Just what the doctor ordered
A weekend alone (kind of).
My best friend from home sent me the above screenshot when she was trying to find something in her messages on Saturday. I replied “this week’s Coffee Order title”.
Typically throughout the week, I make note of things that I should talk about on here. I took zero notes this week, so we’ll see how this goes. It does seem like people prefer these brain dumps, so I guess, you’re welcome?
I took the first week of fall seriously outfit-wise. The star of the show was definitely the You Dress I got from Cleo Camp, which fit me like a glove. I wear a size 1 in her things, but they’re kind of like the jeans from Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. It doesn’t look the same on anyone, but every iteration is incredible. I felt very chic and sexy, and will probably wear it a thousand more times this year:
Dress: You Dress by Cleo Camp. Shoes: Vintage Chanel from Sorbara’s. Bag: Vintage Fendi from The Real Real. Sandy Liang Ballet Flat Studs. Amazon Emi Jay hair clip dupe.
Starting from Monday, here’s what I wore the rest of the week to work:
Top: Cleo Tee. Jeans: Vintage from Mexico City. Shoes: Tabi Ballet Slip-Ons.
Top: “Vintage” Kith Women x Sailor Moon Tee. Citizen of Humanity Cargos. “Vintage” Isabel Marant Bekett Sneaker Wedges from Manhattan Vintage.
Poncho: from this random store in Greenport, linked similar. Brandy Melville Tee. Vintage Ralph Lauren jeans. Clarks Originals Wallabee’s.
On Friday Night, I had the absolute pleasure to attend a 30th birthday party for the aforementioned best friend’s brother. His fiancée is a reader of this Substack, so I would like to say that she did an excellent job and we would all be so lucky to have a 30th birthday like that. Pete’s Tavern chicken tenders are unmatched. I was so hungover on Saturday. After the birthday, I met up with another childhood bestie for a nightcap in the East Village. A nightcap that neither of us needed, of course. Here’s what I wore:
Top: Free People Tube Top circa 2016. Skirt: Favorite Daughter. Shoes: Ancient Greek jellies that have broken. Bag: Vintage Fendi from The Real Real. Earrings: meinthestudio on Instagram.
I went to two true New York institutions on Friday Night—Pete’s Tavern and 11th Street Bar. Both places you are bound to see people you grew up with if you’re from New York, Connecticut, or New Jersey, or if you went to school in the Northeast. Keep one eye open. 11th Street Bar had a line when I arrived, and I told the bouncer I was meeting a friend inside and that I was alone. He said it didn’t matter and that he didn’t recognize me, so I had to get in the back. I’ve been going to that bar since I moved here three years ago, and I’m not 19 years old, so my ego was very bruised. However, my frontal lobe must be developed because the last time this happened to me, I told the men working outside of Fiddlesticks that I didn’t want to go into their bar anyway, because it was full of “mid 19-year old NYU guys”. I’d like to take this time to apologize to both NYU guys and Fiddlesticks, although I have no plans to interact with either for the rest of my life. Clare soon came to my rescue at 11th Street and insisted I cut the line, for her I am forever grateful.
On Saturday, I woke up with a pounding headache and studio time booked at Happy Medium for an open wheel pottery session. I took some Extra Strength Tylenol, chugged an Americano, and hit the road. I’m trying to get better at making new things instead of just espresso cups, but I haven’t been able to get very tall into vases or cups without them turning to mush. Even though this is the case, I love learning and experimenting with the clay, having a hobby where there are no rules or anyone telling me what to do or how I should do it. For two hours I can just sit there, headphones on, flexing a different brain muscle than the one I do on a daily basis. This week, I made a little bowl, a mini vase or pot with a wavy opening, and an espresso cup shaped into a heart for both optimal pouring and also adorableness.
These will be given as gifts throughout the year, as is everything I continue to make. In five years, I hope all of my friends and loved ones have homes full of ceramics by me.
On my way home, I tried le gaz. It was very good but I was very embarrassed to be carrying that cup around, and they were out of the Vietnamese iced coffee I wanted to try. It was also so expensive. I’ve been making my own coffee at home on the weekends, and during the week just go to the bodega near my office, so I’m not used to anything above $5 anymore. $8 for a coffee? When in Rome (Dimes Square). I then retired into my bed because my hangover had escalated to pounding and I needed to rest.
When I was walking to the studio on Saturday morning I saw a girl wearing Lululemon joggers. I don’t currently own anything from Lululemon besides a handmedown t-shirt, but these caught my eye as something I wanted for my closet. I also wanted to try Mimi’s Frozen Yogurt, which happened to be two blocks from the Lululemon flagship. Just my luck—or so I thought.
Lululemon didn’t have the joggers, and I don’t know what possessed me to go to Broadway on a Saturday in September. The line for Mimi’s was out the door and around the block, and a severe thunderstorm warning was put in place. I was 0/2, and I was ready to surrender. Then, I remembered I had a free foot massage to redeem at my spot in Chinatown, so I stopped by there before retiring for the day. I went home, and instead of ordering Uber Eats as I do every weekend, I opted for cooking the Jon and Vinny’s pasta recipe. I didn’t order food once this weekend and ate all of my meals at home, for which I’m waiting for my trophy to arrive in the mail.
The shopping bug bit me this week, but for good reason. I needed a new pair of sneakers for working out, and I also needed new lifestyle sneakers to wear throughout the fall and winter. I’ve been loyal to HOKA for years now, but the foam midsole hurts my feet and I need something a little sturdier. I went for the On Running Cloud 6, and also picked up these Kith Women for adidas Taekwondo’s that I’ve had my eye on. I love the Taekwondo, I love a slip-on, and I love a low profile shoe.
I’m in my selling era. I sold a vintage Knicks jacket on Depop, I sold my Lady Gaga ticket that I talked about last week, and I also did a closet clean-out with Thred Up. These sales have justified many purchases that are way more expensive than what I’ve earned, but I’ve always been a doer of girl math. Eating at home this weekend made me $100 richer in my head, despite the nail appointment, trip to From Lucie, le gaz coffee, and add-ons at the pottery studio.
Usually spending time alone and staying in makes me a little anxious. I’m an extrovert who loves to hang out with her friends, but I’ve also been experiencing burnout. I’ve shifted being alone to enjoying my rent, focusing on hobbies and people that make me happy, saying no to things that won’t enrich my life. For months, as you all read about, I was go, go, go. That never ends well for me, and I’m glad I’m learning that too.
I’m a big fan of the U.S. Open, so I watched a lot of that this weekend. But when that wasn’t on, I succumbed to the trash that is Perfect Match on Netflix. Many of the current relationship statuses are spoiled thanks to a pregnancy, Huda from Love Island, and no one respecting the no-spoiler rule. People love to be disgusting on international television, and apparently I love to watch it.
I’m being told this letter is too long for email, which is the Substack equivalent to playing music over acceptance speeches at award shows. Extremely similar. See you next time.