Sí a To-Do List No.05
Spring is around the corner: ease into it with a must-watch love story, plates made to be shared, and necessary self-care rituals
Goodbye Q1, hello spring. I’m going to be real with you: It’s been hard for me to commit to writing this week — mostly because of a migraine that’s interrupted my work-play balance. Not every day is the greatest, but there is something great in every day. These 7 things are just too good to gatekeep. And I’m grateful to experience it all, pounding head and all. Onwards!
No.01 - The Discreet Charm of JG Melon
Food & Drink
The definition of an Upper East Side institution. Nestled on the corner of 74th Street and Third Avenue, JG Melon has been a neighborhood classic, serving no-fuss burgers since 1972. Known for their atmospheric dining room filled with unchanged watermelon-themed art, its beloved staff, and its cash-only policy, the menu is only one of the things that makes it special for locals.
My dad, who is loyal to his favorite spots, was the one to initially introduced me to this old-school pub — and after decades of visiting the city, I’m now his designated companion for a gratifying Sunday meal. Besides memorable family occasions, I’ve ordered the exact same thing the handful of other times I’ve been here: chili to share (with American cheese and onions), a bacon cheeseburger, cottage fried potatoes, and an ice-cold glass of Coke.
These guys know how to consistantly deliver an authentic burger to enjoy in a bustling scene where chaotic and laid-back meet in the middle. There’s a line for a reason. Talk about “less is more”: JG Melon will never go out of style.
Location: 1291 3rd Ave, New York - JG Melon (2026)
No.02 - A Generational Love Story
Entertainment & Media
I already miss CBK and JFK on my screen. I may not have been around when they were actually out and about in the city in the late 90s, but this dramatized retelling of their romance hit me like a ton of bricks. It also happens to be FX’s Most Watched Limited Series Ever on Disney+ and Hulu.
Ryan Murphy’s Love Story introduces us to the iconic couple from an individualistic point of view — one where we get to know each character and candid versions of their lives before they even meet each other. Carolyn Bessette is often remembered as the ultimate figure of quiet luxury and as the wife of the former president’s son, but she was also a salesperson turned successful publicist who became reponsible for VIP client relations and runways shows for Calvin Klein, as Director of Publicity and Show Productions. John F. Kennedy Jr., commonly reffered to as the “heir to Camelot”, was an attorney working at the Manhattan DA’s office who was involved in co-founding his (ahead of its’ time) political magazine, George. Their first encounter, as depicted in the show, takes place at a 1992 charity gala where they’re introduced by Calvin Klein. In reality, they hit it off organically when John visited the store for a suit fitting, and weren’t official until after his beloved mother, Jackie O, passed two years later.
With little context myself about their whirlwind marriage, I was blown away by the series’ angle of portraying Carolyn and John as simply human — people with singular personalities and distinct aspirations, yet undeniable chemistry. This captivating love story is brought to life through the fierce performances of Sarah Pidgeon and Paul Anthony Kelly, who embody Carolyn’s effortless elegance and independence, and John’s adventurous, charismatic nature.
From the curated wardrobe, intimate cinematography, iconic soundtrack, precise set design, and meticulous script delivery, each element compounds as a beautiful and tragic narrative. Deep anguish was captured in many moments. We experience semi-fictionalized versions of real events: family time in Hyannis, the secret candelit wedding on Cumberland Island, day-to-day in the Tribeca loft, and much more. It’s a ride where the couple’s connection is outpaced by the intensity of the media, fame, and in the end, by a heartbreaking plane crash that took their lives and Carolyn’s sister, Lauren’s.
It’s hard to comprehend the level of scrutiny they faced 3 decades ago, in a world so diffferent, as their relationship unfolded publicly under complicared standards — especially for the partner of “America’s son.” This show, Sarah and Paul, and the entire cast are not only remarkable, but also serve as a reminder that we never truly know what’s happening behind the scenes, and that kindness goes a long way. Get to know more about both couples, below.
Source: Sarah Pidgeon & Paul Anthony Kelly for Harper’s BAZAAR (2026) / Youtube
No.03 - “Move With Us” at FP Movement
Health & Wellness
Officially my longest running relationship with a fitness center. It’s been a year of spending occasional mornings at Free People’s SoHo studio, where I’ve tried a variety of classes and have slowly gotten better at them. Located beneath their flagship store, FP Movement offers a range of dynamic workouts led by experienced instructors who create a welcoming yet inspiringly intense wellness experience every time you attend.
Frankly, aside from an excessive step count due to my love of walking everywhere in the city, I rarely worked out before 2025. 15 months into consistently going to my home gym and attending weekend classes at SO many studios in cities besides NYC too — I’ve never felt better about my relationship with exercise (and nutrition *a story for another time). These classes were one of the things that got me here. Last year, I moved more 169/365 days. In 2026, with time to dedicate to something I’ve genuinely grown to enjoy, I’m determined to hit my goal working out 50%+ of the year.
But back to FP, don’t be fooled: these classes don’t get easier, you just get stronger. In the spectrum of my tried-and-true ones you should give a shot: Spicy Sculpt, Define, Strength & Sculpt, Sculpt & Burn, Power Yogalates Sculpt, and Power Yoga Sculpt. Quirky names, I know, but a few things are true about all of them: you’ll likely break a sweat without walking out drenched (perfect if you have brunch plans after), you will enjoy a clean space, gorgeously designed, stocked with great equipment, and bringing a friend makes the first few (painful) classes a lot more fun.
I think it’s the perfect way to start a Sunday downtown. Props to whoever at Free People came up with this perfectly sensical brand extension that meets growing demand for fitness that blends style and lifestyle. This retail-experience model allows move past product and into a community-driven company. It makes sense why every class is packed: they understood the athleisure boom and created a space that feels elevated at an approachable price point (via ClassPass). Just a few of the reasons I keep coming back.
Location: 583 Broadway, New York - FP Movement Studio (2026)
No.04 - When You Are Ready, This is How You Heal
Health & Wellness · Entertainment & Media
When you are ready, give this book a chance. Written by the bestselling author of 101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think (on my list), I thoroughly enjoyed taking my time working through this one during the first quarter of the year. I felt like Brianna Weist was speaking from experience, directly to me. With no expectations going in, I was pleasantly surprised.
I love a self-help book — its the only genre I’ll read besides marketing and business. What I look for when indulging in a new read is its ability to sometimes validate and sometimes challenge my worldview (at times it is really that deep). Reflection grounds me, and a book is a great companion for a slow morning — candle lit, homemade iced latte in hang, flipping through chapters at your own pace. I also take notes as I go, so I figured I’d share a few of the things I learned so as to not give too much away.
Healing is not a one-time event, but it can begin with one.
Perhaps you are here instead to enjoy the ride while you’re still on it.
What you give your time to is what will define your existence.
Before you know what’s right, you’ll know what’s wrong.
Your chest is where peace is and your heart is where love is.
The fullest expression of your potential isn’t about quantity, but quality.
When life gives you the opportunity to change, don’t let it pass by.
If it feels like you can’t move forward, remember how far you’ve come.
It’s not always about starting over, but about how we might just show up.
Love is much like life, it takes everything and gives everything back.
If you’re on a personal development journey (we all are), this could be for you.
Source: When You Are Ready, This is How You Heal by Brianna Weist (2022),(2026)
No.05 - BondST
Food & Drink
Dim, loud, and delicious — that’s BondST. On the second floor of a NoHo brownstone, you’ll find a cozy dining room that comes alive. On their menu, you’ll find a long list of inventive, high-end, Japanese-inspired cuisine.
On my second visit at this popular restaurant for a double date night, I can confirm that the food is good enough to overpower the slightly overwhelming vibe in the room. It’s elegant, but surprisingly noisy and dark for reasons unknown. It all factors into the experience. In my opinion, the appetizers are the highlight, but quality and presentation across the board is special.
Don’t miss: Big Eye Tuna Tarts, Szechuan Yellowtail Sashimi, Red Snapper Tacos, Tuna Crispy Rice, Spicy Crispy Shrimp. It is pricey, but there are few spots for the sushi-adjacent craving for a fancier night out downtown, and to my knowledge so far, this is one of the best one of them.
Location: 6 Bond St, New York - BondST (2026)
No.06 - The World’s Largest Nespresso Boutique
Food & Drink · Marketing & Business
I’d like to pitch the idea of Nespresso rolling out actual, down-to-earth coffee shops (my criteria is specific) that don’t scream CPG at every turn, like the usual urban Nespresso retail store. Until then, I’m just another loyal customer interacting with their brand on a daily basis.
The new Nespresso NYC Flagship in the midst of the Flatiron district is now open, aspiring to replace older boutique formats and "be more than just a store”. The 2-level location, their largest in the world, features a self-serve coffee bar with free tastings, a vinyl-inspired lounge, masterclass sessions, and the full selection of their catalog; from machines to their typical rainbow capsule sleeve wall. This as sensorial as a brand experiences get in the city for buying coffee, and this new space lends itself the idea of “sticking around”.
I have to shoutout my most-purchased item: Bianco Doppio pods for the Vertuo Pop+ machine — because they’re simply the best base for my iced lattes. Combined with regular milk, tons of ice, and a bit of brown sugar, honey, or cinnamon, these pods deliver the perfect espresso ratio given their biscuity profile and creamy texture. Not too bitter, not too sweet.
But since the new store wasn’t particularly groundbreaking, another touchpoint of theirs stood out for me this weekend. If you own a machine, you know the pain of descaling every few months. Mine decided to fully reject my commands until a customer service associate calmly guided me over the phone, through a video link, to fix it. He even helped me perform a remote software update via the NespressoSmart app and and stayed with me until he literally saw my full cup of coffee ready to enjoy. Omnichannel = nailed.
Location: 85 5th Avenue, New York - Nespresso NYC Flagship Flatiron (2026)
No.07 - Embroidery Reimagined at Abbode
Art & Design · Marketing & Business
Never enough gift ideas. Abbode was founded by Abigail Price in 2020 and after arriving in the city by mid-2021, took a transformative turn in 2022 with the introduction of custom embroidery. Today, they are a go-to destination for personalized pieces that capture personalities through color and texture.
From monogrammed pillow cases to their Waffle Pouches (my favorite, even though I’ve only gifted them and don’t yet own one * hoping to get lucky), the friendly, young staff bring your vision to life with their in-store embroidery machines. Known for adding a personal touch to every product, it’s clear from a consumer standpoint that this brand stems from a place of celebrating uniqueness through design — a principle we share.
I first discovered them stumbling upon a brand event with my friend Andre, who eventually customized a red-apple-themed canvas tote with my initials for my birthday last year. Since then, I’ve seen my sisters’ friend group gift waffle pouches to each other on their birthdays; each custom, each crafted with exceptional quality. I’ve had a few made myself to give as gifts, and I can tell you that the experience is quick, easy, and even fun — with a turnaround time often before the 24-hour mark. There’s plenty of options, spanning ages and genders (we got one made for my 18-year old cousin, because what do you even gift teenage boys nowadays?).
The store itself is filled with vibrant inspiration. For bonus points, you can find them on the charming lineup of small stores along Elizabeth Street (in descending order) including: Still Here, Boy Smells, L’Appartment Sèzane, Caffe Paradiso, and Le Labo, to name a few. A great stroll, even better stops.
Location: 252 Elizabeth St - Abbode (2026)
Since you’ll be hearing from me again soon, I’ll let you go now. I appreciate you sticking around, hopefully some of these make it into your rotation.