Whenever I move, there’s one item that’s always my Achilles heel: My magazines. Yep, I’ve saved hundreds over the years—even in my New York-sized apartments—but I just can’t bring myself to part ways with that Harper’s Bazaar featuring SJP on the Brooklyn Bridge or that Entertainment Weekly touting the newfound Office romance between Jim and Pam. I have this grand plan that one day I’ll frame all the best ones—or my kids will pour over them asking me questions about pop culture and current events.

Still, hauling them from one place to the next is a pain. So, this year, I came up with a system: I would use my rolling suitcases (and Matt’s) to transport my magazines. (The movers can’t complain if they’re thoughtfully packed on wheels, right?)

It worked! And was so much easier than loading them into cardboard boxes that not even the Hulk could lift.

Any moving tips that you swear by? Would love to hear!

Whoa, today marks nine years since I moved to New York. Since I’ve been packing up my apartment as of late, I happened to find a note that I wrote myself during my junior year of college about my future goals. At the top of the list? To feel comfortable living in a city like New York. (For a girl that grew up in a super small town without a single stop light, that’s kind of a big deal.)

I also found this photo taken by my good friend at my going away party in Boston. I look so young and I’m taking a call on a Motorola Razr and I also have zero idea about the adventure that I’m about to embark upon, first on the Upper East Side and then in Brooklyn.

The even crazier part is that I remember telling my friends confidently that night: I’m just going to try it out for a year. I can’t leave Boston. I love Boston! But just like that, New York sucks you in — and nine years later, it feels like home.

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Exciting news, you guys! I finally dedicated the time to thoughtfully assembly my very own gallery wall. (As you know, it takes quite a bit of time and patience…and math.) But basically, the same weekend that I finished this project and was admiring my work, we decided something kinda big…

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This week, Matt and I have two off-Broadway shows on the calendar. The first is called Beardo and it’s by Dave Malloy (aka the guy responsible for Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812). The plot? Basically, it’s a musical about the life and times of Rasputin. (It also stars Damon Daunno, who I saw for the first time last summer in Hadestown, one of the best shows I’ve seen since Hamilton.)

Next up, we’re going to see The Town Hall Affair, a show that was inspired by a real life 1971 panel-turned-debate on women’s liberation at a town hall in New York. (You can read more info here.) The play is not just super timely, it stars powerhouse actress Maura Tierney. (Um, she won a Golden Globe for her role on The Affair last year for a reason.)

I’m pretty excited for both. Have you seen any good theater lately?

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A funny thing about my relationship with Matt: Valentine’s Day is my least favorite holiday—but it’s Matt’s absolute favorite. As a result, every year, he always plans a special (and super thoughtful) date night.

One year, he got us a reservation at Blue Hill and put in a special request to sit at the exact table where Michelle and Barack Obama sat when they had their special date night in New York back in 2009. (The maitre’d came through and made it happen. So cool.) Another year, we did quite the opposite—enjoyed a bottle of wine at home while Matt recreated the first-ever recipe he cooked for me in our relationship: Poblano Mango Black Bean Quesadillas. Yum. (It was a third date winner.)

Anyways, he’s tough to compete with when it comes to romantic sentiments on this holiday, but this year, I found something perfect: This awesome (and Hamilton-inspired) Valentine’s Day card.

Pretty good, right? What are your Valentine’s plans?

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