♪ What if I told you I'm a mastermind? ♪ (Issue #26)
This week’s theme centers on the little things we do to build the life of our dreams <3
Hello friends!
A few weeks ago, I announced a new project I’m hosting – The Vanishing Point podcast. Episodes 1 + 2 were released this past Wednesday, and it would mean so much if you gave it a listen!! New episodes come out every Wednesday, but Tenderfoot Plus subscribers can binge the full season now. :)
In case you missed it in my first announcement, here’s the full description:
Six hundred thousand people are reported missing each year. Most are isolated events without a common thread. But in some instances, the victims are linked by one key detail...location.
From the creators of Up and Vanished, The Vanishing Point transports listeners to the last known location shared by multiple missing individuals, uncovering new details about their cases and the significance of the area.
In this six-episode installment, we'll take you to Hoopa, California, home of the Hoopa Valley tribe. Located in the Pacific Northwest, this area is known for its breathtaking landscapes but there's more to it than just its natural beauty. It holds a haunting history of numerous unsolved missing person cases. Join host Celisia Stanton and the Up and Vanished team as we explore what makes this tribal land...a vanishing point.
If you’ve already listened to The Vanishing Point, it would mean so much if you left a review on Apple Podcasts. Reviews + ratings are hugely important to the success of a show, and writing a few words is a great way to support the amplification of these stories.
Hope you enjoy the series, and as always, thank you soooo much for your support!! <3
When planning for today’s issue of Sincerely, Celisia, I couldn’t get this Taylor Swift song out of my head. It was all the result of this Instagram Reel:
And that girl in the video, planning an elaborate musical performance to woo her crush, might as well have been me. It reminded me of my 5th grade self. At the time, I had the biggest crush on a cute boy at my school – Dominic. And after weeks of yearning, I finally decided to shoot my shot one morning, as I pulled a fitted tank over my head before school. It was the most risqué outfit I could come up with. I was convinced that Dominic was going to see me and it would be GAME. OVER!!! I boarded the bus and sat in the front seat so Dominic would see me as soon as he got on. But, to my dismay, he didn’t even look my way!! I was heartbroken.
(Years later, a friend told me Dominic knew I had a crush on him because I was staring at him all the time, lmao.)
Okay, so my plan didn’t work. In honor of my 5th-grade self, I wanted to focus today’s issue on the weight we put into small decisions and tiny details as part of a larger “scheme.” Enjoy!
A round-up of things to watch, read, and listen to as you head into the weekend
Netflix: Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones
If you’re unfamiliar, “blue zones” are geographic areas where there are lower rates of chronic diseases and longer life expectancies than what is average across the world. This new Netflix series visits these regions, exploring the lifestyle habits that may lead to folks living exceptionally long and healthy lives. I especially loved how each episode covers different parts of the world, so you get to learn from the perspective of several different cultures. Check it out!
Vox: The Baby Name Boom by Rebecca Jennings
This was a cool article about current trends in baby naming. Jennings explores the history of baby naming conventions, focusing on how current trends show parents opting for the most unique names they can find. As a result, baby name consultants have risen in popularity, especially across social media. I’d never heard of such a thing, so this was a great primer on a fascinating trend.
Podcast: Scamanda
I listened to this entire podcast in less than a week, and highly recommend it!! The story follows Amanda, a Christian internet blogger who gained popularity after she documented her cancer journey online. However, it turns out it was all part of a larger scam, which I won’t detail to avoid spoilers. The podcast is full of twists and turns and will have you hooked from the start!
A reflection + action for your week. Compete on your own or with friends – I dare ya!
Truth: Spend some time reflecting on your own “mastermind” experiences. Tell the story of a time you tried to influence a situation and it backfired. Next, tell the story of a time you tried to influence a situation and it worked out. What (if anything) did you take away from both situations
Dare: Schedule a time this week to write postcards to your friends! Feel free to describe your week, and end with some words of appreciation for what you especially love about that friend. Break out the gel pens + stickers for an extra personal touch!
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 I’ll only ever share items I love. Buying through these links is one way to support me and my small biz. ❤️
I truly believe music is the key to cultivating the best vibe for any occasion. And because I enjoy cooking, I was super excited to find this cooking playlist by Michael Bernardi. The playlist is over 24 hours long and contains a great variety of songs. I’ve played it a few times so far, and it has really enhanced my cooking experience!!
Allison Bornstein is a personal stylist and wardrobe consultant whom I’ve loved following on social media. This fall, she published her first book *Wear It Well: Reclaim Your Closet and Rediscover the Joy of Getting Dressed, and I’m really excited to check it out! I’ve invested a lot in personal style as self-expression over the last handful of years, and I love resources that help me make the most of this hobby!
*These rug stickers are a great little secret to an aesthetic and orderly home. The stickers can be placed on the corners of any rug, and attached to your hardwood floors so your rug doesn’t slide all over the place! I have a long runner rug in my hallway that my cats love running across, but these stickers have been a dream solution!
My husband Andrew is strongly opposed to the dirty sneaker trend and goes to great lengths to keep his shoes clean and uncreased. His secret? *SneakERASERS!! These shoe cleaner sponges work amazingly well, and all you need is to get them wet and most scuffs and marks will just melt away. To see just how magical SneakERASERS are, check out the before and after of a pair of shoes I cleaned a few months ago:
Now, before I release you into Halloweekend, I wanna make sure you didn’t miss my bonus issue from this past Monday:
In it, I share all my Halloween faves, including an apple crisp recipe that changed my life when I made it this past weekend.
TTYL!
Want to stay connected between now and next Friday? Don’t be a stranger!! Make sure to follow me on Instagram and TikTok. Know someone who you think would like Sincerely, Celisia? It would mean the world if you could help spread the word by sharing this newsletter through the button below!! <3