jenny's top 8 no. 5
THE HUDSON VALLEY
Where were you raised? Has the landscape of that place influenced your work in any way?
I was born and raised in The Hudson Valley, 90 miles north of New York City on the Hudson River. I feel outrageously grateful to have grown up in such a beautiful, magical place. I think the seasons and being in nature have influenced my work as a psychotherapist, a photographer, and all around seeker. There is so much beauty in the cycle of growth and death; so much strength and power in watching life be born again over and over and over. I believe that all the lessons we really need we can find in nature. I also think that this is where my love of light comes from. It also happens to be home to so many talented artists of every kind.
It was close enough to the city that I was able to be exposed to art, theater, fashion, momentum, excess and drive. The balance of the two has had a great impact on me, although I do not temperamentally lean toward balance, if we are being honest here.
From Jenny YEAR ONE WHAT I LOVED QUESTIONAIRE
I was raised in the Hudson Valley. I am from Rhinebeck, NY. I used to smoke cigarettes with my best friends on the rocks of the river and watch the sun rise over the mountains. I have memorized the turns on River Rd in my brain stem, drank frozen cappuccinos from Samuels on town benches since the 90’s, sat mesmerized by Independent films from around the world at Upstate Films from the age of six or seven. A year ago I wrote about the impact of The Hudson Valley’s earth on my life and work, but this year I am in awe of the romance of it. I think I got my sense of romance and beauty and story and deep feeling from this magic land.
If you are interested in watching me become enraged, you can start talking to me about all the cool new stuff that is opening, happening upstate. Full on evil temper tantrum vibes. I am working on it. The progress is going very slowly.
Mary MacGill I never go upstate without stopping into this sweet Germantown store. It’s filled with candy gemstone jewels and excellently curated art; jewelry and art is a game over for me!!
Battenfeld’s Anemone Farm This is one of my all time favorite places in the world. I have gone here to get flower’s my entire life. When my mother past away the only thing I insisted on for the service was tables full of anemones from Battenfeld’s. I would always stop to grab anemones for my mom because it lit up her day. It’s still self serve and it feels exactly how The Hudson Valley should be. Go get someone flowers - light up a day!
HOLY COW When I am upstate in the summer my primary goal is to have ice cream almost every day. Holy Cow has been in Red Hook since I can remember and on hot nights there is a long line; that line is totally worth it. I love a good ol’ vanilla soft serve with rainbow sprinkles. Also they love the Yankees, which reminds me I’m home.
For the best time and the best bargain date upstate hit The Red Hook Lyceum across the street and then head to Holy Cow for an ice cream - you can’t get better than this.
I love this painting I found by local artist Daniel Baxter.
Fahari Bizaar I have wanted to go here for so long! I have wanted these pants for so long, but they always sell out. Finally I made the drive to Chatham and left a happy camper! I couldn’t say any of this better than the website…
Fahari Bazaar was founded in 2015 by Fahari Wambura with the goal of creating opportunities for women back home in Tanzania.
The fabrics we use are 100% cotton Kitenge, Kanga or Batiki fabrics sourced from women vendors at the Kitumbini fabric market in Dar es Salaam.
Having our clothes made in Tanzania creates high paying jobs for skilled tailors in a country where this occupation is often undervalued.
I would like all the pants please. Also swing by Our Daily Bread and make a little afternoon of it!
Dawn Breeze Ceramics Many years ago I was at a Louise Bourgeois exhibit in Iceland. I was fully engaged and inspired by the work. It was me and another woman in our own worlds ping ponging between ourselves and the art. Later on Warren St, Dawn walked up to me and asked if I had been the other woman in Reykjavik, and I had been. Ever since then I have been on the periphery of her life, seeing all the beauty that she puts into the world. I was recently stopped in my tracks by ceramics that I saw at Alder & Co in Hudson, and then not at all surprised when I realized that they had been made by Dawn. This is the one I got!!! C’MOOOOONNNN
She also has a substack that I am ready to dive into!!
FORTUNES I know, I know this is basically just an ice cream blog, but hear me out. YOU HAVE TO GO TO FORTUNES in Tivoli. My favorite combo of the summer is Cherry Labneh and Honeycomb Halva with Rainbow sprinkles - I’ll put rainbow sprinkles on anything, probably because they are pretty honestly.
When I was 21 I loved to get drunk on Yellowtail Shiraz at Stoney Creek down the street - now I rave about artisanal ice cream and gluten free pasta! I love getting older - I think falling in love with the story of your life is cool!
GioBatta Speaking of Gluten free pasta!! Last year for my birthday a best friend came upstate with me for the week. We went to Giobatta’s for my birthday dinner with some of my closest friends. It was honestly perfect. During dinner she whispered to me across the table as she was praising her salad, “should we move here?” That’s how delicious GioBatta’s is, she was ready to move across the country! I’m kidding a little but it’s delicious and too loud and it just feels right.
Narnia Vintage Full disclosure - I am an East Side Girl - I am absolutely partial to east of The Hudson, but I will go across the river for Narnia Vintage anytime I can!! Also for several people I love more than most people obvs! I can spend HOURS here - it’s like the most beautiful time warp. Molly has owned Narnia for over 20 years and in 2020 she moved it upstate from Brooklyn! We got so lucky. It’s magic and designer dress up and jewels all in one little vortex on Tinker Street.
Signing off with Love & Kisses, Jenny
