Gifts are never required to get my attention, but are always appreciated. I keep a wishlist here. If you need some ideas because you’d like to surprise me, here are some tips:

• Flowers, seasonal, colorful wildflowers preferred

• White wines, mineral but not acidic

• Milk chocolates, preferably with a cream or fruit center

• A book you’ve read recently and want to chat about

• A clothing item made of silk or linen

• Golds and rose golds suit my skin tone

Please no: Sparkling wine (including champagne, I’m allergic to all of it), fast fashion, fragrances or toiletries, unused leather products, or fur products

Preferred retailers include:

Abott & Oaks

Angela Friedman

Anekdot

Sézane

Rêve En Vert

US Sizing:

Shirts/Blouses: Small

Pants/Skirts/Dresses: 2-4

Brassier: 30-D or 32-B

Undergarments: Small

Shoes: 7.5 (wide) or an 8

Height: 5.5

Want to know my preferences for in-room snacks or treats to share? Here are some of my favorites.

Libations

Piquepoul blancs in summer, full-bodied chardonnay in winter, fruity kombucha on a warm afternoon, aromatic early grays, and earthy green teas on the colder days.

Snacks

Artisanal (very fragrant) cheeses, fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, assorted nuts, and (always) french fries.

Warm spots for rest and rendezvous? I know a few…

Baltimore:

• The Ulysses

• Hotel Revival

• The Ivy

• The Four Seasons

• The Sagamore Pendry

Washington D.C.:

• Pendry Washington D.C. on the Wharf

• The Riggs

• The Dupont Circle Hotel

• Intercontinental Washington D.C.

• The Line

• The Hay-Adams

Philadelphia

• The Guild House Hotel

• Anna & Bel

• The Westin Philadelphia

• Sofitel Philadelphia

• The Four Seasons Philadelphia

• The Kimpton Palomar

New York City

• The Fifth Avenue Hotel

• The Bryant Park Hotel

• The Ned Nomad (Upper floors for the view)

• Hotel Chelsea

• The William Vale

I’m an excellent home-cook so I tend to cook for myself, but when I do venture out for a drink or a meal, here are a couple of highlights.

Bars

Baltimore:

• Bluebird

• W.C. Harlan

• Dutch Courage

• Rye

• The Elk Room

Washington, D.C.:

• The Mirror

• Red Derby

• Officina

Philadelphia:

• Caletta

• Bar Lesieur

• Franklin Mortgage

New York City

• Orai

• Lantern’s Keep

• Dead Letter No. 9

• The Otheroom

• Baretto

Restaurants

Baltimore:

• Alma (Venezuelan)

• Grano (Italian)

• Clavel (Tacos)

• The Charleston (New American)

• Comptoir Du Vin (French)

• Ammoora (Syrian)

Washington, D.C.:

• Cranes (Japanese-Spanish Fusion)

• Albi (Palestinian)

• Maydan (Middle Eastern)

• Pisco y Nazca (Peruvian)

Philadelphia:

• Parc (French)

• Kalaya (Thai)

• Bastia (Mediterranean)

• Vetri Cucina (Italian)

New York City

• Bōm (Brazilian)

• Les Enfants De Boheme (French)

• Olio e Piu (Italian)

• Her Name is Han (Korean)

• Ilili NoMad (Middle Eastern)

As many of you know, I’m an unabashedly political individual, with deeply leftist leanings rooted in my knowledge that there is little separation between the personal and political. My largest concerns and own organizing work have to do with fighting climate change that threatens the lives of millions around the globe, staunch opposition to creeping fascistic movements in the United States and beyond, protections for laborers both foreign and domestic, as well as more local-scale support for vulnerable members of my community. If you’d like to donate money in support of these goals, I recommend the following:

• The Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund

• The Baltimore Abolition Movement

• Evergreen Action 

• Extinction Rebellion

• National Alliance on Mental Illness — Baltimore

• Baltimore Safe Haven

• Baltimore Harm Reduction Coalition

• Baltimore Roundtable for Economic Democracy

• The Mazzoni Center

• The DC Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid