jenny's top 8 no. 5
There is just something about summer!!!
I forgot about summer for a long time, maybe because I live in Los Angeles and most years feel like an endless string of heat. But last summer I remembered. I was so sick from an undiagnosed autoimmune disease. I had no idea WTF was happening to me. I had cried hysterically, uncontrollably at a doctors office when I got an appointment mixed up and then I just said fuck everything, let it all fall apart; I don’t know what to do, so I am going to play; I am going on an adventure because I know that stress is killing me, but maybe more quickly than I think. I felt awful, but I tried to change my attitude, and I fell in love with summer again.
I fell in love with green grass on the east coast. I fell in love with ice cream dates upstate with Alicia, with birthday parties filled with dancing so hard the deck nearly caved in, and slow mornings, with how stunning the light is everywhere. I celebrated one of my best friend’s 50th birthdays at Saddle Peak Ranch after a day of swimming, saw The Little Mermaid remake like a kid again, had dinners with Ryan. I continued my life and I felt bad a lot, but I knew to also look to the small joys. To me, summer is about all the small joys of being human. I don’t know why, but it is.
Ultimately I found out what was wrong and it was such a relief. I am 50% better and I feel like myself again. I am grateful for the changes I have to make and honestly the biggest one is to attend to myself more, to have more faith and less stress. I didn’t stop the adventure or play and I know that they are two of my greatest assets on this trip back to my full vitality.
I love you. Happy Summer. Go find all those small joys and light it up kid!
“Life is a daring adventure or nothing at all” Helen Keller
xxJenny
I’m throwing out all my other socks. I only want these. I found them at Imrie on Maui and I’m dead serious, I love them. Made in the USA in small batches with organic cotton. They feel so nice and I think they look nice with everything!
One of my absolute favorite things to do is to go and search for treasures made by Sigal. I can spend hours with her because she is insanely lovely and her jewelry is insanely gorgeous. I always pick up a piece when I am on Maui. This time I came home with this topaz pave LOVE necklace. I had recently written about my Jenny necklace that I wore for years; it was a gift from a man I loved. I don’t wear it anymore, maybe I should, but this feels like the updated version! I am so lucky to know Sigal and have her treasures to remind me of Maui back in LA.
This new album by Matt Champion is my favorite!!! I listen to it 70% of the time. I think it’s magic. I love falling in love with an album because it unfolds one song at a time. Aphid is my current favorite, but also Steel, c’mon the whole thing!! Listen, Love, Repeat.
I’m not exactly sure what’s going on here but this is the only “ice cream” that I want to eat in Los Angeles. IT IS SO DELICIOUS it’s crazy. It’s expensive and I don’t care even a little because it is one of the tastiest things I’ve ever had. I’ve never even called anything tasty, cuz it’s a little bit of a gross word for something so good. Vegan and Gluten Free! They just opened a location in Larchmont! What a lucky city we are!
What I Loved was lucky enough to feature Leena Culhane recently. She is pure fun and light and curiosity; she is also co-owner of Crudo e Nudo. I LOVE Crudo e Nudo sooooo much. I love it because it’s the definition of delicious. The food is fresh and innovative, BUT the staff and experience that Leena created is so top shelf. I recently ate there with a best foodie friend from New York and we still talk about it all the time - we say I can’t believe how good it is and also it’s literally like being assisted by boss level mermaids of the matriarchy. I don’t know what else a person could ask for!
Now imagine my surprise when I came out of a very very good lymphatic massage with Brooke at Apres Surf Maui and she poured me a glass of Blue Lotus Tea with a beautiful flower floating at the top. Then imagine my surprise when it tasted so good and so nourishing. I drove down the mountain with all the windows open and ordered it immediately. I ordered the Shangri-La Rose and The Royal Chrysanthemum as well. This AAPI Women owned business is making my dreams come true. I want a baseball hat that says Drink Flowers so badly!
Okay I am embarrassed, but also I love it. I saw an advertisement for a virtual Road to Hana challenge. I have never actually made it to Hana because I’m very claustrophobic, never mind about that; I saw it and I wanted it instantly, but I was embarrassed that I wanted it and so I just secret wanted it for like a month. Then I said who cares and I bought it. I logged my walks. I got my postcards along the way. I helped save ocean from plastic bottles with Plastic Bank. When I finished I was sent a medal that I absolutely did not want until I got it and then I was absolutely excited to get it. Now I’m halfway through the Florida Keys!!!
