March Wrapped
A very late March wrap up
March
This episode of our monthly wrapped letters is coming to you (extremely late) from my couch while I spend my 3rd horizontal day in a row. I attended a tech conference last week and unfortunately caught a nasty chest bug that’s left me gasping for air and coughing my lungs out since the weekend.
The silver lining? Finally taking the time to catch up projects outside of work (like this Substack!)
Every once in a while, something happens in life that feels a little bit…suspicious. It feels a little too easy, too frictionless, and almost too good to be true. And of course me, being the hyper-introspective (slightly neurotic) person that I am, starts to question everything.
Does this feel extra good because last year was so bad?
Am I over-romanticizing this experience?
Is this experience authentic?
When will the other shoe drop?
That’s kind of what March felt like. A bit of a fever dream, but one that’s some how lasted into April and doesn’t seem like it’s going anywhere…
Definitely still processing these feelings but thankfully my favorite way to process is by writing so stay tuned for my unfiltered thoughts in the form of an essay.
I spent half of March away on the most spontaneous trip ever. At the end of February I decided to book a ticket to Singapore to visit some friends. Singapore is one of those cities that’s been on my list for ages but it’s taken me years to prioritize. The city definitely surprised me—it’s such a melting pot of expats and cultures and while it largely still feels like an Asian city, it also felt very international. I can see why young professionals move there—life feels comfortable and safe there.
I also visited Kuala Lumpur during my Singapore stint and then tagged on San Francisco on my way home as well. It was so nice to get some travel out of the way before I hand my passport over to the French Embassy to process my France Visa (eek! more on this soon). A lot of this month’s loves were things that have become a holy grail when traveling.
Loving
Romi lip treat oil
I first tried this back in December when a friend of my gifted me one for Christmas. Picked up another one while I was in Singapore and I love this colour even more. I got it in Rosewood this time and it’s the perfect nude pink.
Saie powder foundation
I started using Saie products last year when Janice introduced me to them but of everything I’ve tried from them so far, the Slip Tint Baked Setting Powder was the one that stuck. I still use my Merit Complexion stick as my concealer/foundation but now I use this powder on top for a little more blur and coverage. If your skin is clearer than mine, you could honestly use this as your base coverage as well, it’s light and buildable.
Mnesis scent
I love bringing a single scent on a trip to tie that scent to a specific place or memory. I brought Mnesis to Singapore which was the perfect tea-inspired addition to the trip. Although I will say, I had to respray quite a few times throughout the day being in the Singapore heat. But to be fair, I don’t think any perfume would’ve lasted me long in those temperatures.
Poppy AI
I’ve been testing out Poppy AI as an AI tool for creativity and have fallen in love with the unique structure of the tool. Rather than just being a chat-based tool, Poppy AI allows you to have an infinite art board where you can paste links, videos, documents, voice notes, images, and other elements for it read and analyze.
You can then link elements to a chat and get AI to use the information taken from those elements as context for your instructions and questions.
It’s honestly been a blessing when it comes to understanding my own content better and I cannot recommend it enough.
Consuming
Not quite sure what’s gotten into me this year but I’ve been on a major reading slump and still haven’t been able to make it out. I have however been watching more films (which was one of my goals anyways) so here’s what March entailed:
Her
When I heard that Her was supposed to be Spike Jonze’ response to Sophia Coppola’s Lost in Translation, I immediately added it to my Letterboxd. Not sure how I’m only learning about this movie now because as I was watching it, I realized I’ve seen so many stills on tumblr from WAY back in the day.
Her follows Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix) as he develops a relationship with his AI operating system. (This doesn’t seem like a stretch in today’s day and age except that Her was released January 10, 2014!!) Of all the movies I’ve seen on people having relationships with AI, this some how felt the most realistic and the most touching as well.
For me, it prompted a greater question around love and companionship as well. It felt layered in an uncomplicated way and is one I would definitely rewatch time and time again.
I, Tonya
I’m a little sad that I watched Christy before I, Tonya because I think I would’ve enjoyed this one more had I seen it first. I, Tonya was actually released back in 2017 and again, I’m shocked I’m only learning about it now.
I love that these incredible women’s stories are being highlighted but it also breaks my heart that the common thread between them are abusive and manipulative relationships. I, Tonya tells the story of Tonya Harding, the first American woman to land a triple axel in Skating, and her career downfall when her ex-husband gets involved.
Absolutely adored Margot Robbie’s acting in this one but whether it’s because Christy was too similar (and fresh on my mind) OR the story just didn’t hit as hard, I didn’t love this one.
Nomadland
Man, this one really hit. There’s a melancholic tension held throughout the film that poked at a deep ache I’ve yet to explore. Our MC Fern restarts her life at 60 as a van-dwelling nomad after losing everything during the Great Recession. Her journey stirs up a range of feelings as you watch her struggle with money, finding work, and her van breaking down, while also catching glimpses of the joy and freedom of nomadic life. It doesn’t feel like you’re meant to pity her. If anything, there’s something deeply relatable here for anyone who’s experienced a loss so great that it isolated them from the world.
Repeating
I’ve had Theo Katzman on repeat since January and this was definitely March’s anthem. Oh the yearning.
Snapping
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