A New York Minute (or 720)
On my way back from Brazil I had a long layover in New York. I strategically booked my flight to maximise my time in the city, and then proceeded to pray to the weather gods that I’d actually be able to leave the airport. I kicked off my solo day in Manhattan with brunch at Sarabeth’s. The last time I was in there was on a father-daughter birthday trip, and even though their Central Park South location is under renovation, I was feeling nostalgic. One of the best parts of dining alone, especially in a big city, is the people watching (and ocasional eavesdropping). I was bested by a pile of ricotta pancakes and drank my weight in coffee. I love waiters dressed like penguins at 10am and starched white tablecloths. Like every other basic bitch in the city, I headed south on my pilgrimage and walked down to the West Village. I made a stop at C.O. Bigelow and was overwhelmed by a sea of perfect blonde blowouts, tortoise headbands and oval sunnies. I steered clear of the hair accessories but did pick up a lip balm and a coin pouch. The beauty of travelling alone means you can do whatever you want, and even though I had no space in my bag I still spent ages browsing The Strand and the McNally Jackson in Soho. I was also very tempted by this wallet, pigeon hair clip and coffee cup at the MoMA design store, but I stayed strong.
Because I’m incapable of seeing an empty spot of my google calendar, I reached out to my friend Victoria who lives in the city and we met up for breakfast burritos and walked around Central Park whilst gushing about Heated Rivalry and her hot friends who all spend the summer in REDACTED Island. I promised not to blow up her spot but I believe she has found the spawning ground for JFK Jr. lookalikes. If any publications want some boots on the ground coverage, I volunteer as tribute.
The Girls Are Back - London Edition
I have brought the party spirit back with me from Brazil, and March was a month of hitting the town. I love watching the city slowly come back to life as the sun comes out, and have prematurely dragged my friends out for al-fresco drinks.
My best friends from High School also came to visit for a weekend (I love it when the trip makes it out of our aptly named group chat). We try to get the girls together a few times a year and keeping up with them is the reason I started this newsletter in the first place. Pauline and Jet said they wanted to see my version of the city, so I took them to the land of the mysteriously funded creatives for an early morning Yoga class in Hackney followed by coffee and pastries at Pophams. They marveled at all the people drinking in the sun in the middle of the work day as we walked over to The Dreamery for dessert. Once the entire group was in the city, we fully played tourists with a long walk around the Heath, a trip to the theatre to watch Wicked and a brunch debrief at Sunday in Brooklyn.
Julia’s March Recommendations - To Read, To Watch and To Eat
To Read - Jean by Madeleine Dunnigan
I’ve been on a quest to find more contemporary authors I adore (it sucks when everyone you read is dead) and spotted this taking over an entire display at Daunt Books. A couple of days later, I scrolled past a post from Soho Reading Series promoting an event for the same book and took it as a sign from the universe. Madeleine’s prose is beautiful. I devoured Jean and am excited to keep up with her writing. She also wrote this essay On Becoming German, which I adored as someone going through a similar naturalisation process.
To Watch - Summerfolk at the National Theatre
Most of my friends don’t want to watch Russian plays on a Tuesday night (lame!!!!), but I really wanted to go to this, and even though I will continue to defend doing things alone, I managed to convince elle jones to join me. She ended up being ill (which I would normally find a little suspicious, but she also has niche old people interests (a compliment)) so I ended up bringing my friend Bea, who’s a literature student. I loved the staging especially on the second act and was audibly laughing throughout. It’s on until the 29th of April.
To Eat - Anchovy-Stuffed Olives
I love olives. I love anchovies. Anything salty and briny has my name on it. We have gotten to the point in the year where I’m living off random bits in the fridge (including but not limited to; manchego cheese, caramalised onion hummus, carrot sticks and pita bread). I also love buying fun food things (Panzer’s is my happy place) and these have become my new hyperfixation.
Honourable Mentions and Other Things Bringing Me Joy
Hot Yoga - I’m still going strong, and have become a regular at my local studio’s Monday evening class - feels like equal amounts pennance and self-care after hedonistic weekends.
I also read Vladimir this month and it was the first time in a long time where I was truly surprised by a book. Will report back with my thoughts on the show.
Watching bad films in the theatre - I love going to the cinema regardless of the screening. Popcorn for dinner at one of the last places where you’ll be publicly shunned for taking out your phone is my idea of a good time. I saw Reminders of Him with Giorgia this month, and it was every bit as ridiculous as you’d expect from Colleen Hoover. Will I be rewatching? Absolutely not, but I did have a good time! I foresee some good films in the theatre in April, and am excited to see The Drama and Project Hail Mary.
Women in SCAM - This women’s history month I reminisced on my favourite women’s wrongs: including but not limited to Anna Delvey, Elizabeth Holmes and my favourite Covid hyperfixation, Caroline Calloway. I brought the topic up to Juno1 as a side tangent whilst talking about how I thought I was going to be discovered as a child and revisited the infamous essay on The Cut on the way home (a NY Magazine subscription might be the best $8 I’ve spent this month).
Family meals - I love feeding the people I love, and I have the scars to prove it. I celebrated being back in London and having a kitchen by cooking for friends, and few things bring me as much joy as burning through an entire candlestick over pasta and wine and sharing dessert.
£8 dirty gin martinis at ellie’s (and the friends we make whilst sipping said martinis)
making seasonal playlists (current faves below)
What I wrote this month:
I love meeting people who know all my favourite niche internet and media lore
I simply MUST visit London so we can hang! Also I've seen Jean in so many bookstores--this is my sign to get a copy!
I watched the BBC doc on Caroline after our chat!