Everything October
My version of the round-up with this month's writings, favorites, interests, and random sh*t that I found cool.
So, I tried something new this past month.
I didn’t send a single email to my “all subscribers” list; instead, I sent it only to the individuals who have a subscription. The Weekender is still open to all, but you have to access it via my platform www.thesoberglowstudio.com. I did this because I don’t like to overwhelm anyone’s email box, which is something I personally am sensitive to as well. If I sign up for someone’s newsletter and I get hit with 10 emails in a week, I’m out. It’s not that I don’t like them or want to know what they are doing; it’s that I don’t like feeling overwhelmed in any way.
But today I am hitting everyone up. You will receive a list of everything I wrote this past month, along with a compilation of my curiosities, interests, and loves, as well as any other information I believe will be helpful for any woman navigating aging and the alcohol-free lifestyle. I also plan to share more personal photos in these end-of-month, open-to-all columns.
If you have the opportunity to show up for a friend in a big way - take it! One of my dearest friends from childhood (circa 1988) turned 50, and her husband organized a surprise birthday party over in England, where they live. The surprise party was thrown in a small pub in their tiny village outside of London. This village was straight out of The Holiday, and I fell hard for their life over there. Seemingly, the whole village, plus some, came to celebrate her, and it was the most endearing thing to witness.
PRO-TIP:
Jetlag ruins me. So instead of flying in when everyone else did, I opted to fly to London two days earlier, allowing me to wander, eat, and recover at my own pace. Otherwise, I am a nightmare, and I feel like total crap, and I would rather not spread that around to the people I love.
I stayed at The Fielding House in Covent Garden. I used
, Yolo Journal and the London Black Book to pick this place and though I wasn’t entirely impressed, it had a great location and price. The hotel is tucked inside a block, so I am sure it is typically quite quiet; however, for whatever reason, a group of young singers/dancers found their way into the alleyway outside my window and chose to use that space for what sounded like a Bollywood opera rehearsal. It was sweet at first, but after three hours, not so much. Anyway. The front desk was also not that welcoming, which doesn’t bother me as much, but for anyone who needs to be treated like gold, this is not it.I finally got a reservation at Gymkhana after three London trips where I was unable to. It was early, and I was on my own, but it was worth the experience. There was so much food that I sadly was unable to finish it all, nor take it with me, other than a full basket of naan, which came in handy for that night’s midnight snack. If you go, you must get the Achari Paneer Tikka, Fig & Cashew Nut, and Corn Chaat off the appetizer list.
I can’t believe I missed this, but when I was standing on the corner waiting to take a cab to the train station, I saw that I had stayed 1/2 a block from London's one and only Club Soda, the alcohol free tasting room, bar, and shop. I had even written down on my short list of things to do, and it completely slipped my mind. Next time.
WHAT I LOVED IN OCTOBER
LISTENED - I had a lot of time to listen, thanks to all the travel and free time I had this month.
Chelsea Handler on how to make drastic changes, accept your mistakes, and what turning 50 means to her via the Breakdown podcast.
Radio Cherry Bombe - How to trust your gut with jewelry designer &cookbook author, Jennifer Fisher.
The Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Menopause | Vonda Wright, MD on The Resilience Podcast. This was very interesting, and I sent it to one of my doctors. I have been having random joint pain all over my body for nearly two years, especially in my chest/sternum. So many tests and everything is negative. I am currently leaning into this idea, as well as an anti-inflammatory diet.
The Cure for Chronic Pain - Meet journalspeak. I am new to this topic, but it is very similar to my “FU” journal practices. It’s allowing all the mixed, suppressed emotions to come out and onto the page and releasing them from the body. I may discuss this further, but for now, I am just learning about Nicole Sachs’ work. Nicole studied under Dr. John Sarno, who also inspired Annie Grace, the author of the popular book, This Naked Mind. I am not opposed to anything when it comes to decreasing pain.
Audiobook When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chodron. I enjoy listening to audiobooks when I’m unable to sleep at night. I downloaded this one in the middle of the night last week. I also have You Can Heal Your Life on heavy rotation. I like soft female voices.
WATCHED
I love the dark side of the art world, and when the Louvre was hit, you would have thought I had consumed a couple of Red Bulls with how excited I got to dig into it all. Although the world is still waiting for the full story (a documentary is undoubtedly to come), I revisited the docuseries on the world's largest art heist, This Is a Robbery. It’s so good!
Season 2 of Nobody Wants This. I told you I was gonna binge it, but I only got to episode four. Quick review so far - it’s good, but it’s not as fun as the first season.
READ
Let’s start with one of the spiciest BRADS I have read. Thank you, Stacie, for the recommendation! Three Nights in Stockholm by Elizabeth Hardy. If you want more info on BRADs, check out BeachReadsandBubbly on IG and her Substack
under the B.R.A.D Bookclub.Hotter in the Hamptons by TINX
Unbreakable by Vonda Wright, MD. She is obviously brilliant, but I found this book extremely hard to read. It felt as if she was trying very hard to create new buzzwords, and the repetition of this new terminology in hopes that she could own part of this menopause conversation. I would stick to finding podcasts that she has done, which is much easier to take in. The information is quality, just not the book.
Cold Joy by Libby DeLana
LOVING & COVETING
Cult Gaia Kora pant and Wake Knit top
Lands End Wax Trench Coat, I purchased earlier this year for this London trip. Now I am ready for those three days of rain in Los Angeles.
I can’t wait to start dressing like it’s Christmas morning with red Sezane everything, but particularly this sweater.
ROZ hair products - but especially the leave-in conditioner and oil. For all the silver/gray/white haired women, these are great because they are white and clear and won’t stain the hair.
Not a concealer but a color corrector for dark circles. Kosas wins despite jet lag and eye bags.
TikTok’s infamous Tower 28 matte powder blush. Everyone is obsessed with Malibu Cooler, but I prefer Culver Crush. The colors are fun, but they still don’t beat my favorite creamy blushes.
Yes, I succumbed to the Oura ring this month. If you have an Amex Platinum, you can receive $200 off. I have no idea how to use it to its fullest capacity, but I am tracking how different sleep supplements help (or not). It’s fun, but I am not putting too much weight on it.
MORE LONDON
Cheers to October!
XX, Mia