Happy Friday to everyone, but especially to my friend Maggie! In August 2012, a little blonde blur ran up to me on Bid Day at Texas Christian University and asked to be my friend. I was alarmed at the time (as anyone would be!), but little did I know then how much that friendship would someday pay off. Now here I sit, 12 1/2 years later, the proud owner of a ticket to Beyoncé’s May 17 Chicago show, a ticket lovingly obtained for me by Maggie and her impeccably practical and level-headed lawyer brain. Thank you, Maggie! Thank you, Ticketmaster (not really, you’re actually the worst)! And most importantly… thank you, Beyoncé!
TikTok: Now that the following issue has been resolved, I finally feel comfortable to share it. Nearly one month ago, on that fateful weekend when TikTok was being banned and then chaotically un-banned, I decided to stand with my principles and delete the app. ‘These messages are creepy!’ I said to myself. ‘I don’t want this propaganda on my device!’ I deleted the app from my phone and patted myself on the back. It took me about 20 minutes to feel withdrawal symptoms, and I made moves to re-download the app (you can’t fight the man without access to the resistance, am I right!?). But alas! The app was no longer able to be downloaded! I then spent the next several weeks getting my TikTok fix on the desktop version, scrolling in the dark on my medium screen. I missed about 70% of the latest TikTok lore, and it was terrible. While I remain committed to my belief that the narrative/messaging of the ban/revival was stupid at best (terrifyingly dystopian at worst), I am thrilled to report that the app is back on my phone as of Thursday evening. Pookie, I’m home!
Valentine’s Day, Part One: In all the excitement about Beyoncé and my TikTok reunification, I honestly forgot about the big day! Happy Valentine’s Day! Despite being single for the last 100 years, I do genuinely love this magical day and season. I love love — and even more so, I non-ironically LOVE heart-shaped things. Here are a few that I genuinely believe you can use and love all year long:
I bought this claw clip in red and I’m obsessed with it.
This little bag has been in my Target cart and will remain there until I have just enough cab sav to order it.
I’ve had these J. Crew earrings since Thanksgiving and have worn them so many times that my friend Kelly recently said “Oh, you’ve realllllly gotten your money’s worth with those!”
This is certainly not in the budget, but I love every single thing available at Be On Park, and this vintage locket is no exception.
As I continue to ball on the aforementioned budget, this necklace has been in the near-daily rotation.
And perhaps most notably, for those who may have missed my proclamation a few weeks ago, I bought three boxes of this pasta and the novelty has still not worn off.
Valentine’s Day, Part Two: Speaking of love, I’d like to take this opportunity to remind you to fill out my Google Doc! It’s a little few-question Doc asking about how you and your significant other met, and I’m going to begin sharing the stories in upcoming editions of the newsletter. Please rest assured that I’ve been SO enjoying reading the stories that are coming in, and the first one I’m planning to share is SO sweet and I can’t wait to tell you more. That will happen just as soon as I reach out to the couple and get more details, which is something that’s been on my to-do list for approximately 13 days. More to come!
Reality TV: Summer House, Traitors, and The Bachelor? All on three separate nights every single week? We find the joys where we can get them.
Speaking of joy, I hope your weekend is filled with it. Buy something heart-shaped! Profess your love to your crush! Eat lots of vodka pasta!! Cheers to love in all its forms.
XO,
Abigail
This is how I find out Summer House is back! Happy Pal-entine’s Day, Gail!