Hello!
First, I want to say happy birthday to my mom, who puts her all into everything she does, whether swimming laps in the pool, leading her fifth grade students in a rousing rendition of Natasha Bedingfield’s “Unwritten,” or exploring a new city (she must’ve averaged thirty thousand steps a day when she visited me in Rome last year). She likes to tell me and my brothers that “only boring people get bored,” and lives her life according to that principle — always reading, singing, playing, dancing, listening, talking, planning, and so forth. And a happy belated Father’s Day to my dad, who shares my mom’s infectious joie de vivre. Here is a non-exhaustive list of things he loves: long bike rides, Jane Austen novels, Negronis, speaking French, lamb burgers, Southampton Football Club, chopping wood, and drawing with crayons. My parents are so much fun. They’re also the editors of The Dish and have proofread this newsletter almost every week for three years now. Thanks, guys!
Today, in the spirit of my parents’ many hobbies/interests, I’m sharing some things I’m loving, organized by action (watching, reading, etc.).1
On y va!
Watching…
The latest season of Couples Therapy, a documentary series following couples working with the psychotherapist Orna Guralnik. The show falls under the umbrella of reality television, I suppose, but it’s unlike any other reality television I’ve ever seen. Somehow, the directors manage to foster an environment that feels unaltered by the presence of cameras, and it’s so refreshing to watch people show up on television as their full, contradictory selves. Dr. Orna Guralnik is beloved by the media, and also by meeeee. Superficially, I love her understated clothing style and forearm tattoo and big necklaces and yes, I’ve absolutely saved photos of her outfits for my personal reference. But more importantly, I admire how actively she listens and how embodied and grounded she seems. All can be true!
I’ve also been watching and loving the new season of Hacks, a television series about a veteran stand-up comic and a young comedy writer, played by Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder. The pair has such unexpectedly electric chemistry, and the whole show’s dialogue is funny, smart, and topical. 10/10.
Reading…
So many newsletters. I love this format and the freedom this platform lends writers. Some recent posts I’ve enjoyed by women in food/lifestyle media:
Alexis deBoschnek’s Grilled Skirt Steak with Marinated Tomatoes
Aja Frost’s summer vintage clothing recommendations
Cooking…
I made this Oat Milk Chocolate Pudding the other night, and it was a hit with both the vegans and the non-vegans. It tasted like those chocolate pudding cups you find in a French grocery store, and I mean that in the best way. Sweet, silky, nostalgic. And for lunch today, I made zucchini-ricotta-arugula sandwiches on charred lemon-green olive focaccia, which Teo and I ate in the sun.
Playing…
Teo and I went to the beach recently with our friends (another couple), and enjoyed a truly childlike afternoon of building sand castles, skipping rocks, and swimming. I left feeling sunned, sandy, and silly. When’s the last time you really PLAYED? We’ve also been into backgammon, hearts, and pickleball lately. I’m living up to my 2024 resolution of playing more games!
Drinking…
Whole milk cappuccinos. Iced tea with a splash of lemonade. Cold, dry rosé.
Wearing…
This oversized eyelet scrunchie from Etsy that Harling Ross recommended. And these high-waisted linen pants from Old Navy that my brother’s fiancée introduced me to, which fall in a really nice way and feel much more expensive than they actually are.
Browsing…
Etsy! It’s my favorite site to browse in the late afternoon when my brain cells have given up. It brings me joy to discover small makers, bookmark their products, and buy the occasional trinket. Lately, I’ve been coveting this sardine necklace, twisted ceramic mug, cloud sponge holder, and dove sculpture.
Listening…
As for podcasts, the new Amy Poehler episode of Armchair Expert was aces, and I’ve been listening to Monica Padman and Liz Plank’s chatty show Synced every Wednesday when a new episode drops. I’m trying to listen to Up First and The Daily to stay informed. Ooh, and Taste is fun for industry interviews like this one with Sara Kramer and Sarah Hymanson, chef-owners of the restaurants Kismet and Kismet Rotisserie in Los Angeles. I want to be friends with the Sara(h)s!
Music-wise, I’m listening to a lot of Madi Diaz, MARO, Lizzy McAlpine, Eloise, SZA, Madison Cunningham…the ladies!
Thank you for being here. More soon!
x Phoebe
This format is inspired by the Happenings posts from Apples Under My Bed, a blog that no longer gets updated regularly but was once a real comfort to me.
This whole newsletter made me smile
Thanks, Phoebs! Love love love. And I just went on Etsy and bought that sardine necklace because…sardine necklace?!!!?!?!?!?❤️