I’m blatantly stealing this from a TikTok I saw. I just love it so much. Especially since I’m probably moving across the country this year and it just seems like a great way to keep long-distance loved ones painfully up to date with my life.
Reading
Dear god in heaven that I don’t believe in, why haven’t I read Elena Armas before?! The Spanish Love Deception has been sitting on my shelf for approximately a millennia. I don’t even remember buying it. I don’t know how it got there. Maybe the smutty rom com fairy dropped it off for me one night. Smutty rom com fairy- if you’re out there, thank you.
In the novel, enemy co-workers, Aaron Motherfucking Blackford and Catalina (Lina) Martin strike up a deal. Lina will accompany Aaron to a charity auction and save him from a cougar’s clutches and Aaron will be Lina’s date (and fake boyfriend) to her sister’s wedding in Spain. Also, Lina’s sister is marrying Lina’s ex’s brother. And her ex is the best man. And apparently, he is engaged. So, Lina is desperate. The book is a slow burn with so much sexual tension that when I closed the book every evening, I screamed a little. Thank you, Elena, for this perfect sexy little rom com. You’ve earned yourself a fan for life.
Eating
Sushi. I go through phases where literally the only thing I want is a spicy tuna roll. Or five. And I’m suffering with that at the moment. I did my grocery shopping for the week. I planned out all my meals. And yet, I’m tempted to let that lettuce in the fridge wilt in favor of overpriced raw fish. Sorry not sorry.
PLAYING
I’m going to interpret this as the music that’s currently playing in my earbuds. There are at least 3 songs I have on repeat right now. 1. Ankles by Lucy Dacus. 2. Just My Luck by Obongjayar. 3. How Bad Do U Want Me by Lady Gaga.
When I’m begrudgingly cooking my dinner that disappointingly isn’t sushi, I am putting Just My Luck on at full volume and dancing around in my kitchen with a glass of wine in my hand. This is the vibe I will be requiring all summer long.
Obsessing
White Lotus.
Oh my god. That monologue from Sam Rockwell. The perfectly nuanced acting of Walton Goggins.
The Ratliff brothers being just as weird as I suspected them to be.
My three toxic queens making questionable decisions. Ugh. And the realness of the conversation that made them realize Kate probably voted from Tr*mp. Omg.
And Aimee Lou Wood being absolute perfection.
Can’t get enough.
Recommending
I am an obsessive cinephile. Though my poor attention span means I can really only enjoy a film in the sensory deprivation chamber of theaters. This month I’ve seen The Monkey, Mickey 17, and Black Bag. And I recommend all three.
The Monkey was a surprisingly hilarious horror movie. Like if Final Destination had been a comedy. Seeing Theo James play his own twin (with a mullet) was a treasure I never expected to receive.
Mickey 17 was probably the best movie I’ve seen so far this year. I didn’t get on the Twilight train when it was in its heyday. I’ve actually only ever seen the first movie. And I only saw it a few years ago. And yet, when I forget poor Robert Pattinsons’ name, I call him Edward Cullen. But I will say that all of the things I’ve seen him in over the last few years have proven to me that he is a spectacular actor. Every performance I see of his leaves me more impressed. Mickey 17 is incredibly clever and a little silly. And totally worth your time.
Black Bag is a cerebral spy whodunnit. I feel like I need to rewatch it with subtitles because I’m certain there are things I missed. It was a subtle, clever film with plenty of moments that left me surprised or shocked. One of my favorite film genres is the spy movie. I’m a sucker for James Bond, Bourne Identity, Mission Impossible, etc. My love of these movies extends to the parodic varietals as well. Johnny English is a masterpiece. I watched Spy on a plane and my row mates were incredibly annoyed by my incessant laughter. The Kingsmen films are such a delight. Basically, I’m probably going to enjoy a spy movie simply because of what it is. Black Bag stands out in the genre though and is certainly worth a watch.
Treating
I love treat culture. I firmly believe that every day I deserve a little treat. But my wallet disagrees. And I’m trying to be more financially responsible.
So I got two new tattoos.
One was a spur of the moment folksy flash by an artist I’ve been dying to get into. And the other was planned for at least 6 months. It’s a memorial piece of my dogs. My baby boy, Hugo, died this past December and now I can look down at my wrist and see him running like the happy, active boy he was, anytime I want.
And that’s my weekly report! Enjoy!
stefakessler.com 
Leave a comment