Vibe Check!

We’re nearly three weeks into May, which is almost six months into the year. I’m sorry for leading with a condescending nudge to blow the dust off of your passion projects.

… that was a joke. Make a coffee. Climb a tree. Life is about having fun, not producing. 

Admittedly, I haven’t felt compelled to write much! It’s been ages since my last Daily Drip (they’ll return soon), and some of the pieces I’m working on aren’t for my blog. Nonetheless, I wanted to recount what I’ve been up to and enjoying while lockdown’s still underway:

  • Sleep! Since my last piece, I’ve been relishing solid nights with minor blips thanks to a cozy little cocktail of pure magnesium glycinate and kava. I did, however, have to reduce my kava intake to an as-needed basis due to mild dissociation. Lol.
  • Currently reading: White Noise by Don DeLillo. This is my second work of his since quarantine per Andrew’s recommendation. 
  • As suggested in my list of things to do while quarantined, I mailed cards to some friends. It feels nostalgic and relaxing to just sit on the floor, play music, and write gushing notes to people you love.
  • Committing to pretty. Since I’ve been living at my boyfriend’s house with limited access to my wardrobe, we’ve made periodic trips to my place to acquire cute stuff like two trusty, old cropped American Apparel sweaters, my favorite red lip liner, and some dresses—all of which I wear to putz around the house avoiding work.
  • I’ve watched a bunch of TV and movies, including the following:
    • The Wire. I had seen two seasons a couple years ago, but over quarantine we ran through the whole damn thang from top to bottom. Best. Show. Ever.
    • Eyes Wide Shut. Because film can be comically bad and stunning simultaneously… and because I’d heard nods to its creepy piano score too many times to not watch.
    • High Fidelity. Cute attempt to convince us that anyone would break up with Zoe Kravitz, much less five different people. Still a delightful show.
    • Parasite. Did I go into this expecting some sci-fi psychological thriller? Of course. Was I pleasantly surprised to be wrong? Hell yeah.
    • Knives Out. A classic whodunit with modern execution. I could stare into Ana de Armas’ giant eyes long enough to warrant a restraining order.
    • The Big Lebowski. How did I avoid this cult classic stoner flick for so long? 
    • Normal People. I read the book and forced Andrew to sit through this slow burning Irish flame. 
  • I try to get a bit of Italian in each day. Whether it’s via YouTube or my workbook or just yelling commands at the cats, it’s important to keep it fresh. Last week I had my first lesson over Preply and it was excellent.
  • Robes. Yeah. Amazon Prime is destructive. I had a fleeting notion that I needed a new robe and moments later I was expecting one fluffy white and one black silk within days. Capitalism and performative self-care FTW.
  • Whippin up that work in the kitchen. A fan favorite is Pia Baroncini’s pomodoro (you MUST watch her cooking videos on IGTV with her Italian husband, Davide) and turkey meatballs. Hailing from Pennsyltucky, it was only a matter of time before I became best friends with the crockpot. I recently made an easy adaptation of Michelle Siman’s kale and cannellini beans and a white chicken chili in there, and both were big hits!
  • Creating content for brands and otherwise. I used to resent myself for enjoying that stuff (I think that’s well-documented), but then I was like… whoooooooooooo caaaaaaaaaaaares? If this post isn’t evidence enough, I LOVE to share what I LOVE. Fun stuff to come!
  • Constantly reassessing my relationship with skincare and overall wellness. Reading a lot of Into The Gloss. I will expand on this very soon.
  • Healthily indulging my inner heliophile. The sun is my ultimate muse, and whether I’m running beneath her rays or dousing myself in SPF for a rooftop lay, I make a point to get a good dose of Vitamin D when the weather is right. I think the sun has been overly vilified in recent years when, as long as you protect yourself, it’s one of our most accessible natural healers.
  • Crosswords and word games. Equal parts escapism and brain food. What is life if not an exquisite balancing act?

That’s mostly it! You know, other than picking run-of-the-mill fights with my boyfriend because he breathed in the wrong direction or whatever. What have you been up to?