Lamar is a muse for the ages, a lens through which we can explore the love within both our hearts and others'.
Check out the video and photos below.
Here’s how to start: get the book and set aside three weeks to apply the 21 chapters of daily wellness intel. Each chapter features prose by Eddie on impactful moments from her life, which then segue into varying ways to nurture the body, soul or both. What makes Peaches easy to connect with is that every chapter features one of Eddie’s friends who, in a series of candid interview questions, impart wisdom and tips on how to become the best version of whoever you want to be. Her friends are the women we see through the rose-tinted glasses of social media: the models, actresses, poets, photographers, and art directors sauntering their way through seemingly enviable lives.
Peaches tears down the stereotypes and red-tape surrounding the ‘it-girl’ persona, one honest page at a time.
Chapter by chapter, Eddie and co. guide readers how to hang on to your inner child and shed perfectionist attitudes. Peaches is an ode to the power of friendships and a manual for life in a pastel-colored package. Eddie reveals the magic in making new friends who speak her language of dry brushing, cold showers, movie nights and morning yoga.
Eddie began writing Peaches in 2018 as a guide to her younger self and to all the young women that want to add intentionality to their days. Having moved to New York City at age 17, healthy choices were not on her radar. Working as a model and living a fast-paced lifestyle left health and mindfulness in the background. “The wellness books I was reading in my early twenties seemed to be for an older audience. The topics they covered were things that felt very far away,” Eddie says. That’s when Peaches felt absolutely necessary to write. “I wanted the book to feel like a group of friends holding your hand each day. I included stories from different women from all around the world so that everyone can relate at some level to one of the featured women.” Chock-full of simple plant-based recipes, interviews and essays, Peaches is more than just an aesthetically pleasing coffee table addition. Eddie explains that the whole point of the book is to give you something new to consider and maybe even incorporate into your day (and beyond).
There were moments while reading Peaches when I stopped and re-read lines because I felt they were directed at me.
Gillian Sagansky, journalist and mental health advocate living between New York City and Berlin, gave this piece of advice: “Have the gumption to walk away when you know and stay when you know. Both take courage.” Whether you’re removing yourself from an unhealthy relationship, friendship, or job, making a change to your status quo is scary — even if it’s for the best. In the same vein, sticking by someone or something because it’s what you believe in speaks volumes.
Sarah Benjamin, an Israeli casting director, gets real when asked who her role model is — “Honestly? Myself.” We should all be so lucky to get to a point where our own history acts as fuel to push us beyond our recent benchmarks.
As for whether or not I’ve noticed any changes from the 21-day Peaches reset plan, the answer is… I haven’t started it yet. But, the interviews have nonetheless left me feeling inspired and ready to start changing. My showers now end with 10 seconds of cold water, Eddie recommends three minutes. I start mornings with a cup of tea instead of reaching for my boyfriend’s espresso machine. I’m not quite at lemon water yet, but we’re getting there. Oftentimes, I’d find excuses why a workout wouldn’t make sense on a particular day. In my mind, an 8:30 am yoga class could never work if I had an 11 AM meeting. Thanks to Peaches, I started scheduling my workouts at the beginning of every week as the anchor of the day and then I’d add everything else afterwards. To conclude, I feel a lot like myself…but better.
Guests were treated to an exquisite seated dinner by celebrated chef Olivier Cheng on the museum's sixth floor. The sleek, modern space was transformed into a glittering wonderland, with towering floral arrangements and whimsical decor by David Stark Design. The atmosphere was electric, as guests sipped cocktails and mingled, eagerly anticipating the next part of the evening.
Downstairs in the lobby, the Studio Party was in full swing, hosted by a star-studded lineup including Rowan Blanchard, Erica and Michael Karsch, Alton Mason, Carlos Nazario, Jake Poses, David Aron, Max Poses, Jennifer Tuft and Jay Brooker. The party was the perfect blend of high energy and sophisticated elegance, with music by The Dare setting the tone for a night of dancing and revelry.
Of course, no New York party is complete without top-notch cocktails, and the Whitney Studio Party did not disappoint. Guests enjoyed a selection of smooth and delicious drinks throughout the evening, crafted by expert mixologists.
All in all, the Whitney Gala and Studio Party delivered a night of art, music, and celebration that was truly unforgettable. From the glittering decor to the guests to the top-notch entertainment, it was a fitting tribute to the museum's commitment to fostering innovation and creativity in the arts. As the partygoers dispersed into the night, there was no doubt that they were already counting down the days until next year's gala.
We strolled onto the empty ferry behind another group who we quickly realized were headed to the same place. No, not because they were also wearing white — their group just had a similar vibe. We arrived on shore, and what we found that evening was truly unimaginable. Tucked away behind an outward facade of palm trees sat a tropical oasis reminiscent of the beaches, lush jungles, and nightlife of the Yucatán Peninsula — GITANO ISLAND right by the water's edge. The 27,000 square foot waterfront restaurant and beach lounge reopened on May 1st with a new modern Mexican menu by executive chef Antonio Maldonado. Last summer, GITANO welcomed 54,000 guests in just 90 days so of course, we at office had to find out what all the fuss was about.
Within minutes of sitting down at our table of twelve, we noticed the Manhattan skyline just in sight, a view that reminded us how close to home we were, despite how distant the restaurant actually felt. I started the evening with "Kisses in the Car," a sweet, citrusy blend of Pierde Almas Mezcal, Zacapa Rum, agave, and passion fruit habanero, which was the perfect compliment to the corn totopos and guacamole we started with. Then, two margarita punch bowls, chipotle potatoes, broccolini, and shishito peppers were brought out onto the table.
The next round of dishes consisted of a refreshing watermelon & tomato salad, perfectly grilled octopus zarandeado, and a savory chorizo con queso fundido. Then came the main course of dishes: branzino in banana leaf, roasted cauliflower al pipian, pollo al recado rojo, short rib birria, and two creekstone farms prime ribeye. Every dish was cooked to perfection and hard to set aside. By the end, we were just as stuffed as the banana leaf.
Before dessert, a few of us got up to stretch our legs and explore the island. Unexpectedly, we ran into James Gardner, the founder and CEO of GITANO GROUP, who asked us if we were aware that "in New York City there was a place more beautiful than the garden of love," referring to the Gitano location once open on Varick Steet. Clearly, he was just as excited to see us and so curious as to what we thought, letting us know how much thought went into the creation of the island.
He quickly offered us a tour through the sandy beach lounge complete with Sunbeds and Beach Cabanas to the 40' Lotus Pond with sparkling disco ball suspended over the water and the iconic black Bedouin Dining Tent with 360 marble bar. At the bar, he ordered us each a glass of Jungle Juice as he walked us over to the dining pergola where we were seated and proceeded to show us how heavy the chairs actually were. All of the wooden elements of the restaurant were designed and built in Tulum with Zapote wood from the Yucatán jungle. He wanted the sturdiness and authenticity of the region to be reflected in the space.
By the time the sun set, the restaurant grounds were filled with faces, both familiar and new, all taking in the same spirit of adventure that James has cultivated in all of his GITANO endeavors. Even so, GITANO ISLAND remains a special place, one we see ourselves returning to sooner than later, and we hope to see you there when we do.
See more from our night at GITANO below.
