Full of... Favorites
Just a few of my favorite things lately
Hey Friends!
I love a good list of favorites. Don’t tell me what you are tolerating. No. We don’t want that. Tell me what is delighting you. Tell me what you can’t shut up about. Tell me everything.
I’ll go first.
Monarch: I love a good disaster movie/show and this one delivers in world where Godzilla and other monsters can wreak havoc at any given moment! Watch on apple.
Let Us Descend: an absolutely stunning read by Jesmyn Ward.
The Library: recently someone said to me, "Its hard not buying books, isn’t it?" and I replied, "I have no idea. I’ve never tried to stop." But lately I have gone over the top, and libraries are reeling me back in!
Thread: not the social media site, the makeup! Before Thread Beauty I only used liquid foundation, but these foundation sticks have changed everything for me! Matching and applying- so much easier which is what I needed to host a recent book event! Bonus, the event was hosted at a library!
Sweatpants: Listen. Its wintering in Michigan and these sweatpants have been with me while shoveling snow, while sliding down the sidewalk, and while wrapping myself up in a blanket. These pants were a gift, and the gift keeps giving, yall. (I have them in black and yes, I am wearing them as I type this.)
Recipes: One day I'm gonna tell y’all about about my kitchen anxiety, but I'm trying to be better and this site of recipes has been so helpful this month! I dont know if the site is still being updated, but all present recipes have been a gift to me and my news year resolutions to cook more and doordash less.
Backpack: I have a slight obsession with this bag. This was also a gift included in an influencer package for Lovecraft Country. And baby, this bag is everything. It is so extraordinarily well made. I never worry about it ripping. I never worry about tears. Not one thread has come loose. I took it with me to NYC recently, and when I was in sweats, it was perfect. And when I changed clothes and brought it into my publisher meeting, still perfect.
NOW… YOUR TURN!
Wild: Today my mom sent me this photo as she walked through one of our favorite bookstores- Powell's Books. It is still wild to see my book on the shelf, and it was really lovely to see it propped up in one of my favs.
Holy: Y’all. Very recently there was a historic moment at the National Baptist Conference when a woman preached at the conference for the first time. And let me tell you, Dr Gina Stewart got up out her seat and preached on racism, patriarchy, homophobia and systems of hierarchy. Do you hear me? The first time a woman could preach and she said, "I’m tearing all these systems down." It is a must watch if you're into Black liberation theology. (of course the conference deleted it from their facebook page, but you can still find it on Youtube.)
Free: There are few places I feel more free than on stage, and on Tuesday night I had the pleasure of conversing with Kiley Reid about her book, Come & Get It. I got to tell stories about my residence life days, talk shop about writing, and even signed a handful of books. Glorious!
Full of Joy,
Austin
Favorite things:
1. Zyia leggings. Full coverage, variety of compression and lengths, and they use real women models in all variety of sizes. Had them for years and no holes, snags or thinning. Amazing quality.
2. Podcasts: Mind your Business by James Wedmore. Mindset for entrepreneurs.
3. My women's Bible study. We had more of a mindset focus this year. Started with "It's okay not to be okay" with Sheila Warren, then "Forgiving what you can't forget" with Lysa Terkheurst, and getting ready to start "Ashamed: Fighting Shame with the Word of God" by Scarlet Hiltibidal. There are 5 of us attending faithfully and we are going deep with each other, learning, growing, calling each other out, speaking truth into each other's lives. I'm SO grateful for these women and how God is moving.
4. Ally Love on Peloton. Got back on the bike toward the end of 2023. Rode over 60 miles in January. Goal is 500+ for 2024. Ally's smile, positivity and support as she challenges me is so refreshing.
I adore this. And am looking forward to checking some of those out.
A few of mine:
Camino Island Coffee - this company is doing coffee in the most wonderful way and their coffee membership is bringing me and my espresso machine joy
A second play through of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom. A world where I get to explore a giant open world. Catch bugs and pick flowers. Cook. Fly. Build contraptions. This game had so much to do and it’s a great way to pass time.
Disc golf - moving my body and throwing pretty discs is one of my fav things. Bonus for the friends and community it builds.
Bestie Get-aways - my cousin and I connect in Vegas and it’s always one of my best trips