I love NYC in the springtime. Minus the allergies, you won't find a better high than surrounding yourself with a bunch of Type A work addicts, artists, bright young things and whoever else this city spits out after a long winter in tundra-mode. I’m writing this from a Think Coffee downtown, taking a break between sessions of an embroidery workshop I'm hosting for kids at my sons’ school. (Fun fact: 5th graders are, unsurprisingly, more focused than our adult students — speaking of which, our next class is May 7th and still has a couple of spots left. SIGN UP HERE.)

Sitting across from me? Katie Holmes. She’s in suede ballet flats, wide-leg jeans, a sheer white sweater, and a stack of delicate gold necklaces. Hair in a top bun, scrolling her phone like the rest of us. Completely unnoticed, just living her life. She’s seated next to a man who’s easily in his 80s, maybe 90s, working on a laptop with an iced latte. On his other side? A construction worker in a neon vest, and a bro with a Yankee cap and laptop plastered in stickers. God, I love New York. (Psst - Go Knicks.)

Yesterday marked a certain someone’s 100th day destroying our country. We marked the occasion by wearing our new favorite sweatshirts and watching Beyoncé and her adorable daughters kick off what is already an iconic cultural tour.

Last week at the LF Townhouse, we hosted a women’s wellness panel led by the incredible Natasha Poniatowski of LaRoot World. If you haven’t checked out her Ayurvedic-based meal delivery service, do it. Natasha is offering LF readers 15% off. Use code LINGUAFRANCA. It's life changing.

Our panel included:

Molly Knauer @mollysbest: a medical advisor and genius nutritionist

Nidhi Pandya @my_ayurvedic_life: an encyclopedia of wisdom and author of Your Body Already Knows

Amanda Kahn, MD @amandakahnmd: a board-certified longevity expert and Oprah’s pick for top anti-aging specialist (no big deal).

Among the gems I wrote down:

- It's healthiest to eat cheese while drinking wine. There’s science to back it. Vive la France.

- We all need more peptides and kimchee.

- Consider right nostril breathing before eating to help stimulate liver.

And, here’s how our panelists start their mornings:

Amanda: Cold therapy + peptides

Molly: No coffee on an empty stomach + two Brazil nuts to jumpstart metabolism

Nidhi: Lymphatic face massage, breathwork, a warm breakfast — treat it like a ritual

Wanna host something cool at our Jane Street space, email us! (info@linguafranca.nyc)

WHAT I WORE THIS WEEK:

L to R: Petra Button Down; Vaggelis Crewneck & Grikos Pant ; Marathi Crewneck in Cream Stripe, Brushed Wool A-line Skirt in Linen; Brooke Cardigan in Mist & Goldie Fringe Skirt.

Also last week: I was a guest of the endlessly cool Laura Bickford for the much beloved NY Public Library Lunch. Laura is the daughter-in-law of THE Katharine Graham, which finally pushed me to watch this documentary on her incredible life. It’s excellent and inspiring.

On the way out, I bumped into the fabulous Aimee Bell and shamelessly begged her for an early copy of Keith McNally’s memoir, I Regret Almost Everything. It arrived the next day, and of course, I dropped everything and dove right in. If you follow his IG, this won’t come as a shock, but Keith is a wildly entertaining storyteller: sharp, self-deprecating, and totally unfiltered. Reading it feels like a boozy, late-night gossip session in a red leather booth at Balthazar (or, in my case, The Waverly Inn).

I have it on VERY good authority that McNally's book is already in the process of being adapted for the screen. Fabulous. And, while we’re at it, can someone please do the same for Griffin Dunne’s The Friday Afternoon Club?

Next on Aimee’s publishing list: Elyce Arons’ memoir of her time building Kate Spade with Katy. I can’t wait. Elyce is a neighbor (spot her stunning townhouse on @Calebwsimpson), founder of Frances Valentine, and just generally one of those women who makes you feel sunnier just by standing near her.

I'm also currently halfway through The Netanyahus by Joshua Cohen and Early Thirties by Josh Duboff — both got shelved temporarily because, well, McNally.

Also on my nightstand: Dear New York, I Love You by Ria Sim. Its a gorgeous new hardcover featuring hand-drawn favorite spots around the city, including our LF Townhouse! It’s the perfect hostess gift.

Next up: The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad.

Big congrats to Bobbi Brown on her new book, Still Bobbi, coming out Sept 25th. We're honored to be included on the cover (!!).

After a trunk show at my friend Kim’s in Greenwich (forgot how fun these in-home shows are. Reach out if you want to host one!), I stopped by a lovely Il Buco reception for the Japanese artist Yu Nishimura to celebrate his opening at the Zwirner gallery uptown: Yu Nishimura: Clearing Unfolds. Add it, and these to your list of must- sees this Spring in NYC.

Also, like basically every other woman I know looking for an escape, I have officially been bitten by the Mahjong bug. First lesson with my ride-or-die mom pals: two hours of bliss! If you’re NYC-based and want to learn, Rochelle is your girl. Email me if you want her details (NYC only).

On the mom-style tip: I am and always have been obsessed with “mom pants,” so I'm excited to see they are officially in style for "young moms." Our's have been on repeat for me this season.

Gwyneth is eating carbs again. Let’s send her this sweater!

Martha Stewart continues to serve me the exact thing I need in my life right now to survive.

That’s all for now. Sending love and hoping your week is happy and healthy.

xo,
Rachelle

I sent nine teenagers on a wild Easter egg hunt on a beach in Montauk last weekend. Teens are way more fun than they get credit for. I'm truly digging this phase the most!

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