Shit I Bought and Liked: A Big Birthday Wishlist
Shit I Bought and Liked: A Big Birthday Wishlist
30 things for 30 years!!!
Shitters! Before we get into today’s newsletter, I want to share something exciting! Last week, New York Magazine published a fun little article by yours truly (!) featuring none other than the latest shit I bought and liked! It’s been one of my favorite discoveries of the year, and I’m so excited to share it with you all/the rest of New York!!! Eek! Fingers crossed for more writing with them and others this year!
We’re on a roll with the excitement over here because we are officially TEN days out from the big 3-0!!! Any tips for how I should spend the last day of my 20’s? Manifesting? Cleansing? Writing absurdly long birthday wishlists? I already have that last one taken care of, so looks like I’m off to a good start!
This is a somewhat insane thing to say before presenting a lengthy list of things I claim to want, but I feel like there’s not much I’m really after in terms of gifts this year? I recently found a bag I’ve been eyeing for years on Vestiaire recently (fingers crossed it’s as good in person as it is in the pictures!), and a few months earlier I treated myself to a special piece by my friends at Fewer Finer to celebrate the five year anniversary of this newsletter. Aside from wanting to eat loads of pasta with my friends and family, I’m good! (Though if someone wants to spring for #12 on this list, I am not stopping you!!!).
This is all to say I’m feeling very content and very grateful, and that seems like a good way to go into this next decade. But, for the sake of tradition (and all of you!), what follows is a list of thirty things I’d be more than okay with waking up to to celebrate the occasion! As always, these lists are technically for me, but they’re also for you! Use it as inspiration to treat yourself or the other discerning humans in your life. And if that human just happens to be me… you already know I’ll be thrilled!
Two dozen reflexed roses, preferably the palest pink you can find. (Does anyone have a good NYC florist who wouldn’t charge $400 for this?)
A floral arranging class so I can learn how to make that myself, start my own floral business, and charge $400 for it.
I have given up on my puppy dreams at the moment (though my heart pangs every time I walk past a city golden retriever), but my dreams of these little angels will never die.
A two bedroom apartment in a very specific, three block radius of Manhattan with a double exposure, dark wood, updated appliances, and a walk-in closet (this is the short list). Remember three paragraphs ago when I said I didn’t really want anything for my birthday…
A slice or two of Lady M Crepe Cake. They seem to have done away with my favorite flavor (Pistachio), but Earl Grey and Original are both divine!
Speaking of pistachio, I am newly obsessed with this milk?! Sending cartons (boxes?) of nut milk to anyone else for their birthday would probably be grounds for a friendship breakup, but I cannot tell you how thrilled I would be if this showed up at my doorstep.
To me, these insanely-priced strawberry snacks are a perfect gift idea because I would never buy them for myself, but if someone got them for me I would never shut up about it.
When I tell you that this lip balm would make me happy just know that I’m being vulnerable on the internet.
A vintage bag that I cannot share until I get my hands on one for myself. Don’t ask me about the time I had one in my cart on TheRealReal and quite literally fumbled the bag—thank you to my sweet friend Morgan who talked me off the ledge afterwards.
A bottle of Onino Chili Crisp! My latest addiction. Grab it at Big Night in the West Village or Greenpoint if you’re in NYC!
All I really want for my birthday is this expensive ass cutting board.
A summer getaway to Reschio. This is shaping up to be my first summer in three years without an Italy trip… must fix!!!
REDACTED, but very worthy of my lucky number!!!
If you can get me a table at 4 Charles you are off the hook for birthday presents for the next five years.
A bottle of Vyrao’s The Sixth or Regime des Fleurs Nitesurf Neroli. I’ve been in a fragrance rut lately, but these two are good enough to get me out.
A gift card to TheRealReal or to a local bookstore. Talk about my two wolves…
One of these hair clips. My sister has one in Bordeaux and it’s so incredibly well-made. Color-wise I’m torn between that one, Tortoiseshell, and (me) Espresso (had to).
THE PERFECT PAIR OF LIGHT WASH VINTAGE LEVI’S 501’s. God, I’ve seen what you’ve done for others!!!!!!
I keep telling myself that a watch is a symbolic and appropriate birthday gift, but very few are making my heart sing at the moment. The closest is probably this Vintage Bulgari Tubogas? All steel, black face—coolest girl at the party, every time. Cartier is supposedly releasing a Tiny Tank in the fall that’s probably better suited to daily wear, but between waiting for that and hunting for vintage options, this idea is on ice at the moment.
Kate McLeod’s Daily Stone. I tried their sampler pack during the Sephora sale (which would also make a great gift!) and this was my favorite of the bunch!
I read that Chloe Fineman only burns Abd El Kader so I only want to burn Abd El Kader (I’m also obsessed with her double diamond drop earring situation).
Gucci Westman’s closet. Her knits! Her denim! Her skincare! Her JEWELRY! My forever icon!
I love a good bath salt (think Goop, not Florida man) and I’ve been wanting to get my hands on this incredible-smelling version by Saint Jane since my very first whiff (at the Goop Store, of course).
A cinnamon roll croissant from L'Appartement 4F. Worth the hike across the bridge every time.
How have I still not seen Hadestown?? I will never say no to Broadway tickets or recs for what I should see next!
A good specialty pint at Caffe Panna.
A good specialty baseball hat. My beloved Y7 one is a bit too stained to go on.
Would it be a wishlist without The Row? Not one of mine! You can probably guess the current object of my affection (the Soft Margaux, Black, saddle leather, gold hardware—the downtown Birkin of my dreams!), though I’m torn between the 15 and the 17 (the 15 is likely a better size for everyday, but the straps don’t fit over the shoulder which is tough).
An insane cuff I tried on at Sabyasachi months ago and have not stopped thinking about since. In true Sabyasachi fashion, it is more expensive than every other thing on this list combined.
In all seriousness, the extraordinary privilege of being virtually guaranteed to see my next birthday while so many across the world can’t even say the same about tomorrow is not lost on me. I’m giving to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund to support the supply of food, water, and basic medical aid for the children of Gaza, and it would be a gift beyond any on this list if you’d consider joining me. I continue to hope for the safety and futures of the people of Gaza, the safe return home of the hostages, and for a long-overdue end to the horrors of the past eight months. And I continue to hope that our shared humanity—something that’s felt so lost at times—rises again.