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Whew. Whoa. Wow.

What a week! I, like many of you, am reeling in the wake of COVID-19 and how quickly it's now spreading in major cities across the United States. To put it lightly, it's surreal. On one hand, the weather here in NYC has been incredible -- the first signs of spring are always hard for New Yorkers to resist -- and yet, there's an undeniable weight, one that I think calls on us all to do our part to avoid social interactions in large groups as much as possible. While most of us, for factors like age or health conditions, may not be at immediate risk, it only takes one of us to pass it along to an at-risk person for it to spread. And there in lies our responsibility. I realize I'm of the minority of people who have the luxury of being able to work from home -- and it's something I don't take lightly -- so my heart goes out to everyone impacted these past few weeks and months. The tireless doctors and hospital staff, civil servants, restaurants and stores, teachers, and countless others whose physical presence is necessary for their line of work. Thank you. And for those of us who can afford to limit our social interactions and activities, let's do all we can.

In case you're transitioning to a remote schedule this week, be sure to check out this blog post about working from home. If you're like me, and in need of a musical pick me up in the midst of all of this, be sure to throw on this feel-good playlist this week. Lastly, please stay healthy out there guys! Take care of yourselves and each other.

ONE // Hitha's new podcast 1 Smart Thing

First things first, congratulations are in order to my dear friend, Hitha, who not only launched her podcast 1 Smart Thing earlier this month, but in true Hitha fashion, has made it an amazing and approachable resource for all the topics you wish you knew more about. Think of her has your really smart, informed friend who never talks down to you. Her episode about COVID-19 is particularly poignant and I encourage you all to give it a listen -- a great overview of the current state of things and how to best prepare.

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TWO // A new favorite poet Maggie Smith

In the midst of my more mindless COVID-19 scrolling this weekend (most of which involved a lot of memes about toilet paper, Trader Joe's and this dancing Kermit), I also found perhaps my new favorite poet, Maggie Smith. This is the exact poem I found that made me fall for her:

Life is short, though I keep this from my children.

Life is short, and I’ve shortened mine

in a thousand delicious, ill-advised ways,

a thousand deliciously ill-advised ways

I’ll keep from my children. The world is at least

fifty percent terrible, and that’s a conservative

estimate, though I keep this from my children.

For every bird there is a stone thrown at a bird.

For every loved child, a child broken, bagged,

sunk in a lake. Life is short and the world

is at least half terrible, and for every kind

stranger, there is one who would break you,

though I keep this from my children. I am trying

to sell them the world. Any decent realtor,

walking you through a real shithole, chirps on

about good bones: This place could be beautiful,

right? You could make this place beautiful.

THREE // What to watch when you need a laugh

I don't know about you, but never was there a more welcomed time for an old fashioned feel-good movie/show marathon. Be sure to read the comments on this post too -- lots of great gems!

FOUR // The Metropolitan Opera to stream performances for free

While yours truly may have spent the better part of Saturday killing her brain cells watching Love is Blind, the Met is now giving me an opportunity to redeem myself. Starting tomorrow, you'll be able to stream, for free, a number of opera classics like Carmen, La Boheme and La Traviata. Encore!

FIVE // How to help your favorite small businesses survive

There's no denying the rise and spread of COVID-19 will heavily impact our economy -- with small businesses and the hospitality industry taking the biggest initial hits in these social distancing phases. Here's a handful of easy ways to support your favorite businesses during this time.

SIX // Inside the Ritz Paris

What a treat to see the interiors of the famed Ritz Paris -- thank you, Meghan for this! A much needed dose of beauty!

SEVEN // The do's and don'ts of social distancing 

I found this article to be extremely helpful in terms of navigating this time of "do I cancel {insert social plan here}?" Granted, it's from this previous Thursday, so the current advice may change as time progresses. Topics here include going to the gym, dating and big social plans (like weddings, birthdays) in the weeks to come.

EIGHT // Rent the Runway for bijoux -- introducing Beekman New York

Let's end this post on a more light-hearted note, shall we? A few of my friends tipped me off to the newest rental player in the game and I have to say, this one is a GOODIE! Beekman New York is a premiere jewelry borrowing service, including the likes of Tiffany's, Cartier, Bulgari and more.

OUTFIT DETAILS: Galvan London (borrowed from Sai!) // Nine West heels (gifted) // Aldo bag (gifted) // Gucci hat (borrowed from Allie!) // Vintage Chanel earrings

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Photos by Allie Provost