bring back those Zellers diners with that gravy, they will be unstoppable.
The Barbie section at Ulta is wild. I want it all?
Truly all the Barbie collaborations are wonderful.
I got a “root shadowing” done at Bloc + Mane in Etobicoke (by the lovely Amanda) and it was everything I needed. It’s a process that blends your hair colour if you’ve dyed it in the past year but you don’t want that aggressive grow-out line.
The USPS new stamps this year are insanely cool.
A gentle reminder: your beach body is already here.
Some things I’ve watched & rewatched:
Since the new Indy was coming out, I rewatched Temple of Doom and wow is Kate Capshaw so unbelievably bad in it. Sure I’m no expert on great acting, but this is just torture to watch.
And Just Like That: I’ve said it before, but we’re in a hate/hate relationship. The dialogue is so horrid that it reinforces the idea that anyone can succeed in the entertainment business. Talent has zero to do with it.
The Bear (season two): absolutely LOVED it. Did they use an offensive amount of R.E.M. songs this season? Sure! But once you look past that, it’s a flawless season.
I bought these gorgeous olive coloured running shoes from Call It Spring that are beyond comfortable.
Men’s running shoes are eons prettier than women’s
I’d love to try any of these summer recipes:
Burger Au Poivre (everything should be au poivre, as far as I’m concerned)
Some things I’m looking forward to this month: are you aware that there’s a third My Big Fat Greek Wedding coming out?? And I can’t wait for some reason? Even I don’t really understand why, but I loved that first one so much when it came out. Other things: obviously excited for Barbie, my great friend Marla’s coming for a visit (!), I really want to find some good soft serve and I have a family trip to Scotland that I can’t wait for.
If you’ve got any interest in reading last month’s roundup, you can see what went down in May over here.
I just told her she isn’t coming to Scotland with me
Summer Saturdays Vol. 1
Inspired by one of my favourite bloggers Jessica Merchant and her weekly Summer Fridays posts - I’m starting my own, but only for summer and only on Saturdays. Here’s what going on!
EATING
The duck confit spring rolls at Sojourn on the Upper East Side - CHRIST. Unreal.
DRINKING
I’ve been making iced tea with the different flavours in the Celestial Seasonings Fruit Tea Sampler, then I mix it with seltzer when I’m pouring a drink and I promise you it’s better than every pop/soda known to man.
COOKING
I keep making this summer salad with pearl couscous (cooked in chicken broth) that I’ll mix with grilled/chopped halloumi and green peas then I pour in a basil vinaigrette to bind it all together. It’s incredible cold or hot.
BAKING
I tried a new chocolate cake recipe and it’s hands down my new favourite. It’s (sorry) moist as hell and maintained its deliciousness even on the fifth day in a cake stand at room temperature. (As long as you’re a dark chocolate fan, you will love this.)
CRAVING
I’m itching to go to a low-maintenance carnival. And I’m counting down the days to peak tomato season.
LISTENING
On repeat at the moment: London Boy, Yuck and the entirety of Beck’s Odelay.
WATCHING
I finished the second season of The Bear and it’s even better than the first. I’m up to date on And Just Like That and it’s making me want to write an essay on the fact that we’ve entered The Era of The Hate-Watch.
WEARING
These Halara bike shorts with pockets in the colour Grass Grey Green, which feel like BUTTER. And I’m still living in the Aritzia 1/2 zip heather cloud white sweatshirt.
EXPERIENCING
Nathan and I went bowling with some friends this week at Astoria 360 Bowl and I may or may not be really good at bowling now? I mean, did I crack 100? Not even kinda, but, like, the confidence was there. Which might be due to my 100+ hours of Wii bowling.
LOVING
This article on the most beautiful dining cars on luxury trains.
SHOPPING
I don’t have any weddings coming up, but if I did I’d rent this Fuzzi Abito Patchwork dress. I had a clutch just like this one that I got in Miami years ago and I used to so much that it disintegrated, so I might get that one in tan. And I’m still on the lookout for the Lichtenstein stamps.
Happy Canada Day!
Also, you can see my summer highlights on Instagram over here.
The Best Tweets of June 2023
Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty at The Met
“The Costume Institute’s spring 2023 exhibition will examine the work of Karl Lagerfeld (1933–2019). Focusing on the designer’s stylistic vocabulary as expressed in aesthetic themes that appear time and again in his fashions from the 1950s to his final collection in 2019, the show will spotlight the German-born designer’s unique working methodology. ”
Every spring I make my way over to The Met to see the new fashion exhibit and it’s a tradition that I hope I never stop. It’s a very love/hate experience, which is what makes it so fun for me. They can be beautifully whimsical or absolute train wrecks. So let us begin…
Okay, so THIS is a wonderful way of displaying a clothing exhibit (above). Black dresses should be again white backgrounds and vice versa. It’s also at eye level, with just enough distance away so that you can see the intricate details. How is this not standard procedure for showing pieces at this point?
I don’t love the two-floor showing of these ones (above) but at least they’re lighted properly. It would’ve been nice to see them up close, but maybe I’m just too picky when it comes to Met curation decisions. Although if I’m going to see a designer exhibit, it isn’t insane of me to want to actually see the vintage, designer pieces. But I digress.
Fendi, Autumn/Winter 1971-1972
Early 70s Fendi mink fur? SIGN ME UP. Not only do I love old pieces, I absolutely love vintage fur when it’s maintained so well. It’s legit history you’re looking at, incredibly beautiful history. The cut of this cape is breathtaking.
Fendi, Autumn/Winter 2016-2017
At first glance, I hated this but when I read that it was a cape (why was it not shown with its opening?) I’m way more onboard. Capes need to come back. Especially ones that make you look like you’re some sort of chic fairy godmother.
Chloe, Autumn/Winter 1983-1984
An 80s Chloe dress? Perfection. I would have loved to see the front of it, but that wasn’t in the cards. It should be law that all dresses have fun back details.
Chanel, Autumn/Winter 1986-1987
I really didn’t love this clearly-Lagerfeld 80s dress mainly because I don’t love his signature style at all. It’s edgy but without any substance.
Chanel, Spring/Summer 1997
The detailing of this Chanel dress is gorgeous (especially the neck and the wrist area), it’s so fun but, like, a structured kind of fun. It does seem like a nightmare to wear, but so lovely to look at. (And I just realized that they also showed it at their 2016 exhibit!)
Chanel, Spring/Summer 1997
If it’s got tulle, mesh, feathers or any kind of netting - I’m 99% gonna be into it. Absolutely love this dress. And it’s hard to tell in a still photograph but it shimmers ever so slightly in the light.
Chanel, Autumn/Winter 2002-2003
THE BEADING, MY GOD. This dress screams patience and elegance at once and I’m enthralled with it.
Chanel, Autumn/Winter 2017-2018
As much as I love the feathers, my favourite part about this piece is the shape. I’ve never seen a dress that achieved this type of shape before, which is wild to realize and beautiful to witness.
Overall, a small portion of the collection was fun but there were too many modern pieces (from the 2000s) and the majority of them were too high up to even see. And I think I love an exhibit that covers more than one designer and instead focuses on a theme rather than a person. But if you like to just peruse designer items from the past, definitely make your way to The Met before it closes on July 16th.
IMPORTANT TIP: Before you enter the exhibition, you must join the virtual exhibition queue via QR code once you’re inside the museum (there’s a QR code sign beside the main entrance ticket line). No advance or timed tickets required and access is first come, first served.
The exhibit runs until July 16th, 2023.
Past fashion exhibits I’ve seen at The Met:
2018’s Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination (not a full post, but a brief summary)
2021’s In America (Part One): A Lexicon of Fashion (as well as the updated Part One that a few months later)