Part of me honestly can’t believe that it’s February already, but the other part of me has been living for those “its January 6838573rd” memes. I can’t decide if January flew by or lasted forever. But regardless, Happy February! A new month of winter, and feeling like it may never be warm outside again. Doing my best this month to embrace the cold and accept that it will not last forever. Us east coasters live here for the “seasons” don’t we?! This month was jam-packed with stuff every weekend. And the days that weren’t I spent snuggling and soaking in every single minute possible with my pup.

books read: reviews here

  • All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

tv & movies:

  • To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before: PS I Still Love You –– I am very sad to say that I was underwhelmed by this one! As a LOVER of the first movie, I expected to be watching this one on repeat for weeks afterwards, and sadly that is not the case. It was cute. It just wasn’t my favorite.
  • LOST –– Mom, Matt and I watched a few random episodes while I was home during the week and it totally took me back! I remember getting to stay up on school nights to watch new episodes as they aired in Mom and Dad’s bed. I would love to actually fully re-watch this show as an adult. Mental note to do so!
  • American Idol –– it’s back! Yes, we watch. And yes, we love it.

in the kitchen:

  • these salty buckwheat chocolate chunk cookies –– make these and thank me later!!! Saw these on the #BasicallyBaking challenge and we are obsessed with them. I never say this, but these cookies are actually better the next day than fresh out of the oven. That concept alone is mind blowing and worth seeing for yourself. I’ve made these twice this month and was blown away both times.

music:

  • Mt. Joy!!! Have been totally and completely loving them. I actually found their new album at the end of January and had been listening non-stop when I realized they were coming to play with The Lumineers in Brooklyn (a show I had already been kind of tossing around the idea of going to.)
  • Glue by Daulton Hopkins –– I basically have had this song stuck in my head for this entire month. For whatever reason, I cannot stop singing it and wake up with it in my head at least three days a week.

beauty products:

  • Apple Cider Vinegar hair rinse –– not a beauty product, per say. But if you have never done one, I highly suggest you try it! I was super hesitant to do it, but heard it was amazing for clarifying curly hair. And seriously, the difference in my hair after doing one of these is immediate. Careful not to do them too often though, or they can dry your hair out!

other things:

  • Teaching myself to play the piano! This is something that I have always always always wanted to do. For years, I had wished I’d taken piano lessons as a kid, and then got to a point where I felt like I was too old to do it. But with a little nudge from my mom, I decided to take my keyboard back to Brooklyn and teach myself. And let me tell you, I have been enjoying it so much! I haven’t felt so fulfilled by a new hobby in a really long time.

the main events:

  • Super Bowl Sunday –– to be completely honest, I was only in a room where the game was playing on tv for the first quarter. And I barely watched it! Football has just never been my thing. Probably never will be, but I do love an excuse to get everyone together and eat.
  • Jerry Seinfeld at the Beacon –– this was SO good! Ryan had gotten tickets as part of my Christmas present and we went with Kaylee + Mike, after a lovely dinner on UWS. We all laughed from the minute the opening act started, until the lights came on. Highly recommend seeing this before it’s last show!
  • The Lumineers + Mt. Joy Concert –– AMAZING!!! I had been hearing about this concert for a while and wanted to go, but felt like it wouldn’t be the end of the world if we ended up skipping it. I impulse bought the cheapest tickets the night before the show, and I am so happy I did! Both Mt. Joy and The Lumineers were SO great. In usual concert fashion, we have been listening to them for weeks afterwards and still loving it.
  • Valentines Day –– our 8th, but very best v-day ever. Dinner in our neighborhood and a low key night at home sipping on wine and chatting until 2am. I couldn’t have been happier.
  • Hudson, New York Weekend Trip –– what an absolutely CHARMING little town! Ry and I had the loveliest weekend upstate perusing all the antique stores and galleries, sampling lots of beer at Suarez Brewing and eating our way through the weekend. We even made a (very out of the way) stop to the Phoenicia Diner and I am certain it won’t be the last time we get breakfast there. De-lish!
  • Ry’s 26th Birthday Weekend –– we celebrated at a little bar by our apartment with a bunch of friends, lots of beer, cake, and lots of takeout the next day. Nothing like a birthday hangover to make you order from Seamless three times in one day.

That’s February, even though it’s already the middle of March. But things have been busy and crazy and I think we all know why. Sending love and positivity to all my friends. Stay healthy and safe xo

with love, jak