Everything is Fine, Everything is Cool - Newsletter #4
I have been contemplating the idea of “success” recently. It seems as though I have become so obsessed with needing to be perceived as “successful” that I have neglected to figure out what that ultimately looks like for me. I spent a long time with a very clear vision of what career success would look like for me, and when my passions ultimately shifted I neglected to reframe my own idea of success, and just plowed on forward trying to convince other people that I am, and will be, SUCCESSFUL. What I’m trying to say is, I think it’s important to check in with yourself and your own goals outside of how other people will view them. What does success look like to you if no one else cared AT ALL what you did? Who are you? What are you doing? Where do you live? How many cats do you own? Sometimes (for me at least) success can be sitting outside on your very own patio, in the sun, having a coffee in the afternoon. 10-year-old Mikayla feels content knowing that 23-year-old Mikayla lives far away from home, in her apartment that she gets to decorate all on her own. 15-year-old Mikayla is jumping for joy that 23-year-old Mikayla owns some Le Creuset, and many pairs of shoes. 18-year-old Mikayla feels safe knowing that London was the right choice and that 23-year-old Mikayla has found her own family there.
Everything is fine, everything is cool. The days are getting brighter and longer in the Northern Hemisphere, and that’s reason enough to take a deep breath and step out into the sun. You’re going to be okay.
Things that are tickling my fancy
The seasonal produce is HITTING. Some summer goodness is starting to trickle in amongst the joyous spring produce. Every time the weather starts to get warmer I want to eat more vegetables and fruit. No, it’s not a summer body thing (gross) it’s just SO tasty this time of year. A favourite activity of mine will forever be hitting the farmer’s market in the warmer months. Paying attention to what’s actually in season can help inform your cooking and lead you to EXTRA delicious recipes simply because your produce is at its very best. Make sure to do a little research and see what’s in season in your area. Or just head to the farmer’s market and see what looks great yourself! (P.S. It’s also Peony season so if a loved one LOVES Peonies - right now is your very tiny window to go pick some up for them. YOU’RE WELCOME.)
Some June UK produce recs:
Raspberries
Sugar Snap Peas
New Potatoes
Courgettes (zucchini)
Strawberries
Asparagus
What I’m Sipping…
Rosé season has arrived and I’m here to squash some Rosé rumours. First of all - Rosé is not inherently sweet, and more importantly the colour of your Rosé has absolutely NOTHING to do with sweetness. The colour of Rosé is only indicative of the amount of skin contact that the wine received. This might be a winemaker’s choice or due to a thicker-skinned grape varietal. A deeper colour may add some additional tannin and complexity but it has nothing to do with sweetness. Furthermore, darker Rosés are not of lower quality than pale Rosé although many established producers have started to make pale Rosé due simply to consumer trends. Rosé is also not lower quality than white and red wines, and despite popular opinion, it’s not just a girly drink (just cause it’s pink? Really?) I think the idea that Rosé is somehow a woman’s drink has led to the misconception that it’s all sugary and sweet which quite frankly makes my blood boil. YES, you can find some very cheap, sweet, pink Rosé (mass-produced White Zinfandel I’m looking at you!) but what about that has anything to do with women? You look and sound dumb people. There’s more bone dry rosé out there than you can poke a stick at. It’s also important to remember there are many very food-friendly examples, so it’s time to treat your Rosé as more than just an aperitif. If you love wine and you think you just “don’t like Rosé” I implore you to open your mind, and your wallet and go and drink some!
IN:
Reformer Pilates
Walking there
Gradual tanning lotion
Mirror selfies
Portugal
OUT:
Rushing
Painting houses grey
Sitting inside when you COULD be sitting outside
Buying a whole new wardrobe to travel Europe (Why?)
Ibiza
