Why I've been a little quiet lately

And why it's a good thing!

Hey Geezers 👋

If you’ve noticed things have been a little quieter from me lately, it’s because I’ve stopped shopping (jk). No, it’s because I’ve been working on something incredibly special—and it’s basically taken over my life for the last 2 months.

I’m one of the lead producers of the world premier of Julia Randall’s DILARIA, directed by Alex Keegan and which officially opens in previews this week at the DR2 Theatre in Union Square. It’s been such a joy (and a wild ride!) to help bring this off-Broadway show to life, and I would love for you to come see it. (Have questions about producing? I’ll do an AMA in July on premium substack! I know most of you are here for product recs, so I don’t want to clog your inbox up.)

So… what’s DILARIA?

It’s a dark comedy about a self-absorbed young woman in Manhattan’s West Village whose performative reaction to a former classmate’s death spirals into something strange, dark, and deeply uncomfortable. The play explores how we grieve, how we perform, and what happens when those lines blur. It’s sharp, strange, deeply Gen Z, and wildly entertaining to watch unfold in a packed theater.

Our cast is nothing short of phenomenal:

• Ella Stiller, making her off-Broadway debut (yes, daughter of Ben — and she’s magnetic)

• Chiara Aurelia (Cruel Summer, Luckiest Girl Alive)

• Christopher Briney (The Summer I Turned Pretty)

One of the most exciting parts of working on DILARIA has been watching these three actors take Julia’s work to the stage—bringing with them bold perspectives, risk-taking, and a real sense of urgency. In a cultural and political moment where the arts are increasingly underfunded and devalued, I believe in the urgency of supporting live theater.

When I left New York in early 2020 I expected to miss my friends and family the most (and I did!). But what surprised me was how much I missed theater. Being part of DILARIA has reminded me why New York is home, and why I’ll never leave again.

🎟️ Tickets are on sale now and the show runs through August 3. If you come to previews, you’ll get to see my favorite part of theater — watching a show change and adapt in front of a packed house before it’s locked in for opening night. Also, if you come during previews, I will likely be there, so come say hi! I’d love to see you!

And if you’re just here for shopping, I need to tell you about Left On Friday swimsuits. Left on Friday is one of those swim brands that really gets it right. There are a lot of great swimwear lines out there, but LOF has carved out a space for itself by focusing on function, comfort, and a sporty, unfussy vibe that still feels elevated. Founded by two former Lululemon execs, the suits are built for movement: the fabric is soft and supportive, the straps stay put, and everything feels intentionally designed for people who actually do stuff in their swimsuits.

The brand’s not just buzzy on Instagram—it’s also getting legit athletic cred. Left on Friday is the official swimwear partner of Canada’s women’s Olympic beach volleyball team, and the partnership isn’t just a logo situation. The suits were co-designed with Olympic athletes Melissa Humana-Paredes (who, btw, is also a Geezer!) and Brandie Wilkerson to make sure they could hold up through intense gameplay, live broadcasts, and medal rounds. (Spoiler: they did—they made it to the gold medal match in Paris and took home silver.) The suits featured Canadian red-and-white color-blocking and a one-shoulder top that was literally engineered based on athlete feedback to allow better range of motion for hitting. I know this because I asked Melissa about the suits last summer when a million Geezers wanted to know what bathing suit she was wearing on the court and how it was able to stay up while she was playing.

Here’s my pick for this summer: The Hi Hi Bottoms and the Sunday Top. You’d think it would feel like your boobs are gonna pop out but I promise, I feel so weirdly secure in these, even though the coverage might suggest I’d feel otherwise. You must try.

So while LOF might not be the only swimwear brand worth checking out, it’s a smart choice if you want something that looks great and won’t fall apart mid-cannonball. Whether you're heading to the beach, the pool, or just want a bikini that makes you feel a little more like you have your life together, Left on Friday fits the bill. And if it’s good enough for Olympians, it’s definitely going to work for a weekend away.

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