Oysters in June

Styling & photography: Kayla Austefjord || Retouching: Nick Bright

Oysters in June—am I the only one who appreciates the trio of ice-cold oysters, an extra dirty gin martini, and the sun beating down? I think not. While my blood pressure may dislike the overdose of salt in one sitting, I feel that oysters and dirty martinis are meant to be.

As you peruse this newsletter, you’ll find hints of summer everywhere—from a luxe-feeling sunscreen to smoothing body oil and brow gel that doesn’t budge as you sweat on the subway platform. This batch of empties is tailor-made for warmer weather.

I’ll guide you through some of my best recommendations for oyster and martini evenings in East Village and Williamsburg (non-New Yorkers, take note for your next visit), along with the first installment of "Really Quite Worth It," a section where I vet viral products that aren’t a waste of your money. Finally, you can expect a summer salad dish to wow your guests or to enjoy yourself when you need to feel human between sweaty evenings by the window AC unit.

Current State Zinc Oxide + Blueberry SPF

Every skin care brand is trying to do what Current State did for under $20—create a mineral SPF with little to no white cast that feels like lotion, not goop. They've added plant-based extracts for antioxidant support and skin brightening. Plus, for those with sensitive skin, the zinc oxide calms redness and irritation—a handy feature for hot summer days.

⏳️Time to empty: I’d say this lasts about two months with daily application—if you apply it more than once a day (which is great), maybe less. 

FUR Fur Oil 

Ingrown hairs are my enemy, which is why I was drawn to this oil. Specially designed for delicate, often-shaved skin like the bikini line, this oil softens hair for easier removal and reduces the chances of ingrowns when applied post-shave. It never stings or burns, but rather immediately soothes the area. I haven’t seen an ingrown since, and I even use a bit on my legs and underarms.

⏳️Time to empty: Because a little goes a long way, this stuff lasts forever. I use it once or twice a week and I swear I’ve had it for 6 months or longer. 

Sofie Pavitt Face Mandelic Acid Clearing Serum

Sofie Pavitt is an iconic NYC-based esthetician also known as the “Acne Whisperer” by beauty editors & clients alike. This mandelic acid serum is the star product from her namesake brand, best suited for anyone dealing with persistent acne or rough skin texture. I use it every other day and I swear my skin has never been smoother and my pores have never looked smaller. It’s gentle enough to be used a few times a week by most skin types, too.

⏳️Time to empty: This one lasted about two months when used every other day. 

A (few) Places to Go

For the vibes (and the absinthe): Maison Premiere

Maison Premiere is one of the best places for summer cocktails of all kinds, particularly known for its absinthe and dirty martinis. The oyster menu is just as impressive, with a long list of options from Washington, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Virginia, and even lobster from Maine. Trust, you won’t regret sitting on the luscious greenery-lined patio.

Details

🍸 Address: 298 Bedford Avenue | Brooklyn, New York 11249

🍸 What to order: Martinis, oysters, the Inverness absinth cocktail 

🍸 Other: You’ll want a reservation, especially if you go on the weekend 

📍Find Maison Premier: Menu & Reservations | Instagram

For the music: St. Mazie 

My boyfriend took me here on our first date and I’d deem it one of the better options for that kind of event. You can go for drinks, cocktails and appetizers, or a full dining experience, making it quite versatile depending on how much time you want to spend with said first date. The live jazz typically starts around 7 or 8 and goes until 10-ish—a nice way to fill awkward silences should there be any (there will be). If you’re craving a quieter evening, you can dine on the patio where jazz will play as background ambiance, but won’t be overwhelming. The dirty martini here is at the top of my best martini list as well—reason enough to pay St. Mazie a visit. 

Details

🍸 Address: 345 Grand Street | Brooklyn, New York 11211

🍸 What to order: Happy hour oysters, grilled shishito peppers, charred brussel sprouts, portobello mushroom risotto 

🍸 Other: Scan this music schedule before booking your reservation

📍Find St. Mazie: Menu & Reservations | Instagram

For the people watching: Goodnight Sonny

I lived on St. Marks when I first moved to New York, so naturally, I spent afternoons on the patio at Goodnight Sonny, people-watching in East Village—a time-passer I highly recommend. Pair your dirty martini (which comes with a sidecar over ice) with some oysters from Canada or a fresh tomato burrata plate. Even with a seat inside, you can people-watch through the doors lining the bar that open to the fresh air during the day. The vibes at night are more tech-bro than in Vogue but to each their own.

Details

🍸 Address: 134 First Avenue | New York, NY 10009

🍸 What to order: Dirty martini, oysters, Autumn frisée salad, spicey muscles

🍸 Other: Happy hour runs from 4-6 pm Monday - Friday. Summer Fridays anyone?

📍Find Goodnight Sonny: Menu | Instagram

Really Quite Worth It

My denim selection needed an overhaul, so I decided to start where any chronically online girl would: with the Uniqlo Wide Straight Jeans, which have taken TikTok by storm. At just $50 a pair, I must say the hype is real—they’re really quite worth it. 

These jeans have quickly become my go-to for any occasion. I dress them down with a T-shirt and sneakers for a casual look, or dress them up with kitten heels and a sleek tank for a night out or work event.  They do run a tad large, so I opted to go one size down for a mid-rise fit.

My first pick is the darkest 69 Navy wash, but I'm already eyeing the medium hue, 64 Blue for a more laid-back look. They are a tad long on me standing 5’7”, but I prefer the rolled-up style anyway.

Honorable mention to another item from my micro-Uniqlo haul, the Boat Neck Sleeveless Top (pictured) which I think I’ve worn 10 times since buying it a few weeks ago. It’s a simple, timeless cut you won’t regret buying in a few months when the trend cycle inevitably shifts.

Dinspo: Addictive Orzo Salad

💌 Until next time

That’s all my sweet finis. Thanks for reading, I hope you love this newsletter as much as I do.