Well If It Isn't Another Week

Time keeps on slippin' into the future...

I feel stunted. I’m creating advertisements for razors where I am trying (and failing) to wedge 5 talking points into 15 seconds. I’m scrambling to make last-minute design asks from a startup I work for on the side. There’s an unfinished painting on my wall that I committed to finishing in March, so paint and brushes cover my table because I keep thinking I’m about to get a moment to really dig into it. Twice-weekly trivia hosting is starting to claw at my sanity and eat up free time at the beginning of the week, and I worry that the next person to ask me where the bar’s bathroom is just might suffer for it. I’m trying to make it to the gym and prepare healthy foods for myself in order to get/stay thin, plus I need the endorphins to help with the aforementioned list. And SOMEBODY has GOT to do the dishes!

I’m not looking to whine. I’ve had some glorious weekend hangs with my friends lately, plus I’m hustling on purpose. That’s all just to say that at the moment, when it comes to what happens on Monday through Friday, I haven’t got much of a clue.

What’s up in New York? Whatever you want!

This week, I’m trying something different, with loose recommendations based on some small philosophies I’ve developed. I’ll be back next week with specific events! But until then…

Here’s What You Should Do in New York (Or Anywhere) August 12-18 (Or Any Time):

GET A PEDICURE

This is an activity I have always generally avoided, as it feels indulgent and even redundant because I tend to scuff up any pedicure within a week. But even with a non-cash price on a non-sale hour or day, it only costs me $35 including tip. I live in a nail-salon-rich neighborhood, so I don’t even have to plan for this; just stick my neck in the door, ask if they have time, go on with my life about 30 minutes later. During that precious 30-ish minutes: I read my book, my toenails become beautiful, my back is massaged by a really primo spa chair, and my legs and calves are massaged by a HUMAN. It’s a frigging steal, it makes me feel very nice, and I shan’t hold myself back from a pedicure when I want one anymore, do you hear me?!

EAT A WHOLE CUCUMBER IN ONE SITTING

Logan is currently the hero of the internet, the kitchen and our hearts. There is no way he hasn’t singlehandedly driven cucumber sales through the roof in the last few weeks. If you’re not familiar with his daily cucumber slicing and shaking, prepare to have your life changed. (I’ve just finished a bowl of four Persian cucumbers with 4oz of smoked salmon, covered in a DIY blend of soy sauce, rice vinegar and greek yogurt, plus lots of furikake seasoning). It’s hardly revolutionary, but it will feel that way as you gobble down cucumber after cucumber, impressing yourself with your own veggie intake.

LET YOUR HAIR BE POUFY

Not everyone is a fan of humidity, and that’s perfectly reasonable. But as a Southern Woman, I do enjoy (and miss) what humidity does for my skin and hair. Long, wild curls makes me feel 18 years old in only the good ways, so I’m letting ‘er rip until the limp chill of fall arrives. My friend Robyn and I both went with a wild hair look on a rainy-day-turned-glowing-sky-evening last weekend, and the results were excellent. The slicked-back bun is overdone; long may the lion’s mane reign.

SWAP BOOKS FOR PICKLES

I lend out and re-read my beloved novels, but the other ones tend to pile up quickly in my studio apartment. I finally toted some down to Sweet Pickle Books, where you can swap any five used books for a very large jar of homemade pickles. Of course, you can also find more books at very reasonable prices, and if you’re lucky, you’ll discover something that piques your interest atop the “FREE” cart outside. Ah, Orchard Street…ripe with books and pickles.

WEAR COLOR

You can shop for a capsule wardrobe all you want. You can replicate a neutral outfit you spotted on half the gals in the west village perfectly. Or you can LIVE A LITTLE. Make dressing more like playing, and all your interactions with people thereafter will feel bouncier. In summer, because of the heat, it can be harder to do anything really fashion-y (like in the fall, when interesting layers and structure come into play). Don’t try too hard; just put on some color! I dare you to walk into a bar with a red dress on (with your new-old, wild hair) and not feel curious eyes on you. Fellas – I challenge you to sport colorful sneakers instead of your white ones and, dare I say, a pink shirt or tie-dyed pant?!

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ONGOING THINGS

Pay-What-You-Wish at the Guggenheim on Mondays at Saturdays

Free Kayaking every Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday through the end of the summer.

Wine Wednesdays with The Rooftop Cinema every Wednesday through August 28. Tickets include a glass of wine!

Trivia Mondays at Motel No Tell –Delicious pizza, tropical drinks, and a very cool and fun trivia emcee (starting at 7pm) on Mondays :)

Stargazing – Every Tuesday at The High Line at sunset.

Trivia Tuesdays at The Factory 380 – Come say hello to me, the emcee, and enjoy an incredible happy hour PLUS prizes for the winner.

AMC Tuesdays – On Tuesdays, tickets to any AMC movie are only $7 each, and small combos (popcorn + drink) are only $5.

Free Fridays at the Whitney – Just as it sounds. Pre-reserve a time slot, show up, and enjoy.

Free Friday evenings at The Morgan Library – Live music begins at 5pm! Damn, I love the Morgan. (Reservations are required.)

Figure Drawing Classes at The National Arts Club – Inexpensive and open to the public! Various classes every week M, W, F from 7-9, ranging from $15 to $25.