Sunday Scroll #149
how to be a better friend, skincare restocks, and summertime sibling bickering
What a week it’s been. The boys and I spent some time at one of our favorite resorts, the Ritz Carlton Reynolds Lake Oconee. We swam in the infinity pool, made a million s’mores, and took a pizza making class with Chef Loris at Amore del Lago. It was so much fun! And now, we’re home!! It’s good to be back.
We’re unpacking and settling back in, and I’ll be honest… I’m grateful for the return of a little structure. And we’ve missed our friends here! Hope you enjoy today’s Sunday Scroll…
I love how Grace describes the very specific joy of making a new friend as an adult!
And while we’re on the topic of friendship, I came across these 54 highly specific ways to be a good friend and thought it was an absolutely delightful read. Know their coffee orders. Put your phone down and listen when they talk. Watch the TikToks and the Reels they send you!
Bookmarking this to revisit when I’m in a reading rut: 22 Books That Made My Life Feel Bigger
I’ve shared a few times about how I use AI to make my life easier and parenting in the age of AI, but I’m not immune to the (very real) fears that come along with rapidly advancing technology. That’s why I loved this hopeful piece on making sure AI serves the public good. Farmers diagnosing crop disease with a smartphone photo, nurses with access to step-by-step clinical guides in their pockets… a good reminder that this technology’s success should be measured by whether it actually improves lives.
I almost hate to admit it, but these viral pants are as good as everyone says they are! I’d been hesitant about barrel leg pants since I’m on the shorter size, but these jeans made me a believer.
An Ode to the Non-Optimized Vacation — sure Hawaii and Portugal sound amazing, but there’s something about the familiarity of returning to the same the same lake, the same campground, the same beach town year after year.
If you’re a mom who struggled with the baby and toddler years, you’re not alone. They are hard. But as tiny humans become little people and, eventually, young adults, there is a lot to look forward to. “If I had known just how much joy was waiting for me on the other side, I would have carried a little more hope through the hardest days.”
I completely forgot we had these silk pillowcases, but when we got home from the lake this week I made up our bed with them and it was the loveliest little upgrade! The reduced friction is supposed to be good for your skin and hair as well, so win win.
How to reframe the urge to referee your kids when they’re picking at each other + more practical tips for when everyone’s in close proximity during summer and sibling bickering is at an all time high!
Hair and Skincare Restock (and new faves):
I didn’t bring enough of this hair repair treatment to the lake, so was very to happy to get back home and restock. My hair drinks this stuff up, I grabbed this set to try the shampoo and conditioner as well.
Y’all know how much I love my Prequel Gleanser (I’ve gone through countless bottles at this point as part of my daily skincare routine), so when I saw they released a cleansing balm I immediately ordered.
A lake friend turned me on to this sunscreen I’ve been enjoying!
A new-to-me eye cream that it absolute heaven for tired, puffy eyes.
I randomly picked up this drugstore brand volume and texturizing mousse and was pleasantly surprised how good it it for the price!
Coming next week:
Inspired by the lovely Jen Shoop, I’m working on a list of things that are unfortunately worth it — the expensive, the inconvenient, the “I resisted this for years and I was wrong” purchases, habits, and extra steps that have genuinely earned their place in my life.
Come back next week ready to feel validated (or dangerously tempted), and bring your own “unfortunately worth it” confessions for the comments. You know I love a good list swap!
Excited for the unfortunately worth it list! One of mine is my No. 4 Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner. So expensive, but my hair is 💯 percent happier when I use it.
hi Emily, I love your Substack but I had to put money out to buy a new used car - and as a result I’m pausing my Substack subscription, I need money for food so by pausing my subscriptions, I’m going to eat for the next few months at least! Sorry about that! I really enjoy it.