Cuffing Season (Issue #21)
This week’s theme is love and everything that comes with it – exploring the supportive friendships, romantic relationships, and loving activities that keep us warm through the winter.
Pssst! Before we begin today’s bonus issue, just want to send a quick reminder that I’ve opened the Substack Threads discussion for September’s Bookclub. If you’re a paid subscriber (or want to join the discussion by becoming one), make sure to check it out here to connect with the Sincerely, Celisia community and share your thoughts!
Hi friends!
As the leaves brown, the days shorten, and the air cools, we’re entering a notoriously romantic time of year – cuffing season. I’ve been in a relationship with my now-husband Andrew since I was 19 years old, and I still remember the teenage talk of finding love before the winter months set in (spoiler alert: I inevitably entered all of those winters single as a Pringle). And the emotional turmoil and social chaos of having a crush have never left me. I can still feel the stomach drop I’d felt in 8th grade when I thought my friend had told my crush I liked him. When I confronted her about it in a corner of my middle school’s stage during play practice, I remember the second stomach drop when my crush called out from the back of the room “Hey, you know the stage microphones are on right?” That kind of drama and embarrassing misfortune does not leave a person!! I legit cringed just writing that 🤦🏽♀️.
I’m sure the pressure of cuffing season is a feeling that’s intensified in places like Minnesota (where I live), as the winter months bring with it a cold so brutal that cuddling by the fire seems to be the only respite. And with colder months on the horizon, I’ve been thinking a lot about love and relationships, both romantic and platonic. Connection is such a powerful thing and finding community can really brighten even the darkest, coldest months.
So today I wanted to take some time to reflect on love, dating, relationships, and the intentional ways we can show up for one another. Enjoy!
A round-up of things to watch, read, and listen to as you head into the weekend.
Apple TV: Platonic
Starring Seth Rogan and Rose Byrne, this new show follows two former best friends as they reconnect later in life. The show has 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and seems like a really fun comedy. I’m looking forward to adding it into my rotation.
Podcast: The Girlfriends
This true crime podcast is unlike any I’ve heard before. The story follows host Carole Fisher as she explores the mysterious past of her ex-lover Bob Bierenbaum, with special emphasis on the disappearance of his ex-wife Gail Katz. The storyline is captivating and the sound design is phenomenal – check it out!
Podcast: Better Tomorrow with Hannah Brown
Hosted by Hannah Brown of The Bachelor franchise fame, this podcast features a number of great guest interviews. In particular I loved the episode “Confessions of a Champion: Navigating Comparison & Criticism (w/ Shawn Johnson).” I loved learning about why gymnists tend to enter the sport at such a young age, and appreciated Johnson’s discussion of her transition to life after Olympic fame. Brown has a range of cool guests, so definitely worth a listen!
Food & Wine: TikTok Is Turning the French Press Into the Ultimate Happy Hour Tool by Stacey Leasca
I am absolutely obsessed with my French Press, so the idea of using it as a bar tool was immediately intriguing. This article contains a ton of recipes that could make use of a French Press (including a mojito and a plum gin fizz), and I plan to make a date night of trying a few of the recipes :).
Add some adventure to your week and check off as many as you can!
As we enter cuffing season, a list of date nights to try out in the colder months is a must! Whether you are cuffing romantically or leaning deeper into platonic relationships, these activities will ensure you don’t run out of things to do as winter sets in!
Visit a U-Pick Farm!
Did you know farms all across the country have programs where you can visit and harvest your own fruit and veggies? While I’m sure you’ve heard of apple orchards, widen your produce harvesting options with strawberries, raspberries, potatoes, and more! Visit the U-Pick Farm Locator to find a location near you, with a complete list of fruit and vegetables in season in your area!
Work Your Way Through a New Cookbook
This idea is actually a series of dates that can take you through all of winter! With your friend or partner, choose a cookbook together and try as many recipes as you can! To elevate this date idea, pair each meal you cook with a mocktail or cocktail of your own creation. For cookbook ideas to get you started, I highly recommend I Dream of Dinner (so you don’t have to), and That Sounds So Good: 100 Real-Life Recipes for Every Day of the Week.
Play a Music Prompt Game and Introduce One Another to New Songs
For this activity, one person gives the other a prompt for a song, and you listen to it together. Here are a few prompts to get you started:
What’s a song you’d choose as your walk-out song if you were in a boxing match?
What’s a song that makes you feel like you’re 16 again?
What’s a song that makes you think of someone you really love?
What song would you want played at your funeral?
Advanced version: If the song has a music video associated with it, play those and watch them together!
Things to try + share in the group chat.
Note: Links preceded by an asterisk (*) are affiliate links that allow me to collect a small commission when you purchase something I’ve recommended. That said, I can promise that I’ll only ever share items I truly love. Buying through these links is one way to support me and my small biz. ❤️
Recently I’ve been absolutely obsessed with this visual album from Kelsea Ballerini. Yes, I am happily married. Yes, I also love to pretend I am going through immense heartbreak when listening to breakup albums. It leaves my husband slightly concerned, but it is definitely fun for me, hahaha. The music really reminds me of Taylor Swift, especially when she was making her transition from traditional country to more of a pop sound. Kelsea Ballerini also recently released Rolling Up the Welcome Mat (For Good), which expands on some songs from the original album, while also adding a new song to the mix. It’s definitely my go-to album this fall!
I loooove question games and anything that will prompt deep conversations among friends, so of course I am a huge fan of *We’re Not Really Strangers. The game has hundreds of cards, each categorized into one of three levels of increasing vulnerability. The game also has different editions, including ones for *families, *couples, and even *break-ups, opening the door to all sorts of applications!
I stumbled upon this video on my Explore feed recently and fell in love with this couple. A video from the Instagram page @meetcutesnyc, I loved getting to witness this couple’s silly and caring dynamic, and the love between them was palpable in their answers and interactions throughout. Check it out for a little reminder that true love does exist <3.
Want more Sincerely, Celisia? Check out the extra-special Monday issue my paid subscribers got this week:
I shared all the products I’ve been loving lately, including clothing I can’t stop wearing, kitchen gadgets I swear by, and a storage hack that’s revolutionizing my closet space dilemma. Check it out here!
I hope your weekend is warm, joyful, and full of love! TTYM(onday)!
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