Hello and Happy Hamilton Day [or if you are somewhere else that Disney+ has failed you, please accept my condolences].
We’re planning on doing a lil Hamilton-themed brunch because I am sometimes very extra about things and sometimes I just want to take a nap, but this is an extra thing. Here’s our menu (inspired by all the great suggestions here via Jamie Golden’s Twitter): Guns & Cheese Grits The Battle of Porktown (it’s a sausage breakfast casserole) Dear Three-Mimosas Peggys in a Blanket Three Fundamental Fruits at the Exact Same Time We’re also having waffles and I tried but I can’t figure out how to make it clever. So, waffles!
Okay I know OTHER THINGS are happening other than Hamilton, so I’m not gonna go totally nuts here. I’m chill.
🎬 This sweet interview into the friendship of Carl Reiner (who passed away this week) and Mel Brooks is about the purest thing.
👜 You know I love a belt bag (fanny pack except we can’t say that, fanny is a no-no word for basically the rest of the English-speaking world), but do I need a CASUAL belt bag? Like an athletic one? For reference, I own a “nice” leather one (that incidentally does less than zero for my figure but whatevs) from Target but I think I need one for outdoor walkings? I think I’m going to get one? Shout out`if you live the belt bag life and have recs.
🔥 You want to read some DING-DANG fire about privilege and Black Lives Matter? May I direct you towards Shannan Martin’s newsletter? Just this:
My face was hot when I climbed into my van, not because they were hateful people but precisely because they weren’t. They aren’t monsters. They don’t see themselves as racists. They’re respected in their communities, probably pleasant to their neighbors. They are people whose life experiences planted them in the simple narrative, as my friend Becca Stanley says. This is why the world is on fire. This is why some of us are burning.
Get you some of that.
👑 My new favorite Instagram account is @royalty_now_. Becca Saladin takes images and works of royalty from the past (think Cleopatra or Hapshepsut) and digitally paints them as they might look today. This is so specifically my jam. For real, Alexander the Great can get it.
I thought it might be fun to bring back the Q+A section because I’m trying to figure out how to slowly re-incorporate the actual WRITING aspect of the newsletter. So we’re gonna start here and see what happens.
Q: Do you have a favorite brand of chambray shirts/light jackets? - @robyn0525 A: First of all, this is the freaking funniest question I’ve ever read in my life because I wear this almost every day and it just makes me feel extremely known. I have gotten some great light utility jackets from Old Navy (I like this one) and Target, but my favorite jacket is from Eden Society that I got in my Stitch Fix box, but there is no link available online, for which I am very sorry. Universal Thread at Target sells my preferred chambray shirt.
Q: I think you mentioned once you don’t like the ESV. Can you tell me why? - @rosewasso A: The ESV (at times) suffers from a lack of sanctified common sense. Look, I know I’m not an ACTUAL Bible scholar, and there is a good bit about the ESV that I find well-translated. However, it has some serious gender-political issues that my beloved Carolyn Custis James has very thoughtfully and academically responded to. I recommend reading her post here on some of the heavy-handed choices the ESV makes in order to (this feels dramatic but) affirm a patriarchal view of Christianity (also this proves her point as well, with some hilarious out-of-context verse work). They may seem like small instances, but small instances can build up to larger, systemic problems. You didn’t ask, but my current fave is the NRSV.
Q: What have you been reading/what books do you recommend? - @tuckerficklin A: I read The Color of Compromise by Jemar Tisby and it was…what’s the word…devastating? It…how do you say it…scraped me to my marrow? I honestly don’t know if I’ve ever read such an important and frankly, humiliating book. Important because if we’re going to change things, we have to understand how we go here. And humiliating because I JUST DIDN’T KNOW. I feel like I thought I knew, but I just did not even have a clue. I also finished Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid, which was great. I love when novelists can identify specific behavior that so perfectly summarizes a character, and I think Reid did an excellent job at this. I’m in the middle of The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett (which I just saw got sold to HBO) and it is incredible. I am diving into The Meaning of the Bible: What the Jewish Scriptures and the Christian Old Testament Can Teach Us by Douglas Knight and Amy-Jill Levine, as well as Dorothy Day’s The Reckless Way of Love. At my heart, I am a social justice Catholic. I’m also re-reading The Baby-sitter’s Club because balance.
Q: How crazy would your life be if you added a dog into the mix? Do your kids ask for a pet? - @ringegl A: I grew up with dogs and the great sadness of my life is that my husband is allergic to them and also just kind of hates them. It’s not something I fully understood until post-marriage, but we’re locked in at this point. My kids beg for a dog, but I have been bribed by my husband to never speak of the possibility again. It was basically “The Room Where It Happens” and the kids didn’t know how the sausage got made, but I won because Ben bought me new living room chairs if I shut up about getting a dog and now I sing this with even more gusto:
You got more than you gave And I wanted what I got When you got skin in the game, you stay in the game But you don't get a win unless you play in the game Oh, you get love for it, you get hate for it You get nothing if you Wait for it, wait for it, wait!
Q: I am really, really. struggling with how hard this year has been. Any advice? - [I left this person anonymous] I am so sorry. I really am. In May (MAY!) I off-handedly said to my husband, “the hardest thing about this year is that there’s no light at the end of the tunnel. We just don’t know when it will resolve.” I now think about this every day. Not only are we all collectively going through a lot with the pandemic (Furloughs! Job loss! Whatever is happening with schools! Isolation! The politicizing of masks and social distancing! Seeing any sacrifice to the public good you’ve made be rendered null by the fact that other people really want haircuts!) and completely re-adjusting almost every aspect of our lives, there’s now this other layer of cultural reckoning as it relates to systemic racism and the unveiling of a profoundly broken world. Guys. That’s a lot. Be so gentle with yourselves. Take breaks from the internet if you need to. Go for a walk if you can. If it’s within the realm of possibility, talk to a therapist. Pray (I don’t mean that in a trite, stupid way. I mean it. Journal, rage, complete your stress cycle in the presence of the Holy Spirit, cry, sit stoically, watch someone else pray for you). As much as you are capable, remove toxic people from your life. Set up a fake email address where you say all the things you need to say but can’t say out loud. Please please please be gentle with yourself. Everyone gets grace, including you. But here’s the thing: our old way wasn’t good. It wasn’t healthy. It sacrificed the powerless for the sake of the powerful, and we have a chance to tip those scales. I do not want to “look on the bright side” of people dying and I won’t. But I also know there is a deep possibility for change here. I think that is what is keeping me afloat. We don’t have to accept a system that devalues life so consumerism can run unchecked. We don’t have to accept a system that negates the marginalized in order to promote the interests of the privileged. We can break systems that do not serve us, all of us. The idea that it could change is helping me along. If I can do my part, if I can love my neighbor, it can change. It is a LOT to unlearn entire (maybe unknown) portions of your life and the world you live in. Give yourself grace and learn to rest when you feel tired. Much love to you all who are feeling this Q in your souls. ❤️
[lots of great Qs and I’ll answer more next week.]
Pals, I cannot wait to hear all about your turds and treasures in the comments (if you’re new, you can click below and chat about your week, and the comments are filled with lil treasures for you to peruse). I hope you have a safe and cognitively dissonant 4th of July if you’re here in the States and if you’re not, I hope the fourth day of July is still very lovely for you, as well as the rest of the week, see you on the other side, til we meet again.
Per usual, we’ve got some affiliate links up in this club, which throw cash at me at no cost to you because you are cool like that. Ok bye.
It is lightweight and holds more than you would expect. I can carry my phone, 2 auto injectors, hand sanitizer, money, ID, lip balm, and these days a mask in it.
Just realized I never commented, cause I was that person who woke up promptly at 3am on Friday for my first Hamilton viewing - my b. Treasures include listening to Anthony Ramos' album, The Good and The Bad, to pretend I am in any way chill about having so much access to Hamilton.
The rest of the week was a sprint to the finish for work and I had a gloriously low-key weekend otherwise. Turds include accidentally spraying myself in the eye with bug spray for the nightly dog walk outing, so my patience was low that day :| Treasures include lots of reading (also working on The Vanishing Half and Hood Feminism) and good discussion with friends, some texting still with The Boy (the most extended first date, but I don't hate it?), and lots of laughter on a regular Powerpoint Party with friends. Topics presented were the History of Macarons, Lightsabers, Lucille Ball, and introduction to Hamilton. If you are still in an area where virtual parties are necessary, I HIGHLY recommend this format of a party :)
I reread (just like Danielle) Erin's email that she sent out earlier last week about her feelings leading up to Hamilton. AND OH MY WORD how it resonated!
I got teary a couple times as I watched ....Wait for It hit me in an unexpected way. Same with Dear Theodosia and Hurricane. Just some delicate tears.
Then Burn................... oh my, the tears lost that delicate nature.
But then from the grief filled scream in Stay Alive (Reprise)....and through It's Quiet Uptown?
SOBS.
Like handtowel clutching.
Gasps between breaths.
SOBS
I'm tearing up again just recalling this.
Then when I just started to recover and compose myself
Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story. AAAAAAHHH my word.
I tried to explain to my husband why I was indeed crying so hard from the other room, he indeed thought something was wrong with me. "Wait, you're still watching Hamilton and crying this much?" And I tried to explain why and how and just how good it was. And yes, "It Good" totally sums it up.
I never could have seen this in public and all of your who have, wow. I applaud you.
I left thick voiced messages to Danielle and 2 other friends who knew I was planning to watch this weekend.
I need this to be released in a way I can buy.
And I will need to watch again, but not right away. Letting all the feelings this brought out of me sort of settle and know I will probably emote that hard again...oof.
I loved it.
And, also, in my best Jamie B. Golden voice.....George Washington is verryy verrry sessssssyy.
My family makes fun of me endlessly for wearing in when I walk and mow the lawn, but what’s a girl to do when there are no pockets in her leggings and I want to listen to podcasts??
Huge stack of books for summer reading finally arrived. I’m barely into The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires and it’s some of the best writing I’ve read in a while and it is always a treat to read great writing. I can’t believe it won’t hold up and be worth the gory content which is not usually my thing. As usual I’ve been overly ambitious in what I want to read. Don’t suppose there is any interest in a lil swipes reading club? I’m always looking for book friends and reading groups help keep me accountable so I thought I’d throw it out into the void! Happy Hamilfilm day 🥳
-I made it into Flavor Town this week, and I will forever wear it as a badge of honor, even though I have taken much heat for it. 😂 If you listen to The Popcast, yes, I am the person who hates chocolate and peanut butter together. I am not sorry for this opinion.
-I bought an accent chair this week to add to my new living room. I’m pretty sure this is the first piece of furniture I’ve actually bought brand new because I’m cheap and always buy used or have gotten things passed on to me, and it makes me feel very adult. It’s supposed to come today and I can’t wait to see how it pulls things together!
-I finally went real grocery shopping this week after not buying anything after moving other than a few vegetables, so my fridge no longer looks poor and sad.
-I get to see a few friends on Sunday that I haven’t seen for far too long! This is my core group of friends from college and our group has grown over the years as everyone has gotten married/engaged (celebrating the newest engagement on Sunday) and/or had kids other than me (still single and ready to mingle 💃🏽), and we don’t see each other nearly enough anymore but every time we do we end up playing games and talking and end up laughing until we cry. It’s my favorite thing.
Turd of the week:
-I’m having an endometriosis flare up and have basically been curled up on my couch in pain since leaving work early yesterday. I’ve done a lot of things to heal and manage this thing over the last few years, but occasionally I still have bad days, and so here we are constantly attached to a heating pad in July and trying all the pain remedies without much relief. But at least it’s a long holiday weekend so I already had today off. And I’m re-binging The Office thanks to The Popcast and am at the part where Jim is teasing Pam with a proposal and that makes my dumb reproductive organs a little less unbearable.
Oh my gosh, you are a Podcast celebrity with your Flavortown induction! I mean, I can't wholly relate to what made you a resident (lol) but wow, you are a bold spicy woman and I salute you.
*Passes you whatever brings you any sort of relief for your pain*
Thank you for the “Lost in Translation” article. It really makes me think about which translation I read and to use multiple translations when studying. Why is your current fav the NRSV? Not looking to argue, just curious. Thanks.
Hello everyone! My original plan was 7am s’mores and Hamilton. I shifted gears and slept in because I needed it and then made Mickey Mouse waffles with my new waffle maker. When your old (cheap) waffle maker dies during a pandemic, a Mickey waffle maker is the best replacement.
I just finished watching Hamilton. There are no words for the experience. It was everything I wanted it to be.
Home for the long weekend, so I am sitting comfy on my couch after already taking a 4 mile walk. Y'all the heatwave in MN is NO joke. We have so many days of 90s in or future. Just dropping truth that MN is a lot of fun because not only do we get arctic cold temps for months of winter, but we get mental heat and humidity in the summer. SUPER FUN!
So my first treasure:
1. The makers of fans and central air.
2. Smoothies (not daily, but close) continue. I have been good not *always* spiking them ;) But I do add an Eme'gen'C packet and VOILA it's like an immunity boost (like so like that, it's my business)
3. Dresses or certain skorts While I was team linen pants back when we were in the 70s and 80s this week its been all about dresses or skorts. Back before Athleta went to become a Lululemon wannabe they used to have more quasi REI/Duluth Trader/Title Nine type clothes and I bought two skorts from them many moons ago and LOOOOVE them. I toss one of those on and a flowy tank and I'm living my best comfy life. I also bought a really cute faux wrap dress from the Lark & Ro line from Amazon and I look so put together at work. I am buying two other colorways of the same dress I love them that much.
4. Voice messages. I love being able to emote to friends LOL so they can truly hear my reaction. ;) I am *that* person
I really need to start using my Notes app and jotting down what I want to comment on and list here each week. Because today, poof nothing major is coming to mind and I feel like I have "The Dumb"
I live in Old Navy jersey swing dresses in the summer. They’re so comfy! All the comfort and versatility of a moo-moo without the unflattering cut and Hawaiian print.
HAHAHA, I never just wrote HAGS ;) It's so funny to think of how a pre social media life there were some people we literally never saw for 3 months and that's just how we lived.
I’m John Laurens in the place to be. 2 pints of Sam Adams and I’m working on 3.
We are planning to watch Hamilton tonight so Disney+ doesn’t crash. 😆
I have a treasure and a turd but they both go hand in hand. The turd is that after three weeks of going into the office two days a week, we had an employee test positive. I feel bad for her and her family as she has 2 small children. Praying she gets better soon.
The treasure is I now no longer have to go into said office and can continue to work from home for the foreseeable future.
Regarding the missing star, I’ve seen some tweets floating around that someone must be time traveling back to 2020 and keeps changing things on our timeline, thus the disappearance of the murder hornets. I feel like the star may also be a victim of time travel mishaps.
Also I am with Ben in the anti-dog category. Sorry, not sorry.
Turd for the week: twin bedtime. Treasures below!
My husband finally got sick of his quarantine hair and asked me to give him a haircut. 😳 I watched k8_smallthings’ men’s haircut video on IGTV and gave it a shot, and it’s not half bad! So if you need to give a man in your life a haircut, that’s my recommendation.
Other things giving me life are Nature Valley Almond Butter Biscuits (like cinnamon-y sandwich cookies), linen shorts from Old Navy (alternate you the linen pants we discussed a few weeks ago), the hand-me-down baby swing that keeps my “more difficult” twin asleep for longer naps when I just can’t anymore, and the Jesus Storybook Bible, which I am reading with my 2yo at night (and is my only time “in the word” currently). It legitimately is helpful for my faith at the moment when it’s the closest thing I can get to a “quiet time” these days.
Love to you all. Making myself hold off on Hamilton until later since my husband has to work today. Boo Texas A&M’s stingy holiday schedule.
Honestly, I've been struggling with my time in the Word and even though I'm a childless single, I still own a copy of the JSB and I may start reading it as a daily devo. Such a good idea!
One turd this week - my county in Kansas was doing SO WELL flattening our curve, and then all the bars opened and folks decided to quit social distancing and pack out the tiny college bars and now we have almost triple the number of Covid cases in 2 weeks time. Bah.
I am so friggin' happy with my recent impulse buy that I was TOTALLY influenced to buy by Instagram, and I think you folks are the only ones who will care. Even if you don't, that's ok. I just have to tell somebody!
Olive & June nail polish. You guys. It is LITERALLY (insert Chris Traeger voice) the best nail polish I have ever used. I got a lovely summer peach color that perfectly complements my skin tone and I am in love with my hands. Like I can't stop staring.
I just removed all my polish so I can do my biweekly pedicure in my bathroom and my semi weekly (sometimes I do them, sometimes I don't) manicure. That self care is so needed. But since I have a literal shoebox of nail varnishes (lol) I cannot let myself buy more.
Me) than normal polish and the look is fabulous! Too many color options to choose from but @whatkatekinds on the Instagram gives tutorials and combinations on polishes. It’s great!
The @theholdernessfamily Instagram and YouTube channel are giving me lots of smiles these days. I’ve watched the Hamilton paradoy for mask wearing and have smiled and laughed each and every time. Plus the What If Disney songs is Broadway songs were about quarantine...just really needed all the smiles and laughs yesterday.
Do we know if Hamilton is streaming right this very second? We have connectivity issues with Disney+ when they're really busy, so maybe I could watch it sooner than later...
We live in Denver, and went backpacking with our neighbors this week. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Colorado is kind of wasted on me. It's super dry, so no campfire and instant dehydration. Everything is at altitude, and hauling a 35-pound pack up and down mountainsides at 9000 feet is exhausting. My body hates sleeping on the ground, and the dang sun insists on coming up at 5 or something, then staying up for way too long - nine hours is not possible while camping. I spend most of my time doing all the things I do at home (picking up people's crap, making food), but without running water or electricity. Nature is pretty, but the ROI is just not enough for me (enneagram 9, or couldn't you tell?)
I didn't realize the camping trip was my turd, but apparently it is. 🤷🏼♀️
Treasure: I have a small woodworking business, and I'm staying pretty consistently busy. It's weird, after 40+ years of buying the conservative evangelical "wife and mother are the highest callings" line, to be sought out and to have to explain to people that I can't get their _____ built until September because of my backlog. I love it.
Late to the comments game this week, but wanted to chime in - I’m a 9 too and live in western Colorado and have solved the negative aspects of camping with a cute little camper trailer we pull behind the pick-up. Nature + a bed & indoor toilet = heaven for me! Hard pass on sleeping on the ground!
Your woodworking projects are beautiful! I especially like the lighter colored wood you’ve used.
I love the IDEA of camping and have set an impossibly high bar of a pimped out Airstream that will be able to fit a king size memory foam bed in order to begin camping trips with my family.
Once your backlog dies down a bit, make sure to share a link to your biz! Would love to see your work, and l’il swipes have been known to peruse and purchase one another’s wares!
Camping is my nemesis. Truthfully, I love everything about camping except sleeping overnight in a tent on the ground. I will often go with groups of family friends for all the fun stuff then leave my husband and children to fend for themselves overnight while I return to my air conditioned house and cozy bed. Not sorry. (Also a 9 :D)
Work is closed today in observance of the 4th and I couldn’t be happier for a break. Bummed that I’ll mostly be sticking inside: eat, read, tv, walk dog 🐕, repeat.
Turd goes to the excessive “older” complainers in my tiny condo. One thing I never thought about when making the move from a house to a condo. I’ve never wanted to shout expletives more in my life. 🤬
Treasure this week goes to finally getting over the decision fatigue and ordering all the final fixtures for my new place! Ceiling fans ✅, vanity lights ✅, gold faucet ✅, feels pretty great! Now will await their arrival... 📦
Happy Hamilton Day and observed 4th! I’m coming to you live from BED cause the library is closed (hallelujah, praise baby Jesus!)
Turd of the week was related to work - just as we were getting our “phase one” feet under us and people were getting used to the *new* new normal of library service, we got word of positive cases in our circles, too close for comfort, and had to shut down abruptly again. The glimpse of light is smaller and farther away now.
But Treasures still abound!
-in the vein of Erin’s spreadsheets- I became deeply enthralled with the Dark Academia aesthetic on Instagram/tumblr and started a document for my best pop culture friend deep diving it. It’s got headings, definitions, a thesis, application points. It’s a enneagram 5w4’s quintessential head in the sand obsessive project. Maybe not healthy? Idk. It’s fun though.
-The Boy introduced me to Stardew Valley, a farming sim game that’s mindless and peaceful and pretty (“*you’re* pretty!” he says when I commented that 😂) - for any one who PC games, it’s like 9 bucks on Steam right now! Well worth it! I’m gonna make coffee and go play now 😂
It’s a aesthetic internet subculture that centers around romanticism and the classical arts. Think ravenclaw, dead poets society, and wistfully sitting in window seats reading poetry and Oscar wilde.
All of this- the funny tweets, the very important Hamilton menu, and the answers to questions! All of this is giving me life today. Thank you, Erin for helping us get through this really hard time by not only offering laughs but by helping us to be better.
Okay, well, now I have “Dear Three-Mimosas” stuck in my head forever. I’m cool with it.
Very, very excited to watch Hamilton with my sister & my husband tonight. We all saw it together in September in Philly, so reliving it with them will be a treat. ⭐️
Also, the Daphne K. Lee tweet made me feel VEEERY SEEN. Dang.
My lil treasures this week:
1) My 8-month-old started crawling (this also may qualify as a turd?? 😅). I love him dearly; he leaves a path of destruction in his wake. He’s into EVERYTHING. Our WiFi has come unplugged twice already, so that’s not terrifying at all. Second child things.
2) I finally got around to starting Never Have I Ever on Netflix & it. is. fantastic. Gah, I love it so much.
I bought my Herschel belt bag to take to Disney World and have easy access to all of the supposed magical moments that can be provided through the app on my phone. Our Disney trip was canceled (thanks covid) but instead, that ash rose "waist pack" has joined me on all of my outdoor quarantine adventures. I would highly recommend!
I was gifted an—I’ll say it—athletic fanny pack for my birthday and it’s been a game changer on my walks and bike rides. There’s a place for my phone and mask and chapstick and it’s glorious. Brand name is Manxisi and it’s neon green I am assuming it was ordered off Amazon since that’s where everyone is getting everything currently. But I can confirm from my sister-in-law if you’d like more info!
This is the one that I bought last year for when I take my dog on walks (yes, I'm THAT kind of dog mom). It's got a bunch of various pockets to hold all my junk. Mine is in a forest green to match my dog's leash 💁🏻♀️😂
Yes to the casual belt bag! I got a silly one for walking my dog (it’s Aristocats themed) but have been using it for much more than dog walks with no shame
Hard yes on the “belt bag”. Where are you going to put your phone and keys on walks? It was also huge to have it at Disneyland back when we could do things like that. I have the Herschel brand that I got on Amazon, and they have lots of cute patterns and colors.
That sounds like one that my husband got for his birthday a few years ago. He calls it his Adventure Pack and it makes me laugh so hard every time he gears up for adventure
I have recently discovered tiktok (and also that I am old at the age of 30, which I previously considered to be fairly young 🤪), and I love it fiercely. I’m not sure there’s anything else that could make me pee my pants from laughter three days in a row like it does.
My mom has always said her favorite emotion is laughter through tears, being upset and crying but then something makes you start laughing hysterically. I had that experience this week with these two tiktoks.
So if you been hesitant to download tiktok, I say give it a try!
Side note about age that I’ve been thinking about this week...
Do any of you remember your parents at a specific age when you were a child? My mom at 36 sticks out in my mind. Looking back, you don’t realize as a child that your parents are *people*. Now that I’m getting closer to that age and have kids of my own, I realize my mom had dreams, interests, dislikes, and a whole life I wasn’t aware of when I was 9. I know so much more about her now that I’m older, but it’s just funny (humbling?) to look back and realize that she had life other than just taking care of me and my sister. It’s made my love and appreciation for her even bigger. ❤️
Every time I see her, my mom never fails to remind me that when she was my age she was married to my dad (which was a sad choice tbh), had already had me, and was pregnant with my brother. And my comeback is always, "Well, I have a dog and a Master's degree.. so there."
I was not prepared for the step-dad to cry!! How sweet.
Also since having kids I realized my parents were in their late 20s when they had me and my mind was blown. Like... I am my parents age now that they were when I was in kindergarten and that is weeeeird to think about.
I gave into TikTok early on during COVID. I was desperate to learn how to shuffle. I am obsessed. Love animal vids and jokes and weirdly into the Kayler stuff too. 🤓
Tiktok has been my escape for all of quarantine. I'm so thankful for funny, creative people who make them! I also find myself learning about being a human from some tiktoks. The thoughtfulness with which some people create is amazing!
Weighing in on the belt bag - I just got a basic one from IKEA. (Ikea brings me so much life b/c I'm Canadian and don't have target) It is really functional, not pretty but has the right amount of room so I can get groceries with 3 kids and not worry about a purse. It basically doubles as pocket for all the stupid women's clothing that doesn't have pockets. Definitely has me thinking about getting a cute one to zhuz up outfits and be functional.
I lived in Canada for two years and so I understand the living without Target. Walmart is no substitute. Amen on the stupid women’s clothing with no pockets!!
We had target for a hot minute a few years ago and I miss it from my depths. Ikea is doing the Lord's work, Smäland is children's ministry and I'm so sad that part is all closed due to the 'vid. At least Ikea proper is open here now and I can at least go for an air conditioned walk through lovely Nordic designs for inspiration again.
I had a brief (1-2 year) window of time when all three of my kids could go in Smaland at the same time. You better believe I was there promptly at 9:45 so I could be first in their quota.
SO MANY -- or the pockets are not meant to actually hold ANYTHING. Like why must we sew pockets to make the pants look a certain way and when you rip them open to actually *USE* them it throws off the entire look. AACK MAKE FASHION FUNCTIONAL!
- I started a new job last week and it’s been so good. While I know that I can’t share a link to this and it’s kind of a personal treasure, I’m a firm believer in sharing happy news. I feel totally useful and respected and utilized at work and even though I’m remote working there are beautiful systems for everything that make my type A heart soar
- I discovered Trader Joe’s has pub cheese in large containers for half the price of what the grocery store sells for small, and y’all should get you some of that
- I have 5 gorgeous foster kittens who remind me every time I go into my foster nursery (shout out to my husband for allowing this room to exist) all about newness and life and happy things. If you care for pictures I post cute ones on their IG page @fosterintheheights
“ But I also know there is a deep possibility for change here. I think that is what is keeping me afloat.“ Same. It’s the only thing I can hold onto. We have to change, right? Right?
Also, the idea of setting up a fake email and pounding out life there sounds so appealing. I don’t know why that could help more than journaling but I love that idea.
treasures this week:
- headed to whidbey island with my family (island outside Seattle) for the fourth. Yay for leaving my house.
- I do (sometimes) listen to those podcasts where you learn things and better yourself but sometimes you need an ESCAPE. Enter RomPods, which has taken me back to 1941, where I’m pressed up against the wireless to hear a radio drama romantic comedy. There are sound effects! Music! Different voices! It’s set in Italy! I binged all the episodes and now am waiting for the upcoming episode dropping Monday. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/romcompods/id1511796352
- I made lasagna this week because comfort food and then I had extra ricotta so I’ve been making ricotta toasts like I’m an expensive hipster coffee shop. It started with ricotta, tomatoes, fresh basil and Trader Joe’s Everything Bagel seasoning and then transcended to avocado, ricotta, sliced turkey, tomato and feta. YUM.
I grew up going to Whidbey Island in the summers with my grandparents and aunts and uncles. I used to spend each summer in the PNW traveling between my two sides of the family and it was the best. I miss Seattle so much! Glad you’re getting out for a little weekend away 😊
P.s. I’m so excited I got to comment early! West Coast life sometimes makes everything timing-wise a little off. However, I’m currently nursing and was delighted to see this in my inbox for a perfect 3:56 a.m. delight.
Can we talk about the laziness (or special kind of genius) in naming one of the world’s most massive telescopes “The Very Large Telescope?” I’d like to think there was a contest, like when the people named that British boat “Boaty McBoatface,” but the naming committee gave up and went with “Very Large Telescope.” I picture a suited man flinging down a folder full of subpar suggestions with a tired sigh.
But speaking of naming things, have you seen this world map with all the names of countries translated into literal English? Turns out most are named "Land of ____ (fill in super unoriginal description)" Hahahaha
So good right! The thing about being obsessed with names that backfires on me though is when friends give their kids "bad" names. There's no bad name but .... sometimes people's choices are.... One example, last year four of my co-workers were pregnant at the same time. The first baby was a boy named Kai. Great. Second, Annabella Rose. Third, Liliana Belle. Fourth....wait for it....Bella Anne. Are you three CRAZY?!!!! (feeling free to say this here since I'm certain none of them are reading)
I went to a Maritime College (uniforms and boats and navigation classes) and I was there when the Boaty McBoatface thing happened so they decided to let the students name this brand new beautiful building that had a cafe inside... let’s say the names were NOT cute so they went with TIV short for Student AcTIVity Center
That Big Boo episode was SO good. As someone who avidly walks and treats it like therapy, I feel she's a big sister to me.
You are not alone with the Hamilton ignorance. I watched 2 videos (because of the Erin spreadsheet that Sophie & Mel linked to).....and my homework this weekend is to use a friend's Disney+ log in to watch it. Yup, I also do not have the Disney+.
That Pastor Noah ep.
Oh I cried.
Hugs and hopes your "tummy troubles" (a phrase still used in our house even though my kids are 7 & 13) ease up.
PS- Loved the Downton Abbey movie. But here's my observation. Did Catherine O'Hara love Cora and that is where she got the accent for Moira? I could not stop thinking about Moira Rose anytime Cora spoke LOL.
That’s a week!! May your innards reset quickly, and may you have comfort in your soul that can overflow to your friend and their family in a really tough season.
And on a lighter note, I haven’t seen or heard Hamilton, either. That said, I’m watching this weekend!
Loooove when a splurge turns into a favorite 😎 I’ll have to check it out! Always looking for a nice light foundation that actually works. Also, love your mom’s advice SO MUCH.
I'm deathly allergic to bees and yellow jackets so I always have to have epinephrine with me. I've carried what I refer to as a "waist pack" for years when I'm out for a walk or bike ride and love it. I do wear mine at the small of my back instead of the front because I find it more comfortable. I have this one (my color isn't shown) from Patagonia and LOVE IT. https://www.patagonia.com/product/ultralight-black-hole-mini-hip-pack-1-liter/49447.html?dwvar_49447_color=PWRE#q=waist%2Bpack&lang=en_US&start=1
It is lightweight and holds more than you would expect. I can carry my phone, 2 auto injectors, hand sanitizer, money, ID, lip balm, and these days a mask in it.
Just realized I never commented, cause I was that person who woke up promptly at 3am on Friday for my first Hamilton viewing - my b. Treasures include listening to Anthony Ramos' album, The Good and The Bad, to pretend I am in any way chill about having so much access to Hamilton.
The rest of the week was a sprint to the finish for work and I had a gloriously low-key weekend otherwise. Turds include accidentally spraying myself in the eye with bug spray for the nightly dog walk outing, so my patience was low that day :| Treasures include lots of reading (also working on The Vanishing Half and Hood Feminism) and good discussion with friends, some texting still with The Boy (the most extended first date, but I don't hate it?), and lots of laughter on a regular Powerpoint Party with friends. Topics presented were the History of Macarons, Lightsabers, Lucille Ball, and introduction to Hamilton. If you are still in an area where virtual parties are necessary, I HIGHLY recommend this format of a party :)
Okay, so I watched Hamilton last night.
I still have not emotionally recovered.
I reread (just like Danielle) Erin's email that she sent out earlier last week about her feelings leading up to Hamilton. AND OH MY WORD how it resonated!
I got teary a couple times as I watched ....Wait for It hit me in an unexpected way. Same with Dear Theodosia and Hurricane. Just some delicate tears.
Then Burn................... oh my, the tears lost that delicate nature.
But then from the grief filled scream in Stay Alive (Reprise)....and through It's Quiet Uptown?
SOBS.
Like handtowel clutching.
Gasps between breaths.
SOBS
I'm tearing up again just recalling this.
Then when I just started to recover and compose myself
Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story. AAAAAAHHH my word.
I tried to explain to my husband why I was indeed crying so hard from the other room, he indeed thought something was wrong with me. "Wait, you're still watching Hamilton and crying this much?" And I tried to explain why and how and just how good it was. And yes, "It Good" totally sums it up.
I never could have seen this in public and all of your who have, wow. I applaud you.
I left thick voiced messages to Danielle and 2 other friends who knew I was planning to watch this weekend.
I need this to be released in a way I can buy.
And I will need to watch again, but not right away. Letting all the feelings this brought out of me sort of settle and know I will probably emote that hard again...oof.
I loved it.
And, also, in my best Jamie B. Golden voice.....George Washington is verryy verrry sessssssyy.
Hi! I’m new here! Not sure how this works, but here are my T&Ts of this week.
Turds:
1)compassion fatigue and burnout. I’m a nurse and it’s been a rough few months. Waffling between optimism and fatalism.
Treasures:
1)friends who share disney plus and will rewatch Hamilton with you
2) frozen peaches (Why have I not been using these & making peach cobbler all my life. So easy!)
3) literally half a dozen taco places within 10 min of me
4) really good coffee
5) Erin moon for reminding me to COMPLETE MY STRESS CYCLE IN THE PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
RE: casual belt bag for walking - LL Bean all the way! https://m.llbean.com/llb/shop/118117?productId=1634361&attrValue_0=Spruce/Rich%20Berry&pla1=0&mr:trackingCode=E9D5F113-0398-E911-8102-00505694403D&mr:referralID=NA&mr:device=m&mr:adType=pla_with_promotiononline&qs=3125053&pcd=SUMMER10&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9NO_mfmz6gIVUdbACh301gD8EAQYASABEgKgtfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
My family makes fun of me endlessly for wearing in when I walk and mow the lawn, but what’s a girl to do when there are no pockets in her leggings and I want to listen to podcasts??
Huge stack of books for summer reading finally arrived. I’m barely into The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires and it’s some of the best writing I’ve read in a while and it is always a treat to read great writing. I can’t believe it won’t hold up and be worth the gory content which is not usually my thing. As usual I’ve been overly ambitious in what I want to read. Don’t suppose there is any interest in a lil swipes reading club? I’m always looking for book friends and reading groups help keep me accountable so I thought I’d throw it out into the void! Happy Hamilfilm day 🥳
Treasure-
Finally took the plunge and procured this waist satchel :-)
Herschel Fifteen, Summer Floral... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VXWM37W?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Thank you for sharing the deets on ESV, I hadn’t heard any of that and am always down for some context/knowledge.
Treasures:
-I made it into Flavor Town this week, and I will forever wear it as a badge of honor, even though I have taken much heat for it. 😂 If you listen to The Popcast, yes, I am the person who hates chocolate and peanut butter together. I am not sorry for this opinion.
-I bought an accent chair this week to add to my new living room. I’m pretty sure this is the first piece of furniture I’ve actually bought brand new because I’m cheap and always buy used or have gotten things passed on to me, and it makes me feel very adult. It’s supposed to come today and I can’t wait to see how it pulls things together!
-I finally went real grocery shopping this week after not buying anything after moving other than a few vegetables, so my fridge no longer looks poor and sad.
-I get to see a few friends on Sunday that I haven’t seen for far too long! This is my core group of friends from college and our group has grown over the years as everyone has gotten married/engaged (celebrating the newest engagement on Sunday) and/or had kids other than me (still single and ready to mingle 💃🏽), and we don’t see each other nearly enough anymore but every time we do we end up playing games and talking and end up laughing until we cry. It’s my favorite thing.
Turd of the week:
-I’m having an endometriosis flare up and have basically been curled up on my couch in pain since leaving work early yesterday. I’ve done a lot of things to heal and manage this thing over the last few years, but occasionally I still have bad days, and so here we are constantly attached to a heating pad in July and trying all the pain remedies without much relief. But at least it’s a long holiday weekend so I already had today off. And I’m re-binging The Office thanks to The Popcast and am at the part where Jim is teasing Pam with a proposal and that makes my dumb reproductive organs a little less unbearable.
Oh my gosh, you are a Podcast celebrity with your Flavortown induction! I mean, I can't wholly relate to what made you a resident (lol) but wow, you are a bold spicy woman and I salute you.
*Passes you whatever brings you any sort of relief for your pain*
Congratulations on making it into Flavor Town!🌶🏡
Hoping you feel better soon. I’m getting some tests this week to see if endometriosis is causing my back pain.
Praying you get some answers! Endometriosis is a b-word.
Hope you feel better and get tons of rest this weekend, ya communist. 😂😉
Waffle-ton on Your Side? 😂
I am living that belt bag life and I use this one every day. It is 27.99 and comes in 41 different colors. https://herschel.com/shop/hip-packs/fourteen-hip-pack?v=10514-03922-OS
I don’t do fanny packs, but those are cute!!
I didn't either, but these converted me. they are great! I got the papaya color (salmon pinkish/orange) and it is great.
Erin, just did a search for Color of Compromise and there appears to be a video series for this on Prime.
Have you watched?
Thank you for the “Lost in Translation” article. It really makes me think about which translation I read and to use multiple translations when studying. Why is your current fav the NRSV? Not looking to argue, just curious. Thanks.
Y’all I’m in the mountains! Cell phone reception is very spotty! I’ll check in later! Happy Hammi day!! xoxo
Sounds lovely! Enjoy!
Happy vacay!!
Hello everyone! My original plan was 7am s’mores and Hamilton. I shifted gears and slept in because I needed it and then made Mickey Mouse waffles with my new waffle maker. When your old (cheap) waffle maker dies during a pandemic, a Mickey waffle maker is the best replacement.
I just finished watching Hamilton. There are no words for the experience. It was everything I wanted it to be.
Other treasures:
- Kroger’s Private Selection brand Blueberry Cheescake ice cream. It’s sooo creamy and wonderful.
- Sunflowers from my mom
- Discovering that Pinterest lets you create subsections for boards. My pins have never been more organized
- 4 day weekends!!
I grew up in Ohio with Kroger’s, then moved to N.C. where they also had Kroger’s until the merger with Harris Teeter. I’ve been mourning my loss.
Enjoy all the private selection goodness!!!! 😭
That’s so sad!!
Who knew organized Pinterest boards could make us so happy?!
The only unhappy part was embarrassment over some of the trends I thought were cool 7 years ago 😂
SAME GIRL 😂
Afternoon from MN!
Home for the long weekend, so I am sitting comfy on my couch after already taking a 4 mile walk. Y'all the heatwave in MN is NO joke. We have so many days of 90s in or future. Just dropping truth that MN is a lot of fun because not only do we get arctic cold temps for months of winter, but we get mental heat and humidity in the summer. SUPER FUN!
So my first treasure:
1. The makers of fans and central air.
2. Smoothies (not daily, but close) continue. I have been good not *always* spiking them ;) But I do add an Eme'gen'C packet and VOILA it's like an immunity boost (like so like that, it's my business)
3. Dresses or certain skorts While I was team linen pants back when we were in the 70s and 80s this week its been all about dresses or skorts. Back before Athleta went to become a Lululemon wannabe they used to have more quasi REI/Duluth Trader/Title Nine type clothes and I bought two skorts from them many moons ago and LOOOOVE them. I toss one of those on and a flowy tank and I'm living my best comfy life. I also bought a really cute faux wrap dress from the Lark & Ro line from Amazon and I look so put together at work. I am buying two other colorways of the same dress I love them that much.
4. Voice messages. I love being able to emote to friends LOL so they can truly hear my reaction. ;) I am *that* person
I really need to start using my Notes app and jotting down what I want to comment on and list here each week. Because today, poof nothing major is coming to mind and I feel like I have "The Dumb"
Stay cool (this feels like a yearbook sign off)
Mel
I live in Old Navy jersey swing dresses in the summer. They’re so comfy! All the comfort and versatility of a moo-moo without the unflattering cut and Hawaiian print.
I can’t remember anything if I don’t write it down. I love my notes app
Especially for this list!
HAGS (yearbook sign off to you)
HAHAHA, I never just wrote HAGS ;) It's so funny to think of how a pre social media life there were some people we literally never saw for 3 months and that's just how we lived.
WHAT TIME IS IT?
SHOW TIME!
I’m John Laurens in the place to be. 2 pints of Sam Adams and I’m working on 3.
We are planning to watch Hamilton tonight so Disney+ doesn’t crash. 😆
I have a treasure and a turd but they both go hand in hand. The turd is that after three weeks of going into the office two days a week, we had an employee test positive. I feel bad for her and her family as she has 2 small children. Praying she gets better soon.
The treasure is I now no longer have to go into said office and can continue to work from home for the foreseeable future.
Stay safe, y’all!!
Regarding the missing star, I’ve seen some tweets floating around that someone must be time traveling back to 2020 and keeps changing things on our timeline, thus the disappearance of the murder hornets. I feel like the star may also be a victim of time travel mishaps.
Also I am with Ben in the anti-dog category. Sorry, not sorry.
Turd for the week: twin bedtime. Treasures below!
My husband finally got sick of his quarantine hair and asked me to give him a haircut. 😳 I watched k8_smallthings’ men’s haircut video on IGTV and gave it a shot, and it’s not half bad! So if you need to give a man in your life a haircut, that’s my recommendation.
Other things giving me life are Nature Valley Almond Butter Biscuits (like cinnamon-y sandwich cookies), linen shorts from Old Navy (alternate you the linen pants we discussed a few weeks ago), the hand-me-down baby swing that keeps my “more difficult” twin asleep for longer naps when I just can’t anymore, and the Jesus Storybook Bible, which I am reading with my 2yo at night (and is my only time “in the word” currently). It legitimately is helpful for my faith at the moment when it’s the closest thing I can get to a “quiet time” these days.
Love to you all. Making myself hold off on Hamilton until later since my husband has to work today. Boo Texas A&M’s stingy holiday schedule.
Honestly, I've been struggling with my time in the Word and even though I'm a childless single, I still own a copy of the JSB and I may start reading it as a daily devo. Such a good idea!
Sometimes it’s good to go back to the simplest things!
I’m saving it for tonight, too!
I read the Jesus Storybook Bible to my kiddo when she was a baby and it was life giving and sometimes a necessary interpretation of God.
Your answer to your last question is what keeps me coming back to you week after week! I wish I knew you IRL.
Actually, there are lots of things I love and keep coming back for! But belt bags...naw man!
Also, now I’m more than just curious why you would denounce my fav translation so I must investigate.
Thank you for keeping me on my toes! Have a wonderful weekend!
One turd this week - my county in Kansas was doing SO WELL flattening our curve, and then all the bars opened and folks decided to quit social distancing and pack out the tiny college bars and now we have almost triple the number of Covid cases in 2 weeks time. Bah.
Treasures:
1. I am probably late to the game, but I discovered Matthew Pierce on Twitter this week and this thread made me laugh so much: https://twitter.com/MatthewEPierce/status/1272695289187643392 Christian culture + Saved By The Bell gifs = joy.
2. My summer wardrobe is revolving around this headband from The Bluest Willow: https://www.thebluestwillow.com/collections/extras/products/cheetah-turbin-headband
and this face mask https://www.etsy.com/listing/798872669/face-mask-organic-cotton-two-layer and the two of them together make me laugh at myself, but in a good way.
Have a great week, everyone!
What county are you in in KS? I’m always on the lookout for fellow Popcast or Erin Moon fans in KS!
Douglas County! Where are you??
Sedgwick. I’m in Wichita.
Headbands are the only way my Covid hair is staying under control!!
Long time lurker, first time commenter! 🤪
I am so friggin' happy with my recent impulse buy that I was TOTALLY influenced to buy by Instagram, and I think you folks are the only ones who will care. Even if you don't, that's ok. I just have to tell somebody!
Olive & June nail polish. You guys. It is LITERALLY (insert Chris Traeger voice) the best nail polish I have ever used. I got a lovely summer peach color that perfectly complements my skin tone and I am in love with my hands. Like I can't stop staring.
That's all. Thanks for listening! 😁💅🏼
Olive & June is great! I only own one color, but I'm planning on getting more! I also really want to try the top coat!
I just removed all my polish so I can do my biweekly pedicure in my bathroom and my semi weekly (sometimes I do them, sometimes I don't) manicure. That self care is so needed. But since I have a literal shoebox of nail varnishes (lol) I cannot let myself buy more.
Love Olive & June!! It lasts longer (to
Me) than normal polish and the look is fabulous! Too many color options to choose from but @whatkatekinds on the Instagram gives tutorials and combinations on polishes. It’s great!
Ok they always advertise to me and I’ve been so tempted! Does it last long? If you’re terrible at painting your nails, is it still pretty?
I’ve been considering taking the plunge with them, too. This is good intel. Thank you! And welcome!
The @theholdernessfamily Instagram and YouTube channel are giving me lots of smiles these days. I’ve watched the Hamilton paradoy for mask wearing and have smiled and laughed each and every time. Plus the What If Disney songs is Broadway songs were about quarantine...just really needed all the smiles and laughs yesterday.
Do we know if Hamilton is streaming right this very second? We have connectivity issues with Disney+ when they're really busy, so maybe I could watch it sooner than later...
We live in Denver, and went backpacking with our neighbors this week. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Colorado is kind of wasted on me. It's super dry, so no campfire and instant dehydration. Everything is at altitude, and hauling a 35-pound pack up and down mountainsides at 9000 feet is exhausting. My body hates sleeping on the ground, and the dang sun insists on coming up at 5 or something, then staying up for way too long - nine hours is not possible while camping. I spend most of my time doing all the things I do at home (picking up people's crap, making food), but without running water or electricity. Nature is pretty, but the ROI is just not enough for me (enneagram 9, or couldn't you tell?)
I didn't realize the camping trip was my turd, but apparently it is. 🤷🏼♀️
Treasure: I have a small woodworking business, and I'm staying pretty consistently busy. It's weird, after 40+ years of buying the conservative evangelical "wife and mother are the highest callings" line, to be sought out and to have to explain to people that I can't get their _____ built until September because of my backlog. I love it.
Late to the comments game this week, but wanted to chime in - I’m a 9 too and live in western Colorado and have solved the negative aspects of camping with a cute little camper trailer we pull behind the pick-up. Nature + a bed & indoor toilet = heaven for me! Hard pass on sleeping on the ground!
Your woodworking projects are beautiful! I especially like the lighter colored wood you’ve used.
I love the IDEA of camping and have set an impossibly high bar of a pimped out Airstream that will be able to fit a king size memory foam bed in order to begin camping trips with my family.
Once your backlog dies down a bit, make sure to share a link to your biz! Would love to see your work, and l’il swipes have been known to peruse and purchase one another’s wares!
Thanks! My website is woefully out of date, but I frequently post progress pics on Insta at alpineflower.
Your work is beautiful!!!
Thanks!
As I 9, I fully support this!! Camping is the worst.
I feel you on the camping. (🙋🏻♀️9️⃣)
Camping is my nemesis. Truthfully, I love everything about camping except sleeping overnight in a tent on the ground. I will often go with groups of family friends for all the fun stuff then leave my husband and children to fend for themselves overnight while I return to my air conditioned house and cozy bed. Not sorry. (Also a 9 :D)
I think we should add camping to the list of childhood wounds for 9’s!
Lol! I liked it better when I wasn't in charge.
Hi Swipes!
Work is closed today in observance of the 4th and I couldn’t be happier for a break. Bummed that I’ll mostly be sticking inside: eat, read, tv, walk dog 🐕, repeat.
Turd goes to the excessive “older” complainers in my tiny condo. One thing I never thought about when making the move from a house to a condo. I’ve never wanted to shout expletives more in my life. 🤬
Treasure this week goes to finally getting over the decision fatigue and ordering all the final fixtures for my new place! Ceiling fans ✅, vanity lights ✅, gold faucet ✅, feels pretty great! Now will await their arrival... 📦
Decision fatigue is so real with house stuff!
Yes Dana. Awaiting my final closing/walk through date to have an "official" countdown, for now it's just a vague September.
Happy Hamilton Day and observed 4th! I’m coming to you live from BED cause the library is closed (hallelujah, praise baby Jesus!)
Turd of the week was related to work - just as we were getting our “phase one” feet under us and people were getting used to the *new* new normal of library service, we got word of positive cases in our circles, too close for comfort, and had to shut down abruptly again. The glimpse of light is smaller and farther away now.
But Treasures still abound!
-in the vein of Erin’s spreadsheets- I became deeply enthralled with the Dark Academia aesthetic on Instagram/tumblr and started a document for my best pop culture friend deep diving it. It’s got headings, definitions, a thesis, application points. It’s a enneagram 5w4’s quintessential head in the sand obsessive project. Maybe not healthy? Idk. It’s fun though.
-The Boy introduced me to Stardew Valley, a farming sim game that’s mindless and peaceful and pretty (“*you’re* pretty!” he says when I commented that 😂) - for any one who PC games, it’s like 9 bucks on Steam right now! Well worth it! I’m gonna make coffee and go play now 😂
Wait what’s Dark Academia?
It’s a aesthetic internet subculture that centers around romanticism and the classical arts. Think ravenclaw, dead poets society, and wistfully sitting in window seats reading poetry and Oscar wilde.
“You’re pretty.” Awwwwwwww. Well done, Boy!!
We love to see it.
All of this- the funny tweets, the very important Hamilton menu, and the answers to questions! All of this is giving me life today. Thank you, Erin for helping us get through this really hard time by not only offering laughs but by helping us to be better.
Belt bag: maybe Cotopaxi or Walker Family Goods
Okay, well, now I have “Dear Three-Mimosas” stuck in my head forever. I’m cool with it.
Very, very excited to watch Hamilton with my sister & my husband tonight. We all saw it together in September in Philly, so reliving it with them will be a treat. ⭐️
Also, the Daphne K. Lee tweet made me feel VEEERY SEEN. Dang.
My lil treasures this week:
1) My 8-month-old started crawling (this also may qualify as a turd?? 😅). I love him dearly; he leaves a path of destruction in his wake. He’s into EVERYTHING. Our WiFi has come unplugged twice already, so that’s not terrifying at all. Second child things.
2) I finally got around to starting Never Have I Ever on Netflix & it. is. fantastic. Gah, I love it so much.
3) The album “Carry” by Joy Oladokun is on repeat right now. Beautiful all-around. https://open.spotify.com/album/17UkqCkSXuoXbgNNg0VYQ8?si=413AI9FARga7LLu734xC_w
4) Conversations with friends that include phrases like, “I’m still learning,” “I might be wrong,” and “I changed my mind.”
May this weekend be one of reflection, rest & continued re-education, friends! ✨
Never have I ever was so cute!
I bought my Herschel belt bag to take to Disney World and have easy access to all of the supposed magical moments that can be provided through the app on my phone. Our Disney trip was canceled (thanks covid) but instead, that ash rose "waist pack" has joined me on all of my outdoor quarantine adventures. I would highly recommend!
Stupid Covid.
Best of wives and best of waffles? A waffle-y armed battalion?
Both of those are gold.
I DON’T GET THE HAMILTON HYPE.
There I said it, I feel better. Gonna run away now!! 😂😂
I didn't either, but I just finished it watching it with my daughter and it was AMAZING!
I just got done too, and my opinion still stands!! It was great, but not as mind blowing as everyone made it out to be!
Same here. It was very good but I didn't love it... 🤷♀️
Lol. Ummmmmmm, you need to submit that to Knox and Jamie for the next installment of Flavortown on the Popcast.
Also, we’re all now praying for you. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Thanks for the prayers! I just finished watching and I’m unchanged in my opinion!!
Very favorite belt bag 🎉
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T2N7N3P/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_FcY.EbNBQBS80
I was gifted an—I’ll say it—athletic fanny pack for my birthday and it’s been a game changer on my walks and bike rides. There’s a place for my phone and mask and chapstick and it’s glorious. Brand name is Manxisi and it’s neon green I am assuming it was ordered off Amazon since that’s where everyone is getting everything currently. But I can confirm from my sister-in-law if you’d like more info!
This is the one that I bought last year for when I take my dog on walks (yes, I'm THAT kind of dog mom). It's got a bunch of various pockets to hold all my junk. Mine is in a forest green to match my dog's leash 💁🏻♀️😂
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005W1BYAW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I have this same one in Coral for my doggo!
I was reading through all the comments to find the belt bag recs. Finally found them 🥳
Yes to the casual belt bag! I got a silly one for walking my dog (it’s Aristocats themed) but have been using it for much more than dog walks with no shame
I love seeing other dog parents with belt bags 😂 makes me feel so validated
I want an adventure pack! My friend has a leopard one off amazon and it is definitely for adventuring.
I also have a fancy leather belt bag from madewell on sale. Less adventure, though.
I too have a bright neon green fanny pack for running! It’s the best!
Hard yes on the “belt bag”. Where are you going to put your phone and keys on walks? It was also huge to have it at Disneyland back when we could do things like that. I have the Herschel brand that I got on Amazon, and they have lots of cute patterns and colors.
That sounds like one that my husband got for his birthday a few years ago. He calls it his Adventure Pack and it makes me laugh so hard every time he gears up for adventure
Adventure pack sounds like a great description!
Adventure pack! I love it. My 3-year-old has cargo shorts that he calls his "adventure pants" and it's basically the same vibe.
I have recently discovered tiktok (and also that I am old at the age of 30, which I previously considered to be fairly young 🤪), and I love it fiercely. I’m not sure there’s anything else that could make me pee my pants from laughter three days in a row like it does.
My mom has always said her favorite emotion is laughter through tears, being upset and crying but then something makes you start laughing hysterically. I had that experience this week with these two tiktoks.
https://vm.tiktok.com/JeCJS4V/
https://vm.tiktok.com/JeQnRnv/
So if you been hesitant to download tiktok, I say give it a try!
Side note about age that I’ve been thinking about this week...
Do any of you remember your parents at a specific age when you were a child? My mom at 36 sticks out in my mind. Looking back, you don’t realize as a child that your parents are *people*. Now that I’m getting closer to that age and have kids of my own, I realize my mom had dreams, interests, dislikes, and a whole life I wasn’t aware of when I was 9. I know so much more about her now that I’m older, but it’s just funny (humbling?) to look back and realize that she had life other than just taking care of me and my sister. It’s made my love and appreciation for her even bigger. ❤️
Every time I see her, my mom never fails to remind me that when she was my age she was married to my dad (which was a sad choice tbh), had already had me, and was pregnant with my brother. And my comeback is always, "Well, I have a dog and a Master's degree.. so there."
I was not prepared for the step-dad to cry!! How sweet.
Also since having kids I realized my parents were in their late 20s when they had me and my mind was blown. Like... I am my parents age now that they were when I was in kindergarten and that is weeeeird to think about.
I know! It made me actually weep.
So weird!
I gave into TikTok early on during COVID. I was desperate to learn how to shuffle. I am obsessed. Love animal vids and jokes and weirdly into the Kayler stuff too. 🤓
I want to learn a dance - just for myself, never to actually post 😆 - but I can’t decide which one.
Tiktok has been my escape for all of quarantine. I'm so thankful for funny, creative people who make them! I also find myself learning about being a human from some tiktoks. The thoughtfulness with which some people create is amazing!
Yes!!! I can’t get over how creative people are! And thoughtful and helpful. There are good people in this world. ❤️
MMMHMMM they hid the time on purpose
Weighing in on the belt bag - I just got a basic one from IKEA. (Ikea brings me so much life b/c I'm Canadian and don't have target) It is really functional, not pretty but has the right amount of room so I can get groceries with 3 kids and not worry about a purse. It basically doubles as pocket for all the stupid women's clothing that doesn't have pockets. Definitely has me thinking about getting a cute one to zhuz up outfits and be functional.
I lived in Canada for two years and so I understand the living without Target. Walmart is no substitute. Amen on the stupid women’s clothing with no pockets!!
Felicia, I just let myself think on life without Target, and couldn’t make it past fifteen seconds.
My condolences, ma’am.
Also, I love Ikea. In the room in which I now sit I can see two lamps, a sofa, chair, and side table that all came from Ikea. Glory.
We had target for a hot minute a few years ago and I miss it from my depths. Ikea is doing the Lord's work, Smäland is children's ministry and I'm so sad that part is all closed due to the 'vid. At least Ikea proper is open here now and I can at least go for an air conditioned walk through lovely Nordic designs for inspiration again.
I had a brief (1-2 year) window of time when all three of my kids could go in Smaland at the same time. You better believe I was there promptly at 9:45 so I could be first in their quota.
I haven’t thought about that before, but there are a lot of stupid women’s clothing that doesn’t have pockets 😂
SO MANY -- or the pockets are not meant to actually hold ANYTHING. Like why must we sew pockets to make the pants look a certain way and when you rip them open to actually *USE* them it throws off the entire look. AACK MAKE FASHION FUNCTIONAL!
These Swipe Ups give me so much!
Treasures:
- I started a new job last week and it’s been so good. While I know that I can’t share a link to this and it’s kind of a personal treasure, I’m a firm believer in sharing happy news. I feel totally useful and respected and utilized at work and even though I’m remote working there are beautiful systems for everything that make my type A heart soar
- I discovered Trader Joe’s has pub cheese in large containers for half the price of what the grocery store sells for small, and y’all should get you some of that
- I have 5 gorgeous foster kittens who remind me every time I go into my foster nursery (shout out to my husband for allowing this room to exist) all about newness and life and happy things. If you care for pictures I post cute ones on their IG page @fosterintheheights
Congrats on the new job, and a room full of kittens feels like a dream come true!!
Omg I just saw the insta and I love kittens so muchhhhh ugh. I am generally anti-pet though so I probably will never own a cat again, sigh.
Congrats on your new job!!!! 🥳 🍾
Ummmmmmm...pub cheese????? 😍😍😍
Pub Cheese is so good! Well most all of the cheese are my love language.
Yay for feeling fulfilled at work!!!
“ But I also know there is a deep possibility for change here. I think that is what is keeping me afloat.“ Same. It’s the only thing I can hold onto. We have to change, right? Right?
Also, the idea of setting up a fake email and pounding out life there sounds so appealing. I don’t know why that could help more than journaling but I love that idea.
treasures this week:
- headed to whidbey island with my family (island outside Seattle) for the fourth. Yay for leaving my house.
- I do (sometimes) listen to those podcasts where you learn things and better yourself but sometimes you need an ESCAPE. Enter RomPods, which has taken me back to 1941, where I’m pressed up against the wireless to hear a radio drama romantic comedy. There are sound effects! Music! Different voices! It’s set in Italy! I binged all the episodes and now am waiting for the upcoming episode dropping Monday. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/romcompods/id1511796352
- I made lasagna this week because comfort food and then I had extra ricotta so I’ve been making ricotta toasts like I’m an expensive hipster coffee shop. It started with ricotta, tomatoes, fresh basil and Trader Joe’s Everything Bagel seasoning and then transcended to avocado, ricotta, sliced turkey, tomato and feta. YUM.
Sounds like an awesome weekend!
I grew up going to Whidbey Island in the summers with my grandparents and aunts and uncles. I used to spend each summer in the PNW traveling between my two sides of the family and it was the best. I miss Seattle so much! Glad you’re getting out for a little weekend away 😊
P.s. I’m so excited I got to comment early! West Coast life sometimes makes everything timing-wise a little off. However, I’m currently nursing and was delighted to see this in my inbox for a perfect 3:56 a.m. delight.
Can we talk about the laziness (or special kind of genius) in naming one of the world’s most massive telescopes “The Very Large Telescope?” I’d like to think there was a contest, like when the people named that British boat “Boaty McBoatface,” but the naming committee gave up and went with “Very Large Telescope.” I picture a suited man flinging down a folder full of subpar suggestions with a tired sigh.
But speaking of naming things, have you seen this world map with all the names of countries translated into literal English? Turns out most are named "Land of ____ (fill in super unoriginal description)" Hahahaha
https://theculturetrip.com/europe/articles/this-enlightening-map-shows-the-literal-meaning-of-every-countrys-name/
I love this so much! I love maps and stupid names! LOL
So good right! The thing about being obsessed with names that backfires on me though is when friends give their kids "bad" names. There's no bad name but .... sometimes people's choices are.... One example, last year four of my co-workers were pregnant at the same time. The first baby was a boy named Kai. Great. Second, Annabella Rose. Third, Liliana Belle. Fourth....wait for it....Bella Anne. Are you three CRAZY?!!!! (feeling free to say this here since I'm certain none of them are reading)
I went to a Maritime College (uniforms and boats and navigation classes) and I was there when the Boaty McBoatface thing happened so they decided to let the students name this brand new beautiful building that had a cafe inside... let’s say the names were NOT cute so they went with TIV short for Student AcTIVity Center
Boaty McBoat Face makes me laugh STILL. great idea and I think you should bring this to the people. Perhaps it can be one thing we can rally around.
Now I wish I could see your hair!
May I recommend watching Tan France’s home tour on YouTube from Architectural Digest for more lovely Tan inspiration
That Big Boo episode was SO good. As someone who avidly walks and treats it like therapy, I feel she's a big sister to me.
You are not alone with the Hamilton ignorance. I watched 2 videos (because of the Erin spreadsheet that Sophie & Mel linked to).....and my homework this weekend is to use a friend's Disney+ log in to watch it. Yup, I also do not have the Disney+.
That Pastor Noah ep.
Oh I cried.
Hugs and hopes your "tummy troubles" (a phrase still used in our house even though my kids are 7 & 13) ease up.
PS- Loved the Downton Abbey movie. But here's my observation. Did Catherine O'Hara love Cora and that is where she got the accent for Moira? I could not stop thinking about Moira Rose anytime Cora spoke LOL.
Like even the way Cora moves her mouth when she talks. I could NOT stop thinking Cora is a long lost Rose *ha ha*
Yessss lol
But now once you notice this you can never shut it off. And dramatic moments suddenly become comical at times
I forgot there was a downton abbey movie! Where did you stream it?
That’s a week!! May your innards reset quickly, and may you have comfort in your soul that can overflow to your friend and their family in a really tough season.
And on a lighter note, I haven’t seen or heard Hamilton, either. That said, I’m watching this weekend!
so close to moving! and THANK you for the foundation rec!
I hate the feeling of heavy makeup. I’m always looking for a lighter alternative and have stuck w CC creams, I’ll have to check this out! 🧐
Loooove when a splurge turns into a favorite 😎 I’ll have to check it out! Always looking for a nice light foundation that actually works. Also, love your mom’s advice SO MUCH.