Things I loved in January

It’s been a minute! I didn’t forget about this, I swear. I’m actually working on a longer piece that involves a lot of art-making, and it’s inevitably been taking me a long time.
I simply failed to realize that I can work on more than one post at a time.

You know the “monthly favorites” videos on Youtube? I love those. I feel like they’re a peek into someones life, and sure, they can be easy ad placements, but sometimes it’s fun to just suspend your disbelief for a few minutes. Alas, I am not a Youtuber. But I can pretend to be a 2010 blogger for a day. Humor me.

My Husband by Maud Ventura
This was such a fun read! It’s like if every crazy thought you’ve ever had about your partner was completely blown out of proportion and ruminated on for days. I loved the ending too – twisted!

Who Will Run the Frog Hospital? by Lorrie Moore
I admit I picked this one up just because I loved the silly title. But I actually really enjoyed this coming-of-age story. I think Lorrie captured the feeling of reminiscing on being a teenager really well, and the sadness that comes with losing touch with old friends and old versions of yourself.

Sweet ‘17 Singles by Twin Peaks
I’ve been relistening to this album a lot as I work or cook dinner. It’s just got a relaxing, dreamy sound that makes it perfect to multitask to.

Sick Trick by film studies
Gotta plug my friend Tom’s new single, which I also happened to design the cover art for. Incidentally, it’s a banger.

Hats by The Blue Nile
This album makes me want to stand outside on a cold winter night and smoke a cig under a streetlight, and I don’t even smoke, or like winter all that much. Taylor Swift mentions that Matty Healy sent her The Downtown Lights in her song Guilty As Sin. To be honest, if someone sent me that song I’d also absolutely lose my mind.

Emotionally Online by Maddie Dragsbaek (Podcast)
I just love Maddie’s takes on life, love, being creative, etc.

Conclave
The dramaaaaa! This was like the Real Housewives of Vatican City and I was TUNED IN. Stressed out men in gorgeous robes, gossiping about one another in a beautiful setting. The ending literally made my jaw drop. Ralph Fiennes was phenomenal but Isabella Rossellini as Sister Agnes stole the show for me. Amen.

Severance
Obviously I’m watching the long awaited season 2 and I’m stressed about how they can possibly pull in all the rope they’ve thrown out. All that aside, the fashion this season is incredible. Mr. Milchick’s snowsuit in the ORTBO episode??? That man knows how to dress! And I just know Ms. Huang is on the Sandy Liang PR list. Good for her!

LL Bean Red Barn Jacket
I got this on ebay for $35. Mint condition, thermal lined, brown corduroy detailing. It’s probably going to be passed down to my grandchildren as a family heirloom.

Virginal by Amphora Parfum
Well I’m not technically wearing this because I don’t own it (yet), but I got to smell this perfume in Stéle last week and have been thinking about it ever since. It smelt like waking up in a bed by the ocean, maybe you left the windows open overnight. And there were also flowers drying up in a vase, with a bowl of berries you didn’t finish eating.

I’ve got two Eric Kim NYT cookie recipes that I loved. His Lemon-Turmeric Crinkle Cookies are like little cakes and a perfect light-sweet. The Gochujang Caramel Cookies were also a big hit too and reminded me of a snickerdoodle with a bit more heat. I’m not that great of a baker (I don’t like to follow directions) but these were both pretty easy and didn’t involve a lot of chilling time.

And that’s that! It was actually really fun to go back and think about all that I’ve enjoyed these past few weeks. Maybe I’ll do these more often.

Thanks for letting me indulge.

Until next time,
Juliana