Open Tabs
a collection of random thoughts on my mind today
Hello and happy mid-week! A weekend post is still on its way to you, but in the meantime here’s what the inside of my brain looks like today. Not quite a proper essay. Not quite a roundup. Just a short collection of thoughts I’ve had lately that I would share with you.
Aritzia Summer Sale vs Warehouse Sale?
Considering if I will shop the basics I have my eye on at the Aritzia Summer Sale, or wait until the infamous Vancouver warehouse sale later this summer. The former guarantees availability and ease of shopping. The latter is so fun and also better discounts… 🤔
Pasty Legs and Self-Tanner Advice Needed
Melasma + a lupus diagnosis means I’m even more careful than usual in the sun these days. But my LEGS ARE SO PALE. Folks, what are we doing? We can’t possibly be baking in the actual sun, but are we getting spray tans? In the year 2025 do we yet know how to do a self-tanner without streaking? (Now that I’ve Googled this, Saltyface is going to be stalking my targeted ads, but do we know if their body tanners really are elite enough to justify the price??)
Summer TBR
What should my summer reading strategy be this year? I just finished a joyfully mindless Emily Giffin novel. So do I continue on a path of fluffy beach reads? Or do I dive into something that might make me Feel Things? Do I want to Feel Things? What are you reading this summer?
Warm Weather Dinners
We aren’t talking about girl dinner as much these days, but my god it’s been a lifesaver as the temperatures have warmed up and cooking feels impossible. What’s your favourite girl dinner combo? Mine is cheese, crackers, meats, olives, more olives, chips, salsa, a few Sour Patch Kids, chips and dip, strawberries and any other fruits in the house. What’s your go-to hot weather dinner?
In My Sad Girl Era
Random but bear with me… I’ve been wondering, what is a normal amount to think about mortality? Several times a day/at all times? Should I be worried? Or are we all constantly on that Wednesday Addams grind these days thanks to world events and our subsequent mental health? And on that note, is there a way to keep all the lovely golden retriever videos in my TikTok and Reels fyp without ever having to see the sad ones? iykyk 😭 😭 😭
Bravo, Bravo, Bravo
So like, who is going to be the new cast of Vanderpump Rules??? Do we know yet? When do we get to start looking forward to this? And will anything ever compare dramatically to Scandoval? Skeptical…
Work/Life Balance Dreams
Finally, as I’ve been exercising some work-life balance between summer school teaching and my, ya know, life… I remembered (and lol-ed) when I once thought that a bonus to becoming a teacher would be that it would “give me time” to write. Every teacher I know would laugh at the idea of this career giving time, but I’m very casually taking back my mornings, evenings, and in-between moments to write a little. On Substack, sure. But also, just for me.
Anyway. That’s the current tab situation in my brain. Consider this a conversation starter — pick a question, tell me your take, or just drop in with what’s swirling around in your head lately. I’ll be here!
I’ve been self tanning with the Jergens daily lotion (but I only use it twice a week at most). They have improved the smell a lot since I last tried it years ago. Sometimes I do a good job, sometimes it’s a tad streaky. I was tired of my legs looking like white-death in the summer.
Some people prefer the mousse formulas that they apply with a mitt. That’s too much work for me.
I’ll have to check Emily Griffin out. I am reading Butter by Asako Yuzuki and it’s been a deeply fascinating read so far.