There’s so much to update y’all on. Buckle up! Today we’re diving into the fact that it officially feeling like Springtime in Chicago, TTPD, and other life things. Are you… ready for it?
Sunday Spotlights 18: Going Full Lifestyle Blogger
As I was thinking about what I wanted to share in this post, I immediately thought, “it’s giving OG lifestyle blogger” and honestly, I’m here for it. I loved the debut blogging era where people around the world would share their favorite things and snippets of their life. And that’s exactly what today’s Sunday Spotlights post is about.
A Recap Of Last Week & The Weekend:
The Hinsdale Public Library “HPL” (of the libraries in Chicago’s Western Suburbs) had a Tortured Poets Department pop-up in celebration of the album release and National Poetry Month. My Mom spotted it when she went and as soon she sent me the photos, I knew I needed to go. And, so, I did.
Celebrating National Poetry Month At A Local Library
Call it what you want to (I say it’s fate), but the day I planned to venture to HPL the Tortured Poets Department (TTPD) cardigan I ordered arrived. Naturally, I had to sport it and bolt to the typewriter awaiting me. In addition to typing one of my favorite Taylor Swift songs, I spent my time re-formatting a poem I wrote 6-years ago. You can read the original version I published, here. I wouldn’t call myself a Poet, but it was fun to lean into this medium.
My book club also met this weekend, which was so lovely! We met to discuss One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid, at a local Café in the Western Suburbs. I hadn’t been to Blackberry Market in a year or more. It was sweet to see how the place changed in small ways, while still being as cozy and delicious as I remember it to be.
Last Week’s Favorites:
Now, for your dose of entertainment. Keep reading for reading and listening recommendations.
What I’m Reading:
I just picked up Emily Henry’s new book, Funny Story.
About Funny Story By Emily Henry
”Daphne always loved the way her fiancé Peter told their story. How they met (on a blustery day), fell in love (over an errant hat), and moved back to his lakeside hometown to begin their life together. He really was good at telling it…right up until the moment he realized he was actually in love with his childhood best friend Petra.
Which is how Daphne begins her new story: Stranded in beautiful Waning Bay, Michigan, without friends or family but with a dream job as a children’s librarian (that barely pays the bills), and proposing to be roommates with the only person who could possibly understand her predicament: Petra’s ex, Miles Nowak.
Scruffy and chaotic–with a penchant for taking solace in the sounds of heart break love ballads –Miles is exactly the opposite of practical, buttoned up Daphne, whose coworkers know so little about her they have a running bet that she’s either FBI or in witness protection. The roommates mainly avoid one another, until one day, while drowning their sorrows, they form a tenuous friendship and a plan. If said plan also involves posting deliberately misleading photos of their summer adventures together, well, who could blame them? But it’s all just for show, of course, because there’s no way Daphne would actually start her new chapter by falling in love with her ex-fiancé’s new fiancée’s ex…right?”
What I’m Listening To:
I’ve had TTPD: The Anthology on repeat since its release. My brains has been a blend of the (double!!) album’s lyrics and melodies. As of today, my top five tracks on repeat are Guilty as Sin?, Down Bad, loml, The Black Dog, and The Alchemy. No joke, my top five rotate daily — if not, throughout the day. I’m having such a difficult time choosing my favorites because they’re all so fantastic. Dare I say TTPD might bump evermore from first place.
You Might Like:
- How To Get & Read Books For Free (Legally)
- I Challenged Myself To Live Sustainably For One Month – Here’s How It Went
Household Favorites:
I’m still enthralled by the Breville Barista Express Machine. I’ve officially found the ideal settings for my daily cuppa. And, it’s much less cleaning than I originally thought. I’m in a good routine already.
Looking To The Week Ahead:
As we enter a new week, I encourage you to stop and reflect. You can write this down on a piece of paper, use these as discussion points with friends/family/loved ones, think about this independently, or with your therapist. I’m trying to get better at carving out intentional space each week. This is my reminder to pause and think about what worked, what didn’t, and to set intentions for the days ahead.
This Week’s Intention/Mantra/Encouragement:
“Never be so kind, you forget to be clever. Never be so clever, you forget to be kind. Never be so polite, you forget your power. Never wield such power, you forget to be polite.” – Marjorie, Taylor Swift
Challenge:
Do one thing this week that brings you joy.
Whether it be sitting outside in the sunshine for fifteen minutes after you wake up, going for ice cream on the way home from work, making a new recipe, signing up for a workout class, or something entirely different.
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