Cultured

Seeing George Clooney on Broadway, visiting the new Printemps store in FiDi, and crossing my first bridge.

I’m someone who likes to plan ahead.

When the end of the work week rolls around and I don’t have any weekend plans, I start to sweat. I’m working on being more go-with-the-flow, because the truth is, New York City is the best place for spontaneous things to happen. I experienced this first-hand.

I got home from work on Thursday night, went to the gym, cooked dinner, and FaceTimed my mom and sister (per usual). After our call, my mom asked if we wanted to go and see the play that George Clooney was making his Broadway debut in on Friday night, only the third night after the opening. There were serendipitously three tickets left in the theatre, that also happened to not be astronomical, and thus our spontaneous evening ensued.

I love going to shows, I think it’s one of the best parts about living in this city. I once had a middle school chorus teacher who preached the importance of dressing up for the theatre, and it’s always stuck with me. So, I rushed home as soon as the clock struck 5:30, grabbed my vintage Jil Sander trousers and new-ish Favorite Daughter top, and made my way back onto the M for the third time in one day.

The play, Good Night, and Good Luck, was excellent. It was a serious sign of the times, about McCarthy-era journalism during the red scare and the people that combated it. George was amazing, and it was thrilling to see him so close up. The cast also featured Ilana Glazer, whom I love deeply.

I got home at 9:30, promptly ordered Shake Shack, and drifted off to sleep while watching SVU.

Saturday afternoon, I hit pavement and headed down to the new Printemps store, the first one in the United states. I loved Printemps in Paris, so I was excited to check out the spot that’s supposed to single-handedly revive FiDi’s shopping scene.

The store was truly beautiful. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite that experiential in my life. It was like Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory for fashion lovers. The assortment was smaller than Paris, only two floors versus seven, and I felt like they were missing some major points like contemporary ready-to-wear. Everything was either a JPG couture gown or a Ganni tee shirt, there wasn’t really anything in between. Alas, the staff were incredibly kind, the visual merchandising was a masterclass in the craft, and there are multiple bars to grab a chic drink at. 10/10 recommend!

After, we headed over to Century 21 for a failed treasure hunt. If you’re looking for the MM6 x Salomon collab for a discounted price, you’re in luck. Or Marni shoes from last season. Or a Missoni coverup. I unfortunately was not in the market.

In something I took as a challenge since last week’s post, I crossed my first bridge by foot. We wanted to go from Century 21 to Ven Space, a menswear boutique that opened in Carroll Gardens last fall, so we walked the Brooklyn Bridge Bethenny and Ramona-style, Steve and Miranda-style, all the way over. That was my first time on the Brooklyn Bridge, and while I am slightly afraid of heights, it served as great exposure therapy.

Ven Space had an amazing assortment of menswear, including Auralee, The Row, things like that. If any of the mans in your lives are looking to upgrade your closet, definitely take them there. I would however like to know what everyone who was in the store at the same time as me did for work, to be able to afford such luxurious pieces.

We polished off the afternoon with sandwiches at Court Street Grocer, perfect timing for me because I had a 9 p.m. impending dinner reservation and didn’t want to be starving by 7. There’s nothing chicer to me than a late dinner. I headed back up to my neck of the woods, and began one of my favorite parts of the day, the pre-getting ready sit down. I started Paradise on Hulu, which as everyone has told me, was a crazy mindfuck. Hopefully it will fill the hole in my heart that Severance will leave on Thursday after the season finale.

Emily Sundberg

reported in Friday’s Feed Me that Gem Wine is closing at the end of the month. I hurried to turn on Resy notifications for this weekend, and also snagged one for their last night when they went live at noon. In my next bout of planless luck, I got one for Saturday night. I had always wanted to try it, and its impending end was the best reason I could think of. We ate citrus, squid, cabbage, and split a bottle of rose that was a little too close to red wine, and it was all divine.

We completed the night at a bar I hadn’t been to in over a year—an oldie but a goodie—The Flower Shop. My latest unnecessary nightcap consisted of a passionfruit mezcal drink called The Spanky. Mortifying to say, refreshing and sweet enough to make you regret it the next morning.

Sunday, I was blessed with a private pilates session taught by my dear friend Kat who’s in the midst of her instructor training. I don’t know how I’m supposed to go back to classes after such an experience. Afterwards I went on a long walk, did a billion and one chores, and started mentally preparing for the week ahead.

Something I’ve always wanted to do that seemed like a good use of my Sunday afternoon was visiting a reflexology spot in Chinatown. I will spend my money on, even if it’s my last few dollars, self-care. I get a massage probably once a week in some form, whether it’s a pedicure with a 10 minute chair massage while my toes dry, or a special occasion spent at a beautiful spa. I decided that Sunday was for me and me only. I got lucky and was able to walk right in, and drifted off into a state of bliss for thirty minutes as the kind man who was tasked with my toes got to work. I want to gatekeep the spot, but I’ll be a good writer and tell you that it was Zu Yi Spa on Canal. You can find me there every weekend from now on, and next time, I’m treating myself to the hour.

I am beyond obsessed with my new pants, and have worn them thrice since they were delivered this week.

I bought a lot of things from the Set Active online sample sale, and also some pieces from the Gap Friends & Family sale, including a butter yellow Cashsoft baby tee. My probiotics and moisturizer restock were over $60, so once again, my credit card is in the doghouse. The closet cleanout still awaits.