eclectic musings from a girl and her notes app

Hello. There’s a living breathing notes app folder on my phone where I type out current things I’m loving, hating, musing over, etc. I have little subfolders for each month so I can go back and reference things or find inspiration or cringe at myself or all of the above. Anyways. I thought I would share some of these things with you before we get into interesting articles. Maybe I’ll start sharing these more frequently…

Things I’m loving:

-Grouper (this song feels like the soundtrack of November. Also January). 

-Catherine Deneuve Harper’s Bazaar France magazine (and rewatching Belle De Jour (1967).

-Trader Joe’s Fig and Olive crackers. 

-Trader Joe's stuffing thanksgiving popcorn that they don’t make anymore and it really makes me sad because I only have half a serving size left in the bag and it feels criminal to eat it so I’m waiting for a special occasion to indulge. Maybe Thanksgiving. 

-Watching 90s episodes of Martha Stewart and old Ina Garten holiday specials.

-Saltine crackers.

-Chess. It’s become quite the addiction. I want to go to a chess club in nyc. 

-Chamomile Lavender Honey Milk Tea Lattes. (get a pyrex and pour 12 oz of warm milk. Put in the microwave until almost boiling. Steep your tea bag for 5 mins. Froth with fancy frothing device. Enjoy)

-Minding my posture and making a conscious effort to keep my shoulders down and back. 

You guys, there are so many more things on my list. Okay, I’ve decided I will share more of these in my (almost) daily newsletter. 

Let’s get into some interesting articles and current internet musings. (Stay until the end for some book recommendations).

-The Beautiful Chaos of the Notes App 

Readers of a newsletter shared eclectic contents from their Notes apps, revealing a range of personal, quirky, and chaotic thoughts, from a snail's unique ability to regenerate its head to a list of fictional cocktails, details of a puppy's bowel movements, and a playlist for a funeral. This reflects how the Notes app serves as an unfiltered, spontaneous brain dump, contrasting with the structured digital note-taking tools like Evernote and Notion, and provides a glimpse into the more candid, unorganized aspects of users' personalities.

-According to Alice

In a whimsical and imaginative narrative, Alice, a character born from an egg, describes a fantastical world where her lineage of Alices, including her mother and ancestors, are creators of all things, with the first Alice being a powerful, magical figure who made herself and everything else. This story, interwoven with rules about staying inside and not talking about certain things, explores themes of creation, the fluidity of AI, the nature of time, and human emotions and experiences, culminating in a reflection on the complexities of life, death, and the afterlife.

I am infatuated with this entire story. Sheila Heti collaborated with a customizable chatbot on the Chai AI platform to write a story. She interacted with the chatbot, asking various questions—some leading, some open-ended—and used the chatbot's concise responses to construct the narrative. Heti edited the conversation by removing her questions and arranging the chatbot's answers for better comprehension and narrative flow.

-Are You Okay, Or Have You Witnessed A Decade of “What I Eat In A Day” Videos?

During a late-night social media scroll, the ubiquity of 'What I Eat In A Day' videos across platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube highlights a growing fascination with others' diets, blending voyeurism with a nuanced exploration of personal identity and eating habits.

I don’t know about you, but watching these types of videos make me hate myself, and dare I say, the person creating them. Lolllllllll jk. I love food media, food culture, food magazines, food memoirs, etc. The “What I Eat In A Day” videos feel dramatically different in the worst way. 

-TikTok’s Claim That Emma Chamberlain ‘Needs To Go To College’ Is Tall Poppy Syndrome In Action:

TikTokers are suggesting Emma Chamberlain, a self-made social media personality, should go to college to broaden her perspectives, but this view is seen as possibly rooted in classism, jealousy, and misogyny, and not necessarily in genuine support for her educational growth.

I have a lot of mixed feelings about this one…

I’m curious to hear your thoughts. 

I’m of the belief that we are free to live whatever kind of life we want, as long as you’re not hurting yourself and others. I’m also of the belief that education is the most powerful gift you can give yourself. Are the politics of US colleges completely fucked and unfair? Yes. Am I aware that going to college is a privilege and not everyone is lucky enough to have the opportunity? Absolutely. Goes without saying. Can you learn almost anything online or on YouTube? Probably. With that said, if you are lucky enough and privileged enough to have the chance to go to college, I will stand by the belief that it will be one of the best, most rewarding things you can do for yourself and your future. I could probably write a book on this topic.

-Whatever happened to having taste?:

The Real Housewives franchise, known for its uniform portrayal of wealth, contrasts sharply with the unique and anti-conformist style of Jenna Lyons, former J. Crew head, highlighting the homogeneity in consumer tastes influenced by digital marketing and a growing preference for individualized expression in fashion and home decor.

-What is ‘aesthetic’? Ask Sofia Coppola:

The trend of selecting products like Graza olive oil or Paloma Wool sweaters for their 'aesthetic' value on TikTok reflects a cultural shift where purchasing decisions are seen as an extension of identity and a form of personal world-building, similar to the cinematic style of Sofia Coppola, whose work embraces and celebrates the superficial as meaningful expressions of identity.

-I Have Mastered the “Everything Shower”:

The article describes a luxurious bathing routine called an "Everything Shower," where every step of personal grooming is included in a single session, enhanced with specific products for a spa-like experience, including lymphatic drainage massage, pre-shower masks, double cleansing hair, conditioning and body scrubs, post-shower masking, and layering body products.

Have you tried this before? Tell me your thoughts. I’m convinced that there are girlies who love bath time. They’re beautiful self care mermaids who love to spend time in the tub with all the fancy accessories and bath salts, etc. Then there are girlies like me. The black cats who detest water and view bath time as a chore. These are the girlies who also hated bathtime as kids and cried every time their mothers shouted “bath time!”. 

-Break Bread with Strangers at These Under-the-Radar Supper Clubs in NYC

In modern New York City, supper clubs have evolved from their 1930s Midwest origins to become eclectic social gatherings in small apartments, attracting diverse attendees seeking meaningful connections. These clubs feature unique themes, varied menus, and often require applications or lottery systems for attendance, reflecting a departure from traditional supper club norms and embracing the spirit of communal dining and socializing in the city's compact spaces.

As someone who is very introverted, it takes ridiculous amounts of effort to muster up the courage to attend an event like this. But, I’m going to challenge myself to go to one of these. I’ll report back. If I don’t, feel free to message me and yell at me and hold me accountable because I need more socialization in my life (I say this reluctantly). 

-Why Is Gen Z So Obsessed With Fran Lebowitz?

On a visit to hear Fran Lebowitz speak, the author reflects on Lebowitz's unique legacy as a witty, outspoken, and present New Yorker, who, despite being an inactive activist and a writer who doesn’t write, has become an icon for her authenticity and ability to live life unburdened by societal expectations or the pressure of constant self-promotion, resonating with young people's fears and aspirations in contemporary culture.

Martha Stewart Has Canceled Thanksgiving

Martha Stewart announced on "The Kelly Clarkson Show" that she's not hosting Thanksgiving this year due to a combination of guests canceling and her already having cooked numerous turkeys for her TV show. Instead, she plans to visit multiple friends' homes to sample different courses, putting pressure on her friends in Bedford, New York, to impress with their culinary skills.

Pop off queen.

Jonathan Anderson’s big idea- How the Loewe designer dominated culture in 2023:

In 2023, the term "luxury" in fashion lost its original meaning of rarity and exceptional craftsmanship, becoming synonymous with blandness and minimalism. Amid this monotony, Jonathan Anderson, the creative director of Loewe and founder of JW Anderson, stands out as a beacon of hope and creativity in the fashion industry. Anderson rejects the traditional notion of luxury, striving to make his brand about culture rather than extravagance. Known for dressing celebrities like Rihanna and Beyoncé and designing for films, Anderson's work is celebrated for its originality and innovation. His approach to fashion is dynamic, constantly evolving, and breaking the mold of the industry's repetitive trends. In 2023, Anderson's unique vision and willingness to experiment made him a leading figure in fashion, challenging the industry's status quo and proving that creativity can still thrive amidst a culture of sameness and internet-driven consumerism.

If you get nerdy about fashion, you’ll appreciate this one. 

As promised ~ book recommendations:

-Clarice Lispector. If you’re new to Lispector, you’re in for a real treat. Start with An Apprenticeship or The Book of Pleasures. Then move on to Agua Viva. A Breath Of Life is heavy, but one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read. 

-Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto. This is a light-hearted novel that explores themes of love, loss, and the healing power of food, as it follows the journey of a young woman named Mikage who finds solace in cooking as she copes with the death of her grandmother and forms a deep connection with a young man and his transgender mother.

Care for more book recs? Send me an email or write a comment below on things you’re loving/ want more of. 

Okay, until tomorrow. Thanks for reading my ramblings. 

Bye <3