✨let's talk thru: february
a very meh month overall but let's talk about it
READ
LEDGER:
🔘 read on my nook
🎧 audiobook
📚 reread
🔖 library
📔 own
Here is what I read this month. I have also decided that I am going to keep the majority of my book reviews to this newsletter. For some reason, book reviews don’t do well on my instagram feed. It feels like a misuse of my time and energy whereas here, it feels more expansive to be able to review books.
🔖Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors
rating: really liked it
synopsis
This felt like a classic “white rich people behaving badly” but with a heart towards the end. So many books in this genre are just simply sad and end with a “whomp whomp.”
Cleo and Frank meet one night and fall in some version of love. And for her green card, they get married. Thus entering a marriage filled with ups, downs, art, cheating, love, pain, and more.
📔Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman
rating: loved it
synopsis
This book was so good. I highlighted and tabbed so many pages. It isn’t a self-help book or an anti-self help book. It’s a book on the philosophy of time and productivity. Burkeman spent years writing productivity hacks & biohacking articles. Then, like many, the pandemic threw him for a loop and changed a lot of things. Now he focuses on writing about concepts instead of writing to hack your way to a better life.
If you enjoy talking about how to go through life intentionally or about life strategies, this is a book for you.
🔖The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
rating: liked it
synopsis
A sweet, read in one sitting book about a real person/celeb romance. Hannah is a bodyguard- great at her job, but has a complicated life. She has unhealed trauma and doesn’t like to talk about her childhood, anddddd just got broken up with by her boyfriend who is also her coworker.
When the firm she works for gets a case that could make her career, she’s up for the challenge, until it means living in close proximity to a super hot actor who has been in reclusion after the death of his brother.
This has a lovely family, cute romance, no spice and is an easy read.
🔖In My Dreams I Hold a Knife by Ashley Winstead
rating: liked it
synopsis
I struggle with thrillers in general. It is usually easy for me (not a brag, just my truth) to figure out at least the general gist of where the story is going. This had a couple good twists, but in general, you could tell some things were coming down the pipe.
Jessica and her five friends return to their alma mater for the 10 year reunion. Her plans for triumphant are circumvented when their murdered friend’s brother wants answers from the past. Through flashbacks, you begin to learn the pieces that put together not only the night that changed everything, but people’s true thoughts on their tight group.
I’m not going to lie, the deep gross part of me was like, “yeah, I can relate to Jessica.” I too would want to come back somewhere I felt insecure and look hot and have my life together in front of my ex and friends. You can’t tell me she wasn’t a super unhealthy enneagram three.
All in all this was a fun like a thriller is fun not like actual fun. But for what it is supposed to be it was a romp of unbelievable and kinda horrible characters that you love to hate.
🔖Good Talk by Mira Jacobs
rating: loved it
synopsis
This book is so freaking good. I never thought I would feel this much love for a graphic novel, I don’t know why. But I do. I love this book, I love the conversations and depth and also jokes and importance this tackles.
Mira Jacobs tells about her life as a woman, mom, wife, daughter of immigrants through conversations she has had throughout her life. I will not be able to do this justice. She discusses racism and family and career with truth and complexity. If you haven’t read this yet, do it.
🔖All This Could be Different by Sarah Thankham Matthews
rating: loved it
synopsis
Sneha is an immigrant trying to make her way in the USA in mid 2000s. As recession looms, her world get turn about and her depression builds. Her romantic and platonic relationships both build and suffer.
Possibly my favorite book of the month. There are so many different layers of relationships. Sneha struggles with so much but also develops a beautiful community through trial and error.
🔖The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
rating: really liked it
synopsis
Middle/elementary school Lauren would have freaking loved this book. Fun fact: I was a lite horse girl. My bedroom was horses, but I didn’t have a horse or anything. I had trading cards with all the info and breeds of horses and memorized the ish out of them.
Okay this book. Sweet family, deadly horse race and horse breed, story of survival, light love connection. If you need an easy, fun, but kinda darker read that is simple- read this!
📔Liturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Harrison Warren
rating: loved it
synopsis
I voice memo-ed Hannah one day something like, “hello, if I have to do one more mundane life thing I am going to scream.” Some days I feel overwhelmed by the little things- laundry, grocery shopping, cleaning, etc. like WHY am I doing this ish all the time.
Then I read this book. It reminded me of so many good things. That there is beauty and purpose in the small.
“Everyone wants a revolution. No one wants to do the dishes.”
“Similarly, when we denigrate our bodies—whether through neglect or staring at our faces and counting up our flaws—we are belittling a sacred site, a worship space more wonderous than the most glorious, ancient cathedral. We are standing before the Grand Canyon or the Sistine Chapel and rolling our eyes.”
“When suffering is sharp and profound, I expect and believe that God will meet me in its midst. But in the struggles of my average day I somehow feel I have a right to be annoyed.”
REALIZE
I value having experts in my life. It’s my dream to have experts in my life for almost every area. That’s probably going to be impossible unless I come into a ruthless amount of money somehow, but a girl can dream.
My biggest example of this right now is my hairstylist. Allie Rae now has creative control over my hair. I tell her what I am thinking, but she tells me if I should go short or longer. She pushes me towards a hair color she thinks would look good. I can have an idea of what I want, but I’ve exported the final decision to someone who is an expert.
It doesn’t have to be a professional or someone you pay. It can be someone you trust. Someone who enjoys the thing you need help with. But the big thing is that you don’t have to make every single decision in your life in the moment without help. You are allowed to bring other voices in. You are allowed to build trust.
ORGANIZE
Instead of a product, i’m going to talk about a practice. I struggle with anxiety sometimes and this month, I had many days where it was lurking under the surface. It felt like it was under my skin and ready to tear through my brain.
On an especially bad day (the day I’m writing this) I am doing what I call a “do less” day. It’s a day where work isn’t the forefront of my mind. I’m still working. I’m still getting things done, but I’m also doing all the things that have been bothering me.
throwing away expired things
reorganizing shelves
grocery shopping
cleaning up my make up area
etc etc
This makes me feel some semblance of control. That I can make things happen and I can do things that bring me ultimate peace. Those little nettling things also matter just as much as the big work things I want to accomplish.
BUY
Waterproof phone case
I really like watching tv shows and movies the shower. But don’t like the risk of getting my phone wet. Even though I take the risk most times. So this contraption is great. I can mount it high up when I shower and lower for when I take a bath. Win.
Owala
Connor likes to joke about my love of new water bottles, but the truth is I needed a new one. I lost my simple modern. At first, I was going to go the stanley route. I bought one for a giveaway for work and it went so well (see here fellow social media managers in need of convincing your boss that giveaways work for exposure).
Because of who I am as a person, I got the all black and I am loving it. The main selling point of an owala is that it has a straw and you can gulp from it, but the straw is hidden meaning it is more sanitary. Which honestly, never even crossed my mind with my simple modern. I got the 40oz one and it is now coming with me every where I go.
Warby Parker glasses
My sister likes to joke (sensing a theme of those I love mocking me…) that I have commitment problems when it comes to glasses and she isn’t wrong. It feels like a huge decision to me. You are choosing a whole look- do you go funky or classic? Bright or neutral? This time, the biggest factor to me was the nose pad. I need one. Ones without hit my eyelashes and are uncomfortable and I end up not wearing them. So it becomes essentially a waste of money. I have already worn these quite a bit. And even though I was almost swayed by a clear pair, I think I am happy with the ones I got.
Spring water spray
My skin is dehydrated always. For the most part, I have really good skin- no acne or chronic problems. But it is dull. I have some unevenness in coloring. I have dreams of dewy, bright, plump skin. Until I actually talk to someone who can fix it, I am going to keep my skin routine simple. The additional of the water comes in before I add my moisturizer. I get the dirt and grime off my face, spray the water, then add in my moisturizer to lock in the water. So far, loving it. Can’t tell if it actually works, but it feels good.
Tickets!
BEYONCE TICKETS
PREDS VS RED WINGS TICKETS
SOMEBODY FEED PHIL TICKETS
We are doing fun things this year and I’m here for it
EAT&DRINK
At home:
Very low maintenance, easy meal month. Did you know that you can do less and still feed your family and it is going to be okay? Dinners are mostly my responsibility in our home and so many days I feel pressure (from me and me only) to make elaborate and delicious meals. You know what my husband wants most day? A protein and a veggie. He’s happy. It’s easy.
This month we did tuna melts, TJs burritos, steak + veggie, chicken + pasta, shrimp + rice. Go tos for a reason.
Out & about:
Nothing to really write about this month that stood out restaurant wise. Except sometimes, you just need McDonalds.
Top left: best latte (roosevelt from Honest)
Top middle: quarter pounder with cheese + nuggets + fries + caramel sundae
Top right: cinnamon roll from Franklin Bakehouse
Bottom left: some days I don’t eat lunch until 3pm and some times it is this
Bottom right: shake shack is my preferred fast/casual food burger. Share yours and start some chaos.
WEAR
This month I tried to play with proportions more. I am usually a high-waisted pant + tucked in shirt girl. Now I am trying things like the middle bottom photo, mid rise + oversized shirt. Or the top right which is a new favorite outfit.
The only additions to my wardrobe this month were two new oversized tees from The Find, a local curated thrift shop.
I will be shopping more soon for our trip to Nice + Barcelona. If you have any recs of places to shop- let me know!
WATCH
Listen. All I care about is Succession. Not really, but it took me so long to get into it that now I am kinda obsessed. The dialogue. The drama. The humor. THE OUTFITS. It’s wild and I love it. Everyone is the worst.
Quick reviews:
Prisoners- hella sad and not a fun hang
Waiting for Guffman- watched while on a delta8 gummy and it was hilarious
Street Food- I love food shows
Break Point- BTS of sports? Need for all shows. This one is tennis.
Hacks- SO good. Funny and deep and the two main characters are incredible
Shrinking- still watching new episodes. Didn’t love how last week’s ended.
The Traitors- I skipped through episodes 8+9. But that ending? Incredible.
Succession- see above
The Murdaugh Murders- this just proves to me that being too rich will always be a problem.
LISTEN
PODCASTS
Currently listening:
Bad on Paper
Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend
Over Under Achievers
The Popcast with Knox & Jamie
Sleep With Me
Catching up:
Maintenance Phase
Scam Goddess
Added to queue:
Life Kit
Rule of Life
The Ezra Klein Show
TRAVEL
C and I booked a trip to 30a and we are so excited for a quick weekend trip to the beach! I went for the first time last year with work on a creative retreat. I loved it but also can’t stop thinking about these oysters I had so I can’t wait to get those and hopefully sit on the beach or just enjoy more sunshine.
This is the first year where it feels like we are fully living it up in the fruits of our years of financial discipline and I gotta say, it was worth it. This month’s “expound” will probably be all about our financial journey feat. Connor, the CPA husband on the hows and whys our financial decisions.
SHARE
❤️My former boss found out his seven year old daughter has a brain tumor that is cancerous. Surgery is today (3/3) and if you are a praying person, I know they would covet your thoughts and prayers. If you want to donate.
🙏I have lots of thoughts about Asbury revival, but Sarah Bessey put my feelings best I think