Well, well, well....look who it is!
(It's me.)
Remember me? Sorry for having been MIA; first off, I was in Norway for a work trip feeling like a very lucky little girl. Norwegians are quiet but friendly, living a largely conflict-free existence that is…enviable. For example: upon seeing me and my coworker approaching across an intersection, a man who was paused to look at his phone glanced up, then stepped fully to the side in plenty of time for us to pass. Our jaws dropped. Our chins fully bonked the ground (which was clean, by the way). Then, mouths still agape from the shock of such a simple act of courstesy, we filled them with gummy candies and delightfully crispy hazelnut milk chocolate and turned in for the evening when the sun had barely set (10pm or so).
There’s been a lot of drama at the Newark airport, but I flew in without issue and with an entire row of seats to myself while enjoying Scandinavian plane food (superior to American). I rewatched LoTR in comfort, practiced some of my lines (as Gollum) in peace, and counted my blessings in earnest.
Aside from all that, I’ve simply been overwhelmed, but I’m counting that as a blessing, too. Suddenly, Memorial Day Weekend has passed?! Time remains an elusive beast in my plane of existence. Except when it comes to billable hours. Those I can keep track of, no problem 😎
Here’s what’s up in New York May 27-June 1:
STEAL OF THE WEEK
I don’t know if you don’t know this, but Zac Posen is the creative director of GAP now, which means his genius is trickling down into Old Navy.
I’ve been tempted by a pair of linen shorts, but then I remember the Italian man by the pool in Rome who said to me, “Rosalee, you are a beautiful woman, you have a beautiful body. But these shorts–” (he pointed to the elastic-waist, black linen shorts I was wearing) “They make you look fat. Throw them in the bin.”
And do you know what I did? Did I tell him, “No! These are comfortable, I will wear them as I please!”? Did I say, “I don’t dress for your eyes!”? Did I toss my head back and laugh at the absurdity?
Absolutely not. I threw that shit away.
(Ok, I sold them to a random girl in Union Square for $5 because I’m an eco-conscious girlie. But yeah, I never wore them again.)
All that being said…I would try the linen-blend pants Old Navy has on sale right now. The men’s shorts are probably a safe bet too, as a lot of men wouldn’t mind a bit of trompe l'œil thigh-embiggening anyway. Worst-case.
That’s it, that’s the steal!
TIMELY IDEAS
Tues., May 27 – MOVIES – A Real Pain, which Kieran Culkin won an Oscar for his performance in, at the Ottendorfer (East Village) branch of the NYPL
Wed., May 28 – MUSIC – Isaac ben Ayala live in Bryant Park (also happening on Friday, FYI). Enjoy a little ragtime piano during your lunch break.
Wed., May 28-Sun., June 1 – SHOPPING – Soho Farmer’s Market by Bubble Goods and Shopify
Thurs., May 29 – ART – Opening Reception: In the Medium of Life: The Drawings of Beauford Delaney
Fri., May 30 – PAINTING – Desenio Creative Painting Workshop: an immersive art workshop led by The Art Therapy Project to unwind ahead of the weekend
Sat., May 31 – FREE CONCERT – “Waltz Into Space” Live from Vienna: “The BLue Danube” waltz transmitted into space
Sat., May 31 – ANNUAL EVENT – The Red Hook Regatta
THIS WEEK’S HOT DATE
This, dear reader, is your reminder to go somewhere nice.
As I’m sure you’re aware, be you a close friend or a new reader, I am on the constant lookout for deals and savings.
But every once in a while, I’m f*cking over it.
Like this past Sunday, when my friend Robyn and I were going to an opera matinée (La Bohème) and making plans to have a drink and a bite to eat after. I set up a string of Resy alerts and let fate decide where we would be spending our money.
And who should win this game of Resy Roulette? The Portrait Bar.
Fresh out of a delightfully snowy Act III with our lovely little hands tender from applauding, Robyn and I set forth on the 1 train to continue our treat of an evening. Walking the hallway leading from the Fifth Avenue Hotel entrance to the bar, the anxiety of spending a pretty penny dropped straight out the bottom of my platform-shoed feet, and a desire to have the job of shopping for books, art and trinkets to stage the shelves of restaurants and hotels entered my body (I mean come ON, I’d be SO GOOD at that?!).
We shared a $20 hot dog (does this make it an haute dog? Rhetorical question, of course it does) a $14 order of deviled eggs, some complimentary popcorn, and a cocktail ($22) each. We discussed the opera, friendships, decor and even death, cycled through giggles and occasionally gulped back tears. We were never hastened away from the bar or tossed a premature check. We washed our hands in soap that smelled like feminine, floral heaven and watched hummingbirds dart across the wallpaper.
I loved it! I love nice places. I love beautiful things. They aren’t for the everyday, because some of that special-ness might wear off with quotidian use. (Plus, I simply cannot get around to blow-drying my hair all the time, although my grandmother was right, I really should, it looks nice.)
Take me back, as they say. Literally 🤓
ONGOING THINGS
Double Dutch: every Thursday in Garibaldi Plaza, Coach Kyra Lee and The Double Dutch Aunties teach the fundamentals of street-style and competitive jump rope.
Free admission on Wednesdays at the New York Aquarium
Check out the Events at Drawing Room for some social crafting.
Pay-What-You-Wish at the Guggenheim on Mondays and Saturdays
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 only $8 each, and small combos (popcorn + drink) are only $5.
Wine Wednesday at Motel No Tell
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.)
Not Your Standard Bingo at The Standard Grill every Sunday night at 10pm.
❤️❤️