I am a content creator, but more importantly, I am a content consumer — books, tv, I would say movies but if I really think about it I maybe watch three a month and of those three, one is almost always a rewatch of Notting Hill, You’ve Got Mail, When Harry Met Sally, or My Big Fat Greek Wedding so…books and tv mostly. And TikToks. Obviously.
And when I am not inhaling content, I am begging my friends to participate in said content so I can discuss it with them. So consider this newsletter my way of begging you to engage in the things I love (and let’s be honest, hate— I try not be a hater but sometimes it cannot be helped) so we can all obsess together.
I’ll be (trying) to send out The Lately weekly. Occasionally I might be so on top of my life that you get two in a week if something REALLY special is happening. But I promise not to spam you with my thoughts. And on that note, let me spam you with my thoughts…
Watching Lately:
Currently counting down the days until Succession Season 4 drops and I can watch my favorite dysfunctional family tear each other apart every Sunday night, but until then I’ve been enjoying…
Shrinking on AppleTV, new episodes every Friday
I have been obsessed with Jessica Williams since her time on The Daily Show and that doesn’t seem like it’ll be changing anytime soon
Abbott Elementary on ABC, new episodes every Wednesday but I watch the next day on Hulu
Sheryl Lee Ralph on the carpet at the SAG awards saying Janine and Gregory both need therapy before they can date…she simply isn’t wrong
YOU on Netflix
I binged all of season 4 part 1 in one sitting the day it dropped so like is it March 9th yet?!
Love Island UK on Hulu, new episodes daily
Babes, catch me speaking in a nondescript British accent randomly as I consume 40+ hours of this perfect, perfect trash
Casa Amour begins tonight for US viewers and I CANNOT WAIT
Daisy Jones & The Six on Amazon Prime, new episodes Fridays starting 3/3
I was honored to attend the premiere this past week in Hollywood and need both episode 3 AND the album streaming like yesterday
I’ll get into my thoughts more deeply once the show drops but so far I have CONCERNS about Camilla
Women Talking
THIS MOVIE! My favorite this season; it completely blew me away. I sobbed through ALL OF IT. And somehow not a single person is talking about it. So I beg you, please watch
The SAG Awards
I did not actually watch but my boy James Marsden was there looking STUNNING as per usual in a simialar blue to the one EYE wore the other night and that’s all that matters TO ME
Reading Lately:
To quote that one TikTok, “this isn’t a hobby actually. This consumes my entire life.” Compared to January, my February reading list has been light. But a few books I’d recommend that I’ve read so far this year:
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Maame by Jessica George
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
The Soulmate Equation and it’s stand alone sequel, The True Love Experiment, both by Christina Lauren (the latter coming out on 5/16)
Icebreaker by Hannah Grace
Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan, my January book club pick
I’m currently reading None Of This is True by Lisa Jewell (thank you so much Atria Books for my Advanced Reader Copy). Jewell is an auto read author for me, and if you like mystery/thrillers and haven’t read hers, I’d recommend you start with any of the following:
And lastly, if you want to be an annotation girlie, too (if you click the photo above, you’ll see I have no issue vandalizing my books) here are the tabs and gel pens I’m currently loving.
Listening Lately:
I am the kind of person that finds an album I love and listens to it NON STOP on repeat until the lyrics are simply engrained in my psyche forever. Those albums for me currently include:
I should hate you by Gracie Abrams
She’s opening for Taylor Swift when I go in August so I have 5 months to get off book. I also just learned she’s JJ Abrams’ daughter and I am unwell. A repo baby with music I adore
Rolling Up The Welcome Mat - EP by Kelsea Ballerini
Her surprise valentine’s day divorce album brought me to tears and I will hurt my feelings with it weekly for the immediate future
emails i can’t send by Sabrina Carpenter
This album ends and I hit start again and have for the past many months
Product Faves Lately:
Honestly I’m just going to start listing products I use and love…
Chillhouse Tips Press On Nails - $16 ish
They are now available at Target, too
I live in their sets and grip socks + you can use code Samantha15 for 15% off
I use it for my cheeks and lips daily
Are these overpriced? Yes. Do I drink more water when I use it? Also yes
Glowy, light coverage
CitiZ Coffee + Nespresso Machine
THE machine I use and post every morning on my IG stories
I started doing Lottie’s free YouTube mat pilates classes during the lockdown portion of the pandemic and haven’t stopped since!
Feel free to leave a comment and let me know what kid of recs you want for future editions of The Lately
Restaurants Lately:
I know you don’t all live in LA but for those who do, here are a few spots to put on your list…
Oste in Beverly Grove - an incredibly charming, neighborhood spot serving delicious rustic Italian. I always get the Sofia Mussels with Fries
Forma in Venice - their weekday, on the porch happy hour menu is unmatched IMO. I always get the cacio e pepe
Great White on Melrose - yes, there are locations in Venice and on Larchmont, but the Melrose patio is >>>
If you’re going for brunch, I recommend the Poached Eggs on Toast and
If you’re going for dinner, get the Wild Arugula Pesto Pasta
Sonoritas Prime Tacos on Sawtelle
My friends and my go-to for Taco Tuesday if you’re trying to meet up with people who are coming from different parts of the city
Okay I think that’s it for now. It would mean a lot if you’d subscribe and I definitely wouldn’t be mad if you told your friends to, as well. Thank you so much for reading! And as always you can find me on Instagram and TikTok