My glass (of gratitude) is always full when I’m at my fave new hangout: NOMO Kitchen in Soho. It’s become my go-to thanks to Rebecca Cole’s cozy apres-ski vibe and the amazing staff. Big shout out to Angelo (on pic above wearing pink hat)!

And with that Scroll down for this week’s top 10 list.

1. Listen/Watch: road-trippin’ thru AZ with Tom Green (Crushing on him big time)

LOVE THIS SONG. I’m also jealous that Tom Green gets to explore the Sonoran Desert wilderness (Cabeza Prieta) on his lonesome. As a woman, even if I were armed (as he is), I would be scared to go this far off the grid. Do younger women feel this way, or is it just me?

If you’re even a teensy bit curious about taking an adventurous road trip:

• Highly recommend subscribing to Tom Green’s YouTube channel.
• He doesn’t post often but when he does, it’s worth watching.
• It’s also an excellent way to learn about the technology needed to create amazing travel content, e.g., the drones he uses to capture the vastness of this landscape or his in-van broadcast studio for his podcast.

2. major thanks TO YouTube for sending me their Culture & Trends Report (along with the new Google Home Hub)

For anyone interested in trends, YouTube’s global insights on digital culture are essential viewing. Their report covers 3 key thematic areas, each introduced with a short (3 mins) overview video. And, of course, you have the option to go deeper with each topic.

TIP: Don’t let the report overwhelm you. It breaks into snack-size segments easily.

• However, I do highly recommend you spend 15-30 minutes watching the 5 introductory videos that I’ve embedded above.
• Each contains solid data, all based on billions of users (and analyzed by IPSOS).
• On top of that, it’s global. You can check out all trends by country (in that country’s language with English subtitles).
• Many thanks to Eric Frick at RQ Agency for tracking me down and sending this my way.

3. Dumpster diving for covid shots (not really but….)

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health does not have any sort of official “standby” process for vaccine distribution and “does not advise residents to show up at vaccination sites in the hopes of receiving a leftover vaccine at the end of the day.” However, it did acknowledge that some people are being given doses that would otherwise be wasted. 

Complex/LA Times

This week, 6 of my friends (65+) got their first vaccine shots and although getting an appointment online is a bit hit or miss, each mentioned that the actual process of getting the shot couldn’t have been easier or better organized. For those younger than 65 and not in a priority group, getting the vaccine is turning into a bit of a Hunger Games scrimmage.

I’m still scheduled to get my first shot on Feb 23 at Javits.

• Getting vaccinated – or not – has definitely become the topic du jour among my friends.
• For those wondering how effective the vaccine is, this recent report out of Israel is highly encouraging.
• Based on over 100K people who have gotten both doses, the chances of getting COVID afterwards is almost non-existent.
• Of the 20 (out of 100K) who did get infected, most had pre-existing conditions and yet having been vaccinated, their symptoms were mild with no hospitalizations required.

4. The best engineers are starting to work on drones (forget about EVs)

Joseph Mardall, a Cambridge and MIT-educated mechanical engineer who cut his teeth as an aerodynamicist at McLaren Racing is leaving Tesla (after 10 years) to join Zipline, a medical drone delivery startup.

And Zipline has big plans

• Zipline is partnering with Walmart for on-demand drone deliveries of health and wellness products.
• Testing will begin this year near Walmart’s headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas.
• Zipline has delivered over 200,000 critical medical products to health facilities in multiple countries.
• The partnership with Walmart is the first step toward potential national-scale operations across the US. (Source: The Verge)

5. Coronasomnia got me! Anybody else having trouble sleeping?

I have been unable to get a solid night’s sleep for months. My problem stems from going to bed so much earlier than I did pre-pandemic. My socializing used to keep me out until midnight. During pandemic times, however, I’m having an “early bird” dinner at a restaurant by 6 pm, home by 8 and into bed by 9. With no TV, I nod off early (often while watching podcasts). Even when I get my usual 5 hours of sleep, I still wake up at 3 am.

According to UC Davis Health, coronasomnia is real and widespread across age groups

• It’s generally caused by acute stress, anxiety, and depression.
• But (as in my case), it’s also caused by changes in routines and decreased activity.
• I need to figure out a way to stay awake (without watching TV) from 8 pm until midnight. If I nod off before then, I still get sufficient hours of sleep but I’m wide awake at 3 am.

6. Or perhaps Moonbathing is the answer. with the new Hendrick’s Lunar Gin.

Super cool idea!! This limited edition gin launched yesterday (January 28) to coincide with the first full moon of 2021. Which, btw, per the Astro Twins, is the Day of Miracles (in astrology, and hopefully also for off-premise liquor sales!

Coincidentally, Dior also venturing into the same fantasy, mystical realm.

7. “Statement” Coats are very trendy this year.

Some fabulous ones sighted at Galerie Perrotin’s Daniel Arsham show last week. Exhibition is also amazing – you need to make a res. This is a HOT TICKET!

8. “Charcuterie ~ it’s similar to a Lunchable, but a bit more upscale.” Shelley Burkett, Owner, Graze ‘Em College Station (Charcuterie Box Service)

Charcuterie boards have transitioned from “fancy” to mainstream thru social media. Charcuterie has 325 million views on TikTok and 1.4 million hashtags on Instagram. Its popularity exploded during the pandemic when entrepreneurial snack-crafters built booming home businesses around charcuterie boards and grazing boxes. Most mindblowing (for me) is seeing charcuterie described on websites and promotional materials as an upgrade on Lunchables!! But hey, why not?

Here are some examples of how popular they’ve become around the country:

“We have expanded beyond charcuterie to do dessert boards, brunch boards, candy boards and more. Our brunch selection has even expanded beyond pastries and fruit to be a full salmon and cream cheese board. We are debuting a bloody mary board soon — we did a few of them for clients, and they were a huge hit.”

Lindsay Anvik, Co-Owner Babe & Butcher, Charlotte, NC

Volpi Foods, an 119-year-old institution in St. Louis is livestreaming charcuterie classes

Volpi launched a line of single-serve portions of dry-cured meats in September. Initial orders were five times what the company had expected.

This winter, Volpi has hosted livestream charcuterie classes, demonstrating how to roll pillars of prosciutto, crosshatch stacks of crackers and coax the arils from a pomegranate. Next up is a Super Bowl-themed tutorial.

St. Louis Dispatch, 1/25/2021

9. Keep an eye on Boise: One of my favorite cities! it’s going to roar back this year!

For those working remotely, Boise Hotels Are Offering a HUGE Home Office Upgrade.

Among hotels mentioned, is The Modern. I’d set up there in a nanosecond (Source: 107.9 Lite FM)

‘Elevated’ Boise dining: New local restaurants opening with Michelin-starred chefs (Source: Idaho Statesman)

Exciting to see so many top-notch restaurants scheduled to open (or reopen) over the next few months, e.g., The Lively, Kin, Little Pearl Oyster Bar. It will definitely give the city a boost as it recovers from the pandemic.

Boise has an amazing food scene – with a lot of restaurateurs and chefs having spent time at some of the best eateries in NYC. In 2019, I spent a weekend there with a group of friends and we were blown away by the experience. Photos below from Petite 4 Restaurant one of my all-time favorites. Link to ZandlSlant covering Boise trip, here.

10. And finally, absolutely Heartbroken about the Standard WEst Hollywood.

It closed permanently last Friday (Jan 22) and I feel like a piece of my soul has been ripped out of my being. I LOVED everything about this hotel: the staff (especially Jon D), the vibe, “my” room (#137). This was a huge part of my life (and my business) from the day the Standard opened in 1999, for well over 20 years. I routinely stayed there 3 months per year. It was quintessentially me and felt better than any home away from home I could imagine. Really gutted by this in a way I haven’t felt for other closures. Will sorely miss my Standard Family.

And on that glass-half-empty note, I’m going to call it a wrap.

However, all is not doom and gloom, I had some fabulous get-togethers and birthday celebrations this week for all my Capricorn friends. And before anyone gets their knickers in a twist, we all wear masks, these photos were all taken while we were dining or just after.

And once again, shout out to Rebecca Cole for creating the most splendid winter hangout for all of us at NOMO Soho. Highly recommend but make sure you get a reservation. As inconceivable as it sounds when it is 20 degrees outside, tables are most often fully booked – no matter what day or time!.

I’ll be there this Sunday with the one and only Sarah Nina Hayon to celebrate her first return to NYC of the 2021 season.

And that’s it for this week. Not much on the agenda besides a major reorg/declutter project of my apartment starting this weekend.

Inspired to do this by my favorite astrologer, Madalyn Aslyn, who states that January 30 – February 20 is the perfect time for spring cleaning!

“Mercury retrograde is an excellent time to spring clean your house, the best time for clearing through clutter, re-organizing your desk, papers, clothes, you name it. So, try to get a jump before the new month begins.“

Madalyn Aslan

And on that note, wishing you all a great weekend. Stay safe, be well but don’t forget to have some fun as well.

Until next week (February already!!).