etc. | the list Volume VI

June gave me grey skies, sciatica issues, and subpar television but somehow I still FINISHED THE FIRST DRAFT OF MY NOVEL (!!!), a bucket list project I’ve wanted to complete for years (we’re talking first grade). It’s been an epic experience… and now I just need a publisher (holler if you know of any—seriously, though…).

Here are the things I’m reading, watching, wearing, and doing when I’m not spiraling (although, to be fair, many of the items on this list made it here because of a spiral).

Watchlist:

My Mom Jayne on Max – Absolutely loved this documentary by Mariska Hargitay about her mom, 1950s actress and sex symbol Jayne Mansfield. It’s got family secrets, heart, and ultimately redemption. Highly recommend.

Waterfront on Netflix – Highly entertaining and utterly bingeable. Created by Kevin Williamson of Dawson’s Creek fame, this family drama is like a soap opera meets Bloodline and Ozark.

The Survivors on Netflix – I’m shocked that more people aren’t talking about this Australian true crime miniseries. It’s definitely worth the watch.

The Bold Type on Hulu – I didn’t watch this when it first premiered in 2017, but binged all five seasons last year and already want to do it again. Such a cute show about friendship, first jobs, loves, and heartbreaks, living in NYC, and fashion. Think Gossip Girl without the scheming. Also an early Meghann Fahy role.

Beauty and Style:

this dress is fun

Bought this chic polka dot dress after my dear friend Juliet wore it in some swanky European city. Couldn’t believe it’s under $100.

The perfect white tee doesn’t ex— just kidding, I found it in this LNA scoop neck. Floaty, thin, slightly see-through, hitting all the right parts. I wear it on repeat.

These low-rise, wide-leg a+o jeans are my go-to for summer nights out. They’re light and sexy and perfectly perk the butt. They’re also obscenely long so you can wear your highest heel and add some serious length to your legs.

I’m obsessed with this red light décolletage mask (tech neck, no thanks). I notice such a glow after using it, and my skin is absurdly soft.

This vitamin C is giving collagen synthesis. This is the only L-ascorbic acid vit C I can use that doesn’t irritate my skin (otherwise I use the weaker form of vit C which sadly doesn’t stimulate collagen). It has minimal ingredients and maximum antioxidant levels. The glow-up is real.

I love an eye mask, and this one by Clearstem gives me moisture without breakouts. I’ve been using them twice a week, usually before a dinner, and I see such a difference in my hydration and glow, and the way my concealer doesn’t cake under my eyes.

sexy sauna vibes

Reads and Listens:

Malibu Rising by the same author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo (loved) is my current beach read. It’s a fun and effortless story set in Malibu circa the early eighties (a welcome distraction considering the current state of the world).

I sent this article to my group chats and we were quoting it for days. Also the title is chef’s kiss: Soft Girls in Fascist Times. So worth the read.

I just discovered Good Hang, Amy Poehler’s new podcast, and it’s putting me in a great mood. She’s such a natural—and funny—interviewer. The Tina Fey episode had me laughing so hard I almost cried. Literal LOL. Katherine Hahn and Dakota Johnson are close runner-ups and definitely worth the listen.

Shoe Dog is in my top five favorite audiobooks… I love a good biography, and the story of Phil Knight and the genesis of Nike is incredible. No notes. I still think about it often.

Randoms:

I’ve been really into nervous system regulation lately, and this device emits vibrations that are supposed to stimulate the vagus nerve. It syncs with an app on your phone that lets you choose different “vibes”—from energy to unwind.

I’ve been storing berries wrong (and you likely have too). This gadget gives me crunchier fruit that actually lasts, and I’ve sent it to at least a dozen friends. The elevated basket lets water pool underneath instead of making everything mushy, and there’s a vent for airflow. Genius.

I’m a little late to the infrared sauna game. I use this dome one from Heat Healer, and I’m obsessed. I’ve never been a sauna enthusiast because I hated what the heat did to my face (melasma), but the dome gives me all the benefits (plus red light and PEMF), without ever having my face inside. Yes, it’s an investment (well, well worth it IMO), but if you want to start with baby steps, I LOVE their belt too. It’s helped relieve my aches and pains, and every single one of my friends who comes over always asks to use it.

I went into depth about my current supp stack (read here if you’re interested), but these gummies are worth repeating, especially if you struggle with sleep. I take two and my entire body relaxes, allowing me to fall asleep before eleven (which is quite a feat for me).

These organic fruit snacks by Solely hit the sweet tooth spot. Just fruit, nothing else. I’m a sucker for the mango fruit jerky and the fruit gummies (that seriously rival gummy bears and processed sugar crap)

fruit jerky and gummies, oh my