warmly, robby #006
a dramatic new book, pilates, mahjong & valentine's day
Hi friends,
Chugging along through February—did you guys have a nice Valentine’s Day? It’s always so cute to see all of the love in the air, whether that’s couples or how adorable it is when kids get so happy about the candy and class Valentine’s… It’s just a cute, fun holiday. When I was single, I remember enjoying a movie night or dinner with friends. It’s really just about the spirit of the day. Hopefully you had a nice one!
Let’s get into the week!
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Mood Check
It’s been a busy but good week! I feel good about the direction I’m headed professionally and creatively. A lot of recent anxiety has been around that, and while I don’t have all the answers (or even the majority), it feels very nice to have goals in mind that are clear and tangible. I’ve always been obsessed with personality types and theories, and I think one thing that’s consistent for me is that I feel better when I have an objective in mind—wandering aimlessly makes me feel lost, unproductive, and like I’m wasting time, which obviously does not improve one’s mood. So it’s great to have some momentum in areas that were causing me stress previously.
We went to Disney with Mitchell’s mom and his nephew, and it was his first time at Disney—the CUTEST. Magic Kingdom with kids is so cute and so special.
Home & Hobbies
I finished Ann Kaye Baby’s Ear Seashell and I’m obsessed. It’s so cute. I plan on self-finishing it as an ornament. I’m now working on the Maryfrances Carter Blue Swan from the Spellbound Trunk Show, and I am about to try a fancy little decorative stitch with The Fuzzy Stuff… Fingers crossed!
Mitchell got me the needlepoint project bag I’d been wanting for Valentine’s Day, which I was over the moon about. I adore it—it’s the Large Hannah Bow Ribbon Trellis Project Bag by Penny Linn, and it’s such great quality and so adorable and goes with all of my needlepoint accessories and even my current WIP!
We had our first Mahjong lesson last night! We had two of our friends over and an instructor came over to the house—it was really, really fun. Personally, I was glad to have someone there to explain things and answer questions and provide some strategy insight in real time. My Fair Mahjong sent over a very cute gifted set of tiles and some accessories, so we played a round after the lesson as well. Excited for Mitchell and I to try ‘messy Mahjong,’ so we can learn and improve! It seems addicting.
Velvet Caviar sent me some new goodies! I absolutely love their products, and they are seriously the only phone cases I buy. They sent over the Lucky Girl phone case, a black Magsafe ring, and a black Magsafe portable battery. I also had ordered the Berry Baby phone case (I was waiting for this to restock for so long!) and a blue Magsafe grip. Genuinely can’t recommend them enough!
Aaaaand still obsessed with our Lola Blankets. Still use them every day. So, for us, 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
Very much obsessed with the Ole Henriksen Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment in Vanilla Bonbon. It’s clear, super hydrating, and smells sooooo good. Also love the Cocoa Creme—it was gifted to me to try a while back, and I loved it so much I went out and got vanilla, if that tells you anything!! The scents are really nice on all of them. It was hard to only buy one!
Been loving these Milky Cleanser Pads from LOOPS. They sent over a package of their new travel packs, and I do think they’re great. Honestly, LOOPS is one of my favorite beauty/skincare brands. I always love their face masks (if you see me posting in one, it’s most likely LOOPS!).
CurrentBody gifted me a Led Red Light Therapy Face Mask a couple of weeks ago, and I am still working on remembering to incorporate it into my nightly routine, but I do really enjoy how it feels. It’s like some intentional, timed self-care. A self-care pomodoro if you will. If you want to try along with me, code ROBBYREADS gets you 10% off!
Reading
For our buddy read, Mitchell and I just started My Friends by Fredrik Backman! I really like it so far, the writing is great and the pacing is nice. I’m excited to keep reading.
Bear with me. I tried reading Magnolia Parks a while ago and I could not get into it, but I’m giving it another try because I think it is potentially something I could enjoy? Maybe? We will see!
Watch List
I literally just read the book, so I was extra curious about Wuthering Heights after seeing all of the hate online. That said, it was quickly clear that it was a pretty loosely adapted film to say the least. I loved it. The drama, the aesthetic, the soundtrack. I truly want to see it again ASAP.
Wearing
The Pace Breaker 5” short is still my most-clicked item, which makes me happy. I swear by these, and if you end up trying them because of how much I shout about them, let me know!!
Fitness
I tried another class style at my Pilates studio and WHEW. To be fair, we got home from driving several hours after a weekend at Disney World—so I was tired, hungry, and a bit sore. I was dying a little, but it felt so good at the end. I definitely prefer the reformer portions, I’m learning.
Writing
We’ve finally landed on a winner for my next book. I’m beginning to draft and I am sososososo excited. It feels like this was the story I was waiting for, and I daresay it will be my most dramatic book to date (if you can believe it!).
On Repeat
The Wuthering Heights soundtrack is all I can listen to right now!
I hope you are all having a nice week. I love a good affirmation, so I’ll leave you with one to repeat to yourself throughout the week. Maybe we’ll include this moving forward!
An affirmation for the week: I practice gratitude for all that I have, and all that is yet to come.
As always, thank you for reading!
I’m robsessed with mahjong and we have to play together!!