New York & Connecticut: A Trip That Did Not Disappoint

Y'all. Where do I even start. I just got back from one of those trips where everything kind of lines up perfectly — the food, the company, the shopping — and you come home a little tired but mostly just really, really grateful. New York into Connecticut. Let's get into it.

Balthazar: Because Some Lunches Deserve a Standing Ovation

If you've never had lunch at Balthazar in SoHo, I need you to put it on your list immediately. Like, right now. It is the most perfectly New York experience you can have — the noise, the mirrors, the gorgeous zinc bar, the bread basket that arrives like God himself sent it. I could go every single time I'm in the city and never once feel like I needed a new restaurant. The steak frites, the oysters, the moules — everything is just right. You sit down, you settle in, you order one more thing than you meant to, and two hours later you emerge back onto Spring Street a slightly happier person. 

Locanda Verde: A Love Story in TriBeCa

Dinner that night was at Locanda Verde and honestly I think about it still. Andrew Carmellini's Italian spot in the Greenwich Hotel has this incredible energy. It's the kind of room where you can feel that people genuinely LOVE being there. Not just seeing and being seen they actually love it. The ricotta toast. THE RICOTTA TOAST. If you know, you know. If you don't know, I'm so excited for you to find out. The pasta situation is also not to be trifled with. We stayed way too long, ordered way too much, and left extremely happy. This is the correct way to do Locanda Verde.

The Road Trip: A Turo, a PT Office, and a Night Driver

Okay but can we talk about getting there for a second. I left the city with my darling goddaughter Taylor in tow (sales lady extraordinaire, absolute angel, and as I would discover, a committednight driver.) We did our very first Turo rental, which if you haven't done it, is where you pick up a random car in a random parking lot from a random stranger and just... drive away. Very normal. Very fine. We made a pit stop at what I can only describe as a random physical therapist's office in Stamford, CT because when nature calls, you answer, and Connecticut apparently provides and then we absolutely beelined it to New Preston. Did I drive like a bat out of hell? Yes. Yes I did. Zero regrets. But here's the thing the BEST part of this whole trip, honestly, was getting to connect with my three friends who live in Darien. Two of them have been my best friends since 6th grade. And one is a college bestie from my University of Texas days. We ate pizza (and can we discuss the fact that Connecticut apparently claims to be THE pizza state?! I did not have that on my bingo card but I am now a believer) and cheese from the most special little cheese store in Darien. Big time. It is a rare and wonderful thing to sit around a table with people who have known you forever and just pick right back up. Say yes to the dinners. Say yes to the detours. Say yes to the random Turo in the parking lot. 

Coye Nokes, moi, Michelle Atkinson, Blair Brindley, and Molly Baldwin — my ride or dies. Two best friends since 6th grade and one UT bestie, all under one very spectacular tent. And yes, we did count the Fraulein boots in this photo. We are not sorry. 

The Ticking Tent: Connecticut, Come Through

The Ticking Tent was born on a cold, rainy Friday afternoon over lunch at Pastis in New York City. Founders Christina Juarez and Benjamin Reynaert dreamed it up right there over lunch and turned it into one of the most beloved curated shopping events in the Northeast. Twice a year T.T.T. pops up "in the country," and every single time it is just bursting with unique, sought-after treasures from the most talented artisans, makers, and bespoke brands from across the globe. Christina and Benjamin personally vet every vendor, and you can feel that intentionality the moment you walk in. Nothing is there by accident. This spring the show was on May 2nd in New Preston, CT and we were lucky enough to attend the VIP evening, co-sponsored by William Pitt Sotheby's International Realty and Chubb. In collaboration with Stark Blooms,it was just the most gorgeous, fragrant, perfect touch, flowers everywhere, the whole place felt like a garden party dream. Being in a room full of people who are genuinely passionate about beautiful, well-made things? My people, truly. And can I just say, it was a particularly special show for us, because Fraulein Boot Company was there as a vendor! Pinch me!! There is something so fun and surreal about showing up to a show you love and getting to be a part of it. We were thrilled and so grateful for the warm welcome from the Ticking Tent community.

My darling goddaughter Taylor holding it DOWN at the Fraulein Boot Company table. Sales lady extraordinaire, I tell you what.

Lil ole moi at the Fraulein Boot Company booth

Vendor Spotlights: A Few of My Favorites

A few of the vendors absolutely stopped me in my tracks. The Spring 2026 lineup was genuinely incredible — so much talent under one tent — and these are the ones I keep thinking about.

Sarah Bray Bermuda

I literally squealed when I saw Sarah Bray Bermuda was at the show. I met Sarah when we had just, just just JUST, started Fraulein Boot Company, and she has always held a very special place in my heart. She wasn't there in person this time, but her darling hats were, along with the sweetest sales associate manning her booth, and honestly that was more than enough to send me over the moon. Do yourself a favor and go find her. You will not regret it for one single second.

The Salting

Okay this brand. The Salting is a luxury ready-to-wear and home accessories line made exclusively in New York by husbands and co-creative directors Michael Ward and Manel Garcia Espejo. They source their fabrics from European mills committed to sustainable practices, and you can feel the intention in every single thing they make. Vogue and WWD have both featured them. They won Fashion Group International's Rising Star Award in 2024. Oprah is a fan. Charlotte Moss is a fan. Nick Wooster is a fan. And now I am a firmly devoted fan. One of the other vendors tried on a few Salting pieces and just... waltzed through the tent. ALL eyes were on her. She was breathtaking and she made those clothes absolutely come alive on her body. That is the sign of truly special clothing. It doesn't just hang on a rack. It does something. The Salting does something. You can find them at their flagship boutique in Bellport, NY, at Bergdorf Goodman, and at Clic or follow along at @thesaltingny.

Third Act Vintage

Then there was Sally of Third Act Vintage. We were chatting away at her table and apparently let a "y'all" slip — and she looked right at us and said "I'm a y'all!" Turns out she's from Memphis and not one bit afraid to y'all with us, and honestly that was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Her eye for vintage jewelry is just extraordinary. She has that gift where everything she picks just means something. Every piece had a story and she knew every single one of them. I could have stayed at her table for hours. Find Sally. She is the real deal and an absolute must-see at every future show.

Snappy Chocolates

Snappy Chocolates are as beautiful as they are delicious. But what really stole my heart at this booth was the founder's daughter, right there beside her mom, describing the different samples to customers and helping sell with the most earnest, enthusiastic little pitch you have ever seen in your life. I mean. Are you kidding me with that? Future CEO in the making. Go find Snappy Chocolates, buy everything, and if that little girl is there, let her talk you through the samples. You will leave a better person.

Emily Ridings

And then there was Emily Ridings from Kentucky, the basket girl. Her baskets are the kind of handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces that you just do not find anymore, and the craftsmanship is absolutely stunning. Every single one tells a story. She is the real deal, and if you see her at a future show you stop, you look, and you bring something home. 

oHHo

As someone who is California sober, I am always on the lookout for a really good hemp product and oHHo is the real deal. Their entire focus is on the medicinal properties of botanicals, and they work hand in hand with local growers and world-class biochemists to deliver products that are pure, sustainably grown, and genuinely effective. Full transparency, always. No smoke and mirrors pun absolutely intended. Their whole ethos is high vibes, hard work, and good energy, and you can feel that in everything they make. This is a brand that actually believes in what it's doing, and it shows. If you're curious about hemp and want to start somewhere trustworthy and wonderful, start here. Good vibes all around.

Final Thought

This trip reminded me why I love to travel, not just to see new places, but to find your people in unexpected pockets of the world. New York is always New York. Connecticut surprised me. Say yes to the trips!