Weekssss in Review

On re-seeing Brooklyn and whoops!...another month has passed...

Jun 15, 2025

Okay, okay—once again this “week in review” has become a month in review. MY APOLOGIES — I have heard the feedback, the outcries on Sundays asking where my newsletter is and, by golly, I love you for that.

As spring has slipped to summer, life has just picked up: more happening around town, more travel (both mine and friends visiting), and more work taking up a lot of mental space. And if I’m being honest, while I’ve had plenty of experiences that are worth sharing this month, I’ve also been sitting with a few things that have lit my soul on fire—leading me to write, reflect, dream in a bubble that I’m not quite ready to burst open onto the internet.

Still, one of the reasons I started these weekly(ish) recaps is because they force me to pause and reflect—to pause with the “what nexts” and reflect on the “what is-es.” Lately, I have found myself seeing Brooklyn and my life here with new eyes—remembering how it felt when I first got here—what I noticed then, what I notice now. There’s a vibrancy here that is hard to match: garbage next to art, shouting matches next to kindnesses, unassuming doorfronts that lead to something unexpectedly great or quirky inside. A man with a fold-out table and a full desktop setup on the sidewalk. Stoop hangs. The wild energy of biking through rush hour, everyone going somewhere, each carrying the mystery of their lives. THE FOOD. The diversity in every possible way. I know I can go on and on about this place and what I love, but it’s impossible to fully share. Everyone must experience their own New York—to love it or hate it—but undoubtedly acknowledge that it’s one of the most special and unique places on earth.

Maybe I’m romanticizing the city because I went to the Museum of the City of New York with my mom this month, or because I’ve traveled a few times and come back each time with a slightly different feeling. Or maybe it’s because I’m starting to think more seriously about what it might mean to leave — and what exactly that would mean to me. Time will tell, but for now I’ll keep on noticing and share a little slice of it with you. Cheers!

Happenings

My dear friend Phi Phi came to visit from Milwaukee — we got a little brain-altered and went to Philharmonic in the Park, followed by a (not recommended) walk through the dark woods of Prospect Park. We ate our way around the city, had our (weirdly accurate) auras read at Magic Jewelry, got massages at one of my favorite Chinatown spas, and snuggled on the couch to watch movies. I highly recommend that you give My Old Ass on Prime a watch—a terrible name, but such a wholesome movie. Time with Phi Phi is just easy, fun, and effortless — the kind of friendship that picks up exactly where it left off.
I had several dates with Olivia — much-needed time with my bestie after a few weeks without much 1:1. We went to Dance Church, wandered the aisles of Trader Joe’s, and shared pierogies and a pork bowl from DeKalb Market. I also took her climbing, and man, I’m so proud of her — she jumped right into top rope and bouldering and sent it.
Climbs and proof of market haul
I also had many other great catch-ups with friends: dinner with my cousin who was in town for work, an impromptu Milwaukee girls’ reunion (we all happened to be in Brooklyn the same weekend), a visit with an old friend and her brand-new, wonderfully chunky baby, a catch-up with the sister of a guy I dated over a decade ago, a Friday night dinner date with Liz that turned into a bar hangout— and a two-day hangover despite not drinking that much—and even a friendly walk with my ex to lightly catch up. Safe to say, I’ve been keeping my social calendar just how I like it—busy.
My mom took the bus into the city for a packed day together: dim sum at Dim Sum Palace, a long walk through Central Park to the Museum of the City of New York, and even more walking all the way to Hudson Yards. A highlight was a Stanley Tucci–narrated film about the city’s evolution since the 1600s — and honestly, Stanley is giving David Attenborough a run for his money in the voiceover game. Despite the nasty blister I picked up along the way, the 16-mile day was the kind of quality time with my mom that I needed right now.
Feeling fresh after a haircut and color — continuing to get back to my roots, literally and figuratively, lol. (If you’re in NYC and looking for a great stylist, mine is accepting new clients!)
Otis and I bumped into a GIANT turtle coming out of the ground at the park. I named him Rudy. Poor guy picked dog hours to emerge…risky choice for all involved.
RUDYYYYYY
And, I spent Memorial Day Weekend in Utah—climbing mountains, floating rivers, playing pickleball—opening up my heart a crack that has since turned into a canyon...whoops.

Weekly Food Highlights

I finally made it to Win Son Bakery and I am onboard with the hype for the Bacon Egg & Cheese Scallion pancake—and was also very into the black sesame cappuccino and millet mochi donut (like a lot). Also, the toffee chocolate chip cookie is definitely in my top five cookies now (bold, from a cookie snob like me!).
I shared a burger and a Caeser salad with Liz at Liar Liar and I am already thinking about a return for both. I LOVE a burger, and this one had all the right flava flaves. Watch out though—the Caeser salad has a lot of pepper and may send you into a nice coughing fit. This is a natural wine bar but shoutout to the martinis!
I had some really good Mediterranean food this month — Nabila’s in Cobble Hill and Shukette in Chelsea. I dream about the Frena bread at Shukette, so having it this month was a win.
My addiction to Lisbonata continues —Phi Phi and I got a few to bring home and sample and Olivia and I swung by after a morning climbing. Pistachio has been in my lead, but after trying the yuzu and raspberry flavors, I might be converting.
A shout-out to the Mr. Softee truck at the Brooklyn Museum for providing many mid-day sweet treats on the hot humid days this month.
I also had some really good sandwiches this month. My mom and I shared a Mortadella schiacciate at Sogno Toscano Cafe & Wine Bar near the High Line that I will be dreaming about or perhaps have to re-create—mortadella, a pistachio pesto, burrata, arugula on focaccia. It was so freaking delightful that I door dashed a second mortadella sandwich the next day from Club Sub, which hit the spot but doesn’t take the throne from the OG. I also enjoyed the Uncle John sandwich from Regina’s Grocery, but with a $20 price tag, not sure it’s the move.
going to be thinking about this sammie regularly.
I did actually make some decent meals at home this month, but nothing revolutionary and worth sharing…

Week In Books

Finished

Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall | 👀 | 4.25 stars: I really enjoyed this book and it was so fun to be reading it alongside several of my friends at the same time. A winding story of love, forgiveness, friendship, family, heartbreak — beautifully written with some mystery and set in the backdrop of a quaint farming community. Would recommend this!
The Lifecycle of the Common Octopus by Emma Knight | 👀 | 4 stars: A bit of a slow burn saga, but really enjoyed it despite the plot being meandering and anti-climactic in total. Relatable in the friendships and family challenges, and fun for the mystery of what’s to come, young love, and authentic writing style.
The Many Lives of Mama Love by Laura Love Hardin | 👂🏼👀 | 4 stars: Took my time with this one, hopping between reading and listening. I really love a memoir and this one was vulnerable and unique in both voice and story—a mom struggling with addiction and post-addition integration in a system seemingly designed for recovering addicts and felons to fail.
Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging by Sebastian Junger | 👂🏼 | 4 stars: This was a short but interesting listen—one that I can see myself listening to again. It’s full of compelling data about the benefits of “tribe” culture, integration into modern societies, and the impacts of wealth and affluence on mental health crises. My biggest wish is that there were a stronger point of view on how to actually cultivate tribe-like communities in a modern-day society.
Any Trope but You by Victoria Lavine | 👂🏼 | 3.5 stars: So over the top unrealistic but has all the elements of a good rom com—a fun and light listen. (And I appreciated the abundance of Taylor Swift references.)
Is She Really Going Out With Him by Sophie Cousens | 👂🏼 | 3 stars: Totally fine but unmemorable enough that I thought I didn’t finish it and had to re-rent it only to find out that I did indeed finish it.
Scaffolding by Lauren Elkin | 👀 | 3 stars: Okay so I did not actually finish this, but I made it half way and then went to book club discussion, so it feels like I read it. I enjoyed the discussion more than I enjoyed the pages that I did read. Despite saying that I’d probably finish this book, not sure that I will so I’ll just be moving on thankyouverymuch.