Eat, Read, Go: Chai Sugar Cookies, "The Ten Year Affair," and Hudson

EDITOR’S NOTE

Happy Saturday. Blame it on the (finally) changing weather, but everywhere I look, it seems people are trying new things. Some are taking wardrobe risks (more men in sl*tty little halter tops, please), while others are working on fun projects (this is the Nikki Glaser news I needed). All of which is giving me the confidence to change things up in my own life, too. For starters, I’ll…

• Bravely expand my midday snack repertoire, with these “amazing” Candied Cheez-Its (they’re giving caramel and cheddar popcorn).

• Swap my usual fall shoe uniform (Birkenstocks and socks, if you’re wondering) for the throwback sneakers that’ll soon be everywhere, particularly now that they’ve been cosigned by Katie Holmes.

• Dig through my middle school jewelry box for this expensive-looking hair accessory — key to what may be the most effortlessly chic styling trick.

• Save up my pennies to buy the bag I spent all of 2005 lusting over, even if it now has one rather large update. 

• Finally donate the clothes I’ve said I’d one day wear for...years. Though, I’ll keep these five wardrobe staples, which you should apparently hold onto “at all costs.”

— Jamie Feldman / Writer, Culture & Lifestyle / Brooklyn, NY

These Soft and Chewy Chai Sugar Cookies Are So Delicious, You’ll Forget About the Fall Drink

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While Instagram and the grocery store might have you think otherwise, pumpkin and apple aren’t the only fall flavors on Earth. Case in point: My Baking Addiction’s Chai Sugar Cookies. A twist on the classic treat, this no-chilling-required recipe is loaded with warm and cozy chai spices (think: cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and black pepper), which are not only mixed into the dough, but also coat the outside. The result? A gloriously thick, perfectly chewy, and highly craveable cookie that’ll fill your house with the absolute best aroma — and earn an immediate spot in your seasonal baking rotation.

The Time Commitment: Just 25 minutes. You’re welcome.

Key Tips: You can customize the level of chai flavor, depending on your taste. For something more subtle (and less sweet), skip the sugar-spice coating. Think there’s not nearly enough of a chai kick? Double the spice mixture, which you should honestly do either way — the leftovers can be used for clustery granola or wildly delicious candied nuts.

Other Takes: For more criminally underrated fall flavors, try… 

• Chewy Sticky Toffee Pudding Cookies. Packed with dates, ginger, molasses, and Werther’s caramels, this is essentially the English dessert in an easy-to-make, decadent cookie. 

• Gochujang Caramel Cookies. We all benefit from New York Times food columnist Eric Kim’s penchant for adding gochujang to everything (see: his cult-classic buttered noodles), and these crinkly, slightly spicy cookies are no exception. 

• Maple Brown Sugar Cookies. When someone who has written an entire cookbook about cookies declares these “the best cookies I’ve ever made,” do we even need to say more?

The Ten Year Affair by Erin Somers

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Some friendships blossom over years of memories and shared interests. Others happen solely because you have kids around the same age. That’s how it is for Cora and Sam, the former Brooklynites at the heart of Erin Somers’s The Ten Year Affair. The two meet at a Hudson Valley baby group, and from the jump, there’s an immediate, palpable chemistry between them — the kind that flashes “danger.” From there, the novel unfolds in two parallel timelines: In one, Sam and Cora resist the urge to act on their desires; in the other, they go…wild. Expect a deft exploration of suburban malaise, the pressures of marriage and motherhood, and the blurry line between fantasy and reality in what’s been called “the funniest book about infidelity you’ll read all year.” We asked Somers a few questions. Here’s what she had to say…

Q: What’s the last thing you read that you can’t stop thinking about?

Somers: Loved and Missed by Susie Boyt, an incredible novel about a grandmother who has to raise her granddaughter, and the fragility of familial relationships.

Q: What’s one unpopular opinion you have?

Somers: I’m against smartwatches. Why would you want your accessory to hound you all the time?

Q: What’s your shortcut to relaxation?

Somers: Ten milligrams of melatonin — and the antics of Jax Taylor.

Think You Know Everything About This Hip Hudson Valley Town? Think Again

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We know, we know: Hudson? For fall? Groundbreaking. But hear us out, because the once-sleepy New York town has transformed dramatically in recent years — and autumn is when it truly shines. Sure, there are enough leaf-peeping opportunities and local farms to satisfy even the most passionate Fall Person™. But you could also spend an entire weekend exploring the buzzy restaurants, fantastic bakeries, eclectic shops, and chic accommodations (stay at The Maker, which feels like the world’s chicest library) that now fill downtown. Plus, at just over two hours from NYC by car or train, it’s a weekend escape that’s doable on a whim — or before the holiday madness sets in.

👟 Hudson earns its nickname as “upstate’s downtown,” largely thanks to Warren Street — a lively main drag lined with boutiques and cafes that feel more Williamsburg than small-town New York. First, fuel up with a buttery croissant from Mel the Bakery. Then browse quirky greeting cards at The Social Type, pick up a dried floral bouquet at The Quiet Botanist, buy country-chic clothes at Jamestown, and flip through new releases at The Spotty Dog Books & Ale. You can also live out your Architectural Digest dreams at Hudson’s many home-design and antique furniture stores: midcentury fans should check out Neven & Neven Moderne to admire its collection of chairs; Ina Garten acolytes will love shopping for French glassware at Red Chair on Warren; and those with endless patience will find treasures at the 40,000-square-foot Antique Warehouse, just a short walk away.

🍂  Part of the beauty of a trip to Hudson is that it’s surrounded by many equally charming towns, all within driving distance. Art buffs should head to Beacon, home to superb galleries like BAU and Dia Beacon, a massive contemporary art museum that’s worth the trip alone. Outdoorsy types should trek to the area around High Falls, where you’ll find — you guessed it — an impressively tall waterfall, Minnewaska State Park Preserve (Severance fans might recognize Awosting Falls), and maybe Mandy Patinkin. Finally, for a little bit of everything, visit Kingston, another Brooklyn-like town with top-notch restaurants, excellent shopping (don’t miss Clove & Creek), colorful art studios, expansive green space, and rich history as New York’s first capital.

🍴 Let’s be real: Hudson’s food and drink scene is half the reason to visit. For New York’s best bagel (don’t come for us), go to Circles and order an everything bagel, topped with cream cheese, shiso, cucumbers, red onion, and chili crisp. Want to eat Bolognese surrounded by stunning floral arrangements and a cozy fireplace? Of course you do, so make a dinner reservation at Feast & Floret. Or, for something more casual, swing by Kitty’s, a hotspot with fun upscale-diner vibes and a seasonal menu that includes loaded hash browns, a chicory Caesar, and pea shoot dumplings. Wherever you eat, end the evening with one of The Hereafter’s inventive cocktails (we’re partial to The House Dirty martini).

You’ve figured out your next vacation destination. Great choice. Skip the scramble for a place to stay and use Booking.com. It serves up thousands of vetted hotels, villas, apartments, and other accommodations that you can filter according to your nice-to-haves and nonnegotiables. Plus, their price match guarantee helps you lock in the best rate. Enjoy that (necessary) hot tub.

We asked you to vote on an etiquette question you’d like answered. The winner was:

Q: There’s nothing that bugs me more than when a person near me at a concert doesn’t stop talking and/or singing loudly. Is there a way to say something without starting a confrontation, or should I just suck it up?

“Unless you’re going to listen to Brahms or Mozart or [attend the] opera, most people tend to sing along at a concert. There’s an element of expression that we should [all] feel free to do. That said, singing is different than yelling or chatting loudly. If you want to approach them, have a sense of humor about it. You can say, ‘Hey, I get it, I love this song too — but we can’t really hear. Do you mind talking more quietly?’ You might have to remind them six songs later, but at least it buys you a little time … Or, if your seatmate isn’t as bothered as you, offer to buy them dinner in exchange for switching with you. If [the person singing] doesn’t change their behavior, [you could find an usher to see if they can move your seats]. Otherwise, I’d personally and professionally recommend dropping it. You have to ask yourself if it’s worth pursuing, especially in today’s climate, where things escalate so quickly.”

Unleash your competitive side with today’s games and puzzles. Choose from an anagram word search, digital jigsaw puzzle, or crossword (with a twist). Better yet: Try them all.