Reading · ✨ You are Magic! ✨

A couple of weeks ago, I went to New York City for a week to attend a writer’s retreat (Bingeworthy Live with Laura Belgray) and then hang out with the kids for a few days.

Beforehand, I got all worked up, like I always do, thinking I didn’t actually want to go. I panicked about what to wear and then I chopped off all of my hair the day before and couldn’t figure out how to style it, I was pretty sure everyone would see through the Writer Facade and chase me around shouting, “Shame! Shame!” as they’re wont to do at writer conferences. 🙄

And then I went and, of course, IT WAS AMAZING.

I met the loveliest people, and pushed myself as a writer, and my hair was a total mess, but it didn’t stop me from having the kind of time where you can’t stop telling everyone: Go and meet people in real life!

Have in person experiences! Take your kids to meet your friends’ kids so they can run around together and be fake cousins! Hug the people you’ve only met on Zoom! Read your work in person, even though it makes you feel like you want to die! See your besties in the flesh and remember how lucky you are!

GO AND MEET PEOPLE IN REAL LIFE, K?!?!

Soapbox done (for the moment). 😂

I realized two things while getting packed. Everything I wanted to take / felt cool enough for NYC was vintage or a special occasion buy (my husband at Christmas, for example).

Something to remember next time I find myself throwing yet another white tee into my online bag…

I apologize for the photo, but TEENAGE CHILDREN. Basically, every photo my kids took of me was unattractive because, you know, it’s hilarious!

But, I had to show you this jean matching set, which has flowers embroidered on it. I wore it multiple days because it was so easy and cool. Also, those shoes? They matched all my dresses and jeans AND were comfy to walk around in.

Both of these - the velour jumpsuit and spray painted dress - are vintage. Sorry, but also can I tell you how much cool stuff you’re missing at your Goodwill?!?! GO! GO!

This leopard print jacket takes everything up a notch, that black purse fits a ton it it and goes over your shoulder, and those sunglasses (similar)? So cool, I wore them inside… 😂

All the things I’d berate you into buying, watching, doing if I saw you in real life…

🧥 Is it too late to get you into a winter coat? (It’s super on sale!) I bought this jacket for NYC, but then it was all spring-y and lovely so I’ll have to wait until next year to break it out. It has very Jennifer Lawrence vibes (the Ultimate, NYC Cool Mom) so I’d say GET IT!

👗 If you want some insane deals on very cool clothes, you gotta hit Reclectic in the basement of Urban Outfitters. It’s the outlet store for Free People, Anthro, and Urban and, yes, you have to dig a bit (and there aren’t any changing rooms to try on!) but everything is $40 and under so worth it.

🎭 I’ve seen a lot of plays in my life, but didn’t really understand the importance of staging until we saw The Outsiders. There’s everything from a gravel-covered stage they kick around, to an actual fire, to a dramatic rain-soaked, fight scene with mud and some of the most moving choreography I’ve ever seen. Can’t recommend enough!

(We also went to the Stage Door and they all came out and chatted with the kids, which made my daughter’s day!)

🎤 One of my dear friends is an insanely talented jazz singer and composer and we went to this swanky jazz club where she absolutely stunned. HOW ARE PEOPLE SO TALENTED, I MEAN YOU, HILARY?!?!? If you want the ultimate NYC Jazz Experience, you MUST see her perform.

🍹 This is probably one of those spots that all the New Yorkers know about, but my friend took me to Raines Law Room, a speakeasy designed to look like law offices. It’s feels like an excellent secret - cozy with delicious drinks and couches you can chat on for hours.

👟 I went back and forth on whether the hot pink shoes or the iridescent ones would be more practical to walk around the city in. (Yes, I do hear myself.) I bought both, but returned the iridescent ones because, while very cute, they were a little too clunky. The pink ones? Perfection.

My husband has been reading Lonesome Dove for the past several months and I figured I’d hop on board so we could talk about it. I last read it when I was probably 18, but didn’t remember how FRIGGIN’ HARD it would be to live in the Old West.

Like, I’m complaining about stop-and-go traffic? At least I’m not drowning in a river crossing! Or getting bitten by a rattlesnake! Or eating rattlesnake stew! Or basically living an incredibly mundane life until something comes TO KILL ME!!!

All of that to say, it’s incredibly well-written, I LOVE the characters, and recommend it completely. It’s long, but fast-moving and I can’t put it down at night, which is making me grumpy, until I remember: At least I didn’t get eaten by a Grizzly.

📚 Lonesome Dove: Amazon | Bookshop

I also read Strangers on the plane and it’s DISHY. It reminded me of Awake by Jen Hatmaker , where you literally wake up one day and everything you thought was stable is disintegrating. Totally worth the read and might be the kick in the pants you need to make sure you understand EVERYTHING about your money situation…😳

📚 Strangers: Amazon | Bookshop
📚 Awake: Amazon | Bookshop)

What I won't shut up about: New York Edition!🗽

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