Happy New Season of Severance Weekend to all of you celebrating! And, happy Sunday to all of you. How has the start of your year been? January has felt like four years shoved into one: my school moved to a brand new campus so I got to set up my fancy, clean, lovely new classroom! I had my residency week for my MFA program and am preparing to graduate in July! Things have been busy!
Life also finally feels like it’s settling into somewhat of a normal routine. Despite an intense start to the year, I feel like I am finally settling into a new routine. According to my AstroTwins horoscope (Elle) which is one of several horoscopes I read regularly — I’m mostly a Chani girl (Chani.com) but the AstroTwins are good too!), Uranus has been whipping up chaos in my life for a while, and in 2025-2026, it will exit my sign and I will feel stable and routined. I AM READY. The other thing I loved is that it said that these years have re-wired me, and that feels right. I do feel like a different version of myself than I’ve been over the past few years, and I’m eager to settle in.
I’m not foolish enough to expect that astrology alone will fix me — I know I have work to do, too. I haven’t picked a final word for the year yet — Joy is way ahead of the game (Joy the Baker) — but the one that keeps coming to mind is “LESS” (and also “fewer.” Thank you to the grammar babes who will get this joke). Less physical stuff, fewer commitments, less everything. I want space in my brain, my life, my closet, and my calendar. I’m trying to find time for a solo writing retreat in the desert and carve out other times to create, write, and be. It’s on me to make it happen.
Wishing you a wonderful week and sending you lots of love and good vibes, however your year has begun. Also zoom in on each dog in the photo above, and decide which one is your mood today.
• I am obsessed with these women in their 80s who have traveled around the world together! I aspire to be 82 and still exploring. Related: do you consider “old lady” a derogatory term? I don’t, but that could be because I was born a 100-year-old woman in spirit, and yet, I still found this article thought-provoking. (AFAR, Allure)
• I love lists of rules for living well and modern manners and such. This list was fun to read and I agree with nearly every one; however, I will not be limiting my book recommendations to slim volumes under 200 pages. The story takes the pages it takes, thank you! (Substack)
• I haven’t felt emotionally fortified enough to watch the documentary “Will and Harper” (about Will Ferrell and his best friend Harper taking a cross-country road trip after Harper came out as a trans woman) because I know with certainty that I will not stop crying, but I loved this piece about Harper Steele’s matriarchal jewelry. (NYT Gift Link)
• Speaking of jewelry and “less” I’m giving my jewelry wardrobe a little overhaul. For a long time, I favored bright, chunky earrings. As I ease into my 40s, I want elegant gold jewelry that makes me look sophisticated (though I am not, haha). I ordered these nap earrings for everyday wear. I keep thinking that maybe 41 is too old for a nose ring, but I can’t quite bear to take out the piercing and let it heal, but I did order this dainty little nose ring as a replacement for the double hoop I’ve worn for years. I also got this delicate little necklace a few months ago and it is my favorite thing. I only take it off to shower. (Maison Miru, Cupcakes and Cashmere)
• Did you even consider every possible lived experience before you recklessly posted your chili recipe on your social media? I realize I am old, but this TikTok will never not make me laugh (and also rest in peace). (McSweeney’s, TikTok)
• This Altadena Girls fundraising made me smile. Thanks to being a middle school teacher, I get a front-row seat to how great teens are every day, and I love that kids are smart and resilient and to see how they are advocating for themselves. I wish we hadn’t created a world where they have to be so resilient and advocate so frequently. (Instagram)
• Celestial events to get your eyes and telescopes ready for. (Lifehacker)
• As a teen who had the oiliest skin on earth, I never believed I’d reach a time when I had to deal with DRY SKIN. Alas, the combination of winter and aging has me wanting to climb into a vat of jojoba oil. Here’s a guide to caring for dry skin from head to toe. My personal favorites are the UBeauty Super Hydrator, UBeauty Barrier Bioactive Treatment, and the UBeauty Super Intensive Face Oil for my face (a fun treat: if you enter “AMYESTES” when you check out, you’ll get 20% off your first order). I also love this foot lotion for gentle exfoliation, followed by this super-hydrating cream and sleeping overnight in these socks. Also, drinking an annoying amount of water. (TIME, UBeauty, Amazon)
• The extremely offline joy of board games. I have been trying to think of ways to get friends together without the pressure to “entertain” and a cozy night in with games, chai spiced hot cocoa, some bite-sized baked brie, maybe some peanut butter balls? Sounds like a dream evening. We are big fans of Blockus, Rummikub, Yahtzee! and UNO Attack (which frightens me but is a lot of fun). If you stay in on a Friday night, you can even give it a Swedish name that isn’t hygge. The traditional Swedish menu is tacos, popcorn (also this sounds incredible?, and sour candy. I’m all in. (NYT Gift Link, Joy the Baker, Bustle, Amazon).
• File under “beautiful crafty things I wish I could do”: an embroidery journal and an embroidered book tracker! The artist sells a kit, and I must admit I’m tempted. I’m planning to file it as an idea and see how I feel in 2026. (Kottke.org, Instagram, Etsy)
• If you, like me, are seeking ways to dissociate over the world we are living in (especially this week), here are 30 books to be excited about and 40 TV shows to anticipate. (Vulture, Harper’s Bazaar)
• Substack posts that made me think this month: “I owe nothing to anyone” is making us lonelier, antisocial goods, the friendship problem, the divine discontent. (Substack)
