Good morning you overheated probably-a-little-crankies.
I’m sending this newsletter out a little early because my family is having our annual Birthday Bonanza this weekend. Out of seven of us in my immediate family, four of us are Leos. And adding my close-extended family, it takes the total count of Leos up to NINE - so, that should answer any questions about why this is a five day affair.
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the concept of what “loving” looks like - not feels like, but specifically how love is shown in action. As a writer, I’m always trying to solve for the problem of how one character shows an emotion to another, and - as usual - this career of mine has bled over into real life.
When I first started thinking about this, I dipped into the usual reservoir of Love Languages and all the ways people have shown love for me and vice versa. But, as I sat in the smug clarity of easily listing off the above examples - I realized there was one pairing that was notably absent from the list.
What do I do for myself that is loving?
Defensively, I rattled off a list of things that rivaled gifting someone a vacuum cleaner for Valentine’s Day: I feed you! I clothe you! I let you buy a fun candle every now and again!
Sadly, it became abundantly clear that I only understand the nuance of loving actions when I talk about them in relation to other people. I asked my mom about whether she had any loving actions towards herself that she could think of. After a long while of thinking, she said that in the morning she folds up her pajamas and sets them out on the bed for herself later that night. That way when she walks into the bedroom, tired from a full day, there are her little pajamas all lovingly folded up and waiting for her. And I thought, that is such a dear thing to do for someone.
Which is when I thought about my morning coffee.
Every night before I go to bed, I set up my coffee for the next morning. I know Morning Liza is going to be tired and I don’t think I can quite get across the sheer melty, joyous love I feel as I walk into the kitchen and see this waiting for me:
Because while grand gestures are lovely - and make for a great, cinematic third act of a story - it’s the little things that are the most meaningful, right? They just… hit different. They feel far more personal, far more intimate and so much softer.
They have a way of seeing and loving the REAL you, not the movie version of you.
So, what are some little things that you do for yourself to show love? And if you can’t think of any, maybe it’s time to start.
xoxo
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
*****
🤩
Here’s a great article about how you can support the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike.
My friend is reading THIS book and is really liking it so far.
The Off Menu podcast is back for its next season, and they’re starting out strong with Toheeb Jimoh.
🤝
Follow Robert Reich for all things political and smarty pants.
Follow Dami Lee for a really cool look behind the curtain at all things architecture.
Follow Patrick Vernuccio for some lush french gardening tips.
🌈
🥑
I’ve been on quite the chili oil bender and THIS one is still my all time favorite
I ran out of my Mt. Capra protein powder so I swapped back in my old protein powder in a pinch, so let’s compare them:
THIS one is plant based, it’s sweeter, has 4 grams less protein per serving than the other one and is a thicker powder
THIS one is goat’s milk whey, has a more umami-ish taste, has 4 grams MORE protein than the other one and is a SUPER fine powder
I prefer the Mt. Capra and really did forget how sweet the KOS one was, but that might be a good thing for others. My tastes tend to lean towards the more savory side of things.
They’re both a complete hassle to fully blend, preferring instead to either cling to the side of the blender for dear life or huddle under the greens.
It’s Iced Tea season and my ABSOLUTE go-to are THESE iced tea pitcher bags. I am currently drinking (like RIGHT this very moment) the Green Tea with Peach and it’s so delicious. I also have the Superfruit one for later in the day because it doesn’t have any caffeine. (i also have the english breakfast one too, it’s also delicious okay fine i have all of them okay i have all of them)
🕯
I started using THIS deodorant and it’s great. The scent is lovely and subtle AND for a natural deodorant? It WORKS works.
I’ve been using THIS li’l duo on my face and dear lord, it’s wonderful. I have super sensitive skin (see below for me fucking around and finding out) and this Vitamin C serum didn’t break me out, which is a GD miracle.
THIS is my absolute go-to face sunscreen.
How do I know that THAT ^ sunscreen is the best? Because I used another sunscreen on my body and proceeded to get the worst allergic reaction I’ve ever had in my entire life. Just flouncing around in the pool for two hours thinking I was covered. NO MA’AM.
So, THESE razors? Are wonderful. You know how razors will hitch and sputter over the natural curves of your skin? This one doesn’t do that. The glide is so good AND they’re actually effective (i find those two things tend to not happen a lot).
I chopped my hair off for the summer and then was SHOCKED when my li’l short hair was wildin’ out in the shower and while washing my face.
I bought THESE headbands and they’re great - I have very straight and very fine hair and most headbands just ever so slowly sliiiiiiiiiiiide down the back of my head until limply tumbling to the floor. These miraculously stay put.
Thank you, Liza. Your newsletter always brightens my morning.
Love that morning coffee but I don’t do that for me - my man has made coffee and delivered it to me in bed for 40 years. What I do for myself is iron my pillowcases. I’m not talking the polyester wrinkle-free ones. I’m talking pure long staple cotton. Few things feel more luxurious than freshly ironed pillowcases.