I am fortunate to be able to stay home and work remotely during this pandemic, but I’ve lost track of how many days we have been in quarantine. I’m fighting the urge to feel guilty about not being as productive, and luckily I’m starting to develop a sense of routine. Here are the things I’ve been enjoying in my stay-at-home lifestyle (besides snacks, obviously).
Little Fires Everywhere
It’s been two days since I watched the finale of Little Fires Everywhere, the adaptation of Celeste Ng’s bestseller book, and I can’t stop thinking about it. I read the book a few months ago and couldn’t put it down, so I was thrilled when I found out it was becoming a miniseries on Hulu. I won’t reveal spoilers, but it’s a gripping story of class, race, control, perfection, and motherhood. For the past few weeks, I’ve looked forward to Wednesday nights exclusively. I love a plot focused on interpersonal relationships, especially when families become intertwined and secrets unfold. Pick up a copy of the book and watch the miniseries on Hulu – you won’t regret it. I also loved this interview from The New York Times with Liz Tigelaar (warning: it contains spoilers!) unpacking the show.
Normal People
Normal People is coming to Hulu on April 29 – less than a week from today! This is another adaptation of a best-selling book by Sally Rooney and I am so excited to watch. I read the book a couple of months ago and it easily became one of my all-time favorite books. It’s an unconventional love and coming-of-age story that explores themes of class and mental health. I know I’ll enjoy it because I loved the book, but I’m not sure if it will compare. The characters live inside their heads, and that’s how much of the storyline unfurls. I’m interested to see how this dynamic will play out on screen. I recommend reading the book first if you can.
Spring accessories
I’m trying to support small and local businesses during quarantine. When I was influenced by Julia from Gal Meets Glam wearing a cute straw headband in one of her Instagram stories, I immediately took to Etsy to find a similar style. I found the cutest headband from this Etsy shop! Even though I’m spending 99% of my time indoors, this headband makes me daydream of hazy summer days.
Cozy Footwear
I’ve been wearing my Loft fuzzy slippers all day, every day. They were part of my cozy essentials birthday gift from my boyfriend, as he knew I had had my eye on them for a few months. They are so soft and cozy, but the only downside is that they shed like a small pet. Unfortunately, my exact pair have sold out – but you can find similar ones here!
Orangetheory at Home
Like many fitness studios, Orangetheory has been posting killer workouts to its website and YouTube channel for people who want to be up in (their living room) just working on their fitness. They post a workout every day, so it’s perfect for those days you want to follow an instructor instead of putting a workout together yourself. I’ve never done an Orangetheory class in the studio so I can’t compare the experiences, but it’s a great workout for when you want to get your heart rate up!