brain dump vol. 5
catching up + this weeks thoughts & favorites.
Happy October! I’m in my ‘I don’t know how, but I will” era this fall. The girlies are focused on their winter arc and 75 hotter, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t motivated. I’m carving out the time to do the things that make me feel like I’m taking a step forward. I’m responsible for what happens next, what chapter is next. I want to be creative and full of energy (even as the days are getting darker and the weather is getting colder). I want to spend time with my favorite people and hug them tight. I want to be a glimmer of positivity for others. I want to feel good, fulfilled, and excited, even on the bad days.
I hope you’re feeling the same as me, 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. Thanks for spending a moment with me!
reading,
long island compromise by taffy brodesser-akner: Looking at the reviews, it seems like readers either loved this book or despised it. I unfortunately was closer to the later and didn’t love this one, it didn’t suck me in.
listen for the lie by amy tintera: I read this book sooo quickly - there really is nothing like being engrossed in a good book! The story was entertaining, the writing was witty (I actually chuckled at some lines), I didn’t expect the ending. A really good one too add to your fall reading list.
the wedding people by alison espach: I read the description for this book and was like ‘awesome, sounds good!’ then started it and was like hm, this is a downer. Once you get a few chapters through, prepare to be hooked. I ended up loving it and the journey the character went through, so many highlight worthy lines (even if it was predictable in moments).
- of and of are my favorite Substacks to dive into lately 🫶
on deck,
the night we lost him by laura dave: I almost started this instead of the wedding people, anyone read and like it?
the life impossible by matt haig: I loved the midnight library by him, and although this sounds quite different I’m definitely intrigued. A bit hit or miss in the reviews, but you can’t always trust those.
“Becoming who you want to be is just like anything else. It takes practice. It requires belief that one day, you’ll wake up and be a natural at it.”
eating,
coriander kitchen: tucked away on a canal on Detroit’s east side, we spent a warm Sunday on their patio and it was truly 10/10. The food and ambiance are top notch! Highly suggest going before it gets too cold so you can sit outside.
collect beer bar: breaking in their new location, collect is one of our favorite spots. Super family and dog friendly, again you should check it out while you can still sit in the sun on their patio. That neighborhood truly is evolving daily and it’s so exciting. They also have gatorade on tap, how funny.
bird creek farms (Port Austin, MI): we spent a great weekend in Port Austin celebrating one of our best friends weddings, and we were lucky enough to hang at bird creek farms for their welcome party. A farm to table vibe, the food and drinks were so good and it’s one of the top spots if you find yourself up in Michigan’s thumb.
buck & rider (Scottsdale, AZ): my best friend took us here as she showed us her new city and this was one of our favorite meals. Mainly seafood, which I love, and the interior was super cute.
cilantro lime chicken bowls: I’ve meal-prepped this for mm two weeks in a row? Grilling the chicken thighs makes them so good, and we add a bunch of additional toppings into the mix (like salsa, lettuce, cotija cheese, truly whatever your heart desires). I need to find something else to make for lunch next week, but how will I top this?
burger bowls: one of my friends suggested this recipe and I made it for dinner last week - we love an easy weeknight meal. It is light on carbs and again, all of the different topping options add some yummy flavors.
green goddess pasta: I made this a few weeks ago on a night when I was craving something warm and cozy and it was really good (I added some pistachios instead of walnuts to the sauce). I also saved this baked cherry pasta to try next.
proud of,
I had a really busy few weeks, but I’ve been prioritizing my time and energy prettyyy well if I do say so myself. I’m on a very stressful project at work and am growing my team, which is both like holy-moly-i’m-so-stressed / not-enough-time-in-the-day and I’m so grateful for the opportunities and growth. It’s pretty cool to still be learning and feel pushed after being a designer for so many years.
I’ve been meal prepping my lunches and focusing on quick, healthy meals for dinner. I’ve been (trying) to prioritize my workouts but not be so hard on myself when I actually just need some extra sleep. I’ve been remembering a piece of advice that was given to me, to pour into those who pour into you. It’s nesting season in the midwest as fall is upon us so I’m soaking in the sunshine when we see it. I’m consistently reminding myself how freaking lucky I am, hugging my people and trying to brighten their days. I can tell I’m in my feels lately because I’m saving (and loving) tiktoks like these, but it’s so true.
obsessing + recommending,
Middle school me is thrilled as I put these clogs in my cart. Always picking a color, never something neutral, I am who I am.
I had a two of my best friends weddings and was determined to add some fun to my generally minimal makeup routine. I have brown eyes, so I got this chanel eyeshadow/eyeliner in rouge noir and this victoria beckham liner in bordeaux. Both definitely add a lil’ something and beautiful formulas.
On a recent sephora stop, I grabbed the dr. jart brightamin eye serum stick and although I loved the consistency (it was so easy! like a eye chapstick) I rate it a 0/10. It did nothing but sting and burn and after looking at reviews it appears that I am not alone. I traded it in for sunday riley’s auto correct cream and already love this choice. I also just got the embryolisse lait-crème concentré after being influenced (thx caroline!) and am excited to try it.
I snagged this varley belt bag recently, as I needed something easy and casual for 90% of my life when I’m running to trader joes or grabbing coffee in my workout clothes. I felt so funny carrying my nice suede tote in these moments, like I was wearing completely different vibes.
I have these silk pants from target in my cart that are giving donni dupe. I have a donni pair so I’m excited to see how these compare - the brown and navy colors would be easy to style this fall.
I have and love the apple airpod max’s (one of my favorite purchases ever) and was eyeing new silicone covers - I currently have yellow on and need to transition to a fall/winter vibe. Help me decide!
I saw
from post this eliou arla wrap on her stories and although I probably won’t splurge on it, I absolutely love it.
traveling,
I’ve been so lucky to be on the go recently visiting and celebrating friends. From northern Michigan, to Arizona, to California, its been so much fun. We spent a day in Sedona when I was in AZ - hiking, a stop at the spa, exploring the town - and its officially on my list to go back to one day (The Enchantment in Sedona looks stunning). In CA, we were in Los Olivos which was the most beautiful wine country and was also quickly added to the ‘travel back here’ list. We learned that Carhartt has a winery there which is so random, a little Detroit in CA. Our airbnb was gorgeous and as I had coffee on the back porch one morning, I wondered how this could possibly be someones rental property (and why I live in Michigan). Some quick girls trips with people I love the most.
listening to,
We saw fred again when he stopped through Detroit and I was blown away at how talented he is. It was one of the funnest shows and best performances I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been to a lot of shows. I also was mildly concerned that he was going to have a heart attack with how hard he was going, but he made it.
I listened to this on my walk today because I love
interior style (and her substack). My only complaint was it was too short!Armchair expert always has the best guests, and Vince Vaun was no exception. He is so damn funny.
I need some new podcast rec’s to add into the rotation, what are y’all listening to these days?
on my mind,
I’ve been researching smart rings - I love that I can wear it all of the time and get more interesting data like sleep, stress, cycle tracking etc. vs my apple watch. Also I’m kind of sick of the notifications on my apple watch - I know I can technically turn them off, but then like what’s the point besides workout tracking? I’ve gone down the rabbit hole of the oura ring vs. ultra human ring and am still sitting in the undecided camp. Having to pay for multiple monthly subscriptions for the oura ring is an ick, but so many people use and love it. The ultra human ring seems a bit more tailored to athletes vs. us normal peeps, but is trying to grab the oura ring audience and has all of the same features for free. As a designer, the app UI is important to me too. Ring wearers, tell me your thoughts please!
Is banana republic making a come back?
has me eyeing the crop flare everywhere pant, they look comfortable and perfect for work, this statement belt and chunky cuff are cute. Maybe I’d splurge on this red wool fringed scarf come winter, I love the pop of color.My hair is the darkest it’s ever been, my natural color actually, and growing like a weed (crazy what happens when you don’t bleach it!). I have a hair appointment coming up and am thinking I want to add a bit of lightness back in like this, and am also pondering chopping it off again. We’ll see!
I’m dreaming of some home projects and tackling an interior design somethin’. Some saved inspiration: this kitchen is both sleek and so cozy, these butter yellow cabinets are a dream, and I love this house full of color and details (especially the checkered bathroom!).
This instagram keeps popping up on my feed and I just love Jennifer’s writing.
I might have to do a full post with just beautiful photos I’ve taken recently. Four of my favorites below.
One thing i’m going to get done this week is:
Tackle some long overdue yard work, I think it’s time.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend and have a wonderful week ahead! 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.
You have me wanting to return to Sedona! When I lived in Arizona, I'd go often but haven't been back in years + it is such a magical, special place. ❤️
Love this round-up/recap! Feeling that first paragraph and hoping that energy stays with me in the coming months. Cozy creative energy, yes please.