The Exciting Side of Hypocrisy
Because sometimes being unpredictable is better than being black and white.
I catch myself in hypocritical positions nearly every day. With every piece of content I share, there’s a small sprinkling of contradiction. I say one thing one month, and do the opposite the next month. In one breath I say “don’t you dare change your coffee order in an effort to be healthier”; in the next, I publish a podcast saying “do you really need that martini on a Tuesday night or would you rather save it until the weekend and double down?”
I’ve always been like this, and it’s only gotten more intensified with each passing year as I witness the boundless nuance life has to offer on nearly every subject matter under the sun.
You don’t have to be one thing or another. There is no THIS or THAT. You don’t have to shape yourself so you fit perfectly into one you-shaped box. You can leave a few fingers or toes hanging out. Hell, you can even be half in and half out of the box if that feels better to you. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing and honestly, thank god because where’s the fun in that? I’d venture to say that the most interesting humans are a heavy mix of totally predictable and impossibly improbable. We have good days and terrible days. We think we have it all figured out on a Tuesday, and by Friday, we’re in the fetal position starting from square one. We want to talk, but we want to talk on a deeper level. We want to be challenged, to tackle the taboo, to push, to keep you guessing. And that’s why it’s appealing to live on the contrary sometimes, and also why I’ve never been a niche writer.
EMMASTHING has always been the blog about nothing yet everything because I refuse to box myself in. I’ve been told my growth is slow because I “don’t have a focus,” I’m an “acquired taste,” or I’m “not consistent.” And to all that I say thank god, because the alternative route sounds boring as fuck (this is a favorite Chris Farley sketch of mine and exactly my tone while writing those quotation marks).
This is also why I believe so heavily in the ever-changing nature of humans and the very real seasons through which we evolve. Example: On this week’s podcast episode, I talk about my personal journey with consistency in terms of diet and exercise. I get into detail about the ebbs and flows of it over the past few years, notating when I was hitting it hard and when I simply didn’t have time for it. There are seasons (like the one I’m in right this very moment) where I lean in 110%. I’m tracking my calories and macros, I’m moving my body daily, I’m exercising and recording those exercises and sharing them with my audience. I am health. But there are other seasons where I’m tired of all that. Where I just want to be. I don’t track. I don’t move as much. I fall off the proverbial wagon and get softer and fluctuate a few pant sizes, and I don’t care. I know I’ll ebb and flow like this the rest of my life because I’m not willing to be that simple; I’m a nuanced person.
And I celebrate both because BOTH ARE WORTH CELEBRATING.
I don’t have to be all fitness or all body positivity all the time because it’s not my job to be. My job is to remain as relatable as possible by sharing my own experiences and my own unpredictable shifts. Sure, it may give both myself and my audience whiplash at times, but unpredictably and nuance are the spice of life. You may think you know someone or feel a certain way about something, but you could be wrong.
READING 📖
I finished The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches at the beginning of the week and give it 5 happy, warm, witchy stars. I loved this book, and it was a wonderful palette cleanser with quickly resolved conflict that was never drawn out. I love books like that.
The book of the month for my podcast is Lessons in Chemistry, and I’m about 75 pages in right now. There are a lot of mixed reviews on this one (my dental hygienist even weighed in at my appointment this week), so I’m eager to discover how I feel about it. Stay tuned.
WATCHING 📺
We finished The Last of Us Sunday night. FUN FACT: The woman who plays Ellie’s mom (don’t worry—this really isn’t a spoiler) is the woman who voiced her in the video game!
Last week, we watched the Chris Rock special (on Netflix) and the Marlon Wayans special (on HBO). Marlon Wayans’ is an hour long set about “the slap” from his POV and is a pretty interesting watch because he’s known Chris, Will, and Jada since his late teens. He also contradicts himself every 5 minutes, which is on theme for this week’s newsletter!
For some reason, Zac threw on Crashing this past week, and we’ve been blazing through it. It stars the comedian Pete Holmes and is a semi autobiographical story about his journey into comedy. I don’t find Pete Holmes that funny on his own, but this show is incredibly well written and so interesting. I clearly didn’t watch it when it was live (2017-2019), but I’m glad we’re watching it now!
LISTENING 🎧
Miley Cyrus dropped her new album last week called Endless Summer Vacation, and it’s pretty good. I think. I’m not sure. I’ve listened to it several times now (it’s only 45 minutes) but I haven’t really listened, ya know? I need to do a concentrated listening session.
Coleman Hughes AKA Coldxman also dropped an album last week, and y’all… it is phenomenal. Coleman is a writer and podcaster and incredibly intellectual. I don’t follow him or his writings that closely, but I know some things. I had no idea he was a rapper and dear god… his shit is FIRE. The lyrics are just, whoa. Truly unlike anything you’ve heard. Take a listen.
MAKING 🔪
I had my first pineapple margarita in Tulum five years ago, and it was in that moment I realized it’s my favorite margarita varietal. I’ve been chasing that feeling ever since and finally got it again two weekends ago in Cabo. Last weekend, I decided to try my hand at my own spicy pineapple margarita and used this recipe to do so. Y’all—it’s perfect. I subbed Grand Marnier for Cointreau and put the slices of jalapeño WITH their seeds IN the shaker for the spice without having to put the actual chunks of jalapeño IN the drink, and WHEW. It’s truly perfection.
SHOPPING 🛍️
I know I said we’re trying to stay away from cheap candles because they’re not great to burn at home, but I couldn’t help myself and got this Lemon Pie scented one from Target and it’s SO DELICIOUS (see?! HYPOCRISY). The smell is so light and fresh for spring!
Speaking of Target, one of my college friends started an incredible line of kids snack containers, and with all its success, it just HIT SHELVES AT TARGET! It’s called Morepeas, and all of my friends who have kids own this stuff. The top lid reverses as suction base to avoid spills & helps your child learn to self-feed, the lid is spill-proof with a soft opening for little hands, and it has an easy-grip handle so you can tether to toys, stroller, car seat & more! It’s really amazing, and I can’t recommend it enough!
If you’re a paying newsletter subscriber, you already know that I haven’t liked many of the Merit Beauty products I’ve tried. However, their blush balm is pretty fantastic. I got the shade Persimmon, and I can already tell it’s gonna be the perfect touch of color for tanned summer skin. I love the container it comes in and how easy it is to blot on.
Both J.Crew AND Madewell are having 25% off everything sales, and here’s what I have my eyes on as of right now (it’s subject to change because, you know, hypocrisy and nuance and ever-changing thoughts and opinions):
J.CREW
This one shoulder ruched one-piece bathing suit (reminds me of the Summersalt one I also love)
I actually have these wide-leg linen pants, and they are fantastic! I think I need them in green, though…
You know I can’t resist a happy, colorful hair accessory
MADEWELL
I love a microprint, therefore I love this jumpsuit
Ok, this little handbag is giving LOEWE Flamenco bag vibes without the price tag, and I’m intrigued…
Does it make me old that I love these sandals in black? They look insanely sturdy and comfy. The Pale Lichen color is cool, too.
I’ve been in the market for a new, braided leather belt and I love this one a lot
These are the best everyday tees. Like, THE BEST. And available in so many fun colors!
Add these while you’re at it. Have them and love them.
And, of course, a Madewell sale is the perfect opportunity to load up on jeans. My two favorites that I own: the Perfect Vintage Wide-Leg and the Perfect Vintage Jean, just as it comes. Size down one in both!
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— EGM