One thing about me? I am going to be obsessed with things. And to end the summer on a good note, I’m telling you the latest things that I have been completely transfixed by for the past few months. Life is literally so good, and while you might not be able to tell from this newsletter, I am quite optimistic! Here are some simple pleasures that I simply cannot get enough of lately.
Laguna
The fact that a beach that is this gorgeous exists within a 90 minute drive of Los Angeles boggles my mind. It’s literally like you’re in southern Portugal, except you were able to go to Equinox in the AM and you aren’t jet lagged for 4 days. You get full vacation vibes, even for just a day. The water? Crystal clear. Sand? White and not too fine. Lifeguards? Hot and one is even gay.1 Parking is actually easier than in LA, and there is a Costco on the literal way home to get gas. Me and my little cooler are absolutely STANNING Laguna Beach moments and I am quite simply never not going to be. Who wants to go with me on September 23?
Horiatiki Salad
Tomatoes, feta, red onion, cucumbers, and peppers. Are you kidding me! This combination should be outlawed for the power generated by the unification of these simple yet totally elite ingredients. I’ve recently started letting the tomatoes and onions sit in some salt and parsley for about 45 mins before adding the rest of the ingredients and girlllllllll that is a full situation. Get into it asap.
Pool Tea
My peak existence recurs on an annual basis each time I saunter over from Low Tea at the Blue Whale to middle tea/fun tea or as I like to call it, Pool Tea, on Fire Island. You want to dance with the guy you saw on the beach 3 hours ago? Or run into your gym crush who also has a crush on you? Go to Pool Tea. The vibes are simply off the hook here - everyone aka me is the perfect level of tipsy and while the sun sets, the throwbacks play, and the air gets just a little chilly, I am simply living life like nowhere else. If you see me there this weekend, we’re dancing.
Otterpop
I’m famously someone who hates staying up late and going to “parties” that aren’t in someone’s home or a private section of a public location2 for a variety of reasons I will not get into. That being said, Otterpop is literally life, oh my god. Why? The music is scientifically designed to make me gay gasp no less than 7 times each time I go - we stay stanning DJ Jon Klaft, who will be DJing my wedding. I wish you could3 hear my internal monologue each time he plays what can only be described as songs that are literally my essence for hours on end. Wait - is that - no - it literally cannot be - oh my god he’s playing Wait A Minute I AM LIVING. The fact that he played this and The Call and Message in a Bottle at the most recent party? You either get it or you don’t.
Afternoon Tea feat. Peaches
Tea time is literally so elegant, so why not do it daily? It’s also quite functional. Right around 4:30, you want a snack. Nothing too heavy, but also you want to wait until at least 7:30 to eat dinner, so it should be a little substantial. Enter afternoon tea, where you get to have a little bite of fruit, maybe some cottage cheese or nuts, and a light earl grey or herbal tea to push you through the last part of the workday. Lately the star of my tea times have been peaches, which are having a full moment rn. I don’t know if it’s a California thing, but they have been serving tangy, flavorful, juicy, low-calorie and economical deliciousness all summer long. Part of me is starting to fundamentally question my identity since I think I like them more than watermelon. Is it 4:30 yet?
Diet Coke and Pretzels
It’s giving 90s mom, I know, but they were onto something. Diet Coke is always a moment, but pair a can with a snack-sized bag of pretzels? Oh my god. The low-ish calorie, salty crunch contrasted with the cripsy bite of this artificially sweet and carbonated zero calorie elixir - I am ascending with each sip.
Grey’s Anatomy
I don’t know how I fell off of this show after only 2.5 seasons (I dipped out after that ridiculous ferry crash in 2007) but thank you Jesus, I have returned! I am currently barreling my way through the entire series on Netflix and let me tell you I am continually shocked and enthralled by the extremely unhinged nature of the goings-on at Seattle Grace Hospital. The plot twists have left me shouting on a nightly basis, and I’ve also decided I am hotter than most of these people. And in the latest episode they’re all singing? What the hell is this show!!!
Don’t ask how I know 🙃.
💅🏼.
But I am quite glad you can’t.