hello december

moving, settling, souping...

The response I received from my first newsletter was such a gift, thank you all so much for being here and reading my silly little thoughts about this silly little life.

Pair this read with Nothing New by Taylor Swift feat. Phoebe Bridgers, found here.

updates

I moved…again! (pause for deafening silence, followed by a deeep sigh)

I moved out of my second apartment in two years in October, and I just can’t find the words. It was cozy, sweet, dreamy, spacious, ancient, suffocating, uncomfortable. I felt and lived all the things in 3W.

settling in 💒

Life in the new apartment has been sweet. I can see the sky again and breathe normally - small but not overlooked perks of an NYC apartment. I have two new roomies and loads of doormen. Cooking has been more enjoyable and laundry less dreaded. Can I hear my neighbor yawn next door? Yes. Are the maintenance men a little sus? Also, yes. Overall, though, my heart is content.

this corner of my room has my heart - featuring calla lilies (my fav) and the sweetest housewarming gift all the way from Sri Lanka

soup season

If you have seasoning and broth/water and veggies and protein— you have good soup. I fell sick a few weeks ago and here’s what I had in the kitchen to bring this particular bowl to life:

• onion and garlic

• olive oil

• carrots, potatoes, green beans, jalapeño

• veggie broth

• beans and orzo

• various seasonings (garlic salt, onion powder, bay leaf, oregano, chili flakes, etc.)

My secret weapon - lime juice. It’s not much, but it was enough to make my bed ridden heart sing.

"whatever's in the fridge" soup

ruminations

I’m currently coming to you from the couch, sipping on a Martinelli’s apple juice, after a weekend in Brooklyn with one of my favorite hosts - my beloved Emma. I spent my 40 minute train ride home ruminating on what’s led me to my current state of mind, grasping at fleeting moments of solace that keep me afloat.

Most recently, I’ve been marinating in the idea of staking claim to myself. I didn’t realize how easy it is for me to give and give and give to people, moments, experiences. When the going gets tough, I tend to ride the waves, losing bits and pieces of myself along the way. Those habits have caught up to me, and I’m running in circles trying to undo the mess I’ve made of myself. 2023 has taken and taken and taken some more. In finding balance for it all, I’m tipping the scale toward myself.

Running, moving my body, reading, writing, going outside, laughing with friends, singing, dancing, cooking, using my hands to create. So easily set aside when my body and brain are begging for a break. But these are the things that allow me to ride the wave while staying grounded.

if you missed it in my last newsletter, check out the app Headspace.

current obsessions & roman empires

so many things have occupied my brain this season, but these by far are my favorite.

obsessions

Jazz is in! So is adding lemon & honey to tea and experiencing euphoric rebellion (track back to jazz, but live). NYT Wordle, NYT Connections, Merriam Webster Quordle. Calla Lilies (pictured above) - from your local Trader Joe’s. Lime/Lemon, Canela tea for the holiday season, thrifting art.

roman empires (no context)

• Princess Diana (& Elizabeth Debicki’s portrayal of tragedy)

• Jonathan Bailey & Simone Ashley’s chemistry (talent) in season two of Bridgerton

  • particularly, this.

• Being a twenty something year old teenage girl