Recently Enjoyed Things | August 16, 2024

Enjoying...in spite of Mercury being in the microwave

Have you heard that mercury is in retrograde? Oh and PS, I’ve finally accepted my woo-woo leanings. I spent a long time saying woo-woo things, quickly followed with “but I’m not woo-woo!” and now I just acknowledge it. I am full stop woo-woo. I read my horoscope every morning, and when it warns for a long month of retrograding, I accept that things are going to get weird.

So, for the truly not woo-woo, we’re in the shit-is-going-sideways retrograde until roughly the end of August and I have been keeping a mental count of the weird “bad” things that have happened this week. Purely as evidence that my leanings are well supported? Yes. Absolutely.

• My trusty, dusty $14 coffee pot blew a circuit on Sunday morning. She made one last pot of coffee and promptly gave up the ghost.

• My wordle game has been abysmal. Getting it on the last guess or plain missing it altogether way more than average.

• Someone with the same name as my real life c-suite boss subscribed to this newsletter. Cue frantic researching to triple confirm it is not the same person.

• I randomly woke up at 2:55am this morning and could not fall back to sleep. Gah. I hate when that happens because I know I’m going to hit a wall at like, 2 this afternoon.

See though, I should do this more often, because when I compile a list of “bad” things that happened, they’re all so small potatoes that it makes me laugh. I keep a list of good things that happened on the notes app on my phone, but I am telling you, the bad things list almost makes me more grateful. These bad things are literally so stupid.

Not that I’m tempting the universe or anything. I’m not woo-woo!

*editors note: she tempted the universe. she paid for her flippancy.

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But first, 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.

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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.

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett // Okay, I swear this is the last time I’m going to have commentary on this book, but I finally finished it and I do have a little bit of a book hangover. I’ve heard it described as a warm hug, which is maybe not my experience, but I would describe it as a savory meal that takes all night to digest. It’s meatloaf that sits heavy in the belly, you know? Maybe that’s just semantics. I got into it right around the time I figured out Joe’s place in Our Town, which is also when I figured out that Patchett is a writer who asks her reader to do a bit of work. She leaves breadcrumb clues all over the place and it made me immediately think I needed to reread it to actually pick up those breadcrumbs. I also enjoyed the way I felt like I got to know Duke at the same pace that Lara did. It felt authentic in the way that it can sometimes take some time to really see people for who they are.

I mentioned last week that I live in the real place where the book is set, and I have suspicions about which local fine arts camp was the Tom Lake inspiration. I mostly enjoyed the local call-outs, but a few were factually incorrect, which I hyper focused on in the most annoying way. That’s a me problem though!

Lastly, I read the paper book, but would like to listen to the Meryl Streep audio version because I think Meryl’s voice can make anything feel like a warm hug. I’d also be on board with watching any television adaption. Who do we think could play Duke?

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Shopping

When do kids go back to school where you live? I’m learning there is a real swing on starting dates across our nation, and while we’re still free from back-to-school routines until after Labor Day, I’ve heard that some kiddos are back in August?! For as long as I can remember (as a kid and a parent), we’ve always started the Tuesday after Labor Day. Sure makes it easy to remember. Anyway! I’m curious and fascinated by the regional swing.

• Speaking of BTS // New backpacks and lunch pails were on our check list this year. My boys love these cuffed jogger-style denims that feature belt loops (highly important for reasons I don’t understand). My youngest will only wear polo shirts with a pocket. For all the rocks he randomly collects and brings home, I guess. Finally, I grabbed these Merrells on sale a couple weeks ago. I think we’re all set!

• I gratuitously buy stuff for myself in late summer too, because the bts shopping habit is engrained. Aerie presently has my attention (I know!): I want this body con dress (skims vibes), this fleece skirt, and man oh man, do I want this rugby sweatshirt.

• Banana Coconut Detangler // my interest is based on scent alone.

• Swim Dress - Lands End // I know August is the least exciting time to buy a swimsuit, but it’s the most economical. I swear by a swim dress for maximum comfort on the beach and my favorite one is on sale.

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Recent Saves

Hell yes to putting on those subtitles.

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3 Things

I ended up not paying attention to the Olympics as much as I thought I would. I caught the highlights here and there, but what really sparked my interest is all the Snoop content, which is apparently all the Olympic content I need. Who knew Snoop would wind up being so wholesome?

• Snoop dancing for a horse.

• Snoop encouraging horses to do their thang.

• Thanks Josh Mom.

• ⭐Bonus: Snoop and Kevin Hart discuss crip walking horses (old, but relevant and laugh-til-you-cry hilarious).

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Sending You on Your Way

(Interesting things I found on the internet this week)

• ⭐ Buckle up for more mystical stuff: I just stumbled upon life numbers.

• My teeth already hurt.

• This is fun! Where are they now? Literary edition.

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Last Week - In case you missed it:

A lively conversation in the comments about how polarizing Ann Patchett is. Meanwhile, I’m delighted to report that we can largely go through life far less surveilled than we might think. As someone who walks away from almost every social interaction replaying it endlessly and always finding something to be embarrassed about - this is wildly freeing!

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PS -

I’d love to see you over on Instagram. You can find me at recentlyenjoyedthings.

I’m also talking books, beauty, and style over at recentlyenjoyedthings.com

Here’s a few things I wrote about recently:

• 2-sentence reviews: Books I read and liked this summer.

• Everything I liked and recommended, all in one place.

And if you enjoyed today’s newsletter, would you consider subscribing? I aim for one newsletter a week, and usually on Friday, so if I may be so bold, it’s a lovely treat for you inbox, just before the weekend.