GOING & DOING
HOTEL STAY: Rocked and rolled into the Sunset Marquis in LA. Ate a smoked salmon bagel on a tray brought to me. Sunburned exactly 1/2 of my body. 10/10.
On deck: possible hotel stays in Phoenix, Nashville, NYC
FOOD DISCOVERY: Milk Bar Cereal Milk Soft Serve. Add Salted Caramel, trust me. Knew about Milk Bar — this was my condolence to skipping an Erewhon trip. Worth it. 12/10. Order it 2 times.
On deck: Mcdonalds Grandma Mcflurry
SIDEQUEST: If you didn’t read about my day at the HeadSpa, what are ya — bald!? ENJOY it HERE. 8.5/10
On deck: like to keep these under wraps — have a few ideas — but I’m cruising Nashville area for sidequests currently. open to suggestions.
SEEING & HEARING
TV: Righteous Gemstones on HBO. Late to the party, I know. I will watch anything Walton Goggins even steps a toe in. Incredible writing, casting, music and full of humor and heart. 10/10. Easily one of my fav new shows of the last 5 years.
On deck: Killing Eve (My bff group thread is going to smite me if I don’t finally hop on at least Season 1 of this show.)
LIMITED SERIES: Baby Reindeer on Netflix. Compelling enough for me to immediately share on my facebook — that’s saying something. Trigger warnings on trigger warnings: Magnetic storytelling, unrealiable narration, post-viewing discussion of ethics. Nuance! Layers! Martha! 10/10
On deck: Bodkin on Netflix - another decision influenced by BFF text thread
MOVIE: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, 1990. (Available on streamers, I watch it on Prime.) The aesthetic of this era of movies is certainly nostalgic, but also just really mesmerizing. I don’t know how to better describe it, but it makes real life a movie. I revisit it when I need comfort. 10/10
On deck: Dune, Part 2 — just haven’t gotten to it yet. Absolutely LOVED the first one.
DOCUMENTARY: Ashley Madison - Sex, Lies and Scandal on Netflix. I have really fallen off on my doc-watching, so I need to turn it around. I think this was a well done and well-paced dive into the app for married cheaters. 8.5/10.
On deck: Being Mary Tyler Moore, Murder among the Mormons, My Octopus Teacher
ALBUM: Billie Eilish, Hit Me Hard and Soft. Here’s Lunch, below. Say what you will about whatever you want - she and Finneas are proclaimed by me as the Duke and Duchess of Bops.
SONG: (Throwback Edition) I can’t tell you how much I’ve listened to this old school MJ & Janet slap or you’d think I was more insane than you already do. It makes me feel like I can take over the world and I over-use it accordingly.
On deck: Cage the Elephant, Neon Pill
BOOK: The Plain and Simple Guide to Music Publishing. While in LA with Elizabeth Cook, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting a known white whale of music publishing Randall Wixen. He took us to an Italian spot in Calabassas that was *chefs kiss* and regaled us with stories of how he’s a straight ahead shooter with a decades-long penchant for making artists VALUED for their art. I just freakin’ like this guy.
Even tho he offered me a complimentary PDF of his book, I bought an edition immediately to dive into at home. It’s not hoity-toity publishing speak, there’s real life examples — and even some humor, too — and Tom Petty wrote the forward! I’m halfway through and feeling like I’m basically a mad scientist of how publishing works now. For artists - I cannot recommend this accessible guide enough: get it HERE. (Randall will want me to tell you the newest edition is on its way and very updated… I don’t care how ya get it, get it!)
On deck: Demon Copperfield by Barbara Kingsolver — been on my list forever, one of my book muses Vicki Griffith has been tellin’ me — but I just now have the bandwidth. Have you read it?
GAME: Super Mario Odyssey. Came out in 2017 during a dark valley of non-gaming for me. Tried it on my Switch after seeing a Reddit thread about how its one of the best Mario titles. I agree 110%. Endless game, still not finished. 12/10.
On deck: Super Mario Bros Wonder, started it also. Potentially the new Kirby.
GAME: (Mobile Edition) The House of Da Vinci. We’re living in a time when cellphone games can be almost as fun as Snake and I am going to lean into that. Incredible graphics, fun puzzles, clues and maybe some educational value? DOWN. Try a demo, but I paid $5 for the full game and I have no buyer’s remorse. 10/10.
On deck: Not sure here — will see what June brings. I also am an avid NYT Connections player.
HAVING AND HOLDING:
HAIR: Roz Foundation Shampoo and Conditioner. Heard about it from Monica on Armchair Expert. Tried it on a whim. Smells truly divine, cleanses and shines, sustainably sourced. Old Southern adage: It’s not cheap, but it works, damn it. I have never had a shampoo subscription in my life, but I do now. 10/10. You can try it: HERE.
On deck: Davines Renaissance Circle Hair Mask, have used them before, bout to revisit. Also, my headspa home treatment is ready to go!
SKIN: Instant Vacation Browning Lotion. I was influenced by their brilliant retro-packaging and ads. Just arrived today. Will report back as whether I look like a bronze goddess or an overcooked weiner. They have a host of other products with the same nostalgic packaging vibes — hook, line, sinker = me. If you wanna browse: HERE
On deck: this product first ^ but those Hanacure face masks have sure been chasing after my wallet, too.
MIND: Highline Wellness Premium CBD with Melatonin Drops, 500mg. Have loyally been using this specific brand for years now. I take one full dropper and I’m sleepy within 30 minutes. You can browse: HERE.
On deck: have desire to re-incorporate vitamin c, biotin, and collagen into my routine.
KICKING AND SCREAMING
In no particular order — other favorite things of mine this month:
*vintage Joe Exotic Park Merchandise hoodie I was gifted * the ginseng variety of Dr. Teal’s I can only find at Walmart * dogs and cats * candles that burn slowly and you feel were worth their price * the Reddit thread called Find the Sniper * orange tic tacs * almost all things Shelby Lynne does * opening the doors to to let the breeze get through the whole house* Savage Fenty everyday bras * crab rangoon * my mom’s daily updates of her house and yard * satisfying stretches * iconic tv character Adrian Monk*
Connections 🙌turtles movie vibe😎