free friday

department stores, hair gloss and a little poll

Back in the summer, my friend and I were in a hurry to get to JFK because we had Delta lounge passes and absolutely needed to smash two prosecco’s before boarding. It was July, it was hot and we were determined to take the subway all the way there. As we made our descent into the station, I picked up my suitcase to head down the stairs and the handle broke cleanly off sending my carry-on careening down the steps. Luckily a man was a few steps down and in position to catch it before it took out the elderly lady behind him.

rip

My carry-on lived a great and full life but it was time to retire it to becoming storage for all my college magazines. I had another trip coming up and thought it was going to be an easy peasy lemon squeezy errand to grab a new suitcase. I went to Marshall’s, which was where I bought my other one, and was shocked about how dismal their suitcase selection was. I felt like Goldilock’s staring at all the too big and too small suitcases and nothing was too right for my carry-on tastebuds. I was in a time crunch so I bought one hoping it would somehow meet my needs (it did not, I returned it the next morning and the associate said that so many people have been returning carry-ons because they turn out to be too small).

I try to stay away from Target but in a pinch I’ll allow myself so I headed there and was disappointed yet again. Honestly shocking how hard it is to actually find what you need in the wild these days. I’ve had this problem for a year now whenever I need something last minute for an outfit- the stores just don’t have anything. I sat in my car staring at my phone truly clueless on where to find a carry-on that wasn’t online and it hit me- the tried and true department store of Macy’s.

summoning the florida girls to the front for this lost relic of our youth

I walked in and instantly missed the person I used to be when I was a little department store bitch. They’ve just never let me down. I instantly found the exact suitcase I needed in the color I was dreaming of (green). I had such a great interaction with the sales associate that even led to us hugging and her offering a little discount. As I rushed out to get ready for my trip the next morning, I clocked I absolutely needed to come back. I need to become a little department store bitch once more simply because they do have everything I might need.

A few years ago I got rid of Amazon (shopping not prime video, I’m no saint I promise) and made it a goal to find what I needed locally and, yes, it can be a pain but ultimately I think it scratches the hunter/gatherer itch that has been lost to convenience. Sure we can get whatever we need whenever we want, but there’s joy to be found in finding the thing you need in the last aisle you check. I love an errand scavenger hunt (unless time is of the essence) because it feel like completing a game and the competitive athlete in me loves to jump out. It’s why I turn down help if I can whenever I enter a store, let me have the satisfaction of stalking and retrieving my kill (which is usually some book I already passed by twice in Vroman’s). There is something so primal that can be found in going shopping and that feeling is lost to online shopping carts.

Ultimately I think efficiency kills boredom but boredom can breed new experiences. I know I need to be more bored so I don’t end up googling “where to buy suitcase around me” and forgetting department stores exist. Boredom makes me wonder more aisles, drive down new streets and go into a store I normally wouldn’t think twice about and then it becoming part of my routine. I need to be slower about my wants and more intentional with the ways I get them. I love efficiency, I love convenience but it can also sacrifice a storied hunt- I would never have had that sweet interaction with the Greek Macy’s sales associate if I had just pressed a few buttons on my phone a few days earlier.

things i ate, drank, watched and loved recently that you might too:

• I have entered my hair gloss era after watching one hundred tiktoks to make sure it was something that I could attempt. If I’m being honest, I had no clue what it was 48 hours before it was applied to my head but now I am a fan. It isn’t permanent, it doesn’t cover greys but it does add a fun shine and evened out some of my highlights that are holding on for dear life right now. I used this Kristin Ess one and it was only $15! Which rocked.

• One of my closest friends and the best person I know to plan an outing with has started her own substack on community building tools. From themed group chats, to parties and more her substack will cover everything she’s done to build her own community, which yes I am biased because I am apart, but anytime I run into an old friend they always comment on how fun my life looks. And yes my life is truly just as fun offline as it is online and I can credit a great amount to her planning expertise!

• I decided for 2026 I am making a financial bingo board and whenever I get bingo I will treat myself to something off my wishlist and the second I get blackout I will be booking a trip to Greece. I won’t share my board but if you see me in Greece just know I have pulled off the impossible.

• Honestly, I don’t have a lot of recs for this one but I have one single thought and that is- just because it’s not summer doesn’t mean an aperol spritz can’t absolutely hit.

things i’ve taken a screenshot of throughout the week:

a truly shocking fact that surfaced when i looked up the LA kings hockey team mascot’s name

little look at what i pinned this week (yes it was new nail week)

and one last thing before you go:

I will leave you with a poll to better help me understand what direction I should push this newsletter. I sometimes overthink and imposter syndrome creeps in so hopefully this will help kick that:

Thank you and as always:

:)