Introduction by Toby Young, Elizabeth’s college roommate and Island Hopper OG.

Toby, black center with the fabulous earrings, Elizabeth front center in white.

Everyone needs an Elizabeth in her life! She is the friend that knows what color to paint your living room, that charming shop in the West Village that sells the cute hostess gifts, the great restaurant in Paris. Lucky me to have been friends with Elizabeth for (gasp!) almost forty years.

We became friends and roommates in college many years ago. While most of our friends threw keg parties, we threw sit-down dinner parties and outdoor garden cocktail parties. All because Elizabeth was an amazing cook and baker even at that young age….she even catered parties for our professors!

Over the years, Elizabeth was always in the kitchen cooking amazing dinners for friends and baking cookies and cakes, even though I am not sure where she found the time because she was very busy with her successful career and raising two amazing children. She was a magazine editor, the lifestyle expert at The Today Show and she even found time to write a column for The Washington Post.

During Covid, Elizabeth started baking more often….and people started asking her to bake cakes for their special occasions. Her cakes are truly pieces of art. Elizabeth’s baking company, The Dutchy, now books out months in advance…but the wait is worth it. Not only are her cakes stunning to look at, but they taste pretty great too.

Toby and pal sharing a birthday cake made by Elizabeth while at Georgetown.

TRAVELS WITH ELIZABETH

Your favorite luggage:

Rimowa. I only ever travel with carryon! Same with the rest of my family. For ski vacations, I ship skies, boots etc via FedEx ground to our destination and ship them home afterwards.

People are always shocked by how light I travel, but if you plan ahead with outfits, stuff your shoes with socks etc, and roll your clothes, you can fit a lot in.

https://www.rimowa.com/us/en/luggage/colour/silver/cabin/97353004.html

Travel essentials you are never without?

I don’t have that many essentials other than my phone, headphones, a book and NyQuil for long flights (it’s the only drug that works for me). I do always bring a light puffer (Uniqlo); planes are often cold and if not, it scrunches up into a pillow, plus I find it’s always good to have an extra layer (even to warm destinations because there is always a restaurant that is too cold!)

Do you have a travel uniform?

I usually wear Frank & Eileen pants in an army green and a black boatneck shirt or no iron button down from Brooks Brothers—both have some stretch so they are comfortable for long flights, they look smarter than leggings and the colors/look is versatile for all types of weather.

https://www.frankandeileen.com/products/wicklow-army-italian-performance-twill?variant=41536172589130

Any pro travel tips?

Carry-on only!

Is there anything you collect on your travels?

Postcards specifically from museums