What I'm Loving Lately
Podcasts, sunscreen, a sauna blanket, & other random things
I keep a running monthly list of “Favorites” in my Notes app and add to it every time I notice something bringing me joy. I usually share this list in my monthly newsletters, but this month’s list has gotten so long that I decided to write about many of the items in a separate post.
Today, I’ll share my favorite things I’ve recently listened to, watched, and used. I hope my list inspires you to note what you’re loving lately. 💜
What I’m Loving Lately
Favorite Listens
Podcasts
I mentioned here that I struggle with insomnia, so I found this recent episode from The Drive by Peter Attia, M.D., so helpful. It’s the most thorough information I’ve ever heard regarding sleep. If you or someone you know deals with insomnia, I highly recommend listening to this episode! Overcoming insomnia: improving sleep hygiene and treating disordered sleep with cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia | Ashley Mason, Ph.D.
If you are a woman over 40 or married to one, this next one is a must listen! This favorite is also from The Drive. This episode mainly covers hormonal changes for women who are postpartum, pre-menopausal, and post menopausal. It’s excellent, and though I’m relatively knowledgeable about menopause, I learned so much valuable information. My husband actually listened to the episode first (we are both Dr. Attia fans!) and recommended I listen. Women’s sexual health, menopause, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) | Rachel Rubin, M.D.
Songs
Here are two worship songs I’ve been listening to on repeat: Sing of This by Amanda Cook and Praise by Elevation Worship featuring Brandon Lake, Chris Brown, and Chandler Moore.
I recently heard this song in a movie and thought it was beautiful: Love Me Still by Chaka Khan.
Favorites on TV
The Pitt: Described as a realistic examination of the challenges facing healthcare workers in America, as seen through the lens of the frontline heroes working in a modern-day hospital in Pittsburgh, The Pitt follows ER staff throughout a single 15-hour shift. Warning- There is coarse language plus graphic scenes in every episode. You can read a review here: “What’s So Great About The Pitt?” (NYT gift link). It’s highly bingeable!
A Gentleman in Moscow: This mini-series debuted a year ago, but my husband and I just watched it. It is a British historical drama based on Amor Towles's 2016 novel of the same name. It’s about a Russian aristocrat placed on house arrest in a luxury hotel for three decades, and the show follows his life and the historical events while living there. It’s a slow, character-driven tale, and we felt Ewan McGregor performed the role so well.
I Am: Celine Dion: This documentary details Celine Dion’s life and battle with Stiff Person Syndrome. It was heartwarming, devastating, and hopeful. We loved it!
Favorite Things
My husband bought me an infrared sauna blanket for Mother’s Day, and I can’t stop raving about it! In case you don’t know, a sauna blanket is a portable blanket designed to replicate the benefits of a sauna. I’ve been using it a few times a week, about an hour before bedtime, and I’m so relaxed afterwards.
A few closets in my house don’t have adequate lighting, so these LED closet lights are a perfect solution. They’re motion-censored, so they stay on just long enough for me to see what’s in the back of the closets. They’re also perfect for dark hallways, stairways, deep cabinets, etc.
Before going to Hawaii, my older daughter recommended I bring this facial sunscreen stick because of its excellent coverage and ease of use. I purchased it along with SPF lip balm, and both worked so well at sun protection.
My older daughter is currently overseas, so her phone calls are rare but precious. She phoned on Mother’s Day and a few days ago, and both made me so happy!
I love using these tiny spoons when serving desserts. They’re the perfect size!
Though I’ve shared this before, these insect traps are worth discussing again. Now that the weather is warmer, we’ve noticed more moths and gnats flying around. Insects are attracted to the blue light on the trap, so they work well.
What are you loving lately?
“For what matters in life is not whether we receive a round of applause; what matters is whether we have the courage to venture forth despite the uncertainty of acclaim.”
― Amor Towles, A Gentleman in Moscow
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Just getting caught up here – somehow this slipped my inbox net, grrrrr!, but is a lovely treat to come to this afternoon – especially as it’s a wet and suddenly cold again English Monday! Fabulous podcast recommendations to cue up thank you, I’m always for all the discussions on menopause and hormones! Of all of these precious moments, I’m sure the phone calls from your daughter shine out as the most precious, especially having just read Natalie’s notebook! I will be listening to your music recommendations this afternoon while doing household stuff and so looking forward to summer – when it comes back here! Happy, wonderful June to you and all yours! 💗🌸😎(ps: I’ve never tried it SunBum I need to check it out and see if it’s over here!) ☀️
What a great quote! Thank you for sharing this! So funny, I just bought new spoons recently and it's funny how having extra feels like such a luxury. Now I want these tiny spoons too! 💕