Dot Cakes

There is a new viral dessert on the Upper East Side — and it is called Dot Cakes. Little mini cakes with frosting and sprinkles in a cup — dot cakes. WHO KNEW? But trust me, it is worth the craze and the waiting and the anticipation to get them. Tusia first discovered them from her best friend who lives next to the gourmet grocery store in the city that carries them, Butterfield (also gone viral for its frozen yogurt), so she has had them as snacks and desserts all year long. But that said, recently, something blew up on the internet and now you CANNOT get them. And they are one of those things that once you have them, you always want them and need them.

 

Mini cups.

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Brooklyn Half Marathon 2026

On Saturday, I did a thing I have not done in a very very long time, and that was to run a half marathon. Yes, I run a marathon every single year, but it has been over 6 years since I last ran a half marathon. I know it sounds crazy – but it is a VERY different experience than running a marathon. The pace, the energy, the preparation — all very different. But for whatever reason, I signed up this year to do the Brooklyn Half (over 18 years ago, Ken and I did our very first half marathon — which was indeed the Brooklyn Half Marathon).

 

Race started at 7 am in Prospect Park — a 45 minute drive. Which meant, that I needed to leave my apartment by 5 am to get there in time to go through security, etc….It was pretty painful, but it was also very nice watching the city come alive.

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Currently Loving May 2026 Part 1

It has been up and down weather in NYC this month, but so much to love and (also look forward to). Here is what I am currently loving:

 

1. Noah Kahan “All Them Horses”

 

I love Noah Kahan. Deep love. And I love his new album — especially this song. I have listened to it over and over again recently and every time, I love it more. Highly recommend.

 

2. Lilacs

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Utah Getaway

Two weeks ago, I received a text from a friend that said — are you free in a week to join me at my new house. So of course, I couldn’t resist this opportunity to be with this dear friend and see a corner of the US that I find beyond beautiful — the border of Utah and Arizona.

 

You fly in to Arizona, but drive 20 minutes to Utah. It feels like the moon — such different landscapes and beyond beautiful. Photos do not do it justice.

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Stick With Me Chocolates

A friend gave me a present the other day AND IT IS THE BEST PRESENT EVER! A box of chocolates. And not just any chocolates, but the most gorgeous and delicious chocolates you have ever ever ever seen. Stick with Me chocolates. You can buy them at their store downtown, or you can even buy them online and have them shipped!

 

Bonbon story book.

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Currently Loving April 2026

Wow, March flew by and it was a whirlwind of travel for me — Florida, NYC, Oregon, Utah, Mexico, California, NYC. I am back. And no traveling. For a little bit. Maybe. Forget that. Just joking, right now, life is busy and flying by. But here is what I am loving this month!

 

1. Cherry Blossoms

 

Came home to NYC to the most beautiful selection of blossoms throughout the park and city. Seeing the nature and flowers after such a very difficult and long winter makes it even more special. They are gorgeous. The pink cherry blossoms have yet to bloom, but I am expecting them to come out any time soon. So if you are in NYC, head to the park!

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Yellow Moments

A dear old friend, Jaimee, started a new business, Yellow Moments, and I am so happy that I had the chance to find out more. And trust me, you want to know about Jaimee, Yellow Moments, and have her name and information in your pocket for the next event you plan in NYC or the Hamptons! She is incredible — not just as a friend — but as a person, too. She is opinionated, has a strong sense of style and taste, a great negotiator, and the perfect chic curator.  She always knows the right things and touches to every outfit, idea, party, event, and interaction.  Read below to find out more about Jaimee and Yellow Moments.
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Tell me about Yellow Moments. How is it different than other event planners?

 

There are so many incredibly talented and clever planners in New York.

 

The reason I saw space for Yellow Moments was because I kept hearing the same things from clients. They wanted discretion. They wanted someone who knew when to go big and when not to. They wanted to create something meaningful without it feeling overdone or performative. The other thing I hear again and again in this industry is a lack of responsiveness. With Yellow Moments, you can count on us to be on it. We communicate, we follow through, and we keep things moving so our clients always feel taken care of. At the end of the day, the process should be as fun as the event. It’s a celebration from the start.

The name Yellow Moments, what is its significance and meaning?

 

Yellow is the color of happiness and optimism. It’s a burst of sunshine.

 

It’s your heart racing as you start to think about hosting a party, the butterflies as the day approaches, and never wanting the night to end.

 

 

You have been involved with ASPCA for forever planning all their events, how did this help shape your desire to create Yellow Moments?

 

I have directed events at the ASPCA for over 20 years and was fortunate to work on events of all sizes and scales. I was mentored by some of the best hosts, who taught me that this work is first and foremost an exercise in human relations. How to work efficiently, thoughtfully, and with care.

 

They taught me how important seating is. Who is next to who, where they are placed, and how that shapes the experience. I learned how to work closely with a board, how to manage different personalities, and how to layout a room.

 

I also learned the discipline behind it. Reviewing every piece of event collateral until it’s right, and understanding how to shape content, including video, so it supports the overall experience.

 

Fundraising added another layer. There’s a real strategy to it. It’s a balance, a rhythm, a dance. All of that experience ultimately led me to create Yellow Moments.

 

How have you found the perfect vendors?

There are so many talented, responsive, and creative people to work with. For me, it’s a continuous search. A never ending treasure hunt.

 

What are your top 3 crucial additions that make or break an event?

 

1) Staying the course.

The why is everything. If you’re planning a milestone event for someone, that person belongs at the center of every decision. It’s easy to get caught up in the possibilities, but staying anchored is what makes an event truly successful.

 

2) The guest list.

 

Bringing together the right mix of people. People who will genuinely enjoy each other. That’s what creates energy in a room.

 

3) The environment.

Making sure everything is aligned with the feeling you want your guests to experience. The music, the lighting, the food, the drinks. It all has to work together.

 

What is your favorite event to plan and why?

 

My favorite event is an intimate dinner party.

 

One of the reasons I launched Yellow Moments was because I wanted to share what I learned from so many incredible hosts. How to truly entertain.

 

I love producing and helping hosts create intimate, stylish dinners in their own homes. Yellow Moments is about making that feel accessible. Showing you how to set a table and create something beautiful using things you already own.

 

 

What ultimately makes a great party?

 

What makes a great party are the hosts having a ball. Your guests will follow your lead. Let your hair down and smile.
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Thank you, Jaimee! You are an inspiration and I cannot wait to have you help me with an event! To follow Jaimee, go to her instagram and to contact her go here.

Currently Loving March 2026

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!

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Currently Loving February 2026 Part 2

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).

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Birley Bakery

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.

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Miso Dressing

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.

Currently Loving February 2026

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. 🙂

 

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

Two LA Sandwich Shops

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.

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To Do in January 2026

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?

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Currently Loving January 2026

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.

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Nutella Pastry Dough

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!

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Turkey Trot (Shirts)

Sorry for the week off — Thanksgiving came and went — and I had sooooo much fun but it was jam packed with fun activities. As usual, we went to California to spend the holiday with our best friends. The best time was had and I miss them dearly (and California, too). One of the highlights was our turkey trot shirts. YUP, the turkey trot shirts. Of course, all planned and coordinated by my sister-from-another-mister (she is the most creative person I know). Take a look, take note, and get for next year!

 

Turkey Trot. I laughed when I saw these turkeys on the day after Thanksgiving. They were literally trotting down the running path.

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Pasta Party

The past three weeks I have been taking cooking classes with some friends — it has been a highlight of the week. Fun, tasty, and a great way to break up the week. On that certain day, we decided to do a late afternoon class and include our daughters and make it a pasta party. It was a great night.

 

Flowers to have for the party! If I don’t have time to go down to the flower market, I like to get my flowers at Trader Joe’s — cheap, good quality, and great selection.

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Cinnamon Roll Crawl

(Sorry for the silence last week — I fainted last weekend, hurt my head, and was dealing with that for most of the week. I rested a lot, and tried to not be on screens — hence my absence. But I am back!) For whatever reason, I decided that this weekend, I needed to do a self-guided Cinnamon Roll Crawl. I spent a lot of time (once my headaches disappeared) researching the best cinnamon rolls in the city and my plan to do it.

 

For whatever reason, I decided that the best way to get there was to RUN! So I ran along the West Side Highway to get downtown (because of course, the best bakeries are downtown).

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Banh by Lauren

Last week, the New York Times published “The 25 Essential Pastries to Eat in NYC,” which of course, I studied top to bottom and figured out when I was going to each one of them. So last Friday, after teaching, I decided to head down to ChinaTown for a long overdue massage (my favorite place in NYC is Renew Day Spa) and a stop at Banh by Lauren to get the Bahn Bo.

 

First of all, this bakery / cafe was incredibly gorgeous. Located far east of chinatown, it stood out immediately with its beautiful green hues and sophisticated look. Walking in felt very peaceful — almost like a museum.

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Currently Loving October 2025

There is so much to love right now — and this is what I am loving!

 

1. Picnics in October

This past weekend felt like summer in the city. 80 degrees in October! I absolutely loved every minute. Toosh and I had a picnic and she did homework and I needlepointed. Loved it.

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Magic Hour

Ojai, California is not only the home of Thacher (my son’s school), but also many, many cool stores, restaurants, and brands. Magic Hour is one of them that I happened to stumble upon last weekend. It is a tea shop — but not any tea shop — a beautiful, insanely gigantic, magical, incredible tea shop. It sells every type of tea that is made with love in Ojai. Their mission is to connect the world through tea ceremony and the simple act of sharing tea. And you can sense this goal the moment you walk in to the space. The space is beaaaaauuutiful, and the tea is even more special. I spent 30 minutes walking around the store, smelling every different type of blend, sampling, asking questions — it is a must visit if in Ojai.

 

I grew up with parents who drank tea every single night with their dessert before going to bed. It is something so ceremonial and special that I love to partake in. I bought a big bottle of mint and smaller of rooibos.

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NYC Bakery Run 2025

This past Sunday, I ran the first ever NYC Bakery Run. A half-marathon with 8 bakeries. Yep, the route covered 8 different bakery stops. All were incredible — and it was such a fun and different day! Thank you, Tipster, for putting together such a fun, successful and unique day!

 

The run was put together by Tipster. Tipster is a website and journal that is in the know of everything cool, hip, and new. This was their first issue in NY (It is based in Copenhagen) and it covered all the best bakeries. So it made sense that their big NYC start was a half marathon with 8 of these bakeries listed. We went to all of the ones listed above minus Apollo Bagel and Win Son Bakery.

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Trader Joe’s Fall Haul 2025

OK, call me a basic PSL lover (I actually don’t love pumpkin spice lattes, but I LOOOOOVE anything pumpkin), but when I went to Trader Joe’s recently, I was so excited by all the Fall goodies. So of course, need to share with you my haul (and yes, I am like my 13 year old daughter who loves to share hauls). And I am so happy (so happy that I have been back twice in one week to get more of some of these items).

 

So good so delicious. Can’t stop eating these.

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