Friday's Simply Smitten - Blush & Blooms

This post may contain affiliated links, which means if you purchase an item I will earn commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!

“I celebrate myself, and sing myself, I exist as I am, that is enough.”

-Walt Whitman

Happy Friday! TGIF! I kept thinking it was Friday since Wednesday, so happy to finally be here. Anyway, this past week was filled with interesting conversations, friendly gatherings, and personal passions.

Last weekend I met up with some friends for brunch at the new-ish West Village restaurant The Golden Swan. I believe it officially opened this past fall; in the same location Spotted Pig used to be. It’s an American style restaurant. The interior is decorated with deep rich greens and browns. I had the french omelette; the crispy potatoes were delicious! I want to go back for dinner and/or drinks at some point. This would make for a great date night spot.

The brunch was lovely and it was great to catch up with friends. Afterwards we went shopping at Housing Works West Village (thrift store) and Big Night– a great place to shop for dinner party items. I didn’t buy anything, but my friend got a chic stem glass.

I went back to my normal Tuesday full-out DanceBody class. I am starting to get most of the dances, but there is still one or two that I act as if I have two left feet during it. The new one- “Work” by Ciara- that we learned last week I pretty much have down already. It may be my favorite out of the new dances. However, “Uproar” by Lil Wayne that we learned a few weeks ago I still am having trouble with. I will have to start practicing at home. Whether I master a dance or not, it still feels great to sweat and move.

Tuesday afternoon I had the pleasure of attending a Q&A with Bill Gates, moderated by Katie Couric. It was put on by Threads Creative Book Club at The Strand. Bill Gates has a new memoir called Source Code. It is the first out of what will most likely be a 3-part memoir series. The conversation was fascinating. Whether you like Bill Gates or not, he is one of the biggest innovators of our time. Katie Couric asked him questions ranging from his childhood all the way to his current association with USAID. He spoke about his thoughts on AI, vaccines, and foreign aid. And sadly he predicts we will be in another pandemic in the next 10-15 years. One that will be worse than COVID- especially if we do nothing right now to prepare. Overall I found the conversation to be very interesting and I am excited to dive into his book.

What I am watching: I watched Reese Witherspoon and Will Ferrell’s new movie You’re Cordially Invited on Prime. It was not good. I wouldn’t say it’s the worst movie I have ever seen, wasn’t so awful that I turned it off. It just wasn’t good, at all. Disappointing considering it’s Reese Witherspoon and Will Ferrell. I think I chuckled once, maybe twice. I will say I do think it’s a little heartwarming. I enjoyed the ending the most.

I started binge watching the docuseries In Vogue: The 90s on Hulu. I believe I have one episode left. It is fascinating! Obviously since it’s Vogue it’s mostly about fashion in the 90s. But really it’s about how certain people and situations altered pop culture from celebrities, fashion, art, music, and so on. As someone who was a kid and a teenager in the 90s it was really nostalgic and interesting. As someone who loves fashion, it was educational.

It’s award season which means I devoured every moment of The Grammys last weekend. I thought this was one of the best Grammy award shows we have had in a long time. I love that they added more musical performances, like the brand new artist segment. While I was sad and surprised Taylor Swift didn’t win anything for TTPD, I thought everyone who did win deserved it. There were so many amazing albums and songs from last year, I could see many of the award categorizes going any which way. I am happy Beyoncè won AOTY! I know it’s a touchy subject, but I enjoyed Cowboy Carter. I’ve been having stimulating conversations (at least to me it is maybe not to the people that are fighting me, ha) on Threads about why people disregard it as a country album when the composition is made up of everything that characterizes a song or album to categorize it into the country music genre. Anyway, I knew it was going to win and glad it did!

My favorite Grammy performance of the night was Sabrina Carpenter. I LOVED that she tap danced during it!! I regret not going to her concert. My top favorite red carpet looks were: Sabrina Carpenter (my top favorite), Gracie Abrams, Chrissy Teigen, Taylor Swift, Kelsea Ballerini, Olivia Rodrigo, and Beyoncè– even though she didn’t walk the red carpet.

What I bought: I am doing a no-shopping February. I am only buying necessities and books. It’s my own little Lent before the actual religious observance. Anyway, day 7 and I am already itching to buy spring and vacation outfits, as well as items on sale. Like this chic sweater jacket that is now on sale. Le sigh. I am doing this to save money, declutter, and challenge myself to wear items that I already own.

On The Blog

Sunday Shopping

Matching Sweater Set

LTK Spotlight: Pretty floral turtlenecks

ShopMy: Vacation outfits

Top Seller: These ballet flats

This weekend I currently do not have any plans. Since we are suppose to have a winter storm, I will most likely have a relaxing weekend. Maybe finally walk around the Chelsea Art Galleries like I wanted to a few weekends ago. I do want to finish my book James and start a new one. Will also be watching Taylor Swift enjoy the Super Bowl and Kendrick Lamar mini concert.

Have a wonderful weekend xo

1. Questlove and Maya Rudolph discuss 50 years of SNL

2. A chic denim dress

3. Love a good pink tweed jacket

4. A must-have timeless handbag

5. Everything you need to know about NYFW

6. Taylor Swift and the football fashion boom

7. Amanda Lindroth revives a Bahamas estate

8. New book releases this month

9. 25 things to get rid of in your closet

10. Can influencers predict the next big thing in books

Weekend Sales