Tis Autumn 🍂

Sep 24, 2025

Fall landed on Monday, and I’ll be honest—I wasn’t exactly in the mood to celebrate. I was already feeling under the weather, and between the world burning and some incidents that shook me to the core—questioning if people are even good—the seasonal switch felt heavy. I’m often seen as the sweet one, but a few things lately have tested that. I don’t ever want to be mistaken for someone who can be taken advantage of. Still, I managed to find little pockets of peace.

Thursday night was my client Andy King’s VIP event for the Anne Saxelby Legacy Fund, a program that provides paid farm apprenticeships for young adults, with its annual benefit bringing 130+ chefs, artisans, and mixologists together at Chelsea Market. Oysters galore, trays being passed faster than you could slurp them down, glasses of champagne never empty. A night where the city felt indulgent and alive. Then a night with my girls at Maya NYC, where the all-you-can-eat/drink menu (yes, $59!) was actually delicious. But with everything going on, the moment that grounded me most was being alone—getting my nails done, hiding out at home, and savoring those last breaths of summer.

In between it all, I found myself searching for quotes to anchor my mood, and this one kept circling back: “Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go.” I’ve been hearing some version of that all week—from friends, clients, even random conversations—and now it shows up here. I’m taking it as a sign to lean into release and trust the season.

Another that stuck with me: “I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth; I came from really humble beginnings—the projects of New York City—and I worked my way to get to where I am.” – Adrienne Bailon. It reminded me of a moment at an event where someone assumed I must be from the suburbs just because I had knowledge about food and entertaining. The reality: I grew up in the Woodside projects and moved to Crown Heights at 15. Nothing about my path has been handed to me, and I carry that reminder every season I step into.

Now I’m ready for my favorite season, the one that makes getting dressed feel like play: