What's Moving Me Lately: A Round-Up

Because in this life, I want to be full on the good stuff

I’ve realized I want this space to offer more than words. As much as I want it to serve others, I also want it to serve me. And I think in order to do that, it needs to be fluid. To allow space for me to introduce structure and consistency, while also flexibility to be creative and free.

With this thought and keeping last week’s Dearest Tiana letter in mind, I realized I miss sharing the things I always convince myself will seem meaningless to others. While deep in my journaling practice, it hit me: I’ve always been interested in what moves people. I’m not strictly referencing profound movement. It can be as simple as inching you in a different direction, one way or the other. But I think anything that stirs something in an individual deserves to be examined more closely. What was it about that particular thing that touched a once unreachable place within you?

So alas, we arrive at a new brainchild of Conversations from the Lighthouse: What’s Moving Me Lately. I plan to send this collection once a month and cover whatever it is that, as the name suggests, has moved me. Other than the aforementioned criteria, there are no other rules.

Without further adieu, here’s the inaugural round-up:

Fashion

LLBean Boat and Tote: I saw this TikTok not too long ago, and thought it was incredibly clever. So I finally pulled the trigger and ordered a large dark green version with regular handles because apparently the combination of size and straps is quite the art form. I embroidered it with “MILF”. Don’t ask why, I just needed a travel tote, thought it was funny, and “Future MILF” wouldn’t fit.

Swimsuits: Yep, just swimsuits in general. Basic, I know. But since dedicating a bit more time and energy to my overall wellness and in preparation for a golden birthday trip to Mallorca in September, they’ve been at the forefront of my mind. I have a closet full of Hunza Gs and I adore each and every one, but am currently eyeing everything on sale at Free People because who decided one to two measly pieces of fabric needed to be $200+ dollars anyway? Admittedly, I’m also keeping an eye on Inamorata and Heavy Manners because despite the price and what I just said, I also have “sucker” written across my forehead.

The RealReal: What started as an effort to save money quickly transformed into a full-blown obsession with finding beautiful (often designer) items for as cheap as I possibly could. What can I say? I love filling my world with beautiful things, but the number in my bank account often puts limits on just how much beauty will fit. I recently posted a TikTok about two pairs of vintage Prada shoes I found and am obsessed with. What I love is that you can save searches, so the inventory is always fresh but relevant. My pro tip is to sort from low to high. You never know what gems you’ll find at a fraction of the cost simply because they’ve been in the RealReal’s catalog for a spell too long.

Entertainment

Television and Movies

The Bear: I was telling Sam last month that television, for me at least, has felt rather dry. I didn’t feel there was anything of note being broadcast into the world. That is until Stranger Things season four (which is an entirely separate conversation in itself) and The Bear.

I can’t quite decipher if it’s the acting, characters, inside look at food, Chicago backdrop, or a tantalizing combination of everything, but this show was every ounce delicious. I also love the nod to Chicago-natives Wilco and Sufjan Stevens. It’s eight episodes and each one is ~30 minutes long. Neither Sam nor I could stop watching. It’s something I already want to revisit, and I never binge a series twice.

Everything Everywhere All At Once: To begin to attempt to describe this movie in just a few short sentences would do it a grave injustice, but allow me to say this: I laughed, I cried, both acts produced a lot of snot. This. was. everything! Really!

Music

Ivory by Omar Apollo: I’ve done the whole try-to-impress-others-with-my-music bit, and it never sticks. I am not someone who can pretend to care about the latest and greatest and most undiscovered. For this very reason, I have come to the conclusion that I like what I like. And what I like is generally Pop and R&B. I understand Omar Apollo is perhaps loved by music snobs and Top 40 enthusiasts alike, but I attribute any “cool factor” to Sam showing me the album. It really is so good. My favorite track, by a landslide, is “Killing Me” although I put the entire album on and am happy to listen all the way through.

Books

Writing Down The Bones by Natalie Goldberg: If you’re up-to-date on this newsletter, you’ll know I was deep in this book for a while. It’s a big part of the reason I started this Substack at all.

What I loved about Bones was two things: first, it found me serendipitously. A friend gave me a copy years ago, and for whatever reason, I could never quite get into it. When the moment finally felt right, I devoured every last word. It’s equal parts zen and practical writing advice, and it made me feel a bit more comfortable in my truth and the beauty that lies within it. It also made me unafraid of common mistakes like improper grammar and syntax because, for me at least, that isn’t really the point. The point is to allow writing to be a process of alchemy, transmuting whatever ineffable thoughts to a static place for others to consume and digest.

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield: Recommended by my therapist after stating I was a “very clever and strong individual”, but needed to act less with my mind and more with my instinct, this quick read was the perfect pairing for Bones, as it aided in overcoming resistance in the act of creation as a whole. I didn’t just love this book, I needed it.

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens: I can’t quite decipher if I was obsessed with this book because I knew Daisy Edgar-Jones plays Kya in the movie rendition and her existence makes me feel this sense of nostalgia and art, or if it was actually that good. Either way, I could not put this book down. Typically a non-fiction girlie, I picked up a few fiction alternatives this month (including It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover, which I do not recommend) to be transported and inspired. This one was the clear winner and I can’t wait to see the film.

Wellness

Cold showers: Another biohacking step in my routine I picked up from TikTok. Said to reduce muscle soreness, increase the feel-good chemicals in the brain, and improve energy levels, I’ve been easing my way beneath a chilly stream after my morning workouts. Maybe it’s placebo effect or something greater, but I see a noticeable difference, especially in my energy levels.

My Human Design App: I’ve been a fan of Jenna Zoe for years, since hearing about Human Design and her work on the Expanded podcast (another favorite). Human Design, like your natal chart, is based on your birth time. What I love about HD, however, is that it is more focused on energy and your personalized strategy for responding and navigating throughout life. It’s been wildly helpful (and accurate) on so many occasions, especially since my partner Sam is a Reflector. If you download it, send me your birth time and information, so I can add your chart to my app!

Miscellaneous

Film: I recently treated myself to an Olympus Stylus Zoom as a snappier alternative to my Nikon F3 and have been using it to capture small moments that move or inspire me. I took it on a recent trip down to Jacksonville to celebrate my dear friend Anna Grace. There’s nothing quite like the look and feel of film, and I’m looking forward to bringing both cameras to Mallorca late-summer.

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Until next time! Keep leaning toward the things that move you.