Brightside October Edition

WELCOME TO THE BRIGHTSIDE

October 31st, 2020

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

*on repeat*

The World At Large, Modest Mouse

How's Your Mind Today?

Mine is GOOD because I'm back HERE with another Brightside! It's been a while, and I hope this finds you well. The past few months (when was the last time I checked in?) have been pretty solid in my world; I mean, despite some standard-issue 2020 meltdowns I can't complain.

Zach's parents were (safely) in town for what we dubbed Parent's Weekend 2020 in the middle of the month; we did a full weekend of Bachelorette-style Hometowns with family in Connecticut for an official "meeting of the families". It was so fun - I feel really lucky that I have such a strong relationship with Zach's family (in large part thanks to quarantining with them for 3 months!!), and that both of our parents hit it off so well. It was a treat to be back in CT for a New England fall weekend - the foliage was in full color and I always feel so grounded being back home.

In my work world, I got promoted (!!!) which was an awesome feeling. The Google promotion cycle is long - so this is my first promo since joining 2 years ago. I feel so proud of all of the hard work I've put in to get here - and it's really wonderful to be able to reflect back on everything I've done over the past few years. I have pushed myself to get outside of my comfort zone, explored COUNTLESS new opportunities, and really honed in on what's important to me.

I am so thankful that I chose to prioritize my career growth this past year or so; and that I've been fortunate enough to have the opportunities to really commit to it. Between career coaching (HI SHEILA!), going to Grace Hopper, and just raising my hands for all sorts of projects and learning opportunities that excited me, I learned a lot about myself and I feel optimistic about the future. I am constantly reminding myself that I don't have to have "it all figured out" right this second and to enjoy the ride; but I'm taking this moment to celebrate where I'm at and take stock, and it feels good.

Zach and I are really enjoying fall in Jersey City otherwise, and looking forward to snowboarding season. Tonight we're making chicken tortilla soup and getting cozy on the couch to watch The Shining. Spooky! I hope this finds you well wherever you are and you're surviving this absurd year. Oh! And don't forget to VOTE!

My 2020 blues come and go in waves. In many ways I feel like I've taken the year in stride, but recently I have been REALLY missing some of my pre-pandemic pleasures. Maybe the most of all I'm missing concerts. I've been listening to the new Glass Animals album on repeat; they were one of the first bands I saw when I moved to New York in 2016 and I always think of that night so fondly. What I would GIVE to see them in person right now. Or Jessie Ware, or Taylor Swift. SIGH.

Highs - reuniting with my friend Anna-Christina for the first time all year! We hung out in Riverside Park and caught up over lattes. Her dad and magical Russian Wolfhounds made an appearance too, which was so great.

Lows - you know, just navigating this insane political year, striking a right balance with news consumption, missing going into the office. Nothing new.

I visited Heyday for the first time since FEBRUARY a few weekends ago, and it was absolute pure bliss. Of course I got swindled into some new products (it takes very little to upsell me; sigh), but I'm LOVING this probiotic moisturizer morning and night.

Something else random that I picked up on a whim at Sephora was this Ouai scalp & body scrub. To be honest, I mostly use it on my body. It smells AMAZING and leaves your skin feeling super soft and smooth and clean. Couldn't recommend enough if you're looking to make your shower feel like a spa.

And speaking of spa; I added a bunch of eucalyptus to my shower (finally!) after seeing it all over instagram and in some of my friends' bathrooms (hi Harley!!) and I'm SO glad I did. Small investment but feels like a major upgrade!

When Zach and I moved in together, it was unsurprising but still sad how tragic we were in the kitchen. We were pretty much starting from scratch with our cooking skills; pre-pandemic our lifestyle consisted of many dinners out or Seamless, and even when were in Florida I mostly just made myself quesedillas, lol. So we started Hello Fresh out of necessity and it's been GREAT! We've been doing it maybe 2 months now, and I feel much more confident in the kitchen and better about trying recipes outside of what we get in our boxes. The other day I made the Bon Appetit butternut squash soup and it was TO DIE FOR!

My most lated coveted item are these shearling Berkinstocks for morning walks with Louie.