notes on march
75 hard, fifty shade of grey, turning 25, & a new newsletter?
If you’re not much for reading a whole post, please skip to the bottom at the very least! There are some important poll questions I value your input on <3
I say this every month, I know, but march was here and then it was gone. The past month has been so busy and I’m starting to be convinced that is just what life is for me at this point. Which isn’t necessarily bad, I suppose. It just is what it is.
When I reflect on that, I think I quite like it being busy. I think that is what your twenties are meant for — to do it all, try it all, see it all — so I’ll take it while I have the freedom and flexibility to be so exuberantly busy. Because of this, things like journaling or writing monthly reflections (such as this) become increasingly important for staying present in life and what is going on.
media consumed:
The Serpent and the Wings of Night
I’ve seen it so many times on recommendation list/videos, and it’s been on my list, but I just never prioritized it. Until I impulse grabbed it at the library and binge read it. It kept me intrigued (clearly) and on the edge of my seat with a fast-paced plot and a dark world. I think my only true con for this one is that I am not usually a fan of first person writing.
The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King
I was excited to read this after the prior, and it was a let down, which I was disappointed by. I felt like after the first book there was so much potential and this one fell flat for me.
Alchemy of Secrets
I actually started this a few months ago and didn’t finish it before I had to take it back to the library, and just ended up restarting it again. This has so many great reviews, and the intrigue was there. Maybe it was just me, but it seemed surface level of what it could have been and a little random at times. I enjoyed the premise, and enjoyed the book enough to finish it, but at the end my response was that’s it?
Current Reads:
Language of Food
Salt: A World History
Tower of Dawn (Reread)
Fifty Shades of Grey
I really don’t know what I was expecting when I put this on. Having never watched it, but remember women going crazy over it when I was younger, and recently seeing more of Dakota Johnson, curiosity got the best of me. The only way to put it: I hated it but couldn’t turn it off because I spent the entire time thinking what on earth…this is the worst thing I’ve ever watched. And that’s all I’ll say. If you’ve seen it, you probably get it.
The Big Bang Theory
It’s one of those shows for me that I love to turn on every so often and rewatch random episodes. And this past month was one of those months for rewatching it. It’s funny and quick and I’m a fan.
Huberman Lab: Master the Creative Process | Twyla Tharp
I found Twyla to be incredibly interesting and inspiring as an individual. The conversation between them was great, I thought it was one of the better episodes of his that I’ve listened to, and a good one if you’re interested in discipline & habits.
Substack Articles:
For my email readers, this is reaching the limit but you can continue reading online!
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recommending
youtube pilates
As much as I love the heated mat pilates studio, I cannot bring myself A) to pay for another gym membership, and B) drive the 25-30+ minutes one way for a class. Enter my love for youtube pilates which I can do at my gym, at home, while traveling, etc. I’ve tried so many different channels, but I always end up with my favorites: Pilates by Izzy and IsaWelly Pilates. I love that both give clear instructions and cueing, and there is also no background music or timers I have to watch. They’re the most similar to an in-person class I’ve found.
RAYE’s new album: THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE.
If you know her story, it is so exciting to see her finally get the attention she deserves & release songs she loves. Her new album is incredibly unique mix of pop, show music, and movie scores. And has been playing on repeat for me with my favorite songs being The WhatsApp Shakespeare, Winter Woman, and I Know You’re Hurting.
How Real Was It? by Asha Banks
On the same note of what I’ve been listening too, I’ve also had Asha’s most recent EP on repeat recently as well. You may know her from My Fault: London, but she also has an incredible voice and has put out great music.
what i’ve been up to
celebrating turning 25!
it was so special and everything I could of hoped for. This is the first birthday I’ve got to spend with my boyfriend in a few years and he really went above & beyond for the pinterest mood board with birthday pancakes & coffee in bed (each topped with whipped cream and a candle hehe). We went to one of my favorite coffee spots & there was a rainbow while waiting, then had dinner at home. That weekend I got to see my family and friends to celebrate, which included the tradition of a homemade cake of choosing (hello cardamom, orange, & strawberry! thanks mum), dinner, and a jazz show. 25 feels special to me and I don’t think I could’ve started it any better.
here & there & everywhere in between
i have been nothing short of running all over the place the past month or so. From vacation, to work, to seeing people, it’s been a constant go and I think I’ve stayed at my own for half the days in the past month or less. Hence the do it all, try it all, see it all I mentioned earlier. But it’s been fun and many good things have come from it.
75 Hard
With all the — we’ll call it instability — with my schedule the last month, it felt like a good time to start as things settle down to get back into good habits. The last time I did this I was in the best shape of my life, so this is definitely a different experience but maybe even better. As an adhd girl, the structure this gives my days has helped me feel more like myself than I have in a long time. It feels good to have something to strive towards while also making progress on the things I already want to accomplish. And the peace and clarity of being outside daily has done tenfold for my mental well-being.
snail mail
I really dropped the ball on sharing April’s bundle, but there are still a few in stock as well as a few from the previous months. Buuuut May’s is already open for orders, and I am super excited for it. While I don’t have the items yet to share with you, I promise it’ll be fun.
Theme: Saturdays & the City
!! important poll questions !!
As life stays busy, I am looking to really put some focus into what is best for this newsletter & my own personal life and passions. Your opinions matter so much to me on this, so please consider answering the below. Lots of love & thank you !!
Questions on content:
One of my biggest passions is travel & cultural exploration, and as you may or may not know, I studied International Relations and Diplomacy in my undergrad. I am considering starting a new newsletter (separate from this, and this will not be impacted) the is the intersection of my love for travel and my educational passions.
As always, thank you guys for the constant support and love. Feel free to drop a comment about what you’ve been up to recently, read, watched, looking forward to, etc!
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Thanks so much for linking my dessert piece! 🧁 Loved your recs :))
slid out of my chair in shock when i saw that one of my favorite substacks had mentioned my article 🥹🥹 lovely roundup as always 🤍