sweet springtime: an excuse for loving the little things
plus, a Q&A with Gabby Whiten, Editor in Chief of oh eight
before we get into the fun, this edition of The Sunday Series is too long for email, so I’d recommend clicking out to read in browser or even better, in the Substack app, where you can like and comment! your engagement on Substack means so much to me 💌
hi, friends!
realistically, it’s been two weeks since we properly caught up because last week’s special send—six months since going paid: a peek behind the paywall—was truly dedicated to running the numbers versus sharing my normal musings. thanks to all who indulged me in that exercise of sharing where this creative endeavor currently sits and where I want to see it go in the next six months. but now that that’s done, I’m extra excited to be getting back to our regularly scheduled programming.
this Thursday marks the first official day of spring!!!! we’re nearly there. in Saturday at The Class, our instructor started our session by reading the below Victor Hugo quote aloud. I’m in a season of wanting to lean into my feminine and everything about the idea that spring is a renewal of our faith in love resonates right now…
I’m so beyond ready to shed my winter uglies. it feels like they hit harder than usual this year. my first big step in that direction will be my sister trip to St. Lucia in two weeks. I’ll share more about what I’m purchasing and packing for it soon! but before we get into that in next week’s edition, I’m focusing on some of the places I’ve been spending time in New York as of late.
here’s what you can look forward to in today’s edition of The Sunday Series:
New York hotspots I’ve revisited in recent weeks and adored
five beauty upgrades I’m [newly] unable to live without
the perfect Upper East Side date trifecta
a sweet treat I’m eating on repeat
meet : Editor in Chief of oh eight and Ph.D. student at the New York University School of Medicine
paid subscriber exclusive: content I’ve consumed and loved lately. I’m sharing recommendations for books, podcasts, articles, songs and Substacks of note…think of these snippets as intel to make you not only entrenched in the cultural zeitgeist but a more well-rounded conversationalist
upgrade today! paid subscribers of The Sunday Series unlock an exclusive section of paywalled content in each send, access to the full archives (including Your Ultimate Paris Guide, 100 Hotels I’m Dying to Check Into, My Holy Grail Rules for an Overnight Flight, and 31 Ideas for Your Next Birthday Trip), the commenting feature on each post, exclusive giveaways, and more. plus, your support directly helps ensure this newsletter can continue to grow! subscriptions are $8/month or less than $7/month if paid annually—also known as less than one fancy Starb*cks order. but don’t let me be the one to tell you why you should upgrade! I’ll leave that to a fellow reader…
"I decided to become a paid subscriber because I appreciate how much info you still give to free subscribers *before* they get to the paywalled part of your email. Counter-intuitive? Maybe! So often a writer turns on paid subs and EVERYTHING is behind the paywall. That's how I thought yours would be too, but I've been pleasantly surprised. It made me make the jump to converting to paid!" – Alison Z., paid subscriber of The Sunday Series
New York institutions I’ve revisited in recent weeks and fallen back in love with
The Odeon: last Friday night, I found myself having dinner at the bar with a date at The Odeon feeling like the universe was quite literally orbiting around the very axis on which we sat (a fully delusional affliction any New Yorker can relate to). the nostalgic part of me loves that we were at the exact seats I’ve cozied up to several times prior, not to mention, I knew what I wanted without having to peruse the menu. I really do love re-doing a classic over and over again. come for the vibes, stay for the sticky toffee pudding.
The Commerce Inn: last Saturday night, I found myself on a 5.5 hour date with a different guy (ha!) that kicked off 4p at Commerce Inn. did I tell you guys how I came here for brunch a couple weekends ago and found myself eating their insane pancakes while sitting across from Michael Kors sipping on a Diet Coke?? this past weekend, the crowd was decidedly younger. my eyes were helplessly wandering from my date to a certain author and Editor in Chief duo also at the bar. but, it sounds like I missed the real ‘sighting’ because earlier this week, I was chatting with a travel industry colleague who asked, “were you at Commerce Inn on Saturday?” when I confirmed that I was, she asked if I saw Zach Bryan. I did not! obviously, he’s canceled. but I had no idea he was right there at the bar with us before he shot a music video just outside the restaurant…
Waverly Inn: forever a fave, Saturday evening’s date ended with a nightcap at Waverly. after Taylor and Travis have been seen here on multiple occasions, it’d be an understatement to say it’s established as a hotspot, but I really do think it warrants the hype. did I mention how the top of the menu has the following Trump quote on it? “Waverly Inn - worst food in the city” …anywhere willing to mock him so openly (this quote has been at the top of the menu for YEARS) is golden in my book.
three beauty upgrades I’m [newly] unable to live without
Therabody Depuffing Wand: this baby has been my saving grace lately as I recover from nights of martinis and fries, which while always worth it, tend to give my lymphatic system a run for its money. this compact wand delivers the benefits of both cold and heat therapy in one simple device with a contoured applicator tip that’s designed to glide smoothly over every curve of the face. I almost exclusively use the cold settings to help soothe, depuff, and revitalize, minimizing the look of both pores and undereye bags. but you could also use it for contrast therapy, a one-two punch of first heat and then cold for radiant, healthy-looking skin.
Therabody SleepMask: I feel like I’m the queen of eyemasks at this point (working in hospitality means I’ve accumulated dozens as gifts over the years), but this is my first that’s so advanced!!! this blackout eye mask is chargeable and does soothing vibrations on your eyes to help lull you into better sleep. it conforms to every face shape and has a machine-washable inner layer. there are three adjustable sleep-inducing vibration patterns, plus, you get free access to science-backed TheraMind sound content in the Therabody app. when I can’t get to sleep, this baby is the first thing I reach for and is sure to become a staple on overnight flights in the future.
Hermès Barénia perfume: I fell in love with this fragrance back in the fall when I was living in Paris for a month and finally pulled the trigger. created by Hermès’ master perfumer Christine Nagel, Barénia Eau de Parfum is described as, “a sensual fragrance of rare, unforgettable elegance. Barénia is a skin perfume that brings together strength and softness. It expresses the instinctive, captivating facets of a woman, an unstoppable woman. The living embodiment of freedom. Blending exhilarating Butterfly Lily with the delicacy of Miracle Berry and enveloping them in oakwood with intense patchouli, Barénia is an elusive, stirring, and surprising chypre with a sensuous texture. Created by Philippe Mouquet and inspired by the Collier de Chien bracelet, the Barénia bottle balances gentle elliptical curves with the power of a metal plate adorned with domed pyramid studs. At the heart of this jewel-like object is one final stud, its shape molded into the glass. Made in France.
Clean Skin Club Clean Towels XL™: I’ve been talking a lot about how much I love my new Boll & Branch washcloths, but what I don’t love with any washcloth is the bananas accumulation of laundry to constantly attend to—when you have to walk up and down five flights of stairs to do your laundry, every ounce counts. and after battling some weird breakouts last month, I decided I wanted to tighten up my face washing ritual. these cellulose fiber, dermatologist tested biobased face towels are my new OBSESSION. they’re clinically shown to help achieve visibly clearer skin with less irritation. run don’t walk!!!
Clean Skin Club Clean² Pads 2.0: similarly, these pads are perfect for removing makeup, applying toner, or removing nail polish. they’re larger, thicker and stronger than the average cotton pad, so gone are the days of shedding fuzzies. small upgrade to daily life that makes a outsized difference.
the perfect Upper East Side date trifecta
looking for a fun NY date itinerary? I’ve got you covered. this Upper East Side combo proved to be pure perfection on every level. the only caveat is that it has to be executed between Tuesday and Friday, based on the gallery we’re starting at only being open then…
Salon 94
I’ve been wanting go to Salon 94 forever, but their limited opening hours (Tuesday to Friday, 11a-6p) had made it feel impossible! this contemporary art gallery is so worth carving out time for though, if not for the art, then for the historic 17,500-square-foot building along New York’s eminent Museum Mile that houses its collection. steeped in cultural history, the building on 3 East 89th Street remains an activated and innovative hub for visual art and design. it’s a small exhibit of just three floors, but I loved the intimacy of it. also, it’s free! you literally just walk in. très chic.
Bemelmans Bar
I happen to think that this slice of paradise is one of the most movie-like establishments you can ever step foot into. live music, masterfully mixxed drinks that come served with sidecars to top yourself off, and a room of Ludwig Bemelmans’ original handpainted frescoes. I mean, we got seated right in front of Madeline and I could have cried of happiness. and yes, our 600-page March pick also got to come along!!!
JG Melon
you’ve worked up an appetite at this point and we can’t have you drinking on an empty stomach, so it’s off to another New York establishment. while everyone else queues outside for over an hour for a table, you’re going to hover for bar seats, right next to the jute box. order the burger rare and thank me later!
a sweet treat I have on repeat
if you’re anything like me, you always need a little sweet treat after dinner. the past couple weeks at home, I find myself reaching for these homemade salted date almond butter cups, inspired by at Strictly The Good Stuff (one of my fave Substacks that I pay for!!). she has the recipe on her TikTok…bon appétit!
Meet Gabby Whiten
Kayla Douglas: Hi Gabby! Tell us a bit about your New York story—how does the city fuel your creativity?
Gabby Whiten: Hi! I moved to New York City 6.5 years ago to start my Ph.D. in pharmacology at NYU! I never saw myself living here actually! When I visited the city during my senior year Fall Break, I [predictably] fell in love with the city. The dynamic city energy is my #1 source of creative inspiration: the seasons, the people, the neighborhoods… incredible! You want to be outside experiencing new things and getting to know every nook and cranny of the city. It’s inspiring.
KD: I'm obsessed with your mini magazine spreads in your Substack, oh eight. What made you decide to bring a print-esque format to a digital space?
GW: Oh wow, thank you so much. It really means the world to hear that people are actually connecting with the newsletter!
Since I’ve been creating on the internet for so long, I’ve seen pretty much every major social media have its rise and fall. “The Weekly” started as a segment on my blog and I loved that platform because it felt like I had more ownership over it then say Instagram or TikTok. Sites where I’m more beholden to algorithms and trending topics/content formats. Last year, I wanted to expand my email list so that I could hold on to my community of people no matter what. The Weekly seemed like a good starting point.
One of the first things you learn as a creator is that it’s rarely what you’re saying that gains traction, it’s often how you say it. And, I think I do have a unique perspective and writing style but I also have such a deep appreciation for visual storytelling. I knew that I wanted to have a visual aid to accompany my emails and I loved reading lifestyle magazines as a pre-teen and young adult. The mini magazine format seemed like a natural fit for the topics I most often fixate on – and so the idea was born. It took me a while to get the template down, but I’m really happy with how it translates now!
KD: How do you approach maintaining a distinct voice and curatorial approach on Substack?
GW: I actually think it’s one of the things that I don’t have a strategy for – I’m simply writing about the things that I would chat about with friends.
KD: Each Wednesday, you deliver readers a curated collection of recommendations and reviews. What makes you see something and decide it's oh eight-approved?
GW: If I’m recommending something I’ve spent time with it – probably several months, years, decades even, sometimes. I have really strong product loyalty and I sometimes wonder about being repetitive but I also feel confident that those things work for me. I love media (books, music, films) and consume a lot of it! On one hand, I try to focus on what’s popular and getting a lot of social traction. But, I also like to give flowers to work that’s underhyped or maybe went under the radar in a very competitive news cycle. Again, my approach is to talk about and recommend things that I’m personally engaging with!
And then, I think there’s a third category of curation happening: suggestions, inspiration or thought starters. It manifests mostly in new product launches, brand news, trailers etc. It feels more like something I’d send a friend, like… “hey I saw this and thought of you”.
KD: You're currently a student at NYU, in the process of getting your PhD. How do you balance school with everything you're building with oh eight?
GW: When I look back on really balanced weeks [where I get a lot done and still enjoy life], I’m following my time blocking pretty strictly, preparing and planning for busy days ahead of time, and getting 8 hours of sleep and 64oz of water, daily.
KD: Shifting to what you're reading! Tell us about something you read recently that left you with a book hangover.
GW: It’s been a while since I’ve had a book hangover honestly! I read Legendborn by Tracy Deonn last spring and loved it! I immediately went out to buy the second book of the series because I was so invested with the story and characters. The third book in the series just came out and I’m excited to get my hands on that one too!
KD: What book is on your TBR pile that you're most excited to pick up next?
GW: Deep Cuts x Holly Brickley!
KD: The Sunday Series was conceptualized as a love letter to my favorite day of the week. If we were with you in New York on a Sunday, where would you take us to spend the afternoon?
GW: Oh love! We would definitely indulge in one of the very iconic New York City museums. I’m partial to The Met as an Upper East Sider, but I’ve also been wanting to see the Solid Gold Exhibit at The Brooklyn Museum for ages. Afterwards, you have to finish the outing with a sweet treat! I’d probably request a slice of key lime pie!
content I’ve consumed and loved this week: a cultural curation
four nonfiction books I’ve been enamored with as of late
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to kayla's sunday series to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.