May recommendations 💌

Bow earrings, a buzzy sunscreen, a K-drama to make you ugly-cry and more.

This is the first of my monthly recommendations—anything from books I’ve read, podcasts I’ve listened to, things I’ve bought or shows I’ve watched. I’ll be back later this month with the regular format. Until then, happy reading!

Kara Yoo Margot earrings
I first saw these earrings adorning my friend, Renée Tse’s earlobes and immediately messaged her asking to ID them. Then I quickly placed an order as a treat to myself and they just arrived not too long ago. I love a good bow moment, and these almost-sculptural earrings are a moment. I love that they’re made with delicate rice pearl, but also have this really dramatic quality to them. The earrings are a part of Vancouver-based jewellery designer Kara Yoo’s bow collection called, I Hope You Like Bows, which has equally dreamy options.

My friend Renée wearing the swoony earrings that caught my eye.

Essential Parfums Rose Magnetic by Sophie Labbé
I picked this fragrance up during a work trip to San Francisco earlier this year, but have been wearing it more often now that the weather is warming up and I’m in the mood for something lighter and more playful. I came across it at the Ministry of Scent, a fragrance store that curates niche perfume brands. Being a rose person, I’m always on the hunt for something that feels different and unexpected. This one captures the rose aspect, but marries it with something sweet, citrusy and slightly musky all at once. The best part about the store is that you can score a travel size version of all the scents or even a sample. I bought the former, but now know that I’ll definitely want to upgrade to a full size version.

Testing rose fragrances at the Ministry of Scent in San Francisco.

How To End A Love Story by Yulin Kuang
This is the first time in a long time where I started reading a romance novel and despite knowing I was guaranteed an HEA (that’s Happily Ever After in romance genre speak), I had no idea how the main characters would overcome all the obstacles in their way. There’s also something about the way Yulin Kuang (who is a debut novelist, as well as a film director and screenwriter adapting two Emily Henry books, FYI) writes that feels so raw and real. The book is about two writers with a complicated past that end up working together on the same TV show, setting off a lot of emotional angst. In a recent interview with Vogue, Kuang said, “I think that there is a thing where, when we talk about rom-coms, it kind of gets flattened into romance and comedy, and so people think it’s, like, kissing and jokes… There are all these ranges of emotions that you find in the best romances. I think that that’s what makes them art.” This book is a good example of romance being so much more than that.

Me chatting with Yulin Kuang during a book event (with fellow author Tessa Bailey), trying to convince her to watch Queen of Tears (see below).

Queen of Tears
Last week, I finished the season finale of Queen of Tears, a K-drama on Netflix that stays true to its name and will literally leave you puffy-eyed during every episode. It has everything I love in a K-drama—comedy, romance, drama and suspense. Equally important is the chemistry between the two leads, Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won. So. Good. If you loved the juggernaut that was Crash Landing On You, you’ll love this one. Both shows were penned by the same screenwriter, Park Ji-eun.

Ultra Violette Supreme Hydrating Facial SPF 50 Screen
This buzzy Aussie sunscreen brand has finally made its way into North America and in a rare instance, it’s making its debut in Canada first before the US. I’ve always wanted to try the brand (and came close to begging my colleague in Australia to send it my way— hi, Justine!). I tried the Supreme Hydrating Facial sunscreen first (there’s also a mattifying version) and love how easily it goes on without any greasy residue, doesn’t leave a white cast, and plays nicely with any makeup applied over top.

Trader Joe’s Crispy Jalapeño Pieces
This has been the best $2.99 I’ve ever spent at Trader Joe’s. It’s spicy, salty and crunchy, and goes well with just about anything—salad, rice, soup or a casserole. My favourite way to eat it is in a salad to maximize the flavour and get that extra texture with all the crunchy bits.

Thank you for reading!
♥️ Mishal