No. 130: What to Eat, Read, Wear and Watch in March
And a February reflection
February was a gorgeous month. A month I’ll tell you more about the details in a few weeks, but for now I’ll share the two things that rotated between my lips and my mind for each of the twenty-eight days:
It’s yours, Lord.
I’m listening, Lord.
I started the month knowing a change needed to be made. It’s shocking, almost, how quickly social media switches from suggestion to requirement. At the end of the year, it began feeling like a lottery ticket of sorts. I’ve never gambled, but I’m just positive I know have a teeny taste of what it feels like. At first, it costs you almost nothing. A few bucks here and there in exchange for a big win, you’d be a fool not to. But at some point, you don’t realize that it has crept to great cost. Great cost for a small win. And I am left evaluating time and time again, is it worth it?
We’ll talk more about this later on in March, but peace has been easy to come by since I switched back to healthier boundaries this month. It took reevaluating the fine line between serving and striving and making a choice in light of the sometimes ugly truth. There’s so much good noise on Instagram. Videos so funny they make me thankful for my pelvic floor therapy, recipes I screenshot despite forgetting to return back to, solidarity in droves for just the exact thing I need in that moment to feel less alone. I mean, have you seen the felt toads dancing and making tea?! Or the guy that does a Blake Lively impression better than Blake Lively? Or the random video that finds you and mesmerizes you because how can a woman play five instruments at once?
I also walked through things I never thought I’d walk through last month and removing the distractions of all the noise—even the good—was the only way I could come out of it with clarity. To be present in it instead of lulling myself to sleep until it was over. I’m always grateful for this space, but I’m more grateful than ever that 130 Friday letters, countless Sunday letters and one season of a podcasts ago I followed that inkling that this was the place for me. Thank you for being here whether it’s for two letters a month or eight.
I always have a great feeling about March.
target jeans. decaf coffee. espresso machine. my coffee routine and all favorites at the start of my ‘what I eat in a day video.’ target sandals. robe. protein powder. vlogging camera. lip balm.
Emma Gannon is such a gifted writer and the niche she has carved for herself here on Substack has certainly reached ‘aspirational’ status. I found her article with ELLE UK to echo thoughts I’ve been feeling lately while also serving a fresh perspective on all the words, all the apps and all the time.
Whenever I use these cutie glass to-go cups the questions start rolling in. They’re so simple, but I make the kids “fancy drinks” in them and use them as my own to-go cup for iced lattes. They got a lot of extra use this month on my decaf protein latte kick and it’s not right to have a favorite cup, but this is one of mine.
This podcast dissecting Severance episodes is something the world doesn’t deserve. It’s a secular show and very much a secular podcast so listen at your own discretion, but hearing experts that have insider information, the ear of the producers and the benefit of being in the industry helps me feel like I get to watch each episode twice.
These words were breathtaking.
I’m a Timothée Chalamet super fan and I’m always so impressed by Saoirse Ronan’s poise and overwhelming talent so this Vanity Fair interview looking back on their time together in Little Women and Lady Bird was exceptional. Mutual respect in an industry as peers despite the passing of time and exponential growth is always so special to see. When an interview feels like a hug to one another and to you, that’s how you know it’s good.
These were the two YouTube videos for the month if you missed them. I promised long-form content even if it were only for me and I’m happy to report I do enjoy making it even more than I though I would, especially as I pull back on Instagram again.
What to Read:
Admittedly, I bought two books in February and haven’t read more than twenty pages. I didn’t take on more than I could chew, but I certainly met my limit. I look forward to devouring The Bee Sting over Spring Break and also diving into my copy of Brenna Blain’s book, Can I Say That. The books in my TBR are all hard copies, but I will likely be looking for an audiobook on Libby to make Spring Cleaning chores pass by more easily to mix in with old Rewatchables episodes.
What to Watch:
Now this I can do confidently. March is the turn of everything and for most of us, Spring Break hits in some way, shape or form. For me, Spring Break is for Emma, 10 Things I Hate About You, The Sound of Music, Notting Hill and It’s Complicated.
The kids and I will watch Zoe Bakes, the oldest Barefoot Contessa seasons and Magnolia Table episodes for the hundredth time because there’s something about March that reignites my desire to make meals with more fresh, bright elements. Give me all the layered salads, crisp vegetables, paleo dessert recipes with lemon, carrot, berries—my Spring kitchen self rivals my Fall kitchen self and I’m so glad she’s back.
Snow White is set to hit theaters March 21st so we’ll bake some paleo apple hand pies to eat while we re-watch the cartoon version (I want to play up the ‘poison apple’ theme, but mostly I just want a hand pie) before seeing the new one in theaters. The reviews are quite horrible, but I plug my ears and shut my eyes to give it a fair shot because I’m a Disney gal and that’s what you do, you know? Has every live action film outside of Beauty and the Beast been pretty brutal? Absolutely. Will I remain hopeful? You bet.
This is also the month O and I will slowly begin to work our way through the most notable movies in Matt Damon’s body of work and I truly cannot wait.
What to Eat:
Today (Yes! Today!) is National Cereal Day and we’re either four or five years into the tradition of going to the grocery store in the morning, letting the kids choose a fun sugary colorful cereal they’d otherwise never be allowed to eat and having that for dinner. Oshiolema has the day burned into his memory and counts down to it like it’s his birthday. They have cereal every week and they still can’t have the ones they’re allergic to so I’m not quite sure what makes it so magical, but it is. If you were looking for a reason to skip making dinner tonight, you’re welcome.
Aside from cereal tonight, this is what I look forward to making this month: My friend Sarah has made this Curry Chicken Salad for me multiple times and it takes everything in me not to lick the plate. It’s unbelievable. I’ll serve it over sourdough or with our favorite ginger snaps, but you can grab some croissants from Costco and have a relatively easy and ridiculously delicious meal to look forward to any day of the week. I can’t wait to make this Cajun Ranch Chicken Pasta, this Crockpot Salsa Verde Chicken Tortilla Bowl, these Pesto Chicken and Avocado Bacon Salad Wraps, this Cobb Salad (no avocado dressing for me pleaseandthankyou) and the Spicy Chipotle Honey Salmon Bowls we simply cannot get enough of. This Paleo Chocolate Avocado Pudding is a great weeknight treat and this Paleo Lemon Blueberry Simple Cake is a lunchtime favorite for us.
What to Wear:
I finally, finally began updating my ShopMy boutique this month. The curator in me loves the experience and the visual appeal of this platform and while I still have lots of building out to do, my Vacation Shop, Momiform Shop, Personal Wishlist and Makeup & Skincare pages are pretty stacked. If you have a Spring Break trip coming up, I have city, coastal and warm weather shops ready for you. If you’re staying put like me, the Momiform is ready and willing as always. If you’re looking for moodboards to inspire you, I have tons right here.
Our kids are officially on Spring Break and I kid you not, the joy I feel looking at a week with zero early wake-up requirements as a homeschool hybrid parent is borderline embarrassing. If you have exciting plans for Spring Break, please let me live vicariously through you in the comments. And you know the drill, don’t forget to share what you loved last month and what you’re looking forward to in the next one.
Have a beautiful weekend, friends.
love your Target fashun wins, those sandals are so good! I'm too am "hoping for the best, preparing for the worst" with Snow White hahaha but also gotta throw in some justice for the Cinderella live action film!! my husband and I looove it, we rewatch it often in our house ;)
Hi Jill, I am a newbie to this platform and I absolutely love your content and writing. There is so much that resonates with me and I always walk away feeling very inspired by your eye for beauty and the way you express yourself through words. And speaking of inspiration, your National Cereal Day tradition!!! What a day of liberation for me. I too feed my family a predominately paleo diet, catering for 2 of my kids with allergies. I am passionate about nourishing them and spend many hours in the kitchen throughout the week but sometimes I do feel the overwhelm. Tonight my husband is out at work and after reading your post, I decided to treat my kids to cereal. They were so excited and so was I. We're in Australia and it's the 8th of March but hey, who's keeping me accountable 😅. Reading your words somehow gave me permission. I may keep the annual tradition up anyway. This response is getting lengthy so I will leave you be. But thanks again for the way you share. I look forward to checking to your posts every week! Mia