48 hours in New York City

a story of love, loss and reflection. + everywhere we ate this trip.

if you enjoy listening more than reading, cool! i recorded a voiceover of the below piece i wrote. grab a cup of coffee, take a seat/go on a short walk, and have a listen!

what i love about new york is, coincidentally, what i despise about it. the chaos, the pulse of energy vibrating through its streets, the endless array of food and shopping adventures; those scorching summer days, where the air is thick with humidity and the day’s soundtrack is a cacophony of horns and train whistles. but it's also the intimate experiences: pressed against strangers on the subway, feeling the stickiness of sweaty thighs or huddling together for warmth during the dark days of winter, seeking refuge from the cold in cozy cafes.

there's a palpable vibrational energy that hits you when the plane touches down and you step onto the streets, as if the very air crackles with potential. living in New York City, even for a brief period, was a profoundly transformative experience for me. it’s where my relationship began, where i gained the confidence to build my business, and where i took the plunge into adulthood with both fear and excitement.

in many ways, before my time in New York, i felt like a bystander in my own life, watching it unfold before me. but in the city that never sleeps, you learn to sink into yourself, perhaps out of necessity more than choice. i quickly became acutely aware of how i presented myself to the world and was forced to confront the less flattering aspects of my personality reflected back at me in the city's unforgiving mirror. it was New York, and the person i became there, that nudged me towards embracing sober curiosity, that taught me i could claim as much space as i dared, and that ultimately showed me i needed to leave in order to nurture all facets of myself that i cherished, those parts i wanted to carry forward into my next chapter.

they say New York City is like a toxic relationship—filled with high highs and low lows. you hate it while you’re in it and miss it when you leave. it's about loving something so fiercely while simultaneously grappling with the person you’ve become under its influence. it was only when i left New York for an extended period, fully intending to return, that i understood the necessity of maintaining a healthy distance, no matter how challenging it may be.

this essay isn't intended to dissuade you; if anything, i urge anyone with even a passing curiosity about New York City to seize the opportunity to live there, if only for a short time. the friendships forged are unlike any other — the simple joy of dining outside, basking in the exhaustion of a day spent in the sun, and laughing until your sides ache—it's a camaraderie born from the city's very essence.

She is like an old friend who always knows just what you need, even before you do. we revel in each other's company, yet when it's time to part ways, there's a mutual understanding that we'll meet again, eager to pick up where we left off.

i'm not sure if this can be classified as a love letter to the city, but rather a heartfelt thank you. as i’ve made my way across different landscapes, i've come to realize that the same vibrational energy i feel when i arrive in New York again washes over me at the end of each trip here. it happens again at the airport, when i glance up and see Thom striding towards me, a pack of sour gummies in hand, knowing he'll claim the dreaded middle seat on our flight home. it's the peace that settles over me, knowing that while i may leave a piece of my heart in this city, the largest, most profound part will always be with me. that this heart of mine could never have taken shape without our time in Her electric embrace. and though i may only return for fleeting visits, i find solace in knowing that New York City will always be there, a constant beacon amidst life's ever-changing currents.

listed at the bottom of this newsletter are all of the places we ate this trip!

loving lately

here are a few items i’m loving right now. also, the color story? hi spring!

• Bink Water Bottle: i’m a Stanley girl, of course, but i don’t make it my entire identity. i got this water bottle a few months ago and have been loving it. the colors are DOPE and it’s easy to hold/drink out of. plus, it’s glass!

• Material Coated Pan: this is such a great non-stick pan. i love everything Material does - we use this pan, their cutting boards & knives daily. if you’re looking for a great non-stick this is the move.

• Branch Basics: to accurately convey my love for Branch Basics with words would be almost impossible. it’s a one-concentrate model and everything is toxin/hormone disruptor free. it’s the only product i’ll clean my counters with. + laundry, dishes, dishwasher, stain removal, veggie cleaning, etc. it legit does it all. use my code ‘OLIVIA’ for 15% off a starter kit!

Recipe Roundup

Tummy Tonic Fizz

• i was so honored to partner with Breville for this recipe. carbonated water machines are legit the best invention EVER.

Chicken & Rice Skillet

• this is THE best recipe if you want something easy but beautiful. i love cooking this during the week for the two of us or even if i’m home alone for dinner and want something nourishing. and this is also a HIT with friends!

Non-Alcoholic Rhubarb Margarita

• rhubarb season is going strong and i feel strongly that we should all be making batches of rhubarb puree for cocktails and mocktails.

What’s Next:

• GROUP CHAT IS LIVE FOR PAID SUBSCRIBERS! head over to the group chat and introduce yourself on the first thread!

as always, thank you so much for being here. if anything in this letter resonated with you:

48 hours in nyc

below are some sweet pictures from our short trip + all the food spots we hit - i’m always surprised at how much we manage to eat while we’re there. we tried some new places and enjoyed some old favorites. all of them were amazing and worth a visit: