But First, Writing:
I was nominated for my first ever Pushcart Prize!!! The story nominated here was published by So to Speak Journal and was the runner-up of their contest this year. Here is a link to my story.
“Come, Eat, I Promise” in Moot Point Magazine
This poem means a lot to me! By happenstance, it was published on my birthday and shortly thereafter, I was invited to join the Moot Point masthead as an assistant editor! I hope you check out the site and all the fantastic work we have been publishing
“How to Run a Marathon with the Same Attitude You Bring to Therapy” in The Belladonna
Good luck to all my friends running in the California International Marathon this weekend!
A Lustrous Gift Guide
Gifts are my love language. I absolutely abhor last-minute, sale-oriented shopping, so I actually tend to purchase gifts on a whim for friends over the year and gift them for birthdays and holidays. However, I have been stockpiling links for items I am obsessed with specifically for your perusal
At Home
Ambiance-makers:
Vitruvi Diffuser - the vanilla stone look is so solid. Like it could hold the weight of my emotions and and diffuse my tears for me.
Candle wax warmer - I haven’t personally used these myself, but I have heard they are remarkable. They allow your room to fill with the scent of the candle without burning the wick, extending its life by….a lot.
Speaking of candles - here are some luxuries meant to help your giftees enter a new mental space. They’re cosmic, existential, born to die and beautiful: Dior, Loewe, Find Me Now, Aditi (my fave!), Illuminati Waxworks, and this gorgeous one
I wish I had this house-coat so badly. I have wanted it for years, since the minute it was invented. It’s like an elevated snuggie. I would put my cat into it like a kangaroo and never be cold again.
I’m not a puzzle girlie myself, but something about the buns on this one….or this one?
Everything from this store is my exact personality
On the Go
A phone case that screams aesthetics over everything - so sleek! So impractical!
Theragun Mini - A single charge lasts forever, and I am obsessed with mine. I have yet to take it on a trip with me, but I know it would heal my post-flight quad tension if I did.
A Sleeping Mask - It’s a boring adult thing but hear me out! I have been able to sleep on any travel, open-mouthed, drool down my chin because of my sleep mask. This weighted one looks compelling, and here is the one I have.
The only logo item I will wear
This luggage is so lusty - Half the price of a Rimowa but still 5x the price of what good luggage should cost. Long shot but putting it here in case someone wanted to….get it…for…(me?)
Book-adjacent Things
Donate to n+1 (a fantastic lit mag) and get a personalized book rec for it!!! The categories are slaying.
Bookish card games - Papercuts seems rompy, dishy and a good one to take shots to. The Moth is its tame, sad-girl older sister? Idk I haven’t played either but I was gifted The Moth! Will report back.
Select Granta books are 40% off with “bestof2022”. Here is my pick.
There seems to be some sort of correlation between avid readers and planner users. I just got the foiled beetle one, but there is no wrong option here. Two other planners I love: the Shinola runwell and the Hobonichi Techno
The perfect tank top
Books I Will Be Gifting
In all honesty, gifting books to a book lover is one of the worst things you can do. You will *probably* either get them something they have read or don’t want. My advice if you insist - get them something worth owning. Something that requires taking notes in, marking up, making their own. Something re-readable. Something newer over backlist is also great because they are less likely to already own it. Best, give a book you read and marked up yourself. That’s special <3
Otherwise, here are some options:
Easy Beauty by Chloé Cooper Jones - On my TBR shortlist. I am not typically into memoirs but the way it was described to me by a friend, plus this essay by the author, made me immediately purchase it.
The Immortal King Rao by Vauhini Vara - This book is SO cool. Both a sci fi and a historical speculative text. I don’t understand why this is not winning MORE prizes!!! Spread the word, gift this one to everyone!
Refuse to Be Done by Matt Bell - One of, if not THE, best craft book I have read for novel-writing. If your giftee is a writer, this one shouldn’t be overlooked.
Vagina Obscura by Rachel E. Gross - One of those books no one buys for themselves but everyone wants
Readings on my Mind
My friend Rosa wrote this dreamy essay about Los Angeles. I was stunned silent by the ferocity of language on the page.
I scream-laughed my way through this article.
New Brandon Taylor short story for free online!
This chat bot story by Sheila Heti (in 5 parts, plus actual chat bots you can chat with!)
Does fashion even care about what humans find beautiful? Or is it a capitalistic monster hell-bent on making money at the cost of destruction, environmental and aesthetic?