Comfort > Cool
Good Morning, you tenderhearted reliables.
What hit me this week is how little I know myself. I know a lot about the kind of person I’d like to be or the kind of person I want YOU to think I am - but, who I actually am? Feels long buried. This is important right now, because I’m starting to understand that if I don’t know what I really want or what I really like then how can I truly comfort myself when I need it most? (I can’t.)
This realization hit me when my friend, Jody, said she was generating a list of Bummer Busters™ - a list of comforting things (gardening, walking the dogs, etc…) that would make her feel better. I loved the idea and instantly set to making my own list.
UGH. My list. I could FEEEEL me trying to be “good” and “important” and “responsible” as I catalogued all the super cool things that I was erudite enough to find pleasure in. No matter how long ago adolescence was, it has a way of commandeering a seat at the table even all these years later, convincing me to continually stack those impressive books on my coffee table that I’ve still never read.
What I hope to achieve during these long quiet months is to once again embrace EVERYTHING about myself, even the things I fear make me uncool.
JOIN ME.
Each Monday morning, I’ll gather:
❤️funny tweets
🤩stuff to watch, read and listen to
🤝great follows on social media
🌈 music to soothe
🕯calming things
*****
❤️
🤩
BET is streaming a tribute to the late, great Andre Harrell. Give it a watch and marvel at how many iconic songs he had a hand in and that he’s who we can thank for why both my nieces sing JAM like Teddy Riley whenever there’s any kind of fruit preserves in the vicinity.
Then? Listen to Questlove’s Spotify playlist, Michelle Obama’s Musiaqualogy Vol. 2 - 1980-1997. Might as well listen to the other two while you’re at it.
Carly Rae Jepsen has a new album out because she knew we needed it.
Jason Isbell also has a new album out. It feels like summer. (thank you to Adam for this one)
Sweet Magnolias on Netflix is truly wonderful. (Thank you to Rebekah for this one)
I loved Nate Bergatze’s, The Tennessee Kid. Just hilarious.
I burned through Sarah Kuhn and Nicole Goux’s brilliant comic, Shadow of the Batgirl. I can’t recommend it enough.
🤝
Follow Rachel Ricketts for an untangling of the complicated feelings we’re all dealing with right now.
Follow Jamila Souffrant for an engaged and accessible conversation around finances that will actually help and be okay.
Follow golittletokyo to see a mouth watering timeline of food from restaurants located right here in DTLA’s, Little Tokyo.
🌈
🕯
Following Jody’s lead, I challenge you to make your own list of Bummer Busters™. An honest and vulnerable list that will act as a Go Bag of Comfort that you can turn to when you need it most. From that one tea you really like to a GBBO rewatch or a good run or an afternoon of baking or 10 uninterrupted minutes scrolling through cake decorating accounts on Instagram. What makes you feel good?
I am a huge fan of Joy Cho’s, Oh Joy. She’s aspirational in the best possible ways. I loved this little hopeful gift guide that supports small businesses.
I made this banana bread and it was cuddly and delicious. (thank you to Thespi who gave it to Mike who then gave it to me.)
I’ve been fantasizing - like A LOT - about Guisado’s horchata. I can’t even talk about their sampler without full-on drooling. Phewwwww.
Two words: Jeni’s delivers.
The Ripped Bodice is doing these wonderful Care Packages - great books, wonderful gifts all hand chosen by the bookstore’s co-owner, Leah Koch.