Entertainment

Giverny: Monet’s House and Gardens

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Sorry for the delay in posts — we are in Paris and have been nonstop with activities, museums, steps, and eating! The best! Anyways, I am now no longer jet lagged, no longer every second packed, and so I am baaaaaack. One highlight of the past week was a trip to Giverny, where Monet lived and painted. In all the years I have spent coming to Paris, I have never ever been to Giverny before. And it did not disappoint! Not only that, it exceeded expectations, and I highly suggest that everyone make a trip to Giverny if you have not yet been.

 

Every morning on our way out the door, we took our photos and did OOTD (outfits of the day) where we told each other our outfits.

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Muji Notebooks

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I am always on the search for the perfect little notebook to carry on — especially with summer travels approaching, I love having a notebook to quickly write down some thoughts / plans / to do lists / bucket lists, etc…so I have been on a long search for the perfect little notebook. Of course, Muji to the rescue! Not only are they the just-right size, but the price is unbeatable! 2 DOLLARS and 90 CENTS per journal. LESS THAN 3 dollars. Talk about a steal!

 

Black or tan. Or both

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Caffe Panna

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Nothing beats a scoop of ice cream on a hot day. Actually, even on a cool day, a scoop of GOOD ice cream makes everything better. Last week, I was introduced to Caffe Panna, an ice cream shop located on 19th and Irving, started by Hallie Meyer (the daughter of Danny Meyer, famous and fabulous restauranteur). I was super excited to try this ice cream, and it EXCEEDED my expectations. It was so so so delicious, and I want to go back and try multiple different flavors. And yes, I am lactose intolerant, and ice cream hurts my stomach, but this ice cream was worth it, trust me.

 

How cute is the store front? It Is just a window where you order and receive the ice cream.

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Currently Loving June 2025

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BLINK and here we are in June. In disbelief at how time flies, floats, and passes. So here is what I am loving right now.

 

1. My Boy Home

 

My boy is back from boarding school and I couldn’t be happier to have him home. And with me. And in my arms. He had the best year and I am forever grateful for this experience at his new school, but man, I have missed him. And so happy to be reunited.

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The Comfy

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We were given the BEST gift over the weekend — and so of course, I have to share with you. The Comfy! It is a blanket in a hoodie! It is warm, comfy (duh) and the best. Even as summer approaches (yes, we are past Memorial Day, but it isn’t summer yet!), this comfy is the best and will be worn all the time!

 

The Comfy — comes in a million colors.

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Steve’s Key Lime Pie

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I have a lot of favorite desserts, but one of my TOP favorite desserts is key lime pie. And now just any key lime pie, but Steve’s Key Lime Pie. Steve’s pies are sold at dozens of stores in Manhattan, but if you want the freshest, then you have to travel to Red Hook in Brooklyn to his store. Yep, 30 minute drive — but oh so worth it. Especially on a beautiful sunny day, nothing beats eating Steve’s Key Lime Pie with the water view.

 

We used to come out to Red Hook every weekend to grocery shop, walk around, and feel like we lived in the burbs. Now, it is a fun adventure to go just to look out at the water and eat pie.

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No Cap Candles Co.

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Super cool, my bestie’s daughter created a candle company as a class project for her school, Girls Middle School (in California). The assignment was in her entrepreneurial class, in order to teach the students how to create a business from start to end.  Rosie, along with three other friends, started No Cap Candles. This company is a brand of candles with trendy names, designed for teens.

 

As a supporter of Rosie, I of course, was going to buy at least one candle. But because the candles are SO creative, zesty, full of fun and spark, I had to buy one of each! How could I not! I am so so so impressed by Rosie, her dedication to this company, and how the end result is so great.

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Two New NYC Restaurants

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This past weekend, we wined and dined in some new restaurants — both of them we loved and would return in a minute. Therefore, needed to tell you all, as both are special and must visits.

 

Cafe Louis Vuitton

 

Located on the 4th floor of Louis Vuitton’s NYC flagship, this cafe is a gorgeous location to have a special meal.

 

Tusia did her hair and looked gorgeous for our mother-daughter Good Friday (aka no school) date.

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Flower Girl Workshop

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Last week, I took my THIRD flower workshop, and I couldn’t have loved it more. In the past five years, I have taken three flower arrangement classes, all from the NYC florist, Flower Girl. Every time, I leave having more of a sense of how to create a beautiful creation. Trust me, if you have access to take a flower arrangement class, take it. So fun. So fun. And I love coming home with a new bouquet, too! WIN WIN.

 

Final Product!

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Jesse Krimes at The Met

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If you are in NYC before July 13th, I highly recommend stopping by the Jesse Krimes: Corrections exhibit at the Met. It is the best exhibit I have seen in a long time — and the story behind it is amazing. And even if you don’t have the chance to see the exhibit, I highly recommend learning more about Jesse Krimes (from this post, but also the other articles link, etc…) — he is someone to know of! Long story short, Jesse was put in prison for selling drugs, and during this time, he created art with the items he has access to while in prison.

 

This piece, called “Purgatory” is when Jesse was in solitaire confinement for a year (awaiting trial as he could not afford bail).  He created this with bars of soap and decks of cards — and put the faces of people from the paper using hair gel to create an impression on to the soap.

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Currently Loving March 2025

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Week n umber 5 million of Spring Break….and here is what I am loving.

 

1. Survivor Season 48

Granted, I am a huge Survivor fan, but there is something about this season (season 48) that is so good. I love it so much and HIGHLY recommend it — great for families or solo, but it never disappoints. And Jeff Probst — you are the best host ever.

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Paris Art Exhibits

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For the final three days of our trip to Europe, we went to Paris, where the days were filled with walking, shopping, eating, and art. We saw two different art exhibits that I absolutely loved. Although they are closed now (we went to both in the final days), if you have the chance to see either of these artists in the future, I highly highly recommend.

 

1. Olga de Amaral

Olga de Amaral is a Columbian artist known for her fiber art — and holy crap — this was one of the best exhibitions I have ever ever ever seen. It was in the Cartier Foundation — a museum, I had never stepped foot in before — so it was also fun to see a new spot (randomly, it closed this past weekend and will be moved to the different side of Paris in the next couple of years).

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Catbird Rings

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My 7th grade daughter, Tusia, has been on the search for the perfect rings for quite some time. Problem is, she has tiny little fingers, and we didn’t want to break the bank with a ring. So when I remembered Catbird — a Brooklyn based Jewelry company that I fell in love with two decades ago, I knew it was the perfect place for us to go look at for rings. And it was EVERYTHING and more than we had hoped for. The staff was incredible, all the jewelry beyond perfect, reasonable prices, and exactly what we were looking for.

 

We ended up getting two rings so she could stack them. She wanted them on her pointer finger — and they literally had every size imaginable — so it was perfect.

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NY Historical Society Exhibits

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It has been exactly one year since Flaco died, RIP. If you don’t remember, Flaco, was an escaped owl from Central Park Zoo, who roamed Central Park for a year’s time. I, along with many other New Yorkers, became enthralled and fascinated with Flaco (see my post here from March 2023)

 

I spent many many hours (and steps) searching for Flaco. I followed specific websites to find location, and just fell in love with the story of Flaco being free.

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Currently Loving February 2025

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February has been an insanely busy month. On top of the normal parts of life, I have also traveled to California, Montana, and Florida. Yes, lots of times on planes, but of course, all worth it. Here is what I have loved this month.

 

1. Family Time

 

We went to California to present with my uncle his story on the Holocaust to the Thacher School. It was an incredible assembly and experience, and I was so happy to have been a part of this special event. And yes, Cruzzie’s jeans are gigantic.

 

2. Erewhon Hailey Bieber Shake

 

While we were in CA, we stopped in at Erewhon, which is the most incredible health food store I have ever been to. Had I not had a carry on, I would have bought everything to bring back to NYC. In particular, this smoothie was delicious. Worth the hype.

 

3. The Getty

 

Despite rainy and cold weather, we went to The Getty to kill time before our red eye that night. We loved looking at the views, the art collection, and just being there. Highly recommend. And did you know it was free?

 

4. Governors Island

 

In between all the travel, the family went to Governor’s Island to see the Ice Sculpture competition. Although it was fun to see the ice sculpture, it was even more fun just to walk around the island, even in the cold weather.

 

5. Bedazzling

 

Bedazzling!!! The new fun hobby! It takes a lot of patience and time — you have to glue every single one of the pieces of glitter (!), but look how fun and cool my AirPods look. Thank you, Tusia!

 

6. Blockus

 

This has always been one of my favorite board games — but I always seem to lose the pieces (not good!). We just bought a new set, so here we are playing it. Love this game!

 

7. The Motherload

 

I devoured this book in two days (which says a lot because these days I am a very bad reader). Dark, raw, vulnerable — loved this book.

 

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What are you loving this month? Do share! I hope you have a great week.

Achilles NYC

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If you are a long time reader, you know that I have run two marathons with Achilles Interntational — an organization that transforms the lives of people with disabilities through athletic programs and social connection. The marathon experiences guiding my blind athlete, Eddie, have been absolutely incredible.

 

My first time running the NYC Marathon as an Achilles Guide was back in November 2018. It was an unforgettable experience.

Even back then, I had the habit of taking selfies of my coffee before the marathon. Love how things never change.

That year, Eddie ran a 3:36 — which was an incredible feat for him! I was so happy that day!

We ran again together in 2022 — it was a very very very very difficult marathon.

It was extremely hot that day and Eddie ended up fainting at mile 26. ALL THAT SAID, Achilles is the most incredible organization and I believe in it and its athletes 100 percent.

This was before he fainted.

Mid faint

 

Why am I telling you about Achilles now? 2 plus years later? Because we decided that it would be a great community even for 12 year old Tusia to get involved with. So after watching videos, passing all these different tests, and forms, we completed our first workout on Saturday morning.

 

We ran 2 miles with Andrew in Central Park. Andrew was INCREDIBLE. Such a brilliant, calm, patient, soothing blind athlete, who helped Tusia learn how to use the toggle and how to speak with him when he ran.

We are so excited to be involved with this organization and look forward to many more Saturday runs together.

And yes, Tusia was the youngest volunteer by far, and yes I have to be present for all the workouts, but I cannot wait. Such an incredible organization and I love being a part of it — with and without Tusia.

 

Hope you have a great week!

 

Comedy Cellar

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This past Friday, instead of going out to dinner, I went to Comedy Cellar with a friend (Ken and Tusia were skiing for the weekend). Not only was it fun to mix things up — instead of a typical Friday just going to dinner with other couples or friends, but doing an activity. Always love an activity — especially when it is a super fun activity like STAND UP COMEDY. Can it get any better or more fun? We LAUGHED AND LAUGHED AND LAUGHED and omg, I want to go back as soon as I can. It was that much fun.

 

Comedy Cellar — the best place for comedy. It was my first time going, but definitely not my last!

 

There are a bajillion shows per day — and on this Friday night, we attended the 6:45 pm show (there were 3 shows AFTER this one!). You must reserve in advance on line (it sells out quickly) and the cost is 2 drinks minimum. We showed up in the rain hungry, so we went to Artichoke Pizza and ate a slice of pizza at the counter — another fun highlight. (When was the last time that happened? Loved it)

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Alex Talks AI

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Over winter break, I spent the day with some of Ken’s classmates from Stanford Business School. Not only was it fun, but also super informative. One of the friends, Alex, left her job in technology, and is building a company on teaching AI to those who don’t know how to use it (like ME!). She has been giving workshops on “Time-Saving AI Solutions for Busy Moms,” and as a clueless, busy mom, I decided to host a workshop.

 

Alex, our friend and fearless AI leader.

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Currently Loving January 2025

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Last week of January — longest month EVER!!!! — it (always) feels like it lasts a full year instead of just a month. Especially this year. Here is what I am loving this month!

 

1.  The Let Them Theory

 

I am currently listening to this as an audio book — and I love it so much. Every part of it — and it feels like Mel Robbins is speaking to you as a friend. HIGHLY highly recommend reading it — but even more, listening to it.

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Luna Luna + Din Tai Fung

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At the VERY start of break (yes, I am very behind on all posts and catch ups), we went to one of our favorite dumplings spots, Din Tai Fung, and also to a fun immersive art experience, Luna Luna. I highly suggest going to both — for taste, color, experience!

 

Luna Luna

 

Lots of color — and super cool to learn about everything. (It was VERY cold and we stayed in our coats the entire time)

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