Friday's Simply Smitten - Blush & Blooms

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“Man can only receive what he sees himself receiving”

-Florence Scovel Shinn

Happy Friday!! I’ve been a busy bee lately. A good kind of a busy; filled with work opportunities, socializing, and creating. I am happy to be running around like a mad woman trying to get things done. Trying to reacclimatize having a full plate. Life and work is moving farther away from the banana bread and puzzles era of the pandemic. And I am happy with this upward progression and abundance.

Last weekend I met up with a few friends for brunch at Catch. This was my first time there and hopefully not my last. I really enjoyed the ambiance of the restaurant and the food was pretty good. I had the egg white omelette which seems to be one of the only gluten free options on the menu. My friends and I also shared the waffle tower- I couldn’t have the waffles but had some of the ice cream. Spending time with my friends, catching up, was exactly what I needed. I have been craving more sociable moments and connections. Just being around people, laughing and having fun.

Speaking of social events, I had an interview with the founder of the new social club Shaka this past week. I first heard of them through a friend and then again on Guest of a Guest. I’ve been looking for something new to join to get out there and meet new people. The premise is that Shaka creates a few social events during the month with the goal of meeting new people. I can pick and choose what events I want to go to; events in the past have been brunch, a jazz club, tour of the Met Opera House, etc. The club is for 20 and 30 year olds. There is a retainer fee of $30 a month, plus purchasing the all expense paid ticket to each event which ranges from $40-$60. Compared to other social clubs like the Soho House or The Wing, this is an amazing deal. I will be doing a trial run for a month or two to see if I like it, but I already think it will be a great experience. A way to get out of my apartment and do something different while meeting people. The events do not cater to a specific relationship; i.e. no singles night or career networking. It’s come as you are, create relationships organically for whatever reason you desire, and enjoy a new experience. I am looking forward to attending my first event!

Tuesday I had the opportunity to attend the new QC NY spa media preview day. The new spa is located on Governor’s Island, only a 10-minute ferry ride from Manhattan and Brooklyn. The entire day was a lovely experience. I very much needed this little escape from the city to enjoy luxury saunas, steam baths, and a massage. I wrote about my entire day, plus more information on QC NY, in this post here. The spa officially opens today- March 4th!

Following my leisure day of pampering myself, I traveled uptown to Neinstein Plastic Surgery for a complimentary Lutronic Ultra – laser skin resurfacing – treatment. Tara, the MD, walked me through the procedure which only took about 20 minutes. All you do is sit there while the MD moves the non-ablative laser tool around your face. I have to admit that it hurts – and she had it on the medium setting. I had tears in my eyes the entire time. But as my aunt used to say “beauty is pain”. The purpose of getting the Lutronic Ultra treatment is to improve your skin; helps with acne scars, sunspots, pigmentation, Melasma, wrinkles, and stretch marks. I have a few sunspots that I want to get rid of. I made sure that my freckles will stay intact. I love my freckles. I would never try to get rid of them or cover them up. Anyway, the treatment renews your skin cells and promotes collagen, as well as tightens and brightens your skin. My face was bright red for the rest of the day and still feels like sand paper, but it should be back to normal within a few days. To take care of my skin I am constantly moisturizing and only using my cleanser that has CBD in it. In a few days I will reintroduce my Vitamin-C serum and eye cream back into my nighttime routine. Until then it’s all about moisturizing.

What I am watching: I am very happy that The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is back! I can’t believe it’s been 3 years since season 3. I forgot how the show ended last season and had to skim through the final episode to refresh my memory. So far I am loving season 4 and still find it to be lovable and hilarious. Last March I had the pleasure of watching them film a scene in Abingdon Square Park in the West Village. They finally aired the scene in episode 4 “How To Get To Christopher St”. It was pretty cool to see it on the show, knowing what it looked like from behind the scenes.

What I bought: I recently had to switch out my phone for the new iPhone 13 (pro), so I needed a new iPhone cover. I ended up buying this floral one in the matt hard material. It’s a beautiful print! Next, Lisi Lerch gifted me these cute floral earrings. I can’t wait to wear them during my vacation.

This weekend I have a lot of work to do and catch up on before I head to Florida. I have a few deadlines due when I get back and want to get a head start on them. I will be spending part of the weekend working, but I will definitely be out and about. I am going to the Artists at the Center performance this weekend at the New York City Center. New York City Ballet’s principal dancer Tiler Peck created this program that is filled with ballerinas from both NYCB and the American Ballet Theatre (including Isabella Boylston who is my favorite dancer at ABT right now). Tiler choreographed a few pieces, all of which will premiere during this showcase. It should be a wonderful performance, one that I am excited for! I have never been to the City Center before, so I am very much looking forward to seeing inside the historic theater. Other than finally seeing a ballet after so long, my weekend will be filled with frolicking around the city, reading my book, and getting ready for vacation.

Have a wonderful weekend xo

1.Already my favorite Hallmark Christmas movie

2. Eyeing this floral dress

3. Love the color of these shorts

4. Cute white sandals to wear this spring and summer

5. 11 fun things to do in NYC this March

6. Fashion and the rise of Balletcore

7. The history of gingham

8. Inside Shonda Rhimes’s NYC apartment

9. Modern heroines

10. 16 books to read this March

Sales happening this weekend