February Favorites: Little Luxuries That Made This Month A Bit Better

Hey Millies!

“30 days has September, April, June and November. All the rest have 31 except for February, which has 28”

This little rhyme has been stuck in my head all month—because let’s be real, February can be rough. The holiday magic has worn off, it’s dark before dinner, and if you’re in the Northeast like me, the cold is relentless.

That’s exactly why I lean into the small things that make life feel a little brighter, cozier, and more enjoyable. And since I know I’m not the only one feeling the February slump, I’m sharing my favorite discoveries from the month—the products, habits, and little luxuries that made a real difference. Consider this your survival kit for the last stretch of winter.

Standout Moment of the Month: Polo Bar

🌟 Polo Bar has always been my holy grail restaurant in NYC. The food? Impeccable. The ambiance? Peak classic Ralph Lauren Americana. The exclusivity? Nearly impossible to crack. So when my good friends Mad and Jonathan (visiting from London for Mad’s bridal shower and wedding tasting!) managed to snag a last-minute reservation—for drinks only—I knew we were in for a night.

We arrived at 5:30 PM, fully aware that scoring a dinner table would be a long shot. But what we didn’t anticipate? Jonathan’s elite-level charm with the maître d’. Every so often, he’d politely check-in, hoping for an opening. The response? A firm “It’s not going to happen tonight.” Again and again.

After three hours of cocktails and dwindling hope, we finally accepted our fate, grabbed our coats, and made a reservation elsewhere. Just as we were about to step outside, Jonathan bolted back inside, beaming.

"We have a table in 10 minutes."

The night instantly transformed. The energy was electric. The food? Classic Americana perfection. And as if the evening couldn’t get better, we found ourselves dining alongside Kate Hudson, Bryan Lourd, Drew Tarver, and Ross Matthews.

Pure NYC magic ✨

Must See & Read:

📖 The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker – I’ve had this book on my reading list for years and finally picked it up with Pointina in mind. And I’m so glad that I did. This book completely changed how I think about bringing people together. It gave me permission to not be a chill host and instead lead with generous authority. Whether you're hosting a dinner party, a mastermind group, or building a community like Pointina, here are the biggest takeaways:

Some Key Insights:

💡 Gatherings Need a Bold Purpose
If your gathering tries to be for everyone, it ends up resonating with no one. The best gatherings take a stand. They’re specific, a little edgy, and make people feel like this is exactly for me. Example? "Women in their 30s sipping tea while stitching their latest needlepoint project" is far more powerful than just "people who love needlepoint" because it helps people see themselves in it.

🚪 Exclusion is Kindness
Yes, really. The best gatherings curate who’s in the room. If everyone is invited, no one is truly seen. Thoughtful exclusion creates deeper connections and allows for real intimacy. Ask yourself: Who is this experience truly designed for? Over-inclusion waters down the magic.

🛠 Don't Be a Chill Host—Own Your Power
Hosting is an exercise in leadership. People don’t want to be left to figure things out themselves. They want to be guided. Set the tone. Make introductions. Create structure. Remember, having strong boundaries in place allows for wild freedom within.

🏰 Venue is Strategy, Not Just Aesthetic
Where you host signals everything. A chateau in France will make people feel grand, while a casual café makes them feel relaxed. The environment primes your guests for how to engage. Choose your space intentionally.

✨ The Best Gatherings Are Designed Backwards
Want a memorable event? Start with the outcome you want and work backward from there. What do you want people to feel, do, or take away? Reverse-engineer every element—from the guest list to the format—to create that experience.

This book made me rethink everything about building community and hosting with intention. If you’re gathering people in any capacity (which, let’s be real, you probably are), read this.

💰 I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi – I had the pleasure of seeing Ramit speak in NYC back in 2019 and I’ve had an underlined copy of this book on my shelves ever since. It’s a book I reread over and over again for a financial reset. I also picked up his new book Money for Couples—because wealth-building is better (and easier) when you’re aligned with your partner.

Some Key Insights:

💰 Guilt-free spending is the move. Instead of cutting out lattes, focus on automating your finances so you can spend on what actually lights you up—without stressing over every dollar.

🚀 Being “good with money” isn’t about spreadsheets. It’s about systems. Automate savings, investments, and bills so your future self is thriving without constant effort.

💡 Talk about money early and often. The best financial plan is the one you and your partner both believe in. Set up a monthly money date, make it fun (cocktails encouraged), and get clear on your shared goals.

What money mindset shift has been most impactful in your life? Reply to this email and let me know.

📺 Watching: Traitors on Peacock, White Lotus on HBO, and Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy —give me something I can dissect for weeks on end and I’m happy.

February Beauty & Wellness MVPs:

✨ Versed Weekend Glow Daily Brightening AHA Liquid Exfoliant – I found this after getting a facial at Attune Spa in Greenwich. They recommended that I buy $100 exfoliating pads but I turned to TikTok to find a budget-friendly alternative and found this gem.

This toner is gentle but effective, giving me that fresh, just-left-the-facialist glow without any irritation. It’s a must-have for busy Millies who don’t have time for complicated skincare routines but still want radiant, dewy skin without breaking the bank.

🎧 3-12-30 Method + Walking Meditation: Habit Stack Your Morning Routine
Habit Stacking was first introduced to me by James Clear in Atomic Habits. It’s the art of introducing one habit that you’re interested in trying with things you’re already doing. This routine is perfect if you’re looking to level up your treadmill game while fostering mindfulness. Simply add a walking meditation to the 3-12-30 Method. Here’s how it works:

The 3-12-30 Method:
Set your treadmill to a 12% incline, walk for 30 minutes, and aim for a pace that will help you reach 3 miles. This method provides an intense yet manageable workout that strengthens both your body and mind. Now, combine this with walking meditation, and you’ve got a two-in-one wellness boost!

Walking Meditation for Manifestation, Positive Energy, and Gratitude:
Incorporating a walking meditation focused on manifestation, gratitude, and positive energy during your 3-12-30 workout is an easy way to align your mental and physical health. One of my favorite sources of inspiration is this walking meditation from Pass Around the Smile by Cleo Massey. It’s a beautiful practice for aligning yourself with positivity and manifesting abundance.

Best Bites to Make Your Everyday Life a Little Bit Better:

☕ Chobani Hazelnut Creamer – This is perfect for the mornings when you’re busy but want something to make your coffee feel special. It tastes luxe and nutty, with just the right amount of sweetness.

🍓 Ellenos Strawberry Shortcake Yogurt – This is quite literally one of the best things that I ate this month and I grabbed it at the JetBlue terminal at JFK. This isn’t just yogurt; it’s dessert disguised as breakfast. Think rich, creamy, and indulgent—but still feels like a healthy choice.

Travel Eats That Will Alter Your Brain Chemistry:

🌮 Ilios Restaurant, Cancun, Mexico – We stumbled upon this restaurant our last night in Cancun. It was one of my favorite culinary experiences in recent memory. Truly dinner and a show, we even got to break plates during dinner. It felt like we were in the South of France. If you ever find yourself in Cancun, this spot is a must.

🥗 Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap at Vinny's Café, Boca Raton – Did we just find the best Chicken Caesar Wrap in America? I think so. We waited in line for an hour to try this viral wrap and it did not disappoint. It is wrapped THICK to the brim with the perfect amount of caesar salad, croutons, and chicken all chopped to perfection. Pro tip, we couldn’t finish more than half so share one with a friend and get in line before peak lunch hours so you can skip the wait.

Indulgent Recipes That Will Elevate Your Month:

🍰 Ina Garten’s Coconut Cake – My family has this sweet tradition of writing in cookbooks whenever we’ve made a recipe we really love. We write the date, the occasion we made it for, and any recipe alternations. My mom started doing this back in the 90s and one of my favorite pastimes is combing through the pages looking at the notes for sources of inspiration.

This year, we turned to the pages of Ina Garden’s Barefoot Contessa at Home for inspiration for my mom’s birthday cake. I returned once again to the Coconut Cake we’ve made dozens of times over the years. With its perfect balance of almondy-coconut flavor, it truly is a crowd-pleaser that never disappoints.

Check out the recipe below:

Coconut Cake Recipe

🍰 Cake Ingredients:

• 3 sticks unsalted butter (room temp), plus extra for greasing

• 2 cups sugar

• 5 extra-large eggs (room temp)

• 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract

• 1 ½ tsp almond extract

• 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

• 1 tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp baking soda

• ½ tsp kosher salt

• 1 cup milk

• 4 oz sweetened shredded coconut

🍦 Frosting Ingredients:

• 1 lb cream cheese (room temp)

• 2 sticks unsalted butter (room temp)

• ¾ tsp vanilla extract

• ¼ tsp almond extract

• 1 lb powdered sugar (sifted)

• 6 oz sweetened shredded coconut

⏰ Directions:

1. Preheat to 350°F. Grease & flour two 9-inch cake pans. (Pro tip: Line them with parchment paper for easy removal!)

2. Cake Batter Time: In a mixer, cream the butter & sugar until fluffy (about 3-5 minutes). Add eggs one by one, mixing in between, then vanilla & almond extracts (don’t worry if it looks curdled!).

3. Dry Ingredients: Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, & salt together. Alternately add this mix and milk to the batter. Stir until just combined. Fold in coconut with a spatula.

4. Bake: Divide the batter evenly between the pans. Smooth the top, then pop them in the oven for 45-55 minutes. Check with a cake tester—when it comes out clean, they’re done!

5. Cool: Let the cakes cool for 30 minutes, then flip them onto a rack to cool completely.

6. Frosting: In the mixer, combine cream cheese, butter, vanilla & almond extracts on low speed. Gradually add powdered sugar and mix until smooth (don’t whip—keep it creamy!).

7. Assemble: Place one cake layer on a plate, top-side down, and spread with frosting. Add the second layer, top-side up, and cover the whole cake with frosting. Sprinkle the top & sides with coconut for a tropical vibe!

🌟 Serve at room temp and enjoy the coconutty goodness! 🌟

✨ Recipe from Barefoot Contessa at Home by Ina Garten

🍫 NYT Cooking Chocolate Lava Cake for Two – This month, my mom gave me the login to her New York Times Cooking subscription and it has been a game changer. I perused it for Valentine’s Day and found the perfect chocolatey recipe to make for my chocoholic boyfriend. If you want a foolproof, showstopping dessert, this is it.

🍪 Miso Chocolate Chip Cookies (NYT Cooking) – A healthier, gluten and dairy-free twist on a classic that doesn’t skimp on flavor. These cookies were so easy to make and something I’ll keep in my pantry all winter long.

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Upcoming Pointina x Pure Barre Event

I’d love to personally invite you to a very special workshop we have coming up. We are teaming up with Pure Barre Darien for an afternoon of creativity, community and wellness. We designed and hand-painted adorable 203 canvases (a nod to our CT roots).

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Each participant will receive a complete needlepoint kit, including high-quality threads, needles, and a beautifully designed canvas. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned stitcher, this workshop is the perfect way to unwind, get creative, and connect with fellow needlepoint lovers.

Sign up here!

That’s a wrap on February!

I had a packed weekend all over Fairfield County to kick off March. This weekend I headed to the Penny Linn Store Opening with Pointina in Rowayton, an amazing 3 hour long storytelling workshop with The Moth in New Caanan, and a comedy show with Michael Rapaport at the New York Comedy Club Stamford!

I’ll be sharing more about these on my Instagram so if you’re not already, I’d love for you to follow along.

xoxo,

Elizabeth

PS Please reply to this email and let me know What’s one small upgrade that made your life better recently? I love hearing what’s bringing you joy. 💌