✨let's talk through: march
whew. that's all I got
This month was full and fun until it wasn’t. We made some incredible memories and I had some really healthy realizations about where I am at in life. Some things I need to address (hello physical therapy for the 3rd time in my life) and some things I simply need to enjoy (ah the good ole practice of gratitude).
Then March 27th happened. The Covenant School shooting was 20 minutes from where I live. I know people who know people that love teachers, students, and staff there. I’m not going to go on too much about it, because I know it can be difficult to see content like this everywhere, but I have to acknowledge at the top what is going on in Tennessee. Excuse my language, but it is cluster fuck. It’s so frustrating. I’m doing what I can do help be a part of change, but it’s both easier and harder when the news is focused on your community. Another reason why this newsletter is late- I couldn’t care about compiling this during the two weeks of sadness at the loss of life and the disappointment in the Tennessee House’s decision to expel two young black men who are leaders in our communities. I’m learning the balance of doom scrolling and staying informed, being connected and too connected. I’m taking this weekend to do some things I love and pursuing daily positive experiences.
As a reminder, I recap my months though the categories of:
Read, Realize, Organize, Buy, Eat & Drink, Wear, Watch, Listen, Travel, Memories*.
*I have replaced “Share” with “Memories” as I do not have the mental capacity to curate this section. But I do need to keep curating a sense of gratitude.
READ
LEDGER:
🔘 read on my nook
🎧 audiobook
📚 reread
🔖 library
📔 own
This was SUCH a good reading month. Following my yearly intention of not using reading as a way to numb out from the world means I read intentionally from my shelves and really enjoyed the amount of reading I did.
📔 The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
rating: loved it
This was not what I thought it was. I went in thinking it would be more eat, pray, love-esque with thoughts on how to live an enchanted life. Instead it was a story and reflection on grief and loss and it was so good I cried. This won’t be my last book by Didion I read.
📚 Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman
rating: loved it
This was my reread and no shame. I was having a bad day and this book is like a salve to me and I love it.
📔 This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub
rating: really liked it
I buzzed through this one and I usually am NOT a fan of time travel. But I think I benefitted going into this one only knowing that 1. people I respect loved it 2. time travel was involved. And it was because of the first reason that I was okay with the second. Usually time travel feels like a lazy plot device used to make a boring story more interesting. This was not that. Time travel was used as a device to explore grief and what you would do with time if you had the option.
📔 True Biz by Sara Novic
rating: loved it
For how much this book jumped between characters, I really felt like they were all developed and it was beautiful. It was about a deaf school and the people in it- headmaster, students, and parents. There was beautiful insight into the power and importance of language- whether it’s ASL or spoken word.
📔 Beasts of a Little Land by Juhea Kim
rating: loved it
This book reminds me why I love longer historical fiction books. It’s expansive in time, but also gives you so much time with each character that you get to see the ebb and flow of their good and bad decisions. You get to see the whole of someone’s life. The bad decisions can be redeemed and the good isn’t always as good as you think. I loved the characters, setting, and history of this book. Even if you don’t like historical fiction typically, I think you would like this one.
🔘 Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola
rating: loved it
OKAY I’M SORRY it took me this long to read this one. Fake relationship + cultural importance + friendships + humor= A REALLY GOOD BOOK. I loved Kiki’s personal development WHILE staying strong to her beliefs and who she is. If you need a good romance that has some depth, READ THIS
REALIZE
This section is either going to be short or really long.
On March 27, six people died at the hands of a shooter in Nashville. 24 minutes from where I live.
I’ve decided this is going to be short because I honestly don’t feel like crying anymore.
Ban assault weapons. Advocate for common sense gun control laws.
I wrote about it on my personal page here and it’s all I have to give right now.
ORGANIZE
I didn’t do a ton this month. The biggest thing I did was reorganize my closet just because it was feeling stagnant. I didn’t buy anything extra to organize it, I simply flipped some things around. Like moving my pants to the opposite side of the shelf, mixing up the color flow of my coordination. Helped my brain with being a bit more creative or see things that were hidden before.
BUY
This was a big buy month because we are getting ready for our next trip! Nice + Barcelona in May and I cannot wait. But also I felt frustrated by my lack of progress in my skin texture and glow. So I totally overhauled my skin care routine. I’m about three weeks in and I am definitely noticing a difference.
MORNING
Micellar water
Stratia Rewind
Stratia Interface
Black Girl Sunscreen
EVENING
Micellar water
Cocokind Oat to Milk Cleanser
Cocokind Barrier Ceramide Serum
Naturium Retinol Complex Serum (every other day right now)
CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
I also got the Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint. I was just wearing Maybelline Fit Me but I felt like it was negating all of the above skin care. I went to Sephora to get color matched and had an incredible experience. I tried a couple of different tinted serums but this was my favorite. It does have a slight play-doh smell but it goes away quickly and it honestly doesn’t bother me too much.
TRAVEL
We splurged and got the larger carry on Away luggage! Last Europe trip we took duffels and they had their pros, but the cons were too much. My friend Gennean is a travel planner and recommended this luggage so we couldn’t resist!
p.s. if you are planning a trip you need to connect with her!
CLOTHING
Abercrombie Curve Love High Rise 90s Relaxed Jean: It took me THREE times to get the right size (mostly due to my impatience), but they are amazing. So comfortable and feel like a good quality jean.
Abercrombie Crinkle Textured Puff Sleeve Top: I’m in a big “define my style” season and this one is more on the “feminine” side of my style. It’s soft and flirty.
Old Navy Fit & Flare Mixed Fabric Midi Cami Dress: Again with the more feminine side. I love a good black dress and this one felt so me. It has shape and I can wear a bra with hit and feels very classic.
H&M Crop Tank: Not really a crop on me since I have about 2 inches of torso, but I like this one!
EAT & DRINK
At home:
Continuing to keep it simple with what I’m calling meal math
steak + asparagus
shrimp + rice
chicken + pasta
etc etc.
Keeping it simple these days. Sometimes cooking is a creative, meditative outlet for me, other days it is a chore. I’m finding this solution helps me not dread cooking the days I feel the latter.
Out & about:
If you are ever in Nashville, you need to go to Joyland. The crust burger is wildly good.
Sometimes, donuts are the answer.
I have been dreaming about these oysters for almost a year from Old Florida Fish House in Santa Rosa Beach, FL. Parmsean, butter, white wine and garlic yes please.
WEAR
The green coat is a great spring coat. Lots of similar outfits and not a lot of creativity this month, but wait until April :). I know this is the Wear section, but my hair was really good to me this month and it was so nice.
WATCH
Twas the month of Veep and I hated everyone and loved every second.
LISTEN
PODCASTS
Currently listening:
Bad on Paper
Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend
Over Under Achievers
The Popcast with Knox & Jamie
Sleep With Me
Money with Katie
Catching up:
Maintenance Phase
Scam Goddess
Added to queue:
None!
TRAVEL
This month we went to the 30a area of Florida! I went last year with the team I used to be on and this was Connor’s first time. It was lovely. We only went for 2.5 days, but it felt like more. We ate, sat on the beach, sat on the porch, watched basketball, and read a lot. If you are going to go to the beach, and you can, splurge on staying on the beach. The weather wasn’t perfect, so we were able to still enjoy by opening up the sliding doors.
MEMORIES
✴ Got another tattoo! I love it so much. More about it here.
🍕We saw Phil Rosenthal of Somebody Feed Phil at CMA Theater and it was so lovely and I cried twice
🏀 Made a trip to Birmingham to watch some basketball! I also love that we know ourselves well enough to leave early to beat traffic and go to bed.
🏒 Went to our first Predators game, but really it was a Red Wings game because #redwingsforever
🎾 I beat Connor in tennis. I taught him how to play like 8 years ago and I would beat him, and then we were even, and now I’ve been consistently losing for 3 years. And that is…not easy for me. So winning feels special these days.
Thanks for reading! I really do enjoy compiling these and giving insight into what I discover each month. If you enjoy, please consider sharing with a friend or two who also enjoy intentional living.