Stuff I Like: What I'm Watching

I posted last week about what I was reading which gives the impression I'm not also watching an unhealthy amount of TV. I am, though! I am watching so much TV because there's so much good stuff on. Here's are four shows I'm watching: 

This Show That I'm Completely Obsessed With
Why isn't anyone talking about The Parisian Agency on Netflix? I am OBSESSED. Like, I have one more episode left to watch and I'm not sure what I'm going to do with myself after that. (I've already watched Call My Agent!) If you're not familiar, The Parisian Agency (or L'Agence) is a reality show about a ridiculously good-looking family of real estate agents. The older brothers are absurdly hot and the grandmother is a freaking legend. Basically just stupid-attractive French people showing incredible properties. I can't get enough and I'm quietly obsessed with the tiny apartment on Ile Saint Louis that's $1.2 million. Help.

This Show That Is Unlike Anything Else
I've been watching Bad Sisters on Apple+ and you guys, this is THE SHOW. It's an Irish dark comedy about four sisters plotting to murder their other sister's truly terrible husband who 100% has it coming. This show has everything: a bad man, a bunch of amazing Irish women (Sharon Horgan! Eve Hewson!), Daryl McCormack, murder plots, intrigue, paintball, all of it. It's funny, dark and slightly weird. I can't recommend it enough. 

This Show That Made Me Cry
Are you watching Reservation Dogs on Hulu? It's so good and clever and heartbreaking and funny as shit. It's about a group of  group of teenagers living on an Oklahoma reservation and I just finished the second season. I don't want to spoil it with too much description but it's got a quiet energy that sneaks up on you, makes you laugh and then breaks your heart. Highly recommend. 

This Show That Is Terrible But...
I watched the trailer for Partner Track on Netflix and was immediately like, "A woman competing against a bunch of obnoxious bros for a law firm partnership? No thank you." Then I watched the first episode and was like, "this is not great" and then watched the entire season and was sad when it was over. The story is ridiculous, the main character and her friends are fine, the outfits are good, and the love interests are TRULY AWFUL. It's not good but it's fun to watch and I recommend it if you want to watch something shiny and binge-able.

Stuff I Like: Sparking Joy.

In today's post about Stuff I Like, I'm going to tell you about what's sparking joy in my life lately - the daily small pleasures that get me through the day. Here we go:

This Espresso Machine That Brings All The Joy
I seriously love espresso and after much cajoling (and a sale) I managed to convince my boyfriend that we needed this Breville Barista Express Espresso machine. It takes a bit of work to dial in but once you have it calibrated you are good to go. I am not exaggerating when I tell you the thing that gets me out of bed every morning is the Americano (or two) that I make for myself, a process I find deeply satisfying. Seriously, if there was a fire I'd have cats under one arm and my Breville under the other. I love it that much. It's fucking expensive but a few times a year William-Sonoma puts it on sale for $599. Worth every ridiculous penny.

This Book I'm Recommending Before I've Finished Reading It
I'm currently reading Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson and it's so good that I'm just going to go ahead and recommend it before I've even finished reading it. It's a multigenerational story "of how the inheritance of betrayals, secrets, memories, and even names can shape relationships and history." The writing is beautiful and the characters feel like real people. It's a good book to dive into if you want something really satisfying and evocative to read. 

This Album That's Become My Summer Soundtrack
You know how when you become obsessed with an album and every time you listen to it later you remember that time? Well, Harry's House is my soundtrack for Summer 2022. I don't love every track on it but so much of it is excellent. It's the perfect, easy album to listen to while you drive around with your thoughts. Just let it float over and around you and enjoy. Also, this video of Harry and James Corden making the music video for Daylight is hilarious.

This Guilty Pleasure I Can't Not Mention
Y'all, nobody was more excited about the return of Floor Is Lava than me. The first season came out exactly when I needed it - mid-2020 when the pandemic had ruined all summer plans and my dad was in the hospital. I just needed a show that would allow me to turn my brain off and watch over-confident bros slip and take a header into fake lava. It's back with a (much too short) second season and it really delivers. The stakes are incredibly low and you have a cast that's easy to both love and hate. Plus, it's just so, so stupid. I love it completely. 

Stuff I Like (And One Thing I Didn't): Watching, Reading, Wearing, Spinning

Hey, it's October but we're setting heat records over here in Virginia (97 today! Great!) so what can you do? I would certainly like to be all, "It's decorative gourd season, motherfuckers!" but we're not quite there yet. Still, here's what I've been liking this fall because I guess that's what it is:

This Show That Is London Candy
I save certain shows to watch while I'm doing cycling workouts on my stationary trainer because otherwise I'll die of boredom/sadness. I just finished the new season of Veronica Mars which I implore you not to watch if you haven't already. It's...not good. I am still mad about it. Anyway, lately I've been watching Four Weddings and a Funeral, a Hulu show (loosely based on the movie) created by Mindy Kaling, who I love. The best thing about the show is definitely Brandon Mychal Smith who is also my favorite part of You're The Worst. This show is not going to win any awards but it's fun London-based candy and has a cameo of the best/worst person from the movie.

This Book About Things I Knew Nothing About
I've been reading a really great book! It's Pachinko by Min Jin Lee, a novel about about Japanese–Korean culture and Japanese occupation of Korea and World War II. Sounds heavy, right? It is but it's also a beautifully written story about women and their (often deeply unfair) lives through all this. I'm enjoying the departure and love learning more about cultures I'm pretty unfamiliar with. I recommend it. PS. Marianne is reading The Gown by Jennifer Robson and really loves it. (I am going to read it next, so I'll report back.)

This Lipstick You Probably Need
While in an airport recently stewing over a canceled flight, I succumbed to the airport MAC store conveniently placed there for rage-purchases. I bought a lipstick without even trying it on and thankfully it's really great. I even threw out one of my very, very old lipsticks by Origins that makes Marianne cringe because holy shit, when did you buy that. (Um.) ANYWAY, MAC Party Line is a bright but deep berry-red color with a semi-gloss finish (get away from me with that matte crap) that cheers up my whole face without being too crazy or intense. It's a good one.

The Salad Spinner Of My Dreams
There is nothing worse than a bad kitchen tool, am I right? When I moved in with my guy we had two of everything and we both had shitty salad spinners so we kept his, which was a mistake. It's THE WORST and I finally threw it on the donate pile in disgust. After quite a bit of research, I ordered this one. It is such an upgrade! It's big and sturdy with a locking lid and a pour spout! I am just so into it. Maybe you don't think you need one? I use my spinner for way more than lettuce - it's great for drying chopped broccoli, brussels sprouts or any other veggies you roast, because the key to crispy roasted vegetables is no moisture. Also, it's great for getting all the grit out of kale and for drying delicate herbs like basil. You definitely need this if you cook a lot, is all I'm saying.

Stuff I Like: Scrubbing, Watching, Reading, Carrying.

It's that time again! A bunch of tried-and-true new recommendations just for you. And hey, if you have anything to recommend to us, please leave a comment below. Off we go:

This Silicone Body Scrubber That Is Life-Changing
Okay, listen, you guys. This weird silicone scrubber thing is a REVELATION. I waffled on buying it forever but now I love it so much more than those mesh loofah things which either fall apart or grow mold or both. Disgusting. This soft little silicone brush gives just the right amount of gentle scrubbiness and dries really quickly. I am so ridiculously happy with it. Everyone needs one of these! PS. There are a million different versions on Amazon but I'm linking the one I bought after obsessively reading all the reviews.

This Show I Can't Stop Thinking About
PEN15 is my new favorite show on Hulu and I am telling anyone who’ll listen to watch it. It is cringy AF but super hilarious and really smart. The two lead actors are women in their early 30s playing seventh grade versions of themselves with a cast of actual teenagers. It takes place in 2000, so there are lots of great references - B*Witched! Dial up internet! Low-rise jeans! It’s truly amazing. Even though I was a full adult person in 2000 I still love the nostalgia aspect and I'm amazed at how accurately they portray the angst of middle school. (I also enjoyed the Fresh Air interview but I’d recommend listening to that after you watch the show.)

Your 2019 Summer Beach Read (via Marianne text:) 
"I think I read The Beach/Pool Book Of The Summer this past weekend - Red, White, and Royal Blue. It was VERY fun and I did not want it to end. Also it is VERY saucy." A queer escapist romantic comedy with a commoner-royal romance? SIGN ME UP.

This Backpack We Love That's 40% Off

I posted about this early in the week on our IG but it's such a good deal I thought it was worth repeating. The Lo&Sons Hanover backpack that we both own and love is 40% off! This is a screaming deal, you guys. We don't make any kind of commission on this product, it's just something we both carry daily and it's SO GOOD for travel. Get one! (I have the camo version which I highly recommend. Duh.) 

Stuff I Like: It's Been Awhile! Watching, Listening, Wearing, Eating

It's tough to come up with "stuff I like" on a weekly basis so I had to give it a rest for a while. Now I'm back with some new stuff I like! 

This Show That Is Continuously The Best

Are you guys watching Better Things on FX? I know I've talked about it before but it's JUST SO GOOD. The episodes are funny and wry and dark and basically art. I just love Pamela Adlon and her beautiful disfunction and I very much relate to her relationship with her mother.  (The kids on the show are basically jerks, though. Except for Duke.) 

This Podcast That It's Good Lady Stuff

Do you ever get to a point where all your Podcasts are hate-listens? Me too. That's why I was relieved to find The Cut on Tuesdays, which is a podcast by women, about women. Not every episode is a winner but it's really well done and I love their How ____ Gets It Done series that comes out on Thursdays. (I suggest the Amy Sherald episode!) Also, it never fails to crack me up when they close with, "See you next Tuesday!" 

PS. If for some reason you're looking for a good hate-listen, try the the Sally Hershberger episode of Fat Mascara. She's so OOT obnoxious it made me sputter-laugh.

These Glasses That Are Saving Marianne's Eyes

My eyes have been really tired and I’ve been getting headaches, so I got my vision checked and it’s totally fine. However, my eye doctor  so he suggested I look into getting some blue light blocking glasses. I bought this pair and I actually think they are helping! Plus they are very cute, and I've gotten lots of compliments. 

These Trader Joe's Picks (and a sort of recipe) 

Once a month or so I brave Trader Joe's and buy a bunch of tried and true products but also try to pick up a few things I haven't tried. Sometimes they're good, sometimes not so much. On my most recent trip I bought two things I really love! The first is the Mini Brie Bites, which are tiny adorable single-serving rounds of delicious brie! It's too much packaging for what it is, but man, it is so nice for throwing into a lunch box. I also got some Sweet Potato Gnocchi and roasted it with some sliced up chicken sausage, similar to this recipe. (I did not add pesto.)  I dumped it all on a bed of baby spinach and ate it for dinner, then for lunch the next day. Not exactly low-cal but easy and tasty.

That's all I have today! Let me know if you have any new favorite podcasts or weird products or recipes, pls. 

Stuff I Like: Eating, Hibernating, Learning, Watching

I haven't done one of these in a while! Here are a few of the things that have been making my life better lately: 

This Salmon Salad I Eat For Lunch Every Week
It's that time of year when my weight is creeping up and austerity measures must be made. I pack my lunch every day and try really hard to pack food that's nutritious and also tasty. My latest obsession is this salmon salad recipe that I've been making every week. It really simple, makes two decent portions and tastes really good. You can put it in a collard wrap if you must but I prefer it on a toasted wheat pita with a handful of salad greens shoved in. Definitely get the good canned salmon with skin and bones included (I know, but they mix right in and you won't even notice and that's where the nutrition lives.) Because I'm bougie I like to use this fancy-ass mayo but Dukes is just fine too and I also add salt to the recipe because I'm not a monster.

This Comforter I Can't Live Without
I moved in with my boyfriend back in the summer and we have this great little 1960s ranch house that I adore. But y'all, I am freezing to death. This cute house of ours is drafty and I decided we needed a super cozy bed set-up so that I wasn't always a shivering poodle. On some dumb podcast I listen to (okay, it was Forever 35) a guest mentioned she had a silk-filled comforter that was great because it's weighty but also regulates body heat well.  I was like, THAT SOUNDS PERFECT. I scoured Amazon, bought the LilySilk All Season Luxury Silk Comforter and never looked back. I love it, my boyfriend loves it, the cats really love it. It's not super thick but it's deliciously heavy without being suffocating. It's not inexpensive but I've been so happy with it. Worth every penny.

This Audiobook That's Teaching Me French
Long story, but I never took a foreign language in high school. So, when we planned our trip last fall to Paris, I was pretty worried about the language thing and started listening to the Coffee Break French podcast. It's an excellent place to start and helped me to learn a few important words and phrases. Now, with our upcoming return trip to Paris (next week!) I wanted to go a little deeper. I researched the various programs and eventually bought Learn French With Paul Noble. This audiobook is an immersive method and within the first hour you're speaking full sentences, which feels like magic. It's not super helpful for just learning traveler's French (I think Coffee Break French does a better job of that) but it's still quite good, even if I tend to get snappy with Paul, who is smug. We get it Paul, you're a GD genius.

This Amazing Show You're Probably Already Watching
OMG are you watching Russian Doll? Marianne told me about it (she's watched it twice through) and I am currently obsessed. Also, Natasha Lyonne is just amazing and has the best hair. The basic premise is that the main character Nadia gets caught in a loop in which she repeatedly attends her birthday party and dies at the end of the night each time. It's dark and funny and kind of weird, just how I like it. I won't say more because I don't want to spoil it, just watch it.

Stuff I Like: Wearing, Reading, Moisturizing, Watching

Hi hi hi! It's been a while, so here's some stuff I've been liking lately:

These Athleta Leggings You Should Just Go Ahead and Buy
I know the "stuff I like" entries are not supposed to be about clothes (I specifically started it to talk about things that AREN'T CLOTHES THINGS) but I have to make an exception because my favorite Athleta leggings just got marked down MORE and I do not understand it. These are the best workout leggings I've ever owned and last week when I had time off for the holiday I wore them to yoga and then just kept wearing them for the rest of the day. They're amazing. I love the color blocking, the high waist that does not slip down, and the thick fabric that is definitely not see-through *cough*Lululemon*cough*. Just BUY THEM. SO GOOD.

The New Tana French Novel Is Legit
Tana French is one of my favorite writers but I definitely prefer her first couple of books. The more recent ones got kind of weird and uncomfortable but that's also her genius - she's really good at writing characters you don't really like but still get invested in. Her latest novel, The Witch Elm, is a departure from her Dublin Murder Squad series but is no less creepy and atmospheric. It's nowhere near the magic of In The Woods (which you should read if you haven't yet) but still a good read with an interesting twist.

This Hand Cream Everyone Is Probably Getting For Xmas
You know how the folks who work at L'Occitane are super intense and bossy? It's a lot. But sometimes it's worth it to take a deep breath and go in there anyway because they will recommend you buy the newest flavor of hand cream and you will fall in love with it. It's part of the collaboration with  Castelbajac Paris  and the related holiday packaging is SO EFFING CUTE. Just go get you some fancy hand stuff, y'all. It smells amazing and it's cute and also comes in a tiny purse size (which is what I bought.)

I Really Like Time Travel, Okay? 
This is old old old news but I recently started watching 11/22/63 on Hulu and, despite how much people love to take a really good Stephen King novel and ruin it up with a movie or TV show, this one is, so far, very good. The book was excellent (if overly long in that typical I-don't-need-an-editor style of SK) and I do recommend it as well but the Hulu mini-series is so good! It has everything - time travel, 1960s style, Stephen King weirdness, and historical conspiracy theory action. I love it. Also, I know James Franco is basically the worst but I still don't mind watching him. Blame it on Freaks and Geeks.

Stuff I Like: Watching, Wearing, Considering.

More stuff Marianne and I like and a request for a recommendation. Let's go:

This Show That I'm Freaking Out About.
Am I the last person on the planet to watch Killing Eve? YOU GUYS IS IT SO GOOD. Three excellent female leads! Murder! Intrigue! Gorgeous locations! Amazing clothes! Sandra Oh's hair! I have been a fan of Phoebe Waller-Bridge ever since I discovered Fleabag (which I also recommend) and she's written a show that is basically everything I want in a show. Season One is available on Amazon (though we had to pay for the season) and Season Two is in the works.

This Dumb Fancy Eyeliner That I Love.
While in some airport recently I wandered into the duty free and oops, I bought the fancy Chanel eyeliner I'd been considering for months. Black eyeliner looks weird on me but dark purple? That is just exactly right for brown eyes. However, it has to be a true purple, more blue than red (you don't want red around your eyes, nope.) Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof liner in Cassis is the exact purple I was looking for. It's a dark true purple that's not shimmery and goes on smoothly. The only thing I don't like is that it's hard to get a real point on it, but smudgy is how I roll anyway. It stays put and looks quite intense. Plus, the packaging is metal rather than plastic so it FEELS expensive. (Which it should because it is.)

This Natural Deodorant That Marianne Loves.
SO I have been on a natural deodorant hunt for a while. Schmidt’s worked well but gave me a rash. Schmidt’s Sensitive Skin (geranium scent) worked well but stained my clothes (I think because it’s coconut oil based, it was almost like an oil stain). So I finally got my hands on a stick of Megababe Rosy Pits and I think it’s my holy grail deodorant. It smells great but not overpowering, it works well (sometimes I do have to reapply if I’m going out at night but that’s nbd), leaves no residue, doesn’t stain, and even helps some with dryness which is a nice bonus. The packaging is super cute and feels weighty and nice. The literal only downside is it’s always sold out (I actually ordered two sticks just in case I loved it, figuring it could sell the second one if I didn’t), and it’s $18 for a damn stick of deodorant. However, the product is very firm and only a little seems to come off with every use, if that makes sense. I feel like I blew through a stick of the softer Schmidts in like a month, this bar definitely seems like it will last considerably longer. Recommend!

A Recommendation Request.
Y'all I am doing a lot more yoga these days and my mat is the saddest thing you've ever seen. I think I bought it at Marshalls, like, 7 years ago? It's grey and it sheds little bits of mat all over me. HOT. Anyway, it's time for a grown-ass mat. What do you love? I'm considering a couple different Manduka mats (the Eko or the X) or maybe this Lululemon mat? I'm mainly doing Vinyasa and hate it when my hands slip, which seems to happen a lot with my current mat. What do I not know about? Help.

Stuff I Like: Reading, Watching, Bits and Pieces.

Hey! I like some new stuff and thought I'd tell you about it. Most of it you probably already know about but too bad!  Here we go: 

This Time Travel-ish Book That Was Satisfying.
I just finished a book that I really enjoyed called How To Stop Time by Matt Haig. It sounded like a time travel novel (which is kind of is) but instead is really about immortality and grief and the work of moving on. It wasn't perfect and I suspect it'll probably end up being a movie (ha! Just found this.) but if you like time-travel type novels with a bit of romance thrown in this one is solid.

This House Show That Is A Fun Hate-Watch.
Have you guys found Amazing Interiors on Netflix yet? It's great. Every episode features three crazy interiors (though I feel I should point out that building stuff in your backyard does not count) and the homeowners range from adorably weird to downright insufferable. Mostly it's just really fun and kooky and also easy to watch when you also want to play Candy Crush or whatever.

This Leather Conditioner You Should Probably Have.
Leather conditioner is one of those things you don't think you'll need but if you want to prolong the life of your leather bags and/or jacket, go ahead an get these Apple products (especially if you buy other people's used crap like I do.) The cleaner is quite good but the conditioner is really the star. I just used it on my new Veda jacket and the difference is amazing. I also use it on my tall boots to keep them looking nice in the winter. Get some! Take care of your stuff.

This Weird Trtl Thing I Probably Should Have Returned. 
Does anyone have this Trtl Travel Pillow Wrap thing? I bought it discounted on Amazon Prime Day and lots of people seem to swear by it but now I wonder what I was thinking because I don't like things tight around my neck! I don't even wear turtlenecks! Is it cozy or just confining? If you have one and love it, convince me this thing is worth using.

Stuff I Like: Watching, Reading, Listening, Smelling.

YOU GUYS. I haven't done a "Stuff I Like" post for a while because I needed time to accumulate some new stuff to like. And I have! Here you go:

This Show Full of Ridiculous Beautiful People.
I know I'm probably the last person on earth who hasn't watched Big Little Lies but I don't have HBO! I finally got a pass so I could watch The Last Five Years and then I was like, what else can I watch? Marianne had recommended BLL to me and I binged it hard over a weekend. I haven't read the book so I was completely in the dark about it and enjoyed the intrigue a lot. Also, everyone in it is absurdly beautiful - like - is Zoe Kravitz a real person for reals? Anyway, totally great if you need something engrossing to binge-watch.

This Book That I'm Reading Because The Author Charmed Me.
I've talked about the Penguin Podcast a few times and recently listened to the episode with Jojo Moyes, who is delightful. So delightful, in fact, that I decided to read Me Before You, which I am enjoying more than I expected to. It's formulaic but I like the main characters and I'll probably read the rest of the series some point, assuming I still like this one when I've finished it. And listen, I know there was some backlash after the movie came out but I'm reading the book with an open mind. (I haven't seen the movie, this is just about the book.)

This Podcast That Makes Me Buy Stuff.
Okay, so I've delved into the world of beauty podcasts and am very much enjoying Forever35 which is quite new and very entertaining. Also, it's enabling af and makes me want to buy stuff, specifically the legendary Lotion P50 which I've purchased in a travel size. ( I'll report back.) I also want to buy a bunch of sheet masks and this weird travel bag. And this balm stuff. Ugh. Anyway, it's a fun podcast and I definitely recommend it, just hide your wallet first.

This Perfume That Makes Me Sniff My Arm Repeatedly.
The other beauty podcast I added to my list is Fat Mascara. I've only listened to one episode so far but the guest was the head of product development for Jo Malone, Celine Roux. I now have a crush on Celine Roux. This woman is amazing! She designed my favorite perfume by deciding what a windswept British coast smelled like. AND IT TOTALLY DOES. I WOULD IMAGINE. Anyway, I scampered home and dug up some Jo Malone samples I'd been hoarding and sprayed the Blackberry & Bay cologne on my arms and it's so freaking lovely and I can't stop sniffing myself. The point of Jo Malone fragrances is that they're pretty simple so that you can layer them. I already have Wood Sage & Sea Salt and Nutmeg & Ginger* which are both long-time favorites and now I'm obsessed with the idea of layering and oh my God I need to stop with the beauty podcasts.

*This appears to be discontinued. Please excuse me while I go weep in a corner.

Stuff I Like: Watching, Eating, Listening

I'm back with Stuff I Like. If you have any suggestions for a category, please let me know!

This Show Which Is The Best Thing On TV.

The second season of Better Things just started last week on FX and I am SO excited. I believe the first season is available on Hulu and probably OnDemand if you need to catch up. (Also, Lenny Kravitz was in season 1!) It's just such a smart/funny/honest/depressing take on middle age and motherhood and I love Pamela Adlon so much. Just watch watch it. It's totally worth your time. 

This Recipe Which is A Lot of Work But Worth It.
Okay, so Orecchiette with Broccoli and Pecorino is a Giada recipe but if you hate her please don't let that keep you from making this. It's fucking delicious, okay? On the show she makes it in, like, 10 minutes all easy-peasy. In real life it takes an hour because ten minutes is not enough time to roast broccoli, but it's really satisfying, good leftover and perfect for fall. It's vegetarian and perfectly fine the way it is but you can also add the protein of your choice. PS. Don't leave out the golden raisins! I'm not even a fan of raisins but they add just the right amount of sweetness.

This Podcast About People Who Are... Not Like Me.
How I Built This is a pretty interesting podcast. Each episode is about a founder/entrepreneur of a company that's now successful, often against the odds. I've listened to three or four episodes and found the Sara Blakely/Spanx episode to be the most delightful and made me feel good about buying Spanx products. (The tights are so good!) The episode about Rent The Runway did not give me feels but it's certainly interesting from the perspective of what it takes to turn an idea into a multi-million dollar company. I'm not a big risk-taker so it's pretty fascinating to read about the crazy things successful people do to make their dreams a reality.

Stuff I Like: Watching, Reading, Liking, Listening.

Another week of this-and-that! I suspect when the season starts to change I'll get back in the groove with having more in-depth things to write about but right now it feels like I've shared literally every single thing I've ever liked with you guys. So, a little of everything:

This Movie With Daniel Craig Which OMG
Remember this post? I am ridiculous. Anyway, I got over my horror and went to see Lucky Logan last weekend and it was SO good. Fun and clever and it had a lot of good cameo appearances. I love a heist movie and Steven Soderbergh is dependably good at them. And, while it was really amusing to see Daniel Craig in a humorous role, I thought Adam Driver's more subtle performance completely upstaged everyone. Anyway, it's not THE MOST AMAZING movie I've ever seen, but it was a really good time.

This Podcast That Makes Me Glad I'm Not Dating
I did the online dating thing for quite a while and (somewhat) regret that I didn't blog about it. Shit be crazy. I have a boyfriend now (hooray!) but I'm still really enjoying the Why Oh Why Podcast which is about dating (and also relationships.) It skews younger than ancient old me, but I still find the subject interesting and it's a good podcast for when you need a break from current events.

These Striped Capris That Are Mysteriously Flattering
During the last Athleta sale I blacked out and ordered a pair of super-on-sale striped capri pants. I was planning on returning them before they even arrived because why the hell would I put horizontal stripes on my thighs, but they're really good! Something about the way the pattern is cut is surprisingly flattering and I wear them a lot. I especially love that they don't have a back zip pocket so you don't hurt your spine when you roll around during yoga things. My pair is the black/grey colorway (very few sizes left) but they also have a blue/white and black/white version.

This Book WHICH I AM STILL READING
Update: I am still reading 1Q84. This is what happens when you download a book instead of getting a paper version because you don't realize that it's 1,300 freaking pages long. It's good but I feel like I've been reading it my entire adult life and I might need to take a short break and read something fluffy because my Kindle informs me that I'm 52% of the way through and I am about to cry.

PS. This Dumb Thing That Pleases Me
I follow National Geographic on Instagram and nearly every single time they post a photo Cypress Hill (yes, the hip hop band) leaves an emoji comment. I DON'T KNOW WHY THIS IS SO CHARMING IT JUST IS.

Stuff I Like: The Food Edition + Watching, Listening.

Rough week, right? Since my Whole30 is now a distant memory I can get back to stress eating with gusto. Thus, a food-themed entry, mostly.

image: Pinch of Yum

This Spring Roll Bowl That Is Amazing. 
My friend Malissa recently recommended this Spring Roll Bowl recipe and it was a revelation. Super fresh and full of good ingredients! And yes, there is sugar in there! That's what makes it delicious! I made it with shrimp but I think it would be great with any protein of your choice or with zucchini noodles in place of the rice noodles if that's how you roll. And definitely don't smell the fish sauce, just add it in and trust. I pretty much followed the recipe and thought that 7oz of rice noodles wasn't enough for the amount of sauce, but I ended up using the extra sauce to marinate the shrimp so that all worked out.

This Knife, By The Way.
If you're an adult who cooks and you don't have a good knife it's time to fix that. Last year for my birthday I bought myself a Wusthof Classic Ikon 7-Inch Santoku and I am SO IN LOVE STILL. I use it more than any other knife in my kitchen and it's worth every single penny. This set of two Ikon knives on Amazon seems like a good deal if you want a paring knife as well. Also, you need these tongs if you don't have a set. You'll wonder how you ever cooked without them. And get this spatula while you're at it. I'll stop now.

This Old Highball Which I Love.
Remember when I was comfort-reading Rosamunde Pilcher books? People drink a lot in those books and they especially like to drink whisky and soda. I am a fan of bourbon on the rocks but it's a winter thing for me, so I thought maybe I would try a bourbon and soda as a summer thing. And you know what? It's delightful. So simple and refreshing but still bracing. Add a twist if you desire, but it's not necessary. You don't need a recipe but this is still useful.

This Season of Bake. 
Y'all know that Marianne and I are big fans of The Great British Baking Show and the most recent season was seriously delightful. Delightful! Marianne hasn't watched it yet but I told her in a non-spoilery way that I actually really liked all of the final four contestants and that never happens. I don't know WTF this is all about but I am pretty sure I'm just going to not watch that. I mean, just stupid Paul? No Mary, Mel or Sue? Yeah, no thank you. (Seriously, look at that photo. They don't like him either.)

Finally, I am going off-theme to recommend a really timely listen:

This Podcast Episode That You Shouldn't Avoid. 
I am a native Virginian and the past week has been beyond horrifying and infuriating. Is this the tipping point? It has to be, right? Anyway, I highly recommend this episode of Pod Save the People for some really insightful interviews regarding the events in Charlottesville.