Lovin' Lately no. 19
Just peppering you with some highly specific small joys.
10 Small Joys from a Tired (But Hopeful) Week
I’m veering off script a bit this week. No neatly curated list of books or beauty favorites—just a little roundup of ten things that brought me a flicker of joy in the midst of a long season. Because sometimes what we need isn’t another recommendation, but a reminder that the small stuff counts.
Here we go:
1. Slow wellness.
I’ve been leaning hard into the idea that January doesn’t need to be a starting line. Nature’s still asleep—why should I be at a sprint? The trees are bare, the energy is low, and my calendar is quieter than usual. Maybe that’s the invitation. To slow down. To soften. To rest before we bloom.
2. Mornings in monk mode.
No phone, no scrolling, no inbox diving before noon. It’s not always realistic, but when I can pull it off? Bliss. There’s something wildly luxurious about letting your own thoughts be the first ones you hear in the morning. Like starting the day inside your own story.
3. The rise of “healing fiction.”
Apparently, cozy novels with gentle plotlines and the occasional magical cat are huge in Korea and Japan—and I’m calling it now: we’re next. In this chaotic era, soft stories feel like balm. Honestly? Give me all the bookshop meet-cutes, sleepy seaside towns, and magical realism that smells like chamomile tea.
4. A mini bedding refresh.
I’ve neglected my bedding for... longer than I care to admit. But this week I found some affordable sheets that added just enough charm to feel like I tried. No dramatic makeover. Just a little softening of the space where I collapse every night. Highly recommend.
5. Milano cookies + a cozy book.
My brain has been mush lately, so I’ve been ending my days with a warm drink, dark chocolate Milanos (the elite cookie, I will not be accepting feedback), and a romantic comedy with no high stakes. It’s like comfort food for my nervous system.
6. Martha, surprisingly candid.
I finally watched the Martha Stewart doc on Netflix and was pleasantly surprised. It didn’t shy away from the tough parts—jail, criticism, her steeliness—but instead, wove it all together in a way that felt real. It made me appreciate the sharpness behind the curated aesthetic. Also: I forgot how out of the spotlight she was until her 2010s glow-up. Fascinating.
7. Morning Pages (again).
I’m revisiting The Artist’s Way and giving Morning Pages another go. Three pages, stream-of-consciousness, no editing allowed. I don’t always make it to the end, but even half a page feels like wringing out my brain. It’s where I leave the noise so I can hear myself again.
8. Rediscovering personal style (via Pinterest archaeology).
I went deep into my old Pinterest boards this week and found so many outfits I’d still wear now. Which made me think: maybe that’s the key. If it still sparks something years later, maybe that’s your style signature. For me, it’s Alexa Chung in a great coat. Always.
9. Bad Sisters is back.
Season 2 is here, and I could not be more ready. If you haven't watched it yet, I’m almost jealous—you get to experience it for the first time. It’s sharp, dark, funny, and somehow still cozy? Let’s discuss.
10. A candle that smells like “bookworm but make it chic.”
Books Are Magic teamed up with Joya Studio, and the result is a candle that basically smells like the ideal rainy afternoon: citrusy, woodsy, a little nostalgic. I don’t need another candle, but this one might be edging toward “essential.”
Now it’s your turn. What small, oddly specific joys did you find this week?
No joy is too tiny. I want to hear them all.
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