Cool people like cool things, which is why we asked Jo Rosenthal to share a taste of her taste on Perfectly Imperfect.

Jo Rosenthal is an artist, writer, and fashion enthusiast based in New York City. She’s got a really great sense of personal style that’s constantly evolving and pens a lovely weekly Substack newsletter about dating and figuring out who you are in New York. She’s coming out with another edition of Ode to Those I've Kissed, a book where she paints everyone she’s ever kissed from memory and writes about them. She’ll have a table at the Printed Matter book fair in June, so go say “hi” and snag a copy. Lucky for us, Jo is here to tell us what she’s been into.

Without further ado

Jo Rosenthal (instagram)

🎵 Prince

Nothing makes me feel like his music does. There's a Prince song for every moment in life. Here are some favorite songs (in no particular order) to make your ears smile. 

      -For tender moments

      -I've sent this one to two different dating prospects and neither one of them understood it or why. lol. 

      -(An obvious choice) for moments in need

      -Sometimes I like to let my freak flag fly, do you?

☠️ Jackass

Name a better show, I dare you!!! It has everything from strong friendships to hotties in the nude to pure Marx Brothers style comedy through wild stunts. And they dressed themselves, which is pretty much the inspiration for how everyone dresses now. They wanted us to laugh, and there’s nothing nicer than laughter. Start from episode one and watch the entire thing. My favorite skit is Roller Disco Truck. I’ve laughed so hard at that show I’ve jumped up and down on my couch hugged by joy. 

🪶 A feather boa

All the greats wore/wear them. It's a conversation starter and even more so, a good idea. 

🎵 Music For Chameleons by Truman Capote

My absolute favorite author and someone who definitely knew how to party. My best friend gave me this book and it felt like an angel passed it along at a time when I needed it most. I've read this book four times. I've given it to everyone I've ever loved. I've sat at the park with my head on someone's lap while reading this. I go back to it over and over again when I don't feel understood and it gives me just what I need. Handcarved Coffins is so incredibly written, it makes me want to be a better writer. A mystery writer even. One day I'd love to paint a portrait of something as beautiful as he did with his words. 

🥧 Let me bake you a pie

In the hustle and bustle of living in a busy city, it's important to make time for pie. I bake every single day. I'm serious. Apple/blueberry is my specialty. 

🫂 12 hugs a day

It's been scientifically proven. 4 hugs for survival, 8 hugs for maintenance, 12 hugs for growth. I don't even like hugs that much, but 12 hugs sound good to me. 

♥️ Being Romantic

With everything you do. Write a love letter, make someone something sweet, show up with a boombox outside someone's window blasting In Your Eyes, buy someone flowers, do something meaningful, go on a spontaneous trip with someone, tell someone you are thinking about them, look at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself how wonderful you think you are, read a poem, get lost on the dancefloor, listen to a good song, smile at something tender, listen to Sleepy Lagoon by the platters...the possibilities are endless, you should try it sometime...

Follow Jo on Instagram.

Subscribe to her Substack.

Buy her book on Printed Matter.

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