Well, here we are— rolling out a new regular series (aspirational) focused on the handful of things working for me each week. It will be similar to The Tens, but more freeform and definitely much more random. Articles, routines, eats, any standout purchases or perspective shifts that are bringing micro-joys to my day to day.

Okkkk, enough of that super clear explanation, let’s get to it. First week of Feb was mixed bag central— the world was insanely insane, but I had a very productive first half and treated myself to a bit of slowdown Friday-Sunday.

• Melissa Wood Health app— It was super 2021-2022 of me to dip into some form of low-fi Pilates every day with my girl Meliss! I stuck to the 12-20 minute routines, focusing mostly on abs and arms, and by day 7 I was quite sore. It has been such a great reminder as to why I have been riding with MWH for years- you can get a good workout in, whenever, wherever. Shakira-style!
• Protein + carb for breakfast— Most mornings, I am truly and completely starving by 9:45am. Not green juice and coffee hungry. Sandwich + chips/drink combo hungry. Usually, I can eke by with liquids and ride that out until 11:30. This past week I was in my fuck it bag, so literally made a half turkey sandwich at 10am, and was so satiated, I did it again a few days later. It is rare that I have bread in the house (such a sad statement), but an earlier visit to the local bakery saved the day. Avocado toast plus an egg, and peanut butter + jelly were other on-point options. My goodness, get this culinary genius a James Beard nomination. lol.
• Coffee Limit— my coffee caffeine intake has drastically decreased over the past 18 months. We’ve talked about my bratty half caff orders before. The barista response alone has been worth it, and from a previous relationship with a chef, “Amelia, what you’re asking for doesn’t exist!” Me- “And some people have zero vision!” Anyways, I have continued my brave coffee-less journey and I looked up this week and had mostly consumed at-home matcha lattes and afternoon Earl Grey. My current go-to matcha powders— fabulous ceremonial grade from Cafe Maiko (can only be purchased in-person at their stores nationwide), a more affordable alternative, and my special occasion matcha.
• Totally Recommend takes on the High Sport Kick Pant scam! Go for the fantastic writing, stay for the comments.
• TBM Authenticity Challenge— I am wayyy behind on the most recent challenge, but I’ve taken this week to be a bit more focused. My favorite has been the What is Your Magic? exercise that has great journaling prompts for exploring your favorite traits and skills, the compliments and questions that people most frequently give/ask, and the values that are most significant to you. It was a well-timed reflection and an opportunity to hype myself up as I enter a major manifesting season.
• Dance Theater of Harlem stopped in Memphis for a handful of shows and I was floored by their rendition of William Forsythe’s Blake Works IV: The Barre Project. It is electric and loud, and mind blowing with dance technicality. At one point, I was breathless on the edge of my seat, as a woman a row ahead exhaled a “Wow” that she simply couldn’t suppress. That was the reminder that I needed of the significance of live dance. Merde! Bravo!
• I ventured to make a key lime pie for my mom’s XXth birthday (she is…creative with her age, so I honestly never know how old she is!), and dare I say, I nailed it! The crust needed a little work but the overall effort was restaurant quality, and my adorable mom was like won the lottery excited. Bring on the Jimmy Beard, after all!

First effort! What do we think? What worked for you in early Feb? Tell me. Xx

**image of a perfect Noah Davis piece that I originally saw in person at David Zwirner in NYC that is currently on display at London’s cool-girl Barbican.