january digest

the best things I read, watched, shopped, saved, and ate in january, including rapid fire tv and movie recommendations, the only jeans I’m wearing postpartum, and a peek at my open tabs.

The monthly digest is a summary of the best things I have read, watched, listened to, saved, shopped and considered each month. As usual - she’s a bit long, so you might want to check out the browser version or expand in email.

January is a month of fresh starts. This time last year I was diligently focused on burnout recovery: diving deep into my own creative practices, workout routines and mental health. This year is shockingly similar and completely different as I emerge from the cocoon of postpartum recovery. This month has been a slow exploration of my new life as a mom of two: relying on (and completely reinventing) routines, testing out new patterns, and exploring new limits. It’s been an exercise in patience and compassion as I attempt to pace my desire to be “back to normal” with the knowledge that the adjustment will take more time than I would like.

Add in the unexpected whiplash of seeing videos of a man executed by federal agents in the street one minute and needing to play imaginary games with my son the next, and I am reminded of the importance of endurance. Of emotional regulation. Of community with your neighbors. Of righteous anger and hope. We cannot do everything, but we can do something:

• Contact your representatives to support Minnesota and demand no ICE in your state.

• Donate to Stand With Minnesota mutual aid

• Participate in the January 30th National General Strike (and support participating small businesses)

The road is long, but together we will overcome. And in case it’s not not abundantly clear: FUCK ICE.

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• a day in my life - what life looks like lately as i find a “new normal”

• coffee with... jennifer cook from “mom friend” - on finding energy in the early hours, navigating rage and hope as a new mom, and redefining success when the bar is low.

• building better habits - a very “new years” semi-academic deepdive, looking at the science of behavior change and building habits that stick.

• what I bought in 2025 - what I bought during a low buy year, including my favorite “non maternity maternity” options.

• coffee with... alexa wilding - on cultivating a well-rested nervous system, letting go of urgency, and following curiosity where it leads.

• 25(ish) things that made my life better in 2025 - one of my favorite posts of the year!

• december digest - the best things I read, watched, shopped, saved, and ate in december, including the most memorable book I read in 2025, quick and easy freezer prep recipes, and self-care items I’m using on repeat

books

I was late to the game, but when I finally got off the waitlist for Heart the Lover by Lily King, I absolutely tore through it. A quick literary fiction read, Heart the Lover chronicles first love, a collegiate love triangle, and the way both impact one writer’s life many years down the line. The three arc plot feels quite simple, but the description of the narrator’s thoughts, feelings and experiences are absolutely stunning.

Currently reading: The Strength of the Few by James Islington. Book I in this series (The Will of The Many) was one of my favorite reads of 2024, and have been extremely excited to dive back into the fantasy world where lower classes share their energy (“will”) with the elite in a complicated, magical pyramid scheme that drives questions of power and freedom. While The Will of the Many feels like a dark academic book focused on uncovering a central mystery, The Strength of the Few is more of an epic multiverse situation with a thousand threads to follow. The beginning is a little tricky to follow and there are some challenges with pacing, but a fascinating read nonetheless.

Also read and recommended: AI and climate apocalypse speculative fiction novel Artificial Wisdom by Thomas R. Weaver.

open tabs

Politics

• Minnesota Proved MAGA Wrong - The Atlantic. - Speaking from experience, Minnesotans are often the very best of us.

• THE LIBRARIANS | Official Trailer - This upcoming documentary follows nine librarians as they face increasing censorship in US public schools. Premiers February 9th on PBS.

Arts, culture & technology - can you tell I’m feeling existential about the state of technology, AI, and culture? So many overlapping and intersecting issues in all of these articles and videos. They are great alone, and better together (though maybe not all at once).

• TikTok’s mental health ‘rabbit hole’? It’s not in your head.

• Are Influencers Ready For The Warfare Economy?

• Scott Galloway vs. Heated Rivalry: Who Will Save the Men?

• The Problem Is So Much Bigger Than Grok - The Atlantic

• The Goon Squad, by Daniel Kolitz

• TikTok Feminism is Not Your Friend

Fashion & Beauty

• There’s More to Greg Bovino’s Coat Than You Think - POLITICO - Derek Guy is one of my favorite niche follows in the Menswear space (lots of excellent threads on the history of suiting and men’s fashion). Appreciated this fashion x current events crossover as a reminder that everything is political.

• every makeup product i’ve ever tried**, scored - this is extremely my shit.

• Gen Z Is Turning Its Back on Black. What Does It Mean for Fashion? | Vogue - as someone who generally can’t do black: i love to see it.

Health, Wellness & Personal Development

• Oops, I’m Human: Allison Bornstein - as someone in the trenches of postpartum body stuff, this was a must read.

• The Stomach as a Site of Control - by Arden Yum - Ad Hoc - read if “hot girls have tummy issues” also rubs you the wrong way

Motherhood & Parenting

• My shrinking brain - by Harling Ross Anton - Gumshoe - absolutely stunning.

As one does in the postpartum period, I’m currently watching a lot of tv, usually in the middle of the night. We’re going rapid fire one liners because otherwise you’ll be here all day.

TV Hits: The Pitt, S2 (HBO): One of the best shows on television, full stop. His & Hers (Netflix): Surprisingly excellent limited series murder mystery set in a small town in Georgia. My only gripe is the accent inconsistencies, but a non-GA native wouldn’t notice.

TV Misses: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (HBO): The pilot of this Game of Thrones spin-off honestly felt like an SNL sketch at many points. I’ll keep watching it anyway. The Beauty (Hulu): Ryan Murphy is trying to reheat The Substance’s nachos and resurrect Ashton Kutcher’s career at the same time. Team “Get Evan Peters out of the horror genre and into a RomCom”.

Movie Hits: Obsessed with Train Dreams (reviewed here) and Bugonia (reviewed here). I’m not usually one for body horror, but finally got around to watching The Substance – a hard watch, but an incredible commentary on beauty standards and aging. Went into One Battle After Another with very little context and was pleasantly surprised (except Sean Penn made my skin crawl from start to finish).

Movie Misses: Did not entirely know what to expect from Weapons but found myself generally disappointed: did not feel the ending paid off the promising premise. Eddington brought up a lot of repressed feelings about the early days of the pandemic that I also feel like didn’t fully pay off with the ending, but appreciated the efforts to capture the polarizing impact of social media and politics. I would like to see the Austin Butler QAnon cult leader spin-off movie immediately.

One of my bff’s brought us an absolutely smashing combo of White Chicken Chili and Cornbread for our meal train, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. (protip: slather the cornbread with hot honey and pair with a blood orange Ghia to be fully transported to summer). I’ve also been obsessively making Tahini Kale Caesar Wraps - just throw together this dressing with shredded kale and roasted chickpeas (+ optional chicken) in a burrito sized wrap for a very low effort / high reward lunch.

I don’t know if this gets any points for being a culinary masterpiece, but will also highly recommend my personal pregnancy and postpartum hyperfixation, the DIY Frosty: 1 serving Perelel Triple Support Protein + about one cup of Fairlife lactose free chocolate milk + 1 tbsp of peanut butter + ice (blended). It’s delicious and has about 35g of protein and 8g of fiber, if you care about that!

We are doing substantially more snacking at earlybird HQ than usual – current go-tos are: Heavenly Hunks Dark Chocolate Oatmeal,, The Only Bean crunchy edamame snacks, Navitas Superfood+ Trailmix,( and the occasional milk to the max lactation bars). On the dessert front, have been loving Alec’s Pistachio Crunch Ice Cream for a savory sweet combo, or a BonBon Crispy Chocolate Wafer dunked in an espresso for an afternoon pick me up.

For Seattle folks:

@spicewaala

Spice Waala on Instagram: "Tomorrow (Thursday) 30+ businesses i…

Please consider supporting Seattle restaurants in their support of businesses and communities in Minneapolis: proceeds from more than 30 restaurants on 1/29 will go towards purchasing gift cards from Minneapolis businesses to enable them to close on Friday 1/30 for the Nationwide General US Strike in protest of ICE.

Otherwise, I haven’t been leaving my house much this month, but a few recs for you! Finally made it to Brimmer & Heeltap for a much needed girls night (my first social outing post-baby!). We shared everything family style and it was incredible – highly recommend the bread, the mushroom angolotti, and the crispy potatoes with whipped feta. The NA drink menu was also excellent.

I also finally returned to Hushies Sandwiches for a family outing after craving sandwiches my entire pregnancy – the turkey sandwich has a little bit of a kick and absolutely hit the spot – especially eating outside by the lake in all the January sunshine we’ve been having!

Will also always recommend the Urban Nail Box x Aroom small business double feature – snagged a Gloomy (Black Sesame) Matcha during my once a month nail appointment.

wearing

I’m finally starting to venture out of the house (and out of exclusively wearing stretchy clothes). When I’m not living in my Vuori All the Form Leggings and an oversized sweatshirt, there is a 85% chance I’m wearing the J.Crew Rollneck Striped Sweater or the AYR Early Mornings Tee for a look that’s pulled together but extremely comfortable (and most importantly: machine washable). I also have braved wearing jeans exactly three times – I was generously gifted a pair of the Hustler Roller Sneak Jeans from MOTHER, and am beyooooooond grateful to have such a high quality, well cut pair of jeans that actually fit me at this stage of the postpartum journey. (Whether or not my old jeans fit me is not my business until at least six months from now, thank you very much!)

using up

Big month for empties! Finished my third bottle of the Soft Services Carea Cream (and immediately opened a fourth I repurchased during the sephora sale in anticipation). Hit the bottom of both my Merit Flush Balm in Beverly Hills and Bronze Balm in Clay - staples in my makeup routine since 2022. Annnnnd finished a bottle of the Act & Acre Scalp Serum in my valiant attempt to not be kicked in the face quite so aggressively with postpartum hair loss the second time around (results TBD).

links you loved in January:

• Sezane Marius Trousers - wool trousers that look fancy and feel like sweatpants

• Lulu High Rise Shortie Underwear - the comfiest

• Alex Mill Taylor Rollneck Cardigan - love the rollneck detail (and so many good colors!)

• Stakt Mat + weight combo (15% off with MAGGIE15)

• Hatch Restore - good to see we’re all prioritizing sleep

that’s all for me this month. see you in February a new approach for the sunday edition, the things I did differently with my second child, ideas for galentines, and two new “coffee with…” interviews!