a brain dump, vol. 2

I'm here! I missed you!

collages in pinterest are so much fun.

Hi! This is my first time opening this app in about two weeks if that tells you anything about how things have been going over here - so. busy. And wow, I missed it!

1. A positive, I have a ton of reading to catch up on (which I am never mad about).

2. A negative, I feel so disconnected from my people here on substack.

I missed seeing what creative topics you all were talking about and was straight fomo-ing as I was getting notifications of new posts I didn’t have a spare moment to read.

I was recently having a conversation about substack and whole-heartedly said how my favorite part about this space is sharing and supporting others work. I love sharing your posts and spam-hearting everything you do. We’re all strangers but it doesn’t feel like it at all; it instead feels like I’m making genuine friends and connections every week. I’m in awe of your writing and interesting, caring, funny and inspiring content. I’d straight up hug some of you humans if I met you in person.

There have been a lot of posts on here digging into the differences between substack and other social media platforms (and I see that I missed an uproar about substack wanting to become youtube?? what is going on!). All I know is that I don’t feel guilty when I spend time here and I really do feel like I’m connecting with people I’d love vs. someone who is just pushing brand deals and highlight reels. I love connecting with your daily lives. I hope you’ve all had a wonderful last couple of weeks and I’m so happy to be carving out a few moments to catch up and say hi.

reading,

• expiration dates by rebecca serle - I liked it, but it didn’t compare to her other books in my opinion, I really wanted more from the ending.

• the last of the moon girls by barbara davis - This was a random download before an afternoon at the beach and I ended up loving it. Was such a unique storyline and a great mix of mystery and romance.

• funny story by emily henry - Just like everyone else, I dug into this right when it released and thought it was another winner by Emily Henry.

• this summer will be different by carley fortune - I just downloaded this but haven’t started yet. Her books are always great summer reads!

• A friend sent me this tiktok of 2024 summer reads, which I immediately saved.

• my addiction to cookbooks has continued as I’m dreaming up new recipes to try. I grabbed that sounds so good by carla lalli music, cooking in real life by lidey heuck, and the art of friday night dinner by eleanor steafel (which is my favorite so far, quoted below).

“There is a kind of secret glamour to an evening on the sofa, totally alone, with no one to please but yourself. I often find I shop in a way I never would Monday-Thursday. The end of the week seems to bring along with it an end to structure and sensible decision making.”

eating,

• Vecino - a new “modern mexican” restaurant and bar in Detroit’s Midtown neighborhood. The interior was beautiful and inspired by Mexico City. We loved the asada and mezcal tastings!

• Gilly’s - a new sports bar right in downtown Detroit is finally open to the public after a month+ of soft openings and private events. The interior is well done and it truly would be a great spot to watch a game, plenty of tv’s. We enjoyed the nachos (the smash burger was just ok).

• Grey Ghost - not new, but forever my favorite spot. Best burger in the city (yes I have a list) by a mile, but truly everything is so good.

• New recipes on my list to try - bang bang chicken skewers and this insane looking crispy smashed potato salad.

vecino’s vibe + THE burger

proud of,

I’ve prioritized seeing friends and family, survived a two-day leadership onsite followed by a 4-hour intense presentation by my team, helped throw my sister-in-law’s adorable baby shower, juggled other work commitments and dinners, made it to workout class 4-days a week, have tackled two house clean-up projects - cleaning and opening our screened porch + cleaning and refreshing our front porch, and more! She’s on fire!

a “cutie” theme is elite. + how gorgeous is she?!!

obsessing + recommending,

• I’ve always loved these anthropologie latte bowls and pulled the trigger on a set for myself when I saw that they were on sale. The bright colors make me smile.

• I caved and got my first pair of adidas samba’s in the new mesh style - they felt like a perfect summer shoe.

• These damn girl scout cookie bites. Stick them in the freezer and they are the perfect little treat. I snagged a bag at Costco and heard that once they sell out, they are done (but it looks like you can find them at Target or Walmart too?).

• Go to Trader Joe’s and fill your house with spring flowers (like tulips and ranunculus) while they are still around.

a new pop of color on our *very clean* front porch + Roo’s favorite spot is back.

traveling,

My next trip is a friend’s bachelorette in upstate New York - think mornings by the pool, strolling through the cutest town, and amazing farm to table dinners. It’s a different vibe than most bachelorette trips and I truly cannot wait. Get ready for some cute content.

I couldn’t be more excited for dinner at wildflower farms if I tried.

listening to,

• This is my go-to playlist when you want good, chill vibes (don’t let the title fool you, its a great song). I listen to it all of the time and it seems that it will continue to heavily influence my Spotify wrapped this year.

• This Armchair Expert podcast episode with Maya Rudolph had me smiling and laughing during my daily commute (a true feat!).

on my mind,

• I had to lease a new car and it was a hellish experience. I angrily read and resonated with this article from The Atlantic, Why Did Cars Get So Expensive?

• Dandi launches with $1.3M In Funding To Ease Stressful IVF Treatments - seems like an interesting and thoughtful new venture?

• Backdrops new wallpaper is fun and gorgeous.

• How cool is this tile that looks like wood?

• I’m still dreaming about a NYC trip, and this new-ish spot (new yorkers, you tell me) Gnocchi on 9th, is so dang cute and added to my list.

• I went down the deepest rabbit hole on this designer and their kitchen. The perfect mix of neutral and color, clean but cozy. But most importantly, the green doors to the backyard!

forever swooning over these green doors @clarenceandgraves

Moms, I hope you are so spoiled on Mothers Day and I’m sending my biggest hug to anyone who misses a mom tomorrow.

Hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend! & If you enjoyed this, subscribe and you’ll get my posts right on your Substack home feed or inbox. Here’s my last brain dump, if you want more.

a brain dump.

x, em
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