Coffee Break #011: Tiny cameras, learning parties, and $80 fruit snacks.
Your weekly roundup of inspiration and ideas to build your dream life.
Dear Friend,
Happy Monday! This past week I spent most of it under the weather, which was a real drag having just recovered from getting my wisdom teeth out. But I’m happy to report that I’m mostly feeling better as of this writing, and I managed to have a really lovely weekend. I got to attend Olivia Muenter’s launch event for her new book, Little One, and it was so lovely to meet her in person.
It’s otherwise been a sleepy week, though I’m thrilled that there has been some sunlight, however weak. Maybe spring really will come again someday. 🥲
Love always,
In Brief
📚 Reading
I’m finally going to embark on reading Workhorse by Caroline Palmer. From what I’ve heard and read about it, it sounds like The Devil Wears Prada meets a Sally Rooney novel, which I am extremely here for.
🎶 Listening
I’m finally listening to the original season of The Dream podcast, all about MLMs and pyramid schemes. It’s been out for ages, and on my list that whole time, but I hadn’t sat down and listened to it yet.
📺 Watching
The Opalite music video is here! Opalite wasn’t one of my top tracks from the Life of a Showgirl (which, to be 100% honest, I mostly did not like for the first time ever 🫣). But this music video is very fun and retro and reminds me a lot of the Antihero music video, which I also loved.
🍔 Eating
This palak paneer recipe has become one of my all-time favorite dinners. We’ll make it over the weekend and eat it for two or three days afterwards and it’s just so GOOD.
🎨 Creativity & Curiosity
Weekly Task
Spend 20 minutes researching one question that's been nagging at you. Really dig in and dive deep, don’t just read the Google AI overview and call it a day.
Roundup
Creatives reveal how they’re feeling about 2026 so far, CreativeBoom – this was a fascinating read. Lots of discussion of burnout and fatigue from the never-ending bad news cycle, but also plenty of mentions of hope and optimism.
Spotify is partnering with Bookshop.org to sell physical books? I don’t know how I feel about this. On the one hand, I’m glad they’re partnering with Bookshop.org and not Amazon, but also like… stay in your lane?
No, Wuthering Heights Is Not a Hard Book to Read, Glamour – this gave me a profound sense of schadenfreude. I love Wuthering Heights, and I can already tell I’m going to hate the new movie adaptation if I ever bother to see it. And I try not to be too snobby when it comes to books, but the takes I’ve seen about Wuthering Heights have been absolutely ridiculous. I really do fear we’re experiencing a literacy and critical thinking crisis.
Apparently, “learning parties” are the new craze on TikTok. I think it sounds delightful – get all your friends together and take turns teaching them something new.
🧥 Personal Style
Weekly Task
Make a list of "signature pieces" you want to build your wardrobe around. This can be the basis of your curated closet or capsule wardrobe.
Roundup
I grabbed this delightful pink and red plaid blanket scarf on sale from Loft this past week. It makes me so happy to look at.
I’m extremely in love with this multicolored striped sweater from Boden.
Marine Layer just added these adorable wide-leg pants that look like jeans, but are actually a soft sweatshirt material. I’m gonna need like six pairs, stat.
I’m really digging these fun and colorful sunglasses from indie brand Sardine. I wish I could trust myself with sunglasses that cost more than $10…
🏡 Home & Environment
Weekly Task
Light a candle you've been saving and actually enjoy it. I know I have scores of them tucked away in cupboards or used as shelf decor without ever having lit them. Today’s the day.
Roundup
How adorable is this cottage-shaped doormat? I know it’s only February but I’m starting to get in that springtime mood and this might be a must-have.
I’m not at all surprised that I love Zooey Deschanel and Jonathan Scott’s home. Though for whatever reason that still is the weirdest pairing to me. But anyways! The color and pattern throughout are so dreamy.
How fun is this Anthropologie Home x Damson Madder collab? I’m here for all the stripes and funky colors.
💸 Career & Money
Weekly Task
Review your subscriptions and cancel anything you don't actively use. For me, it’s the aspirational pilates membership that I haven’t touched in weeks.
Roundup
I loved this post on 7 Ways to Create a Productive Workspace, According to Psychology and Neuroscience. Apparently, adding plants and art can increase productivity, and the color green helps get creative juices flowing. Who knew!
When work feels hollow, here’s how to get your spark back by Good Job! was a great read. It’s all based in psychology and the science of stress and burnout. If you’ve been feeling sort of blah about work, even if nothing is objectively wrong, this is for you.
How To Create Visibility For Your Work When You’re Afraid To Be Seen was a great primer for putting yourself out there, even when you really don’t want to. Look, I’m the most introverted person ever, but at the end of the day, if you want people to see the stuff you’re creating, you have to be visible.
Heads up to any fellow designers out there – Chronicle Books is accepting applications for a Graphic Design fellowship. This would be a one-year, full-time paid position in San Francisco, where you would learn all the ins and outs of designing for the publishing world. It sounds like SUCH a fun opportunity, so I thought I’d pass it along!
💌 Connection
Weekly Task
Take a minute to input all your loved ones’ birthdays into your calendar so you never forget. If you’re anything like me, you’ve relied on a combination of memory and Facebook notifications for far too long.
Roundup
Prefer to stay home this Valentine’s day? Everything You Need to Pull Off a Restaurant-Quality Date Night at Home by Bon Appetit is the perfect shopping list and primer for creating a magical dinner date night at home. I for one would love to know more about Flamingo Estate’s spicy strawberry fruit snacks and why they are $82??
Feeling a bit overwhelmed from too much social time? How to Recharge Your Social Battery, According to Therapists was a great read – I loved the suggestion to reframe the exhaustion as a sign that you did, indeed, have fun.
I’m obsessed with Fresh Sends’ branding, and I love this “Coffee and Flowers” themed bundle that includes a bouquet of fresh flowers, a bag of Partners coffee, a coffee scoop, and a super cute diner mug. It’s the perfect gift idea for your coffee-obsessed long-distance bestie, and honestly I’m considering ordering one for myself.
This “three generations” frame from Framebridge is such a great gift idea. You can have three different photos framed – you, your mom, and your grandma, or your mom, you, and your child, whatever works.
✨ Joy & Whimsy
Weekly Task
Buy yourself flowers for no reason.
Roundup
I stumbled upon this new brand, Inner Grandma, and it’s utterly delightful. I want just about everything. How cute is this tee with the vintage Pyrex patterns?
The good news? There’s a new Nancy Meyers movie coming out. The bad news? It’s not til 2027. But Kieran Culkin, Jude Law, and Owen Wilson? I’m so there.
How cute are these teeny tiny Kodak cameras?! They’re fully functioning digital cameras (they even record video!) but they’re the size of a keychain. It’s a blind box item, which means you’ll get one of six retro-inspired designs. I ordered one and I can’t wait to see which I get.
I picked up the book Choose Joy by Sophie Cliff last week, and I can’t wait to dig in.
If you enjoy reading Parenthetical (thank you!!!) and want to show your support for my work:
Like or leave a comment on this post.
Share this post with someone who might be into it.
Love that you got to meet Olivia in person! Substackers unite!!
Love Framebridge, my favorite Mother's Day gift! Also YAY NANCY!!!!