Recently Enjoyed Things | January 17, 2025
Enjoying my second life.
A miracle has happened at my house recently. This is parenting specific, so you know, do with that information what you will.
I have read that one’s second life begins when the kids can be left home alone and I deeply look forward to this, but right now, it feels akin to winning the lottery. You know it can happen because it does happen to some people, but could it actually happen for me? But the dream of going to dinner with my husband without the hoop jumping of finding a sitter keeps me ever optimistic. What I did not think to have on my official things-to-look-forward-to list was when the kids would begin to prefer their own company. In their own rooms.
This happened to me this weekend and I really hope it wasn’t a fluke. I was one episode into what would become an entire afternoon of rewatching The Crown when I realized that nobody had interrupted me. That’s fucking weird, I thought. I clicked “pause” and wandered around to investigate because I’m still post traumatic from the toddler/little kid years and my response to silence is deep concern.
Imagine my delight when I found the souls in my charge entertaining themselves (!!!). Wordlessly, I backed away and took myself back to the couch, a long afternoon of mostly uninterrupted TV binging ahead of me. Is THIS my second life?!
Look, I know fresh newborns are the most romanticized thing on earth, but I am here to rally for the big kid age. Say 8-12. For hours, my youngest, age 8, toggled between legos and building something out of old cardboard boxes, and came down twice to get his own snack. “Hi mom,” he said, wandering through the livingroom. I waited with anticipation for the request, any request tbh, but it didn’t come. He took a box of goldfish up to his room and that was that.
This reminds me of when my boys, as babies, would randomly sleep all night and, young mother that I was, I would self-congratulate as if I’d finally cracked the code. Oh lololol at younger me. Inevitably, the next night would serve a punch directly to my face to remind me that I only make babies that don’t sleep. So I’m wary. A one off means nothing, but Jesus Lord, I pray that whatever interesting things were happening in those bedrooms all day on Saturday will show themselves again next weekend. And the next weekend. And the next.
The dogs, also enjoying the rare quiet.
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.
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.
Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid // I have loved some of TJR’s books (Daisy Jones forever) and I have been neutral about some, but the highs are so high with TJR that I’m always willing to try. Plus I love that her characters tend to overlap, living in the same universe with callbacks here and there. Carrie Soto, the skank that stole Nina Riva’s husband back in Malibu Rising, retired as a legend from the women’s tennis world 5 years ago. We catch up with her when, at 37, she is driven by ego to reenter the game to defend her title. I’m into it!
PS - I know sports “old” is different from normal people “old” but woof, it’s a kick in the pants how often 37 is referred to as practically elderly.
Shopping
January is weird. I’m semi trying to not spend frivolously. I definitely don’t need anything. But there are sales. And I’m also dreaming of warmer weather again. And sometimes getting something fun and new brings a little light to my day. So this baby is a real mix.
Zero Proof Cabernet Sauvignon // For dry January or whenever! I’m really liking this dealcoholized red. A little grape juicier than a standard red, but looks and smells like wine and still feels like a Friday treat after work.
⭐ Abercrombie Crewneck // In such designs that include “Slow Mornings Club” and “Out of Office” that just call to me. I’d wear any and all of the collection and at $30, I just might.
Dolce Vita Notice Sneakers // Bought on a whim, with optimism for an early spring. The fantasies I have of wearing these with denim shorts!
The Guide to Becoming Alive // Moved this book onto my immediate wishlist. Winter makes me so morose after a while.
Hero Products // Last week, Sephora had a surprise sale on a very expensive, but also very miraculous depuffing mask from Clarins. It was a steal, but alas, one day only. Anyway! It got me thinking about hero products - i.e. items with offensive pricing, but that do the damn job. Filed:
Charlotte Tilbury’s Lip Cheat (I prefer Iconic Nude to the more viral Pillow Talk - less pink!). Lip liner with longevity is frustratingly rare, but this anomaly stays put.
Makeup By Mario Transforming Skin Perfecter. Does precisely what it says it will do. Transforms!
Laura Mercier Transluscent Loose Setting Powder. A real life IG filter.
What are your hero products?
Recent Saves
Sending You on Your Way
(Interesting things I found on the internet this week)
⭐ Are the foods in your cart ultra-processed? Somehow a fun, yet illuminating look at your grocery shopping habits. (5/8 of my picks were UPFs!)
The most fun and interesting x-ray images- via
Oh wow, Walmart. Really stretching creatively.
Last Week - In case you missed it:
First week back in the saddle! Now we focus on surviving January. Lots of cozy recs and leaning right on in to staying at home.
Recently Enjoyed Things | January 10, 2025
In my head, we’re only 5 days into the new year. I know that’s not right, but I’m counting from Monday, when I finally shook the holiday hangover, dropped the kids off at school and got back to work. Reality was in my inbox on Monday morning and that’s how I count the days. So! How’s your first week in it?
PS -
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I’m also talking books, beauty, and style over at recentlyenjoyedthings.com
Here’s a few things I wrote about recently:
Weekend musings. Two sentences that are guiding my year + what’s in my heart and in my cart.
Drugstore products that I tried in 2024 and I am definitely repurchasing.
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.
you gave me hope for reclaiming my afternoons in the couch
Oh no, that ultraprocessed foods quiz was a wake-up. Not my beloved Dannon light and fit yogurts!