Hi!
I’ve spent the past few weeks covering some pretty heavy topics here so I thought for this week’s edition, I’ll ignore the news cycle entirely, and talk a little bit about what brings me joy.
*Quick note: none of these links are sponsored. Just a bunch of things I genuinely like!
In defense of ritual
I have always loved the art of maintaining a routine. I find that I’m considerably happier and more productive when I do so, so I do my best to always uphold my daily rituals.
The first thing I do when I wake up is make my bed, something I’ve documented extensively on TikTok.
My morning coffee is a non-negotiable. I am devoted to my French press, and I love this lilac one (although mine is from IKEA). I very famously do not own a kettle (the source of great controversy in my TikTok comments) and instead use a pot (at my core, I believe a kettle is redundant and an unnecessary use of precious space). However, were I to have one, I do think this kettle is gorgeous.
I love to sit down with my coffee at my kitchen table, take my vitamins, and write out my to-do list and grocery list for the day. I will forever like the Delfonics Rollbahn notebooks best, but they’re so hard to find. Despite the German branding, they’re actually a Japanese company. I usually light a candle while I do this, Diptyque’s Mimosa is one of my favorites.
I always shower in the mornings, so I wash my face then - Clinique’s face wash is still the gold standard, nothing will ever beat it in my book. I use their formula for dry skin. I used to be a huge skincare enthusiast, with something like an 11-step routine, but I really dialed back the products I use on my face. I wear SPF every day and use tretinoin (prescription Retin-A) about three times/week and occasionally work in one of the many serums I own, but nothing too crazy.
For makeup, I like to keep it on the simpler side and prefer to just stick to mascara, under-eye concealer (that I sometimes use all over my face, if I know I’m going to be drinking, because I turn red very easily), and blush. I have had the Glossier Cloud Paint blush in the shade “Puff” since early 2019 and it has still not run out, which is an incredible ROI.
Next, I’ll head out for a walk. At an absolute minimum, I always walk 10,000 steps/day, but I typically aim for 20,000 steps (approximately 10 miles/16 kilometers), which I break up throughout the course of the day. Because of this, I burn through sneakers very quickly. I am in love with these ASICS and they’re next on my list. I already have the Gel-1090 in yellow but the “Piedmont Grey” color is too good and is perfect for wearing out in Berlin too. I used to be a Nike devotee, but if you have narrow feet, like me, ASICS are just a way better fit.
I absolutely love going to the supermarket. I have friends who despise grocery shopping and do everything to avoid it, but I love it so much that I typically go every single day, always buying a few things at a time.
I don’t eat breakfast and instead skip straight to lunch, which is usually some form of a salad because I like to make sure I have a complete serving of greens at least once/day, but I do try to switch it up. I made this for lunch on Friday, and it’s easy and tasty. It’s basically a deconstructed Turkish Karniyarik or Greek Moussaka, with yogurt in place of tomato or bechamel sauce.
In the evenings, I clean the kitchen, load the dishwasher, and just generally tidy my home. I hate waking up to a messy environment. I’ll usually make tea while I do this (this one is my favorite) and put on an episode of Kardashians or something similar that I don’t have to pay attention to.
Nighttime has recently been my designated reading time. I can’t read in bed or I’ll fall asleep, so I’ll take my tea and book to the sofa. I’m currently reading The Idiot by Elif Batuman, which, if you’ve followed me on social media for any amount of time, you’ve likely spotted on my nightstand. I started it years ago but never finished. I’m now properly reading it and am really enjoying.
Closet talk
I have been wearing the same pair of white Birkenstocks every summer for the last 5 years, and I realized yesterday it’s finally time for a replacement. I love this black and white two-toned option and think they may just have to be my next purchase.
I’ve never owned anything from Djerf Avenue, but I adore Matilda Djerf and think her style is impeccable. I’ve been eyeing this dress for my master’s graduation later this month. I may go for it in black, so it’s a little more versatile.
I was recently gifted this bag by a French brand called Lancaster - full disclosure, I have a paid video series coming up with them, but I am very much in love with this bag. It’s so beautiful (I have the “Carmin” shade, which is stunning in real life) and looks more expensive than it is.
I’m not quite sure yet when I’ll be headed to Bodrum this summer (the town on the Aegean in Turkey where my parents live), but I’m still on the hunt for a new bathing suit. I really like this one.
Song of the week
“No Good for Me” - KUČKA
Screen time
I watched Silver Linings Playbook last night for probably the seventh or eighth time - I absolutely adore this movie. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it. I don’t know what it is about the quote “the world will break your heart 10 ways to Sunday, that’s guaranteed,” but I constantly think of it.
I have also been loving Schitt’s Creek. I decided to lean in and really give it a chance, I’m on season two, and there are moments when I literally laugh out loud.
Coming up
Do you ever envision something in your mind to be significantly easier than it actually is? That’s been me with my home cleaning/reorganization process. It is my Everest. Nonetheless, I’ll finally be posting a video tomorrow about the first step of this process.
This week also officially kicks off the Mediterranean cooking series I mentioned back in week 9, so stay tuned for that. Friday’s aubergine lunch didn’t really count!
Evie (whose TikToks are some of my very favorites) posted this video of her homemade limoncello, and I feel very inspired. I’m going to attempt to make it this week and will, of course, document the process.
That’s all from me, see y’all next week!
P.S. Wishing a very happy birthday to my wonderful mama!