Weekend Musings | February 7, 2026
In my heart and in my cart + other things
In My Heart -
Boy, what a week. I’m in the midst of a major (to me!) life change right now and everything feels topsy-turvy. I hope to share more next week, but suffice to say that 2026 has already been so full of surprises! All good things.
Meanwhile, I’m trying to distract myself by going about business as usual. I’ve been enjoying The Ronettes as my album of the week. Be My Baby will always and forever immediately bring to mind the opening scene of Dirty Dancing. What have you been listening to? I’m curious for recommendations!
**
I like to say that I have no addictions, but if you knew about my coffee consumption, you’d probably disagree. I bet it’s why I’m so tightly wound. Anyway, I have lived by a cheap $14 coffee pot with a timer function and that’s all I needed. I like to wake up and know the coffee is hot and ready for me before I pull off the covers.
Around the holidays, I thought I might like to romanticize the coffee process a bit. Less compulsive gulping and more intentional enjoying? Maybe I’d drink less if the quality was better and I had to work harder to make it, you know? So, I put the coffee pot away and pulled out a French press that we rarely use. Honestly, I didn’t immediately think it made that much of a difference, aside from giving me some time to putter around while waiting for the hot water kettle to boil. Patience is a virtue girls! Well, last weekend, I decided to “treat” myself, setting up the old coffee maker so that on Saturday morning, I’d wake up to a fresh pot and not have to wait a single second.
Friends! I nearly spit the coffee out! It was terrible. And to be clear, no worse than it ever was, but I’ve become so accustomed to the French press, which evidently makes a better brew. Same coffee beans, different process. The quality of a slower method probably lends itself to a whole vat of instances in which slower is better that I should explore.
***
Popped out for a drink and dinner with some friends and all our kids last night. Our favorite spot has a shelf with battered old board games and this time, our little boys perched up at an adjacent table, playing several rounds of Battleship and pounding root beers. We ran into a handful of teachers from my son’s school and he was surprised to learn that educators sometimes drink a beer. Hahah, bet they need it.
***
“You are not here to simply compensate for your weaknesses.”
I am reading my way through The Pivot Year (often while that French press is steeping!) and found myself shooketh on day 21. Sometimes words just hit. I wonder why I am so focused on my weaknesses and self-improving, without giving equal energy to leaning into my natural strengths. Who knows, but it has me thinking!
***
One more thing that tussled me a bit this week: self care can be an excellent excuse to indulge in coping mechanisms, or it can be a reminder to self discipline. Often doing the hard, inconvenient thing is actually taking care of your self.
In My Cart -
+I wore something that wasn’t my outfit uniform! And boy was it nice zjush for a boring Tuesday. This black polo (I have in a few colors because it is a good office staple) + a green LOFT skirt + heavy lined leggings as tights + these Chelsea boots with good tread (does the job indoors and out).
+Related: My green skirt is from a few seasons ago, but this one is similar!
+I know there’s snow on the ground, but that doesn’t stop me from fantasizing about thwacking around in these jelly flip-flops in a couple months time! Blue or lavender?!
+If you’ve been noodling on a higher end beauty product and want to take it for a test drive first, now is a good time over at Ulta where minis are BOGO.
+Related: I’ve really enjoyed having a fragrance sampler recently, choosing something different to wear every day with such a short window of commitment. I’m looking at this one as my next set to play with.
+Anyone with testaments to milky toner? I’m being influenced by the sheer persuasiveness of repeat ads.
+Interested! My hair woes are mostly handled btw.
+Buying this because I want to try this!
Other Things -
+Haha. Charmed by the sign.
+How to Romanticize February. Always a treat to read!
+The astrology of February 2026
+I read all of the Gossip Girl books while I was in high school and I am PUMPED to hear that the author is coming back with a standalone Blair novel 20 years later.
+Related: Currently reading.
+Haha. Guess who’s on the zamboni
+I am dying over these ugly pet portraits. Could be the most hilarious gift!