gleamed

Happy Friday sapphics! How Iโ€™m feeling this weekend watching the Knicks in the finals. The energy in the city right now is truly electric. Itโ€™s always a great time to be in New York City, but weโ€™re operating on a different vibe level: itโ€™s Pride Month, the weather is stunning (if a little unbearably humid), Knicks mania is in high gear leading to game fโ€ฆ

Happy Friday, sapphics! I’m keeping the intro short and sweet today, since there is so much to dive into below for our first queer cookbook issue. I’m so excited about this one, both as a hospitality writer and a book lover. Personally, I just scoured a West Village estate sale and landed three Julia Childs’ books (including a first edition) that I can’t wait to dive into.

Upon starting gleamed back up, it’s been especially fun digging into different aspects of design, whether cultural or historical, without necessarily having to find a “timely hook,” which is always necessary for pitching stories as a freelance journalist. Editors are (rightfully so) obsessed with article ideas to cover things that are already trending—with catchy headlines that readers will definitely click on.

What are you looking forward to this spring? Personally, I just can’t wait to spend more time outside. Walking around NYC, the energy shift is palpable—more people walking on the sidewalks, bars and restaurants are bustling, the gym is packed. Daffodils springing up from the dirt are inspiring me to re-watch “Big Fish” for the umpteenth time. One of my favorite spring effects is the return of lingering.

And we’re back like we never left, baby! For those who aren’t aware (or are new here), my partner and I launched a sapphic queer cocktail bar concept earlier this year, called grotto. We’ve been operating a 4x per week pop up in collaboration with Soho House in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, which has been a dream and was fortunately given an extension at the end of February, now ending in mid-April. Learn more here if you are interested.