I realized a few weeks ago that I haven’t had nearly enough fun in 2024. 2023 was like only fun energy, even through the unavoidable life bs.

Just dinners and swims and bra-less outfits and London and kissing galore. What a year!

As much I have appreciated the lessons from the past 6 months, what I would really like to do is keep the good times without the bullshit!

There’s no need to get into the fine details of what’s been feeling heavy and tight and quite frankly, like just too damn much. But finally as we almost call it quits on the summer season, I am getting a few glimmers of the good stuff.

The things I’m absolutely loving these days:

• Drop-in’s— I just read an article about the return of the afternoon pop-by, drop-in, “I’m on your street” call. When I was absolutely dying from not living in Memphis full-time a couple years ago, I had 3 friends I called the moment I was home. Shouts to L, K & V! I still have such visceral memories of turning off of my street in my mom’s old Volvo and dialing that trio of dear ones. The drop-in’s have continued in ’24, and pool season has really upped the ante. Community is built in those in-between moments, so don’t wait for the birthday dinner or official hang to see your peeps.
• 10k+— I recently ordered this fake Apple watch from Amazon, and when I tell you I am obsessed! I never wanted a smart watch because who needs yet another screen? This $30 find has helped me reach my fitness goals every single day since it arrived on my doorstep. I love popping it on for a walk and pressing “go” ahead of a Pilates class. What is more satisfying than closing your rings for almost two straight months?
• Hair Band Hysteria— We’ve talked before about my rock’n’roll childhood. While my dad is more into the classics, he has always had a soft spot for Billy Idol. I have vivid memories of standing between the bucket seats of his old Audi, screaming for more, more, more as a hardcore 4 year old! Something about the warm weather has spurred me to play Def Leppard, Guns N’ Roses, Van Halen and Foreigner— and play it loud. Hysteria with a side of string bikini has me feeling like Stephanie Seymour.
• SCBABT Overdrive I took myself on an extended NYC trip earlier this month— 10 solid days of solid Manhattan chaos. That was the most consecutive days I had spent in the city since I moved away. There are no words for how much I needed that time in the place that birthed modern Amelia. It rained nonstop for the first seven days, and still I was the most relaxed and at ease that I have been all year. The earth is healing! I knew I was on an upward swing when my outfits started to get more and more outrageous. An absolute fave— fully sheer lace capri pants, a Carhartt tee, a tacky-ass NYC umbrella and a Memphis Showboats cap. My nearly bare ass was quite well-received at Chinese Tuxedo. The reason why I love NYC in the wildly feral way that I do is because it is one of the only spaces big enough to hold all that I am. Currently seeking a partner capable of doing the same. Putting the MAN in Manhattan— I had to!
• Monsieur Boeuf My wonderful bro-in-law took us to his favorite city last week, and I am now a Montréal enthusiast! It was like going to Europe without the 8-hr flight. 50 minutes from takeoff at LGA, I was being bombarded with French I could barely understand. I felt like a time traveler! The highlight of our trip was hearing my little nephew say “Bonsoir” to the Uber driver each night, while the second best part was our dinner at world-renowned Joe Beef. Y’all know how I feel about dinner, so to call JB a top 10 culinary experiences is high praise. The vibes were fucking immaculate, the creamed spinach on my hangar steak an unsuspecting standout and our server was the best in the business. My sister and I both hugged this man as we were leaving, after I had spent $170 CAD on merch. Le Beouf!
• Tomato on toast Last year it was allll about creamy tomato sandwiches. Well in 2024, I have taken to the toast. I am loving $2 day-old bread from my favorite local bakery, buttered to smithereens (a culinary term!) with a pile of heirloom tomatoes, mozzarella medallions, basil, good olive oil and Jennifer Fisher salt. Take this gal straight to Tuscany!

I know this list is random— I know. But, I left Montréal feeling more like myself than I have in months. Sometimes life kicks the ever-loving shit out of you, but why not find the little bits of fun in the midst of all that kicking? What’s on your list? Xx

**image & inspo via my main girl Gabby Bernstein