Well, the long weekend has come and gone—and if you’re sitting there wondering how we’re already past Labor Day and into September, you’re not alone. There’s always something bittersweet about this time of year: the last long weekend of summer gives way to shorter days, crisper air, and the unmistakable pull of a new season.
This summer felt like it moved at warp speed. While they always seem to fly by, this one in particular seemed to evaporate in record time. Thank goodness for the millions of photos on my phone—proof that I did, in fact, live the summer of 2025 and didn’t just dream it away.
Traditionally, my Labor Day weekends have been a medley of my favorite things: a workout in the Hamptons, time at the barn with a horse to ride, and plenty of beach days. But this year, my long weekend looked different. Aside from two non-negotiables—seeing the beach and enjoying ice cream—I traded in my usual rituals for new experiences. A few years ago, that shift might have unsettled me. I would have clung to the comfort of routine, worried that change meant I was missing out. But this year, I welcomed the opportunity to shake things up.
One highlight was a last-minute trip into New York City. Normally, I avoid the city on holiday weekends—it feels too crowded, too busy, too much. But when the invitation came, I felt ready to embrace something different. The train ride in was surprisingly quiet (despite the US Open still going strong), and the weather, while technically still August, carried an early hint of fall. It was the perfect backdrop for debuting a tennis-inspired look I had been saving. Brunch at Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge in Times Square, complete with—you guessed it—a rooftop bar, views of the Empire State Building, and whimsical décor that felt straight out of Alice in Wonderland, set just the right tone for my weekend of change.
While the impromptu get-together was really about reconnecting, we couldn’t resist sneaking in a few US Open matches on TV. Between sips of the signature Honey Deuce cocktail and bites of a ridiculously decadent breakfast spread, it felt like the perfect mix of indulgence and excitement—a little slice of long weekend luxury.
As I reflect on the summer—and on this Labor Day weekend in particular—I’m reminded that change often starts in small ways. It’s in choosing to say yes to something you might have once turned down. It’s in loosening your grip on traditions to make space for new ones. And it’s in realizing that even when a season ends, it leaves you with memories that carry you forward.
So while summer 2025 may have been fleeting, it was full of moments that felt different in the best possible way. And as September unfolds, I’m ready to lean into that same spirit—welcoming what’s next, even if it looks nothing like what I’ve always known.
Did your Labor Day weekend look like years past, or did you try something new? I’d love to hear how you’re embracing change this season and what you’re most excited for as we step into fall.
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