Summer in September
Long walks, Bahn Mi, and long days on the couch
In New York, there are very few days of the year where you can leave your house in just a t-shirt and jeans and be comfortable all day. I get cold easily and I’m always bringing a jacket if it’s windy or I know I’m going to a very air conditioned space like a movie theater or office (it’s too much). But yesterday was one such day. With jeans, a t-shirt and my trusty Uniqlo crossbody, I headed to Nordstrom to look for fall boots (might have succeeded but I need to see how comfortable they are out of the store), walked across town through Central Park, had bahn mi with Oset and then headed downtown to meet Frida. We walked through Soho up towards Union Square and ended our hang with ice cream before heading home. I logged 13K steps and got to see so much of the city and its characters in the September sun (we even walked past trad wife Nara Smith on Lafayette).
My Saturday was fully opposite. I woke up feeling tired and Dale and I watched The Perfect Couple on Netflix (all 6 episodes, my DMs are open to discuss it). I barely got any steps and I loved both days. Balance, baby.
I’m headed into a busy and fun work week and Thursday’s newsletter will be about deleting Instagram on the weekends (I’m already ready to delete it on Friday night). ICYMI, I wrote about a (detailed) day in my life from the past week!
Something to cook:
For the dismal Bachelorette finale, I made pesto pasta with cherry tomatoes, broccoli, and mini mozzarella balls. I always try to boil something else if I’m boiling water and throwing broccoli in with pasta is so easy. I topped the pasta with grated parm and lemon zest which brightens it up. A dollop of ricotta mixed with lemon zest is also a great topping.
I also got back into my frozen scallion pancake routine and made an egg wrap (inspired by this) with scrambled eggs, cheddar, arugula and sriracha and soy sauce.
I continued to eat the dilly chop salad from Caroline Chambers’ book and have another 15 minute recipe bookmarked to make tonight: the veggie peanut noodles (I love peanut noodles so I’m excited for this). So far, it’s a very weeknight friendly book which I appreciate.
Dale and I had a lazy Saturday lunch of leftover pizza and salad with romaine, cherry tomatoes, parm, and leftover vinaigrette, I was channeling the salads that pizza places have and it was so good.
We all need meal ideas for when you really can’t decide what to have and I need to remember that I’ll always be happy with a kale caesar (takeout or homemade) topped with a veggie burger (often from the freezer).
Something to order:
Julianne came prepared for the three hour finale with mini treats from Fortunato Brothers—they even have mini cheesecakes! They were perfect to share and mini things are adorable.
Alicia and I checked out Caffe Panna in Greenpoint and it lived up to the hype. Each scoop comes with panna, a sauce, and a topping, which makes me feel better about the prices. The tiny size is enough and they have nice indoor and outdoor seating. We went at 4 and there was a very small line so schedule an ice cream meeting and check it out!
On Thursday, I wanted to get a pedicure after work and the next appointment wasn’t for an hour or so. Luckily the nail salon is right near Lighthouse so I had the chance to have some happy hour oysters, chat, and read. An excellent use of an hour.
Angela and I tried a new wine bar on Friday: Plus de Vins, which is in the old Pheasant space. The backyard is lovely, with string lights and lots of seating, and they have nice wines by the glass. I wouldn’t go for dinner (it’s expensive small plates) but it’s a pretty setting for a drink.
Oset and I got lunch at Two Wheels, we each got Bahn Mi and Bahn mi is a great sandwich. It’s a nice space to sit and hang and I’m so excited about her new career chapter!
Frida and I got ice cream at Sundaes and Cones, which is always so good and never has too long of a line. Bless it and bless longstanding friendships.
Something to read:
on how wines get above $20 per glass on building neighborhood communities with three case studiesWhat do you put as your OOO? Apparently the new thing is saying I’m on PTO instead of I’m OOO.
How Snacks Took Over American Life. Most people would prefer to eat a snack over a meal
Childcare workers power working families across America, but too often—especially in politics—their voices are unheard. Not anymore. I love a Mattie Kahn story!
Why I changed my mind about volunteering, a worthy longread.
Nicole Kidman’s Beach-Read Cinematic Universe, I will watch all of it
Pennies cost more to make than they’re worth and yet we keep making them. Why?
’s substack has been a great recent discoveryIn
, shared an interesting approach to splitting up mealtime duties, fully switching off week to week (including meal planning/dishes/cooking/shopping). Would you try it?More solo travel is always a good idea. Would you take a soloette trip?
Thanks for reading and wishing you a good week ahead!
xo, Abigail
Sundaes and Cones is a very underrated ice cream spot and I will go on the record to say that they have one of the best taro ice creams.