Newslettering Vol. 48: Everything / Nothing is Happening!
Ulta liquid eye shadow actually slaps, some music for your ears and why goat cheese should get a life
“A reminder that nothing happens in August. Oh you thought someone was going to return your call/email/text? They are not. It is August.”
Writer and author Jami Attenburg tweeted this today and honestly? She’s right! Nothing is happening in this mid- to late-August work/life slowdown.
Well, that’s not exactly true. There’s actually a paradox of everything happening and nothing happening simultaneously.
Nuclear secrets on the loose? Happening.
Friends around to grab an Aperol spritz? Not happening.
Kathy Hilton mistaking Lizzo for 'Precious'? Happening.
People responding to my work-related emails? Not happening.
I’ve decided to embrace the non-response response. I’ve lowered my expectations and let me tell you, it feels really good to expect nothing from anyone! If people ring me back or respond to a message, I’m pleasantly surprised. Lowering expectations is the true secret to happiness.
Besides assuming no one will get back to me about anything, here’s what I’ve been obsessed with lately:
Ulta’s Metallic Cream Eye Shadow in Breakdance ($8.50): Friends, do not sleep on Ulta’s house brand of makeup. It’s actually really good. Breakdance is a beige metallic shimmer shade and it’s my fave. The shimmer is subtle enough to catch the light which makes me like I’ve put some effort into my life. The shadow blends out like a dream and dries in seconds. If I had to lodge a complaint, I’d grumble about how the applicator is a little messy but I’m willing to overlook it because the price is good and the shade is lovely. This liquid eye shadow is the only makeup product I’ve repurchased this year. It’s brilliant.
The Cinespia mix series on Soundcloud (free): If you’re looking for some rad mixes to stream, click on this link. A handful of DJs have curated custom mixes to capture the vibe of well-known films. Zach Cowie does a mix for Reality Bites and Harold & Maude. Questlove does one for his film Summer of Soul. There’s a lot of gems in here.
Megababe body dust ($20 at Ulta): I’m a body powder bitch, y’all. I like Lush’s body powder Silky Underwear but find the packaging unwieldy. This talc-free, aluminum-free body powder from Megababe smells lightly of lavender and helps keep things feeling dry. You also get a good amount of product for the price. I’m a fan.
@HensWithBenefits on Instagram: My sister Rachel started an Instagram account about her life as a suburban chicken mom. I named two of the chickens: Winona and Dolly. The feed is great! Give it a follow if you dig chicken butts and wholesome content.
Things I hate so much that it makes my right eye twitch:
Old photographs: I recently unearthed some photos from high school / college / early adulthood and man, was it a lot to take in. I walked around this planet with Betty Page bangs in 1999! I wore polo shirts with holes in the armpits in 1995! I over-tweezed my eyebrows in 1998! Burn it all. Just throw it into a garbage pail and light a match.
Goat cheese: This is one of my least favorite cheeses of all time. To my taste buds, it’s vile. And it always finds a way to sneak itself into things I’m eating too. Crumbled into a beet salad. Folded into a crab rangoon wonton. Chillin’ on a cheese plate. If I could eradicate five things from the world, goat cheese would be on that list (along with parking tickets, Zach Braff, global warming and bad breath).
Until next time,
Your buddy,
Anna
*If you’re like, who are you again? My name is Anna Goldfarb. I’m a reporter who writes about friendship, relationships and pop psychology. I used to write a blog called Shmitten Kitten too. Thanks for reading!!