The 📖📺🎧🔪🛍️ List

Tomato soup, a red leather watch band, a new coatigan, and other cozy things

Would you non-Texans believe me if I told you it’s currently 63º and I’m sitting here with my windows cracked open? Follow-up question: Would you also believe me if I told you we’ll be back into the 90s next week?

Why do I live here.

Anyway, HAPPY FRIDAY! I hope everyone had a solid week. At the beginning of the week, I sent out this piece about dating divorced men, so check it out if you missed it.

Also, I’m still running an offer to sign up for a year-long subscription for just $40. Not $40 a month — $40 a year. To drive the point home, I’ve sent 98 letters this year, meaning each letter itself is .40¢. Something to think about.

All right, let’s talk about what I’ve been doing the last few weeks!

Nobody Wants This

So. We watched. We finished. I have thoughts.

I loved the first four episodes, but the last four lost me. I felt all the things the first four — the chemistry, the connection, the funny, the heartfelt. But something happened after that camp episode that left a weird taste in my mouth, and I was never able to recover. I feel insane because I know it’s like the most beloved show of all time in a while, but I’m just speaking my truth. I didn’t love K.Bell’s character (does that mean I wouldn’t like Erin Foster?), and I started off being very jealous of Rabbi Noah’s affections, but ended up looking at him as more of a Beta than a Sigma, if you pick up what I’m putting down. All in all, I’d give it 9 out of 10 stars for episodes 1-4, and 5/6 out of 10 for the last four. Maybe I’ll like season two more. Who knows.

Face Off: Inside the NHL

Zac is a soccer boy first, a hockey boy second, and all other sports after that. He loves him some hockey, so it was only a matter of time before we watched this docuseries about this year’s playoff games. Back in high school, I had crushes on several hockey players, so I get it. However, my resolve from that time period was that holy shit, hockey players are craaaaaaaaaazy. They are some angry ass men, lemme tell ya. Very intense. Very ragey. Anyway! This docuseries is good. I enjoy watching it with Z and learning about the top players and their lives. I’m always enraptured by the dedication professional athletes have. I’ve never been that disciplined about anything, except like… my morning coffee? Also, it’s fun to know a bit of what’s going on when your husband watches sports constantly and be able to identify key players.

Shrinking

Season two premiered this week and the first two episodes were perfect television. The writing on this show is just… 🤌 Well, the writing, the acting, the directing. It’s all just so solid. I’m loving the storylines they’re starting out with, and there were several LOL moments for me. Also, I’m obsessed with Liz’s wardrobe. She has the best outfits. In fact, I was obsessing over the green cardigan with little red heart she had on, and it turns out, a girl I went to college with follows me on IG and is the assistant wardrobe designer for the show?!!!? She told me the cardigan is by Clare V., but after some serious Googling, I realized it was last season and no longer sold. I found a few on Poshmark, but they were sold, too. Sigh. Anyway… love this fucking show.

Slow Horses

Man, we started this show earlier this year and totally forgot about it but we’re back on it. It’s so damn good, and I love that the main guy (River Cartwright) is married to Saoirse Ronan IRL. I think we’re only on season two, and they’re four total so we’re a bit behind but we’ll get there… especially with a newborn.

My two podcast worlds collided this week with Mary Beth Barone joining Caleb Hearon on his podcast, So True. It was such a delightful, funny, but also serious conversation, and I didn’t want it to end!

Zac introduced me to this instrumental band the other week, La Lom. It stands for Los Angeles League of Musicians, and it’s all very vibey, jazzy, latin instrumentals. It’s perfect to put on as background noise when you’re cooking, working, or just chilling. I love La Lom.

I sent out the recipe in Monday’s free letter, but it deserves a second shoutout. This Apple Crisp recipe is the best thing I’ve ever made. In fact, I’m going to make it again this weekend because Zac is demanding it. It’s so easy and tastes like a hug from God herself. P.S. Honeycrisp apples or bust. 🍎

I’ve sent this recipe out before, but it begs repeating: One Pot Creamy Turkey Rigatoni. I made it this week and was reminded of how delicious it is! 🍝

If you want a lighter Caesar salad to make at home, this is my tried and true recipe and it tastes even better when you throw in some homemade croutons (which couldn’t be easier to make).🥗

And speaking of homemade croutons, this creamy tomato basil soup is EVERYTHING. OMG — I made it last night, Zac handled the grilled cheeses, and we feasted. So damn good and so damn easy (of course. I don’t fuck with complicated recipes). 🥣

I upgraded my Apple watch game with this red leather band from Quince and LOVE IT.

I’m in a sparkly mood lately, so I got these CZ studs from Amazon to wear daily instead of tiny gold hoops, and I’m into it.

If you’re pregnant or know someone who is, this belly band is life changing. I waited until very late in the game to get one, but better late than never. It literally defies gravity and makes me feel like a normal human again.

The stretch marks on my hips are intense. Finally got a bottle of Bio-Oil to combat them, and I love the smell so much. I want to rub it all over my body. It’s not just for stretch marks – it helps scars, uneven skin tone, and aging/dehydrated skin.

I treated myself to this coatigan from Anthro because it fits now and will fit PP, too. I got the taupe! It’s so cozy but also elegant and I can dress it up or down (although, let’s be real — I’ll mostly be wearing it around the house over a nursing bra and panties for the next few months). It’s also on sale right now!

Lastly, I couldn’t help but throw this maternity dress in my cart yesterday at Target. I’m two weeks out from having this baby, but I just… needed it. Also, it’s going to come in so clutch postpartum what with the easy boob access for baby! I got the pretty sage green but it also comes in black, and I might need that one, too…

Now go have a great weekend, and we’ll talk next week.

– EGM