Coffee Break #015: Blue eyeshadow, photo booths, and corporate synergy.
Your weekly roundup of inspiration and ideas to build your dream life.
Dear Friend,
Hello and happy Monday! This past weekend I was supposed to be hanging out with my two closest friends, but tragically was befallen (befell? befelled?) by a stomach bug and instead spent the weekend in my house, in misery. :’)
Before things got dire, however, I had a really love Thursday in which I visited a new bookstore that opened a couple blocks from my office and was immediately enchanted. I’ll let this note do the talking:
Seriously, someone write this book series. I’ll do it if I have to.
Anyways, while I was there, I told myself I’d only buy one book and of course left with three. I snagged Coffin Moon by Keith Rosson, a very fun-looking 70s vampire novel I’ve been meaning to read for a while, The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood, and Writing Creativity and Soul by Sue Monk Kidd. Very excited for this eclectic bunch.
Here’s to a calmer week ahead! Love,
In Brief
🍔 Eating
Not sure if this counts, but I tried the Toasted Coconut and Vanilla creamer from Chobani and I love it. It tastes like summer in the best possible way.
📺 Watching
We finished Mad Men last Tuesday, so we’ve filled the void with a rewatch of season 1 of The Terror, which I 10000% recommend. They tried to make it an anthology thing after season 1 and it didn’t work for me, but the first season is SO GOOD.
🎶 Listening
I started listening to this episode of If Books Could Kill about You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero, a book that pissed me off so bad I think it single-handedly kicked off the end of my girlboss phase back in ‘19.
🎨 Creativity & Curiosity
Weekly Task
Listen to an audiobook while doing something with your hands (cooking, crafting, walking).
Roundup
Loved this piece on going after your dreams because no one else is going to help you. I think this quote really sums it up: “The only difference between you and Sally Rooney is that she had the balls to write a book and you didn’t.”
A great roundup of websites and resources for creative inspiration, so you can finally stop browsing Pinterest endlessly in the name of “research.”
Going hand in hand with that, I really enjoyed this post about how your research practice is your differentiator as a creative. This quote stood out: “The challenge is that it has never been easier to make work that looks competent but says nothing. The opportunity is that work with a genuine, research-backed point of view has never been more visible by contrast, because it is so rare.”
MacKenzie Parker of Mostly Sunny shared a great roundup of books that just feel like spring. I have a few of these on my list already, but I’m definitely adding the rest to my bottomless pit of a TBR!
🧥 Personal Style
Weekly Task
Create a "uniform" for days when you don't want to think about getting dressed. My go-to? A polo sweater, wide leg jeans, and ankle boots or loafers. Casual and comfy, but still put-together.
Roundup
I’m (foolishly) starting to get excited for spring, and these adorable strappy block-heeled sandals from Sézane caught my eye. I usually live in a heeled sandal like this all spring and summer, but my Target pair are tired and it may be time to upgrade.
How cute is this “stay soft” cropped short sleeve sweater from Lisa Says Gah? I’ve tried to put a moratorium on new sweaters but… I kind of need it.
Byrdie put together a gorgeous ode to blue eyeshadow… and maybe I’m just nostalgic for the NYC loose shimmery powder eyeshadow I had in baby blue circa 2005, but I do happen to think that blue eyeshadow is endlessly chic.
I’m a huge fan of the sheer lipstick trend, so I finally ordered the VIOLETTE_FR Bisous Balm that I’ve been recommended countless times (mine’s in shade Mon Chéri). I haven’t gotten it yet, but I have high hopes and will report back!
February’s focus in The Well-Designed Life was all about defining your personal style, and not to toot my own horn, but I’ve been getting a lot of great feedback on it. I really loved this comment from Maggie J:
”I'm not sure if all the months will hit like this month did, but dang!!! I just got back from an annual girls' weekend with my college BFF where we do all the shopping we didn't do all year. I did everything except this last exercise before I went so I was about 75% on target. Got home and realized I want to return a bunch. Now that I'm doing this exercise it's because those items didn't fit my manifesto. In short, gosh I thank you for this work! You totally helped me nail it.”
If you join now, you get all of Q1’s content immediately! Okay that’s my pitch for today, love you byeeee
🏡 Home & Environment
Weekly Task
Create a command center for life admin (mail, keys, calendar).
Roundup
I’m in love with these brass swan-shaped wall hooks. Super MCM but also feel very sleek and elegant still.
Loved this primer on how to source vintage lamps from Hannah Eleanor.
How fun is this bubblegum pink lacquered bobbin side table? I’m eyeing it for my little office reading nook, though I can’t decide between pink or burgundy.
I am utterly obsessed with this Ikea Billy bookshelf hack that looks like impeccable built-ins. I want nothing more than to have built-in bookshelves in my office, but the walls all have some weird feature that make it difficult. Also, I commend anyone who does Ikea hacks because I painted my Billy bookcase last year and it pretty much took away my will to live.
How cute is this blue and white striped two-handled vase? Perfect for easing into spring decor, if you ask me.
💸 Career & Business
Weekly Task
Review what you're paying for in your business and ask if it's actually adding value. This is a great time to cancel those recurring subscriptions you’re not really using!
Roundup
I LOVED this post reframing freelancing as a way of knowing what skills you can always fall back on if you find yourself needing to. I’ve lived this multiple times in my life, and I have to say, it is a bit of a comfort knowing that I could always land on my feet and figure out a way to generate income with my skills if my circumstances changed. It’s not about thinking that everyone should own a business, but rather that everyone (especially women!!!) should know how to make money from their skillset.
This article from Cornell purports that workers who are actually impressed by corporate speak like “synergy” or “growth-hacking paradigms” might actually be worse at their jobs. It made me giggle.
This breakdown of a non-linear, non-traditional career path is really interesting! I can definitely relate, and I’m sure a lot of you can too.
💌 Connection
Weekly Task
Create a gift ideas list based on actual attention, not Amazon algorithms. I like to create a private Pinterest board and save things I find or my friends mention throughout the year. That way I always have some ideas when the holidays or birthdays roll around.
Roundup
I was utterly entranced in the worst possible way reading this piece by Bella Darden about how we’ve confused consumption with connection. It’s dire, folks.
Piggybacking off that, fun fact – you’re more likely to get AI psychosis than to join a cult! Please, I beg of you, step away from the Chat GPT therapist.
On a lighter note, I’m adoring these monochromatic filmstrip photo frames. A new business called the Strip Club (cute) just opened in Wicker Park in Chicago, and it’s just chock full of vintage and restored photo booths. I can’t wait to visit with my friends and then snag some of these frames to show off our masterpieces.
✨ Joy & Whimsy
Weekly Task
Plan a staycation in your own city. Find a fun hotel or Airbnb, and visit the local hotspots like you’re a tourist seeing it for the first time.
Roundup
A bit niche and specific, but I stumbled across this account that documents the disco balls at bars and venues across Chicago and I’m so enchanted.
This post by Kyli Wagner is chock full of cozy inspo for living like a March sister this March. Is this a safe space to admit that, while I seem like a Jo on paper, I identify strongly with Amy?
I deeply enjoyed this deep-dive retrospective into the history of the Furby. I, for one, had the all-white one featured in the video, and loved him. (I was 6 when I got him for Christmas 1999, so I think that helped). Unfortunately he was never the same after my much older cousin threw him across the room. After that, he would wake up at odd times in my closet speaking gibberish in the middle of the night. Poor Snowball.
How sweet is this roundup by House & Garden of the various pups that have graced their gorgeous house tours over the years?
Love love love all these fun pink nail art ideas.
That bobbin table is everything to me!!! So cute!! As a fellow Amy, I completely feel you! Thanks for sharing Cozy Pursuits :)
I stand by my quote! My closet has never been more bare and yet, it's the most interesting it's ever been. Looking forward to setting aside time to work through March's work theme! Lizzie, you're changing my life one email at a time. ;)