email from a guy called FiL

We went to Key West for a quick overnight as we haven’t explored South Florida very much since we’ve been here… and a lot of teasing lead @mischutkamd to book his first jump with @skydivekeywest yesterday afternoon. What a gorgeous way to see the Keys - and to fly through the clouds. Thanks to our lovely counterparts in tandem diving - Hank & Rogers - who helped dispel nerves with incredible jokes - and less than 10 minutes of flight time with minimal screaming from either of us despite falling at 120mph at the beginning. It’s been 14 years since my last jump - but Michael says we’ll be doing it again sometime soon. We shall see - he has to add something new to the bucket list... (at Key West, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpLpX3hJBHN/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Thanks to everyone who came to bachelorette event No 1: Miami edition. Y’all rock and your time, travel and attention are very much appreciated. Xoxoxoxoxo (and thanks to Blair & Megha in absentia for your surprises. (at Miami Beach, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoksG64JhUT/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Highlights of our exceptional surprise trip to Paris, Giverny & the Loire Valley: Eating at the marvelous @halle_aux_grains_bras_paris; the next night, five hours of dining at the table of the incredible Chef @david_toutain (second only to NOMA); exploring the @louisvuittonfoundation exhibition of Joan Mitchell x Claude Monet (thanks @nespector & my mom @margaretlassgardiner for the recommendation). And of course there was a glorious actual #kateday: climbing the Eiffel Tower; a ridiculously romantic dinner aboard le Bateaux Mouche, kickoff champagne and martinis at midnight at Bar Hemingway (the original Ritz, Paris), horse riding on the grounds of Versailles (thanks @les.ecuriesdecherisy - breakfast champagne!) exceptional surprise cake and lunch champagne at the exceptional on-site, suitably gilded restaurant, Ore followed by an exploration of the palace itself. Michael, being inherently ridiculous followed that up with a private, top tier dining in a candlelit glass greenhouse on the estate of Domaine de Primard (exceptional wine! evermore Champagne!), and staying in its incredible boutique hotel near Giverny just down the road from Joan Mitchell & Claude Monet’s legendary pond full of water lilies and eating at @david_galliene’s incredible Le jardin des plumes. We left Giverny via the Chartres Cathedral for four days at the brand new Fleur de Loire in Blois, home to @christophehaychef HayChef, one of the world’s only two Michelin star (and one sustainable “étoile vert”; David is the other) restaurants featuring Mr Hay himself taking orders and serving dishes late into the night and the sweet treats of @maxime_maniez. Outside Blois, we explored the various homes of the ridiculous and legendary Catherine di Medici, including Chaumont (on horseback!) and Chermonceau (literally over a river) where many members of the French resistance and Jewish refugees in WWII were able to escape. We’ve just returned - and I’m still processing the experience but immense thanks to my extraordinary love @mishutkamd - and also, well. Wow. (at Paris, France) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoKOSJ7u13k/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

My beautiful fiancé @mishutkamd surprised me with a trip to Paris and western France for the 37th edition of #kateday, everyone’s favorite holiday. I didn’t know the itinerary except for attire - dress up and bring riding pants. What happened next was … exquisite. Thanks to Michael and @fritvl for curating such a wonderful adventure and thanks to @k_r_universe for crossing the channel to help us find sustainable fabrics for our wedding attire at the extraordinary Marche aux Puces and at the LVMH sustainable fabric space). (at Le Narcisse Blanc - Hotel & spa) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoIkj-7pNDy/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Watching Messi and all those other guys play football. What a game. Lee thought the last ten minutes were way too loud. (at Miami Beach, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmVWD7jMk-5/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Utter bullshit. Paywalling information that needs to be free so that people can learn regardless of resources should be against the rules. I respect authors and profits and all that but it continues to weird me out that every book I ‘borrow’ from Libby is served to me via an Amazon monopoly. And it also bothers me that it is so hard to lend a friend an eBook - when sharing information and stories is how we grow and learn as a culture. There has to be a compromise somewhere between profit, technology and learning lest we continue to build walls and limit access to learning. What kid on this planet should be told they can’t have a book they want to read? https://www.instagram.com/p/B4aC6HBJ_ag/?igshid=1ijxc5ivc5tg8

Sweet, friendly tripod mutt available @muddypawsrescuenyc today in Union Square. (at Union Square Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4XmsiWJJvw/?igshid=z257ypjh6atz

NEW YORKIN’ ON MOTION. (at GallopNYC) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4QHxSLpm7V/?igshid=1i45a6986pyji

Last night #forbes30under30 had an absolutely bizarre lineup: @normani, @21savage & @thechainsmokers. (at The Detroit Masonic Temple) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4KbkzGJKfW/?igshid=nlna5lwcipr2

(via Dear NASA, Happy Birthday! To Celebrate, We're Shutting You Down. Love, Congress - Rebecca J. Rosen - The Atlantic)