“If you feel pain, you are alive. If you feel other people’s pain, you are a human being.”
– leo tolstoy
what i'm reading
- Physical – Finished The Picture of Dorian Gray and can’t tell you how badly I hate that we missed seeing Sarah Snook in the Broadway adaptation earlier last year. Now starting Wuthering Heights. I, of course, know the story line and have read excerpts at different times of my life, but I’ve never read it cover to cover so I’m excited for this one.
- Ebook – In the romance department, I’m starting The Favorites. I’ve purposely held onto this one for Winter Olympic season. It’s promoted as a contemporary re-imagining of Wuthering Heights set in the toxic, high-stakes world of elite Olympic ice dancing. If that doesn’t peak your interest, I don’t know what will. People also relate it to Daisy Jones & The Six. I’m only a few chapters in and I can definitely see why.
- Audio – Michael reminded me about The Book of Joy this week when discussing the world and it’s workings and it’s been a great listen. One of those we love to have in hardback for the bookshelf too.
what I'm watching
- Ponies on Peacock. We watched this spy fiction series in what felt like one sick day sitting and it was excellent. Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson are great together and the wardrobe is a fun one. And the hair—chef’s kiss.
- Another more in the realm of British crime thriller is Steal starring Sophie Turner on Prime. We fell right into this one and both were locked into every twist and turn.
- Randomly started The Rip on Netflix one night thinking it wouldn’t be that good, but were we ever wrong. We both said it will probably end up being one of the best movies we watch this year.
- To break from a life of spy and crime, I turned on Serendipity and fell in love with it all over again. Michael wasn’t all in at first, but by the end I saw the buy in. And now I’m itching to re-watch Pearl Harbor.
what I'm listening to
This playlist, always. Best on shuffle.
what I'm making
- These fluffy whole wheat waffles are our weekend go-to and discovered they’re especially good on a sick day.
what I'm wearing
Honestly didn’t wear much more than sweat/sweater sets this past week, so here are my go-tos:
- This GAP cable-knit set. This Amazon version is eerily similar.
- The classic Lululemon joggers and full zip.
- This classic GAP sweat set. Size up.
- Also a bit obsessed with pointelle sets right now.
what I'm shopping
- Made my first Julia Amory purchases while on my sickbed. I’ve been curious and pinning items from this brand for a while now, so their current sale was a great time to strike. I started with this black button-up and this white peplum top. Both great for work or casual. I love a closet full of year round classics, so I’m excited to try these. Also have my eye on the Tippi top.
- 2026 is the year of brows and hair, so I fell down an absolute beauty rabbit hole last week and ended up ordering this brow shampoo after impressive reviews.
- Restocking on essential undergarments. This bra and this bra have been some of my favorite finds this past year.
what I'm doing
- Scheduling all my yearly check ups and blood work
- Nailing down this year’s travel schedule
ready for more?
Find this week’s full Substack Love Note here!