Shoes, Gilmore Girls and Friendships

Incoming brain dump:

I've been going through a tough patch lately. I thought hitting the gym again would lift my spirits, and although I genuinely enjoy my workouts and feel great afterward, it's the anticipation of getting up and going that's challenging.

Recently, I've been craving some alone time, yet paradoxically, I've also felt a bit lonely. I've realized I only want to surround myself with people who bring me joy and allow me to be my authentic self—a cliché, I know, but it's hit me in a new way recently. It's made me reassess my friendships from a different perspective.

My upcoming three-week trip can't come soon enough. Planning for my trip has been more fun than I expected. I thought finding wedding venues and other details might be stressful, but it's only making me more excited. I can't wait for the amazing food we'll eat and the shopping... oh, the shopping! I have a few items on my wish list, and I can't wait to pick them up when I'm across the pond.

I’m thankfully escaping the city this weekend and heading up to my best friend’s cottage for a few days. I hope to spend as little time on my phone as possible, though I’ll still document the fun because that’s just who I am. I always have to snap a few pics and take a few "little videos" for my TikToks, which I honestly make just for myself. Sometimes I film a video thinking, "Ok, this will do so well," but in reality, it gets 300 views and 20 likes.

Ok, let's talk about shoes. I've always been a sneaker girl, but lately, I've been interested in expanding my footwear collection and taste. I know, it's not great for my wallet, especially since I believe in investing in comfortable footwear (hint: I like designer shoes). Spoiler alert: I'll probably be buying some during my Europe trip this September.

Usually, re-watching shows brings me a sense of comfort, so I recently restarted Gossip Girl since it was brought back to Netflix. But, I don't know, it hasn't been as fulfilling as I hoped. I think I need to go back to my one and only: Gilmore Girls. Even though I don't always watch it intently, it brings me so much comfort just having it on.

I’m planning to do something I’ve never done before: go to the movies alone. I recently watched Inside Out and loved it, and since I have a free night this week, I thought, why not treat myself to a VIP theater experience and watch the sequel alone? As I’ve mentioned, I’ve been really looking forward to some alone time, and it’s nice to know no one will have to endure my occasional movie commentary.

Before I sign off, I have to share my newfound passion for Korean cuisine. Until a few months ago, I hadn't really explored it, but after trying a few dishes, I'm completely hooked. Radish kimchi and jabchae have always been favorites, but now I've added Tteokbokki to my must-order list. I'm eager to explore more dishes, so any suggestions are welcome! We're having Korean for dinner tonight and I am PUMPED.

That’s all from me this week. I hope you enjoyed reading!