Casa Poma Paris Balaclava

Over a year ago, I posted about a poncho that was handmade by a brand named Casa Poma Paris. I first learned about it from an instagram post from the daughter-in-law of French billionaire, Arnault.  And now — this brand is having a moment — I have no doubt in my mind that she was the one who put the brand on the map. It is a very specific look and feel, but now it is being sold at Le Bon Marche (Arnault owns LVMH that owns Le Bon Marche) and I am sure we will see a lot more of it to come. Right now, I am especially loving the balaclavas that they are creating.

 

It comes in all different colors, and it hand embroidered.

Balaclavas are all the rage — I know that everyone in NYC is going to be wearing them this winter.

Doesn’t she look so cute and happy, and don’t you want to wear something like this that sparks joy?

Sunny days!

Hopeful.

Peace.

 

I love everything about this — the hand embroidered details, the colors, the trend, the fact that a small brand is in a major department store, all of it. To check out the online store, go here. For in person stores, go here. To read more about the company, go here.

 

Currently Loving November 2026 Part 2

Yes, I know, last post was what I was currently loving, but here we are….another little post of things that I am loving.

 

1. Chelsea Art Galleries 

 

Love nothing more than wandering around galleries on a perfect picturesque fall day. So many different galleries that you just get to jump in to, look around, and leave. Some are better than others, but all interesting.

 

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Currently Loving November 2026

Ok, I know we just started the month of November, but I feel like November goes faster than any other month with Thanksgiving at the end….so here I am with my list of current things I am loving! Happy November

 

1. New York City Marathon

 

My favorite day of the year in NYC. By far. I cheered for 4 plus hours — for the elites, for the fast runners, for the slower runners. I am so happy that I was able to cheer for Susie (pictured) who is the biggest cheerleader I know, so to be able to cheer her on a mile 25 late in the day made me so happy. But honestly, everything about the NY marathon brings so much joy. You see people achieving their dreams, putting one foot in front of the other, and believing in themselves. I love it. More than any other day.

 

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Banana Pudding Shop

Only in New York, can you find a store that ONLY sells Banana Pudding. Yup, just banana pudding. I read about Mozic, so decided to make a fun field trip in to Brooklyn for the reason of finding this banana pudding store.

 

Located in Williamsburg, this shop opened 7 weeks ago is family owned and operated. The couple that ran it were an Egyptian husband wife couple who wanted to hear how I learned about the store and what I thought about their products — loved talking with them, and even more, their product was incredible.

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Pop-Up Florist Flower Arrangement Class

One of my favorite things in the entire world is to take flower arrangement classes from different florists in the city. Each florist has their own vision and aesthetic and I love learning new techniques and trying out arrangements in different styles. One of my favorite NYC florists is Pop-Up florists. Kelsie, the owner, is truly a creative visionary who has a completely original and different spin on flowers than anyone I have ever seen. She is very structural, expressive, and eccentric. Last December, I had the privilege of taking a wreath making class with her in her work space (House of Three) and loved it so much that as soon as I saw a new workshop, I signed up immediately.

 

The room of House of Three is gorgeous. Each person was set up at a table with shears, her book, and a bucket of the most gorgeous flowers. Follow House of Three on instagram to see the different workshops and experiences you can have!

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Currently Loving October 2026

Welp, here we are, almost the end of October. This month has been a whirlwind.  Here is what I am loving!

 

1. Goop Kitchen

 

Completely obsessed with Goop Kitchen — mainly because they put together textures and flavors in such a great and healthy way. And their salad dressings are unbelievable. I love. And this Brussel sprouts salad — TO DIE FOR.

 

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Chicago Marathon 2026 Recap

25th marathon in the books. Not my fastest by a long shot, but one that I will walk away with lots of lessons. It was hot. Beyond hot. Humid. Excruciating so. And mentally, I knew from the minute I entered the race that this was not going to be my day to run fast. But I didn’t give up — when I wanted to, when I easily could have taken the easy route and done so — but instead, I ran with my heart, ALL HEART, and completed the race.

 

As usual, I left early on Saturday morning for Chicago.

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New Paris Tips

So I have my usual Parisian haunts that I go to every single time I am there, but this time, I mixed things up a little and did a lot of different things. Here are some random places and things I loved last weekend!

 

1. Andy Warhol Exhibit

 

This exhibit is small and sweet, but loved every minute of it. And not too busy and you don’t need tickets far in advance. it is being shown until mid January so if you have the chance to go see before, highly recommend.

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Things to do Fall 2026 in NYC

There are so many fun activities to do in NYC during the fall: apple pick, bike rides in Central Park, see the leaves change at Storm King, drink coffee while walking down the West Side Highway, walk along the Highline, etc…here are more specific / unique to 2026 that I would like to do this season.

 

1. See Much Ado About Nothing

 

In all my research, THIS is the play to go to this fall. I am so excited to see it! Just need to figure it out and get to it! This is a colorful, exuberant play with two major stars and strong London reviews. The Broadway production will open October 31st.

 

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Currently Loving September 2026

And just like that…..here we are mind September. This month has been a blur with a lot going on, but still trying to find some joy in all the places. And here is what I am loving.

 

1. US Open 

 

Nothing compares to the US Open. NOTHING. Day sessions, night sessions. They are all my absolute favorite part of the city in September. Can’t get enough.

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Currently Loving August 2026 Part 2

End of August brings up a lot of feelings — the dread of the new season, saying goodbye to summer — all are so hard for me. Trying to live in the present and enjoying the NOW and the CURRENT soooooo…here is what I am loving right this very second.

 

1. Summer meals

 

Doesn’t this plate of food just scream SUMMER? Everything was perfect. Fresh. Delicious. Local. Amazing.

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Lavender Sachets

Mid July, we went to the Lavender Festival on the McKenzie River. Loved every minute of being admit the natural beauty of Oregon fir trees and lavender bushes. We picked lavender to dry and just *NOW* made lavender sachets with it. (As you might have seen in this week’s earlier post about art projects this summer, it has been one we started but didn’t yet finish. Until now! Never too late….)

 

U-pick lavender is the best. I loved it even though I got stung by a bee on my thumb and complained about it for a week.

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Currently Loving August 2026

August is one of my least favorite months — it means that summer is almost over and I start having MAJOR anxiety about school starting back up and all the changes that will take place this year. I am trying to slow down and appreciate the moment, so here is what I am loving *RIGHT NOW*

 

1. Spider Man

 

We went to the Marvel movie on Saturday night — and believe it or not, not only did I stay awake (HUGE accomplishment), but I actually loved it. Highly recommend.

 

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Currently Loving July 2026

I promise you soon that I will get back to normal posts versus currently loving, but I just have so much to share and it is easy to cram everything in and be a GOOD post, versus a short mediocre one 😉 So here is what I am currently loving in July — because wow, it is mid-July (I actually saw a sign that said a festival for June 2026 and I had to think if it was an old sign or we were still in June and it was upcoming….helllooooo summer)

 

1. ISDIN sunscreen 

 

Hands down my favorite new sunscreen. If you are in Europe, buy a lot and you will be happy. I read about it — and WOW is it good. Better than any other sunscreen I have ever tried.

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Currently Loving Cap Ferret Edition

I have been in Cap Ferret (south west region of France) for the past two weeks and I have fallen in love. This place is unlike anywhere else I have been and I love every bit of it. Here are just some of the things that I love about it here.

 

1. Parasailing

 

SUCH a fun afternoon — we thought it was just going to be up and down, but it was a whole boat ride excursion and one of the highlights of the trip so far. The kids went up (I did not), and there were two other French families on the boat so it was fun to talk with them.

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Penny Linn

Before the summer travels started, I made my way to the newest needlepoint store in New York City, Penny Linn. Located on the very very far west of Manhattan, it was an incredibly beautiful space filled with more fibers and threads that I have ever seen in my life! Very different than my usual go-to-needlepoint-stop Rita’s (which I will forever call home base and love), this shop was HUGE. Massive. It had thousands of canvases to browse and select from, although as an avid needlepointer, I wished there were larger scale canvases.  That said, of course, I left with two canvases that I LOVED and so many cool threads to use for them. So if you are in need of a new needlepoint store in the city, DEFINITELY suggest going. And if you want to shop from their online store, I also love that website!

 

Check them out! I love their matchbox selections — so trendy and cool.

I loved this pizza box and worked on it during my time in Paris.

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Favorite Things in Paris 2026

OK, I know last week I did a “currently loving” and mentioned a lot of what I was loving in Paris, but there is so much to love, so here is another list of my favorite current things in Paris 2026.

 

 

1. Graffiti Tunnel 

 

Over half a mile long, this tunnel near the Tuileries is so fun to bike / run in. But you can’t be claustrophobic! I loved looking at the art as I ran by — so many talented street artists out there!

 

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Space Invaders + Street Art Museum

I have been following and “flashing” space invaders for the past two years and what fun it has been! It has been a great way to explore cities (especially when in France) and to always look up. Space invaders are created by a French artist “Invader” who has been putting up different mosaics in over 30 different countries. There are almost 5,000 of them, and thanks to an app, you can track them (“flash”) them and get credit for seeing them. It makes EVERYTHING that much more fun.

 

It is especially fun when traveling with the kids, because they are also determined to find them (truth be told, no one is as determined as me to find them, though).

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Currently Loving June 2026 Part 2

OK so yes we made it to Paris and it was a big blur — lots of friends in town that made it so much fun as well as jam packed. There is so much to love here and I could post a million posts on what I love. So I am going to start with just a few right now from the first week and then come back with more! But here is what I am loving in Paris.

 

1. European Espresso

 

It tastes and hits differently in Europe. Love it so much.

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Currently Loving June 2026 Part 1

OMGGGGGG where did the time go? I am sorry for a mini break — it was the end of the year craze with school finishing up and then packing up for the summer and flying to Europe. But I am back! So expect regular posts. Today — what I loved first part of June in NYC and tomorrow — check back, what I am loving in Paris. BUT for now, here is what I am loving right now!

 

1. Floral Arrangements

 

I did these flowers for my daughter’s luncheon post graduation (from 8th grade). I was super proud of myself (yes, humble brag) because I loved the way that they came out! Sometimes I don’t love what I do with flowers, but this time, I was happy.

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TriBeCa Galleries

Earlier this week, with a group of friends, I went to look at some art in the TriBeCa galleries — LOVE LOVE LOVED it. Not just the art in the galleries but the galleries themselves. I highly recommend touring these three galleries (we actually went to 7!) if given the time at any point if and when in NYC.

 

Jack Shaiman Gallery

 

Currently at the Gallery, is Lynette Yiadom-Boakye. I found her work breathtaking, especially in the Tribeca space.

 

A very cool space. Huge, tall ceilings. Beautiful old moldings. Felt like an old bank.

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Currently Loving June 2026 Part 1

Happy June 1st! Can you believe it? I CANNOT HOLY CRAP. Ok, but here is what I am currently loving right now.

 

1. My Boy

 

Cheesy but true, the most important thing I am loving is the fact that my son came back from boarding school yesterday. It was as if I could breathe again — yes he bossed me around to do everything and I have been knee deep in laundry and unpacking, but MAN, how I love having him home.

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Needlepoint Bookmarks

As you know by now, I spend a lot of time being crafty. Needlepoint is a good source of meditation for me, where I just sit and needlepoint. I feel like I am accomplishing something even when sitting still. I have become an avid needlepointer in the last 6 years — and although I like bigger projects, I always love doing these bookmarks. I start from scratch and do all of it — needlepoint, cut, sew, pom pom, etc…and I wanted to show you the process.

 

This is the hardest part. The needlepointing. It takes forever. Even though they are small. They take forever.

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Central Park Benches

Inspired by the instagram account @centralparkbenches, I decided to take my own little tour of Central Park yesterday and look at all the fun benches and plaques. As someone who spends A LOT of time in the park — running, walking, playing, sitting, needlepointing, talking, etc…– I always have loved looking at the inscriptions. On my run, these are some of my favorite — and I want to have one of my own when I die!

 

Love this one so much.

Made me cry.

Cute and poppy.

Dark, but I love it.

This one literally made me cry — look at the final date.

So true.

Love this one, too.

Fun.

A woman enjoying the park and its benches.

 

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I loved my little scavenger hunt looking at the Central Park benches, and I cannot wait to spend more time exploring different areas of the park with these benches. HIGHLY recommend. And if you are on instagram, follow @centralparkbench