A well-lived week
on what I watched, wore, listened to, and loved this week
My weekly check in- the clothes i’m wearing (or eyeing), what i’m reading, listening to, and watching, and the small routines that make my days feel brighter. Just a space for what i’m loving, what i’m noticing, and what’s genuinely supporting me lately.
What i’ve been wearing:
While I love dressing up, I might just love a chic, comfortable look even more- something that feels easy but still put-together. It’s far more practical for my day-to-day. Lately, my go-to has been workout sets styled to feel ready to wear: a cute sweater, ballet flats and Parker Thatch tote. Variations of this have been on repeat:
If I can’t be bothered to wear leggings- which lately, I really can’t- I gravitate toward pants that still feel cute and chic, or sporty. More often than not, i’m reaching for Skims boyfriend pant for a true sweatpants vibe, Enza Costa when I want something a little more elevated, or The Free People Ryder pant for a sporty feel.
I’ll usually pair these with my favorite basic tee, an easy sweater, a casual zip up, or wrap cardigan. For shoes, either a ballet flat or Solomons does the trick for LA weather right now.
Jackets haven’t really been necessary, but i’m still loving my Rue Sophie trench and Frankie Shop tench from last year, for days like this. That said, sweaters have been my most worn this week (and most of winter so far).
What i’ve been reading:
Physically, i’m reading Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar and I’m about half way through- really loving it! It’s poetic, introspective and deeply human, exploring grief, faith, addiction and what it means to search for meaning in modern life. The kind of book that makes you slow down and think about your own life a little, while still being deeply interesting (and fiction!)
Before this, I read- The Raise by Ali Kriegsman, which was a quick, fun read- perfect for in between more literary novels. A kind of psychological thriller about a 29-year-old co-founder suddenly thrust into the CEO spotlight after her best friend and business partner dies under mysterious circumstances.
And if anyone is looking for a perfect winter book: The Secret History by Donna Tart. I read it last year and still think about it. Dark academia at its finest- obsession, intellect, secrecy and a slow, unraveling that feels especially fitting in colder months.
What i’m listening to:
While I go through phases with music (and always have a running monthly playlist of new music inspiring me), lately I’ve been fully in my podcast and audible era- honestly the best way to learn and stay entertained while on the go.
I’m currently listening to Project Hail Mary on Audible, and it genuinely feels like i’m watching a movie. If you’re new to audiobooks, this is such a fun place to start- immersive, fast-paced, and hard to pause. This is on whenever i’m cooking, showering, (yeah I use my octobuddy to stick it to my shower wall), and winding down. It’s also being turned into a movie with Ryan Gosling soon!
Before that, I listened to Atmosphere, narrated by Julia Whelan. A personal rule of thumb (and adopted by many in the Audible universe): if Julia is narrating, I already know i’m going to love it.
Podcast-wise, these were my listens this last week- and I can genuinely recommend every single one, which isn’t always the case:
Hot Smart Rich with Maggie Sellers: This podcast as a whole is one of my favorites, especially as a woman entrepreneur. It consistently keeps me motivated, inspired and learning. While Maggie’s interview episodes are always great, I especially love the episodes she does with her sister, where they break down consumer trends and what’s actually happening in business and culture. Their most recent chit-chat episode- Gossiping about Alix Earl’e Empire and 5 AI Trends You Need To Know About Now- was a standout.
The Wellness Process: Another favorite and one of the only wellness-focused podcasts I listen to regularly. Elizabeth Endres is incredibly genuine and grounded while still being inspiring and educational. Similarly, i’m especially drawn to her solo episodes- her latest solo episode walked through the chatGPT blueprint she uses to organize her life and routines, and yes, I followed it almost verbatim and spent hours happily optimizing my own life.
Habits I’m loving:
I recently re-introduced tongue scraping and quite frankly, I cant believe I ever stopped. It’s one of those small habits that makes an immediate difference- better oral hygiene, fresher breath, improved digestion (by supporting gut-mouth connection). It takes about ten seconds, but it’s one of those non-negotiable morning habits that makes everything feel cleaner.
Another daily staple: Beekeeper’s Naturals Immune Spray. I use it every single day- sometimes up to four times a day- and if you know me, it’s my not so secret weapon for never getting sick. I tell everyone in my life to purchase it. Propolis is incredibly antimicrobial and immune supportive, and I swear by it. I could write an entire Substack on propolis alone, but i’ll keep it short here and just say: it’s good enough to earn a permanent place in my routine.
This lymphatic massage tool has been my favorite five minutes of my shower recently.
Lastly, my morning ritual. I keep this simple but consistent: wake up with no phone, lemon red light while meditating, and a high protein breakfast. This sets my nervous system up before the day starts asking things of me and it’s quite literally transformed my life. If you want the full step by step and the science behind why this works, read my post on The Biology of a Better Morning.
This weeks affirmations:
Affirmations aren’t about “positive thinking” or pretending everything is perfect. They work because of neuroplasticity- your brain’s ability to change based on repeated thoughts and experiences. Your brain is constantly forming pathways based on what you tell it is important or true. When a thought is repeated often enough, it becomes familiar. And familiar thoughts start to feel believable- even if they didn’t at first. Affirmations interrupt old, fear based or self critical patterns and replace them with more supportive ones. And overtime, this transforms how you act, what you believe and who you are.
This weeks affirmations that I repeatedly said:
It’s okay to rest! Rest is serving me!
I trust myself to make aligned decisions, even when the path isn’t clear yet.
I am allowed to go slowly and still move forward.
I am safe. My nervous system is safe.
Life is fun, when you make it fun!
That’s all for this week.
xx,