I used to write weekly updates back when I was traveling full time in 2019 and 2020, and then I wrote monthly updates in 2022. I liked these posts because they gave me a chance to share current favorites, musings, real time travel thoughts, that kind of stuff. I haven’t written an update-style post in a long time, and even though I stayed home this winter (no Caribbean trip wahh), there’s a lot of Chicago stuff and content stuff and random thoughts in my head I’d like to share! I skipped these posts completely in 2023, but maybe this year I can make it more of a quarterly thing to go with each season.
Seasonal Wish Lists
I wanted to share this concept to hopefully inspire you to incorporate it into your life! This is something my boyfriend and I started doing in the fall. We talked about what was on our “wish list” for the season. For fall it was stuff like a foliage walk at Morton Arboretum, a Harry Potter night with themed snacks, consuming pumpkin spice lattes while wearing plaid, going to Detroit for a trip. We did a “wish list” again for winter–I think it’s such a fun idea! (Especially in winter when things can feel a bit more depressing.)
Our winter wish list included things like getting ramen, drinking hot chocolate, having a super chill (pun intended) movie day, doing yoga, working on a puzzle, and going to a Christmas market. We of course didn’t do everything on the list (that’s not the point). It’s just fun to daydream and have things to look forward to.
We ended up doing a lot more this winter than I expected, so I wanted to share my favorite things and also some recipes, pop culture stuff, and musings!
Podcasts
We Can Do Hard Things
My beloved Liz Gilbert was back on We Can Do Hard Things for another 2 episodes! I love all the episodes she’s done with them. This time, she was “promoting” her new Substack, which is basically a fancy email list/new social media platform. You sign up and get her weekly letter but then there’s upgrades you can purchase to have 2-way conversations and be more involved with the community.
Liz Gilbert has been on a journey, and I’ve been following it for decades. She’s always been spiritual, but hearing her talk about it now, it feels like she’s finally found what she’s been searching for this whole time. And that’s how she ended up on Substack, sharing her weekly “Letter from Love,” a practice she’s been doing for years and is now opening up to others. She explains it all on the pod, so definitely listen to those episodes if you’re a fan of hers. Or if you’re curious about her spiritual approach. Or even if you’re wanting to get into journaling, I feel like her practice would give you some great prompts to write about.
Girls Next Level
I loved watching The Girls Next Door on E! back in high school. (Maybe that’s subconsciously why I named my blog The Daydreamer Next Door?!) Mind you this was before my brain finished developing and before I had any relationship experience. It looked like such a fun, innocent world to be a part of despite the nudity and the very old man in charge. Holly and Bridget recently started a rewatch podcast, and it’s been so interesting to have them back in my pop culture orbit so many years later. We’ve all grown up so much since the early 2000s. It’s fascinating hearing them speak on their time with Hef and Playboy with some distance from it (it’s not great). I love them and cannot get enough of their podcast.
There was also an interview with Crystal Hefner in The Cut where she talks about her new memoir and about being brainwashed. I don’t know much about her–I’d stopped watching the show before she came around–I only knew she was Hef’s final wife. Her book is called “Only Say Good Things: Surviving Playboy and Finding Myself.” So yea, with that title, I’m thinking it wasn’t a fun and innocent time for her either. I am planning on listening to the audiobook.
I also got my friend into the Girls Next Level podcast, and one night over drinks she brought up a really good point (and a good idea for an article I would love to read). We both watch Selling Sunset on Netflix, too, so we were discussing the latest season that same night. With the two shows on our minds, she asked this question: Are the Oppenheim brothers the new Hugh Hefner? Or maybe even: is Jason Oppenheim the new Hugh Hefner?
I need someone to dissect this further, but in my mind there’s a ton of parallels. Modern men know to hide their toxic masculinity and patriarchal values better these days, but it’s still very much there. Create a fun environment that women want to be a part of, limit their financial opportunities to the world you dictate, and be sexually involved with most of them (under the guise of a loving relationship).
The thing that really put me over the edge with Jason was when Amanza revealed during the reunion episode that they’ve slept together. I was like damn ok so he’s been with Nicole, Mary, Amanza, and Crishell?! They make Jason out to be this benevolent boss who stays friends with his exes (isn’t that how they portrayed Hef too?)… but I’d imagine at least some of those women are still there because leaving would sabotage their career prospects. Someone write this article! lol.
Books
“One in a Millennial” / OIAM Book Tour
This is a good segue from talking about podcasts to talking about books because Kate Kennedy hosts one of my favorite podcasts, Be There in Five, and she just came out with her book of essays inspired by many conversations on the podcast about millennial culture. This is a must read for millennial females, a simultaneous celebration and critique of the things that influenced us growing up–the good, the bad, and the cringe. I laughed, I reminisced, I was deeply moved. Kate’s word play and observations are masterful. (I’ll share some quotes from the book at the end of this post.) I also went to her book tour in Chicago and was blown away by her additional commentary–truly the voice of a generation! This book is in my bones because I lived it, too. I know it’s one that will stay with me, and I loved all the take aways.
Buy “One in a Millennial: On Friendship, Feelings, Fangirls, and Fitting In” *here*
“Shark Heart” by Emily Habeck
This book was so many peoples’ favorite of 2023, so I had to check it out. I’m so glad I did, and I’m so jealous of people who get to read this for the first time! It’s a very unique and strange love story about a couple who faces a health issue early on in their marriage. In the world of the novel, there’s such a thing as animal mutations. The husband is diagnosed with one and slowly turns into a great white shark. Yes, you read that right lol. The concept is so creative. The writing is incredible. It’s heartbreaking and beautiful and brought me to tears–I cannot remember the last time a book did that! Absolutely obsessed!
Buy “Shark Heart: A Love Story” *here*
Recipes
How Sweet Eats Sticky Salmon Couscous Bowl
I’ve been cooking a lot more this past year, and this recipe is what I’ve gone back to the most out of any new ones I’ve tried. It is sooooo satisfying. Perfect for a dinner that feels healthy and light but is also so flavorful and filling.
Alexandra Cooks Best, Easiest Focaccia Bread
I’ve also made this a handful of times and manage to get something wrong each time haha. I swear it’s easy–it’s all user error on my part. But I promised myself to make this again and finally get it right! The good thing is, I’ve messed up something or other each time I’ve made it, but it still tastes really good despite mistakes–very foolproof. This is one that needs to rise in the fridge at least overnight or up to 3 days but it’s minimal ingredients/overall prep and tastes so fresh and delicious!
Yoga
Every January, Yoga with Adriene has a month-long yoga journey you can join for free on her YouTube channel. The daily, cohesive practices are 15-25 minutes each. I skipped doing this last year and noticed a huge difference, so I made it a priority in 2024. It’s a great way to start the year feeling rested and nourished and good in your body. For me, instructors are so important because they are talking a lot to guide you through the practice. Adriene is the best person I’ve found virtually and would highly recommend checking out her videos or joining the challenge!
January is the perfect time to have a reset month… in addition to daily yoga, I also stopped drinking alcohol. You can read an updated post about that here:
Notes on Traveling Sober and Being “Sober Curious”
Puzzles
I can’t remember the last time I did a puzzle, but that changed in 2023 when I discovered The Magic Puzzle Company (I have the series three bundle and each one is 1000 pieces). They all have original art from a different artist that is so sticking cute and makes putting it together so fun because there are so many little details to enjoy. The pieces are oddly shaped, and there’s more than just 4 edges which adds to the challenge. There’s also a magical surprise once you finish the puzzle which makes it even more fun! I honestly can’t say enough good things about this brand. It’s so calming to sit and work on with music in the background and a warm tea in hand. 12/10 recommend for a couple of super chill nights at home.
Events and Outings
Wine Tasting
My friend planned a fabulous girls’ day wine tasting in Michigan. She used a company called South Shore Brew Bus, which I would also recommend! We had a bus take us to 3 different wineries for tastings and then to one other spot for lunch–really nice day out. It was beautiful seeing the vines covered in snow.
Candlelight Concert
I’ve been seeing these advertised all over the internet for so long! I love live music of any kind, and the candlelight aspect looked so cute and cozy. There are tons of these going on in Chicago, but the one we went to was at the Stan Mansion and featured songs by Rhianna. My friends and I thought it was something different to do and had a great time. Felt like we were in Bridgerton for sure!
Mitsuwa Marketplace
I came across this Japanese mall in Arlington Heights when I was on the hunt for the best ramen in Chicago. Santouka was mentioned in some articles and went to the top of my ramen wish list. It’s a chain with main locations in Japan, and this one is located inside a bigger marketplace here in the US. I figured it would be fun to grab ramen then be able to shop for Japanese foods and goods and make it more of an outing. A very good plan if I do say so myself–add this to your list if you want authentic ramen or if you’re a lover of all things Japan.
The ramen was soooo yummy and warmed us up on a cold day. The pork literally melted in my mouth. The shop was super cool because it felt like stepping into an actual store in Japan–there’s hardly any English on the products. In the end we bought face masks and snacks, but there was so much to look at! I especially loved the bookstore which had tons of anime and cute stationary. Oh we also grabbed boba and a crepe before heading home. So good!
If you read this whole thing, thank you! lol. We’re currently working on our spring wish list, which will include a very big adventure in the US this May. I’d love to hear what’s on yours–please share in the comments!! Happy daydreaming friends 🙂
Words
“Why would I ever let someone who drafts make-believe football teams make me believe I should be embarrassed by my interests?”
“Before I became overly aware of brand names on clothes or jewelry, I kept tabs on school supplies as a status symbol, noting things like who opted for brown-paper-bag-textbook covers and who splurged on the spandex bike shorts of textbooks, Book Sox. Like the backbreaking work of many later-in-life multilevel marketers selling LuLaRoe leggings, Book Sox also damaged spines, came in countless highly questionable patterns, easily tore holes, and were constantly pushed on us as a more gaudy and expensive solution to a problem we never even had.”
“Going out-out, we always hoped the night would be one for the books, but we were too quick to write off our girlish pregame paradise, as if it only served as the prequel to social functions involving men. But in my book, let the record show that I think we had it backward. The moments we supported each other when we were barely getting by are the memories I cherish more than the parties that came and went. They may have wanted us to believe we were just the opener, but all this time, maybe we were the main event.”
“While remembering the Spice Girls’ original message of individuality in a world designed to reduce us is not going to solve all of our problems, it at the very least reminds us to prioritize our sources of joy while dealing with the ongoing presence of underlying economic and social inequities. Ultimately, I want to remind people of something so simple yet so overlooked in our existence (and resistance): amidst your efforts to move the needle in this slow, painstaking process of transferring power, please go out of your way to honor your own pleasure: Like what you like, fangirl over it, shout it from the rooftops, take up space, then change your mind, stop liking it, rinse, repeat.”
–Kate Kennedy, “One in a Millennial”
You Might Also Like:
I’ve been writing so much this winter, which is how I hoped things would go 🙂 If you’re daydreaming about travel for the year, I hope you’ll find some inspiration in these!
Asheville, NC Travel Guide (in 5 Days) (my most recent post)
What to do in Michigan (but beware of falling in love) (very recently posted)
I accidentally traveled solo in Maine but think you should do it on purpose. (also recently posted)
Solo Female Travel in Puerto Rico (my best performing post this winter)