Recently Enjoyed Things | June 12, 2026
A brief week in the life -
Saturday: my 9 y/o came home from school yesterday, hot to buy a wiffle ball. Somethings just come out of nowhere. Anyway, we go to Dunhams, where I buy a 2-back and he noodles over spending his own money on a bat. He refrains which I think is a win - financial responsibility is a skill and we gotta start early, you know?
Ooh and a very happy surprise: I spotted my favorite seasonal sparkling water and bought three cases.
Sunday: Rain on the forecast, but the sun shines. Hallelujah! We go to the Jewish deli for lunch. I have a bagel with lox and cream cheese. Also hallelujah. I do my favorite summer weekend activity, which is to say that I took a nap on the back deck.
Monday: Last week of school and it’s field day. A kid (not mine) gets cracked in the head with a baseball bat. He’s okay. We google “stitches” after the mom sends an update text. Needles and stitching is apparently more traumatizing than witnessing the kid get knocked out. It’s really hard to anticipate what kids will and will not react to.
Tuesday: Last full day of school and I work from home, relishing in being home alone for the last time for a few months. I mean, there will be pockets, but you know, full days at home where it’s totally quiet. I’ll miss you.
Wednesday: Last day of school! I’m in the office today so my husband manages the half day pickup, obviously blaring Alice Cooper as he pulls through the pick up line. Cheeseball. I bring home a pizza and we drop our boat in the water for a cruise to celebrate. It’s summer baby!
Wore this outfit and really liked it -
Thursday: The wheels totally fall off at work today. I’m on a small team and one gal is OOO, the phones are blowing up, and a couple high profile mistakes are caught. My boss and I problem solve all day and when I finally log out, my brain is fried. I am fucking weary as I drink a cup of coffee on the front porch and watch my son practice pitching his wiffle ball. TGIF baby. TGIF.
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I’ve been using IG for its OG intentions this week - posting boring old daily diary pics - and it feels very 2012 and wholesome. Look at my food! Look at my dog! I’m enjoying myself, anyway.
Welcome! I’m Jen - a 37 y/o working mom, trying to find some fun between loading the dishwasher and hopping on a zoom call. I read a lot, drink a little, and shop for clothes as if I have somewhere other than the office to go.
Some housekeeping: there’s some affiliate links in here. But aren’t they everywhere? Anyway, if you click on something and buy it, I might earn a commission at no cost to you.
Also, if you’re enjoying what I’m enjoying, I’d love for you to stick around!
Recently Enjoyed
Reading
I’m passionate about reading and sharing books that are readily available at your library and don’t feature a waitlist 47 people long. So these are rarely new, hot releases, but if you’re intrigued, there’s a good chance for instant gratification at your library.
Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau // A coming of age story that takes place over the course of a summer in the 1970’s? Say less. This is my kind of beach read. We follow 14 year old Mary Jane through a life-changing summer in which she accepts a job as a nanny to the Cone family, looking after their 5 year old daughter, Izzy. What she gets is a front row education in how people live differently. Mary Jane’s family is very rigid and life is ruled by routines. The Cones are chaotic and openly affectionate. What’s normal at home isn’t normal in everyone’s home, and isn't that something we all have to learn eventually?
This is very character driven and some of the setup is tedious, so it’s somewhat of a slow burn, but you cannot beat the “dog days of summer” vibes. I got really into it about halfway through and from that point, gulped down the remaining half in an afternoon.
Shopping
Recs for gals like myself who like nice things but also live in the real world.
Two bags I’m thinking about:
A new bag for work. Could definitely fit a laptop, lunch and probably a whole change of clothes.
A bowler bag, whatever that means. I’m coerced by stripes.
Sunscreen in lipgloss format because you cannot forget your kisser!
A really lovely butter yellow polish for the at-home gel manicure gals.
PS - you need a UV light to cure this one. I got mine on Amazon during the pandemic and never looked back.
School let out for the summer this week and filling the 9-5 hours with independent play is key. Couple things I’m stocking up on -
Beads and paracord for some diy bracelets and keychains and whatnot.
Blank notebooks for journaling and sketching.
Remember this 20 Questions game? My family loves it - a real crowd please for all the ages.
Recent Saves
Misc.
This week’s category is: committed relationships.
Scent: Dedcool Milk
Mascara: Merit Clean lash.
Sunscreen: Sunbum Daily Glow on my face. Vacation SPF 30 on my bod.
Setting Spray: Urban Decay All Nighter Dewy.
Concealer: NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer
I love a new release as much as the next person, but when you find your soulmate, isn’t it time to stop playing the field? I’ve wasted a lot of money test driving new, shiny things or supposed dupes, and my takeaway is even it’s just $10, it’s a waste of money if it’s inferior and you’re not going to use it. When you know what you like, stick with it.
Still, in quite a few categories, I have some likes, but no die-hard favorites, so please report out! Tell me about your shampoo and body lotion and eye shadow, etc. What products are you in a committed relationship with?
Sending You on Your Way
(Interesting things I found on the internet this week
Extremely cosigned on a middle school summer and carrying around a glitter gel pen from daelyn.
Ooh fun conversation over on CupofJo’s comment section: What’s on your resume of special skills? I can give myself a crisp DIY manicure and I always know which way is north.
Last Week - In case you missed it:
Recently Enjoyed Things | June 5, 2026
June is the Friday of the year. I read this recently and I am cosigned entirely. The best is still in front of us, but it’s also right there. All of the excitement with none of the sadness that it’s over, or even almost over. It’s Friday at 5 o’clock, the best time of all.
PS -
I post regularly, but have absolutely no niche over on Instagram. You can find the chaos at recentlyenjoyedthings
I’m also going on and on and on over at recentlyenjoyedthings.com where nothing reminds me to keep it snappy.
Here’s a few things I wrote about recently:
Finally! A fresh batch of musings.
ICYMI, a week in Barcelona, baby!
And if you enjoyed today’s newsletter, would you consider subscribing? I aim for one newsletter a week on Friday morning, so if I may be so bold, it’s a lovely treat for your inbox, just before the weekend.
omg HONORED to be included — thank you so much!💌✨
Love that ‘fit—so chic!