Cappuccino Thoughts 8: On the Shortest Month
Why February is my favorite month, culture, food, and fashion grab bag
February was always the best month growing up. In San Francisco, the land without seasons, the most exciting natural phenomenon of February wasn’t the snow, but the cherry blossoms. Those finicky buds bloomed in spectacular bursts of pink and red, as if made for Valentine’s Day. By mid-March they were practically gone, leaving the saddest bare trees in their wake. In Japan, where they celebrate the cherry blossom festival, the flowers don’t come out until April. But in San Francisco, I knew why they came out in February: Birthday Month.
Nearly everyone in my family has their birthday in February—my mother, both my brothers, my aunt, my uncle, and yours truly. What’s more, the birthdays go 2, 9, 16, 23 (and 24 and 27), so we have a birthday to celebrate every week (and, of course, Valentine’s Day). Our house was always filled with decorations and cake, making February certifiably the best month of the year.
It wasn’t until I moved to the East Coast for college and post-grad that I realized most people find the month dreary, or in the words of my friend yesterday, “absolutely miz.”
Nevertheless, my devotion to February remains. It may be the shortest month, but there’s a lot to pack in. Below you’ll find a grab bag of fashion, culture, and some miscellaneous items I loved in February.
P.S. My birthday is…today! In lieu of gifts, I’d love if you’d forward this newsletter to a friend who might enjoy it.
Grab bag: Culture
One of the best days I spent this month was this Saturday when I went on a truly random New York escapade with my friend N. We went to the tip of Manhattan to visit the Cloisters, the Met’s collection of Middle Ages artwork. Although I still don’t fully comprehend how they transported full Romanesque chapels here (best not to ask questions about art restitution, I suppose), it’s absolutely worth the haul. Following our high culture, we went to La Reina del Chicharron in Inwood. The queen did not disappoint at this no-frills Dominican spot. We had amazing chicharrones (fried pork) and yucca. Finally, we completed our uptown adventure by heading to a panel moderated by a partner at my company about retail tech. A true mix of high and low in a totally different part of Manhattan than I usually inhabit.
Programming at the New York Public Library. They host a bunch of fun events! Sign up for their newsletter too. My friend B. and I went to a great book swap there this month.
Everywhere We Go and Sleeping Beauty at the New York City Ballet. The former show features music by Sufjan Stevens, who I absolutely love. And Sleeping Beauty is a classic. I’ve been to five performances at the ballet this season and started taking adult beginner classes a few times a week. I’m obsessed!
Edward Hopper at the Whitney. Run! Don’t walk, since it closes March 5th. This is an amazing exhibition my friend J. and I had to visit not just once, but twice.
Grab bag: Food
Drip Drop Café. They are missing a major opportunity to call themselves the Drip Drop Coffee Shop. A great quiet location right off the main drag in Soho run by the nicest European guys.
Drinks at Jungle Bird in Chelsea.
L’Appartement 4f and the new Books Are Magic location across the street.
Le Fournil. Perhaps even better than L’App, this fab French spot on the Lower East Side is run by real Frenchies (without the attitude) and had the best croissants I’ve found in NYC so far.
Planta Queen. A vegan spot where my mother proclaimed she could “eat at every single night.”
Barn Joo. A Korean spot facing Union Square with an inventive menu (think tteok and cheese). My Resy-obsessed coworkers M. and C. gave it a big thumbs up.
Brooklyn Diner. A slightly touristy spot that’s worth the cheesy factor. I really love the noodle keugel. It became part of my routine to stop in for a quick bite before heading to fashion illustration class across the street at the Art Students League where I took a few fashion illustration classes.
Grab bag: Fashion
Thierry Mugler has a big exhibit going on now at the Brooklyn. Museum. There’s even an olfactory section celebrating the famous Angel perfume.
These gorgeous red shoes from Frances Valentine. I have not purchased these, but I saw a lovely Upper East Side lady wearing them and immediately had to look them up.
This perfume from DS & Durga smells exactly like the fig tree outside the little hotel F. and I stayed in Çesme, Turkey. I have also refrained from purchasing, but rumor is I have a birthday right around now.
This travel jewelry holder from Mejuri is actually brilliant.
This fanny pack (gosh that name needs a rebrand) from Dagne Dover. I am anti-fanny pack as a rule, but this is awfully convenient for long days running around the city. (However, I must insist you wear it as a cross-body bag, not around your hips).
Grab bag: Miscellaneous
I have finally succumbed to the air-fryer propaganda. When a partner moving to the London office auctioned his off for $20, I thought I’d give it a try. Although I know some of you will have strong anti-air opinions, I am living the no-oven lifestyle. (My theory is in New York you have to pick either an oven or a dishwasher and I stand by my decision.) So this is all I’ve got. So far, I’ve made stuffed peppers and chicken nuggets (#grownup) and both were marvelous.
The facials at Dr. Barbara Sturm. They just opened a big new Soho location. I go once a quarter as my big splurge.
Boris & Horton. This dog cafe is probably the most chaotic place I’ve ever been, where dogs seem to be the target customer more than the people. But if you need a canine cuddle, this is the place.
Introducing yourself to strangers. I was at a book talk solo and noticed a young woman wearing a Hill House jacket I also own. I turned around to introduce myself and now we’re going to a book club together!
Breaking bread. Some work friends and I bid on a Shabbat dinner cooked by our colleagues in our annual charity auction. We had a lovely, wholesome night sharing traditions and playing games. Sometimes the best nights are the simplest.
No updates on the bag project this week
I have been running around the city too much!
What’s on the bedside table
This week I’ve been reading The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. My grandmother recommended it to me and she tends to have flawless taste. It’s about Belle Marion Greener, the personal librarian to J.P. Morgan. She helped him build the collection of the Morgan Library. All the while she was trying to pass as white and hide her black identity. I’m about a hundred pages in and it’s a good historical fiction read. I used to walk past the Morgan Library on my commute to my old office, so it’s fun to get more insight into it. (By the way, if you haven’t visited, put it on your list! The Renzo Piano-designed building and book collection are both so beautiful.)
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