Need something soothing and mindless? Virtual train rides. Initially I found these as a fun thing for my kids to watch and illustrate with water color, but I've found these virtual train rides incredibly relaxing. There are 13 to choose from and most are at least an hour. My personal favorites include the Flam Railway through Norway and the Geibi Line in Japan. Helps my daydream of returning to travel someday...
I've loved Here For You's suggestions of daily activities intended to encourage, distract, bring joy, or inspire hope, thus, I'm starting a list of my own.
First up, the instagram account, @meghandono. I've been a longtime follower of the charming blog, Wit & Whimsy, but only recently started following Meghan on instagram and her stories are bringing me so much joy! Meghan is the founder of a company called, Paris Perfected, which creates curated itineraries for Parisian getaways.
She lives in Brooklyn Heights and posts beautiful details from her walks around her neighborhood every day. Everything from gorgeous front stoops, murals on boarded up storefronts, tiny signs of spring, rainbow art in windows, all of it is engaging and hopeful. When I watch her stories, I feel like I'm out on a walk with a friend.
She also posts many pictures from her travels to Paris, including a virtual visit to Paris for the day. I spent a good hour indulging in this exceptionally detailed virtual itinerary, distracting myself from my anxious thoughts in a cloud of wanderlust. While it makes me ache for when we can travel again, it was a lovely escape, which I highly recommend.
Do you guys also feel like you're constantly doing dishes these days? Yes, I realize there are much bigger problems in the world right now that a constant stream of dirty dishes, but I feel like I must not be alone in this grievance. My hands are dry and papery these days from the upped-ante of hand washing (albeit undoubtedly necessary), in addition to the constant washing and drying of all. the. things. However, one thing bringing me joy in this mundane task has been the new Mrs. Meyer's scent, fresh cut grass. It's pleasant and lovely and subtle, and it actually makes doing the dishes...dare I say, fun? No...dishes are rarely fun. I'd rather vacuum anyway, however, it makes the task of doing the dishes significantly more enjoyable.
Fresh Cut Grass is a Grove Collaborative signature scent, so unfortunately you can't find it at other retailers. However, worth noting, Grove has also been one of few retailers that has had hand sanitizer in stock in recent weeks (at 62% alcohol in a lovely orange scent), so if you're in the market for that...why not pick up fresh cut grass too and give it a whiff. I have the hand soap and dish soap and both are positively fresh and lovely. And no...this is not a sponsored post, just the mundane ramblings of a shelter-in-place mom. xoxo
Have you heard, there's a new version of Little Women coming out by Lady Bird director, Greta Gerwig. I'm such a sucker for anything Little Women, and the last few remakes have been pretty sub-par in my opinion, but I'm feeling enthusiastic about this one.
I read this book ages ago (well, technically listened to the audiobook, which I'd recommend) and now it's a movie. Looks pretty good, what do you think? Any other good movies worth watching these days?
Have you guys seen this movie? I vaguely remember seeing a trailer ages ago, but I watched this weekend with my dear friend Vanessa. It was such a good movie! Viggo Mortenson and Mahershala Ali at their very best, it's no wonder it was nominated for all kinds of awards. Take a view of the trailer at the least, I imagine you'll enjoy it!
Ever since having kids, I have a renewed interest in the audiobook. I probably hadn't listened to a legit audiobook since my family took our annual summer road trips to rural Oregon when we were kids, bulky set of audio cassettes in tow. However, these days, audiobooks are significantly easier to obtain, borrow, and buy, with the added luxury that bulky CDs and listening accessories are no longer necessary.
For a while, I did the audible route. You've likely heard of audible as they've dominated the audiobook market until recently. After a few months, I grew weary of the high cost per book and began looking into other audiobook options that were A). both more affordable and B). supported small businesses in my local community.
Enter - libro.fm. Have you heard of them? I hadn't either, but they're brilliant! Libro.fm is your independent bookstore for digital audiobooks. The same, easy, downloadable audiobooks you know and love fo cheaper AND Libro.fm works with independent bookstores to create co-branded audiobook storefronts. When signing up, you select a bookstore in your local/preferred community, which will received earnings with each book sale. Basically, your audiobook listening benefits small bookstores in your local community. Audible for sure doesn't do that! Plus, to sign up today use the code "SWITCH" to get 3 audiobooks for the price of one.
Here are a few of my recent favorites - and note, I'm a stickler for a good narrator. I've been known to return many a book where the narrator did not fully capture my attention.
Have you seen this new Nike campaign? It's awesome. I love how this campaign seeks to reframe how women are seen in the context of emotion. Women showing emotion have been called dramatic, hysterical, irrational, and crazy. Let them call us crazy. Show them what crazy can do.
Have you read the mega-cookbook Salt Fat Acid Heat? Truthfully, I checked this book out from the library and found it a bit daunting. It's packed with useful tips, tricks, and information to understand and master the art of cooking, using the four essential elements of food; salt, fat, acid, and heat. But...it is extremely text and science heavy, which was too much for me to digest.
However, the Netflix original TV show of the same name was much more my speed! Samin Nosrat travels the globe in search of flavor, and her travels and culinary adventures are a joy to watch. Plus, it's only four episodes, so a quick binge. One episode for each element. Salt. Fat. Acid. Heat. Check out this preview below.
When I initially saw the ad for the new Netflix original series, Sex Education pop up on my Netflix
feed, my knee-jerk reaction was, nah, no thanks. Another high school show? Really?
However, my tune changed after a close friend suggested I at least watch the two minute trailer, and give the show a chance. This I did, and now I am recommending this show to friends and family alike in droves.
Here's my quick synopsis. Set in a high school in England, Otis, the main character is an awkward, sexually inexperienced boy on the outskirts of the school's social scene. He virtually moves through his day unnoticed by most peers. He lives with his Jean, a single mom, and successful sex therapist who is forward thinking, progressive, and very open with her son regarding dialogue about topics surrounding sex. Otis' world mainly consists of his mom and his best friend Eric, a dynamic, energetic, openly gay kid, the only son in an immigrant family among four sisters, who while loved by his parents struggles to have them fully understand and accept his gender identity and is personal choices.
The story takes off when Otis is unfortunately paired on an after school project with the school's bully (and headmaster's son), Adam. After Adam exposes Otis' mom's professional life online, to unfettered ridicule and embarassment, a string of unforeseen circumstances lead Otis and mystery-girl Maeve to stumble upon Adam in an embarrassing situation, the tides having turned. Otis, being the kind, affable teenager that he is, offers to help Adam, offering words of advice which Adam takes to heart and subscribes to.
Maeve, who is essentially orphaned and struggling to survive on her own, sees the potential in Otis and capitalizes on this moment, suggested he provide similar sex advice to other kids in the school, charging a small fee, making this a lucrative operation for both of them.
The show is explicit, NOT little kid-friendly in the slightest - please be aware...there's nudity, explicit language, and many sexual topics covered. On the flip side, it is also incredibly heartfelt, with moments that inspire laugher and tears. The music is spot on, and the storylines have elements of truth, humor, and believability. I like that is is a window into high school life, highlighting that no matter where you are in the social hierarchy, everyone struggles with something, whether that be insecurity, pressure, challenges, or navigating touchy topics with parents.
I laughed and I cried, and highly recommend! (Truth be told, I've have already rewatched the series twice!).
This book. There are very few books that I could say "took my breath away," and this is one of them. Undoubtedly in my top 5, up there with Gone with the Wind and The Fountainhead. I listened to the audiobook, which is excellent! It is narrated by Deepti Gupta, who reads Fatima Farheen Mirza's words with a soothing, gentle grace. Also probably the best audiobook I've ever listened to. I found excuses to run errands just so I could pop my headphones on and keep listening.
I first learned about this book on this podcast episode, A Place for Us is the first novel from Sarah Jessica Parker's new imprint, SJP for Hogarth. The story chronicles an Indian-American Muslim family, as they reconnect for the oldest daughter's wedding. The story is told throughout a series of flashbacks spanning decades and offering perspectives through the lens of different family members. Perhaps what captured my attention most about this novel was the intimacy of a family Mirza is able to capture. The thoughts we think but do not say aloud. The wonderings had after challenging conversations. The worry parents carry for their children and hold close to their chest. Every nuance of this story is told with such poise and clarity, honoring the devotion parents have toward their children and children toward their siblings. If there ever was a well told story, this is it. I have nothing but good words. I can always justify a good book if I'm still thinking about it days, weeks, even months after reading it...which I am.
I've been slacking on dinner last night posts lately...sorry about that. I swear, after the holidays I'll catch up and post all the new recipes I've tried from my steady stream of cookbooks checked out from the library. After much hype on several blogs, we tried Dinner A Love Story's pork ragu last night. And it was superb! It slow cooked all afternoon while my family and I had a Polar Express excursion. We came home to a house punctuated with a delectable savory aroma, dinner fully cooked, and within minutes, bellies full. Not sure if it was the hot sauce or the fennel seed, but the flavors were especially on point. Definitely worth a bookmark for a rainy day.
Have you seen A Star is Born? I saw it last night with friends and was really impressed! First, Bradley Cooper can sing!? And Lady Gaga can act! Who knew? I appreciated Bradley Cooper’s grizzly voice and Lady Gaga’s unbridled authentic charm. Their chemistry together was electric, and the supporting cast rounded out the movie completely. Since seeing the movie, I’ve been listening to the soundtrack on repeat! It’s quite a soundtrack, featuring many songs that weren’t included in the final cut of the movie. My personal favorites were Is That Alright? and I’ll Never Love Again which Ally (Lady Gaga) srings solo in an emotional final scene in the movie.
Truth be told, I only recently became a Bradley Cooper fan. For the longest time, I always thought of him as the jerk, football obsessed intense boyfriend from Wedding Crashers- remember that? However, after seeing Silver Linings Playbook, I became a fan. And I’ve been a longtime fan of Lady Gaga. If you ever have a chance to see her in concert- do it! She is an fantastic entertainer and I’m so happy she took a risk and did this movie. And have a feeling it won’t be her last!
Pumpkin tahini loaf is my new favorite. So much so that I've already made it twice in one week! Yes, we eat a lot of pumpkin bread. If tahini sounds like a bizarre ingredient for pumpkin bread, don't overthink it - just try it, you will be amazed! I felt like it added a noticeable extra oomph of flavor which was very satisfying.
I made a few slight changes to the recipe to made it a tiny bit healthier, such as substituting 1 cup of coconut sugar and only 1/4 cup white sugar, and opting for coconut oil instead of vegetable oil. I didn't have black sesame seeds on hand, but we made due with a ample helping of white sesame seeds. Overall, delicious!
With Halloween in the rear view mirror, you know what time it is??!?! No...not Christmas music quite yet. But...holiday cards! The ritual of sending and receiving holiday cards is such a nostalgic and beloved tradition. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it's never too early to start checking things off the holiday to-do list!
This year, we're going with Minted for holiday cards. I've always admired Minted's classic style, clean lines, and beautiful paper. My personal favorites are the holiday cards with few colors with a fanciful cursive or statuesque font bearing a holiday phrase to celebrate the season. After perusing many eligible designs, I have it narrowed down to these favorites....I hope you'll help me choose!
So...friends, what's your pick for me? One, two, or three? This is just the tip of the iceberg, my friends. Minted makes it easy, with clickable features to narrow down the plethora of cards available. Foil-pressed, letterpress, postcard, booklette, or completely custom, each style is categorized accordingly for easy accessibility. If you prefer to shop by your personal style, scroll down to styles which include 'simple and minimalist,' or 'modern and edgy,' among others...the world is your oyster!
Don't delay in ordering yours! Visit Minted through November 5th, use promo the code JOY18 for 15% off holiday cards and promo code FS100 for free shipping over $100. (Offers may be combined).
This post is in collaboration with Minted. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Do your kids listen to podcasts? My kiddos are on the younger end of podcast listening, but we do have a few favorites we play in the car from time to time.
Wow in the World is hosted by Guy Raz and Mindy Thomas, this podcast covers topics from what's in your saliva to 3D printing to understanding where the universe came from. An ideal podcast for curious kids with questions about the wonders of the world. The pace is fast, and Guy and Mindy are high energy, sometimes a bit too animated for my taste, but my kids love it!
Another recent favorite is But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids, also by NPR. This is probably geared more toward school-aged kids, so we selectively pick and choose topics that might be interesting to a pre-school audience, but there is a lot of interesting content to absorb. They cover everything from why do turtles have shells, why is fire orange, to heavier topics such as why do people get cancer.
Lastly, our most recent discovery is Fierce Girls. My kids are currently too young for this one, we tried a few but they're a little more mature - and many parts went over my daughter's head at present , but I'm making a mental note of this podcast for future listening. All are stories of strong, independent women, each of whom has overcame obstacles, navigated hardship, or gone head to head with societal norms to make a difference in the world.
And as always - we love recommendations! Do you have a favorite kid podcast you listen to?
Hello! I need your help...with song recommendations! I've been so immersed in podcast and audiobook listening these days that I don't know what's even on the radio anymore - wow, does that make me sound old! Looking for upbeat, fast songs for a running / workout playlist. Dance, pop, rap are all perfectly acceptable and welcomed! Please share your favorites!
Need a new show? Upon recommendations from a few friends, I've just binged the first two seasons of Mozart in the Jungle on Amazon Prime. Knowing close to nothing about symphonies and how they work, I've enjoyed watching a show about the culture and camaraderie of a symphony (even if it's fiction). Episodes are 30 minutes; quick, entertaining, there's some love, some drama, some humor, all against a stellar musical backdrop.
Did you read The Hate U Give? It is an excellent young adult novel that debuted in February 2017, and has already been made into a movie! I saw the preview when watching Crazy Rich Asians, I couldn't believe it! Is it me or is the book-to-movie turnaround light years faster than it used to be?!
Anyway, this book is...WOW! In a nutshell: sixteen year old Starr Carter is straddling two world; the low income neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. Everyday she navigates between her identity among her wealthy, predominantly white friends at school, and her the all black neighborhood where she lives. She feels like she has a handle on her parallel identities when driving home at night with her childhood best friend Khalil, she witnesses his murder by a white police officer after they're pulled over.
Khalil's death becomes national news. Many call him a thug, drug dealer, gang banger. Protesting ensues. Her identity as a witness is kept confidential due to her age, but what Starr wants more than anything is for the world to know what happened that night, that Khalil was sober, unarmed, and an innocent victim.
As always, read the book first, but the movie looks just as captivating!
