Monday Memo No. 15

The Best Croissants in New York City

For Monday Memo No. 15, as you may have gathered from my instagram last week, Rich and I just got back from a quick work trip to Paris where we basically ate nothing but croissants for four days.  To alleviate the withdrawal symptoms we’ve been experiencing since returning to NYC, we’ve made more than one run to our favorite neighborhood bakery—Arcade Bakery—which just so happens to make the hands-down BEST croissants in New York City.

You don’t have to just take my word for it, The Infatuation and a whole host of other bonafide foodies agree.  They’re only open on weekdays and are (strangely) located in the ground floor of an office building on Church Street in Tribeca.  Nevertheless, their buttery croissants, danishes and pastries are every bit as good as those found in Paris, you will dream about them for years.  When you go, be sure to try the chocolate walnut babka or the s’more danish as well.  They can do no wrong.

Invisibobble Coiled Hair Ties

I constantly get asked about the spiral hair ties that you can often see me wearing on my wrists on instastories, so thought I’d post the link here.  These hair ties have gained a ton of popularity over the past several years because they do an amazing job of holding your hair (even thick, heavy hair!) without pulling, causing damage or creating creases.

They’re the only hair ties I’ve used for the past several years, and their coiled, spiral bands also help create the perfect loose-looking messy bun, which is how I typically wear my hair when it’s up.  Even after wearing your hair up for hours in these suckers, it will be kink-free and look just as you styled it before putting it up.

They come in a variety of shades to match your hair color, but I typically just go with the clear variety from Sephora, or here on Amazon.  Pro tip: if they get stretched out, just blow a little hot air from your hair dryer on them and they’ll shrink right back to size.

Alice and Olivia Denim

For Monday Memo No. 15, I am sharing Alice and Olivia. It’s one of my favorite brands, just launched a new denim collection and surprise, surprise, they’re incredible.  I am the proud owner of this pair of skinny jeans and the fit and feel is utterly perfect so I’m going back for more and purchasing this pair of white skinnies for summer.  I’m actually wearing the blue skinny jeans today to the office, so will snap a picture and share it on instagram pronto for you to see!

The Best Umbrella I’ve Ever Owned

I’ve seen these clear umbrellas on TV and IRL for a million years but it wasn’t until I endured the insanely blustery, rainy spring we had here in NYC that I finally decided to hunt one down.  Needless to say, I’m completely, utterly OBSESSED.  First off, the shape of this umbrella is key.  It creates a far better protective dome around you than any of my more “compact” umbrellas, which are fine in a light drizzle, but if we’re talking serious rain (and accompanying wind) the protective dome is game changing.

Also, I always assumed the clear plastic canopy was just an aesthetic choice and never realized how unbelievably practical it is.  You know the tunnel-vision you experience when you’re huddled under an opaque umbrella canopy because you can’t see where you’re going?  Not any more.  The clear plastic allows you to stop running into buildings and nailing people in the face with your umbrella.  It’s magical.

Electronic Luggage Scale – Monday Memo No. 15

Rich and I have had this electronic luggage scale for years and it’s arguably the best $12 I’ve spent on Amazon.  I do not understand the physics of how something so small can accurately weigh a giant piece of luggage, but somehow, it never fails.  Not only do we use it before leaving for a trip to make sure our checked luggage is under the limit (you’re likely shocked to hear that I’m occasionally known to overpack…) but we also always bring it with us (it’s tiny and weighs virtually nothing) so that we can weigh our suitcases when packing to come home as well—either because we’ve made purchases while traveling or simply don’t remember how we distributed our belongings across suitcases and need to make sure everything is underweight.

Be sure to keep an eye out for the next installment of 30 Dresses in 30 Days later today!!