downtime diary: aquarius sun, virgo rising, pragmatic optimist ♒

What song do you know every lyric to? 

Ariana Grande’s “Sweetener” album. I would listen to the whole album from start to finish on repeat while I worked all of 2020, which gave the effect that the album is one long song.

If you had to name 3 things that help you walk away from a weekend Sunday Scary-free what would they be?

• A long walk outside or hike (while listening to a podcast!). I try to switch up what I listen to. Recently, I've been trying to better understand the blockchain—this episode was particularly educational, though I don’t typically listen to Tim Ferriss.

• A hot bath (with a full body Buffing Bar scrub down).

• A home cooked meal using whatever I picked up at the farmers' market. Pro-tip: leisurely chop and prep while watching something on TV. Currently: Girlfriends.

What do you do when you’re feeling stuck?

As simple as this sounds, a phone call with a good friend or family member. Nothing like a fresh perspective from someone who knows you well.

There are so many, but a few of my favorites:

• Edy’s Grocer, a Lebanese deli in Greenpoint. It's Soft Service’s office lunch go-to. 
• Cait’s Key Lime Pies! The gluten-free crust is so good. She delivers to BK, NYC, and Queens and often does pop-ups in Philly.
• VeraSavaKnit in Kyiv, Ukraine on Etsy! I wore the knitted hat I bought from her all last winter.

Pictured: key lime pie from Cait's (left); a knitted hat from VeraSavaKnit (right).

Lightning round!

• Favorite bagged snack food? Mi Nina’s Jalapeño Agave Tortilla Chips, recently discovered at my neighborhood deli.

• Celebrity you would most want to show up at a cocktail party you’re hosting? Barack Obama or Billie Eilish.

• Semi-random thing always found in your purse? Smushed granola bar, usually this one.

• Your #1 skincare pro tip? Don’t forget your neck! Moisturizer and sunscreen!

• Miscellaneous item you swear by under $25? OFLA Touch Knife, a compact box cutter you can add to your keyring for ~$2.