Favorite Things!
April & May Edition
I’ve got a lot of range in my interests, and this week’s blog proves just that. I get so freaking excited about the things that I like that I can’t help but share them. If you check any of these out, let me know! The only thing I love more than my favorite things is other people enjoying them too!
Ichigo Ichie: Honestly, this book is worth it just for introducing me to the Japanese phrase of ichigo ichie, which loosely translates to, “What we are experiencing right now will never happen again.” This book is about the idea that every moment in our life happens ONLY once, and without being present to that idea, we can let many, many special moments slip right by. I literally use this phrase in my life now with my kids, or with my friends, or on a walk with my damn self. Ichigo Ichie. This moment is special and let’s acknowledge that. This book is a quick and easy read, but one I’ll want to keep on the coffee table because it’s a simple but not easy practice.
Diva Detergent: Nothing proves that I’m trying to be a GOOD person more than me sharing the name of this detergent with you. I shit you not, your life will change when you use this detergent. I was literally at a graduation party last week and 7 different people smelled my pant leg around a bonfire once word got out. Is it ridiculously expensive? Yes. Is it called Diva and is that also ridiculous? Absolutely. Will you use this detergent for your kids’ laundry? God no. A little goes a long way - use like half a capful of this with half a capful of scent free detergent and thank me later.
Cultivating Calm: Literally don’t even know where I came across this, but it’s a solid 7 minutes of four different calming breath techniques. If you can’t fully commit to a meditation practice, any four of these would be great to have in your back pocket throughout the day.
Uni-ball Eye Broad Pens: Luvvie Ajayi Jones posted these on her Instagram Stories about a year ago as her all-time favorite pens. I ordered some and I’m OBSESSED. I’m a huge doodler, and I feel like I can confidently say there is not a better pen for doodling than these.
Visual Artists: I’m sort of addicted to people who can put big ideas into simple visual art. Right now I’m loving Muna, New Happy Co, and Liz and Mollie. I have such envy for their abilities here!
Suleika Jaouad’s Substack: I read Between Two Kingdoms last year and it might be one of my favorite books ever. I loved her voice, her story, and just HER. No stranger to isolation during her experience with leukemia, she started this substack as a way to connect people and to help others use creativity as a tool for survival. I’m a paid subscriber to this substack and just finished a 30 day journaling challenge which opened me up in a myriad of ways I would have never expected (including my new watercolor hobby!). The way she writes about life and resilience and community is beautiful. Definitely worth the follow.