#105. Everything about February
Sleep regressions, Traitor obsessions, and thrifting sessions.
February was slow, cozy and comforting. My 3 and a half month old has been waking every couple hours at night, which has been kind of gnarly. I’m doing everything I can to feel rested, which has meant taking things really slow in the mornings. Fortunately, my husband takes him when he wakes around 7 am, and I’m able to sneak in a couple more delicious hours of uninterrupted sleep. This is my salvation.
This month was stacked with lots of TV and nonstop group chats. I understand that some people hate to be on their phones, and I wish I could say the same, but in all honesty, I live for texting my friends. A girls girl through and through, my phone is firing on all cylinders all day with friends sending podcast length voice notes, sharing hilarious Reels/memes and unpacking every thought that comes to their head. It’s work to keep up with it all, but I’m happy to put in the hours.
I have two separate Traitors chats going (ok, they’re both actually Rob Rausch fan chats), and each Thursday I’d get together with one of them to watch the treachery in the castle unfold. We started out with 4 girls and 1 baby, and by the season finale another baby had joined us *August has entered the chat*
As far as the weather goes, I hesitate to say too much as I know friends and family in Ontario and on the east coast have had a helluva winter. For that, I am sorry. I personally have felt like this winter has gone by in the blink of an eye. As it continues to get nicer (I’m currently sitting on a patio chair in my backyard writing this) I’m really looking forward to experiencing mat-leave in the summer. Beach days, lake trips, and patio hangs are all in the not so distance future.
Starting early next month, we have some weekend trips planned — to Squamish for Easter, a bachelorette weekend in Jordan River, a potential trip to Tofino, a couple weeks visiting my family in Ontario in May, and then a wedding on the Sunshine Coast later in June. I’ve never been before, and I’m so excited!
Lastly, the mat-leave budget is rough, so if you’re a paying subscriber to this newsletter, I genuinely can’t thank you enough. If you’ve ever used any of my affiliate codes, you’re the best. You help me feel less guilty about going for a coffee or getting a myself a little treat when I’m out and about. These posts take me days to pull together (I really try to stuff them full for you), often in pockets of nap time or late at night. I know inboxes are endlessly flooded with content, which makes it all the more meaningful that you choose to open, read, and spend your time here. Truly it does not go unnoticed :)
PS - In last months dispatch, I talked about Kits Eyewear, and forgot to link this helpful Reel that shows you some of their bestsellers.
1. READ —
I probably should have finished more than two books this month — they were both quick reads — but nothing at the library was really grabbing me. I’d rate both books similarly, somewhere around a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
My sister-in-law sent me a voice note the other day describing her literary turnoff: when a chapter ends with a single, overly polished line that tries to neatly summarize some grand epiphany. That kind of sweeping, cliché platitude gives her the ick, because people don’t actually think or speak in that kind of simplistic way. We don’t always have words to neatly describe what we’re feeling, or even know what we are feeling in the first place. I felt Heart the Lover leaned into this a bit too often, which is why I docked it a point, even though, overall, I did enjoy it.
Best Offer Wins, on the other hand, takes itself far less seriously. I appreciated it for exactly what it was: a fast paced, dark comedy thriller, entertaining from beginning to end. Margo and her husband are looking for the perfect house to settle down and start their family. After losing out on 11 offers, Margo finally finds the one, and will stop at nothing to make it hers (“If we can’t have this house, I will literally lie on the floor and fucking die. - Margo”).
Darkly humorous, absurd, and yet still relatable if you’ve ever tried buying a house in the cut throat post-COVID era, I think this book is hard not to enjoy.
2. WATCH —
Between Traitors S4 finale, the Survivor S50 premiere, The Pitt, and even Canada Shore (guys… it’s genuinely hilarious. Where do they find these people??) a truly impressive amount of television was consumed this month. None of it particularly highbrow, but all of it perfect for an indulgent little couch-rot. Our Commiserating King, Rob Rausch, had the performance of a lifetime on Traitors, has been doing a lot of press around it (I am ~livin~ for it all I’ve linked my favourite articles in the last section of this newsletter.)
I also saw Wuthering Heights in theatres with my girlfriends for Galentine’s. As expected, it didn’t quite live up to the hype (an almost impossible task), but I did love the cinematography, the costumes, and Jacob Elordi reminding us how tall he is. Next on my watchlist: Love Story.
3. WEAR —
Because I’m addicted to purging my closet, I noticed that I’m now lacking in knitwear. I also realized there was no red in my wardrobe, and if you haven’t noticed, red is so hot right now. After heavily debating between the Emile and the Bastille cardigan from Sézane, I decided on the Emile (the higher neckline won me over), and I have to say… it’s better than I expected! The fit is spot on: slightly boxy and oversized, and the colour is absolutely gorgeous. There’s a reason it’s a bestseller.
4. LISTEN —
I subbed a couple strength classes this month and this was my favourite playlist I put together. Try it for your next gym session, or run. Also if you haven’t seen this viral video yet of Ian Hotko dancing to Feisty in Vancouver, you HAVE TO WATCH IT.
5. EAT —
I love following Dr Natazia Stolberg on IG for TCM and general wellness advice and I got this idea from her. Since we almost always have cooked rice in our fridge, I’ve been frying it up with 2 eggs, then grating in some cheddar cheese in for a perfectly balanced macro breakfast. It’s really good, quick and easy — what I’m all about these days!
I went over to my friend’s house on her due date and we made the simplest little Valentine’s craft to distract her from the impending, forever life-changing event that could happen at any moment. We cut strips of pink and red construction paper, stapled them into heart shapes, and linked them together into a long chain. It was the kind of craft you’d make in elementary school, but that was part of the charm. I draped it across the fireplace mantle when I got home, and it instantly brought a smile on my face. I actually left it hanging all month for this reason. The following day, a lady stopped me on my walk with Wes and asked if I celebrated Valentines day. When I nodded, she reached into her bag and handed me a small crocheted piece that simply says “Love.” So sweet. It felt like the universe was really leaning into the theme.
When I logged onto FBMP I wasn’t planning on buying four new wishbone chairs from Rove Concepts, but it just happened. My dining room chair situation is one that I’ve wanted to change for a while but wasn’t in any immediate rush. I had two vintage Cesca chairs that I loved but didn’t like the mismatch situation with the other 4 chairs around the table. I knew that eventually I needed to sell everything and get a new set. The chairs were in Duncan, which was fine by me, as I’m always looking for an excuse to hit up Promise Valley Farm and get some fresh A2 milk. I’m really impressed with the quality of the chairs!
I have been rotating between a handful of outfits lately and this is one of them. The butter yellow jacket is thrifted from my friends at The Found Studio, who I love dearly and who always have the coolest things in town. A couple of my fav available things right now are: this vintage textured glass vase, this swedish orb pendant, and these leather woven wedges.
Last month I borrowed a friend’s film camera to snap a few photos of Wesley as a newborn. I’ve gone through three film cameras in the past few years (they keep breaking on me) and there is truly nothing more devastating than getting a roll developed only to find out it didn’t work. So at the moment I’m without a reliable one and keeping my eyes peeled on FBMP. Film photos are so special, I really treasure the soft, imperfect and unpredictable nature of them. I’d like to get in the habit of just always having a roll on the go.
milk on milk. One of my favourite ways to spend a day is hunting for cool consignment store pieces. I would do this professionally if I could… I find it genuinely relaxing. The other week, I popped into a consignment store I don’t frequent often and found 3 very good things: a white Emile cardigan (see #3) from Sézane, a pair of sea-foam green Sambas, and an oversized striped Babaton half-zip. I’m trying to be more strategic with my spending, so I passed on all three (a small personal victory), but I shared them on IG and a friend swooped in and snagged them. New side hustle unlocked?
I think I might have just convinced myself to buy these actually. We had a stretch of rainy days and I needed activities that would get me and baby out of the house, so we went to the Photographer of the Year Exhibit at the museum. I strapped Wesley into the carrier, and the gentle rhythm of walking from photograph to photograph lulled him into a deep sleep. One of my best friends who also just had a baby and suggested we get an annual pass to Butchart Gardens, which I thought was an incredible idea. Anytime we’re itching to get out of the house, we can stroll the gardens with our babies.
Shocked at how many people were at a museum on a random Tuesday. Who are these mystery people who seemingly don’t work and how do I become you after mat-leave is done? I did my first cold dip of the year on the last day of February (ok I went in halfway) and I felt so good afterwards. I haven’t been able to do any sauna or cold dipping for almost all of 2025 due to being pregnant, and then newly postpartum, so I’m really looking forward to exploring those wellness activities again. I recently got a membership to my neighbourhood rec center (I’m a big rec center girl), and I’m planning on frequenting often.
lucky to live here. The Mr Larkin’s Online Stock Sale is still going strong for a couple more days. I’ve been on the hunt for a Lola at the right price point for years now, and sadly the quest continues, but my SIL lucked out and snagged this lovely polka dot dress thats perfect for any spring/summer event or wedding. I do really love this dress but it’s too fancy for the weddings I’m attending this year, and this one is a little too casual, but also caught my eye.
I’m really craving some new jewellery. It’s been so long since I bought a new piece, I don’t even know what I’m into anymore. Is silver still in? What about mixed metals? Lately I’ve been noticing chunky beads and pops of colour everywhere. I’m having some trust issues with a longtime brand that I’ve loved but who’s pieces are not holding up as well as they used to. Do you have any recommendations? I’m specifically on the hunt for either a monogram necklace for Wesley. My girlfriends and I recently went in on a ‘J’ from Lizzie Fortunato for a friend who had a daughter named Josephine, and now I’m tempted to get the “W” for Wes.
Ending on a sappy note, but I just want to say that the mom community goes hard. My sons wardrobe has been almost entirely donated by my sister in law, and a couple friends. I am blown away at everyone’s generosity and willingness to share and pass down. Last week, I met up with a friend at a coffee shop and she handed me an entire bag full of her sons hand me downs. There were some real treasures in there, like these camo sweatpants.
10 Things On My Wish List
Or rather 11, cus a couple of these are now out of stock, plus… I can do this all day.
This incredible beaded bag for beach days that still feel chic.
This cat eye » Or this $20 pair from Amazon.
I think I’m finally ready to lean into the low rise trend, and this inexpensive pair seems like a safe place to start (Edit: link has been removed from Zara!? I will be checking back regularly because they look GOOD.)
The most perfect spring jacket ever!!!
Known for their frilly white blouses, this one is soooo darling.
Speaking of chunky and colourful beads, this necklace is perfect.
I can see myself wearing this simple halter a lot this summer.
Harry Styles made me want these loud runners, cus remember, I’m getting into running again?
Dream wedding guest dress. Currently out of stock, but I set an alert.
The prettiest To Do List. Luna Collective in Victoria carries them if you want to avoid shipping costs!
The comfiest 90’s half zip for gym days and beyond.
