I don’t trust myself with Ozempic.

An honest check-in, one year into strength training—on control, temptation, and choosing a different path.

Hello, lovers.

Reporting live from the kind of spring weekend that can’t help but put a pep in your step. Luckily, today’s letter was 85% drafted when I woke up because last night culminated in dancing till 3 am at a Baz Luhrmann-backed bar on the Lower East Side. It was the most quintessential New York night—the kind that reminds me how lucky I am to be in this chapter of life.

This marathon of sorts was my second endurance workout of the day, considering I started my Saturday with a five-mile run in Central Park to see the magnolias and cherry blossoms in bloom! The endorphin high from a sunny Saturday run is like nothing else. In another world, I’d wander over during the middle of the work week for a leisurely walk to see the blooms, but alas, capitalism! Work! So, so much weeeerrrkkk.

I try not to think of this newsletter as “work,” but the amount of time I carve out for it every week says otherwise. I’ve actually been toying with the idea of dedicating an entire issue to how the sausage gets made because I have so many people who ask how I manage it all, but I fear it could be too self-aggrandizing?? If you think an issue like this would be fascinating (essentially, a roadmap on how to make time for the creative pursuit you claim not to have space for), holler. But let’s get into it, shall we?

• What I’ve been watching, reading, and listening to this week

• What I’m buying during the Sephora Sale

• The Vault (Paid Subscriber Exclusive): an honest check-in, one year into committing to consistent strength training amidst a world where everyone is seemingly shrinking

On the pop culture front, it was a busy week. Aubrey Plaza and Christopher Abbott are expecting a child together, which thrills me in ways I can’t quite explain. A few months back, we saw them while we were also dining at Commerce Inn, and it just felt so right? On that note, Girls fans: we get to look forward to the release of Lena Dunham’s memoir, Famesick, set to hit stands on Tuesday. I’m so hyped! Here’s a fun interview to listen to in the interim of its release…

Reading-wise, I’ve been enamored with Yesteryear by caro claire burke—I was fortunate to get my hands on an early copy and can’t put it down! I assure you this is going to be one of the buzziest books of the year, aided by an upcoming adaptation, in which Anne Hathaway is acting and producing. Otherwise, our West Village Book Club April book is Once and Again, Rebecca Serle’s latest, which I read back in December when in Australia. It’s compact and poignant, as all her novels are; Rebecca was a TSS guest when her last novel came out. For me, every book of hers is an auto-buy.

On the streaming front, Friday night, my dear friend Jenna came over, and we watched the Laguna Beach Reunion. It wasn’t as juicy as I’d hoped, but it was fun to watch, if only to reminisce over how differently TV looked 20 years ago!! I’m currently in the midst of rewatching Euphoria in preparation for season three, which drops its first episode today. And on the movie front, this afternoon, I’m headed to AMC to see Zendaya and Robert Pattinson in The Drama, which has been getting divisive reviews. More to come.

Before we dive into the heart of this week’s letter, a special thanks for all your kind notes on last week’s edition, where I dove into some of my favorite pieces in my apartment. I can’t believe I’ve been in my studio for five years now!!!!

Okay, now onto the beauty of it all. No matter how busy life gets, if there’s one thing I’ll always make time for, it’s the Sephora sale. Equal parts restock, refresh, and a slightly dangerous excuse to try something new, this is always a moment to revisit the products I swear by—and the ones I’ve been eyeing. I’ve rounded up the picks I don’t think you should miss below!

• INNBEAUTY Extreme Cream: this moisturizer is an absolute GAME CHANGER! The perfect weight is something our entire friend group is in agreement on being a must-have.

• Saie Glowy Super Gel: perfect for an instant glow under makeup, even when you have no tan.

• Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer in Silk: I don’t remember life before this magical product. If I could only have one makeup item on a stranded island, this would be it.

• Rhode Eye Patches: I’m in my eye patch era! I keep these in the fridge and love throwing them on in the morning.

• Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Drops: ‘tis the season to start putting these drops back in my daily lather of body lotion.

• Kérastase 8h Night Hair Serum: I put two pumps into my hair every other night. Smells fantastic!

• K18 AirWash Dry Shampoo: what they’re saying is true…this dry shampoo is unlike any other product on the market. Goes on in a light spritz (versus aggressive aerosol) and doesn’t leave a residue.

• Ouai Medium Hair Shampoo and Oui Medium Hair Conditioner: my current shampoo/conditioner combo! Love the weight and smell.

• Tatcha Kissu Hydrating and Plumping Lip Mask: I’m addicted to this! A must before bed to stay hydrated.

• Rare Beauty Tinted Lip Oil: this tint stays on so well. And, fun fact, it was the one Alysa Liu was seen asking for to reapply before she podiumed for her gold medal.

• Makeup by Mario Lip Pencil: last night, I went to reline my lips and we started giggling because all three of us use these same liners. That should be endorsement enough! I love the Rich Mauve colorway.

• Tatcha Rice Wash Skin Softening Cleanser: this has little beads in it to exfoliate, which is so needed on the road.

• Inn Beauty Extreme Cream Mini: as mentioned above, this is my holy grail, and I can’t live without it, especially when on the go.

• Caudalie Beauty Elixir: perfect to hydrate on the plane and keep the skin feeling fresh.

• DedCool 01 “Taunt” Travel Perfume: this is an easy, neutral-smelling fragrance to keep in my dopp kit.

• K18 AirWash Dry Shampoo: again, as mentioned below, this is a must for second-day hair.

• Westman Atelier Bronzing Drops: my friend Jenna endorsed these, and I’m excited to try!

• Armani Eye Tint Liquid Shadow: keep seeing this pop up everywhere and feel it’s time to take the plunge.

• Better Than Sex Volumizing Mascara: another Jenna rec!!

• Crown Affair Microfiber Towel: I’m in need of a microfiber towel replacement, and the girlies seem to love this one.

• Hourglass No. 15 Blush Brush, Hourglass Finish Concealer Brush and Hourglass Foundation Brush: I’ve been in severe need of a new set of makeup brushes, and these ones are widely endorsed as the best.

And now, the juicy bits. In my first letter of 2025, I wrote about trusting myself enough to own a scale for the first time since I was 19. Back then, my college roommate quite literally confiscated mine because I had become obsessive—stepping on it each morning before my two-a-day workouts, despite weighing nearly 30 pounds less than I do now…and still believing I needed to lose more.

That version of me was three marathons and many personal reawakenings ago. That headspace ruled by insecurity feels both like a distant memory and a version of myself that I can immediately conjure. And for obvious reasons, before delving into exactly what I mean by that, it feels safer to continue sharing behind the paywall.