I hope everyone has had a week of realizing there are Arcteryx hats for all those who have eyes to see. I’ve had literally so many thoughts but for some reason cranking out this let has taken me forever. Hope no one got too riled up.
I’m watching the Grammy’s live on cable at my parent’s house as I type this. Sabrina just won pop vocal album - let’s go! January was long. Too long. The problem is I - well, we, but I don’t want to speak for others so I will speak from the I - I spent January thinking too much about my goals. It’s all future think. All the passions I wish I was pursuing more, all the restaurants I want to try and new hobbies I want to pick up. Too much reflection is just not great for me. Obviously, the new presidency and uncertainty in politics add to that feeling.
In February I hope to make fewer plans and spend more time at home. I gotta enjoy my couch y’all. I also need more personal time to do like.. personal admin work. This backstage profile isn’t gonna build itself. And it’s hard! I finish my job at 6 and the last thing I want to do is go home and be on my laptop more. I need to rot a little more, I need to think a little more, I need to be alone a little more.
I’m borrowing the Cup of Jo model this week because I can’t crank out any more words.
Here are some things I loved in January <3
My grandma’s soup. “Sopa de espinaca.” I said I would make soup and goddamnit I did. This is gonna be an on-rotation for me. You make ground turkey first with whatever seasonings you like (probably adobo, cumin, etc.) and then add in a bunch of water. Then bouillon and sofrito1 to make the broth. Then you do an egg drop moment and let the eggs fully cook. Then for the last step, you add a shit ton of spinach. Probably a whole bag. She always serves the soup over rice.2 It’s the best soup because the ratio of stuff to broth heavillyyy skews stuff. Makes me feel happy and warm.
The Museum of the City of New York. Criminally underrated museum. Check out Museo del Barrio first and pay what you want for entry to both museums. I was really touched by the floor that currently has an exhibit all about New York movies. It’s called “you are here.” I usually scoff at “immersive video experiences” but I could have sat there in a trance all day watching it on loop.
Blankets. The temperature in my apartment is very volatile and also I have very terrible personal temperature control. Even though it’s 20 degrees out I skimp about in tiny shorts but love to tuck myself under one of our couch blankies. I’ve also really noticed that the trendiest brands keep releasing the cutest throw blankets. I want them all: ex. Ghia, Glossier, A24.
Acting Class. I finally took Amalia’s suggestion and am taking Katie Capiello’s acting class with MacKay! It has been a lovely addition to my Tuesdays because a. I get to see MacKay, B. I get to meet a lot of truly new and interesting people, and c. acting is fun and makes me feel good. Tis the season for classes and learning (the season is January).
The Theatr app. I will never pay full price for a theater ticket again. Between theatr, rush, lotteries, and TodayTix I think I should be set. I saw Sunset BLVD with theatr and it was perfect. I need to take better advantage of living so close to all these shows. I can see a listing at 7:45 and still make the 8pm show!
The artistic process. Rehearsals for Purpose started a few weeks ago and it has been so heartwarming. I love theater!! I watched Phylicia Rashad in action this week while she directed the ensemble. They spent a whole rehearsal without reading the script and just talking about character. It was mesmerizing.
My fancy deodorant. I got a big Sephora gift card from my boss for Christmas and spent $20 immediately on the Salt and Stone deodorant in bergamot and hinoki. It smells super good and subtle but very much works as a deodorant. And I’m a sweaty girl! I know it’s dumb but I actually feel so excited every morning to put it on. It makes my morning a little more fun.
Bad Bunny album. I mean, come on. There was a life before this album and there is a life after. I am changed. It makes every day brighter. I’m also just obsessed with it as a career move. It was ballsy and political. And the residency!! I am just touched! He will surely do a New York residency as well. The first week should be reserved for immigrants only. You have to show your first visa to get in.
Drinking. I have really enjoyed a little wine at home after work. And many of you know that I love a little Vermouth as well. Drinking has been in for me, personally. But just like a little bit.
Severance. All the creds are to Charlotte for getting me and Daniel hooked and then subsequently my parents hooked. I miss having a white lotus or Euphoria Sunday to look forward to. Severance has been filling that edge-of-your-seat drama void. And I like the way the second season is going. It feels different enough from the first one but still maintains the same allure.
The Traitors. In that same vein, waiting for The Traitors every Thursday has been amazing. I was skeptical for a while because I had never seen housewives or a lot of survivor. I figured these people would mean nothing to me. In season 3 the only person I really knew was Bob the Drag Queen but that did not hinder my viewing experience at all. I binged the whole thing while my boss was in Florida and it has done nothing but enhance my life. It’s perfect reality tv. And Alan Cumming is just fabulous. His outfits get better every episode.
Babes. Idk why no one ever talked about this movie when it came out. It is my favorite chick flick of the past 5 years barring maybe Set it Up. Glazer and Buteau are perfect best friends. I don’t know what it’s like to give birth but somehow I can tell that this is accurate. Also my favorite theme of a movie is about how life changes can naturally affect relationships. It makes me cry. We’re all doing this for the first time! This was just a really sweet, really funny, really real movie and more people should see it.
Baking in my own house. Finally bit the bullet and purchased flour, baking powder, baking soda, etc. I made this orange + olive oil cake and it was a hit at my job. It also turned out to be huge and I am still eating it a week later. I got brown sugar so I’m excited to make pizookie next. It’s crazy realizing all the things you need to make a house a home.
Cottage cheese. I’ve been on this train for a while but I’ve found this brand called Good Culture that actually makes a cottage cheese that is 1000% times better than the generic brand. Sorry to fall for gimmicks. But this shit rocks. I sent an email to their pr team asking if I could be a brand ambassador and they said no but they sent me some free product vouchers so I’m really happy about that.
The company of friends. I visited Mia and Tali and Reva and Shrey and Camila3 in DC last weekend and had a little blast. Weird place to be right now for sure. Rediscovering the art of conversation and the art of a game night. It’s just the best. Although I said I’m going to try to spend more nights doing nothing, I really love my friends. More nights doing nothing with friends, maybe.
xG
I bought some Goya sofrito cause I was lazy and didn’t want to blend it up myself. But then I put it in ice cube trays and froze it. Now I have a little bag in my freezer of sofrito cubes and I just plopped 3 or 4 of them in to the water. voila!
And something about her rice is just perfect. I’m sure she uses lard or something terrible for me that I’ll never be able to recreate.
Camila lives in New York.