simple pleasures: enjoying summer, new bookshelf, and metal accents everywhere

no.8 - new stuff coming, sitting outside, my superlong list of movies, and recent purchases

Aug 11, 2024

simple pleasures is a monthly curation of all my favourite new (and old and loved) things - think a collection of passions, habits, books, quotes, purchases, recipes, and more.

Hello,

In the spirit of “thought daughter” summer, I’ve been thinking about new ideas for this newsletter, so you may see some experimentations in the coming weeks and months. I would simply love to get more writing out on a more frequent basis. Let me know what you’d love to see more of in the comment section!

Highlights

Calling my friends from Japan. I loved reconnecting and getting all the updates <3
Sitting in parks and reading is my new favourite thing ever
I got a book shelf! I know *gasp* how did I not own one before? But since I packed my whole life into two/three suitcases last summer to move across the world, I didn’t have the financial means nor the books to fill up a case with. I definitely do now though and mine is almost already full. I wanted to get a vintage-y bookcase, but since they were all fairly expensive, I opted for the ash veneer Billy, which I got second-hand because Dutch IKEA doesn’t sell them anymore. I am simply obsessed with it and I love how it doubles as a dresser.
Fresh-cut watermelon. Can someone explain to me why it’s so yummy and refreshing?
Having natural wine on a terrace with the bf
Going to see horror movies in the cinema with my best friend. We always opt to get relax seats, which are basically la-z-boys and it’s the best invention ever
Watching the World Cup with my best friend who’s a fanatic about football. I had the best time cheering and booing along.

Reading…

I’m in a mood right now where I can’t seem to choose what I want to read and so I’m in the midst of reading multiple things at once. Help.

The Copenhagen Trilogy by Tove Ditlevsen - an honest and deeply personal story on Tove’s own life and the tribulations she encountered
Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson - a coming-of-age rumination so far on how dance takes a central spot to form a young man’s place in the world
To Paradise by Hanya Yanagihara - offers three alternative realities spanning across centuries, one in a 1893 society seemingly accepting and endorsing LGBTQ relationships, one in 1993 during the AIDS pandemic and one in a totalitarian 2093. Riveting so far and Yanagihara writes beautifully
Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? by Dr. Julie Smith - just started but curious about how this one will help with my mental health

To see reviews of the books I read in July, check out my recent reading wrap-up:

reading wrap-up: In Memoriam, Yellowface and more

Nora West

August 9, 2024

Read full story

Watching…

July was a heavy movie month. I watched a lot of horror movies because they tend to intrigue me a lot lately. I’ve also been rewatching quite a few classics and have enjoyed being in my own nostalgia-induced bubble.

The Best

Mamma Mia (2008) rewatch - forever sublime
Leave the World Behind (2023) -the eerie premise of a world in a digital apocalypse
I’ve been rewatching New Girl (2011-2018). It is simply the best comedy show ever, and has even topped my rating of Friends now because I think it’s my third time rewatching?
Inside Out (2015) - it’s so good
Inside Out 2 (2024) - how is it even better than the first?

The Good

Hereditary (2018) - someday I will get to all the a24 movies. A haunting Greek tragedy of a movie and the actors are phenomenal
As Above, So Below (2014) - I lowkey loved this movie and I think Dante would be proud
Midsommar (2019) rewatch - something about it made me want to rewatch it. Don’t ask me why
Barbarian (2022) - I’m obsessed with Bill Skarsgård’s acting and loved the plot twist(s)
Pearl (2022) - uncomfortable but worth it
Neighbours (2014) rewatch - this comedy just slaps

The Okay

Bay Boys: Ride or Die (2024) - pretty fun, but that’s it
Longlegs (2024) - I need Nic Cage to sing at my birthday party

The Bad

Mom and Dad (2017) - the only redeeming part in it was Nic Cage. Such a bad movie, but I laughed my ass off

Spending on…

Massimo Dutti linen set - I’ve already gotten so many compliments on it
A barre/yoga membership at a studio around the corner. How much better can it get? This way, I can up my workout game and still be motivated because I literally need to roll out of my bed, put on my clothes and go.
A Zara Home haul - including a silver jug, rattan basket, humidifier, water glasses and metal bookends
New non-toxic makeup from Saie, my favourite makeup brand, and a clean leave-in conditioner from Innersense which I absolutely love already
Porto The Pouch - I technically got this last month, but forgot to add it to my list. I saw both my style icons
jordan santos
and
Maya Moore
wearing this stylish little bag and I knew I had to get it for nights out and about. I’m in love with the supple brown leather and minimal design <3
My bookshelf - still need to make it look pretty, because right now all my books are just shoved in
Tickets to Sabrina Carpenter - sooo excited to see her next year!!