April favorites - fashion, food, & NYC events
+ truly thoughtful Mother's Day gifts
We officially hit peak spring in NYC, and I wish you could be here to witness the city energy because it is incredible. Especially after a good cup of coffee, all is well in this world. I hope you’re well!
I moved to NYC at the end of May in 2021, and it’s so crazy to say that it’s been 4 years! If you missed the news, I’ve already extended the lease at my current apartment for another year. Yes, living in the same garden level of a historic Brooklyn brownstone for the 3rd year! I loved my first Bushwick apartment, but I love my current apartment in Bed-Stuy even more.
Even though my place is a bit far from the city (and can be too quiet at times), it truly feels like an escape from all of the noise and hustle bustle of the city. I can move at my own pace and step away whenever I want to like to the parks, cafes, restaurants, museums, or libraries. I live in between 3 major airports (JFK, LGA, and EWR), 3+ Chinatowns (for all of my Asian grocery needs and food cravings), and just a short train or car ride away from
APRIL FAVORITES
1. Favorite outfits + accounts I love for styling
So obsessed with Kendall’s outfit that she wore this week, and of course, she’s in a full The Row fit - Elke jacket, Dyri pant, Awar flats, & Marlo bag.
Aimee’s outfit, styling klein blue and cool taupe perfectly! More chic mom style accounts I love lately: Mairin @mairinrytting, Courtney, and Monikh @monikh.
For summer, Lucy is the queen of vacation outfits as she goes to the most exotic and chic resorts and destinations. With my California and Hawaii trip coming up, I know I will be pulling a lot of inspiration from her IG (I miss her blog so much!).
Brittany is petite, but she does shapes and proportions so well! And lastly, I’d also recommend these accounts for styling ideas: @uma.losangeles (vintage pieces), mvb (minimal, photos), Gabi (effortless California style), and Nisi (7 days 7 looks).
2. NYC places & things
Cherry Esplanade - perfect place to sit or lay on the grass to read or have a picnic
The MET museum - Met Gala "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" is this Monday (May 5, 2025), and I will be watching from the comfort of my home. I’d die for a volunteer position there one day, so let me know if you can connect me to anyone.
left: Sargent and Paris at the MET, through August 3 ; right: Caspar David Friedrich: The Soul of Nature at the MET, through May 11
Added 3 art galleries in Chelsea to my favorite list - read more HERE!
left: Gagosian, middle: David Zwirner, right: Pace Gallery
Local spots I’ve recently discovered:
Padmore’s - Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn
left: Rita & Maria - Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn; right: Che - Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn
Dries Van Noten’s first NYC store in Soho - it’s very adult, and I love all of the color combination from interior to clothing and beauty products!
3. Fashion favorites
My search for a pair of boy-ish soft loafers officially ended because I found them!
For summer, I’d love to add a pair of suede sneakers, and owning these would be my dream! I’ve heard they’re not the most comfortable shoes though!
New shoe brand that I’m obsessed with: MARTINIANO. Love the Glove Shoes! They look ultra-comfortable, and the leather looks buttery soft! If you want to try these shoes on, Bomi, No. 6, L'ensemble, and Tangerine carry them in NYC.
left: JCREW red striped shirt; right: MATTEAU blue striped shirt
Gap × DÔEN drop 2 is here, and my favorites are below!
left: logo sweatshirt; right: ghingham maxi skirt & matching top
4. NYC Events & Pop-ups
The Marimekko x Blue Bottle Coffee event at the Walker Hotel was one of my favorite events I’d been invited to in a while. I recognized so many of my favorite food creators, and of course, the drinks, bakery, and merch were right up my alley.
Freja is popping up at 21 Spring St. from May 1 from 12–5 PM, May 2 to 4 from 11 AM–8 PM, so check it out if you’re in town. I love my Hudson bag!
Aesop invited me (and my mom) to check out their Mother’s Day installation at the Nolita location (226 Elizabeth St.) this week, and I wish my mom were here. Hopefully, she’ll get to join me next year! This hand soap, cleansing slab, and mouthwash are what I have been repurchasing on repeat for years, and I have already incorporated the lilac Eleos hand balm and body cleanser into my daily routine.
Lastly, check out Magda Butrym NYC pop-up (140 Wooster St) because it’s gorgeous inside. The team is friendly, and I adore her pieces. Pop-up opens until June 30th.
Other notable events and exhibition you should check out if you’re in NYC:
Lastly, I have tickets to go to The Frick Collection this Sunday and will be checking out Tappan’s first New York City exhibition, PROXIMITIES, at 100 Grand St this month.
5. Spring beauty favorites + recent empties
DAMDAM Gingko moisturizer - I love the soft bouncy texture and how it makes my skin feel the next day. Light and perfect for spring!
SHISEIDO eye cream - the most creamy and luxurious eye cream! It used to be my favorite years ago, and I’m glad to share that it still is. I will repurchase!
PEACH & LILY oil cleanser - I use it as the first step in my 2-step makeup cleaning routine most nights. It’s so gentle and effective!
SKIN CEUTICALS Vitamin C E Ferulic Acid serum - noticeable increase in skin’s elasticity and radiance. I’m obsessed with this product!!!
6. What I wore, ate, and watched in April
BEST BITES & DRINKS (left - right, top - bottom):
1. Za'Atar Kubaneh (pull-apart bread) from Theodora, 2. made an easy no-recipe baklava using leftover phyllo dough and homemade earl grey infused syrup - it’s so good, and I will make it again and share how I make it, 3. Teazzi’s house special milk tea with oats is my current go-to boba order
4. The almost $10 pistachio tofu pudding drink from Wuxian Tea in Flushing (it’s light and perfect, kinda worth it, imo!), 5. I made chicken matzo ball soup this week (stay tuned for vlog 74!), 6. I never liked Mango Mango Dessert, but I did this time. Weird! (I went to the Chinatown Manhattan location!)
7. Bun Bo Hue - my best batch yet, 8. strong and actually good matcha drinks at 12 Matcha (line is insane though, so I recommend to arrive super early!), 9. Hani’s cinnamon bun is the best cinnamon bun I’ve tried in NYC so far - WATCH HERE to see how it’s made.
The Substance was such an odd movie. It’s not my favorite type of horror movie to watch, but I was very much amused the entire time. I love Margaret Qualley in Maid (I tell everyone about Maid because I love the show that much!). The White Lotus season 3 was my least favorite (I did not like the finale and how things were unfolded in ways that they did!), but it was a fun tuning in every Sunday night. I felt like season 1 was everyone’s favorite, but my personal favorite was season 2.
PERSONAL WARDROBE series from LEMAIRE.
Mother’s Day Gift Ideas
Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 11, 2025, so I thought I’d sneak in some practical gift ideas.
This is the best and most iconic hand cream to ever exist.
The most flattering one-size fits most one-piece swimsuit. I have the white and want one in each color!
I have this silicon phone case in 2 colors and am dying to own this klein blue color. It’s so good!
My most-worn oval sunglasses with gold hardware! If you’d prefer silver with cat-eye, go for these!
The best T-shirt now comes in red! I’d recommend to size up!
Hair styling oil? This is so good, and I’m obsessed with the scent!
I get compliments every time I wear this perfume out!
This tinted moisturizer is what I wear on the daily. Shade beige is my perfect match!
These are the best drapey mom pants, and of course, you don’t need to be a mom to rock them. I have the black pair size M, and the elastic waist is just a bit loose. I still love and wear them at least once or twice a week!
I gifted my aunt this oil, and it’s been her favorite shower product ever since!
A deep tissue body and foot massage package at a local Chinese massage parlor.
A manicure, pedicure or a haircut appointment.
A facial - I’d look this up for mature skin, something local. I do also want to make sure that they use skincare brands I love and trust.
Jewelry!
A tote bag or shoulder bag, something that she reaches for everyday for errands or work.
I’d take her on a brunch date, get her flowers, or take her shopping!
A house organizing service!
Book her a hotel stay in the city!
Comment below sharing what you’re gifting your mom or any of your maternal figures, sister, or friends this Mother’s Day. I’d love to know!
See you on YouTube this Sunday! Take care!
An :x