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Thursday, September 19, 2019

Candy in the City

Candy--my nickname, her real name is Madonna, or Donna for short--was in the city for a couple days and I met her and her nice friend for dinner. Candy lives hours away now with her family, in Saratoga Springs, New York. Such a treat to see her.

All three of us earned our stripes--and heels, and handbags and insights--in the New York magazine world. Candy and Allegra worked together at two publications, including Women's Wear Daily, the fashion industry bible then in newspaper form. Candy and I were in offices across the hall from one another at Good Housekeeping and then she moved to Woman's Day, where I had started my career. All three of us worked at one time or another with Donna B., my boss for a while at GH.

The magazine world was--is?--a game of musical chairs.

Tonight we went to Chez Josephine, a charming restaurant on West 42nd Street that was opened by the son of famous French dancer Josephine Baker. It is a landmark, lovely and glamorous. Live piano music, excellent French food. My plate included petite, soft potato croquettes and slim green beans.
Isn't she lovely? Image of Josephine Baker from HERE.

Such a treat to eat at Chez Josephine.


TCOY, Day 5 off Sugar Road
  1. Important personal writing, short but to the point.
  2. Getting my ducks in a row for three writing projects.
  3. Overnight oats with banana.
  4. Did my makeup.
  5. Fresh berries for dessert at Chez J. Did not even blink at what must surely be superior--and chic--French desserts.
$ MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET
  • Lost a bet with Punch that she had homework--$1. But it turned out there was a technical problem and the teacher sent the homework email later. He hadn't sent his daily list, so I thought the girl was right.
  • DeCamp, round trip bus fare to NYC from my corner, $15.30.
  • Duane Reade in Port Authority. I forgot my slim golden Lilly Pulitzer makeup bag. In a pinch, bought Revlon eye-brightening concealer and a pot of pretty rose gold creme eye shadow. Fortunately, I had my Cherries in the Snow lipstick and Trish McEvoy mascara in my handbag. Still, $25.02. That's a lot, but I'm happy with the shadow pot.
  • Dinner, including excellent main course and mixed berries with whipped cream in a glass goblet for dessert, plus tax and tip, $60. [We didn't have drinks or coffee, just ice water.]
  • Tip for piano man, $2. He played "Moon River" and "Send in the Clowns."
TOTAL DAILY SPEND: $103.32.
RUNNING TOTAL FOR MONTH AS OF SEPTEMBER 19 [I ADDED YESTEDAY NOW]: $1,478.27.
AVERAGE DAILY SPEND SO FAR: $77.80.


Compare to last month:
TOTAL SPEND FOR MONTH OF AUGUST: $2,895.06. ⬆️
AUGUST AVERAGE DAILY SPEND: $93.39.  ⬆️

Big-ticket 🎟🎟 September spends:
🎟 Citarella at Hudson Yards, NYC, dinner; plus fresh fruit, etc. to bring home, $35.
🎟 Whole Foods, groceries, including present for Fig and big yellow mum plant, $84.
🎟 Whole Foods, groceries, including salmon for dinner and an iced coffee from the barista, $63.
🎟 ShopRite, groceries, laundry detergent etc., $50.
🎟 Sky Zone [worth it, Punchy went with her nice friends], $25.
🎟 Joyist, $29.
🎟 Kings, groceries, $46.
🎟 Piazza della Sole, comfy, high-end shoes, half-price, $90.
🎟 Gasoline, twice, $52.
🎟 Chinese lunch with Sis, $33.
🎟 Grocery shopping in Connecticut w Sis, $48.
🎟 CPAP dr. co-pay, specialist, $50.
🎟 Whole Foods again, including 3-pack soy candles, pound smoked salmon and Hydro Flask for Punch, $166.
🎟  Jackie's Grillette treat, casual dinner and soft drinks for three, plus tip, about $45.
🎟 Salon 212 blowout plus tips for job hunting Friday, $45.
🎟 Kings, prosciutto, fresh mozzarella for women's group platter, $58.
🎟 CVS, melatonin gummies, milk, Listerine, $30.
🎟 Kings, 1/2 gallon organic milk, 1/2 gallon oat milk, yellow baby potatoes, teriyaki sauce, Cabot shredded cheese, fresh black figs, 1.38 lb flank steak, etc, $48.
🎟 Kings again, groceries, $39.
🎟 Chez Josephine dinner with Candy and Allegra, $60.
🎟 Duane Reade, emergency makeup in Port Authority, $25.






2 comments:

  1. Love those trips into the city, nice restaurants and old friends.

    Today’s NYT real estate has an article about “teleworking “ with pictures of your Java Love. Looks lovely!


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    1. Hi Nan. Thanks! I love NYC in all her glory. :) Oh, cool--re teleworking at Java Love. Thanks for telling me! xoxo

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