Hi everyone! This is the first “what I’ve been loving lately” list of the year, and I’m so excited to share the things that have been part of my life recently.
I go over different types of media—including music, YouTube channels, books, and TV shows—along with makeup and little things that have been making me happy.
Hope you enjoy :)
media
music
Music is always a part of my everyday life, and I’m sure it’s the same for you! It can really boost my mood and make me feel like I’m on top of the world.
Lately, my music rotation has been inspired by the Love Story soundtrack—so lots of ’90s classics. I’ve been obsessed with these two songs, as well as the entire soundtrack.
“Tree Among Shrubs” is one of my favorite songs in the world. It has a really indie, relaxing vibe, and it makes me think back to when I first moved into my own apartment.
“Supersad” by Suki Waterhouse is a new find—I first heard it at a café and instantly added it to my liked songs. It’s a fun, upbeat track.
Speaking of upbeat songs, if you watched the Winter Olympics—specifically figure skating—you’ll probably remember the iconic music choice for Alysa Liu’s free skate program. She chose Donna Summer’s “MacArthur Park Suite,” and it’s perfection. I’ve actually been listening to this song at the gym, and it makes my workouts go by faster and feel more fun.
youtube
Something else that’s part of my daily life is YouTube. I love long-form content, and it can be challenging to find new YouTubers or creators who still upload it, especially with the popularity and time efficiency of short-form content.
I’ve been enjoying these four YouTubers—while their content is very different from one another, they’re all still really fun to watch.
Mimi Mythen: I’ve been following Mimi for a couple of years now, ever since one of her videos popped up on my FYP on TikTok, where she talked about the things she carries in her bag. Her content was—and still is—so incredibly helpful to me, as she shares her experiences living with POTS, which is something I also have. Her YouTube channel focuses on her transitioning from being a mortician to a content creator, day-to-day life, travel vlogs, and style videos, which are all really enjoyable.
Kelly Kim: Kelly has been one of my favorite YouTubers since I was in high school, and I think I’m even more obsessed with her current content. She’s a model living in Los Angeles, and I find it so interesting to see what her job entails, as well as her life in L.A. I also really enjoy her style and makeup videos, as I often pull inspiration from her looks.
Natalie Taylor: I have a lot of respect for dancers, especially ballet dancers. They’re true athletes who pour so much time and effort into their craft. That’s why I love watching creators like Natalie who show the real life of a ballet dancer. In every video of hers, I’m always learning something new about the ballet world, and it makes me appreciate it even more. Natalie shares behind-the-scenes glimpses of performances and classes, what she wears, the audition process, and the highs and lows of being a professional ballerina. And before I forget—fund the arts!!
Cecilia Blomdahl: Another YouTuber I’ve been watching for years is Cecilia Blomdahl. She lives on the island of Svalbard, near the North Pole—it’s actually one of the northernmost places on the planet where people live! Cecilia shares her daily life there, from staying in her cabin and going into town for groceries to traveling across the island by snowmobile and showing local customs. It’s so fascinating to see what life is like there, especially as she shows what it’s like to experience months of complete darkness and continuous sunlight. I find her videos really relaxing so I often include them in my nighttime routine to unwind.
books
I’m going to keep this one short, as I’ll be uploading a book review post next week going over the books I’ve read so far this year. However, I do want to share one book I’ve enjoyed lately. Heather Fawcett came out with her newest book in February, Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter.
I loved her Emily Wilde series, and with this book, she’s captured that same sense of whimsical magic all over again. If you’re looking for something light, warm, and fun to read, I really suggest picking it up. Also, who doesn’t love magic and cats?!
tv shows
I think I’ve been watching more TV shows recently than ever before—there are just so many good ones!
I watched The Madison, and it was incredible. The story was heart-wrenching yet hopeful at the same time. The show explores grief, the complex process of healing, and family. Taylor Sheridan, who created Yellowstone, is also the creator and writer of this show. It’s very different from his other work, but it’s beautifully done.
Like I said at the beginning of this post, I’ve been obsessed with Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. When the news first broke that they were filming this series, I had low expectations based on the initial photos they released. However, the show turned out to be incredibly well done. They really nailed the portrayal of the characters, the styling, and the vibe of 90s New York City. It made me wish I were living in that era working at Calvin Klein.
I feel like everyone is watching The Pitt, and it’s clear why—it’s a well-written and well-directed show. The ensemble cast is amazing to watch. I especially enjoy how realistic the medical aspects feel—it really transports you into the chaos of an ER.
I finished Severance quite a bit ago, and I still think about it. It’s been a long time since I’ve watched a show that stayed with me like that. The characters, story, music, and plot twists are all so well done. If you’re looking for something mind-bending, I definitely recommend giving it a try. It really hooks you from the beginning!
makeup
While my makeup routine has stayed mostly the same for years, I’ve recently started using a mix of old and new products. I’ve found that these products have been a game changer for how my makeup looks.
MAC Cosmetics Fix Studio Powder Plus Foundation: This product has been around my whole life, as it’s my mom’s number-one makeup product. It was actually one of the first makeup items I ever owned. I mainly use it as a setting powder after applying my Merit Complexion Stick (a mix of concealer and foundation.) It leaves my skin looking really smooth, almost like a filter. Sadly, MAC recently reformulated the product. I’m still using the old formula, so I really hope the new one lives up to it.
Glossier Cloud Paint in Storm: Glossier was a brand I was obsessed with back in 2017. I really identified with it, as my makeup has always leaned toward a more natural look, which is exactly what the brand strives for. I used to own a Cloud Paint blush and I always liked the liquid consistency as it was really easy to blend into the skin. I think I’ve finally found the perfect blush for my complexion, and the Storm shade is perfect. It’s a deeper pink—the Glossier website describes it as warm rose—and it’s just the right shade for me.
Merit Signature Lipstick in Slip: Merit is another makeup brand I’ve really loved. I like to think of Merit as the “older sister” of Glossier—still minimal makeup, but more luxurious. Their signature lipsticks are smooth and hydrating which I’m a huge fan of. I usually pair it with a lip liner, using Slip as a finishing touch. On my complexion and natural lip color, it comes off as a light brown-neutral shade making it perfect for an everyday lipstick.
little things
Anyone who knows me knows that I don’t play around when it comes to breakfast—it’s my favorite meal of the day! During the week, I usually have a smoothie bowl. It’s so refreshing in the morning and really sets me up for a good day. I add bananas, strawberries, blueberries, milk, and orange juice, then top it with granola and natural peanut butter. It’s delicious, and I’m able to get a good balance of protein, carbs, vitamins, and fiber.
Speaking of the gym, I’ve been really enjoying my workout split. My boyfriend recently completed his personal training certification (so exciting!!), and he’s been creating a workout routine for me. I’m already seeing faster results than I ever have before. I do want to make a full post about my gym routine and share all my thoughts and experiences soon.
Okay…this might be the nichest thing I’ve ever posted here, but The Weather Channel made a retro forecast website. It shows your local forecast with 80s-inspired music and graphics. I find it such a fun way to check the weather in the morning! I also hope that more brands and companies bring back their old, nostalgic products
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What're some thing that you’ve been loving at the moment? I’d love to know!
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