Coffee Break #022: Mystery novels, millennial mint, and landlines.
Your weekly roundup of inspiration and ideas to build your dream life.
Dear Friend,
Happy Monday! This weekend I fully went down a rabbit hole of “how much money and equipment would I truly need to start a bookstore and coffee shop?” The answer, dear reader, is quite a lot. But also… not quite as much as I would have thought? Anyways, this is my retirement plan now.
In Brief
📚 Reading
I heard about The Monsters We Make by Rachel Corbett on a podcast recently, and was instantly fascinated. Rachel digs deep into the invention and history of criminal profiling from Sherlock Holmes to Mindhunter. Shocker: the FBI is lowkey corrupt.
🍔 Eating
Four of my MIL’s monster cookies, in one sitting. No regrets.
🎶 Listening
The new Kacey Musgraves album. I’ve loved her since she was scandalizing country radio listeners by talking about weed and not hating gay people in the 2010s.
📚 Books & Creativity
Weekly Task
Read something in translation—expand beyond English-language literature. Here’s a great starting point.
Roundup
How gorgeous are these Harris tweed Kindle covers? I’m having a hard time deciding which color to get, but I am definitely getting one ASAP.
Has anyone tried one of these e-ink writing tablets? I’m very fascinated by them, and the intersection of digital and analog that they represent, but I’m not sure if I’d enjoy using one or not.
Five huge book publishers are suing Meta over their illegal use of copyrighted material to train their AI models, and I’m extremely here for it.
The NYT put together a list of books to read if you love Tana French (and I DO). Super excited to add these to my list!
I loved reading this piece about a day in the life of an average teen girl. I have such a soft spot for teen girls and the rites and rituals of girlhood.
🧥 Personal Style
Weekly Task
Pack away your winter wardrobe to make space in your closet and make getting dressed easier each morning.
Roundup
According to Byrdie, “millennial mint” is coming out of retirement this summer. I say, only if coral and mustard yellow get to join the party.
In other millennial news, The Cut claims that headscarves are going to be the it accessory for spring. I’m here for it, and it makes sense on the heels of the cottagecore y2k re-emergence. In 2005-ish, I had a headband that had a headscarf attached, along with two fake blonde braids attached to the front. Why? Because it was $1 at Claire’s, duh.
I’m really digging the candy-colored beaded necklace trend.
Loved watching this video of people walking around in NYC in the 90s. Such good street style inspo!
Prequel sent me this SPF lip gloss, and I was a bit skeptical, because I’m pretty monogamous with my Charlotte Tilbury Pillowtalk matte lipstick, but this stuff is amazing! Non-sticky, has a great color base, and lasts for ages. I’m a convert.
🏡 Home & Interiors
Weekly Task
Identify five things in your home you don't use and donate them.
Roundup
Came across this rattan shoe rack over the weekend and I’m obsessed. Is $300 too much for a shoe rack? 🥲
I am completely enamored with this cozy little cottage. The olive green bunk room? The rattan basketball hoop in the playroom? The butter yellow kitchen cabinets? Dream house.
How fun are these retro Vegas homes owned by modern showgirls? I think the “mid-century maximalism” vibe is one of my favorite styles.
House and Garden has published an ode to the enduring chic-ness of the “too many books” aesthetic, and I couldn’t agree more.
I adore Emily Henderson’s latest primary bedroom update. That dusty blue wall color paired with the rosy pink velvet bed frame is so lush and gorgeous, it tickles all the right spots in my brain.
💌 Connection
Weekly Task
Tell someone you love them this week, in no uncertain terms.
Roundup
I stumbled upon this scrapbook from a girl in the Edwardian era, and I just love it so much. Girlhood really has been the same throughout time.
I may desperately need a bluetooth compatible, bubblegum pink handset that’ll turn my phone into a landline.
Looking for a fresh date night idea? Here’s 99 of them.
These “farmer’s market parties” are super cute. I for one am extremely excited to have fresh farmer’s market produce very soon.
I love Kate Arends’s ideas for starting a Cookbook Club with your friends. Who couldn’t use a good reason to finally make some recipes from those cookbooks sitting around your kitchen?
✨ Joy & Whimsy
Weekly Task
Start keeping a joy inventory.
Roundup
Baz Luhrmann (best known for directing Moulin Rouge! along with several other elaborate and over the top films) has designed an entire private train car and it’s the stuff of dreams. How do I get my own train car?
Recent studies have shown that having a hobby can lead to a better mood, more happiness, and a higher sense of satisfaction in life.
How dreamy are these adorable little book charms from my all-time favorite jewelry brand, Catbird?
⏰ 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.
major news for me personally with millennial mint making a comeback
Really liking the idea of having a joy inventory! As a glass half empty kind of person, I could really use this in my life.