Stepping on set of A Complete Unknown, The Burger at Minetta Tavern, a Medicinal Soda Fountain from 1855, Uniforms of Second Hand-Woolens, and an Easy Winter Beef Stew

A Time: Last April, when the cherry blossoms were in full bloom and the air was palpable with the promise of summer, I encountered a man at the base of our steps. “Can I park here?” he asked. He had a camera in hand and seemed to be on a mission. A Complete Unknown, the new Dylan biopic, had been filming for a week already, and I learned from this well-meaning paparazzo that Mr. Chalamet would be shooting various scenes on Jersey Avenue in a few hours — just paces from our home. I loved walking through the set wearing Matilda— one of our most well-trodden streets dressed up as it’s not-so-distant-neighbor— The West Village— in the depths of the 1960s. Being a fan of the iconic Caffe Reggio, we adored seeing a local vegan juice shop donning fresh branding thanks to its original green awnings.

Crowds started filling that day to get a glimpse of Timmy— and we hung for a little while— appreciating the production in all its synchronization. I haven’t yet seen the film, but know as it ages, I’ll forever remember the spring we frequently stepped on its set.

A Thing: I was thinking about New Orleans this week following the heartbreaking turn of events. I was perusing some photos and taking a moment to appreciate one of my favorite spaces: the city’s very cool pharmaceutical museum. The medicinal soda fountain at the Pharmacy Museum in New Orleans offers a fascinating glimpse into 19th-century pharmacy practices. Combining medicine with refreshment, the soda fountain was once a popular way to mask the bitter taste of medications by blending them with flavored syrups and carbonated water. I just think it’s so pretty.

A Trip: I felt a little bad last week— we really intended to bring Matilda in to see the tree, but the crowds deterred us so we spent the day downtown instead. Fittingly stopping at Minetta Tavern (another iconic stop on McDougal Street that was part of the Complete Unknown set). It was just opening as we passed by— and we made mental note of the serendipity and popped in for some burgers. I hadn’t been in years— and it was just as wonderful as I remember.

A Look: It was a brisk one that day so I layered up in a lot of wool— a vintage 1990s wool jumper dress from the Gap, Frye Boots, a Theory cashmere polo, and navy Zady wool coat. Matilda was my boot twin and is also wearing 100% second hand (second-hand Janie and Jack fair isle, Juicy tights and HM boots). Her coat I got while thrifting in Edinburgh. 👍🏻

A Dish: It’s cold as hell in Jersey City, and we were craving something warming yesterday. Beef Stew felt right, so I grabbed 2lbs of chuck beef from Whole Foods, two hearty carrots, an onion, a fresh bundle of parsley, and then utilized what I had in the pantry/ fridge (tomato paste, pancetta, better than bouillon stock paste, Worcestershire sauce, good German grain mustard, a little Chianti) and went to town. Usually when I’m making a similar sauce/ stew (eg short ribs), I’ll bring it to a boil, simmer, and then throw it in the oven on low for 3 hours. But this time I just let it slowly bubble away on the stovetop until the meat fell apart. It was so good. A win.

A Take: I’ve seen a lot of commentary on Substack the past week challenging In and Out lists. For me, they’re very much still in. Here’s mine:

IN

• Serendipity

• Shopping strictly second hand

• Traveling someplace new because it speaks to your soul (not for socials)

• Heirloom jewelry

• Reading at the bar

• Vintage ceramics

• Bangs over Botox

• Empathy

• Collaging

• Subtitles

• Doing cool shit on your own timeline

• Acupuncture for self care

• Nightly tea

• Long walks

• Solo trips to the cinema

• Cooking for friends

• Finding the good in your hometown

OUT

• Bucket lists

• Rushing

• Trendy hit workouts

• Fear of being vulnerable

• Saying “we’ve always done it this way” or “I’ll just do it, it’s faster.”

• Celebrating burnout and trying to “do it all”

• Clique culture

• Keeping up with the Joneses

• Saying no to every social invite

• Cancelling someone because of their personal political leanings

• Being too shy to try

Happy 2025 all x