America, I.R.L.

photos are all by Hailey Cognetti

I decided I wanted to go to Princeton the same way I discovered much of the world from my bedroom.

A google search.

I was a fourteen-year-old sophomore in high school. I’d just gotten back from New York for the first time, terrified that maybe I wasn’t cut out for ballet. I googled “best schools for writing to set a new dream. But in the process, I’d sort of given up on an old one. I’ve realized this recently and am back in ballet. I’ve been taking voice lessons. I really miss performing.

I was terrified to be myself at Princeton, largely I think because of social media. But now, I feel extremely grateful to have such a supportive alumni community to lean on and such a beautiful campus to come back to.

This past March, I returned to Princeton for the PULSE alumni conference. I brought Hailey Cognetti with me, because I love seeing the best old place of all through someone else’s eyes.

Here is everywhere we went:

THE DINKY

Here, we stopped for Bloody Mary’s. The service was great, the Bloody Mary’s were spicy, and the restaurant was beautiful.

Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads

These are really interesting statues down campus. They’re near New South, where I used to take creative writing classes.

Nassau Inn

While Princeton has other hotels, I prefer something with charm, history, and tradition. Nassau Inn is also perfectly located for a walkable experience of Princeton. It’s not as flashy as other options, but like a fine wine, I want a hotel that’s been around for a while. This one had a really gorgeous window.

Hailey and I also developed this criteria of an ideal hotel/setup for artists:

A Hot Literati Approved Hotel

• FUNKY CHAIR: 6.5/10

• IN-ROOM ART: 6/10

• COFFEE MAKER THAT IS GOOD ENOUGH: 8/10

• DESK: 9/10

From here, we went to the Rockey/Mathey Dining Hall to grab a bite with current student and artist Althea.

ROMA DINING HALL

We had grilled cheese. Iykyk. And Althea told us what it was like to be a sophomore at Princeton in 2025. She was already a follower of Hot Literati which is how we connected with her. She was young and fun and had so much potential, already exercising both left and right-brained pursuits and hobbies. She’d watched some of the Princeton content that I’m in and said that seeing my testimonials confirmed for her that “the weird girls are still at Princeton.” This made me laugh. Call me esoteric, weird, quirky, fairy-like, I’ve recently leaned into that fact that I am a little bit out there.

When I was an undergrad at Princeton, this was the thing I was terrified to admit to myself and to others. I shied away from extra-curriculars, new social groups, and certain challenges out of a fear of rejection. My time with Althea taught me that my real self still jumped out in certain moments and perhaps even inspired other weird girls to apply to my alma matter.

I’m reminded of a meal with talented musician and Princeton Alumna Danielle Stephenson in the same dining hall. Other people knew me that year as Miss Teen USA. We sat, chatting over food, and she laughed and said, “Wow, you’re actually such a nerd!”

“Yes!” I said, feeling truly seen.

Ye Tavern and Bar

Hailey and I left ROMA to get martinis, at Ye Tavern and Bar. I had a Vesper, which was decent. The interior was fun and the bar was teeming with people. It’s a newer restaurant to Princeton–an offshoot of the Graduate Hotel by Hilton. I am curious to try the food.

PULSE Alumni Conference

From here, we went to the PULSE Conference organized by the Office of Annual Giving. I once worked for the AG office as a Tiger Caller when I was around twenty. In Chancellor Green, one of the most beautiful libraries on campus, Don Seitz gave a really motivational speech that I found really affirming as a young entrepreneur.

The Princeton Charter Club

Hailey and I left Chancellor Green to go to my eating club, the Princeton Charter Club. I showed her the house–where I’d dance on the benches of the tap room to Mo Bamba, the library where I cried reading The Brother’s Karamozov, and the back lawn where I had my first Beatbox.

Hoagie Haven

We swung by Hoagie Haven on the way home, but were overwhelmed by the to-go and order-in screens that have infiltrated the shop. I like speaking to a person when I order food so that I can ask questions.

We got snacks from Princeton Convenience on the way home (I got pistachios).

In the morning, I found out that I needed to leave by early afternoon to make a meeting back in New York, so we rushed through a few more places that I wanted to show her.

Chez Alice

Chez Alice is one of my favorite places in Princeton. It’s a quaint cafe/patisserie that has good coffee, tea, sandwiches, and more. I picked up some macarons for Sean.

Small World Coffee

Small World is an iconic Princeton cafe for students. It’s typically pretty crowded. I remember sitting here at eighteen on something like a date, shocked that he wanted to split the bill. That is when I realized that I really am a midwestern American Girl through and through.

Princeton Record Exchange

Prex is a great stop if you’re in the area. I’d come here to get blues and soul records as a senior, while writing my senior thesis on the Harlem Renaissance.

We swung back by the Princeton Charter Club, for one last goodbye.

And finally, to Wawa, to catch the Dinky home.

Until next time Princeton.

And if you go to any of these places, please let me know! :o