Recently Enjoyed Things | January 24, 2025

Feeling all 31 of January's days.

I have never met a Friday that I didn’t love, but this one is especially welcome. Tragically, I have met the winter wall and much earlier than I had hoped. Meeting the winter wall is the moment when I can no longer lean cheerfully into all the cozy I’ve built around me because there isn’t enough candles in the world to trick me out of feeling sick of being cold. Sick of being inside. And sick of feeling sad. Is it SAD or am I sad? I can’t tell. But my mood has officially shifted to sour. I’m a crabby abby 97% of the time.

I’m still hopeful I can shake myself out of this. It might have been the polar vortex that delivered 1º weather all week, and with balmy 30’s in our forecast, perhaps I’ll come back around. Btw, here’s what my neighborhood looks like after said vortex.

In any case, my urgency for obligatory weekend fun is in high gear. There are still two solid months of winter in my future, probably three, and if I give in now, I’ll barely survive to Q2. So, I took a PTO day on Friday, with big plans to treat myself to a solo lunch (my favorite treat!) and some shopping. Then for Saturday, a trip to the ice rink for an afternoon of skating. My kids love this and it burns up a ton of energy. Win-win! On Sunday, I’ll stay home, but I’d like to labor deliciously over a roast chicken and something fancy for dessert. When there’s nothing but time to burn, I love to set up shop in the kitchen and make something out of the norm. Something that takes up time and feels luxurious. After the dinner, bath, bed routine, my husband and I will perch up on the couch together and watch this week’s episode of SNL.

If I do not wake up refreshed on Monday, there’s no hope for me. But I’m not thinking about that just yet!

How are you guys doing?

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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.

• Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid // Finished this earlier in the week and I really loved it. It was a slow start, but I got very invested in Carrie and eventually I fell for the unlikely lovers trope that emerged. Carrie is 5-years retired from professional tennis and at an elderly 37 y/o, she returns to defend her record. She’s completely unlikeable, bristly and frankly rude, but she comes around.

• What I Ate in One Year by Stanley Tucci // I’m four pages in and already, with confidence, I say 10 out of 10. Five stars. Both thumbs up! I’ll report back when I’m further along, but I so enjoy Stanley Tucci and particularly his writing about food. It’s a slam-dunk for me.

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Shopping

Staying warm and staying moisturized is my only priority this week.

• ⭐ Balaclava // I went for a walk on Sunday afternoon and literally felt my nasal passages freezing as I inhaled. That’s all I needed to invest in this cozy looking balaclava. Plus it’s only $14!

• Good Molecules Squalane Oil Moisturizer // Taking this for a test drive. This cold and dry air is really requiring me to ante up my moisturizer and this comes highly reviewed. I’ll report back!

• My Old Navy Cart // These fleece joggers (I like black and sage green!) and this crewneck sweatshirt. Also, is the blue on this sweater incredible?!

• ⭐Gray Malin Puzzle // Got my eye on this beauty, because I might be especially attracted to pool scenes right now, but I am always interested in posh dogs at a pool.

• I’ve been seeing this book everywhere lately. Anyone read it and have feedback?

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Recent Saves

Girl, me too.

millennial_misery

A post shared by @millennial_misery

Ooh. This is nice!

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Sending You on Your Way

(Interesting things I found on the internet this week)

• ⭐ Listened to Pamela Anderson on Fresh Air this week and immediately put her new movie (with Jamie Lee Curtis!) on my watch list. Boy do I love rooting for Pam!

• Haha. Forget Boomer complaints. What’s your millennial complaint?

• Is this really necessary?

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Last Week - In case you missed it:

In celebration of raising big kids, a list of my hero products, and the instagram reel that made me laugh and laugh and laugh.

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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:

• Last week’s musings // Talking obligatory weekend fun, an immediate add to my TBR list, and a cocktail just waiting for dry Jan to be over.

• Reviewing some new-to-me beauty products.

• 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.