In case you were too busy playing Wordle to check out Instagram, I wrote an essay for the gorgeous website Yard Sale about learning to appreciate the little things in life (you know I love a good white buttoned-down and some fancy face cream!). Such a treat to be part of that incredible neighborhood of women.
A text thread between me and a friend about getting to sleep:
Friend: *Paul* came home late last night and wanted to talk THEN watch a show… there wasn’t any time for my nightly wind down 😂
Me: My wind down routine is so out of control that there’s no time to actually wind down!
Friend: Totally!!! When are you supposed to watch tv?? I can’t watch something and fall right to sleep.
Me: Andrew stares at his phone in bed (!!) and seconds later he’s snoring. I spend hours doing nighttime yoga and reading and blocking blue light and taking ALL of the supplements. Still sleeping like crap. WTF?
Friend: It’s breaking my brain.
I cannot figure out what is happening with my sleep lately. Perimenopause? Anxiety? A slew of excellent, un-put-downable books? Whatever it is, I am the only person in our king-sized bed experiencing it. Seems like an additional cruel gift from the hormonal gods — the more irregular my periods, the more elusive a good night of sleep becomes. There’s a lot of fun stuff happening in my life right now too (hopefully I’ll get to share more soon) and so I’m often awake turning things over in my head long past the lights go out. All good things, but still, I crave the daytime alertness that comes from a satisfying 7-8 hours. A certain vim and vigor.
I recently picked up The Menopause Brain by Lisa Mosconi. The female brain is a wonder! Menopause, like puberty in reverse! But I was (and am) feeling so overwhelmed by HRT and what I should and should not be doing in the name of brain health. I want an alert, healthy brain for as long as possible.
I fall into the camp of “early menopause” thanks to cancer treatment, but I’m not totally there yet since I still get weird and wonky periods… sometimes with months in between which I actually love, and sometimes a few times a month (!) which is decidedly less fun. Until I reach the twelve-month-period-free mark I remain in this kind of limbo.
Sleep disruptions, a waistline that refuses to shrink no matter what I do, a waning libido… all things that I would like to remedy fast. Women in their forties are creatively on fire! And I can’t help but think I’d be producing more or doing more or being more if I weren’t also dealing with the fact that my brain is literally shedding grey matter.
But I also learned that postmenopausal women are “generally happier — and happier than they themselves were before menopause.” Improved mood, more patience, less tension, no more PMS! Lisa goes so far as to call it a renaissance of sorts, a time when a lot of women find new careers or relationships or interests. And doesn’t that sound incredible?! I cannot wait for the renaissance to begin.
With my husband out of town last week I didn’t watch much (snippets of Floor is Lava or Gabby’s Dollhouse didn’t count as I hurried breakfast into the girls’ mouths) since I’ve been spending nights revising an essay, but I did manage a couple of episodes of Girls5Eva and LOL’d so hard. From the brilliant mind of Tina Fey.
If you need to simultaneously laugh and tear your hair out at the absurdity that is Mom Water, read the
essay immediately. I practically clapped.I was searching for something book-related and came across this podcast. I always love hearing other people talk about their favorite books, plus this one has the added interest of hearing about books that readers didn’t love! A fun listen on my morning walk.
- strikes again with her brilliant take on one of my favorite dinners, Pasta al Limone. Bright and comforting at the same time, it has me cheering for all the little buds popping up on the lemon tree in our yard. Pasta al Limone all year long!
Say hello to my new warm weather dress! H&M has a slew of billowy, gorgeous pieces right now, but I love this oversized dress with the delicate tie details. So pretty, but also supremely easy to throw on. H&M Tie-Detail Dress $24.99
And while I’m on the H&M site, look at this pretty woven phone bag at that very pretty price! H&M Braided Phone Bag $26.99
Lewis sweats are some of my favorites for kids and I am a sucker for this charming strawberry print. Great for chilly mornings, travel days, park days… really, all of the days. Lewis Sweatshirt $50
I’ve been doing a deep dive into Giovanni De Simone ceramics — the fun, punchy colors are pure joy — and this fish platter ticks all the boxes. Etsy Fish Platter $174.98
What a great pair of sandals! Sturdy, kind of masculine and perfect to anchor shorter hemlines. I’m also feeling this take on Birkenstocks. Sezane Low Rima Sandals $250
Apparently my legs are begging to be set free after a winter under wraps. Enter this super simple linen dress to throw on and go. J. Crew Bungalow Popover Dress $118
These phone cases!! I can’t decide between suns, cherries or waves. The Dairy Phone Case $54.95
I’ve talked about my love of the U Beauty Super Hydrator before (one of my top picks for 2023), and they have a new addition to their lineup that I’ve fallen hard for. This face oil is so dreamy — I’ve been using it in the morning and at night because I love the way it makes my skin feel. A little goes a long way. U Beauty Super Intensive Face Oil $188
Would love to refresh our towels with these dead sexy Baina ones in a perfect sage-y green. Baina Miles Bath Sheet $110
Those sturdy sandals would look great with this long-sleeved denim dress. Casual, easy, a little bit romantic. Like a Nancy Meyers movie. Sezane Sole Dress $195
A chunky pearl necklace to dress up a simple tee. J. Crew Baroque Pearl Necklace $78