My Cats ARE My Biological Children (Issue #43)
This week’s theme is cats!! Honestly, I’m shocked it’s taking me this long to make a whole issue about my favorite chaotic babies.
Hi friends!
Did you see this past Wednesday’s announcement? Have you tried out Substack Notes? It’s a really cool feature and a great way to connect with the Sincerely, Celisia and broader Substack community all week long! Learn all about it here.
Now, for the actual start of today’s issue, let’s take a trip back to Celisia at 5 years old. One day after kindergarten, my mom said “I have a surprise for you.” I covered my eyes, eventually peeling my fingers away to reveal the cutest cat I’d ever seen. I squealed and hugged my new friend who we’d soon name Sarah. I loved her with my entire, tiny, elementary schooler heart!!
Sarah and I were fast friends, and I’d play with her all the time. My mom still tells the story of the day she watched Sarah clumsily waddle down the stairs, her little arms constricted by a tiny yellow doll’s rain jacket that I’d shoved her into. Suffice it to say Sarah was a veeeeery patient kitty cat, haha.
One day, Sarah disappeared. I was devastated, and my mom and neighbors spent days trying to find her. Even now, I’m not sure how the grownups figured it out, but Sarah had escaped through a hole in our basement wall. She’d ended up in a well, and our neighbor somehow found her and brought her back to us. But she’d been busy during her time away because when she returned, she was pregnant.
Soon, Sarah gave birth to five kittens of all different colors! Suddenly, we had tiny orange, white, and tuxedo kittens running through our townhouse. I was in ~heaven~!!
Over time my mom found homes for most of the kittens but did keep a few. At our peak, we had five cats and five dogs, and as an only child, I’d always considered my animals to be siblings, haha. Today, I live with my three kitty babies Piedmont, Newton, and Jean-Jacques. I gave birth to all three of them, and proof is in this video.
Today’s theme is cats, and I hope you’ll join me as we dive into recommendations all about the little lions that live in our homes. <3
A round-up of things to watch, read, and listen to as you head into the weekend.
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 I’ll only ever share items I love. Buying through these links is one way to support me and my small biz. ❤️
Book: *The Lion in the Living Room: How House Cats Tamed Us and Took Over the World by Abigail Tucker
I bought this book a few years ago, and it’s been like my bible for all things cat! Chock full of interesting history and facts (did you know cats are still not considered fully domesticated??) This one is a must-read. There’s so much to learn about one of our favorite household companions and this book is the best place to start.
Movie: Secret Life of Cats
If you’re looking for a great way to learn about cats without having to read, this movie is an excellent primer. The doc follows cats from kittenhood to adulthood, exploring the complex and secret life of the felines we let into our homes. A great and intimate look at the life of a cat. :)
Vox: What makes a good cat? by Emily Stewart
This article, written by a self-described “non-cat person,” examines the question of its title. The narrative is really interesting, weaving cat history and biology into Stewart’s own experience attending a cat show. Whether you like cats or not, this is a really interesting read!
Featuring someone I’m obsessed with (talking about what they’re obsessed with).
Alexa Spivey is a 30-year-old content creator from North Carolina now residing in Los Angeles. An alumni of UNC-Chapel Hill, Alexa’s multifaceted content highlights her self-taught skills in video editing, illustration, and makeup artistry. While she mostly shares beauty tutorials, lifestyle vlogs, cooking videos, and her life as a cat mom of four, her social media also highlights her travels and meaningful discussions of topics close to her heart. Lastly, Alexa is also one half of the sister duo behind Spivey’s Cookbook Club.
I’ve followed Alexa for a while, and am obsessed with her film reviews, clothing recommendations, and general fashion sense. She also has the cutest cats, and it’s always a highlight when they pop up on my feed!
You can find Alexa on Instagram at @alexaspivey or on TikTok at @itsalexadorian.
And now for Alexa’s recommendations!!
Recently, during a visit to Din Tai Fung (big shout out to Din Tai Fung), I heard a really beautiful song playing. I quickly held out my phone, turning to Siri, and I discovered it was Curls by Bibio, a talented British musician and producer. His folktronica/lofi sound has now been constantly playing through my headphones ever since. I highly recommend Curls and Petals as great starting points for his music. You will be obsessed!
*Huda Beauty Cheeky Tint Blush Stick
This beauty find from a Christmas advent calendar is a game-changer. "Coral Cutie" is my go-to shade, and trust me, it's universally stunning on every skin tone. The light application and seamless blendability deliver a healthy, bright glow to your cheeks. It's a must-have in any makeup kit, especially as we transition into the spring months. You will feel like a literal coral cutie.
This quote: “I stopped trading my time for money”
I saw this quote recently and it resonated so deeply with me. A year and a half ago, I took a step back from work to prioritize my mental health. The demands and expectations had left my emotional and mental well-being depleted. Reflecting on the backward work-life balance in our country, I believe we should be able to maintain a healthy equilibrium while earning livable wages. The quote spoke to me because I see the potential in social media as a powerful avenue, offering progressive job opportunities with flexible hours and livable incomes. The 9-5 with no vacation time is out and working smarter, not harder is in.
*Dinner Tonight Cookbook
The Dinner Tonight Cookbook by Alex Snodgrass, the talented author behind Defined Dish, is destined to be a foolproof kitchen staple. As the January pick for Spivey’s Cookbook Club, every recipe has been BOMB. What sets it apart is the perfect blend of flavor without compromising on healthier ingredients – think flour alternatives, low-carb options, and wholesome sauces. If you're looking to elevate your culinary experience or skills, grab this cookbook ASAP and savor the delicious recipes that lie ahead.
As a mom to three cats, the decision to introduce a fourth member to our fur family prompted the investment in the Litter Robot. Managing the litter boxes for multiple cats can be time-consuming and challenging (and stinky), and the 4th gen Robot has truly revolutionized our approach to cat parenthood. Its self-cleaning functionality (major purr), app pairing, and individualized weight tracking for each cat make it such an incredible addition to our home. The kitties are not only content but also enjoy a consistently fresh and clean bathroom environment. I have convinced so many cat parents to splurge on this and to make the change. Even if you don’t have 4 cats it’s such a great way to spoil your kitties and treat them like the kings and queens they really are.
Things to try + share in the group chat.
My cats really love drinking running water, so we’ve invested in a few water fountains over the years. I personally love *this one that kind of looks like a bubbling brook, but my cat Newton prefers *this one because it mimics his favorite water source – the tub faucet.
There is nothing more quintessentially “internet” than cute cat videos. I stumbled upon this swipe compilation of a few great ones, that I highly recommend:
“I can’t believe we’re raising iPad kitties” is a real sentence my husband Andrew said to me after I typed “videos for cats” into my YouTube search bar. My cats love these videos, and I recommend this one, this one, and this one.
I was searching Amazon for new scratchy cat houses for my boys when I came across *these adorable cat beds. They are all super cute, and come in trendy patterns including *clouds and *daisies!
Looking for new recipes to try this weekend? Make sure to check Monday’s bonus issue! In it, I shared a roundup of video recipes that are *actually* worth trying at home!!
Until Monday <3
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