Transient things
Flowers, hot sauce and a few things in between.
Welcome to Small Joys, a bi-monthly(ish) newsletter about finding great joy in little things. Here are some things that have recently brought me joy.
The thirst is real
Last week, I found out that my favourite podcast, Thirst Aid Kit would be coming to an end. Third Aid Kit has been a true joy in my life, especially doing this pandemic. Each week, Bim Adewunmi and Nichole Perkins would discuss a Thirst Object and dissect their feelings towards said Thirst Object (like Randall Park, Jake Gyllenhaal, Tom Hardy and Keanu Reeves). It made me squeal with laughter and was like a conspiratorial wink among friends about that Extremely Hot Person who had caught your eye. But also, they talked about the person’s career trajectory and entire body of work (see what I did there) and I’m adding this information so you don’t judge me! The episodes are incredibly smart and funny. I’m sad that it’s over, but I dug into the archives and wanted to share a few of my favourite episodes:
Ep 1x12 — Chris Evans (feat. Chris Evans)
I love putting a hot person in the hot seat and asking that hot person to explain why they think people find them hot.
Ep 2x12 — Ruffle My Feathers, Mark Ruffalo
On Mark Ruffalo’s lived-in appeal and his very Ruffalo and un-Ruffalo roles. You can also hear the actor read thirst tweets about himself.
Ep 3x10 — Dev Patel Glows Up
I’ll listen to anyone talk about Dev Patel with the admiration he deserves. As a writer once said, “he radiates warmth and beauty, like an expensive candle.”
Ep 4x09 — The Many Lives of Joshua Jackson
On Dawson’s Creek: “Why isn’t this show called Pacey’s Creek?”
Ep 6x02 — The Adventure Known As John Boyega
The journey of the precise moment you looked at John Boyega and blinked in slow recognition of his hotness.
Find me in my feelings and dried flowers
Speaking of pandemic joys, I’ve been buying dried flowers. I ordered my first bouquet via porch pick-up from Euclid Farms earlier this year. They were my floral solace during the colder weather. This was before peonies, roses and all the pretty flowers were in season. Now with darker days ahead, I’m back to stocking up on dried flowers—fluffy pampas, cute bunny tails and pretty palm leaves. Recently, I picked up a few more at Thyme Studio. I appreciate that they don’t have an immediate expiry date like fresh-cut flowers. They’ve been a little buoy of happiness in this sh*t stream of a year.
Hot ones
Sohla El-Waylly recently recommended Cholula Hot Sauce (not the OG but the green pepper version) so I bought it immediately. My favourite put-on-everything hot sauce is pepper sauce made with scotch bonnet. I love Bertie’s from Trinidad, and sometimes I’ll buy the homemade one from Leela’s Roti & Doubles. This one has jalapeno and poblano peppers and is proper tangy and flavourful. You can put Cholula on eggs, tacos, pizza or avo toast. She is a versatile queen.
Give me Liberty (of London)
The easiest way to convince me to buy something is to throw a Liberty print on it. Toronto-based Ellie Mae Studios has hand-crafted face masks made from Liberty of London prints and I love them so much. The cotton masks are $25 each.
From my bookmarks:
20 of the Coziest Things the Strategist’s Written About (That Would Make Good Gifts)
Grace Lynne Haynes Is The 27-Year-Old Painter Behind Your Favourite 'New Yorker' Covers
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If you enjoyed reading this, please feel free to share it with a friend and spread the joy. <3
Have a great week!
x Mishal