The Weekend. July 04 - 06.
Subway Series, Watermelon Slip 'n Slide, and Poolside Reading.
Good morning! How was your weekend?
Wow, this kind of Fourth of July weather usually only happens in the movies. An absolute dream. I personally love staying in the city during major holidays. Such a thrill when the city is empty — it feels so peaceful, and you can get a table almost anywhere! Just thinking about the other days to come. The day before Thanksgiving? Christmas Eve? Heaven.
I do have this toxic trait where, after July 4th, I start to panic that we’re running out of time. Summer is flying by. It’s terrible. I do the same thing in December with Christmas. I always have to slow down and remind myself: there's tons of time. Enjoy the day. So here's how I spent it:
Friday
Spent the morning cleaning at home, then headed out to Queens. A friend and I were going to the Subway Series at Citi Field. Baseball on the Fourth of July felt very appropriate, and I had never been to a Subway Series before.
I love any activity where junk food is a core component. We started off "fancy" with a steak sandwich. Our seats were practically at the top, but honestly, I love it up there. I find the view from above much more impactful. Of course, we picked seats that were exposed to full sun the entire game. It got spicy up there, but I could have sworn there was more of a breeze at the top!
My friend got us Dole Whips (pineapple soft serve), and after every spoonful I told her this was the best thing I’d ever eaten and that it was saving my life. We also leaned in and got one of those mini fishbowl-style cocktails. It was a tad sweet for us, but the ice-cold drink felt necessary.
The real tragedy of the game? I was too full to get a hot dog.
After the game (which included, I think, four home runs), and $100 later, we headed back to the city. I was in such a post sun daze I missed my stop. By the time I got back downtown, I was finally ready for a hot dog. I stopped by Gray’s Papaya and grabbed a single dog for dinner.
I didn’t have any plans to watch the fireworks with anyone, so I decided to launch myself off one of the barges on the East River. I knew my friend’s apartment in the east village would have a good view. She was out of town, but I was able to go to her place to watch the main event.
Saturday
Started the day with a pilates class, then did something I hadn’t done in months: I took myself out to breakfast. I love going out to breakfast — it’s my favorite meal, what other meal can you go sweet or savory? I went to my nearby Ruby’s. Listen, it’s a bit dated and kind of basic, but that place delivers. The food is affordable and consistently good.
I got the breakfast bowl, which had poached eggs, whipped ricotta, and prosciutto. Summer chic! My absolute favorite, though, is the passionfruit yogurt bowl. The granola has poppy seeds in it! But I knew I couldn’t get both, so instead I got a slice of banana bread with the passionfruit butter. Good God, I love that "butter." The banana bread is also perfection. Even after 15 years, I’m still a fan.
I stopped by the new Bon Bon that just opened in my neighborhood. TBH, kind of insulted I wasn’t invited to the grand opening. The store was beautiful, and luckily I was the only one there, so I got to chat with the staff while I shopped around. We unanimously bonded over our shared hatred of Lil Sweet Treat. Only con? The bins don’t stay open which, as we know, drives me absolutely nuts!
Later that day, I headed back to Queens. She’s a Queens girl! My friend threw a little July 4th-style BBQ. She’s such a fantastic host. Food and drinks everywhere. There were even multiple water activities. I personally avoided them like the plague as I melt like the wicked witch. I was once at her holiday party and was blown away that she had a pink Smeg fridge completely devoted to various types of drinks. That’s a real host. Once, again the fridge was packed.
I hopped on the E train all the way back downtown to meet friends for dinner at The Odeon. I got the special: prosciutto and melon - a personal fave. Didn’t something come out recently about your body not being able to digest that properly? Send prayers!
After dinner, my friend was DJing at People’s. We spent the rest of the evening there until the staff turned every light on at 1:01 AM. Harsh!
Sunday
I woke up at 1015 to see I had two missed calls. My friends were in the area and wanted to say hello. They realized after I hadn’t answered at 930, I was probably still sleeping.
I met up with them in the park, then we walked down to Soho and grabbed some smoothies. We parted ways, and I headed over to the pool. Along my journey I stopped at Olive’s to grab one of my favorite cookies: cowboy cookie. Which is another word for oatmeal chocolate chip. I would never say this is a cookie you must try. I just love it. It tastes super homemade and I find it charming, and so toxic but the oats makes me feel like it is healthier. I know. With my Equinox membership, I have access to a rooftop pool — it has completely changed my outlook on summer in the city.
I spent the day there reading Project Hail Mary poolside until they closed at 4. Spent the rest of the afternoon at home, then took myself on an evening walk with frozen yogurt from Culture.
Bites of the week
McDonalds Cheeseburger Happy Meal
Let’s have a good week.
See you tomorrow!