What inspired me in August

Movies in the theater, Sorbet, Wes Anderson, Alexa routines, and all things Tiki

🍿 Movies in the Theater

If you caught last week’s post, you already know how much I lost my mind over our two special in-theater experiences.

When I returned from LA, I made a list/journal entry about all my favorite parts of the trip, thinking that I should incorporate more of those things that made me happiest into my everyday life.

At the top of that list was seeing movies, especially when there’s a unique experience attached, like a Q&A, a reshowing of an older film, or seeing a movie in a historical theater.

To start, I dragged my husband to go see Twisters on Sunday, which we both enjoyed. Next on my radar is to catch a viewing of Rear Window, which is playing in select theaters next week in celebration of its 70th anniversary.

🍨 Sorbet

Fresh off whipping up a batch of the strawberry sorbet my sister made and served to us in LA, I ended up down a rabbit hole researching other sorbet and healthier ice cream-type recipes.

The more I’ve used my food processor and ice cream maker, the more I’ve reversed my false belief that they are a pain to use, set up, and clean. So I want to continue making fun things.

I landed on this raspberry sorbet, which I slightly tweaked and made less healthy by pairing it with vanilla ice cream and topping it with a graham cracker crumble.

Between the sorbet and my ice cream cake obsession from earlier this summer, frozen desserts becoming a big part of my life was not something I saw coming. 😂 See also below: the very niche ice cream bars that make an appearance in my five favorite things section this week.

🎞️ Wes Anderson

I’ve seen Wes Anderson movies before, but I happened to catch one I hadn’t seen—Moonrise Kingdom—on my flight back to LA, and wow, I would really like to live inside the worlds he’s created.

It prompted me to revisit The Grand Budapest Hotel this week, and one of the elements I most enjoy is his use of typography. Especially very detailed, era-appropriate props like telegrams, the gorgeous simple sans-serif font he uses on many of his signs, and of course, notably, hilariously, on Grand Budapest Hotel’s Zero’s hat.

Everything is just so colorful, neat, cozy, and quirky. I am so overly inspired but also have no idea what to do with that feeling other than to just keep watching more of his films. Next up, one I haven’t seen: The French Dispatch!

💡 Alexa Routines

Other than initiating music and switching on the TV, I barely use any of the Amazon Alexa features and almost always ignore the weekly emails showcasing its latest skills.

But in the last few weeks, I started playing around with Routines. Again, I’ve barely scratched the surface, but I set up three sequences:

1. “Start my day,” in which Alexa tells me the weather and reads an affirmation.

2. “Bedtime,” which dims the lights* in our bedroom to 25%.

3. “Goodnight,” which shuts off all the lights* in our house.

*We had smart light bulbs installed when we built our house. They are a little pricey, but we’ve had them for nearly 8 years and still haven’t had to change most of them.

My routines are still pretty rudimentary, but oddly comforting, which I’m sure is all part of the robots’ plan before they rise up against us. 😂 If anyone has any ideas for other voice commands I should set up, I’d love to hear them!

🍹 Tiki Things

Friends, I do not embody Island Life. I fit more squarely in a dark room at a hard desk, wearing a cardigan, drinking hot tea—the type who owns multiple staplers.

However, I love a good theme for the same reason I love costumes: they allow you to step into other worlds for short stints, indulging in being someone else for a little bit.

This August, I’ve temporarily become a Tiki person. We had a fun night out at the legendary Trader Sam’s when we visited Disneyland. This week, our local brewery transformed its space with an impressive Polynesian overlay for their annual Tiki Week, which we enjoyed with my sisters-in-law.

I realized how much I love Painkillers (a creamy, tropical rum-based cocktail topped with nutmeg). I love the fancifulness of the way Tiki drinks are served—in interesting vessels and topped with superfluous garnishes.

I also really enjoy Tiki music, especially the 60s style, and have been enjoying this vibe-y playlist.

✍️ Creative Exercises/Journal Prompts

1. What’s something already in your home you could use more often to make life more comfortable or joyful?

2. What’s something you enjoyed on a recent vacation that you can bring into your everyday life?

3. What out-of-character style might you indulge in?

☀️ Five good things

When we can recognize the things that bring us the most joy, we invite more of them into our lives. Here are five things that made me happy this week. Share yours below!

Five good things that happened this week:

1. Broadway, here we come! We just booked tickets for a girl date with my mom and sisters to see Once Upon a Mattress, starring Sutton Foster and (the part I’m most jazzed about) produced by Amy Sherman-Palladino of Gilmore Girls and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

2. Steve and I had a great call to discuss next steps for our upcoming project called Play Me a Memory. I don’t think I’ve shared this yet, but you can catch our coming soon page here!

3. I am nearing the conclusion of the second draft of my book, and at least in this moment, it feels like all the stars are aligning. I’ll be meeting with a small group of beta readers at the end of September and also sharing an excerpt with my writing group next month.

4. On a whim, my mother-in-law picked up these Biscoff Ice Cream bars. I didn’t think I was a big Biscoff fan, but wow, were they delicious.

5. We have a very nice two-week stretch of time ahead of us without travel, visitors, or many plans, and I’m looking forward to using it for restoration—both of our home and of mind/body/soul.

💬 Share your intention

Whether it’s a giant leap, a tiny to-do list item, a habit change, or something else, there is power in accountability, and this is a safe space to share your aim. Some weeks, we’ll fail, others we’ll soar, but with support, we’ll always keep going together.

Until next week, get out there and make something beautiful.

Michelle

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