sending a cozy letter this sunday (and things i've been loving lately)

hello.

i journaled for the first time last week.

like, legitimately took a pen to paper in my hobonichi journal and wrote with reckless abandon with the intention of writing for my eyes only. i felt myself getting panicked and anxious while i was studying. i was so overstimulated from too much screen time and didn’t want to sit with my thoughts so i ate some candy and took out my crisp new journal and began to write. in the past, i’ve journaled, but never journaled fully knowing that someone out there might read my thoughts. so, i’ve always held back. there is something so comforting and therapeutic taking 15-20 minutes out of your day doing something for you, and you only. you’d think as a writer, i would be a huge journaling advocate. and i am… i love telling people to journal and of course i don’t ever take my own advice. but after too many years of depriving myself of such comfort, the writer finally decided to try her hand at journaling out of pure desperation and guess what? it actually worked. i don’t know if it will work for you, but this practice filled a void inside my soul that has been leaking for years.

a part of me felt guilty for taking that time to journal for myself, knowing that i’ve been wanted to write to you as well because i haven’t had the time to be as present in this space. it’s my favorite time of year and there are so many things i want to share with you so i’m going to be better and setting this time aside to dedicate to this newsletter.

these past couple of months have been an absolute whirlwind and i’m at max capacity. school is getting more intense and i’m starting a new job that has me feeling equally petrified and excited. i’m more worried about the ways in which my anxiety will manifest in this new (and scary) environment. and speaking of… i’m writing a letter to you filled with tools that have helped me get through awful and debilitating anxiety and panic attacks (no, breathing is not on there because that shit has never worked for me). so stay tuned for that.

for today’s letter, i want to share some things i’ve been loving lately (as i always love doing) that have been helping me throughout this new season of life. i’ll also be sharing a short wishlist at the end.

things i’ve been loving lately:

-ina gartens new memoir: i wrote about this before. not exactly a typical book i would read in october (quite the contrary, actually), but this is one of my favorite books i’ve read all year. if you’re an ina garten fan you will love this book. this also makes a great gift for your friends or your mom.

-bluey: don’t at me for this. i love children’s cartoons playing in the background for comfort noise, especially if i’m feeling anxious. i’ll be working with kids in my new job so i feel it is my civic duty to be well versed on all things disney junior, etc. (i also love it so that helps)

-milk and cookies: the other day, a friend of mine went to levain bakery with her daughter and decided to drop off some cookies at my doorstep as a little surprise and congratulations gift for my new job and school endeavors. she wrote a little love note and left her favorite korean mocha coffee in a bag with the cookies and it was one of the sweetest gestures i’ve received from a friend in a very long time. i felt very loved. and the fact that levain chocolate chip cookies are my favorite cookies in the whole world was the icing on the cake. i’ve also been on a huge milk and cookies kick for the past couple weeks. milk and cookies late at night while watching your favorite films? count me in every single time.

-han kang books: many of you read about han kang’s achievement being the first asian woman to win the nobel prize in literature (take that murakami). so i’ve been diving into her books, specifically the white book.

-oatmeal: yes, it’s soup season, but it’s also oatmeal season. there is absolutely nothing more comforting than a bowl of warm oatmeal in the morning with swirls of maple brown sugar or apples and cinnamon, especially on cold, cloudy mornings. trader joe’s makes steel cut oats in the frozen section i love. their instant packs are also great. my other favorite are the quaker oats from target. apple cinnamon and maple brown sugar. this variety pack has the two above and cinnamon spice- another new favorite.

-soup: i’m plugging trader joe’s again because they make the best harvest quinoa chili soup in their fridge section. if you’re looking for upgraded canned soup, i recommend amy’s soup- specifically, the chili, (no) chicken noodle, tomato bisque, and lentil. soup with a good bread for dipping and it’s a party.

-calling my mom and grandparents: family has also been a source of comfort and encouragement for me. ever since i started school, i’ve felt so much more connected with my family- back on track, if you will. especially with my grandpa who is ringing me more frequently tell me that he’s proud of me (eldest daughter validation).

-this playlist and this one, too: it’s definitely a peanuts/snoopy jazzy fall for me. i haven’t felt as into the halloween spooky spirit as much as i’ve been gravitating towards the warmth and comfort from autumnal thanksgiving vibes. how are you feeling this year? actually… to put it better, i’m very much feeling more meg ryan fall and less practical magic halloween.

-turtlenecks and slick back buns: i don’t make the rules, autumn and winter are for turtlenecks and long uni days are meant for low maintenance slick back (or messy) buns and the combination is hot and lethal. this paired with little gold hoops- chefs kiss. uniqlo makes a great turtleneck. (i also love their bag. i use this every single day). and here are my favorite slick back bun tools: this brush, these hair ties, this hair stick for fly aways. and if you’re not into buns, try the claw clip. these hoops are on my wishlist.

-byredo chai candle: if you’re feeling a little burnt out on pumpkin, but still want something festive and autumnal, this is a good one. if you’re craving something fruitier, biblioteque is a good one and i also love autumn plum from nest.

-heating pad for neck and shoulders: the tech neck is real. too much screen time from studying and work stuff. i make the mistake of being on my phone every morning while i’m on the elliptical or treadmill and i’m certain that the pressure and impact on my neck from looking down while running has exacerbated this issue for me. this little heating pad has been a game changer.

-journaling: i’ve been using the hobonochi techno to finish out 2024, but starting in 2025, i’ll be using the hobonichi weeks journal. the cousin is another great option if you like larger notebooks. as i mentioned earlier, this has truly been a game changer for me. i can’t wait to decorate each page with stickers and event tickets and other memorabilia.

-jellycat oatmeal and bartholomew bear: this little bear lovely is so sweet, too. i believe in the jellycat supremacy. they really will bring you happiness.

-pumpkin seeds: and look at this snack pack version for school days! i went to dinner recently and had an avocado salad with pumpkin seeds in it and found myself addictively devouring them so i sought out to find them i can eat them on the go. this goraw brand is the best. they also make pumpkin seed bars that i’ve loved for years.

-late night pumpkin patch trips: there is something so nostalgic and spooky about going to the pumpkin patch at night. the smell of kettle corn wafting through the air, everyone is dressed up in black or in halloween costumes, young people taking cute photos, and kids running around playing in the patch. day time pumpkin patch trips are cool. but night trips are ».

-my hatch sleep alarm: i was graciously gifted this item and i’ve been playing with it for a couple weeks. it has significantly improved my mornings and decreased the panic that inevitably comes with a 5am alarm.

lastly, i’ve accumulated a small wishlist of things i’ve been mulling over recently…

-gold hoop earrings: these are are simple and cute. i’ve been wearing my hair in a bun a lot lately, and there is nothing i find more chic than a slick back bun and little gold hoops <3

-brown suede new balance 574: there was a girl on tiktok who made these look like the miumiu new balanced and i’m obsessed.

-ouai x dedcool laundry detergent and dryer sheets: i love the smell of ouai (specifically the melrose scent). i’m not normally a floral girl, but for laundry day, clean sheets, and cardigans, i’d love for them to smell like lychee, roses, bergamot, amber, sandalwood, cedar, and musk. they just came out with a new scent called north bondi. curious about this one, too.

-mojave ghost fragrance byredo: ambrette, violet, sandalwood, musk, cedarwood and ghost in the name? i’m excited to try this one.

okay, that’s all for today.

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i love you.

bye.

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