sleeping masks, banana milk & severance
monthly recap no. 3
What. A. Month. While it’s already March 10th and the clocks have officially sprung forward (with no warning whatsoever because one second I was enjoying my last hour of a rare night out and the next, we’re getting swept onto the street), a monthly recap of February’s favorites is in order! But before that…what was February? Like really?
I’m not sure if it was just what my TikTok algorithm was serving me or if everyone else on the planet was actually just as much in the trenches, but to have made it past arguably the oddest part of the year is to be able to finally breathe with a capital “B” again. The sun is finally showing up to the party (missed her), Pride & Prejudice (2005) has returned to Netflix, and eating curly fries at music festivals is sooooo back.
It feels like a good time to say that while these favorites roundups are fun and lighthearted, putting this one together was a little bit of a feat. When we’re in the trenches, for whatever reason that may be, loving the little things and even liking things can feel insignificant in comparison to what we’re going through. Appreciating an orange, for example, isn’t exactly top of mind when you’ve got bigger (very large) fish to fry.
All that to say, I’ve formed a habit over the last twenty-ish years of trying my best to give the little things their much due credit. During those times where everything seems daunting and nothing feels like it’s going to be okay, something as simple as a new favorite comfort watch (even if it is called My Old Ass) or the discovery of a silly jar of banana milk can give you at least something to look forward to. To shift ever so slightly in the right direction. To be proud of because it’s proof that you were looking after yourself in the best way you could with what you had. And, of course, to make a latte that will ultimately end all other lattes.
Without further ado (and before this turns into a therapy sesh), let’s get into the little big things that helped a tad too well.
thoughts & things to remember
If you’re going to put parmesan on your food, make it FRESH parmesan. Always. It’s the difference between good (pre-packaged shredded cheese) and *divine*.
Your dignity, your dignity, your dignity. If you lose it, get it back.
Climbing into a fluffy bed, freshly showered by at least 9 p.m. should be considered one of the the seven wonders of the world.
There will be people who hurt you and instead of taking accountability, must rewrite the narrative to avoid the discomfort of self-reflection, lack of control, and ownership. The best and possibly hardest thing you can do is fully allow them to live in the delusion of their own making. It’s not on you to make them see—and frankly, it shouldn’t be.
Less ego, more art. It’s really nice when what you create isn’t always self-serving.
Motivation isn’t real—momentum is.
Even if you want to shout from the rooftops that you’re the one in the right, life has a funny way of balancing out the playing field over time and shocker: it doesn’t require your interference.
Resist the urge to make excuses for not working towards your dreams. No one ever said things needed to be perfect in order for you to get started on that thing you’ve always wanted to do. Do it messy. Do it naively. You’ll figure it out as you go because you have to.
“Life gets better when you leave the house.”
foodie stuff
Cuties dipped in chocolate and sea salt for a very British, very lovely little snack; best with the Dolci Frutta melting chocolate; also best at night
Avocado & Lime SkinnyPop popcorn
Banana milk iced lattes
I am obsessed with this banana milk in particular! If you live in Texas and can get your hands on one, would recommend in a heartbeat.
Grilled shrimp, zucchini & orzo din (with lots of parm and pepper on the orzo)
Trader Joe’s Les Petites Carrots of Many Colors (yes, that’s really the official name)
Aguachiles, or, shrimp & fish submerged in lime juice, cucumbers, red onion, and chili peppers and ohmygosh it sounds so good right now
what i wore
Peppermayo Daphne Knit cardigan in Butter Yellow for a touch of spring
Comfy PJs from Aerie & Target (the pattern on the Colsie/Target ones make you feel like you’re waking up in one of the Mamma Mia! movies)
These lowkey controversial blue light glasses that I personally find cute
Funny Bunny base + soft/rounded almond french tip mani
Makeup by Mario Ultra Suede Sculpting Lip Pencil for its super creamy application and built-in blending brush
products & finds
Nodpod silk sleep mask that blocks out any and all light + relaxes your eyes before bed so you fall asleep faster! Also fabulous for headache relief.
Glycolic Acid + Urea cream combo for Keratosis Pilaris
Most definitely not a professional so take this tip with a grain of salt (and as always, a patch test and research for your skin type doesn’t hurt) but this one goes out to those all too familiar with strawberry bumps!
Pop some glycolic acid onto a cotton pad, apply to affected area, let dry for a few minutes, and top with Urea cream (20%-40%) before bed 2-3 times a week. Together, these two power ingredients exfoliate those dead skin cells and moisturize the skin, which can lessen the appearance of le bumps.
I did this for one week and saw a drastically noticeable difference. Freaky but good freaky.
The Skinny Confidential mouth tape for the nighttime mouth breathers (guilty)
One night with this tape and you are 99% likely to be hooked because 1. No itchy, dry throat in the morning, and 2. That deep, thoroughly unconscious sleep that sends you into another dimension
Any mouth tape with strong adhesion and a lil hole in the middle for breathing works just as well!
Gurunanda Coconut Mint pulling oil to get your smile looking pearly as ever—just swish for 5-7 minutes in the morning before brushing your teeth and report back when you’ve noticed just how revolutionary it is.
Vanilla Suede scent from Bath & Body Works, which just so happens to be the perfect room fragrance with notes of cozy vanilla, brushed suede & crisp linen. So clean and reminiscent of that fresh laundry smell.
media catchall
Severance on Apple TV. Clearly, this is the show on everyone’s lineup, and for a good reason. You’ve got your utterly diabolical premise (employees who have undergone a procedure that divides their memories between work and outside life begin to question everything; chaos ensues), comedic relief, corporate satire, Billie Holiday, one self becoming two, never-ending suspense, and—thank the good Lord—Adam Scott in Season 2, Episode 7.
My Old Ass on Amazon Prime
Aubrey Plaza and Maisie Stella made me ugly cry multiple times throughout this film. An authentic take on what it’s like to experience things for the last time as an almost-adult living under your parents’ roof before moving away and starting the next big thing.
Written and directed by Megan Park, this movie hits the nail of nostalgia on the head. There are few depictions as accurate, painful, and unassumingly tender as this one. See: the scene where protagonist Elliott watches Little Women with her kid brother just to spend time with him before leaving to college, and another scene where she sits with her mom on the porch for one last cup of tea (not the mushroom tea though…you’ll get it if you watch) before life as she’s always known it changes forever.
I loved it so, so much. (It was also extra special because I watched it in the morning with a cup of coffee. Kind of different, kind of super fun.)
“This isn’t going to be the last time you get exactly what you want—and then realize it isn’t what you wanted.”
“Healthy love…I guess it’s like, safety and freedom, all at once.”
Rivals on Hulu for enemies to lovers, slow burn romance, a mustached man so beautiful it should be illegal, television network drama, and more—all set in 1980s England. Note: SPICY! Don’t start Episode 1 with your mother in the room.
Viola Davis’s memoir, Finding Me, which should be required reading from this point forward. Okay, so I listened to the audiobook but it’s only because Viola herself narrates it and she won a whole freaking Grammy award for Best Audiobook Narration.
About an astute young girl growing up in a poverty-stricken home filled with abuse, an alcoholic father, and the belief that this was all there was and would ever be. As we know, she overcomes it all and goes on to become a legend, but the story itself is so captivating, you won’t want to stop reading/listening. All the layers are peeled back with nowhere left to run, nothing left to hide. Shivers and tears may/will definitely occur.
on that note…
Listen to the audiobook if the physical one feels like too much. Watch an early morning movie because why the hell not? Just…look after yourself in the way you deserve to be looked after. Even if takes a lot more patience and a little more time.
With love,
em <3