Note to Self

My Latest Loves

  

 

M.Gemi Three pairs of comfortable, elegant, stunningly-packaged (that’s a word, right?) shoes later, I am a total brand fangirl. This company does everything right, but most importantly: the product. If you’re willing to spend a bit more, you will have footwear that you may actually have forever. Can we talk about this pump? Hubba...

Barbuto NYC My friends introduced me to this delightful West Village hot spot, run by chef Jonathan Waxman. Everything is fresh and delicious (they make me want to eat kale salad,) but especially the roast chicken (which Tasting Table has tried to recreate in this recipe. Good luck?) Consider this my new go-to in the neighborhood.

Mario Badescu Have you ever tried Mario Badescu's skincare products? Everything is affordable and comes in substantial portions by beauty industry standards. Face masks, eye makeup remover, lotions, etc—they're all great. My new favorite is this cleansing soap, which is the perfect refreshing thing to begin and end a day out in the city.

The Little Market There are quite a few of these fair trade wholesale sites and I realize that The Little Market is just one of them, but how incredible is their mission? I love discovering new shops, and all the better if they're doing something different—something fundamentally good. Check out these trunks made in India. Beauties!

A Doable Cleanse I've been working hard on my health this year, and it's finally starting to show. It's exciting, but for anyone who loves food as much as I do, it can be hard to say goodbye to old habits. (My worst habit being an obsession with conquering complicated but too rich recipes. Sorry, Julia Child, I can't with the butter anymore.) I'm always on the lookout for recipes that are lower in calories but still fun to make. Camille Styles launched her cleanse a few weeks ago, which is full of just such ideas.

All About Oahu

If you do happen to follow me on Instagram (I hope you do!) you'll have noticed that I ventured all the way to Hawaii at the end of January. Finally I can say publicly that the trip was actually a work-heavy venture. I traveled with Loren and our friend Sara Kate to Oahu to shoot Loren's Spring/Summer look book. We spent a week on Oahu, and while I'd been there once before as a teenager, doing the non-resort version was far more fun. Maybe there are more picturesque islands in Hawaii, but perhaps no island offers the breadth of activity and varying landscapes quite like Oahu. From bustling Honolulu to valleys of jungle to the calm power of the North Shore's legendary waves, we pretty much did it all. Or at the very least, tried...

For two days prior to the shoot itself, we drove around for hours and hours, hopping in and out of the car to find the best locations. Some ended up being a bit too far of a trek to execute with a model on the clock, but I'm glad we could see them anyway. And after all that, I'll say this: hotels are great if you literally plan to do nothing. But in my opinion, to get a true feel for the island, try renting a house, a car, and do your own thing. There's not much to be intimidated by. For the most part, we found everyone to be friendly and ready to give you their picks for the best local thing. Most if not all non-hotel beaches are public with free parking, and you'd have a hard time getting lost (hello, it's an island.)

In the interest of sharing the wealth, here are some favorite discoveries (and suggestions) collected along the way. We certainly didn't get to everything, but if you're on the lookout, I hope this helps.

 

 

Places to Eat Side note: Yes, there is a Cheesecake Factory and any number of global chain restaurants. But for the love of God, the local food scene is so great, don't you dare even think about doing anything else. Lucky Belly The most tasty meal we had on the trip. Loren had the ramen and talked about it the rest of the week. I had some crazy chicken sandwich that I had dreams about. Basically, go.   Leonard's Bakery Can you get more touristy than Leonard's? Probably not, but their malasadas (fluffy fried dough rolled in flavored sugar and/or injected with cream) are totally fresh and delicious and come in really cute pink boxes, so...    Wing Shave Ice & Ice Cream Supposedly (wink) Sara Kate went in there for a "prop," but we ended up sharing the rose-flavored ice cream before lunch. So delicious!   Places We Didn't Eat But Heard Are Also Good The Pig & the Lady This is the Vietnamese place I heard the most about prior to visiting. Sadly, it was closed the entire week we were there! Oh well...   Scratch Kitchen & Bake Shop The line was out the door for their insane French toast and other brunch-related delights, so it must be good. Wish we had had time to stick it out!    Hau Tree Lanai A hotel restaurant that we heard is worth it just for the date-night ambiance, but apparently the breakfast buffet is equally good.   The Royal Hawaiian For authentic, "legendary" Mai Tais and other island cocktails. House Without A Key Has an unobstructed view of the ocean and Diamondhead, plus a reputation for great live bands with luau-style music. Sounds like a great place for a leisurely dinner.

Where to Shop Owens & Co. A bright and cheerful boutique with locally-sourced home goods, accessories and apparel. Diamondhead Beach House A mod surf lodge with cute branded product.   Hound & Quail The Hovey sisters gone tropical. Think taxidermy mixed with 1960s home goods (but merchandised in a completely charming way, of course.) Roberta Oaks A darling boutique with the designer's own line of men's and women's Hawaiian gear with modern, tailored silhouettes and updated patterns.  Tin Can Mailman Although the man who runs it is a—for lack of more delicate term—total dick, the wall-to-wall selection of vintage Hawaiian ephemera is too much fun to poke around.  Things to See & Do  Iolani Royal Palace Beautiful 1870s palace for the King and Queen of Hawaii (before they were overthrown by the American government, that is.) It's a beautiful building in a plantation-meets-Victorian-Gothic aesthetic that is entirely unique to HI. We didn't go in, but guided tours are an option.   Pearl Harbor Yeah, yeah. It's technically not in Honolulu, but relatively speaking, it's close. And I think it's a place anyone should visit if only in honor of the men who fought and lost their lives on that pivotal day. The Arizona Memorial is breathtaking.

Top of the List for Next Time

Doris Duke's Shangri La

We saved it until our last morning and it turned out it wasn't as simple as stopping by. Instead, you have to book a tour through the Honolulu Museum of Art only Wednesday through Saturday. Big bummer. Guess I'll have to go back...

 

 

 

Things to See & Do LANIKAI BEACH We ended up spending the majority of our last day sprawled on the beach. Loren and I floated in the bright blue water for over an hour, just watching people have fun. It's perfect for families, kayaking and worry-free waves. HALONA BEACH COVE Otherwise known as "From Here to Eternity Beach." Also in this same area: a blowhole, tide pools and other delights for the experienced rock climber/adventurer. Makapu‘u Tidepools We didn't get to do it, but heard that you can hike down from the lighthouse to nature's own bathtubs. Sounds heavenly!   Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve You have to pay to get in, but have the option of renting snorkling equipment to make your visit worth it. There's also a café, picnic grounds, scenic overlooks, and easy parking.   Kualoa Ranch Home to film props from Jurassic Park, Lost, 50 First Dates and several other movies, this ranch is made for tourists and looks super fun. If you happen to have a guy with you that's just dying to zip line through the jungle, this would be his jam.

Where To Stay Our Rental House! There are a ton of great spots (hotels, hostels, etc.) but I have no recommendations besides this. But I will say that after exhaustive research on AirBNB and HomeAway, Loren found this gem tucked away by the bay in Kaneohe, and it was perfect.   Places to Eat Uahi Island Grill We ended up here after a long day of shooting. It's tiny (maybe 8 tables) with a walk-up counter for takeout. The menu is limited, but it was some of the best food we had on the entire trip. Crepes No Ka 'Oi Right next door to Uahi, the smell is enough to get you inside. Great for breakfast or a snack on the go. The Local Hawaii Supposedly some of the best shaved ice on the island (and really cute packaging, which always seals the deal for me!)   Dean's Drive In A popular local spot right up the street from our rental house, which had killer Hawaiian-style BBQ and easy, fast casual dishes to stay or go. Not something I'd go out of the way for, but if you're staying in the area, it's a great go-to. Where To Shop Olive Boutique Cute women's clothing, accessories and gifts from local brands and artisans. Hana Hou Vintage Muumuus, caftans and other island and high-fashion vintage delights. Kailua General Store Handmade, lighthearted art and keepsakes with an old-school island vibe. Definitely a good spot to find a gift for the guy in your life, plus a coffee and drink bar.

 

 

  

Things To See & Do Haleiwa Pronounced "Haliva," this is the biggest town on the North Shore and home to surf shops, shaved ice stands, bars and restaurants. Laniakea Beach The best place to spot sea turtles in action. Sunset Beach For observing ONLY (unless you happen to be a pro big wave surfer. I'd be shocked if any of my readers are pro big wave surfers.)   Waimea Bay Beach If you want to see the likes of Kelly Slater in action, this is a hot spot. Our local friends recommended parking up the hill so you can really see the surfing in action from overhead. Use caution if you decide to explore the beach, as these are some of the most powerful and unpredictable waves on the island.   Waimea Valley Botanical Gardens So beautiful, like walking around inside someone's tropical dream. There are spots inside the gardens that are great for kids (like indigenous Polynesian huts and craft demonstrations) but for the most part, this place is beautiful and walkable, culminating in the famous Waimea falls.

What To Drive Our VW Camper Rental It was mostly a prop (the biggest prop ever), but you can rent this restored vintage VW van on AirBNB. It's a camper, so there's a small stove, fold out bed and roof fit for rolling around the island at will.   Places to Eat Matsumoto Shaved Ice Shaved ice is an art form in Hawaii, and a delicious treat to us pasty mainlanders after inevitably sunburning ourselves.   The Shrimp Shack Do what you've always been taught not to do: pull over on the side of the road, talk to strangers, and eat the food they are selling. This delicious buttery, spicy, garlic-y peel-and-eat shrimp and sticky rice was tasty on another level. I wish I could recreate it, but you can't fake that aloha spirit. Giovanni's Shrimp Truck Same idea, different shrimp guy. I say try them all and compare—Hawaii homework.

 Aloha, adventurers!

 

2015 on the record

 
I can't believe I haven't posted anything since August. (Okay, maybe I can). Mostly, I can't believe that August feels like it only just happened. Also, I totally called that lace-up trend. Props to self (new blog name.)

Anyway, I feel like you have enough posts with me whining about how time flies, so forget that. Instead, have a year in review. It's a lot of words, I know. And you don't have to read it, but I want to keep some kind of record—a reminder for myself that no matter how hard one tries to control it, life is what happens when you're busy making other plans...

JANUARY Started the 2015 right in my second home, Savannah, GA. Stuffed faces, danced on the beach in the middle of the night, hugged good friends. Finished January with the city's first official snow day: 5 hours of working from home followed by an epic hike around Central Park (finished with drinks at the Plaza in Bean boots and sweatshirts.)	FEBRUARY Did a whole lot of nothing except complain about it being February (worst month ever.) Fled the city to Connecticut at every chance just to get away.
MARCH We had our final snowstorm of the year, and it was a beauty. But let's be honest, everyone was over it. So over it, in fact, I have no idea what I did for the rest of the month except be "over it."	APRIL Served on a jury for two weeks along with Thakoon and Keith Pollock (only in New York.) Traveled back to Savannah again, climbed up a ladder into the back of my dear friend Giselle's incredible new historic preservation project. And upon my return to NYC, spring sprung! Central Park was to die for.
MAY Spring turned to summer pretty quickly. Before we knew it, we were bare-legged in the park, picnicking and eavesdropping on concerts at dusk after work. Turned 30, which was great! Except I found out the reason I'd been so moody is a serious Vitamin D deficiency, suffered nerve damage in my leg, and in the midst of all that: forgot how to blog, apparently. Let's call that "prioritizing."	JUNE Made it a point to be a better New Yorker/human and get out more. Went to galleries, exhibits, a bunch of buzzy stores (CW Pencil Enterprise, above) and (new to me) neighborhoods. Also made time to visit with those friends who always seem to slip through the cracks. Good vibes only!
JULY Fully embraced the heat (and mental health) with rooftop dinners, ice cream excursions, and jaunts upstate, including a darling One Fine Stay rental in Woodstock for Alex's birthday! I just may steal that idea for next year...	AUGUST Finally made it up to Rhode Island to visit with my friend and client Loren at her home and studio. We had a blast! I love Newport and Narragansett (and Loren and Aaron) so much, I went back again a month later, when we saw Lord Huron live for the 2nd time this year (so good!) Joined Equinox (it's a gym) and have lost 15 pounds since! Yay health!
SEPTEMBER Spent Labor Day day drinking on a rooftop in Greenpoint. Explored the new Whitney at some point (reaffirming that I'm so not a modern art person.) Friend Sara Kate finally convinced me to go wholesale, commissioning 90 prints to sell in her OKC storefront. First time for everything! And the next order just came in. Oo la la!	OCTOBER Celebrated 3 years (!) at Ralph Lauren. Did the Pink Pony walk in Central Park with 1000+ of my fellow employees. Visited with an old college friend in Poughkeepsie, did some apple picking, and explored some cute small towns around the Hudson. Escaped NYC Halloween with friends by heading to Sleepy Hollow for some chills and Cold Spring for some shopping and good food.
NOVEMBER Wrapped up design and copy for the 4th and final Loren Hope fall look book chapter, which was a huge project that sucked up a lot of my creative juices, but turned out great (just wait for S/S'16!) Hosted my parents for Thanksgiving for the first time! Hiked across the park (family dog in tow) to see the Macy's parade balloons inflating, where we (OK, the cute dog) sweet-talked our way through a police barricade to get up close and personal. But most importantly: did not burn the turkey!	DECEMBER Had a crazy, crazy month at work wrapping up photo shoots and spring designs, and spent way too much time stressed and not enough embracing NYC's legendary holiday vibes (not that you could, really, it's been so warm!) BUT had some fun too: enjoyed visiting pals Roxy, Inslee and Loren at their #73SpringStreet pop-up in SoHo, and shopping for gifts for friends and family (giving is way more fun than receiving!)

Tomorrow, friends will arrive from out of town to stay. We're cooking some good food, popping some bottles, and hopefully laughing our way into 2016. It seems like we're going to need all those happy thoughts given the state of things out there in the big, scary world. But personally, 2016 looks really promising: a January trip to paradise on the books, four (!) friends' weddings, and a host of other things I haven't even thought of yet... That's how it should be, right? 

So cheers to us, our health, and our sense of adventure. Happy New Year! 

 

P.S.

As is readily apparent, I don't blog with much frequency any more! Maybe that will change next year? I'm not sure. In the meantime, you can follow me on Instagram, where I'm much more apt to tell a story on the go, and you can catch glimpses of things like nondescript photo studios, my apartment, things I'm working on, my shoes (who cares?) and New York City vistas. INTRIGUE!

P.P.S. 

Please enjoy this winter playlist that I never posted about. Yay me!

 

Those Flats

 

Help, I need them all. The struggle is too real. It's so spectacular (and entirely rare) to have fall's "it" shoe be a flat, you have no idea. Tall girls, this is for us! 

Turns out my instincts are on point (har har): In a way, they are in fact mutant dance shoes. They're called "Ghillies," inspired by the namesake Scottish or Irish folk dancer footwear. Lately, designers have smoothed out the edges and hardened the soles, which makes for an edgy, refined twist on a Highland classic. These beauties are a truly perfect fit with denim, dresses, and just about everything else. Yes, please.

featured:

1. Loeffler Randall Ambra Lace-Up Flats $295 2. Aquazzura Belgravia Flat $675 3. Arricci Elodie Lace-Up Ghillie Flats $224 4. Loeffler Randall Ambra Lace-Up Flat in Cheetah $350 5. M.Gemi The Brezza $248 6. Top Shop Kathy Ghillie shoes $115 7. Top Shop Kingdom Ghillie Pointed Shoes $95 8. Aquazzura Christy Lace-Up Flats $675