Candlelight Concerts

Josie Girl Leave a Comment

Last week, I did something totally out of the ordinary for me — and that is to buy in to an instagram ad (I actually never buy things off of instagram) and get a ticket to a Candlelight Concert. This candlelight concert happens in over 100 cities and depending on the show, it is a fresh spin on a classical music performance — all in the dark with candles. This one in particular spoke to me — 90s hip hop, in my favorite church on the Upper East Side (yes, I love this church — it also has a cafe I used to frequent all the time back in the day).

 

Church of the Heavenly Rest on 89th and 5th Avenue — so beautiful. And at 9 pm when the concert started, felt even more magical and peaceful.

 

So, I bought a ticket, and I went. I had little expectations and I absolutely loved every minute. So, if you ever get the chance to see a candlelight concert as advertised on instagram, I say DO IT. It was incredible.

 

Inside the church — it was PACKED. A very diverse audience, everyone mesmerized and interested in hip hop classical music. Loved the vibe.

So beautiful. Super peaceful and calming.

The set list.

60 minutes of relaxation.

Before — they had a Queens ABBA set list — also seems fun and different.

 

Highly highly recommend checking this out and seeing if this happens in one of your cities — I will remember this for a long time, and plan to attend another one at some point, too!

Celine Lipstick

Josie Girl Leave a Comment

Who would know that my favorite lipstick comes from the brand Celine? I know, shocker, but honestly, this is the best lipstick I have EVER had and wear it nonstop. Yes, it is a splurge — but as I say, cost per wear — you definitely get your money out of it if you wear it all the time like I do! You can see it here.

 

Comes in a beautiful gold tube with the logo on top.

Continue Reading →

Currently Loving March 2026

Josie Girl Leave a Comment

And here we are…..mid March. I know that is always how I start these posts, but where does time go? It literally feels lie it was just the start of 2026, and now we are 1/4 of the way through, say what? Here is what I am currently loving!

 

1. Spring

 

Although still absolutely freezing in NYC, Spring is in the air. Flowers are growing, birds are chirping, and the feeling is so close — SOON it will be warm!

Continue Reading →

Los Angeles Weekend 2026

Josie Girl Leave a Comment

My son’s spring break overlapped only for a hot minute with some friends from New York City — so he was fortunate enough to be a part of their ski trip to Alta, Utah. In order to end up in California (where he goes to school), we thought since already more than halfway in Utah, I met him in LA for the weekend. A friend (whose son was also on the trip) joined and we stayed at HER friend’s house. AND HOLY SMOKES, this wasn’t just any house, but the most epic house you have ever seen. Not only that, but our hosts were the most incredibly thoughtful, generous, welcoming, wonderful people you have ever met — she got us all gifts! Literally, gifts for all of us! And more, just had the best personality and attitude. Their house was featured in Arch Digest in 2024 — to see it all, go here (trust me, it is worth checking out).

 

Drinks at the Hotel Bel Air — loved everything about this place.

Continue Reading →

Librae Bakery

Josie Girl Leave a Comment

Yesterday, on the most beautiful day of 2026 thus far, I made my way to Librae Bakery down in the East Village. Spring perfect weather, everyone in a good mood, topped with the perfect pastry = my cup of tea! I first heard of Librae Bakery in the Fall when I did the Bakery Half Marathon — and it was one of my top finds. But I had never been there until this week! And it is a MUST GO TO if in the city.

 

The store is so cute and has tables to sit inside. They have a variety of sweet and savory pastries, as well a handful of sandwiches (they look to die for — they are made to order, but I saw some people eating it and they all looked fabulous). I loved everything in the store, but especially this croissant disco ball. Can I have this for my apartment? (I also loved their sweatshirts with croissants on them — but I was focused on finding the perfect pastry to eat).

Continue Reading →

Scott’s Flowers NYC

Josie Girl 1 Comment

OK, so my bestie on the west coast sent me flowers for my birthday and they were so so so amazing and lasted over 2 weeks. YES, I know, that NEVER EVER EVER happens, and I have to share the name of this florist with you because (1) they were insanely beautiful (2) truly lasted for over two weeks. Thank you, bestie, thank you Scott’s Flowers — what an incredible florist!

 

First of all, look how incredibly beautiful they were when they arrived. Everything about this arrangement is perfect.

Continue Reading →

SNL February 28th

Josie Girl 1 Comment

I had the most incredible New York experience on Saturday and I want to share it all with you! Not to brag, not even to humble brag, but to share. I had the rare opportunity to attend Saturday Night Live. A friend has a connection and when I heard that Connor Storrie (star of Heated Rivalry) was hosting along with Mumford & Sons on that specific day, I asked if she could do me a favor and get tickets. As it was the most popular show of the season (!!!), she was only able to get two but as a dear friend, said that Cruzzie (who just flew in for his Spring Break) could take her spot, and the two of us could go. IT WAS INCREDIBLE. ABSOLUTELY incredible.

 

Cruzzie flew in at 6 pm, had dinner, rested, and we had to report to 30 Rock by 10 pm.

Continue Reading →

Currently Loving February 2026 Part 2

Josie Girl Leave a Comment

Almost the end of February, and WOW has it been a cold and dreary month in NYC. But….hopefully the Spring will be here sooner rather than later. In the meantime, here is what I am loving.

 

1. Central Park in Snow

 

Central Park post blizzard was beyond beautiful. So much snow, so much beauty. I went on a long walk and asked tourists if they wanted me to take their photo — it was so rewarding because everyone was so shocked that I offered, and they always loved the photos I took. Here is one someone took in return. Me and my fun dog (dogs are NOT fun in a blizzard).

Continue Reading →

Birley Bakery

Josie Girl Leave a Comment

My new all-time favorite bakery in the neighborhood is Birley Bakery. Everything about it is perfection. The downstairs is a little bakery — and the upstairs a tiny restaurant / cafe. Everything they sell is beyond delicious. For example, I don’t like almond croissants, but at least three times a week, I stop by and get an almond croissant. WHO KNEW? THEY ARE THAT GOOD.

 

Located on 69th between 5th and Madison — this bakery has the yummiest croissants, cookies, Madelines, cakes, bread, baguettes, everything.

Continue Reading →

Miso Dressing

Josie Girl Leave a Comment

OK, so I just learned of this new miso dressing and it is the best thing in the world and so hard to share. It is a miso dressing that you can put on a salad, roasted carrots, everything and anything. I made it yesterday, and it was so delicious that I am making it again today.

 

This was the dressing on the salad. UNBELIEVABLY delicious. And this salad, I will also tell you about.

Ingredients: 
* Juice of two lemons
* 1/8 c white wine or white balsamic vinegar
* 1 tablespoon Dijon
* 1 tablespoon honey
* 1/3 c oil
* 1.5 tablespoons miso
* A 1 cm slice of shallot
*Salt to taste
Blend until blended and taste for seasoning. Voila

Also put it on roasted carrots. Also just as delicious.

 

For the salad, take notes: It was celery, dates, walnuts, kale, parmesan, endives. And that is it. THE BEST THING I HAVE EVER EATEN.

 

The celery chopped up in little cubes. Then you cut everything else in to little cubes like this.

 

Make this this weekend. Promise you’ll love it.

Guerlain Spa NYC

Josie Girl Leave a Comment

OK, for my birthday earlier this week, one of my besties gifted me the most incredible experience and I have to share it with you all. She took. me to the new Guerlain Wellness Center in the new Waldorf hotel. And my god, was it beautiful. Not only that, it was such a special afternoon that I am dreaming of going back. It was so enjoyable — both the treatment (we got facials) but the whole experience.

 

Located on 50th and Park Avenue, the spa is on the 5th floor of the hotel, and it is like walking in to an oasis. So beautiful and serene.

Continue Reading →

Currently Loving February 2026

Josie Girl Leave a Comment

We made it through January!!!! And now it is February and it is light out past 5 pm — makes the world of difference! Here is what I am currently loving this month.

 

1. Central Park in the Snow

 

Balmy day in the park — 21 degrees! The reservoir is frozen. The city isn’t pretty with the snow residue, but Central Park is.

 

2. Waterfall in Central Park

 

Waterfall in Manhattan! Yes! I love it — it is so beautiful and a secret little hideaway.

 

3. Cashmere Scarf

 

I got this scarf on Sunday and have worn it every day since then. I love it. Even with my sweatpants.

 

4.  Cuddling 

 

Truth is — nothing is better than cuddling and getting warm with your loved ones. Cuddling on the couch with my girls — and lots of layers and blankets. Truly, the best.

 

5. Funny signs

 

AHHHHH NYC, you make me laugh. So funny.

 

6. Cute signs

 

Yup, don’t micro dose on love.

 

7. Trader Joe’s Coconut Crunchy Clusters

 

These. Nothing better. I got them for the first time and they were all gone that afternoon. Need to go back to Trader Joe’s to stock up on them!

 

8. Espresso Martinis

 

I now I am very, very late to the game, but I just tried my first espresso martini, and now I can’t go back to NOT having them. They are THE BEST.

 

9. White Bean Chicken Soup 

 

The best white bean chicken soup — had it for every meal for a week straight, and still dreaming of making more.

 

10. Flower Arrangements  

 

My flower arrangements. I loved this one. Nothing makes me happier than going to the Flower District AND / OR Trader Joe’s and getting flowers to arrange. This one was particularly beautiful in my opinion. 🙂

 

___

There you have it! What I am loving in this very cold, very winter-y, very short month. What are you loving this month?

Rachel Comey Web Bag

Josie Girl Leave a Comment

Last summer, I purchased a Rachel Comey bag and wore it every single day. It is easy to pack, fun, different, and cute. And NOW…drum roll……they came out with a new version of the bag in more neutral colors. I love it so much and thought you would love it, too! So sharing it with you all! The Rachel Comey Web Bag. (And yes, seems odd to be looking at summer bags when it is 10 degrees outside, but I need some HOPE / LIGHT / INSPIRATION / WARM DREAMS so am searching online for what I love….)

 

Me over the summer (with my brother and his family) wearing the bag. For whatever reason, I cannot find pictures of my bag anywhere. I guess I don’t take pictures of me wearing bags.

Continue Reading →

Big Night

Josie Girl Leave a Comment

Big Night — a new store on the Upper East Side — filled with so many great cute and fun things for dinner, parties, and dinner parties. I walked by, and sure enough, couldn’t not get everything inside. Here is my haul of what I got at this SUPER DUPER cute store (check it out online, and go visit at one of their 3 NYC locations).

 

Cute bag. Cute logo. Cute shop.

Continue Reading →

Two LA Sandwich Shops

Josie Girl 1 Comment

Before our trip, my brother and I decided that we wanted to try some of the best sandwich shops in town. So I did a lot of research — both on the types of sandwiches and the proximity to Culver City — and we made our picks. AND THEY DID NOT DISAPPOINT. So delicious — if you are going to LA, you must go to both of these shops!

 

The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills

 

An institution famous amongst tourists and locals. A restaurant and high end grocery store and cheese store.

Continue Reading →

LA Highlights

Josie Girl Leave a Comment

This past weekend, a bunch of family members congregated in Los Angeles to celebrate my uncle’s 90th birthday. It was a great weekend celebrating family and togetherness. Here are the highlights:

 

The Hotel

 

My uncle lives in Culver City, a section in Los Angeles that is super hip, highly desirable, and walkable to everything and anything. We LOVE it there. Because there were so many of us, Cruzzie and I stayed in a hotel that was 0.5 miles away from my uncle house. It was uber hip and fun to stay at.

The downstairs was a restaurant that people ate at for all meals of the day — although I never ate there, I loved the vibe.

It was also a step away from the Culver Steps — a super hip area with Erewhon, other restaurants and stores, a movie theatre, etc…

The Proskurowski family — and the steps behind us.

Culver City is the heart of the movie industry — and here is the lion from the Wizard of Oz.

 

 

Family Time

 

Watching sports together.

Celebrating my uncle’s birthday at an incredible restaurant.

Having my bootie baby come from Ojai to LA to celebrate was a family highlight.

Ping Pong — a lot of Ping Pong.

 

Space Invaders

 

Love having an adventure to go on — so this was fun to find two different space invaders in to different parts of town.

The second one.

 

Random Open House Tour

 

When we were exploring and trying to locate the second space invader, we came across a house that had an open house. We thought it was a really nice looking house and wanted to see more. And hot damn, was it so cool and different. We had a great talk with the realtor (he was like a stand up comedian) and loved the multi-generational house lay out.

It was three different buildings — and all so different and unique.

This was the outside the lured us in. I thought it as one house — the wooden one, but it also included the silver one next door on the neighboring lot.

Totally unique and different.

Lots of outdoor spaces everywhere.

 

Walks and Runs

 

Three days in Los Angeles meant three runs, and lots of walks. This is one of my all time favorite runs along the canal.

I also did a trail run. Less fun but gorgeous views.

Three bald Dr. Proskurowskis.

The original Proskurowski family on a walk.

 

___

Come back tomorrow to see my favorite food destinations we went to over the long weekend! Hope you are having a great start to your week!

Heated Rivalry

Josie Girl Leave a Comment

I jumped on the bandwagon of the hit series “Heated Rivalry” and now it is the only thing I can talk about. I watched the 6 episode series in 2 days and actually rewatched portions of it AGAIN because it was that good. Heated Rivalry, on HBOMax, is Canadian sports romance tv series that follows two rival professional hockey players that have a secretive and passionate romance. There are a LOT of sex scenes, like a LOT, but I have not seen such a powerful series like this in a very long time.

 

You don’t have to like hockey to watch it. The emotions, the love story, the relationships, so good.

Continue Reading →

To Do in January 2026

Josie Girl Leave a Comment

It is dreary in NYC right now — not terribly cold, but damp and gray. So here is what I am dreaming of doing this month in the city:

 

1. Afternoon Tea at The Baccarat Hotel

 

One of the most beautiful hotels in NYC is the Baccarat Hotel. I went there with my MIL one evening years ago and it was to-die-for-beautiful. I really want to go to the Baccarat Hotel for Afternoon Tea with some girlfriends and our daughters — doesn’t it sound decedent and extravagant and a way to spend a great weekend afternoon in the Winter?

Continue Reading →

Currently Loving January 2026

Josie Girl 1 Comment

It’s been a minute. But here I am. Happy New Year!!! Here is what I am loving in this new month and NEW Year! And back to regular programming this week — swear! On top of traveling, family, holidays, I had writer’s block too, and couldn’t think of anything that made sense to post. But don’t you worry, I have lots of unimportant things to share with you in the next couple of weeks! In the meantime, here is what I am loving now!

 

1. Golden Hof Pancakes

 

Golden Diner is a hot asian-fusion spot downtown that is impossible to get reservations and hours to wait in line. They recently opened up a sister restaurant in midtown, and you can get a reservation ANY TIME and they have all the same food. Different vibe, but so delicious. And these pancakes were 10 out of 10.

Continue Reading →

Nutella Pastry Dough

Josie Girl 1 Comment

Easy peasy, and so delicious! Three ingredients! Pastry dough, Nutella, and egg (to wash on top)

 

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line the baking sheet with wax paper. Then roll out pastry dough. Add Nutella. Fold over the non Nutella side of the dough, make shapes, put on sheet pan, paint with egg wash, add some sugar, and voila, done!

Continue Reading →

Saint Sass Tights

Josie Girl Leave a Comment

Instagram sold me on this one — and I am super thankful — snarky statement tights. I mean, who wouldn’t want tights with some fun comment on them? I saw them on my feed, bought them, and have been wearing them nonstop so thought I would share with you all! Saint Sass Tights!

 

I got “Trouble Maker” and they just made me giggle.

Continue Reading →

The Bumbys

Josie Girl Leave a Comment

This past weekend, I went to a super fun Bat Mitzvah and one of the highlights was a duo that wrote first impressions about the guests. Yes, sounds totally weird, but it was incredible. This duo, The Bumbys, sit and look at you, but cannot talk or listen to you. Then, they type up their thoughts based on their examination of you.

 

The Bumby’s — noise canceling headphones, cannot talk, and just look at you, and then write on their typewriter.

Continue Reading →

Balaclavas

Josie Girl Leave a Comment

Balaclavas are all the rage!!!! (Humble brag — I have been in to them for over a dozen of years!) But I am so so so happy that they are back in fashion and I love them so much. They are not only warmer than a hat, but give off a different and fun vibe.

 

My poor kids wore them their whole childhood – mainly because it was so easy to put on and not have them lose it. This was almost 13 years ago!!!!

Continue Reading →