Things that Make me Happy! Is a weekly newsletter with recommendations of things that bring me joy. If you liked this issue, click on the heart button! That’s the biggest praise you can give me
Reminder! I recently introduced “HyperFixations” - If you want to be highlighted, I’d love to have you. Just fill in this, and we’ll make it happen.
📚What I Read and Loved
All Fours: There are authors like Miranda July who stick with you. With Miranda, it goes beyond books; her movies filled my hipster soul in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Her new novel is not for the faint of heart because it’s rough and raw, and weird. I have to admit, reading some of her lines stopped me in my tracks. But I’m so glad I read it. It rocked me,
‘? and that is what books should do to you.
Thanks to the novel, many women are reimagining middle-age and long-term relationships.
A semi-famous artist announces her plan to drive cross-country, from LA to NY. Thirty minutes after leaving her husband and child at home, she spontaneously exits the freeway, checks into a nondescript motel, and immerses herself in an entirely different journey.
📺 What I Watched and Loved
Ren Faire: I haven’t been so invested in something for a while than this high-stakes succession story. Reminds me a bit of Tiger King but with less animal cruelty and more palatable subjects. (Max) - Documentary
Ren Faire follows an epic power struggle at the Texas Renaissance Festival, after its founder announces his retirement. The festival's general manager and heir apparent faces off against a kettle-corn kingpin and a former elephant trainer, all vying to reshape the festival in their own vision
Midsummer Night: This can be binged in a sitting as chapters are 30 min long. It made me dream of celebrating a proper ‘Swedish Midsommar’ someday. (Netflix) - Family Drama
Carina brings her family together for a traditional Swedish midsummer, but the happy occasion goes awry when long-held secrets start to come to light.
Presumed Innocent: a great remake of the famous movie (and book)- I’ve only watched 2 chapters, but overall, terrific acting and the story gripped me. (AppleTV+) - Thriller
🛍️ What I Bought and Loved
During Supergoop's last sale a few weeks ago, I picked this up because it was 50% off, and I’ve been into face oils lately.
WOW!!! It’s an oil that absorbs beautifully and leaves me glowy and drenched! I’m also happy it increases my SPF protection as an added bonus!
💕 Micro-Joy
Traveling! I’m happiest when I’m exploring something new and happier when I’m eating all the local foods. A few weeks ago, I escaped to Lima, Peru, for a long weekend and ate my heart out. If you are a foodie, there’s no better place to visit - I wrote a little post about it here.
🐰 Rabbit Holes I Went Into
Lifechanging Google Maps hack
And another damn good hack
Bananas story of a father of 16 and a hire for murder plot
Excellent travel hacks via
The oral history of the next “it” bag
🧜🏼♀️ Articles and Bits I loved
This is a welcome article after recently seeing the gunk in my water bottle straw
Please, don’t call it a beach read!!! It’s ok if you like it, don’t put it down because you are embarrassed!
The travel agent is back, baby!
😄 Free Happiness
The biggest joy
Outmost Importance
Doctors should prescribe this
Cringe ‘about me’ snippets
👋🏼 Classifieds
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All Fours is on my TBR list - I don't think I've heard a single bad review about it. Can't wait to read it!
LOVE that beach read article and totally agree with everything the author says! (Such a bummer that Dakota Johnson made such a snobby comment about beach reads. 👎) Also, so happy to hear you like Presumed Innocent so far b/c I just added it to my watch list last night.