April's Menu

Welcome to this month’s Menu (f.k.a the monthly Consumer Digest), a list of everything I consumed this month that has had a lasting impression.

Annndd it’s officially SPRING!

1. Brandon Blackwood Bag – Black Women in Hollywood Edition
In February, I helped curate the gift bags for Essence’s 18th annual Black Women in Hollywood event—selecting brands, choosing products, the works. But the actual bag it came in? An alluring apple green Brandon Blackwood tote with silver embossing.

It’s chic, it’s structured, and it’s been my go-to travel and work bag ever since.

2. Karine Kazarian NYC Facial
My skin’s been in a quiet rebellion since March. Nothing dramatic, but for someone who usually has it together skin-wise, a two-month breakout felt like a crisis. I turned to Karine Kazarian—a studio that had been on my radar for months—and it delivered. I swear my clogged pores packed up and left mid-facial.

I will be back in MAY!

3. Weck Jars
My fridge has had a glow-up since my “Into the Fridge” feature on Katie Stone’s Plant Based— the upgrade… Weck jars. I use them for everything: sourdough starter, food storage, even brewing cold coffee. Honestly, they’ve become the main character of my kitchen.

4. Einspänner Latte + Coffee at Home
The unofficial slogan of April: “We got it, coffee at home!” I started this month in LA, which means I went to Community Goods the second I woke up each day. I normally opt for an iced latte but I saw something so visually appealing I could no longer be faithful to my iced lattes. This object of distraction was called an Eïnspanner – something I’d never heard of before but now think of everyday—a dreamy layered latte with coffee, cocoa powder, ice, flaky salt, and cold foam (aka whipped cream’s chic cousin — it really is all about marketing).

But long-distance love is hard: Community Goods is in LA, and I’m in NY. So I became a caffeine detective, tried (and failed) to find a local dupe, and eventually said: fine, I’ll make it myself. It’s now my favorite morning ritual—creating, not consuming.

5. Basil Vinaigrette
In keeping with the “We got it at home!” theme—this homemade salad dressing has been the best dinner guest of April. The idea of making things from scratch can sometimes be daunting – just thinking about what tools and produce you need can be enough mental labor to prevent you from even getting to the physical labor of cooking. I promise this recipe is the opposite of that – only featuring what you probz already have in your pantry and basil ofc.
The Recipe:

• 1 cup olive oil or avocado oil

• 1 cup basil

• ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar (or more if you're bold)

• 4 tbsp honey

• 3 garlic cloves

• 2 tsp salt + pepper
  Optional: ginger or mint sprigs for fun

Poll: Should we add a Recipe of the Month to Monthly Menus? LMK.

6. Sizzler Pans for Serving
As a self-declared trend forecaster (yes, I did predict the return of the JPG shoulder Birkin), I’m calling it now: sizzler pans are the next big thing in tablescapes. We’ve had our moment with squiggly plates and wavy edges—now it’s time for versatile stainless steel.

Cook, reheat, serve…done.

7. Zyrtec + Xyzal
The worst species of male are male trees their pollen warfare wins every battle and war against me. These dudes are out here pollinating like it’s their full-time job—blasting pollen into the air with no regard for sinuses or societal peace. It’s giving bio-hazard, not biodiversity.Zyrtec has been my seasonal soulmate since childhood, and this spring it’s been working overtime. So naturally I had to add these life savers to my favorites this month.

8. Moments of the Month

• A beautiful baby shower + becoming a godmother (!!)

• Attending the Global Citizen Now Summit—feeling inspired, activated, and very global.

9. Bag Hook
The first rule of womanhood: never put your bag on the floor. In NYC, this is gospel. Table space is always tight, so I’d end up cradling my bag in my lap like a newborn. My boyfriend noticed and got me a sleek little bag hook—it now lives in my purse and has changed the game.

10. Free People Movement Set – Yellow + Blue
It’s incredibly hot in NY and I’ve been trying to take advantage of the sun by getting some steps in, primarily because I can't do much else to stay active — I know I've talked about it ad nauseam but I just had hip surgery! This set is ideal for spring: long sleeves on top, shorts on the bottom—perfect for those 50-in-the-morning, 80-by-noon days.

Thanks For Consuming!

Phia

“Each Day Get’s Better”