Souvenirs #2

Finds to take with you

A minor programming note: I’m combining the Well Read links column into Souvenirs, to feature a longer (funner!) list of things to read, music to listen to, videos to watch, and things I’ve bought or am eyeing. Less bloat in your Inbox, with a treat that (hopefully!) really hits. With that, here’s the second edition of Souvenirs. Enjoy!

(PS—Any and all affiliate links are all marked with an *)

Reading:

1 / This incredible feature from T on how to live a creative life, and “artistic beginnings in all their forms.” It’s massive, beautifully coded (and fun to look through!), and you can jump in anywhere and get inspired.

2 / “Writer sent on a cruise” is its own genre at this point, but Gary Shteyngart’s addition in The Atlantic had me howling. If this is the last set of words you read on the topic (which he makes a case for, too), let those be his.

3 / Why does time speed up as you age? Because (surprise!) you’re in your own head.

4 / If you’re a writer—or a creative making anything of any sort—read this. I bookmarked to return to again and again.

5 / As a Millennial who was in high school when Ten Things I Hate About You came out, I loved this profile on the lovely Julia Stiles.

6 / This poem, which I came across by chance and have read several times this week.

7 / All types of things about Taylor Swift and Tortured Poets and the lore and the gossip and the music. It was a rabbit hole, what can I say? If you fell down it with me, link your favorite from the week in the comments.

The Book Blurb

Recently finished Expiration Dates*. Easy, snackable, fine. Re-read The Idea of You* in anticipation of the Anne Hathaway/Nicholas Galitzine movie streaming on Prime next month (and on that note, please read my friend

Becca Freeman

’s important investigation as to whether Harry Styles is aware of this book.) Gotta tell you guys: I enjoy the cultural relevance of this work but in two reads over however many years, I’m sort of meh on the book as a whole? (Don’t @ me.) And, Wandering Stars*, which was so meaty and compelling but I couldn’t finish before the library made me bring it back because everyone has it on their hold list. Will get another copy and finish the back half. From what I did read: highly recommend, though if you want/need a light read, this ain’t it.

Shopping

1 / Finally climbed onto the wide leg jean bandwagon and my oh my have these “sailor” jeans from Everlane* delivered. Compliment city. I’m also really enjoying their cotton pants, like these* (in bone) and these* (in navy).

2 / Bought this Crown Affair hair towel* and yes, okay, it may have changed my life. Me: long(ish) hair, wavy, unruly, takes forever to air dry. This: Corrals every last strand and makes it far easier to style!

3 / Our local grocery had been out of my beloved Rishi Jasmine tea for ages, so I went right to the source and bought a bunch online. Will do this forevermore! If you are a jasmine tea lover, let me save you the trouble: Rishi’s is the best widely available jasmine tea on the market. The “standard” jasmine tea can be bought in 50-packs, and is somehow tastier than what I buy in the stores. (A friend’s theory: it’s fresher.) Also picked up some jasmine pearls.

4 / Awesome NA spirit alert: CaliAmaro. All the bitter, citrusy complexity of an amaro, zero proof. So good with club soda and lots of lime. Sold out on their site but available at a few other retailers if you Google.

5 / Vintage vases on Etsy. Was recently looking for footed milk glass vases and had great success with this search term*.

6 / An incredibly weird rec but if you need ‘em, you get it: sticky fly traps for the garden*. These took out an annoying colony of fungus gnats real quick.

7 / Not purchased, but I’m eyeing: sandals from AMAMBAIH, discovered via a perfectly targeted ad (currently in stock at Anthro*). In my daydreams I’m wearing them on a trip to Italy.

Listening, Watching

1 / It’s not super new, but as temps warm up, here’s a great album for warm weather and weekends (even better when the two are combined). The way I explained Goth Babe and Lola to a friend over text: Imagine a dude who travels around the west coast in a van, writing music. His melodies riff on one another and each feels similar to the next, but it makes for GREAT weekend listening/afternoon wine drinking music. You don’t have to think about it—the vibe is sunshine and chill.

2 / Thanks to this NYT article, was very happy to put Khruangbin radio on the last few weeks. A very cool look into a very unique band.

3 / Re-listening to old Odesza, because I snagged tickets for their June concert at The Greek in Berkeley!

4 / Via a (fantastic!) comment section on

Maybe Baby

, I discovered The Swiftologist on YouTube. Watched before the release of Tortured Poets, this video on Taylor’s relationship to fame and anxiety, and this semi-omniscient breakdown of the Matty Healy affair made my head spin once the album debuted last week. This? This was the entry point to the rabbit hole. Whew.

5 / The series finale of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Pret-tay, pret-tay good!

6 / Considering re-watching season one of House of the Dragon before season two hits this summer. Also (re)considering whether I care about anything Game of Thrones related anymore?

Wishing you a great weekend ahead (the last of April, can you even?)

Image by Hari Nandakumar via Unsplash