January was full of changes. February felt a little more stagnant, comfortable. Yet it was certainly eventful. I’m worried that I’m being busy without being efficient. This month I’ll be searching for that January energy and figuring out how to reallocate my time and what new changes I can be making to move myself forward.
I first stumbled upon Jacob Banks on Youtube — this video of him singing “Unknown (To You)” to be exact. I was captivated by the texture of his voice, the clear runs that fell off easily and perfectly, the resonance that made me feel as if the song was filling my whole body, yet still maintaining that gruff texture I loved, with a growl here and there to top it off. The melody was beautiful, slightly depressing — just the kind of music I like to listen to ;P The music plus the colour grading of the video and his aesthetic in general… I was reeled in hook, line, and sinker.
– I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. –
To be published by St. Martin’s Press on 12 Mar 2019
Goodreads | Amazon
Sam Horn is a woman on a mission about not waiting for SOMEDAY … and this is her manifesto. Her dad’s dream was to visit all the National Parks when he retired. He worked six to seven days a week for decades. A week into his long-delayed dream, he had a stroke. Sam doesn’t want that to happen to you. She took her business on the road for a Year by the Water. During her travels, she asked people, “Do you like your life? Your job? If so, why? If not, why not?”
The surprising insights about what makes people happy or unhappy, what they’re doing about it (or not), and why…will inspire you to carve out time for what truly matters now, not later.
Life is much too precious to postpone. It’s time to put yourself in your own story. The good news is, there are “hacks” you can do right now to make your life more of what you want it to be. And you don’t have to be selfish, quit your job, or win the lottery to do them. Sam Horn offers actionable, practical advice in short, snappy chapters to show you how to get started on your best life — now.
ONE // Settling into our new place
I dream about the day I’ll finally settle into my forever home and be able to live out my interior decor dreams. Currently I’m splitting rent for a two-bedroom apartment with my roomie, and although I’ve settled into my own room (mini tour here), the living room is furnished to the bare minimum and I don’t really have any inclination to take it further. After all, it’s only a rental and I’ll probably move out in a year or a few. But Carrie x Wish Wish Wish is doing such a good job with her rental. I love how she worked with the gorgeous period architecture of her apartment with a great mix and match of vintage and modern pieces. I’m also loving her getaway to Gstaad, a charming town with a perfect balance of wholesome, active activities and luxurious indulgences.
TWO // The bonus Harry Potter books reviewed
I started rereading the Harry Potter series for the first time October of last year. I finished the fifth book in January, am taking a pause this month to catch up with my library checkouts and egalley reviews, and am planning to pick up the sixth book next month. As I’ve been rereading the series for the first time, I’ve also been listening along with the Potterless podcast, in which the twenty-something host reads the series for the first time and makes commentaries chapter by chapter. My Harry Potter obsession has been rekindled and I’m all about Michelle x Daisybutter’s review on the bonus Harry Potter books she’s read. At the top of my list is Harry Potter: Film Wizardry. I’d love to flip through that one after I finish rereading the series, though it’s a film companion book complete with replicas of Harry Potter paraphernalia, so I don’t think it’s the kind of book you can find in a public library, which means I might have to storm a Barnes & Noble. And kinda unrelated but my friend Kat recently visited Harry Potter World in Orlando and came back with a chocolate frog for me!! I’m keeping the box for forever. The card in mine was Bertie Bott. I haven’t eaten the frog yet but I probably should eventually.
THREE // Bubble tea neighbourhood
Bubble tea + Chanel + Paris. If that isn’t goalz!!!! I’ve got the bubble tea part down pat. Still working on the rest (throwback to my two days in Paris in summer 2017). My style is probably more up the street of DIY raw hemming for jeans — for short people and thrifty. I actually have a pair of jeans I’ve been meaning to cut shorter. I bought it on sale off Abercrombie (all my jeans are from Abercrombie — so soft, good quality, great sales), but I got it in the regular length because they were out of short. I figured I could cut them short myself because they have raw hems anyway, but I haven’t found the courage to do it yet.
FOUR // Master list of low light indoor plants
This master list especially comes in handy in the winter. Now, will I actually go out to get a low light plant and attempt to keep it alive? Probably not. The fake plant and the air plant in my room are enough for me. (I have a feeling I’m slowly killing off the air plant, but I can’t even tell for sure.) But here’s the master list for those of you who are a little more motivated and a little less murderous than I am. And unrelated except for both relating to water in general, this article I stumbled upon about fancy water bottles as a 21st century status symbol was interesting. I can’t relate; I’ve been using my beloved Rubbermaid water bottle since the beginning of high school. For hot drinks I use my Yeti tumbler. What about you?
I’d love for you to plug a post you’ve written recently in the comments! Always looking for new reads (:
I’ve just spent the morning at the Philadelphia Museum of Art to see the Dior exhibit for the second time (here was the first time) and had a Philly cheesesteak from a shop recommended by my Lyft driver (Ishkabibble’s). I’ve strolled around the neighbourhood to walk it off, also hoping to stumble upon photographic scenes, and now I’m sat at Shot Tower Coffee, perking up with a cappuccino. Why don’t you grab yourself a little something and let’s have a chat!
The most common reason I see for why people who like the idea of bullet journaling don’t bullet journal is because they don’t have the time for it or they feel like they aren’t artistic enough. Even the beginner’s guides or suggestions for “simple” spreads out there seem more elaborate than necessary, so I don’t blame them. But bullet journaling doesn’t have to be time consuming or artistic. You’ve heard this before, but I’m here for the real lazy ones, or as I like to think of us as, the real efficient ones ٩(˃̶͈̀௰˂̶͈́)و