Friday Catch Up No. 3
Happy (almost) International Women's Day!
Hello from Portland, Oregon!
I am here spending the weekend with my family having a celebration of life for my Grandma Rose. While it is a heavy weekend, I am looking forward to sharing memories and spending time with loved ones remembering my absolutely incredible, hilarious, fiery, strong, loving, Grandma Rose. It is only fitting that we host this celebration of life on International Women’s Day.
The past couple of weeks were filled with lots of girls nights — including a night in with Claud chocolate cake watching Babygirl (don’t watch with your parents haha), another night in Chinatown with drinks at Apotheke + dinner at Chinese Tuxedo, and another afternoon turned evening with rooftop drinks at RH Rooftop + dinner at Saint Theo’s + dessert at Loring Place. I also went to an amazing Barolo Masterclass with Gianluca Grasso of Elio Grasso at NY Vintners. I am loving all of my wine education lately and am learning so much!
I also had catch-ups with a number of partners who were in town visiting, including hoteliers from Beemok Hospitality Collection (take me to Charleston!), Royal Mansour, Montage & Pendry Hotels, and Michael Reybier Hospitality.
Q+A with Chelsea
Answering a few questions sent in on Instagram
What destination would you recommend for a special 30th birthday trip?
There’s so many, as truly I think it is about either 1) the company you are with, or 2) doing something epic that is for YOU! I know I may sound like a broken record, but I think going on an Atlas Adventures trip would be phenomenal if it is just you or you and one other person? Otherwise destinations I love with girlfriends in the US are Charleston (for cute city), Napa Valley (for wine & spas), Aspen (for a mountain getaway for all seasons), or Nantucket/Cape Cod (for coastal, Nancy Meyers vibes). Outside of the US, I love Cabo, St Barths, and truly anywhere in Europe (Paris, Greece, St Tropez, and more…)
I went to Saint-Tropez for my 30th birthday and while I know that is not the easiest destination to wrangle the troops for, we had quite a few people on the trip celebrating their 30th birthdays that year so we made it more of a collective celebration. In that vein, I think it is always fun to join together with a group of friends to do a joint 30th birthday trip too!
What’s a good place for a spa experience in NYC?
Back in the good old days, I would have said The WELL. I was a member here for one year, and I loved that it had facials, massages, infrared saunas, cold plunges, a steam room, a meditation room, workout classes, and a healthy cafe all under one roof. Unfortunately they had a pipe burst in December and will be closed until the summer now!
I don’t know if it is because of my job, but I just love me a good hotel spa. The Aman New York has hands-down probably best spa experience. You need to be a hotel guest or member to go to the spa, but they do sometimes allow outside guests on weekdays.
Otherwise, I would say the Mandarin Oriental spa is lovely as is the Four Seasons Downtown with it’s gorgeous indoor pool!
What luggage do you use?
I travel with an Away Bigger Carry-On (which I just used yesterday and realize it’s on the end of its life so will upgrade to a Rimowa beauty soon), and a BEIS Large Check-In Roller. I went back and forth on getting a nicer checked bag, but they always get destroyed and I have heard horror stories so not ready to take that plunge yet!
Packing List
What I Am Shopping For My Trips & More
I got this blazer this week which I love, and I am also eyeing this one.
The temporary warm weather has me craving spring! Pieces inspiring me include this yellow dress, this chartreuse mini, these floral earrings, and these boat shoes.
This is a home item, but I just upgraded my toaster & air fryer to this chic, non-toxic appliance that does both! I am excited for spring-inspired meals to come with roasting fresh spring vegetables, air frying salmon with dill & lemon slices, and to toast my friend’s homemade sourdough & slather with the lemon butter I brought back from France!
On My Radar
Updates & Content Fueling my Wanderlust & Beyond
Check out your March Travel Horoscope here. Mine says business trips, which essentially is what my March consists of (traveling to Houston to see a client and hosting our Knightsbridge Circle retreat in NYC!)
In honor of International Women’s Day tomorrow, I am craving this all-pink, warm weather getaway.
Piggybacking on my wine education, I loved this article that gives you the inside scoop on wine bars/the wine programs at restaurants (and what you shouldn’t be afraid to ask!)
Passport Picks
What I Am Currently Consuming & Loving
If you want some amazing, women empowerment vibes heading into International Women’s Day, I highly suggest reading my friend Caylee’s heartwarming post.
I finished the book, The Game of Life and How to Play It — you can read more about my thoughts (and other amazing book recs from my gal pals) in our March edition of WVBC Substack here!
And on that note…. our West Village Book Club March edition!
I absolutely loved this podcast episode from Money with Katie. I will also end this catch up with an essay she posted that has given me an emotional hangover…
Cheers,
Chelsea