Hi everyone! Happy Friday! I’m coming off a jam-packed few days in NYC. I came for a work commitment on Tuesday, but extended my trip a few extra days to catch up with friends I haven’t seen in a while and do some serious Beau Society planning with my (tiny) team there. More to come very soon. We’re so excited for year two. :)
While in New York, I stayed at my favorite hotel in the city, Fouquet’s in Tribeca. It’s French and quiet, and every detail from the breadcrumbs on the lemon spaghetti (hold the anchovies) to the white-with-purple trim umbrellas on the rooftop patio is perfection. On Tuesday, after I wrapped my work shoot, I met a few friends at The Corner Store and accidentally stayed out until 11:30. We ordered the highlights: pizza rolls, spinach and artichoke dip, the French dip, a side of spinach (needed an honest vegetable), and finished with the Samoa Sundae, which was salty(?).
For this week’s issue, I thought it would be fun to run through 5 things that inspired me this week. They’re random loose threads, like an extension of This Week’s BS (still included at the end, don’t worry). I encourage you to try this exercise for yourself — listing 5 inspiring things from the past week — if for no other reason than to train your brain to look for bits of inspiration throughout the average week.
1. Meaningful conversation starters. I love a light chat about shows and movies as much as the next girl (especially if we’re dissecting The Studio, omg), but sometimes TV conversation can feel a little surface-level. So, I was inspired when, somehow, at dinner this week, we landed on the topic of “Can we really have it all?” Some people at the table were adamant that “having it all” is a lie that sets us up to fail because you have to make sacrifices in one area to achieve in another. I don’t take that same stance. I’m somewhere in between wanting to define what “having it all” even means and acknowledging that it might look different from person to person. However, this was one of those discussions that stuck with me, unresolved. I’ll continue to work through my answer.
Some other follow-up conversation starters I like:
- When you think about your future, what do you dream about?
- Who do you look to as a role model for your future and why?
- How important is balance in your life?
2. Meeting in person. Sure, it’s convenient to hop on Zoom with teammates across the country, everyone in the comfort of their own homes or apartments. But this week in New York, I was reminded just how beneficial it is to take the time to sit down, strategize, moodboard, and brainstorm face-to-face. It’s connective, and we come up with the best ideas that way!
3. The color purple. Not the movie (although also inspiring), the actual color. I mentioned those purple-trimmed umbrellas at Fouquet’s, but there was a full purple color scheme going on on that rooftop terrace that got my creative juices flowing. I have a little interior decorating project on my to-do list, and I left New York reenergized to think about headboards and pillows, and artwork, which may or may not feature lavender.
4. Personalized stickers. Funny story: Last year, I ordered these little Beau Society stickers for our launch party, and I stuck them on my iPad and honestly kind of forgot about them. But this week, when a friend (and reader <3) saw them, she kind of freaked out. Seeing her excitement reminded me of how much I love them. Would you guys want Beau stickers? LMK!
5. Maple butter. Surprisingly, the best bite of the week might have been my blueberry pancakes with maple butter. Wow! I will be looking up a recipe when I get home.
On my last night in the city, I got to see Sophie, one of my best friends from home, who recently moved to Brooklyn. I asked her a few questions about what it’s like to live in New York and the best places to see a movie and get a bagel. Sophie is cool and thoughtful, and so are her recs. Here’s what she said.
Best pizza, pasta, bagel: Best bagel is going to be Tomkins Square Bagel; I get an egg bagel toasted with lox spread. My favorite pasta is from Lil’ Frankies. I like their cacio e pepe. With pizza, I feel like a good dollar slice is good anywhere if you get it hot.
If you have a day to yourself in New York, how are you spending it? I’m going to go to a film viewing of an old movie at an independent theatre, preferably Metrograph or Nighthawk in Prospect Park. Then maybe I’ll go to a museum; the MoMA is one of my favorites. Or, maybe I’ll lay in the park, either Prospect or Central. I’ll walk everywhere.
Favorite thing about New York: The people. If I’m riding the train and a mom approaches the stairs with a stroller, it will take like five seconds for someone to grab the stroller and help her up. There’s an unspoken sense of community that comes with being a New Yorker that’s shown in the little things.
The worst part about New York: Schlepping. No one has a car, so if you’re going to get groceries, you have to limit yourself to two bags. You learn that in the first week you move here. For that reason, it’s not unusual for my fridge to be barren. I mostly eat out.
Best show or movie set in New York City? Of course, When Harry Met Sally. And Party Girl is on my top 4.
Best place to shop or thrift? I do most of my vintage shopping on eBay, but there’s a little section on the Lower East Side by Grand Street and Orchard that has four great vintage stores on the same block: 7 Wonders Collective, Lara Koleji, ENDING SOON, and The Vintage Twin.
Favorite subway line? The B or the D because they run express. Or the A and C lines because the trains are new and they’re really nice.
Best movie theatre: I love the Metrograph so much. They keep their candy in a fridge so you can have like ice-cold Milk Duds while you watch your movie, which is so nice in the summer. I have a membership for $5 a month, which pays for itself in one visit. I’ve seen eight movies in theaters in the past month. They’re showing Clueless today, but I didn’t get tickets fast enough.
Truest cliché about New York? It doesn’t sleep. Whenever I go to another city, I’m surprised at how early things close. It’s really jarring. Also, the rats.
Something everyone should do when they visit New York? Walk around without your headphones. There’s so much sound and wholesomeness to absorb.
Something you’ve learned since living in New York that you’ll take with you wherever you go next? New York has taught me how to be alone and try new things in my late 20s. I’ll frequently go to dinner alone or see a movie alone. I’ll try a ballet class or a girl-pop dance class I found on Instagram, just because I feel like it. It’s crazy how much this city has to offer and how it’s not weird to go experience it alone. It’s been deeply gratifying to be independent in that way.
TO DRINK: Green juice. I normally go for straight celery juice. But this week, I’m going to throw in spinach, cucumber, lemon, and a Granny Smith apple.
TO READ: Your birth month, your quote. I screenshotted December.
TO LISTEN TO: This week, a friend sent me an episode of The Skimm’s sports podcast series, “Well Played”, and I loved it! So fun and makes “sports talk” easy to follow. (Amanda and Blake, if you’re reading this, I’d love to have you on BS :))
TO MAKE: A moodboard. It’s where I start on all creative projects; the visuals are so important to me.
TO SHOP: J.Crew’s French fashion. I love everything.
TO TAKE WITH YOU: “Everything’s unfolding exactly as it’s meant to.”
Love,
Hailee (Beau)
Highlighting your comments on the previous week’s issue. Today, we hear Kenza’s response to You asked, I answered.
“I actually went on a picnic date with four of my girlfriends thanks to you - it was perfect. We forget how spending quality and simple time with your loved ones can be so therapeutic.”- Kenza (France)
