New York is really cold

Romanticizing my way through winter.

Allegedly, New York City is facing its coldest January in over a decade.

The only way to describe the last week was brick. I was genuinely overjoyed to wake up on Saturday morning to see the temperature was in the 30s, and even enjoyed a Little Canal breakfast burrito al fresco to celebrate.

Even with the sun shining, the whipping winds have chilled me to my core, and I’m someone who experienced a -60 degree wind chill my freshman year of college at the University of Minnesota. I don’t understand why this year specifically is hitting different (I guess statistically it actually is much colder), but I can’t drink anything iced, I won’t leave my house without gloves, and I’m sleeping with a heating pad.

It also made me realize that I do not have an adequate winter coat, so a new search has commenced for me. I love winter accessories. This year, my essentials include this cashmere wrap from Banana Republic that I use as the final layer before braving the cold, and these fuzzy mittens from Amazon.

The best way for me to embrace winter and all of her flaws is to romanticize it. Winter accessories, hydrating skincare, making soups, buying tea and spending way too much on a Nespresso frother so that I can have steamed milk for lattes at home are all ways I’m leaning in.

Another way I’m leaning into winter is getting into television. If somebody is selling a house on Netflix, I’m watching it. Selling Sunset, Owning Manhattan, and now, the latest in scripted real estate “reality” (there’s just no chance this is entirely authentic), Selling the City. My mind cannot comprehend how there can be this much drama in selling homes, which also helps my hypothesis that there simply isn’t. If I dressed for work the way these women do, my coworkers would faint.

I’m also enjoying this season of The Traitors, especially because of the heavy housewives presence. I’m not usually one for game shows, but something about a hodgepodge of T.V. personalities trapped in a Scottish manor, trying to figure out who fake murderers amongst them are, really drew me in.

My first weekend of the New Year was highlighted by a few coffee dates with dear friends, something I’d like to do more of this year. I haven’t had meaningful one-on-one time with people in a while, and I forgot how special that is, especially in this city. It was also highlighted by a 4:45 p.m. reservation at Hillstone, which is the most incredible time to eat a meal on a Sunday. Their chicken sandwich lived up to the hype, but it also was slightly reminiscent of the buttermilk chicken sandwich that used to be on the McDonalds menu—a favorite of mine back in my college days.

I’m about halfway through Didion & Babitz, and am enjoying the ride thus far. I do have to say, the author has a clear bias towards Eve, and I’m waiting for a bit more Joan to come out, but all in all a very entertaining story of Hollywood and female writers that feels like combing through a time capsule. It feels surreal to read about a time in Los Angeles that’s in stark contrast to the reality of the past week. Some people posting amazing resources to help below:

• Grace Dougherty

• Sara Foster

• Brett Chody

I don’t have much else to report as of late, which you all should be happy for me about. A dear friend of the blog, Mia, recommended to me a non-toxic, aerosol-free dry shampoo that I’m really loving. I’ll link it here for you. It’s French, so you can also feel very chic while using it. It’s very important that things being sprayed directly onto your scalp are organic and free of harmful ingredients, but what do I know. I’m trying to make more small changes like that, mainly to make myself feel better, both on the inside of my brain and the inside of my body. I’m trying, trying, trying.

I’m going to be open on the internet now and share a glimpse into my vision board this year. It’s not very original because all pictures are from Pinterest, but I’M TRYING.

I want to slow down. I want to read. I want to be Gwyneth. I want to have my friends over. I want to call my loved ones. I want to stretch. I want to walk. I want to cook. I want to lean in.