The Mason Pearson brush changed my life
A birthday recap, July hopes and dreams, and some summer lists.
Since we last spoke, I officially crossed into my 24th year of life. I definitely feel older, and now I have to consider myself mid-twenties instead of ‘early twenties’. The term ‘early twenties’ to me is much chicer, but I truly believe my chicest years are yet to come, way beyond 24, so that’s something to look forward to.
During the day, I went to a barre class, solo dined at Kazu Nori, bought an anklet, claimed my free gift at Sephora after spending way too much money, accidentally ruined my cupcakes by Citi Biking home with them, and then ordered Uber Eats while watching Season 8 of RHONY as I mentally prepared for the night ahead.
I subsequently hosted an epic karaoke rager in Chinatown with my best friends, where I sang That Don’t Impress Me Much, No Air, Love Story, Blank Space, and California King Bed (not in that order. I can’t exactly recall the order). I Ubered my friends and me around the Lower East Side like a billionaire into the wee hours of the night, mixed many different types of alcohol, and then slept in my makeup. All in all, it was one of the best nights ever—exactly what I had hoped for.
My dear friends were extraordinarily generous and gifted me a Mason Pearson brush. I of course had heard of it via TikTok, but much like things such as the Dr. Dennis Gross Red Light Therapy Mask or La Mer cream, I thought it was a luxury I would never experience.
This brush has changed my life. I feel like an American Girl doll in the best way. Last night, I sat and brushed my hair in my Frankies Bikinis x Djerf Avenue robe, slowly moving through each section of my head with a level of care never before taken. I woke up with smooth, silky tendrils that fell into place with only a small amount of effort after the fact, in stark contrast to the rat nest I usually wake up to. I’m going to buy a silver bedside platter for my new apartment, where the brush will live and rest beside me in all of her glory.
I don’t know if it’s my new anklet, or the fact that I could wear jeans again without having a heat stroke in New York City last week, or my older age, but I’m experiencing some July-induced optimism. I’ve been pretty good about making the most of the summer so far, but it was shadowed by the anticipation of my birthday. 2 months left, I’m excited to live it up. I have a few small vacations on the horizon (no Euro summer for this blog, unfortunately), restaurants I want to try, Summer Fridays left to spend, and a new apartment to make into a home. What more could I ask for?
Well, maybe these things that are on my summer shopping wishlist:
The Live the Process Orion Bodysuit ($158.00)
I want to style this as is for a pilates class, with ballet flats for drinks, with a buttondown for running errands, with a t-shirt and cute shoes for work…the options are endless.
Ancient Greek Jelly Ballerina Flats ($125.00)
I can’t afford the ones from the row, and these are still a little steep for a jelly sandal, but for some reason my heart is drawn to them. They come in an array of colors, and I want them all.
Capris (Zara: $25.99), Reformation: $128.00)
Capris are back and they’re back in a big way. I’m going to look like second-grade Olivia again, walking around in capris and jelly sandals, but that idea brings me so much joy I can’t even care.
These Tory Burch sandals (On sale! $120 with an extra 15% off all sale)
These look like they could be from Jacquemus or Proenza and should be 4x the price (if not more). They’d be great with a dress for something fancy if you don’t prefer a heel, or they could elevate a simple work outfit like a t-shirt and jeans.
I talk a lot about restaurants in my personal life, so it’s hard to believe I rarely mention it on here. I feel as though I should start doing that more, even though I have a burning desire to gatekeep. Thankfully, my reach here is still relatively niche, so I won’t have to worry about the approximately 25 of you, subscribers, who live in Manhattan. There is room for all of us at Cervo’s. Here are the restaurants I’m dying to try this summer:
Eel Bar (Lower East Side)
This opened literally last week, but it’s a sister restaurant to Cervo’s which makes it intriguing enough.
Tolo (Lower East Side / Chinatown)
Also relatively new to the Dimes Square area.
Rolo’s (Ridgewood)
If anything can get me this far on the L, it’s that green lasagna.
Sailor (Fort Greene)
From the same people as Joseph Leonard, Fairfax, and Jeffery’s Grocery, my coworker and I have looked at this menu at least ten times.
The Fly (Fort Greene)
Another Brooklyn spot and ANOTHER Cervo’s sister restaurant! I want to go here and relive my southern days with a lot of chicken.
And in turn, here are my favorite restaurants I’ve been to so far this summer:
Swan Room (Lower East Side)
Swan Room has been one of my favorite swanky places to splurge at for years now. My mom and I went for my birthday, where I finally tried the burger. It was definitely as amazing as I’ve heard. If you want to try it for less, the other restaurant in the Nine Orchard hotel, Corner Bar, has it for cheaper during weekday lunches.
Kiki’s (Lower East Side)
I go to Kiki’s all year-round and basically once a week, but it’s always consistently great (and cheap). Just be prepared, they will tell you two hours for a table, but it’s worth waiting.
Casino (Lower East Side)
I’ve been wanting to go here since it opened, and I finally got to go for a friend’s birthday dinner. It was stunningly gorgeous inside, the drinks were great, and the pasta was fantastic.
Cecchi’s (West Village)
My mom and I basically ate the menu here, and I’m so glad we did. I love restaurants like Cecchi’s, similar to American Bar or Monkey Bar. Something about an American-style, white-tablecloth institution really gets me.
I’ve been in Dimes Square too much.
While the heat wave made it hard to remember why I surrendered a wonderful life in suburban Connecticut to the swamp that was New York City, it’s hard to beat a 79° night eating outside with good company. You of course can do that in suburbia, but it doesn’t hit the same. I was told to my face last weekend that it would be a five-hour wait for a table at a certain Canal Street institution. My response? Okay! Put me on the list. If it were January and the sun had set hours ago, I’d probably be a little bitchy. But the weather was perfect, the block was hot, and I was in a cute outfit. Recipe for success.