This is the Friday post at Downtime, a feel-good weekly roundup of recommendations and delightful distractions. If the email cuts off, you can view it on the web.

Hi! How was your week? The house was all mine this week (plus the baby’s) so for the past few nights, rather than flipping on the television, I’ve been hopping into bed early—8:30-ish—with a book.¹ PRAY TELL, is there a more luxurious feeling than doing your full skincare routine then hopping into a fluffy bed to read your pleasure book for hours?!

This reading routine’s been reminding me of a funny quote from last month’s interview with author Rufi Thorpe:

“The best reading is, hands down, when you get out of the shower but don’t get dressed yet and decide you are allowed to read naked in bed, preferably in the middle of the afternoon, and then you wind up reading for like three hours and suddenly it’s dinner and you get dressed then stumble out hungry and bleary-eyed.”

Such a good one, right? It’s funny, the things we find luxurious as we get older. :)

What’s your version of a “little luxury” these days? Would love to hear in the comments, however weird or however small…

Leave a comment

—Alisha

P.S. If you’re looking for some fall reading recs, don’t forget to check out the Downtime fall books issue. There are some fantastic under-the-radar picks, and the comments section is on FI-YAH 🔥 with even more recommendations.

Three quick recs…

• LISTEN: To this podcast episode about how an audiobook gets made, featuring Julia Whelan, aka “the Adele of audiobooks.” Loved her insight on the difference between narrating a first-person perspective vs. third-person perspective. I’m truly in my audiobooks era right now and appreciated the behind-the-scenes look.

• WATCH: Nobody Wants This (on Netflix) starring Kristen Bell and Adam Brody, is a heartfelt rom-com about a newly single 'hot rabbi' and an irreverent, agnostic podcaster who form an unlikely bond. If you enjoy witty banter and earnest romance, don’t miss it when it airs *next week*, September 26th (I got an early preview).

• READ: Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo. The writing in this book is intimate, folkloric, and a touch magical. It’s not a new release, but I’m listening to this on audio and enjoying it; it’s partly narrated by the author (which is always a plus, in my eyes). If you’re itching for a brand new release, Entitlement by Rumaan Alaam sounds like a fantastic of-the-moment novel examining wealth, morality, and privilege. I miss Succession so I’m going to pretend this is the next best thing.

• Also I’m… Picking up the new Sally Rooney on Tuesday, and there appears to be *many* bookstore events happening across the country to celebrate - try googling “intermezzo sally rooney events [your city]”. MORE BOOK RELEASE PARTIES, PLEASE! // Gearing up for some ambient TV watching this weekend with Love Is Blind D.C. 🫣 🫣 🫣

…and 5 cozy discoveries:

1. My closet feels like a ~haven of luxury~ now, thanks to this gorgeous diffuser; the citrusy, floral fragrance actually fills the room and lingers.

2. I’m loving the deliciously cozy vibes of this candle from a favorite candle brand of mine—with notes of espresso, cookie butter, and caramel. So good for the fall!

3. This plush robe has been on repeat for me during the chillier mornings this week. The fabric is soft and the lining is cozy.

4. I mean…these steel fish clips?!? Thank you, Pinterest algorithm.

5. If you’re looking for buttery soft loafers, look no further than these. I gasped when I unboxed them. They’re not as bulky looking as others I’ve seen. I will keep them forever.

💬 Psst: Give a rec, get a rec in our subscriber chat. Right now, there are threads about people’s favorite spots in Boston, a plea for comfortable jeans, and what to wear to a high school reunion.

Some fun links to click…

I stockpiled links like a magpie gathers shiny objects this week.

1. My friend Katie introduced me to the lofi girl YouTube channel and it’s the perfect thing to tune into for a focused work session. (They have different “versions” like a Halloween one, ofc.)

2. Annnd here’s a podcast deep-dive about the above phenomenon.

3. These are not only the cutest diapers we’ve tried but one of the most absorbent, too. (They’d make a great gift for expecting parents!)*

4. I think I have a new obsession with tunnel books? Very cutesy, very demure.

   florence.sweryda

   

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5. Branding the hypothetical Taylor Swift x Travis Kelce wedding. ( by Annie Dabir )

6. A funny product design story: The great croissant lamp controversy. (Leonora Epstein)

7. I fell down an internet rabbit hole this week, mesmerized by Cynthia Warren's art, which evokes a bygone era of craft. She’s the lettering artist behind many of Chez Panisse’s special menus. (I also learned what a calligram is—an illustration made of words!)

   ms.hardway

   

   A post shared by @ms.hardway
   ms.hardway

   

   A post shared by @ms.hardway

8. Make a dirt n’ worms tiramisu 🪱 ( Cake Zine )

9. This YA fantasy book sounds spectacular (and comes from an author highly recommended by Pandora Sykes, whose taste I trust implictly).

10. BTW, I shared our household chore spreadsheet (mentioned in a previous post) with readers in the chat. It's available exclusively for paid subscribers. 💘

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✨ COMMENT SPOTLIGHT ✨

A reader shared what’s on her fall reading list…

“I am not anti-classic but I tend to stay away from them because I know they will take me longer to read and digest. So this fall I really want to pick up one of the classics I already own (i.e., Pride and Prejudice, The Age of Innocence, or East of Eden). Hopefully I'll stick to this goal! I am a mood reader to a fault and pick up whatever sounds good in the moment completely forgetting any TBR I try and create!” — Allie, in response to the fall books issue. Leave your book rec in the comments!

PREVIOUSLY ON DOWNTIME

What Fall Recipes Are You Excited To Start Cooking? Aliza Abarbanel · September 5, 2023 Read full story

Behind the Scenes: How I Make Money, Realigning Content and Values, and Fresh Goals Alisha Ramos · Aug 19 Read full story

Coming up next: An interview with author Rachel Schwartzmann about her new book devoted to slowing down. Have a fun weekend! x Alisha