Gloss & Grit - Polished thoughts. Real talk.

  Frame of Reference | Violet Visions: My First-Year Highlights as an NYU Visual Arts Administration Student 💜🗽 So…I did it! I went back to school. I’ve always loved learning — it’s the Montessori kid in me who still wants to explore, question, create, and color outside the lines. And at this moment of midlife calibration (✨not✨ crisis), I decided to leap closer to my lifelong passion: the Arts . Now, as I’ve shared in past posts, I love my marketing career. I’m not leaving it behind! But this was my chance to live inside my passion for two years, to expand, to stretch, to see where it could take me. So I signed the acceptance documents and officially joined NYU Steinhardt ’s Visual Arts Administration  masters program — and I have not looked back. (One day, I’ll write the full “Going Back to School in Your 40s” post. Spoiler: it feels exactly like any big leap at any age — thrilling, terrifying, and totally worth it.) For now, I want to give you a peek behind the curtain...

Frame of Reference | The Big Walk — A Fall Surprise with NYU Gallatin Every now and then, something sneaks onto your calendar and ends up becoming a highlight of the season. For me, this fall, that was The Big Walk . I signed up knowing almost nothing—just that it was connected to NYU Gallatin ’s Arts & Works group, the name had a certain charm, and if it was their featured annual activity, it had to be worth showing up for.  Spoiler: it was one of the best surprises of my semester. First Impressions I arrived at Gallatin with my usual blend of curiosity and cautious optimism—classic grad school energy. Before I even had a chance to overthink anything, I was handed a pin identifying me as a Big Walker (a delightful title I may start using beyond this event). Dean Rosner and Professor Louise Harpman welcomed us with opening remarks that hinted we were in for more than a neighborhood stroll. And then it clicked. The Big Walk is Professor Harpman’s classroom—unbound by walls...

Volunteering at MoMA: Behind the Scenes of Giving Back Let’s be honest: the pandemic changed all of us. For me, one of the hardest losses was something many wouldn’t consider “essential”—my beloved volunteer position in the Education Department at the Museum of Modern Art . But to me, it was essential. I had waited on the waitlist for two years for that opportunity, and when it finally came, I treated it like the privilege it was. My time at MoMA grounded me. It became an anchor in the ever-changing rhythms of New York life. Some days, friends would come by to join a tour and share in the joy that this work brought me. Other days, I’d sit under Picasso’s " Guitar " helping young visitors recreate the masterpiece with nothing but construction paper and imagination. Every shift was a gift—a glimpse into the power of art to connect, to educate, and to transform.

The Art of Returning: What I’m Learning Before Steinhardt Even Starts A long-held dream of mine has been to return to school for an MFA. It's lived quietly on my five-year planning lists for years—not pinned to a vision board, but never far from reach. For much of my career, though, I’ve been laser-focused on driving results in corporate marketing. The MFA felt like a luxury, something to revisit someday. That changed when I stepped away from corporate life. The space gave me time not just to dream, but to research. I dug into MFA programs, called up my friend Josie who had pursued Creative Writing at The New School, and began really asking: What would I do with this degree? As much as I revere artists and their work, I had to admit something: I'm not one. And though I love a good lecture hall, I’m not a traditional academic either. (Although being an adjunct someday? Still on the vision list!) So I shifted my search and found something that lit me up in a new way: the MA i...

Card-Carrying and Loudly Proud: My Library Evangelism Era While sitting in Central Park recently, I did something I'm both proud of and slightly ashamed to admit: I set up my best friend Jenny’s library card. On her phone. While also shaming her (gently!) for not already using this city resource. I’m a library champion who occasionally teeters on bully — but it’s only because I care. And because the public library is, quite honestly, one of the greatest resources we already pay for with our taxes. Why not take advantage? Maybe my obsession started at the Altoona Public Library . I was young, curious, and enchanted by the surroundings. So enchanted, in fact, that while my mom returned a book, I borrowed her car keys and inserted them into an electrical socket. For science, of course. “Put Key In 🔑, Fire Comes Out 🔥” is now a favorite story of Mama Jane — though we tend to gloss over the part where I melted the keys to my dad’s car and stranded us at the library. To be fair, I was ...

One of the best ways to spend a rainy Sunday in New York City? Good friends, good food, and something a little unexpected. Bonus points if there’s art and culture mixed in. On a recent gray afternoon, we hit the jackpot at Genesis House — a beautifully designed space in the Meatpacking District that manages to merge luxury, calm, and creativity under one roof. We went down initially to catch the Forest exhibit, a buzzed-about installation that promised to awaken the senses. But to our delight, we discovered there was a stunning restaurant upstairs, and we decided to turn the outing into a true New York experience: an indulgent, multi-course tasting menu with beverage pairings, the kind of lunch that turns into an afternoon. The meal was a standout — every course thoughtfully crafted and beautifully plated. My favorite? The first course, a delicate and refreshing mulhwe, which set the tone for the rest of the experience. Dessert was equally memorable: a pear shaved ice served in a gorge...

Frame of Reference: A Maybe Happy Ending (and Definitely Happy Day) in NYC We’ll get to the review (spoiler alert: it was GREAT ), but first — let me set the scene. Because what made Maybe Happy Ending so special was everything that came before it: a classic, serendipitous New York City day, filled with surprises and joy. It was Mother’s Day, and my mom was visiting — always a treat. But also in town? My dear friend Kelly (see previous post!), celebrating both her birthday and Mother’s Day. She drove in with her family, ready for a whirlwind weekend of Broadway shows. (Side note: Not everyone would expect Kelly to be Broadway-obsessed.  But at brunch, she confessed that if she lived in NYC, she’d be “Broadway Broke.” I believe her. The woman packed three shows into 48 hours. That’s not a trip — that’s a musical mission.) We kicked off the day with brunch at Café Un Deux Trois — easy for Kelly and her crew to get to, and, bonus, they had a Mother’s Day reservation. I was just ho...

  Spoiler Alert: If you haven’t seen the most recent season of Black Mirror , consider this your friendly warning—there are light spoilers ahead! I’ve always found Black Mirror fascinating. It scratches that intellectual itch, often walking the line between science fiction and social commentary, with a good dose of psychological unease. This latest season? I found this season a little less dark & twisty than previous ones—but in many ways, that’s what made it more unsettling. Because it didn’t feel that far off. This season is wholly centered around Artificial Intelligence. A timely focus, considering AI is creeping into our headlines, our jobs, and our everyday interactions faster than most of us can process. Personally, I think we’re diving in too quickly and somewhat blindly. And Black Mirror holds up a cleverly crafted mirror to that momentum, asking us: “Are we really ready for what’s next?” What stood out most to me was the diversity in storytelling and tone across...

Every once in a while, a show comes along that feels not only beautifully crafted—but deeply necessary . Finn the Musical , created by the talented composer Michael Kooman and writer Christopher Dimond, is one of those shows. Originally poised for an exciting trajectory, Finn ’s momentum was abruptly halted. Its run was cancelled following recent policy changes by the current U.S. administration—decisions that disproportionately affect the arts and LGBTQ+ stories. And while it’s heartbreaking to see a show silenced in this way, it’s all the more reason to amplify it now. I want to do my part in making sure this work continues to be seen, heard, and celebrated. On a personal note, watching Michael Kooman’s work reach such a meaningful level has been incredibly special. I don’t know Michael well these days, but I knew him when we were both much younger. He and his twin sister, Kate, lived just down the street from me growing up—our parents worked together, and we’d often cross paths a...

Climbing to New Heights with Redwood — and a Wintry Visit to Barbetta There’s something about a Wednesday evening in the city that feels like a secret. A little bit of rebellion against the workweek, a little bit of magic in the air. We kicked off our midweek escape with a 5pm dinner at Barbetta before heading to see Redwood —the Broadway show starring the incomparable Idina Menzel—at 7pm. Let’s start with Barbetta. It’s long been one of my pre-theater go-to’s, especially in the summer when you can enjoy a meal under twinkling lights in their lush, private garden. It’s pure New York enchantment when it’s warm out. But this time? A winter visit. And while the food and service were still on point, I’ll admit the interior space doesn’t quite capture the same charm that the garden effortlessly exudes. It felt like seeing a good friend out of their element—lovely, but missing a bit of that signature sparkle. Now, onto Redwood . I’m honestly a little bummed the show is closing on May 18t...

Introducing: Frame of Reference — Culture, Curiosity & What’s Catching My Eye Welcome to Frame of Reference , the space where I reflect on the ideas, art, and cultural moments that shape how I see the world. This section is a curated collection of what’s inspiring me lately — from thought-provoking books and can’t-miss documentaries to impactful art exhibitions and the evolving conversations in the arts community. Whether it’s a gallery visit that stayed with me, a quote I can’t stop thinking about, or a social shift worth unpacking, this is where I share it all. Expect reflections, recommendations, and real-time reactions — equal parts brain food and soul spark. Because what captures our attention shapes our perspective — and this is mine.