Ate It Up | 02

my recent wishlist, poor things, and cowboy carter

Mar 31, 2024

Morning! and Happy Easter to those who celebrate. I have a piece in progress about wedding-related things but for now, here’s a rundown of my monthly consumption report. This month seems to have flown by and it’s weird to think we are already in April. This month I rediscovered some favorites, sought new comforts, and explored new parts of my interests. Enjoy and talk to you soon! :)

Books

Cleopatra and Frankenstein - Coco Mellor

I have heard a lot about this book from Book Tube and Goodreads. It has been on my TBR for some time then the other day I was talking to a friend and she had just finished it, so we did a little book swap. I am 100 pages in, and so far it is entertaining. The plot follows Cleo and Frank in NYC as they engage in a very sudden marriage. I have been enjoying the dynamics of family and relationships so far. As well as the characters that are introduced as things begin to unfold. As of now, highly recommend it.

Black Brown Latinx Design Educators - Kelly Walters

This book I got loaned from a friend at school. It interviews Black, Brown, and Latinx design educators around the country. It has been a before bedtime read and something about it being in an interview format is easy to digest while being informative. It has been rewarding to hear the stories of many educators, backgrounds, and experiences as it pertains to their identity within design. My research focuses on just this, so it has been eye-opening and validating.

Shows

911(Hulu)

I have seen commercials for this show since it came out in 2018. But randomly decided to turn it on while looking for something to watch while working. It has been one of my random new favorites. It is drama-filled, cringey, and goofy all wrapped in one. The characters are what you expect, loving, funny, and comforting. Angela Bassett has kept me interested tbh. But the drama is outlandish so it is not everyone's cup of tea but it is mine.

Superstore(Hulu)

I can't believe I am late to watch this show but I am glad I still made it to the train. This show is perfect. It is one of the only shows I have watched that has made me laugh out loud, they go for the jokes. I’m in season 5, and sad to think I am near the end since they capped it at 6 seasons. It is one that I will be adding to my comforting rewatch on occasion list.

Curb Your Enthusiasm(Max)

Fred has been watching this show nonstop and I have been tuning in occasionally. The show is absolutely out of pocket, highly entertaining and I get all the hype.

Harlem - Rewatch

Rewatching this show for the 2nd time in prep for the new season that's dropping sometime this year. This show is everything I want and it's been my fav since I watched it a few years back. A take on sex and the city with an all-black cast, and the characters are everything to me. I want to be friends with them, be with them, and feel like I can relate to all of them. This is my show and I can’t wait for the next season. <3

Rye Lane(Hulu)

I watched this after I saw Tembae’s Final File report where she recommended it. And it is worth the hype and I really loved it. It was creative, flirty, fun, and genuinely just so cute. The colors, the cast, the jokes. I wish I could watch it for the first time again.

The Lobster(Amazon Prime)

This was a quirky one, to say the least. From A24 and Yorgos Lanthimos, director of Poor Things. I heard little about this film and it was not what I expected. I did kind of like it though. It was weird, dystopian, uncalled for at times, and surprising. It left me researching some questions by the end of it and dwelling on potential themes. I watched this before Poor Things and have found Yorgo’s stylistic take to be one that piques my interest.

Poor Things(Hulu)

This is one of the only Oscar-nominated films I watched this year. I thought it was kooky, out of pocket, and full of character. I loved the colors, shots, set, and costumes, and seeing Emma Stone in a 42-inch buss down lace front. I am a big Frankenstein stan and thought the Bella Baxter take was a fascinating interpretation. I liked Emma Stone in this role and found this to be one of my favorite roles I’ve seen her in. Visually, this film feels like a work of art which aided in my own artistic enjoyment. so I am planning to read the book and do a little movie comparison. Did anyone read it? What did you think?

Music

Like that - Future, Metro Boomin, Kendrick Lamar

This song gets me so hype it is embarrassing. Walking through campus you can’t tell me anything if this song is playing. “Motherfuck the big three, it's just big me”. Kendrick goes crazy on this one. Future isn’t my favorite at all but this song got me interested.

World Wide Whack - Tierra Whack

I have been such a fan of Tierra Whack since Mumbo Jumbo. I think her style is effortlessly cool and mind-numbing and that she is so talented. This album is her second and it still feels like I am discovering her for the first time. The songs are short, and vibrant and showcase a continuous vulnerable side of Tierra and I love to see it.

Yeah, Glo! - Glorilla

Go listen to it, you’ll get it. YEAH GLO!

How Do You Sleep at Night - Teezo Touchdown

I came across this album near the end of last year and it has been a go-to ever since. It makes me feel cobalt blue and like I’m playing guitar while running on water. It is funk-filled, and sleek and makes me feel like a grown teenager in the best way.

Cowboy Carter - Beyonce

This album just came out and I already have to include it. The mix, the southern roots, she’s here and speaking with her chest. I have only got the chance to listen to it 1.5 times. So I have yet to give it, its dues but I love to already see the camaraderie around the album. The girls are eating it up and I’m right there with them. So far my favorites are AMERIICAN REQUIEM, SPAGHETTI, II MOST WANTED, LEVIS JEANS. Beyonce's Been That Girl and still That Girl. Happy Cowboy Carter summer.

Wishlist

Shoes from KKerele

I have had my eyes on this brand since college, they are based in Lagos and all shoes are handmade. They recently released new styles and colors and I am daydreaming about them. It is getting warm here in Texas and I am on the hunt for some sandals, if I can splurge it would be on these!

Clifton 9 - Hokas

I have been on the hunt for some new running shoes. I am looking to get back on my running game, now it's summer. I used to jog a lot more and found it to be a fun thing to pair with weight training. I currently have a pair of Clifton 7’s since 2021 and they have stood the test of time. Some of the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn. I took the Hokas shoe quiz and this style still fits me best and I agree! The colors are sometimes a hit or miss for me, my last pair was white for this reason. But this time I love this “Celery Root” color and a few other colors this time around, stay tuned!

Sunglasses - Crap Eyewear

I need some new sunnies, crap eyewear has been on my mind for a while. I love some of their styles and I think their pricing is affordable, the quality seems good, and they use recycled materials. I like quite a few of their styles so I am going back and forth between which to get. I usually thrift most of my sunglasses so looking to step it up and make some grown-woman investments in my wardrobe.

Random but still good things

Eldest Daughter - Podcast

I stumbled across this podcast and I am glad I did, the host and guests are often down to earth and talk about topics I am interested in. Love to see black women consistently show up for each other and have vulnerable conversations. It feeds my soul.

Nordstrom Coffee - Ebar( lol)

I have been venturing into more and more coffee shops now that I have been out of the Starbucks chokehold. I have gone to the Nordstrom coffee shop several times over the years. But recently it has truly been hitting. Their Lavender chai slaps but my go-to has been a caramel latte with oat milk, extra sweetened. Yes, I do take my coffee extra sweet, and what about it?!

Photoshoot with loved ones <3

Fred and I got our engagement photos taken, and it was such a sweet way to just spend time together. I can’t stop fantasizing about the final photos as we have been getting sneak peeks from our photographer. They look so sweet, we took some digital, film, and iPhone just for fun. It got me thinking about the importance of documenting your relationships and now I want to take photos with all my family and friends. It was such a sweet way to commemorate love and I can’t wait to marry my sweet beau. <3

Sneak peek :) Taken by Riley at Traces Collective.

That’s it for now, I will see you soon.

XOXO,

Ya Little Mama