5 things i love right now

1. this song by softcult, “spit it out”

   the only thing i love more than discovering a new favorite song that’s actually new is discovering a new favorite song that’s been out for at least a few years that i’d somehow never heard. better late than never! softcult has made some appearances on my playlists throughout the years, but this kinda grungy, shoegazey, ‘90s-esque song from 2021 recently appeared on my radar and really scratches me where i itch. it went right onto my monthly playlist; for some reason, september just has the BEST tunes! it’s science.

2. shirley temples

   

   i mean, always shirley temples, but especially right now. i made a shirley temple cake a couple years back that was delicious, so i’ve been partial. and lately, i’ve been particularly fond of them at weeknight concerts, when i want an emotional support beverage but don’t feel like boozin’. they’re just so cute and tasty and refreshing. i’ve also noticed recently while browsing uber eats that, for some reason, several sushi places have them on their menus? i would have never thought to combine spicy tuna rolls and shirley temples, but let me tell you, it is an UNBEATABLE one-two punch, y’all.

3. this netflix miniseries, the perfect couple

   

   guys, let’s be clear up front: this is not highbrow, intellectual viewing. it is, however, an amazing, scandalous binge watch that i totally devoured in a single night a couple weekends ago. based on an elin hilderbrand novel of the same name, the six-episode series is a murder mystery — along the lines of lucy foley’s whodunnits like the guest list and the paris apartment — set on nantucket and starring a very pulled, nipped, and tucked nicole kidman, bono’s daughter eve hewson, and liev schreiber. again, if you take it for what it is and don’t overthink it, it’s a juicy, suspenseful, and enjoyable experience with plenty of twists and turns (plus lots of aspirational, bougie new england visuals).

4. discovering “third places” in my area

   

   not to sound like a total boomer, but i do lament the times when the internet was much less of a presence in our lives. now, it’s a very intentional effort to go to physical spaces to gather with others (or just spend time by oneself). and, i don’t know about you, but post-COVID, public etiquette seems to have flown out the window in a lot of ways, and what used to be a calming or restorative experience can be frustrating or chaotic. that being said, i’ve been trying to explore spots in my general vicinity — some new, some just new-to-me — that i can pop into to have a drink and a bite, maybe get some writing done, or just BE. a couple weeks ago, early on a thursday evening, i enjoyed some orange wine, tinned fish, and potato chips at a cozy wine bar called juliet social club, where i was the only patron. and this past weekend, i sidled up to the bar with my laptop at pepita coffee, a cafe by day in a brewery space. if you’re interested in reading more about third places, i enjoyed this article!

5. coffee milk in coffee (how meta)

   

   as many of you know, i’m one of those people who will always impulse buy a weird new product at the grocery store or try the latest limited-time featured drink at dunkin’ or starbucks or wherever. and recently, i noticed that dunks had added something called a “dunkalatte” to their menu, which is simply coffee milk (milk with coffee syrup) livened up with a shot of espresso. it was pricey, but good, and then i noticed that you could now ALSO just request to add some coffee milk to your regular coffee! i’ve been all about it because it adds the perfect little kick of sweetness and creaminess. give it a try if you’re feeling adventurous!