Coffee Break #019: John Green, Pa Ingalls, and a compass that points to Olive Garden.
Your weekly roundup of inspiration and ideas to build your dream life.
Dear Friend,
This weekend I had not one, but two, fancy restaurant brunches, and I really felt like I was living my best life. Also it was 76 degrees on Sunday, and I was able to walk to pilates without a coat, sit on my porch and read a book with my dog, and wear sandals. Heaven!!!!
Next week my husband and I are heading on a long-overdue trip to Portland and Seattle. I’ve been to Seattle a few times now, but never Portland. We were supposed to go to Portland in March 2020 (cue sad trombone noise) but obviously that didn’t happen. We’re staying there for three full days then taking the Amtrak up the coast to Seattle for the last couple days. I’m very excited! Also if anyone has great recs for shopping, dining, drinking, etc. in either city, let me know! (don’t worry, Powell’s Books is at the top of my list, and right down the street from our hotel).
In Brief
📚 Reading
I finally finished Ready or Not by Cara Bastone and I absolutely adored it. I started Hot Desk by Laura Dickerman on Sunday, which has been on my list for ages, and I’ve been immediately sucked in by the writing style so I have high hopes for this one too.
🍔 Eating
Brunch at The Allis inside Soho House Chicago – I got a leek and potato quiche that was absolutely heavenly.
📺 Watching
The extremely glam and very naughty Bling Ring-inspired music video for House Tour by Sabrina Carpenter. (Hot take (?) but I firmly believe SC’s hypersexuality is a form of drag that she’s performing for the girls, gays, and theys and not pandering to the male gaze the way a lot of people seem to think…)
🎨 Creativity & Curiosity
Weekly Task
Create a reading ritual: pick a specific time and place where you’ll read this week.
Roundup
A new John Green novel?! It really is 2016 all over again. His new book, Hollywood, Ending, sounds super good, and is officially his first adult fiction title (not YA!).
brb, booking a trip to one of these cities for book lovers asap.
I was sent an early ARC of a new book coming out in June that’s labeled as Bunny meets The Craft, so I’m very excited to dive into that.
Am I the last person to learn about Netflix’s Little House on the Prairie reboot? I have mixed feelings. But also, hello Pa Ingalls… 👀
Loved this carousel on how to read a book every week, even if you’re busy (who isn’t?)
🧥 Personal Style
Weekly Task
Decide on your signature piece for each type of wardrobe item – jeans, sweater, bag, etc.
Roundup
I loved this interview with a professional stylist on how to curate your closet and create new outfits and looks without buying more clothes.
I really want this obnoxious resin phone chain. Will it make an ungodly amount of noise? Yes. Is it also super chic? Yes.
Loving these bright red Mary Jane flats from Rothy’s – I’ve heard they’re insanely comfy too!
I just realized that the “Just OK Gatsby” sweatshirt is back in stock on the 831 Stories website so now I need it.
How cute is this argyle nail art? I’m a huge sucker for anything argyle.
🏡 Home & Environment
Weekly Task
Declutter one junk drawer or catch-all basket.
Roundup
I would like to move into this adorable vicarage in Hackney ASAP. The gingham scallops on the open shelving??? To die for.
Look at this diva!!! I’m obsessed with this glamorous goose-shaped vase/vessel.
This house in California is absolutely dripping with old Hollywood glam vibes. The kitchen tile is gorgeous.
Love this list of ideas for refreshing your living room without buying anything new.
How fun is this tiny Parisian apartment with tons of bold color? Need a striped accent wall ASAP.
💸 Career & Business
Weekly Task
Create a "money manifesto" statement you can reference when tempted to overspend.
Roundup
I found Mary Jantsch’s Career Season finder tool via Lia Zneimer and immediately had to take the quiz. This is super great if you’re feeling like you’re in a season of change in your work life or career. My Career Season is Spring, which feels pretty accurate. Lots of new ideas and budding opportunities!
A great article about why soft skills matter more than ever.
I loved reading this piece by Kayti Doolittle - Paper Ghosts about practicing the life she is scared to have (in this case, being a novelist). I feel like I’ve been doing a lot of this lately too, so this was a timely read.
Another great read was this interview in Broken Growth with Joe Burns about growing your thing (in this case, Substack) alongside your day job.
And this deep dive into the future of the creator economy from On Brand Magazine was fascinating and thorough as well.
💌 Connection
Weekly Task
Practice being present in conversations (put your phone away!)
Roundup
The Cut has rounded up a great list of the best housewarming gifts for under $100.
I loved reading the silliest things people have done to try and impress a crush. I love love :’)
This viral “chair theory” might have some valid points about knowing if a friendship or relationship is right for you (side note: why is everything a theory now?).
A very beautiful and heartbreaking piece on love and grief and how they intersect.
✨ Joy & Whimsy
Weekly Task
Create a new playlist for a specific mood or season.
Roundup
I loved this piece on using joy as an act of resistance in these bleak times.
Big news! All the original American Girl Dolls are officially coming back to celebrate the brand’s 40th anniversary. Someone please tell me I don’t need to re-purchase Felicity…
This website will tell you how many miles you’ve travelled in space since you were born.
Someone made a compass that only points to the Olive Garden in Times Square, and I think that’s beautiful.
If you haven’t subscribed to Stoop Cats yet, what are you even doing? It’s a newsletter by my amazing friend and coworker and it always makes my week.
⏰ ICYMI
Parenthetical is a newsletter for women who dog-ear pages, overthink their seasonal wardrobe, and want to make their ordinary days more magical. Paid subscribers get access to the full resource library, plus The Well-Designed Life curriculum.
Ahh how did I miss this?! Thank you for the shoutout! Obsessed with Mary's Career Finder—and yay for a fellow Spring! 🌱 (Also that link about towns for book lovers?! WHERE DO I SIGN UP TO GO? 😍)
EEEEPS! Enjoy Portland. I know it's changed SO much since I left in 2017, but make sure you get across the river to Mississippi st, Alberta st, Division etc. All the cool things are happening on the east side!