warmly, robby #005
fitness, skincare, bad bunny, and wuthering heights
Hi friends,
Ironically, I almost wrote that this is going to be a sparse week for the newsletter, but I seem to have had plenty to say! Lots of feelings and thoughts and favorite things await…
Let’s get into the week!
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Mood Check
Feeling… Hopeful? I have been experiencing some levels of burnout for so long now that I only think I really feel the weight of it when it lifts, even momentarily. There’s some fresh inklings of inspiration that are percolating—dripping like beads of condensation on the ceiling, and I think the whole thing might finally give way soon. I’ve been fighting imposter syndrome way more than I want to admit when it comes to writing my next book and figuring out the next steps of my career as a creator and author, and putting a lot of pressure on said next steps. Allowing myself to try and approach my craft (sounds so pretentious, I know) from a place of fun and exploration again is going to be freeing. More on this below!
Home & Hobbies
I have been stitching the adorable Ann Kaye Baby’s Ear Seashell and it’s SO DARLING. I need to get around to blocking and finishing some other projects that I have completed—hopefully by the end of this year we have a bunch of new ornaments for the Christmas tree!!
Just an update in case you were wondering: still using our Lola Blankets EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Downstairs we have the Jungle Tiger, which is sold out, and upstairs we have the Large Caramel n Cream throw. If you want to find out for yourself, use code ROBBYREADS and you can get 35% off!
Beauty & Skincare
St. Tropez sent over a few products and I actually have had the best experience with them. If you’re like me, you’ve been scarred by many self-tanning disasters. I can’t even think about the fails of my high school years trying those wipes everybody used. Awful. BUT the Gradual Tan Classic Daily Firming Lotion works really well and looks pretty natural, to be honest. Not too orange, not too dark, and develops over time (gradually, as described!). Be sure to use the tanning mitt for the lotion, though! You want it to be even and streak-free. I also like adding a few drops of the Luxe Tan Tonic Glow Drops to my Rhode Barrier Butter in the morning for my face and have really liked the results. Self-tanning isn’t for everyone, but I’m a summer beachy boy and when it’s cold out, I miss having a little sunkiss and glow!
Added Odele's Curl Defining Gel to my routine and liked how my curls looked! I kept my hair wet and then liberally applied the gel while finger coiling and then dried with a diffuser!
Another gifted item—CurrentBody sent over their Led Red Light Therapy Face Mask and I’ve been trying to use it every night. It’s not a habitual part of my routine yet but I’m excited to see how my skin looks after continual use. I am hopeful it will help with some brightening and evening. If you’re interested in trying along with me, code ROBBYREADS gets you 10% off.
Haven’t talked about this much, but I’ve been back to double cleansing. Ugh, it makes such a difference for your skin. If you don’t double cleanse, I’d highly recommend looking into it. Here’s the oil cleanser I use, and I follow it up with the Rhode pineapple cleanser.
Reading
Mitchell and I finished Wuthering Heights!! Omg. I have so many thoughts, and none of them are probably very original, but just wow. I thought it was so good, of course. I love Victorian novels and the dramatics of this story were… WHEW. I think it’s a great depiction of cruelty and brutality and obsession and insecurity and the cyclical nature of humans. The pacing at the end really had me turning the page. It’s been interesting to reflect on the toxicity of this and the romanticization of it. I understand now why people are so staunch about the portrayal of this as a romantic, idyllic love. It certainly is a love story, but one that is dark and unforgiving and relentless. Not one to aspire to. And how many stories really do paint toxic romance as the pinnacle—that push and pull between anxious and avoidant attachment. The drama of a toxic relationship (to put it lightly) is less appealing to read nowadays, but the theatrics and extremity of the Victorian period make this one interesting, nonetheless.
Watch List
The Bad Bunny Super Bowl Halftime Show was everything. It really means a lot to see such a performance during such a difficult and scary time. Unification and inclusion and love over hate—things that seem like they’d be obvious and common sense. In the spirit of love and not hate, I’m not diving into the many thoughts I have around the discourse, but I will just say I absolutely loved the performance. And fuck ICE.
Also, we got invited to see Nine Inch Nails this weekend. Not something I ever listen to—I know you’re shocked—and I only knew Head Like A Hole (shoutout to that Miley Black Mirror) but it was honestly very fun and cool and a great time hanging out with friends. I sort of feel like concerts are just always fun. I’m sure there are exceptions, now that I type that, but nine times out of ten, the experience itself is a good time. This was no exception!
Wearing
Okay so you guys know I love the Pace Breaker 5” short, and I love that you are checking them out. Let me put you onto the BEST joggers for when it’s cold (which it is on and off here in Florida, but I’m guessing if you’re not in FL, chances are it’s cold!) - are you ready? Shockingly, I’m obsessed with the Pace Breaker Jogger! I also love the Surge Jogger for what it’s worth, because those were the ones I started with years ago, but the Pace Breaker Joggers have been my go-to for chillier days. I also love traveling in them. Just the best. And very flattering for those of you who have been following the glute workout tips!
Fitness
Been loving Pilates even though it regularly kicks my ass. I don’t know what it is, but I always feel so good and satisfied after pushing through. I am not as flexible as I’d like to be, and that helps. I don’t know if all studios are like this, but at ours, we will focus on muscle groups for each class. My glutes and core are always hit though! I do want to figure out if there are men’s tights that won’t look ridiculous to wear under shorts because once Florida starts to warm back up for real, joggers are going to be sort of miserable. The first time I went I wore shorts and I had put lotion on that morning (of course) and my knees were sliding, which was not ideal. All in all, still very pro-Pilates.
Writing
Here’s a resource I found incredibly helpful! Bestselling author Jennifer Lynn Barnes has spoken about the psychology of the Id, and then bestselling author Rebecca Mix put her spin on it. I really enjoyed reading this:
Revisiting what inspires me and lights me up, and not trying to think of The Market too much. Like, thinking of it as much as I have to, of course, but not being consumed by it.
Coveting
I’ve been trying to be responsible about shopping so much! But things I’ve been eyeing:
Rhode’s new Cotton Terry Headband (and also the Peptide Lip Boost Plumping Lip Mask and the Caffeine Reset Sculpting Cream Mask!)
This cute Blue Bow Needle Minder for needlepoint! I love my Lycette Trés Bien, but want to add another to my stash. Speaking of Lycette, I feel like I want to do a belt this year or next… I haven’t committed to one, because I have no idea if I’d ever wear it, but maybe for a cute summer dinner or vacation night or something? Sea shells? Adorable?!
I just found out about Morgan Tay and I’m in love with her jewelry. The Orange Beaded Fish Necklace and the Scaly Blue Fish Necklace. I fear I need!!
On Repeat
Tití Me Preguntó is truly on repeat, and DtMF is so, so good
Truthfully, idk anything about sombr, but 12 to 12 has been stuck in my head since the Grammys
Have to mention that I am very excited to hear the rest of the Wuthering Heights soundtrack, I love what Charli has done so far!
Hope you’re all having a good week. Here’s to lots of creativity and self-care and continuing to do what we can to make the world a bit brighter and less scary, whether through big or small actions.
As always, thank you for reading!
I’m here for hopeful Robby!!!! Here comes the spring and the warmth and a new era!