What I Loved This Week (61)
I'm all about a dream afternoon with myself, an unputdownable book and my $300 PM skincare routine this week.
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! I think it helps me with discoverability.
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Greetings from a little luxurious (to me) solo escapade to Lima, Peru. Next week i’ll tell you all about it.
📚What I Read and Loved
Listen for the Lie: Last week
recommended this book, and I instantly picked it up. Reader, when I tell you, I finished it in one day. I could not put it down. There has been so many good true crime podcast related books this year, but this one takes the crown. The story moves along fast with unexpected twists and turns. In a sea of so-so thrillers, this one was a diamond.After Lucy is found wandering the streets, covered in her best friend Savvy’s blood, everyone thinks she is a murderer. Lucy and Savvy were the golden girls of their small Texas town: pretty, smart, and enviable. Lucy married a dream guy with a big ring and an even bigger new home. Savvy was the social butterfly loved by all, and if you believe the rumors, especially popular with the men in town. It’s been years since that horrible night, a night Lucy can’t remember anything about, and she has since moved to LA and started a new life.
But now the phenomenally huge hit true crime podcast "Listen for the Lie," and its too-good looking host Ben Owens, have decided to investigate Savvy’s murder for the show’s second season. Lucy is forced to return to the place she vowed never to set foot in again to solve her friend’s murder, even if she is the one that did it.
📺 What I Watched and Loved
Strife: I’m telling you. Australian TV is producing top tier content! This show It’s a not so funny comedy based Mia Freedman’s memoir, Work, Strife, Balance. I really loved the character driven storyline navigating family, divorce and being a woman in media. (Available on Binge which is an Australian streaming service, I’m not telling you to get a VPN and a 7 day trial to the service, though 😉)
Strife follows Evelyn Jones, a contemporary, flawed publisher who develops from a living room blogger to one of the most important figures in women's media.
The Jinx Part Two: When you thought the Jinx Part one confession was a shock, enter Part 2. Of course it doesn’t go out with a bang, but there’s so much more of this story that needed to be told. Robert Durst really thought that a rich daddy’s boy was able to do everything he wanted, even being a serial killer. Ahhh the privilege! (Max)
The Roast of Tom Brady: In my defense, my husband, a die-hard fan of the Patriots, was watching this in bed and my plan was to read Funny Story on my Kindle. I couldn’t stop laughing and I hate myself for it. (Netflix)
🛍️ What I Bought and Loved
Continuing with my nightly turn-down routine, I want to expand on my skincare. Details about my face: dry, dehydrated, and rosacea-prone.
Cleanser: This inexpensive Korean cleanser is a mild yet powerful wash.
Hydrating Serum: My holy grail. Another inexpensive Japanese hyaluronic acid serum that has transformed the suppleness of my face.
Actives: I cycle between a 2% BHA acid (helps with blackheads) and an AHA acid (helps with radiance).
Second Serum: Niacinamide hydrates and helps with pigmentation. The Ordinary formula is an excellent option at an unbeatable price point.
Eye cream: This the most expensive step, but the product helps a ton with under-eye radiance and fine lines.
Moisturizer: Depending on the moisture needed, I cycle between a lighter option or a heavier one. Both choices are made for sensitive skin and won’t break your bank
Total Cost of routine: $296 for a full year of product.
💕 Micro-Joy
Last Friday, I had a really hard day at work, so by 5pm, I shut off my computer and luckily had the house all to myself. My in-laws were visiting last week, so my husband and daughter went out with them to run some errands leaving me solo.
My glorious plan: I was in bed by 6pm with a face mask on and a pepperoni pizza order, watching The Idea of You. Please top that. I dare you
✅ To do List
🐰 Rabbit Holes I Went Into
Leave it to
to make me drool over food in LondonFor the clueless bunch (like me) a good explainer on the Drake - Kendrick beef
A piece written by Amanda Knox (exonerated from a murder conviction herself) about innocence perception on a very similar case than hers.
Incel terrorism is terrifying
Molly Ringwald’s recs are everything! via
🧜🏼♀️ Articles and Bits I loved
An excellent white t-shirt round up
The great lip gloss obsession courtesy of Gen Z
Young people are adopting geriatric hobbies and I’m not mad about it
The hidden pregnancy experiment is not only a great read, but a must read.
We are too old to be reading YA - I, unapologetically LOVE a good YA series.
Make this a reminder that wasting time is A-OK
😄 Funny or Cute
👋🏼 Classifieds
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The Roast is actually good? The only thing I've heard is that Nikki Glaser killed, and Kim K. is super not funny.
I loved season 1 of The Jinx...I didn't think season 2 would be good but people keep talking about it so I feel like I should give it a try! PS...Your Friday night with a mask and The Idea of You and pizza sounds EPIC!