quarterly review

all my favorites from Q1

We are officially well into April, which means the frantic energy of new year, new me has finally settled into something more sustainable: a rhythm. I’ve spent the last three months treating my life like a self-curated curriculum—gathering texts, testing rituals, and finding the whimsy in everyday life that made the season bearable. Before the second quarter gathers too much speed, I wanted to pause and archive my favorites from Q1.

The Archive: Media & Texts

The Quarter in Books

I read 28 books this quarter so I couldn’t just pick one (please don’t @ me; it’s a professional hazard and a personal ritual).

• American Spirits by anna dorn: After reading Perfume & Pain last year, I now consider myself a devotee. I got an early copy of her latest (out April 14) and absolutely inhaled it. The writing is sharp, the characters are messy, and the tea is piping hot.

• Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir: The movie adaptation for this book was one of my most anticipated of the year, so right before that dropped I strapped in for an audiobook listen. Project Hail Mary is full of heart, surprising, funny, and just so damn smart.

• Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner: I’ll admit this sat on my shelf for years before I felt brave enough to pick it up. Reading about Michelle’s connection with her mother through food made me feel brave enough to start writing about my own mom and our story for my current project.

• Found Time by Caroline Goldstein: If you know me, you know I’m a big 831 Stories gal. I’ve read them all. Love them all. Was gifted The Ones Membership for my birthday. But I really adored reading an early copy of Found Time. A nostalgic second-chance romance with a giddy romp around New York City. What more could you ask for?

The Screen & Sound

Movies:

• The Bride!: A study in visual aesthetic and romantic decay. I know the reviews were mixed, but Jessie Buckley’s turn as The Bride and Mary Shelley was absolute cinema.

• Project Hail Mary: I loved seeing how this translated to the big screen. Forever crying over a rock. Rocky Grace save stars.

• Wuthering Heights: Divisive, I know, but I had such a fun time. I even ran out and bought a new blush because Margot Robbie’s makeup artist mentioned it was used in the film. The aesthetic. The yearning. The corset lifting. Yes.

TV Shows:

• The Pitt: I am obsessed. The Pitt is exactly what we needed on television. A real portrayal of what it’s like in emergency care. I am loving season 2 and can’t wait to see where they leave us off to pick up in season 3.

• Shrinking: Somehow it continues to deliver grief and joy all in one. The careful handling of hard moments mixed with hilarious dialogue is just masterclass writing.

Podcast:

• Crime Junkie: I’m a true crime gal. Somehow it eases my anxiety? I love how in-depth the reporting is. My reliable background noise for many a mundane task.

Album:

• Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party by Hayley Williams: Ugh the atmosphere on this one is so good. I literally can’t stop listening to this album. It’s only April and I know this one is going to make many appearances in my Spotify Wrapped. It’s been a perfect writing soundtrack.

The Vanity

• The Lip Liner

  • The Overliner Lip Liner in Skinny Dip by m.ph by Mary Phillips: It’s that "your lips but deeper" shade that anchors my minimal makeup look. And it feels so good going on the lips.

• The Deodorant

  • Vanilla Verve Mandelic Acid Brightening Deodorant by Cyklar: Not too sweet, just grounded and clean. Also, finally a natural deodorant that doesn’t break me out.

• The Fragrance

  • Another 13 by Le Labo: Its probably just my signature scent at this point.

The Studio: Food, Movement, & Finds

The Recipes:

• Vanilla Bean and Brown Butter Cinnamon Rolls by Wild Thistle Kitchen

• Rice Cooker Coconut Rice (I winged it, but here’s a recipe from The Nessy Kitchen)

The Movement:

• Weight Lifting: Getting strong is the goal. I love taking classes at my gym.

• Walking: I am entirely too sedentary during my work from home days, so I’ve been exploring new trails and routes to mix it up and add to my routine.

• Swimming: Almost nothing beats a morning dip in the pool.

The Thrifted Finds:

• Levi’s Wedgie Distressed Straight Leg Jeans: The perfect second-hand find.

• Vintage Louis Vuitton Epi St Jacques: A structured, architectural piece that fits right into my rotation.

• Madewell Nettie Mary Janes: Classic, comfortable, and slightly whimsical.

The Whimsy

• One of my favorite whimsical acts this quarter has been my study and practice of tarot (as mentioned in my spring syllabus). I try and pull a card each day to set my intention and sit with the imagery for creative inspiration.

What were your favorites of q1?

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