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Bon Weekend: 5 March 2021

by habituallychic

03 . 05 . 21

It’s freezing in New York right now but warm weather so I look forward to spending some time at home reading and watching movies. These are some things to do, watch, buy, and enjoy this weekend no matter what the weather is where you live.

I had the pleasure of attending the press preview for the temporary location of the Frick Collection on Thursday. While the 70th Street mansion is closed for renovations for the next two years, they have taken over the Marcel Breuer Brutalist building on Madison Avenue. I hate cold contemporary architecture of white boxes of glass and steel but Marcel Breuer used so many warm materials in this building when he designed it for the old Whitney Museum in 1966. The bluestone and parquet floors, cement, wood, bronze, and more, make a beautiful minimal but interesting backdrop for the Frick’s collection of art, antique furniture, ceramics, sculptures, and bronzes. I think they did a wonderful job with the exhibitions and it’s so nice that we can view them until the mansion reopens. They are currently offering member previews and then the Frick Madison will open to the public on March 18, 2021. Reservations are required.

I think everyone has missed traveling this past year so if you want to feel like you’ve traveling while sitting on your sofa, I suggest you watch Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy. The actor used to live in Italy and speaks Italian while he eats his way through the country. I wonder how much weight he gained shooting this series. It airs on CNN on Sunday nights at 9:00pm EST and you can watch the old episodes On Demand from your television cable provider. The show has been picked up for a second season and rightfully so since it’s been a slice of heaven in an otherwise dreary year.

I can’t even remember how long ago I watched Coming to America but I plan to make it a double bill this weekend with its sequel Coming to America 2. It’s free to watch on Amazon Prime Video and from what I’ve seen so far, no one in the film has aged a bit since the first one was released in 1988. Someone needs to find out their skincare regime asap.

After I posted photos of the Argosy Bookstore in New York recently, interior designer Max Sinsteden alerted me to a wonderful documentary, The Booksellers. It’s a wonderful look at all the bookstores, sellers, dealers, collectors, and more in New York. It’s everything a documentary should be and this one also full of heart and humor. I loved it.

This pandemic has definitely been a rollercoaster and I’m riding a high right now as spring has almost arrived in New York. But a lot of people are still down. I came across a great article on The Atlantic, A Counterintuitive Way to Cheer Up When You’re Down which suggests that when you most need to get happier, try giving happiness away. I tried helping someone on Instagram but it feels like he enjoys wallowing. Sometimes there is only so much you can do to help someone who doesn’t want to help themselves. But there is no harm in trying.

The New York Magazine Style issue is getting all the buzz this weekend for its love of New York themed merchandize from all our favorite stores and restaurants. It’s a wonderful tribute to the city. There’s also a great article on The Row.

I walked by the old Barbizon Hotel building last week and I thought I should write about the women-only boarding house style hotel that was home to many famous women over the years. Funny enough, a book about the hotel, The Barbizon: The Hotel That Set Women Free, was published a few days later so I didn’t have to write my post. I just received my copy and can’t wait to read it this weekend.

This is a PSA that French artist Louis Thomas will be in Los Angeles and New York from August to November 2021 if you would like to schedule a portrait.

The latest Ines de la Fressange collection for Uniqlo just launched online. I think it’s easier to buy less expensive clothing for spring and summer since they are usually made of natural fabrics. I love her pointelle knit sweater and matching skirt but I ended up just buying the white sheer cotton stand collar shirt to wear with jeans.

MILLE has also just launched new styles for spring and summer. I bought the Stella Shirt Dress in Ivy which was just delivered today. The Romy Dress is a wonderful alternative to the insanely expensive Charvet Nightdress that most women wear as a day dress.

If you miss New York and want to show your love for The Carlyle, Frame has just debuted a Carlyle Sweatshirt. Maybe it will tide us over until Bemelman’s is open again.

Dermstore, my favorite place to buy skincare and beauty products, is offering 20% off until March 10, 2021 during their Beauty Refresh Event with the code GLOWUP. It’s a great time to stock up on your favorite products and try new ones.

I’ve been putting these Bon Weekend posts together for more than 10 years so it’s been frustrating to see someone who follows me start copying them recently. They are a lot of work and of course there will always be people who will take the easy way out in life and let others do their homework. I know I repost photos and information from magazines and websites but I always add credits and links to the sources. Pretending you came up with an idea that clearly came from someone else does not go unnoticed and never helps your career. Remember that.

Bon week-end!

XOXO,

HC