What I Loved This Week (62)

I'm all about train wreck TV, Korean washcloths and a body care 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 or comment below!

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I’m so sorry for abandoning you last week. I have a sinus infection and the past days were though. I’m on antibiotics now and things are looking up! To make it up to you, I am adding extra links and goodies below :)

📚What I Read and Loved

Our Share of Night:

I’m blown away by this book. WOW WOW WOW—top of the year (so far). I will go ahead and call it a masterpiece. It is a horror, but at its core, it’s so much more. It reminds me of old-school Latin American magical realism, where the monster is both the “monster” and, in tandem, reality is just as scary.

A young father and son set out on a road trip, devastated by the death of the wife and mother they both loved. United in grief, the pair travel to her ancestral home, where they must confront the terrifying legacy she has bequeathed: a family called the Order that commits unspeakable acts in search of immortality.

For Gaspar, the son, this maniacal cult is his destiny. As the Order tries to pull him into their evil, he and his father take flight, attempting to outrun a powerful clan that will do anything to ensure its own survival. But how far will Gaspar’s father go to protect his child? And can anyone escape their fate?

Moving back and forth in time, from London in the swinging 1960s to the brutal years of Argentina’s military dictatorship and its turbulent aftermath, Our Share of Night is a novel like no other: a family story, a ghost story, a story of the occult and the supernatural, a book about the complexities of love and longing with queer subplots and themes.

📺 What I Watched and Loved

Bodkin: I had a six-hour flight last week and watched the whole thing at once. First of all, one word: Will Forte. Second, the plot was great. (Netflix)

I’m a sucker for Irish shows (Bad Sisters, Vanishing Triangle) because the scenery is breathtaking and the dry humor is extra dry. This one didn’t disappoint one bit.

Ashley Madison: I just need to get this off my chest. Spoilers ahead, so please don’t read any further. Are you telling me that the guy “stopped his plan to cheat” because he went viral cosplaying Frozen? That’s all I’m going to say about that. Must-watch train wreck TV. (Netflix)

Bonus! - Bridgerton: Season 3 has been my favorite. I’m all about Penelope! (Netflix)

🛍️ What I Bought and Loved

Continuing with my body care series, I want to share my minimal below-the-neck routine. This is part of a series, and you can find my facial skincare routine here.

Hair Trimming: I use a good old Venus razor. I change razors every month.

Scrub: I use a Korean rag to exfoliate every week or so.

Body Wash: I’m a Lemon Verbena enthusiast. L'Occitane has a line that will make you smell like Byredo’s Palermo.

Shower Oil: The Bioderma shower oil is inexpensive, feels luxurious on the skin, and is extremely moisturizing.

Body Moisturizer: More Lemon Verbena! It not only smells great, but the moisturizing factor is high.

Foot Care: Each night, I use the Healthy Feet bar on my heels. Every quarter or so, I use a peeling foot mask that is gross but effective.

Total Yearly Cost: $163 for a full year of product

💕 Micro-Joy

Memorial day! The three day weekend announces the exciting start of Summer. My plans? Maybe the beach or the pool and for sure, burgers on my grill and lots of reading on the side.

✅ To do List

• I’m so ready for “It ends with us”

🐰 Rabbit Holes I Went Into

• The Miss USA Scandal is a great Rabbit Hole to dig into. This is a good starting point

• A sex strike story in the orthodox world

• Airport Lounges are getting more and more luxurious, and I’m not mad about it

• Finally! Mexico has Michelin starred restaurants now. Some favorites of mine popped up. The guide also gives “keys” to hotels and I am putting these on my vacation bucket list

• A fantastic Temu explainer so you can tell your mom how truly awful it is

• If

  Ruth Reichl
  recommends her fave restaurants in Paris, you better be sure I’ll go to said restaurants when i’m there. If these are not enough, you can find more here

• Is this our entertainment future? Werwolf billionaire CEO husbands?

🧜🏼‍♀️  Articles and Bits I loved

• Being so boring that everyone is using you to go to sleep

• I loved reading about Reese’s literary super empire. Love it or hate it, she has built something grand.

• Why did everything became a Journey? This rant is everything.

• Member only clubs are in right now.

• Puzzle games are on al all time high and becoming an obsession for some. (can confirm) - Maybe that’s the reason for this?

• Subscription cycling for the win. This is how I sustain my TV addiction.

😄 Free Joy

• Too soon?

• Building character

• THE best feeling ever

• Clothes on Nuuly

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