The 📖📺🎧🔪🛍️ List
Christmas Orphans Club, The Summer I Turned Pretty, Chalupas, Ballet Flats + more!
Well hello, everyone. Although you’ve heard from me quite a bit in the last week, it’s all been very sad. And while I’m not going to apologize for that sadness, I do want to try and move on from it a bit with today’s free Friday letter.
Typically, I reserve Fridays for a free post filled with what I’m reading, watching, listening to, making, and shopping, so I’m going to do exactly that today.
However, I do want to plug what’s on deck for the paid side of things! Next week, we’ll be playing catch up and sending both the monthly Got It From My Mama (GIFMM) letter that’s written by my mother, Ellen, as well as the monthly Things I Bought and Returned (TIBAR) letter that is a LENGTHY one for July. So, if you have yet to subscribe fully, do that today so you get both exclusive letters next week!
READING 📖
Since we last spoke, I’ve finished two books. First, Meghan Daum’s The Unspeakable, which was well-written and thought-provoking, but not what I’d call a fun or rejuvenating read. If you enjoy complex essays, though, it’s fantastic.
Next, I tore through The Second Ending by Michelle Hoffman. This is a fiction book about a child prodigy pianist turned almost-50 empty-nester who is re-discovering herself and her passion, and a much younger self-taught professional pianist who is very much doing the same. It’s a sweet book with no real, biting drama; any semblance of conflict resolves itself fairly quickly, and the characters are just quirky enough to keep you interested. The bigger message is about staying true to yourself and your passions, and chasing your dreams no matter your circumstances in life. Again, it was sweet — not riveting but a very easy, mindless kind of read. I would equate to watching a CBS sitcom.
Almost as soon as I finished that book, I picked up Becca Freeman’s debut novel, The Christmas Orphans Club. I’m lucky enough to have made the short list of people to which she sent an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy. I had to Google that one), and I’m already 80+ pages in. It’s pretty incredible to be reading the debut novel of someone I know and have shared drinks with, and I’m loving every sentence of it so far. I’m not just saying that either—I’m trying very hard to not be biased as I read this book so I can give an honest review. So far, I can’t wait to see what happens, I love the writing, and I’m generally in awe of Becca! (if you’re part of that universe, you’ll also know that Olivia Muenter just announced her book deal that’s set to debut next summer. Olivia, if you see this (which I know you will), I am ready and willing to be an ARC recipient).
WATCHING 📺
Beef
We started watching Beef on a whim a few weeks ago and were loving it before we were rudely interrupted by life and grief. We made it all the way to the finale when we had to put a pin in it, but will be finishing it this weekend. What a wild show, though. I know it was all the rage when it first dropped this spring, but Zac and I tend to let crazes die down before we go all in, so we’re a little late to the game. I’ve never seen anything like it and can’t believe all the violence and twists and turns the plot has gifted us. Also, Ali Wong is a phenomenal serious actress? Also, THAT SEX SCENE?
Alone (season 9)
We’re not big Alone-heads; we’ve seen a few seasons here and there. But Zac put on season 9 last week, and we were pretty instantly sucked in. Season 9 had some serious contenders, and we’re so intrigued by the remaining three right now. I’m genuinely jonesing to know who walks away the winner—there’s really no telling at this point. I will say this, though–as much as I enjoy watching Alone, I can’t stomach any of the animal killing. Even the squirrels. I just can’t do it. I think it’s because I know these people have chosen to be in this situation. It’s not like they’re legit hunters and gatherers and live like this year-round. They don’t have to be out there killing innocent squirrels and grouse and BEAVERS, FFS. I really hate watching it and have reverted to closing my eyes during those parts. Other than that, though, LOVE IT!
The Summer I Turned Pretty (season 2)
I have a weird relationship with this show. The first season, I was sick as a dog with COVID (last August) and watched it in isolation in our guest room. This second season started as I was going through a pregnancy loss, and I started watching it while horribly depressed and out of desperation for any kind of distraction. In short, I hate this show. I don’t know why I watch it. I find it annoying and not well-written and not well acted and just a very silly young adult story that skews very young adult. The soap opera-ness of it all is just too much. Lola Tung is stunning, though, and I will finish season two because why not.
Barbie
Last Sunday afternoon, Z and I saw Barbie. Obviously, it was between that or Oppenheimer, and both are so popular right now, that it was hard to find seats for either at any time at any theatre. Alas, we prevailed.
Listen. I liked it? It was good? But I didn’t think it was incredible, and I’m wondering if something is wrong with me for that. This is exactly how I felt about La La Land, too. I’m seeing my peers’ reactions to it on social media and everyone seems to be dying for it, and I just am not matching that energy or reaction. I understand the bigger message of it all, for sure. And it was so well done and well acted and well produced and all the things. But it didn’t affect me that much. The meta, postmodern twist at the end was jarring and I will never understand the Ken song or why it had to happen. Maybe it was my state of mind while seeing it? I mean, I did have a sobbing breakdown on the car ride home but not because of the movie; because grief is a bitch.
Anyway, I’m curious — if you saw it, are you obsessed or are you like me and found it good, but not life-changing? Also, for my Sex Education fans, it was so trippy that THREE of the actors from that show are in Barbie! I’m obsessed with that show, so that made me really happy to see.
MAKING 🔪
No surprise here, but I haven’t been cooking much lately. I’ve attempted to make marshmallow chocolate chip cookies twice, but both recipes have sucked and produced some weird ass cookies.
The one comfort meal I’ve made recently that we devoured is a family favorite that we call Chalupas even though I don’t think they constitute as legit chalupas. Regardless, it’s the easiest recipe and absolutely fucking delicious.
Also, I didn’t make these lollipops, but Suckerz organic tropical lollipops are incredible if you need a sugar fix but don’t want it to be too cloying. I’ve only been able to find them at Foxtrot, but you can order offline, too. The flavors are passionfruit, mango, and piña colada, and they’re all so delicious.
Oh! And something(s) I WILL be making A LOT of are Brocc Your Body’s cookbook recipes! She announced her cookbook this week, and I am giddy. Everything I’ve ever made of hers is fabulous; she has a natural knack for melding flavors together. I’ve already pre-ordered her book!
SHOPPING 🛍️
Remember GAP? They’re doing a collab with LoveShackFancy and, while a lot of the pieces have already sold out because shoppers have no chill, the kid/toddler selection is TO DIE FOR. Like, why aren’t these in adult sizes??? Definitely check it out. I will say, I grabbed a pair of these ballet flats while I could. Not sure if they’re gonna work for me, but I love the idea of them.
I know Casetify cases are expensive but honestly, so is an iPhone, so it’s worth it IMO. I treated myself to this colorway, and I get very happy every time I look at my phone while it’s face down.
I have officially found the perfect coffee maker and ended up returning two more. I know — I’m insane and I’ll cover it all in next week’s TIBAR letter, but for now, just know that the Ninja 12 Cup Programmable Brewer has been the answer to my coffee prayers.
I got this bottle of Rosa Novella perfume from the Santa Maria Novella perfume store in Italy on our honeymoon and have been wearing it pretty consistently. Lately, though, I’ve gotten a few “WHAT is that smell?!” kind of compliments. I don’t know if people just started noticing or what, but the timing is good because I’m almost out so I reordered a bigger bottle from Saks!
SO many DMs this week about this specific lipstick. It’s by Pat McGrath and the color is “Infatuation.”
Lastly, we want to update our hand towel rings and these are literally perfect but on fucking backorder until November. I stubbornly ordered them anyway because you never know! They’re just so great.
Thank you for subscribing to, reading, and engaging with The Weekly Digress!
Until next week…
—EGM
In the same boat on Barbie. I enjoyed it, but all of the hype surrounding it made me feel like I REALLY should have enjoyed it. It was a cute, fun summer movie with a good message and I did cry at one part, but going into it I thought I was going to be sobbing multiple times and wanting to go back to see it again ASAP.
Also, I have had that coffee maker for 4-5 years now and love it! I bought a second one for my mom's house too. It's just a good, solid coffee maker and I appreciate the "strong" brew setting.
Right there with you on Barbie. I had such high expectations for it (since I *loved* Lady Bird and Little Women) and walked out disappointed. The aesthetic of the film is spectacular and the acting is great, but I wasn't wowed by the story and script. I still don't quite understand the rules for how the real world and Barbie Land work together... It just didn't work for me.