Loose Threads: From Kendrick and McNally to Maxime's and More...It's May in NYC!
By Rachelle Hruska MacPherson. Published May 10th, 2025.
Happy weekend edition of "loose threads." I'm writing this on a post-Kendrick/SZA high. Last night we took the boys and a few of their pals to MetLife Stadium and I left genuinely inspired. Unlike my sons, I didn’t know every word to every song, but like them, I was mesmerized for the entire show. There’s something about live shows that bring people together. It was electric.
In a few hours we’re heading to see the Knicks play the Celtics in Game 3. If you’re not from NYC or a Knicks fan, you might not fully understand the moment we’re in. We’ve won two games in the series (when we were predicted to win zero) and the city is BUZZING. Both game nights this week, I was at fancy NYC events where people literally paused everything to gather around someone’s iPhone and stream. It’s been that level of hype:
I’ve been in full be-bopping mode, just trying to live up to my OG West Village girl status (more on that later). May is, hands down, my favorite month in NYC. The city comes alive. Friends reappear. The collective mood lifts. And my inbox is on life support, a sure sign of my days and nights being gloriously full of IRL happenings. HOORAY! (But please don’t hate me if I owe you a note.)
Last Thursday I went to Connie Britton’s fab lunch celebrating her new Hallmark show The Motherhood, which supports single moms and builds community through lifestyle transformations. I've been a mega Connie fan for years–she truly helped put us on the map. Fun fact: she was college roommates with my friend Senator Gillibrand. Also: she has the best head of hair in the game. Someone sponsor her already! She’s as lovely in real life as you’d hope.
I sat next to Kathleen Buhle, who’s getting me excited for a trunk show we’re planning this fall in DC at her women’s club. More to come. That evening, we swung by Sarah Harrelson’s Cultured Mag party at the Guggenheim where I finally met Kareem of Subway Takes (my long-time IG crush) and caught up with tons of friends.
Since we were already uptown, we popped into the new members-only club, Maxim’s. I know I’ve ranted about these kinds of clubs belonging in LA or London (joking, sort of), but… I actually liked it. We’ve already been back twice. On our third visit (which ended at 1am—who do I think I am?!), I realized what pulled me in.
It’s transportive.
As Keith McNally writes in his new memoir: “To be reminded of the outside world while dining is like hearing the doorbell ring while making love.” That pretty much nails the Maxim’s appeal to me.
On that note, this week might as well have been dubbed Keith McNally Week, as far as I’m concerned. While fashionable pals were uptown at the Met Gala on the first Monday of May, strutting their best dandy looks, I was downtown at Balthazar, celebrating the one and only man who made downtown Manhattan what it is.
It was one of those rare NYC nights where you leave feeling totally full—in spirit, in soul—and certain there was nowhere else you would've rather been. I loved every second of it.
The next morning I got my red carpet fix via Blakely Thorton’s IG official coverage for The Cut(shout out to former Guest of a Guest alumni out there thriving—see also: Morgan Stewart). More to come soon on Blakely x LF.
Last Saturday, I had the pleasure of tasting testing Jon Neidich’s new LES spot, Bar Bianchi. Jon’s a longtime friend and his mom Brooke is a total muse of mine. Watching his evolution over the years has been fun. His Met after-party at Monsieur, his new Baz Luhrmann hotspot, was (I hear) the party of the night. He’s good people and brings so much care and creativity to every project.
Cinco de Mayo was spent at Jill Kargman’s charming townhouse, complete with margarita machines and pulled pork tacos. If you haven’t seen Odd Mom Out, this is your reminder, it totally holds up.
Thursday featured a quick stop at Frieze Art Fair, where an uber-chic Detroit lady came up to me and told me she’s a mega fan of ours and what we stand for. I LOVE when this happens. It makes me feel like what we’re building is part of something bigger than me and totally satisfying.
Then I raced off to set sail with my friend Lauren Bush of FEED and the wonderful Minnow team, joined by a bunch of mom friends I adore. Here’s to finding your crew—the kind of moms you can laugh with, lean on, and unburden your load onto.
That evening we zipped uptown again to celebrate Claiborne Swanson Frank and her new Assouline book Father and Child, which (humble brag) features my husband Sean and our boys. The dinner that followed, hosted by Brunello Cucinelli, was full of all our favorite pals, and the night ended after 1am with a good old-fashioned dance party at Maxim’s. I’d love to name-drop all the friends we saw there, but they’re notoriously strict about their privacy policy — something I’ve always found outdated and deeply annoying about all of these private clubs. Oh well.
My husband looked at me and said, “Who ARE you today—some kind of socialite?!” I’m telling you… May in New York.
What I wore: Jane Dress (sadly JUST sold out, should we bring back?); Cher Fringe Jacket ON SALE NOW; Silk Bowery Dress - coming this fall; Grikos Caftan NEW IN; Lampi Silk Shirt; Donna Wrap Top and Bubble Skirt, Both ON SALE now; Marathi Fringe Crewneck; Onar Dress.
And, because I've had dozens ask on IG, my boat shoes I've worn on repeat are from Bally. They were a recommendation of Habitually Chic, and they have become my favorites. I'm debating ordering them in red next
Reminder: sign into our private sale going on now to access sale items.
Talk of the Week? The New York Magazine cover story on the West Village Girls. I was quoted twice (!!), and I stand by my stance: let the girls live! Let them have their Aperol spritzes and figure themselves out. We all did. We still are.
Quick Hits:
– This IG word post really got me thinking. "Go to bed!" is what mine would be screaming what about you?
– No wait, this one also. I NEVER thought of it this!
– Lewis Miller’s latest flower flash in Union Square. Missed it IRL, but lucky for us all we can relive it on IG.
– This Spotify playlist by 3rd Ritual is apparently Leandra Medine’s go to dinner party playlist. Consider me there.
– Secret Mall Apartment has 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and ticks so many of my boxes. I can't wait to see it!
– This is a genius LEGO organizing system I wish existed when my kids were in that phase.
– Jia Tolentino’s brain finally broke. Relatable.
– The new Pope plays Wordle and Words with Friends with his brothers online. I am obsessed.
That’s it for now. Just a reminder that there are still kind, talented, interesting people out there doing cool things. Go find them—and dig it the most.
xo, Rachelle
