Both
Good morning you first-sightings-of-spring adorables
Lately, I’ve been trying to get out more. Like many of us, I became very hermitty during the last few years - and let’s face it, I was already pretty hermitty to start with.
The process of getting back out there has been a bumpy one. And every time I come home after a day spent out in the world, I think… when is this going to feel okay again?
But then one day I was sitting at this coffeeshop and found myself looking out the open door to the trees just beyond. It was a beautiful sunshine-y day and the spring green leaves were rustling and moving in the wind. The coffeeshop was busy and crowded and I was listening to my writing playlist, the soaring movie scores pairing perfectly with the moment. It was beautiful.
As I drove home that night, I ran through the day. There were quite a few Not So Good moments, but then that image of those leaves shimmering in the sunlight floated in, the song playing, people talking in the coffeeshop, the feeling of writing again… it was Good.
But it was A Good amongst some Not So Goods.
I didn’t know how to feel - was the day Good or Not So Good? Was I Good or Not So Good.
It was both. I was both.
So, now - as I continue to try and get out there - I’m trying to learn that it can be Both. That I can be Both. That life can be Both.
And that embracing Both is what’s going to start making me feel okay again.
Each month, I’ll gather:
🤩stuff to watch, read and listen to
🤝great follows on social media
🌈 music to soothe
🥑 good food and great places to eat and drink
🕯calming things
*****
🤩
I really enjoyed Reacher’s first season, but REALLY enjoyed its second season.
I am LOOOOVING Doctor Slump - like to the point where I’m parsing out episodes like rare jewels. The conversation around burn out and mental health is… phewwww.. SO GOOD.
I never saw Monk the first time around, so I started watching it from the very beginning. Tony Shaloub is a national treasure, but I will say his turn on the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel will remain my favorite. (they didn’t include my favorite moment of all time in that Best Of… for those who watched - it was when he got drunk at that summer camp? Like come on.)
I finally finished Ben Aaronovitch’s False Value in his Rivers of London series - I really liked it. And I just started Amongst Our Weapons and realized I’m almost caught up in the series — after only maybe several years of the slowest reading ever recorded.
I mentioned my writing playlists above - so here are a few: THIS one is for when you have to start, it’s bombastic and active. THIS one is twinkly, swoony and fairy tale-y. And THIS one is super playful, sweet and frolicky.
🤝
Follow Colman Domingo for his sheer artistic brilliance, but also dear lord his outfits this award season are INCREDIBLE.
Follow Wayman + Micah, Colman Domingo’s stylist team because HOWWWW are they so GOOOOOD?
Follow Meruyert_Nursila for incredible cakes.
🌈
🥑
I worked at In N Out back when I was in high school - which is why my order is the ridiculous Grilled Cheese with Tomato/Ketchup only. Did you know you could get grilled cheese? Did you know you could get ketchup? How about… did you know they have delicious Hot Cocoa too?
There are few restaurants that have me saving up for months and months in advance for just one single meal. N/Naka is one of those restaurants. Niki Nakayama is truly singular and I am so grateful that I was able to experience her culinary vision.
🕯
I’m on a real cleaning kick, so I got some MINERAL OIL for my cutting board and THIS silver polish for the few pieces I’ve inherited over the years. I’m oddly excited?
THIS is my all-time favorite lip balm. I have one on my desk right now, one in my purse and another extra one in a drawer JUST IN CASE.
I was talking to a friend the other day about venturing into the world of tea. For me, the two best brands to start with are Tea Pigs and Mighty Leaf. It looks like Mighty Leaf has been bought, but I’ve found their tea is still high quality, but not super expensive - so you can figure out what blends you like and THEN go to Mariage Frères as you SHOULD - I tend to go for their Earl Grey blends - the French Blue and the Imperial are favorites.
I also found that Mariage Frères’ sachets are REALLY good if you’re not in the mood for a loose leaf situation.
I’m trying a new coffee - Java Madre is really good!
(also, jeez liza… that’s a lot of caffeine, dear.)
I’m excited to hear your play list. That restaurant though. I checked out the menu & can’t imagine sticking a fork in any of the works of art on a plate. Happy Spring
Of course we both like Tea Pigs and Mariage Frères tea.
Excited about the lip balm tip.
Was less excited about season 2 of Reacher - may have to give it another go. I think I was still too tied to Roscoe and Finlay.
Have you seen the new season of Shetland yet? It’s on my post-SX list.