Weddingpalooza (Issue #7)
This week’s theme is WEDDINGS because I’m getting married tomorrow!! *happy screeching noises into the sunset*
Hi friends!
IT’S FINALLY HERE!!! My wedding is ***TOMORROW***!!!!!!!!
I’m feeling an absolute tsunami of emotions right now. I’ve been anticipating this day since ~before~ Andrew and I even got engaged, and now the moment is almost here. We’ve put so much time and effort into ensuring it will be the wedding day of our dreams, and I can’t wait to share all of the photos and inside details with you after my honeymoon. But for now, I’m keeping some cards close to my chest to surprise my guests and keep some special moments private.
A round-up of things to watch, read, and listen to as you head into the weekend.
Epicurious: Why Are So Many Cakes Named After Fabric? by Brandon Summers-Miller
After reading this article, I can’t stop seeing it!! From French silk to red velvet to lemon chiffon, examples of fabric in the titles of baked goods can be found everywhere. Summers-Miller explores this trend with a historical deep-dive, examining how the lack of standardized measurements in baking led recipe makers to resort to using descriptor words. They chose words that could be easily understood by bakers who, by no surprise, were mostly women with a vast knowledge of textiles and sewing. A really interesting read and an example of how past structures continue to show up in our modern world.
I’ve been a fan of this show for years, but with a nearly four-year break between seasons 8 and 9, I was worried the show was done forever. So glad I was wrong!! On each season, a number of strangers are paired into couples through an intensive matchmaking process. BUT, when all of the contestants enter the house, they aren’t told who their “perfect match” is, and spend the rest of the season trying to figure out who should be paired with who. The big incentive? If all couples find their “perfect match,” the group splits a cool $1 mil. My favorite was season eight, because, for the first time, they cast all bisexual contestants, which meant no gender limitations on the possible pairings. An absolutely addictive watch!
Liz Moody's Healthier Together Podcast: How To Know If You Should Have Kid(s) + Debunking Myths About Parenthood With Merle Bombardieri, MSW, LICSW
I listened to this episode after my friend Dani Bruflodt (@ThymeisHoney) recommended it on her Instagram stories a while back. The episode follows an extensive examination of the decision to have kids, debunking myths of parenthood and taking a neutral stance throughout. We all know how quickly the questions about kids begin after a wedding, so I found this conversation to be insightful and self-aware of the pressures around kids that come with life’s milestone moments. In particular, I loved their discussion about only children. While many prospective parents worry about only children’s potential for success or feelings of loneliness, research actually shows that only children tend to lead very successful lives and often are at the center of their social circles. A super helpful and informative listen.
Playlists to add to your music library.
Want to celebrate with me this Saturday? I’ve been working on this playlist for over a year, and it will be my ~actual~ getting-ready playlist this weekend. Enjoy!
Things to try + share in the group chat.
Note: Links preceded by an asterisk (*) are affiliate links that allow me 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 are one way to support me and my small biz. ❤️
My best friend Olivia bought *this alcohol-removed champagne for my wedding shower and it was a HIT. People loved it so much that many of my friends switched from their real champagne mimosas to this non-alcoholic version. It’s absolutely delicious and a great option for folks who want to be included in festivities while staying sober.
This strawberry cake with fluffy cheesecake frosting is the perfect choice for your next celebration. Cute and delicious. You really can’t go wrong.
I’ve been subscribed to the photo printing service Mootsch for a while now and it has totally changed the way I interact with my phone’s camera roll. For $16/month you get a collection of your favorite photos delivered straight to your door in the absolute cutest packaging. It’s an excellent way to get photos off your phone and into your home, and I love how it helps me curate my whole year into the perfect physical highlight reel. Any unused prints roll over to the next month, so there are no worries if you fall behind.
There are two romance novels on my list that I’m really eager to jump into. The first is *Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld, which was also featured in Reese’s Bookclub. The first sentence of the premise hooked me immediately: “A comedy writer thinks she's sworn off love until a dreamy pop star flips the script on all her assumptions--a hilarious, observant, and deeply tender novel.” The second book is *This Bird Has Flown by Susanna Hoffs, co-founder of the 80’s pop rock band The Bangles. The premise sounds especially compelling, and I’m excited to read Hoffs’ debut novel!
And now I gotta run off to the wedding weekend of my dreams!! Wish me luck, and can’t wait to chat with you on the other side!
P.S. - An Exclusive Look at a Poem I Wrote About Andrew Early in Our Relationship 😱
Final thoughts, reflections, and vulnerable shares (This is an exclusive section to my paid followers. Thank you for your support!)
Long before this newsletter, there was a teenage Celisia, writing angsty love poems on Tumblr.com. The years were 2012-2016, and the platform had not yet fallen from popularity. I was early into my unrequited crush and eventual relationship with Andrew, and I was fully leaning into the catharsis of writing out my feelings and screaming them into the semi-anonymous void of the internet.