Issue No. 68 — A late start, Pinterest memoirs, and beautiful coffee shops 🥂
The new year took a bit longer to come around for Between The B&W!
Hi, and welcome to Between The B&W’s first newsletter of 2024 🥂
I was looking forward to sending my first newsletter of the year last week, but after my (very cold) trip to Upstate NY, I felt so sick I couldn’t even bring myself to open my laptop. It was a not-so-gentle reminder that moments of true rest, when ignored, have a way of unexpectedly interrupting your plans.
That said, it feels nice to officially “kick off” the year three weeks in. The rush of the first few days of the year, trying to cosplay the best most unrealistic version of myself, is my main source of analysis paralysis each time. So here I am, trying my best to ignore it because, in reality, it’s okay if things don’t start out exactly as planned. Not every day is a new year, but every day is a new start regardless. Though I have to admit this year was perfect — new year, new month, and new week!
Now, we’re hitting it off with some fun updates to the newsletter! Toward the end of 2023, something about Between The B&W was not fully connecting to me. I was struggling to figure out the direction it was all going in and if I even liked it. Was BTBW just a blog? A service? A soon-to-be-paid community? Two months ago, I wouldn’t have been able to answer that. And while my answer is not nearly as fleshed out as I’d like it to be still, I’m now sure that Between The B&W will always be a personal project above everything. It’s a debrief/archive/exploration of the life of a creative, which, luckily for everyone, is so much like the life of many other creatives trying to navigate how to move through this world. With that, it became very clear to me that every newsletter needed to become more personal, a little less curated — more like a journal. I didn’t want to completely get rid of the structure that I know everyone loves, but it was time for an update. So, starting this week, each issue will now consist of 3 main segments:
The Intro — a weekly entry from me.
This Week’s Digest — links to resources, articles, songs, books, and recipes.
From My Bookmarks — eye candy, if you will.
All reflections will be posted as threads moving forward to encourage positive (!!!) discussion. I’m not entirely sure what to expect, but I’m excited to open the space for you to share your thoughts, opinions, and experiences with me as well! Some issues will still include interviews with creatives, so keep an eye out for those. And occasionally, I’ll share some of my other side projects with you as well <3
I hope you stick around!
This Week’s Digest
In 2022, I started creating a new Pinterest board titled Self for each new year. I use it to pin everything I’d like to do or embody throughout the year, from makeup looks I’d like to try to places I want to travel to. I love adding to it and referencing it when I need to check in with myself. Plus, it’s always fun to look back and see what I actually followed through with — a memoir of sorts. The 2024 board is currently in progress, but I might share it soon!
Last month, I came across Drink Wilda, and I am mildly obsessed with it. The spritzer brand actually owns a farmhouse in Prince Edward County, Canada. How can I be over the fact that a “Wilda Farmhouse” actually exists? And in Canada, of all places?!
I love finding random websites on the internet that are not trying to sell you something. This week’s fun find is What’s Special About This Number?
If you’re anything like me — someone who can’t hold the same thought for more than a minute and loves to try new tools — may I suggest you check out mymind? I’ve mentioned it in the newsletter before, but it continues to be my favorite tool, so it deserves to be featured again. I don’t lose anything ever anymore. Wondering what was on my mind on July 23, 2022? It was this lodge 45 minutes outside of Columbus, Ohio. It’s truly the best $5 dollars I spend every month.
My favorite way to relive time is through music. So, when I ran out of playlists on our 18-hour drive to Upstate NY, I played every “Top Hits” playlist since 2006*. It always helps me remember things I didn’t even think I remembered. Therefore, in honor of 2014 being ten years ago and most of us probably not remembering what we were doing in 2014, here are The 50 Best Songs of 2014, according to Complex. Time to rediscover some fun memories!
Okay, final note for this week: Apple’s tool collection is actually worth the try! My favorite has always been Notes — it’s simple and gets the job done — but I’ve recently started using Reminders, iCal, and Freeform on my iPad. I can do a deep dive into how I use each individual tool in a future issue, but YouTube is always my go-to when I’m setting up a new tool.
From My Bookmarks
The Seattle Times Comics
I remember looking forward to reading the latest comics in the newspaper. I don’t remember, however, when the newspaper stopped coming and, with it, the comics. I can appreciate how The Seattle Times incorporated them into their website, but I think there is still tons of room to recover the excitement of anticipating, reading, and collecting newspaper comics. If you have more references for newspaper comics, send them my way!
The World’s 29 Most Beautifully Designed Coffee Shops
Everyone loves a beautiful coffee shop, and I mean everyone — including those who don’t drink coffee. Do you know what everyone (okay, almost everyone) also loves? A good list. Check this one out — who knows, one of the world’s most beautifully designed coffee shops might just be in your city. Though that’s pretty much a given if you live in NYC.
Things I Am Looking Forward To Journal
I’ve been in my planning era (naturally) and came across these journals by People I’ve Loved that are so perfectly fun. Featured above is my personal favorite, with Life Happened Journal being a close runner-up. If you’re still on the hunt for a journal or need some ideas for your own journal pages, give the shop a look!
Extra Notes
*My brother, who was driving at the time, was born in 2006, but rest assured, I would’ve picked the year 2000 otherwise. He turns 18 this year, which marks 18 years of the best sibling relationship I could’ve asked for.
Here’s a fun recap from said trip! Whopper experienced snow for the first time, and I officially became the best dog mom. He’s currently sleeping right next to me, and it’s very likely he’s taking a walk in the snow in his dreams ❄️
Thanks for reading!
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