Infusing grandeur into otherwise drab Mondays with five things/ideas/events for the week:

I.  I naively imagined that once the two galas I chaired this month were over, I would have tons of free time… The thing about starting a company is that you never have tons of free time - you just learn to live on less and less sleep. After using my hectic schedule as an excuse to subsist almost entirely on DoorDash and Postmates the last few months, I’m attempting to get back into the kitchen. The easiest way to save time there is to make meals using store-bought rotisserie chicken (Mollie Stone’s is the best, but Costco or Safeway’s organic versions are fine in a pinch). My favorite recipes in this genre are Black Bean Shredded Chicken Salad, Neiman Marcus Chili Blanco, and Spicy Pulled Chicken Sandwiches. First up, salad tonight!

II.  Over too many mimosas yesterday, some girlfriends and I lamented over the tedious nature of dating via app. All of the usual suspects were discussed: ghosting, lascivious pic requests, embellished height/weight/careers, lack of chemistry, too much chemistry (less politely referred to as “one night stands”), objectification, lack of depth, etc. But the most common reason my friends gave for avoiding these apps was the amount of time necessary to filter through potential matches, engage in conversation, set a date, get ready for the date (including necessary internet stalking), go on the date, and then either get over the fact that your date didn’t like you or you didn’t like your date. When I woke up this morning to the New Yorker piece Work It: Is Dating Worth the Effort? I was almost certain the author had been listening in on our brunch. Though I don’t agree with all of the points, if you’re similarly single it’s certainly worth browsing on your way home this evening.

III.  I simply can’t wrap my head around the fact that it’s almost June. Weren’t we celebrating New Year’s Eve a moment ago?? With summer months on the horizon, I’m craving outdoor spaces that are just as beautifully curated as indoor designs. And this tiny garden by East Coast designer Megan Pflug is absolute perfection. Other than the glam porthole mirror and classic striped cabana pillow, I’m completely smitten with all the greenery. Particularly the easily replicated ivy trellis, which Megan outlined as a DIY project here. Now I just need a backyard…

IV.  Summer months are also synonymous with travel. If you’ve yet to fill your calendar with exotic foreign locales and weekends in Tahoe, I highly suggest considering a trip to the South based on Reese Witherspoon’s recent New York Times article featuring her go-to destinations, restaurants, and activities in the region. Reese’s descriptions of the perfectly preserved Charleston and the infamous Nashville music scene left me itching to jump on a flight.

V.  I’m constantly on the lookout for places to take the foster child I mentor and advocate for as part of the volunteer CASA program. I know that many of you are parents or aunts/uncles, which means you’re in the same boat. There are only so many times you can go to the movies or the park, and you aren’t going to win many children over with trips to the museum. When I spotted an article boasting the 33 outdoor places all children must visit in the Bay Area, I was intrigued. Even though I grew up here, I have to admit that I haven’t been to all of the places on the list and I can’t wait to check them out.

Have a wonderful week! xx tt