This is the Friday post featuring a roundup of everything that’s on my radar this week. Paid subscribers get access to the full Friday post, plus bonus posts and subscriber chats. Subscribe for $5/month here!

Happy Friday! I’m writing this on a Tuesday as we’re flying to Florida to spend some time with family later this week. Thanks to all the readers who commented with your thoughts on my goals for 2024 earlier this week; there were so many great ideas for one of my goals, which is to build a better sense of community in my local area, plus helpful thoughts on my other big goal this year—to be nicer to myself. :)

Today’s issue is packed with bits like…

• The first “literary” book I’ve been able to pay attention to in a while

• A hair product I can’t believe I hadn’t been using

• An easy and light show to stream

• Great recommendations galore from readers

• The best advice for surviving winter

• A poll for subscribers at the bottom re: reader chats

This Week’s Recs

Just three short recommendations this week.

BUYING

I heard about this heat protectant hair spray on TikTok and I’m not sure how I went without it as a frizzy-haired girly. The key difference from my typical holy grail blow-dry spray is that it can be used on dry hair before heat styling (I use this curling iron), and your hair won’t feel overly oily after use thanks to the fine mist mechanism.

READING

The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell. This is by no means a “new and buzzy” recommendation, but if you’re into historical fiction, the Medici family, Renaissance Italy, art history, a book that feels right for winter, or really any of the above, this book might be for you. The book is set in 1550’s Florence and follows the life of Lucrezia, the third daughter of duke Cosimo de Medici, as she’s married to the duke of Ferrara at the young age of thirteen. I’m listening on audio and it’s the first “literary” book that’s held my attention in a while.

WATCHING

Selena + Chef on MAX. Again, not a new or buzzy recommendation, and I’ve mentioned it on here before but if you’re looking for the definition of a low-stakes, ambient watch (which I think many of us do in this winter season), I recommend this show in which the charming but, um, woefully unequipped (in the kitchen) Selena cooks with famous chefs like Gordon Ramsay (highly rec that episode) and Michael Symon in the latest Holiday edition. I recommend the holiday episodes if you want to extend the cozy and festive season like I do. The dishes are delicious and feel doable enough, but the real bright spot of the show are the many gaffes made in the kitchen by Selena and her friends—like not knowing how to turn on the convection setting on the oven, for instance. (Selena, if you’re reading this, please for all us anxious viewers out here: work on those safe knife skills, girly!!!)

COOKING

Pesto risotto with shrimp. One word: COZY. I'm planning to make this as soon as we get back to warm up.

🧵Looking For More Recs?

Join this subscriber chat thread about what you’re reading/watching/cooking/enjoying right now. There are TONS of great recommendations from fellow readers on stuff like:

• The coziest show on Apple TV featuring the best Irish accents

• The best to-do/organizational planning apps

• The best gripping books that can hold the attention of a new mom during middle of the night feeds

• …and more. :)

[Note: Paid subscribers can access the chat via web or the Substack app.]

Fun Links + Reads

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