13 Things Thursday: 11

Hey friends! January has been a long year, hasn’t it? I started drafting this post following a huge burst of creative energy earlier this month, which is somewhat surprising for me around this time of year. Usually I just want to hibernate and eat carbs, but I went with the momentum when I felt it. And now I’m sick, so I’m really resting for real now. Womp, womp. Anyway, here’s the first 13 Things Thursday of 2024. Enjoy!

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1. We recently had our first significant snowfall in years in the DC area, and let me tell you…it made my life. I felt like a little kid again as we watched the snow fall and cuddled up by the fireplace. Della was also living her best life galloping through the snow, which was hilarious and adorable to watch.

2. Of course the snow’s magic also came with a dose of reality. I was getting ready for work one day and heard a loud crash near the back of the house. We thought it was icicles falling, but I went to my office and saw the gutter hanging vertically just outside the window. The heavy ice had accumulated and didn’t drain properly, so our gutter detached from the house. Thankfully, there was no additional damage, and we were able to find a local company to replace our gutters in a matter of hours. It could have been much more stressful than it was, so we’re grateful that all is well.

3. After the magical snow had melted, we were left with a sloppy mess in our yard, which meant muddy paws for Della. We tried the Mudbuster for cleanup, but since she’s still getting used to it, I tried to find a different solution. I recently saw a YouTube video where a guy spread cedar/pine flake pet bedding all over his backyard to absorb excess moisture and prevent the dogs from tracking in too much mud. Genius! So I bought a bag to spread over the most problematic areas. So far it’s helped reduce a lot of mess, so I may buy more to expand the coverage. Apparently everything breaks down within a few months and nourishes the lawn, so I’m all about it! I don’t care if our backyard looks like a giant gerbil cage for a few months if it means less cleanup in the rainy winter/spring months.

4. I started Bri McKoy’s wine and food pairing masterclass, French Fries and Barolo, earlier this month. I’ve learned a lot about Italian wines and made some amazing recipes, including steak frites, Tuscan chicken, and lemon pepper wings. I’ve also been revisiting recipes from her Popcorn and Champagne masterclass and The Cook’s Book, namely beef bourguignon and savory sweet mashed potatoes. It’s the perfect way to stay engaged during the winter.

5. Latest research rabbit hole: Cookware. As I’ve been going through my masterclass, I’ve been gradually adding pieces to my kitchen arsenal that have been on my list for a while and replacing items that are worn out from use. I’m currently on the hunt for a deep saute pan for cooking veggies and sauces. I’d love a safer nonstick material, but I know from experience that they don’t always last very long. So I’m also looking into stainless steel options that will last longer, but may also have a learning curve to use it properly without the food sticking. I’ll let you all know what I decide. If you have any recommendations for cookware that you love, help a girl out!

6. To battle the winter blahs, we’re starting to book trips! It’s so helpful to have something to look forward to during long stretches where there aren’t many days off. I just booked a trip to see my grandparents in Florida, and I’m watching flights on Hopper for our anniversary trip to Napa Valley and a reunion with my Penn State friends in Colorado. I’m excited to do a bit more travel this year!

7. I just had a funny realization when I received a voice note and tried to respond with one of my own: I am not a voice note girl, at least in most situations. It’s much easier for my brain to write things out to make sure I’m communicating clearly and succinctly while saying everything I want to say. Sometimes I feel like things get missed if I’m verbally processing, or I go off on a tangent and then go, “Where was I? What was I trying to say?” Anyone else? lol

8. Self-care moment: I used to do my nails all the time, but ever since we got Della and went through the puppy biting phase that ruins fresh manicures, I got out of the habit. I remembered how much I liked having pretty nails after doing them for the holidays, so I decided to get back in the groove. I broke into my extensive stash of Color Street nail polish strips, and I’m having a blast with changing my look every week or so.

9. After visiting my parents in PA for Christmas, I realized that their water is so much softer than ours. Shampoo and conditioner rinsed out much faster, and my hair felt less dry when I was there. So I decided to experiment and installed a filter attachment for my shower head at home. And WOW! What a difference! I noticed some of the same benefits of faster rinsing and softer hair, but the biggest difference was in my skin. My breakouts have been reduced, which I wasn’t expecting. So I also installed the FilterBaby sink filter for washing my face in the morning or when I don’t shower to maximize those benefits. I’ll report back on how it goes, but so far I’m really enjoying it!

10. More favorite shampoo and conditioner bars: Since getting the filter for my shower head, my shampoo and conditioner bar experiment is entering a new phase as I rediscover what works for my hair in different situations. Below you’ll find my current favorites that I’ve tried since I made the switch. I started writing my thoughts on each one, but it started to get really long. For now, I’ll tell you which ones I’m using and do a deep dive on all my favorites in a future newsletter.
    ~ Conscia: All formulas, but Heal is my current fave for winter.
    ~ Superzero: (Refer-a-friend link for 15% off. I’ll earn loyalty rewards if you purchase.) Strengthening, Volumizing, and Soothing Shampoos with Medium Intensity Conditioner
    ~ Earthling Co: Sweet Sandalwood (One formula for all hair types)

    ~ Brixy: Vanilla Coconut (One formula for all hair types)

11. Currently reading: I just finished A Court of Silver Flames, the 5th and final book (for now) of the ACOTAR series. This series has fully reignited my fiction reading, which has been so fun. The Crescent City and Throne of Glass series are next on my list, as well as a couple other fiction novels that looked intriguing.

12. Tarot and oracle decks I’ve been using:
    ~ This Might Hurt Tarot
    ~ Modern Hue Tarot
    ~ Journey of Love Oracle (Fun fact: This was my first ever oracle deck!)

13. Astrology Update: Pluto just entered Aquarius on January 20, which is one of the biggest astrological transits of 2024. If all of this sounds like gibberish, let me translate. Pluto, named after the god of the underworld, represents transformation, power, the subconscious, and uncovering the full truth of what lies under the surface, especially that which we prefer to keep hidden. Aquarius, the water-bearer (an air sign, believe it or not), is the innovator, rebel, and humanitarian of the zodiac. So this transit could mean huge things for technology, artificial intelligence, social justice, changing the way we think about society, and returning power to the people. The last time Pluto was in Aquarius, we saw the American Revolution, French Revolution, the start of the Industrial Revolution, and the introduction of the first vaccine. We’re nearing the end of Pluto’s journey through Capricorn, which started in 2008. Capricorn represents financial systems, governments, and corporations. We’ve experienced a financial crisis, the rise of cryptocurrency, a global pandemic, and fully unveiling the corruption of corporations, government officials, and systemic inequality. So, right on brand. Pluto will retrograde into Capricorn later this year to complete its final lessons before moving into Aquarius until 2043. Pluto moves slowly and represents generational themes, because change takes time. While this process can be painful, there are valuable lessons to be learned to help us leave the world better than we found it. Whether you’re an astrology enthusiast or a novice, I’d love to hear what you think!