My goodness, remember me? The OG Tens lister? I have turned over the mic to some of the loveliest ladies in my life, and boy, what a thrill! It has been so inspiring to read each guest post on the treasures that impact us in ways, big and small. The creative energy of sharing different voices on this space has propelled me to write, think and imagine more. 

In honor of being deep in spring and on the cusp of the most wonderful time of the year (summer, obviously!), I am doing a quick pop-in to share with you my Tens of Things.  

1. I am obsessed with NYTimes Connections! It is a little bright spot of the day where I’m thinking of nothing else other than how 16 random words are/are not related. I even have two sweet friends who I send my scores to daily. Literally just learned what the colors/rows mean when you share, but I am hooked on connecting, hunny! 
2. Fresh flowers from my yard— I have been taking my garden shears out back and snipping the most precious red roses and honeysuckle vines. I’ve mentioned it previously, but the demonstrative joy of spring has really gotten me through the past few weeks.   
3. Gabrielle Bernstein— interesting addition to my Tens, since I have been devoted to GB for over a decade. However, late winter sparked a deep need to re-incorporate her work into my daily life. I started by busting out my fave GB meditation and actually finishing Super Attractor. By the time I listened to her 2017 Super Soul Sunday talk 15 days in a row, I knew I just had to keep going. The highlight of my GB Return was seeing her live in NYC earlier this month. She looked gorgeous, confident, clear and so ready for whatever’s coming next. I want that too, Gabbs! 
4. Pilates has been a mostly daily practice for me since 2021, but I recently kicked it up a notch with in-person reformer classes at a new studio that is 7 minutes from my front door. I go at least 3x a week for a 7:30 or 8:30 am class and it has given me gobssss of energy. Good job, mamas! 
5. Silence. Broad topic, huh? March was not easy, in any capacity, but it forced me into the deepest inner reflection I’ve ever experienced. A big part of that ongoing process has been the quiet. I’m simply not saying or sharing or doing or expending more than I deem necessary. That practice has brought me away from external validation and closer to Amelia validation, so maybe I’ll just stay silent on the rest. 
6. Drugstore mascara. Hot off the press! I am OBSESSED with my new mascara combo– $15 in total from Target– L’Oreal’s Voluminous base primer + the brand’s Telescopic mascara. I tried out the duo on a whim and remain shocked at the heights my lashes are soaring these days, delivering a look that is natural but still packs a punch. 
7. Daily walks— again, nothing ground-breaking, but I committed to 100 days of intentional walking, which in concert with the Pilates, has been a daily lift. I’ve always had a walking practice, but it’s generally been with gabbing girlfriends or window-shopping through NYC. My new walking habit of striking out alone, in some hideous combo of clothing (fewer honks!), with a podcast, GB meditation or upbeat playlist has reinforced the significance of solo time. 
8. The Idea of You by Robinne Lee has been on the tips of literary tongues for years, but the recent (record-breaking) trailer for the Anne Hathaway-starring adaptation has exploded its popularity. I downloaded the book so I could beat the film frenzy and have a separate relationship with the original story. Good gracious, did I fall head over heels? My read came at an exact moment of needing little glimmers of escape in the midst of heady #5 on this list. I swear, I almost started right from page one after getting to the heart-wrenching end. So. Much. Good. Sex. And. Sweetness. I am salivating for the movie release! 
9. Bottle, not can— I used to crush multiple seltzer waters in a day. Crush is an intentionally aggressive verb because the way I can go through a case of fizzy water is a marvel. Well, fast forward to trying to debloat and be more mindful of what I consume. I now buy sparkling water in chic, glass bottles that force me to add a bit more pomp and circumstance to the occasion. I haven’t been drinking alcohol the past several weeks, so it is such a treat to pour a splash of sparkling water over a fat ice cube and a slice of lime. Swoon! Also, I fell prey to the internet-famous sleepy girl mocktail and have been sleeping and mocking like nobody’s business with my new water.  
10. Doing less to get more. We’ve talked about this, but I am a natural optimizer. I am a high-capacity, NYC-trained force of nature. Well, the aforementioned March fallout forced me to say “fuck it” to the constant optimization! I went full-out hosting Easter lunch, and then gladly let my house fall into disarray (for me!) Shoes in every corner, pillows unfluffed, tv in bed (!), recycling piling up, house generally just unready for guests. Again, I am staying silent on anything outside of taking care of every little one of my own wishes. 
11. A Bonus, because it’s been a while. Random Amazon and Target finds I have loved– this body/hair/face oil that is divine, finally caved on the Cosrx snail mucin, a heftier beachwaver for summer styling, the best seamless thongs, a king of a topcoat, chic & affordable picture frames, and an OXO cocktail shaker for all my non-cocktail drinks! 

Y’all, The Tens, I LOVE THEM! I miss them! Thanks for letting me pop back in. Xx   

**images (top l-r) NYT Connections, @overheardnewyork, mascara duo, cake via @okpoetries, blurry Mimi, in-focuse Gabby in NYC, the most elite sparkling water, self-love from @themayfairgroup, a message from Letting Go by David Hawkins, GB card @ GB talk, precious backyard roses, Mimi in Cali (!)