my february favorites🍵 just some tea #42
what I would tell a friend to read, watch, do, and stalk!
The most important thing you need to know about reading this is I am writing this sitting outside. Last year, I discovered the joy of writing outside. Under the trees, on the grass, in a roadside cafe or in my balcony. It brought me more joy than I could have expected.
This is to say, in life you can keep finding new things that bring you joy. And they are usually not the big things, but the small routine-y things.
The second most important thing you need to know - well I am extremely glad you are reading this. I took a little break in February. Similar to how you need to hold on to a yoga pose to reap its benefit, I just felt the need to slow down and stay still in the newness of change.
If you missed it, I shared on Insta that I moved on from Bumble to my next role.🐝(Spoiler in the next edition, I will tell you the why and how the move came about.)
For this one, let me share all the things I loved in this leap year’s February. Hope by sharing this, I help you discover a new thing that brings you immense joy. 🩵
📚 Reading
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
One word to describe the writing would be sharp. The entire plot and narration is so tightly wound. The narrator “steals” the work of her dead best friend/nemesis and publishes as her own. What follows is this constant tension through the book where you are trying to pick sides. My motivation to keep reading was also the fascinating insights on how bestsellers/world of publishing works.
My Rating: 4.2ish/5 Stars ★
Good Material by Dolly Alderton
If you live in London, and are in a phase where all your friends are in different life phases, you will love the observations and humour in this book. Interesting because a woman wrote from a male perspective going through a breakup. Entire book is from the man’s point of view, but the last chapter is from the girlfriend’s point of view. After reading that, you feel like going back and rereading the entire book.
My Rating: 4/5 Stars ★
Top 10 writing tips by
No secret here, Mari is my biggest crush on Substack. I look forward to her writings every week. This month, she said to break your own heart to write. If you write and you read, you know exactly what she is saying. If not, I would suggest you start writing (and her tips will help you!)
Ambitious women by
With IWD this week, if you want to read something that pierces into the dichotomy of being an ambitious relaxed woman, read this.
Achieving the vision of ease is ironically arduous. It’s diligence and conscientiousness behind the scenes. Behind glamor is effort.
📺 Watching
One day
Somehow I did not make the connect that it’s basically the same Anne Hathaway movie but as a Netflix series. So I was so not prepared for the end. Friends to lovers over decades is my favourite trope, so needless to say this one has all my heart.
Inventing Anna
Sam did not watch with me the first time I watched it - but then his TikTok was flooded with the clips so he very kindly requested my company while he watches it. I granted my presence, but not without an acknowledgement that not everything I watch is trash reality tv.
Anyone but you
I watched this film in a movie theatre - it’s been a while that I watched a romcom on a big screen, a sentiment echoed by the group of girlies in the queue in front of too me as well. Listen, it’s not a complex plot, but Sydney Sweeney is fab and sexy. I was just looking at her. (again on finding new joy-giving things, I didn’t know her before watching the movie and she now is a source of joy)
🤸♂️ Doing
Theatre with girlfriends 🎭
We went out in soho on a Saturday night to watch this 2 women play and I was pleasantly surprised by it. It follows them on a weekend away while they navigate some hard conversations. My first time in soho theatre, I am now planning to show up more.
Getting chrome nails 💅
Okay I think these are like what potatoes are to nail colours. These were my wedding nails and these were the nails I opted for when I had to be on business trip right after a vacation. Fun but like subtle classy fun. (Please Pinterest for images, I can never learn to take aesthetic pic of just my nails!)
🎨 Stalking #designtwitter
Trying the new Master Gorgeous UI by Pablo Stanley
Eep he is a design creator I deeply admire, and respect all the resources and knowledge he gives away for free. So when he came up with a course, I so wanted to be part of it (I know I will always a learn a new thing when I watch him!)
Simping the new June.so website
If you are not on Twitter, but are into design check their shiny new website out!
Nodding my head vigorously to Solelio’s take on should designers code.
🍵 Design Tea Club
I have been keeping it very low-key but it’s been brewing so nicely in the background. I personally find it so energising to connect people and create this safe, honest place to share stories, fears and ambitions.
The first IRL session was no different. I was blown away by the rawness of the conversations and how all people who came left as friends (and have been hanging out for portfolio sessions and paint workshops omg!)
Keep an eye out or drop me a DM if you would like to attend a future one!
What is a thing you have discovered recently that has been bringing you joy? Let me know in the comments. x
Talk next week,
Chhavi x