The 📖📺🎧🔪🛍️ List
I don't wanna work, I just wanna sub on your stack all day
Supposedly, some writer within the Substack community wrote a viral letter about listicle and recommendation fatigue and how Substack is becoming too much like blogs rather than “true” writing, and to that I say
So fucking what?
If you write, you’re a writer. Whether you’re writing a drippy, emo essay, a hilarious think-piece, an in-depth report, or just about shit you love, it’s all valid. As someone who started a blog in 2010 and witnessed the blogosphere suffer a slow death over the years, this resurrection by way of Substack is a relief. Not every letter sent has to be life-changing and full of pull quotes. Sometimes it’s fun to shoot the shit with your audience and not take everything so fucking seriously. Personally, if you’re only ever sending 15 minute long essays chock-full of Carrie Bradshaw-esque later-that-day-I-got-to-thinkings, I can’t. I’m busy.
It’s also why I love experimenting with different formats via this letter. Every Friday since I started it, I’ve sent out this Weekly List of what I’m reading/watching/listening to/cooking/shopping. Sometimes I write essays, sometimes quick observations, sometimes it’s reporting your answers from a topic I crowdsourced. I like to use this platform to keep everyone on their toes, whether you’re a free or paid subscriber.
Does every new form of social media eventually become overrun and oversaturated with creators? Sure. But that’s the name of the game, and you can stay in the game if you’re dedicated and willing to keep evolving. That’s how I see it, anyway.
Not only that, but you don’t have to read everyone. You pick writers who you truly enjoy and relate to and whose recommendations and words speak to you. Everyone has opinions, whether you write about them or keep them to yourself (or offer them, unsolicited, to people who didn’t ask).
With that said, let’s get into this week’s Weekly List!
READING 📖
Still getting through 1984. I’m about halfway through and really enjoying it in all its dystopian weirdness. I will say, though, if it doesn’t end with the main character revolting against Big Brother, I’ll be annoyed (NO SPOILERS, PLEASE).
WATCHING 📺
I saw an incredibly random clip of an older show on Instagram, researched it, and thought to myself “I think this is something we’d really enjoy.” It’s called The Knick, and it originally aired in 2014 on Cinemax. It stars Clive Owen, is only two seasons, and I already know I’m going to be LIVID when it abruptly ends. It takes place in the early 1900s before WWI and centers on the famous New York hospital, Knickerbocker. With every episode, you see just how far modern medicine has come and how doctors of the past paved the way but also fucked up… a lot. And were prejudice as fuck. It’s so well done, the sets and costumes are incredible, and the acting and writing are both amazing. It also stars Bono’s daughter, Eve Hewson, who I fell in love with watching Bad Sisters. I highly recommend it if you never watched! Available on MAX.
I may not be sporty, but I love sports docs and shows and this season of Hard Knocks is no exception. It’s highlighting the Chicago Bears, and I’m very into it. Might end up drafting a couple bears this Fantasy Football season. We’ll see. Available on Peacock.
While I was staying with my parents last week, we watched a German movie called I’m Your Man. The plot involves a single, 40-something researcher who agrees to be part of a study in which her “ideal man” is created as an AI robot, and she must live with him for three weeks then report her feedback. The commentary on AI, loneliness, and companionship is so interesting. I really enjoyed this movie. It’s so different than anything I usually watch and gives you lots to think about. Available on Hulu.
I also watched I Am: Celine Dion while I was cozied up at my parents, and JFC… it is so depressing. I had no idea just how bad her Stiff-Person Syndrome diagnosis was, and it’s not an easy watch at all. While it’s wonderful to watch some of her old performances and learn more about her (she’s one of 14 kids?!?!!??!), her current reality is heartbreaking to witness. Available on Prime.
LISTENING TO 🎧
My favorite thing to do lately is to just shuffle my Liked Songs playlist on Spotify. I made it shareable in case you think we have similar music tastes and wanna hit play without having to think too hard about it.
WARNING: There are some weird ones, and I’m trying to actively go through and unlike them when I remember to, but don’t be surprised if you come across rain sounds (I use to sleep to the playlist before I got a white noise machine), the entire Hamilton soundtrack, and other silly shit.
EATING 🍽️
I have nothing to say here, guys. You know I don’t have a working kitchen yet, but soon. So so soon. In fact, our stove and oven and dishwasher were installed yesterday, so I hope to be back up and running ASAP. I just have to decide on what I’ll be cooking first in our new kitchen. So much pressure.
I did, however, get ahead of myself and order Caro Chambers’ new cookbook, so maybe I’ll christen our new kitchen with one her recipes?!
SHOPPING 🛍️
Hey, did you know how hard it is to find a vanity tray that’s not small as fuck? I’ve been looking for a longer vanity tray FOREVER because I have things I want out on my counter, but I want it to look organized and nice rather than junked up and crowded. I have looked high and low for the length I need, and wouldn’t you know I found the perfect vanity tray from none other than Kim K’s SKKN care line? I don’t like nor support the Kardashians, but she knew what kind of tray I needed and made it, so beggars can’t be choosers (bitch, this ain’t Chipotle). These trays are expensive but admittedly very pretty. I hate that SKKN by Kim is engraved on them, but it’s nothing a bottle of perfume can’t hide.
I had never heard of Saltair (🎵 and the rust on your door, I never needed anything more…🎵) until I saw someone wearing their lip gloss and promptly ordered it. It’s $9 and not only does it smell amazing (I think it’s the coconut oil?), but it’s gorgeous. Super easy to apply, comes in 10 shades, and has a perfect consistency. I got it in both Goji and Papaya.
And speaking of makeup, my mom found my new favorite mascara I implore everyone to try. It’s the Panorama mascara by L’Oreal, and I love it! It’s not clumpy, it elongates lashes, and it stays on. What more could you ask for?
I tried and hated the currently very popular neck fan, so I ordered this handheld, old school fan instead to keep in my purse at all times, and I’m obsessed. Not at all demure nor mindful.
Lastly, I saw
post this adorable $10 mesh bag to her stories several weeks ago and bookmarked it for a rainy day. I finally ordered it the other week and it’s just so happy? Sure, it’s meant for pencils and pens, but I’m using it for the 15 lip balms, chapsticks, lipsticks, and glosses I keep in my bag at all times.
❤️ If you liked or loved this letter, hit that little heart at the bottom to show some love. A little love goes a looooong way around here ❤️
Love (most of) you guys. Mean it.
Til next week!
— EGM
Please like. When you get glosses and cute little bags order 2x the amount. Love you!!!!
I just got my first Saltair order too! I got the shade Prickly Pear.