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May I ask \u2014 are you doing okay? The reason I ask is that I\u2019ve been privy to some meltdowns this week. A woman at the gym was taking forever in one of the two showers they have available (signs say to limit it to five minutes\u2026she\u2019d been in there for 30 minutes!) and I knocked on the door to remind her that other people were waiting. She emerged huffy and mean and threw her big old Hoka shoes out the door \u2014 not at me, but also not *<\/span>not*<\/span><\/i> at me. Thankfully, I was able to access my un-crazy side (if you know this reference, let\u2019s be friends) and see that whatever she had going on was most certainly not about me.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It didn\u2019t stop there: I was working in a coffee shop last weekend, and a woman walked in fully sobbing, and the baristas gave her free coffee and a pastry and everyone just left her alone to collapse into a chair and stare at her phone while nibbling her free muffin. I was headed to meet some friends yesterday, and I saw two near-miss car accidents because people were confused! A lesson plan did not come together today and I had to remind myself not to cry (middle schoolers can sense weakness).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The world feels frazzled and fragile. So many people I know are going through it in big and small ways. Someone I\u2019m close to said they feel like they\u2019re strung together with dental floss and duct tape, and I felt that.<\/span><\/p>\n Minus my near-cry this morning, I\u2019m holding myself together for now, with a healthy dose of exercise endorphins, sleep, and reveling that the sun does not set until nearly 8 PM (!!!) right now, and that we have 80-degree temperatures in next week\u2019s forecast. I\u2019m holding tight to my routines and exchanging voice memos with friends that are long, silly, and honest. Soon, I\u2019ll be on our first vacation abroad in quite some time, which always leaves me feeling inspired and refreshed, even with jet lag. When we\u2019re back, I\u2019ll tell you all about it. I hope you\u2019re finding ways to enjoy these days. Sending love to you!<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022<\/strong> Speaking of long travel, I\u2019m curious if you have great tips for making long plane rides bearable. So far, I\u2019ve bought <\/span>this salmon sperm mask<\/a><\/strong> that is allegedly excellent at moisturizing (doing my best to rid my brain of that phrase now that <\/span>I\u2019ve ordered it<\/a><\/strong>), <\/span>this cute travel set from Pact<\/a><\/strong>, and <\/span>compression socks<\/a><\/strong>. I have headphones and a good bag, but I welcome any tips! (Amazon, Pact, Bombas)<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022<\/strong> <\/span>The case for telling total strangers to shut up.<\/a><\/strong> This article speaks to me on a soul level. A few months ago, a friend and I were at a Maggie Rogers concert and the women in front of us were shouting about getting their nose\u2019s pierced and what they wanted to do after the show. My friend and I were annoyed but scared to say anything, but the woman next to us did \u2014 politely and directly. I wanted to buy her a pony. We live in a society! And this article made me feel much better about reminding people when they\u2019re killing the vibe. (NYT Gift Link)<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022<\/strong> As someone who works in a helping profession, I enjoyed <\/span>this article about what to do if your people-focused job drains your battery<\/a><\/strong> (which mine does!). (SELF)<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022<\/strong> I turn 42 this month, and as a proper Taurus, I\u2019m very concerned about the cake. I\u2019m considering this <\/span>Distinguished Guest Birthday Cake<\/a><\/strong>, though my very favorite is <\/span>Funfetti<\/a><\/strong>. I supposed I\u2019ll just send my wife Joy\u2019s list of <\/span>best birthday cakes and let her choose<\/a><\/strong> (the right answer is Funfetti). Speaking of Joy\u2019s cakes, I visited her in LA (ages ago) and said that I was dying to try the incredible cake on the front of her second cookbook, <\/span>Homemade Decadence<\/i><\/a><\/strong>,<\/span><\/i> and she PULLED THAT CAKE OUT OF THE REFRIGERATOR and I promptly got to share a piece with Tron. Being friends with Joy remains an excellent decision. (Joy The Baker, Amazon)<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022<\/strong> <\/span>Harper\u2019s beauty editors shared 20 products they loved in March. <\/a><\/strong>I am cosigning for the <\/span>Biotyspa Body Sculpting Kit<\/a><\/strong> (not sure it will eliminate my cellulite as it promises, but it feels so dang good \u2014 like doing cupping in your own shower without looking like you made out with an octopus!) and <\/span>Dieux\u2019s Auracle eye mask<\/a><\/strong>, which I use daily and credit with my lack of eye wrinkles at nearly 42 years old! (Harper\u2019s Bazaar, Credo Beauty, Sephora)<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022<\/strong> Love these <\/span>easy pastas to welcome spring<\/a><\/strong>! These look great, but may I also suggest that you make my favorite pasta dish of all time: <\/span>One-Pot French Onion pasta<\/a><\/strong>. (NYT Cooking, Joy The Baker)<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022<\/strong> I\u2019ve been longing for a good girl\u2019s trip and the idea of <\/span>going on a reading retreat<\/a><\/strong> sounds amazing. (The Everygirl)<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022<\/strong> Surely I\u2019m not the only one doing spring and summer shopping, right? So far, I\u2019ve purchased these <\/span>beautiful, minimalist Madewell sandals<\/a><\/strong> that I plan to pair with cute summer dresses and linen pants, <\/span>AYR\u2019s Half-Day<\/a><\/strong> and <\/span>Early Morning<\/a><\/strong> tees, which are sturdy enough to be warm-ish and will be ideal with shorts (I have the grey but I\u2019ve been dithering about purchasing <\/span>the red<\/a><\/strong>, despite my commitment to neutrals!), these <\/span>perfectly springy pajamas<\/a><\/strong> for the hot nights ahead, and <\/span>this dress that\u2019s nice enough for work<\/a><\/strong> but casual enough for dinners on the patio at my favorite restaurant. (Madewell, AYR, LAKE, Ann Taylor)<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022<\/strong> I loved <\/span>this post by Leslie Stephens<\/a><\/strong> about what most lifestyle content is missing, and her subsequent \u201cplant studies\u201d series. (Substack)<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022<\/strong> We are big asparagus fans in this house, and it\u2019s asparagus season! I\u2019m going to make<\/span> this delicious Spring Asparagus Salad with White Beans and Almonds<\/a><\/strong> with our first bundles. (Joy The Baker)<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022<\/strong> What are you reading these days? I\u2019m reading <\/span>Long Bright River<\/span><\/i> because one of the ways I am deeply not fun is that I force myself to read a book before I watch a show! I\u2019m always on the hunt for my next read, and <\/span>these new spring reads have me excited<\/a><\/strong>. (The Everygirl)<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022<\/strong> I\u2019m obsessed with <\/span>The White Lotus<\/span><\/i> right now, and I, too, would like to <\/span>join The White Lotus book club<\/a><\/strong>. (Vogue)<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022<\/strong> <\/span>10 Small Things Neurologists Wish You\u2019d Do For Your Brain<\/a><\/strong>. It\u2019s important to keep your brain sharp, and while none of this was brand new or life-altering, it was full of good reminders! (NYT Gift Link)\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022<\/strong> <\/span>The age of being extremely online is over<\/a><\/strong>. Thank goodness! (Mashable)<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/spcdn.shortpixel.ai\/spio\/ret_img,q_orig,to_webp,s_webp\/joythebaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Amy-headshot-230x230.jpg\"\/)
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Hi, hello. I hope you\u2019re having a lovely week!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n