Back-to-school season means settling back into a more regular work schedule, and we’re thoroughly enjoying the return to routine as a family. What I didn’t expect, however, is how late 3rd grade activities run which has definitely thrown us for a bit of a loop. The upside is that it’s pushed us to be more intentional about planning our weeknights which is good for my type A personality. And Amalia is absolutely thriving with her busier schedule this year.
She’s spending most of her after-school hours dancing, with a little theater and singing mixed in… The girl loves a stage and a spotlight! Meanwhile, Luca has taken up lacrosse as his fall sport, and at just 4 years old he’s already holding his own. Proud mom moment over here.
WHAT I’M READING & WATCHING
Reading –
It’s been a while (May!) since my last post and, TBH, most of the books I’ve read since then have been duds. So I’m only including the two most notable one.
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid: I loved this book. It combines the thrill of the first (fictional) female astronauts in the 1980s with a secret love story. The main character, Joan Goodwin is a brilliant astrophysicist turned aspiring astronaut who never understood love until she meets Vanessa, another brilliant astronaut-in-training. Their romance is beautiful but difficult given the time and place and the ending had me in full sobs for longer than I’d like to admit.
Watching/Watched –
The Season I Turned Pretty S3 (Prime): Team Conrad. Obviously. Cannot wait for the finale tonight.
Amy Bradley is Missing (Netflix): Holy moly on this one… This three-part documentary is about the mysterious disappearance of 23-year-old Amy Bradley, who disappears from a cruise ship in the 80s without a trace. You might think she just fell off but there have since been several eyewitness sightings and proof of potential trafficking. It’s frustrating to watch because the mystery of her disappearance still hasn’t been solved, but it’s definitely gripping and powerful.
Unknown Number: The High School Catfish (Netflix): All I have to say here is that if you thought you were a bad mom, watch this and you’ll feel much better about yourself! This one has been hard for me to shake off. What starts as disturbing, harassing texts sent to two teenagers: Lauryn Licari and her then-boyfriend, Owen, slowly unravels into a far more shocking truth: the texts came from her very own other.
It was unsettling not just because the abuse itself (sickening), but in learning more about digital anonymity and how hard it can be to catch someone who doesn’t want to be caught.
The Hunting Wives (Netflix): A touch of murder a touch of lesbian softcore p*rn. It is what it is and it was oddly… fantastic? I never read the book but couldn’t stop watching the show. The twists were over the top, the characters were messy in the best possible way, the Texas fashion was very fun to look at, and the whole thing felt like a guilty-pleasure cocktail of drama and suspense. I would watch one episode, roll my eyes, and then immediately cue up the next lol.
The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox (Hulu): I’m torn on this one. I think it does a great job of telling Amanda’s story from her perspective (she is a producer of the show) but it is incredibly difficult and stressful to watch both as a mother and as a former Italian study-abroad student. I think that’s exactly the point of the show though, to show you what this poor girl went through.
Listening –
I recently finished listening to the Root of Evil podcast and wow, what a ride. It’s a chilling true-crime podcast about the infamous Black Dahlia murder (which I didn’t know a ton about), but what really hooked me was the deeply personal perspective from the family at the center of it all. The great granddaughters of the suspected killer are the hosts and their uncle is the cop who solved the crime! It’s dark, gripping, and at times hard to listen to, but I couldn’t stop. 10/10 from me.
My book club decided to go smutty this month and picked By a Thread by Lucy Score. I’m currently giving it a listen and it is perfectly juicy and steamy for my morning walks. The banter between the two main characters sharp, the tension is high, and while it’s definitely a little over the top, that’s exactly what makes it so fun. It’s giving me the perfect mix of escapism and spice, and I can see why Lucy Score has such a cult following.
RANDOM THINGS I’M LOVING
1. Oversized Denim Jacket: I don’t know what it is about this jacket, but it has a total hold over me. The second I spotted it, I clicked buy without a second thought. Last week it was finally chilly enough to wear it for school drop-off, and it did not disappoint. I shared it on IG and it sold out on Shopbop that day! The vintage denim wash gives it that perfectly worn-in vibe, the oversized cut makes it so easy to throw on over anything. I’m in love.
2. Pour-Over Coffee Machine: You may be wondering why, as a non-coffee drinker, a coffee machine is on my list this month, but I gave it to Anel for Father’s Day in June and it is a beautiful kitchen gadget that makes a great pour-over cup of coffee. I feel like this might be at the top of my men’s gift guide this coming holiday season. Their entire line of products looks gorgeous, actually.
3. Overnight Retinol Hand Repair Treatment: I’ve been using this for about 3 months now and wanted to hate it slash didn’t believe it could be so good but (spoiler alert), it’s incredible. It always feels like such a treat to put on at the end of the day. The rich, creamy texture melts into my hands without feeling greasy, and I wake up with super soft skin. But what has truly shocked me is how young my hands look. It has made a shocking difference to my hand wrinkles. My sister even noticed it before I said anything to her! Not to mention, the refillable case looks so pretty on my nightstand.
I love it so much that I just ordered their retinol body serum to try next. It came highly recommended by a friend too.
Note: I ONLY use this on the backs of my hands after making the mistake of also rubbing it into my fingers. It irritated the skin under my wedding ring.
4. J.Crew High-Rise Denim Trousers: I’ve been having such a hard time with jeans lately. Nothing seems to fit right or look good on me. But yesterday I popped into J.Crew to make a return and tried these on on a whim. They fit like a glove and I’m excited to wear them this week. They’re also 20% off at the moment.
Note: Size a full size down from your normal size. I’m usually a 27 or 28 and took a 26 in these which made me feel quite skinny in the dressing room lol.
5. High Rise Barrel Leg Pants: Two pairs of pants in one list? Mon dieu! Ok but hear me out on this one because it’s weird 1. because of where they’re from (am I old or are they just getting cooler) and 2. they’re chino barrel leg ankle jeans. I know I know it sounds weird but the fit is so good and the price is right and I love them so she me!
