We’re back with possibly my favorite series on Magpie: icebreakers for you to answer at your leisure. I absolutely treasure reading your responses, which are always clever, thoughtful, and surprising. Here goes.
+Your SSB.*
+Your current hyper-fixation meal.
+Name something you secretly want to do. Why haven’t you done it yet?
+Your house catches fire. After ensuring all loved ones and pets are safe, you have time to safely save one final item. What is it?
+First time you remember getting in trouble.
+Food kink.
+First kiss?
+First thing that comes to mind: the smell of birthday candles.
+If you could anonymously email your boss right now, what would you say?
+Who would be the first celebrity guest if you had your own talk show?
*SSB = “Secret single behavior,” a term from Carrie Bradshaw referencing what she’d do when without her boyfriend. Hers was slathering saltines with grape jelly, arranging them in a stack, and eating them standing up in her kitchen while reading Vogue.
****
+Your SSB.* Watching truly bad (we’re talking D-grade, 10%-on-Rotten-Tomatoes) romantic comedies and permitting myself to scroll through my phone while doing it. When Mr. Magpie and I are together, we hold ourselves to higher standards: we follow the one-screen-at-a-time rule (and will put our phones in a separate room or behind us while watching TV) and are particular, and thoughtful, about what we watch. There is something delightfully luxuriant, almost wanton, about eschewing these standards when he’s out of town.
+Your current hyper-fixation meal. Green smoothies – kale, banana, avocado, orange juice. We’ve been drinking these all summer long in lieu of breakfast and I crave them each morning! Weirder: last spring, I was obsessed with this combo for breakfast.
+Name something you secretly want to do. Why haven’t you done it yet? Publish a novel and go hut-to-hut hiking somewhere. On the novel front: I am still developing my craft, and know there is a lot of wood to chop with finding an agent, pitching, etc. I have also been heads down focused on making this blog the best it can be, and am still learning. But I intend to explore fiction during this decade of my life. On hut-to-hut hiking: it all comes down to childcare for our kids, and the limited number of vacations we’ve had for ourselves. I hope we will do this in the next few years…!
+Your house catches fire. After ensuring all loved ones and pets are safe, you have time to safely save one final item. What is it? A piece of art my parents gave us. We call her “the green girl,” and I love her.
+First time you remember getting in trouble. I covered my father’s brand-new, leather-topped desk with those fuzzy pads you put beneath furniture feet. It was destroyed. I still contend that my sister lured me into doing this (I was such a rule follower; I cannot comprehend my own behavior!), but my father couldn’t speak to me for a full day. It was almost worse than being punished outright!
+Food kink. Vinegar. I cannot get enough of it – I could drink it. I also really like those bad canned black olives that most people pick out of their food.
+First kiss? A boy named Kyle in fifth grade — a truth or dare situation! This was particularly awkward because I had my first boyfriend at that time and had, up to that day, refused to kiss him because I was scared. He was furious! I think he took back the Starter jacket he’d lent me on the asphalt that morning because of this — ha.
+First thing that comes to mind: the smell of birthday candles. The good-bad edge frosting on ice cream cakes.
+If you could anonymously email your boss right now, what would you say? “Keep going.” (I am my own boss.)
+Who would be the first celebrity guest if you had your own talk show? I mean, it’d have to be Glen Powell at this moment, right?!? But I’m also very intrigued by John Mayer, Richard Linklater, and Celine Song for different reasons. And if authors count: Ann Patchett, all day!
Your turn! Please copy and paste the prompts (some or all!) into the comments and share your cleverness with the Magpie community!
P.S. More recent rounds of icebreakers here, here, here.
Shopping Break.
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+Just received these cardinal red ballet flats — they remind me so much of Miu Miu and add such a fun pop of color.
+Speaking of bright red: my cherry red shorts set was just restocked — top here; bottom here. I have found myself wearing them more as separates than together because I’m petite and the top is voluminous and the shorts are pretty long on me. You can see me styling with a swimsuit here! (15% off Sold Out with code JEN15.). The button-down top in white is a total wardrobe staple. I almost can’t believe she’s under $200 because the quality is insane (the silkiest, most luxurious handfeel) and the shape feels so high end (oversized, larger cuffs). Looks like a million bucks with jeans.
+Similar quiet luxury vibes: this under-$100 dress. So romantic. Could be good for a bride-to-be but would also look elegant on anyone with some simple brown leather sandals.
+Shared a few times already, but Z Supply has some great La Ligne-inspired striped knits for under-$100: this and this!
+Have had some inquiries lately from women in their 50s, 60s, 70s asking for everyday dresses. This RL (more sizes here) is spectacular and so perfect for fall in that rich chocolate hue.
+Absolutely love these biker shorts for my Heather Robertson fitness days, and they just came out in a fun raspberry color.
+Colored jeans, and especially brown ones, are trending for fall — love these in a rich dark chocolate hue.
+I’ve gone through 2 bottles of my beloved Osea cleanser and loveeee it, but am going to try this one next (recently won a few awards). I always like trying new beauty/skincare!
+Reminder that these chic butterfly-shaped studs are 30% off with code JENSHOOP. All my promo codes here.
+This caftan dress is so interesting and different for a late-summer gathering. (I’d pair with a strappy sandal like this.) Mille’s Daisy dress is similar in shape, but less expensive (plus 15% off with JEN15).
+Manolo vibes for under $50.
+Your SSB.* I think this is my whole life (being single does have its perks!).
+Your current hyper-fixation meal. I do go through periods where I have this but at the moment, I don’t have anything that comes to mind. My go-to work lunch for over a year included – 4 hard-boiled egg whites, 1/2-1 avocado, Trader Joe’s Green Goddess dressing, plus salt & pepper. It was easy, filling, and nutritious.
+Name something you secretly want to do. Why haven’t you done it yet? I’d love to write for a living and move abroad for at least a few years. I need to figure out the financial feasibility of writing for a living. As far as moving abroad, my current role won’t let me work remotely, so I need to determine what I can do to support myself when I finally make the move. I likely won’t do this until after my grandmother passes (she is 101 but quite healthy still) since it would be very hard to live across the world in her final years. Another thing I plan to do is create my own 40th birthday gift registry. As someone who is single and not a homeowner, I have given gifts for bridal showers, bachelorette parties, weddings, and new homes over the years. I think 40 will be my time to recoup some of that in case I never have a ‘traditional’ reason for a gift registry. Single people deserve to be celebrated too!
+Your house catches fire. After ensuring all loved ones and pets are safe, you have time to safely save one final item. What is it? I hate to sound boring, but I would make sure I have proper identification to facilitate accessing bank accounts, memberships, medical records, etc.
+First time you remember getting in trouble. I am not sure if this is the first. One that stands out in my mind happened while playing tag with my brother (4 years younger than I am). I tagged him and he was mad to be ‘it’ so he punched my stomach. I blocked it and broke my wrist. I was punished for antagonizing him. I’m still a little bitter about this one. I definitely did a few things that warranted punishment but this one was NOT my fault.
+Food kink. I eat almost all food with a knife & fork and do so in the European style where the fork remains in my left hand and I don’t switch to my right hand to eat.
+First kiss? Clearly it wasn’t memorable since I can’t recall it!
+First thing that comes to mind: the smell of birthday candles. I hope there is a separate cake/dessert for guests. The germs from blowing out candles over a cake make me cringe!
+If you could anonymously email your boss right now, what would you say? Know when it is time to move on. Also, surround yourself with people who don’t always agree with everything you say!
+Who would be the first celebrity guest if you had your own talk show? I would love to chat with Sophia Bush. She is not only a talented actress but I so greatly appreciate her activism efforts and know that any conversation would be inspiring.
These responses are so fascinating to me! Love the fork and knife detail, and had never thought about the germs from blowing out cake candles…you’ve changed me!! xx
+Your SSB.* sheet mask, playing nyt games in bed while a kdrama plays in the background.
+Your current hyper-fixation meal. Whipped tuna salad, TJ’s cracked olive salad, and pickled red onions on crispy flatbread.
+Name something you secretly want to do. Why haven’t you done it yet? Tell a story at a Moth story night. I’m afraid it won’t be interesting or funny enough.
+Your house catches fire. After ensuring all loved ones and pets are safe, you have time to safely save one final item. What is it? My daughter’s first birthday hanbok (traditional Korean dress).
+First time you remember getting in trouble. I refused to pray before dinner. Not sure why! But I held out for 30 minutes until my brother finally offered to pray with me and then I gave in.
+Food kink. Natto. Iykyk.
+First kiss? 9th grade, with a bad boy 2 years older. He’s aged terribly.
+First thing that comes to mind: the smell of birthday candles. My fave bday cake, chocolate chiffon filled with fresh banana and banana cream.
+If you could anonymously email your boss right now, what would you say? Make it make sense!!
+Who would be the first celebrity guest if you had your own talk show? Michelle Obama!! Not original, but my ultimate girl crush.
OMG I love the combo of olive tapenade, tuna, and red onions! This was actually a sandwich they had at Bouchon in Columbus Circle (which was like 2 blocks from my first apartment in NYC) and we’d get it ALL THE TIME. Delicious. Thanks for that reminder.
I hope you find the courage to tell the story at Moth!!!
xx
PS LOL “he’s aged terribly.”
I’m reading this a few days late but it’s the most fun thing I’ve read all week!
Aw so glad you enjoyed! Please share yours! xx
+Your SSB.* I’ve been single so long I can’t tell the difference. Everything. Pajamas all day. Late night Love Island binges. Popcorn for dinner.
+Your current hyper-fixation meal. Marinated mozzarella balls, onion, tomatoes, cucumbers with balsamic glaze on the freshest of homegrown lettuce. Maybe throw in some chicken and almonds.
+Name something you secretly want to do. Why haven’t you done it yet? I would love to open up my own little retail shop. Money and a current career keeps me from doing it. Maybe in retirement!
+Your house catches fire. After ensuring all loved ones and pets are safe, you have time to safely save one final item. What is it? A bucket of photographs from the 80s and 90s.
+First time you remember getting in trouble. All the times I remember getting in trouble involved my older brother. More specifically, BECAUSE of my older brother. I just went along with whatever crazy idea he came up with and I wound up in trouble also.
+Food kink. Flavored vinegar for sparkling water.
+First kiss? A random guy in Vermont while on a ski trip.
+First thing that comes to mind: the smell of birthday candles. My 50th birthday cake loaded and lit with 50 candles. A beautiful sight!
+If you could anonymously email your boss right now, what would you say? No one wants to do ice breakers after summer vacation.
+Who would be the first celebrity guest if you had your own talk show? For sure Dave Grohl
Love the Dave Grohl call out! He would be so fascinating – have you read his autobiography? I really need to know more about his honest thoughts on Kurt Cobain! He was so politic in his memoir…
Thanks for sharing all of these! Your summer salad sounds SO appealing to me…
xx
+Your SSB.*marathon everything baths- like over an hour with books, water, Evian spray, iPad, mags! Also an occasional 9pm cereal dinner
+Your current hyper-fixation meal. Baked by Melissa’s green goddess cabbage salad. Been eating nonstop since the winter- I affectionately refer to it as “my salad”
+Name something you secretly want to do. Why haven’t you done it yet? I always wanted 5 kids! Single and 37, so unsure about that but I still dream about a house teeming with kids ♥️
+Your house catches fire. After ensuring all loved ones and pets are safe, you have time to safely save one final item. What is it? The fire department would have to pry me from every family heirloom. My house is COVERED in family history!
+First time you remember getting in trouble. Omg, what a 4th- middle schooler I was! The funniest was flipping off the evil librarian we called Big Bird and getting caught by the sweet, but stern PE teacher I love the 90s!
+Food kink. I just love high quality everyday stuff and anything homemade. I recently dated a chef and that elevated my palate and food brattiness to a new level! She’s so Brat!
+First kiss? First kiss that gave me tingles was a close guy friend in hs who kissed me like we were a longtime but still in love couple. Just a quick and very sweet peck hi/bye, but I knew he adored me.
+First thing that comes to mind: the smell of birthday candles. “Man, I love this song” yes, as in the HBD song haha
+If you could anonymously email your boss right now, what would you say? Prob nothing – I’m way more focused on my personal life! Live and let live baby
+Who would be the first celebrity guest if you had your own talk show? My sister who was a celeb journalist and Gwyneth Paltrow who’s my birthday twin. I would call it The Sissy Show!
I love that you’d have your sister on first! How sweet! And really loved hearing “live and let live baby.” Amen – that’s such an aspirational mindset for me!
xx
+Your SSB.*
watching true crime docs while eating only stinky cheese for dinner… with the dog up on the couch.
+Your current hyper-fixation meal.
Roast chicken caesar salad…make the dressing, set some aside for the salad…use the rest to marinate the chicken. I also made my own croutons with sourdough. It will be your new fave!
+Name something you secretly want to do. Why haven’t you done it yet? Have a baby… hasn’t happened yet due to medical reasons, but there’s still a chance. God willing.
+Your house catches fire. After ensuring all loved ones and pets are safe, you have time to safely save one final item. What is it? The first photo taken of my fiancé and I, lonnnnng before we ever dated!
+First time you remember getting in trouble. I was 4 and stole a pack of gum from the store. My mom made me take it back, and when we got home I tearfully called my dad and grandparents to let them know I wouldn’t be seeing them for a while, as I was going to jail. Ha!
+Food kink. Pickle juice!
+First kiss?My best guy friend. He wrote about it in his journal, and his mom read it and called my mom, yikes! He’s still one of my besties.
+First thing that comes to mind: the smell of birthday candles. Not wanting to be the center of attention!
+If you could anonymously email your boss right now, what would you say? Thank you for seeing who I am as a teacher and believing in me.
+Who would be the first celebrity guest if you had your own talk show? Jay-Z….what can I say, I’m a super fan!
Pickle juice! I need to know more – do you drink it from the jar? Mix it into things? Etc?!
Love your hyper fixation meal – made my mouth water!
xx
Your SSB.* Love to listen to a favorite song on repeat and never tire of replaying it over and over and over!
+Your current hyper-fixation meal. Pizza!!! I could eat it morning, noon, and night!
+Name something you secretly want to do. Why haven’t you done it yet? Cross country road trip visiting every state in this beautiful country. Someday I hope!
+Your house catches fire. After ensuring all loved ones and pets are safe, you have time to safely save one final item. What is it? My grandmother’s gold shrimp pinky ring that I inherited.
+First time you remember getting in trouble. A family trip to Disney World at 8 years old. I was in huff over not being able to see Mickey Mouse and decided to separate from the family and go browsing the gift shops. It earned me my first spanking from my father in the middle of the park after a frantic search.
+Food kink.Lately it’s been Girard’s Champagne vinaigrette dressing on everything. Almost good enough to drink.
+First kiss? A peck on the cheek from my sister’s best friend’s nephew. I saw stars!
+First thing that comes to mind: the smell of birthday candles. The vision of my godmother’s stainless steel cake carrier that had a sticker label with her name and address on it. She made all of our birthday cakes and brought that with her to each party to transport them.
+If you could anonymously email your boss right now, what would you say? Stop being a control freak and take vacation.
+Who would be the first celebrity guest if you had your own talk show? Present, Nancy Myers, Past, Joan Rivers.
“I saw stars!” — omg. I am living for all these first kiss stories. So sweet!
And love the detail about your godmother’s cake carrier! How chic!
xx
Re: your grandmother’s shrimp ring. Is this by the brand ‘Shrimps’ or is it shaped like a shrimp? I am beyond intrigued!
I second this line of inquiry!! I was trying to imagine what this would look like too!
xx
Love a Magpie icebreaker round!
+Your SSB — I will ALWAYS do the dishes after dinner, even if I’m solo, but my husband is insistent we put the hand-washing away before bed. When I’m alone, I usually put these items away in the morning before making tea. Such a rebel!! Also: I will play many of my own Apple Music playlists on our Sonos speakers (read: instead of making space for my music aficionado spouse’s interests … ha!)
+Your current hyper-fixation meal — I can’t say I have a current strange obsession, but we have been in love with a Uyghur restaurant nearby and that is kind of our hyper-fixation. They have great noodle dishes and I love the melding of the various cultures that have influenced Uyghur cuisine!
+Name something you secretly want to do. Why haven’t you done it yet? — Find a true hobby and widen my circle of friends here at home. I’ve lived here for 10 years (!) but haven’t focused on this because I have had a full plate this past decade: jobs that have required me to travel frequently, family commitments with young kids, and also, though I feel this probably is a cheap excuse, I have found it hard to make friends in my city due to the transient nature of the academic/creative fields here, and also the somewhat parochial nature of interpersonal relationships among natives (ha!) I really want to devote more effort to this in the coming years.
+Your house catches fire. After ensuring all loved ones and pets are safe, you have time to safely save one final item. What is it? — Oh my gosh, this is impossible. Realistically: my entire jewelry box — because that would capture all of my most sentimental items from my parents and husband and I really love those pieces. Unrealistically: the trunk that is full of my most sentimental items from the first 30 years of my life (!) including all of my journals from age 12 forward, plus a lot of correspondence between myself and my now-husband, letters from my parents, etc. It weighs a ton and would not be easy to quickly move out of the house, but I would be crushed to lose it!
+First time you remember getting in trouble — certainly there were times before this, but around age 6, I was in the formal living room with my brother (then 3) and we decided it would be a good idea to play tennis in there. We broke a Tiffany bowl that had been a wedding gift to my parents a decade before! Oops.
+Food kink — halva crumbled over everything, anything pickled, give me all of the srirachas (Bushwick Kitchen Gochujang Sriracha is my current fave) ,,, and I could eat only Ellenos yogurts and die happy (favorite flavors are Lemon Curd and, weirdly, Pink Guava … or the Key Lime mix-in one, but I never eat the mix-ins!)
+First kiss? — at a 6th grade dance, slow dancing to “I Swear” by All-4-One! He was a childhood friend who always had a little crush on me, but not someone I was attracted to AT ALL, even though I cared for him as a friend.
+First thing that comes to mind: the smell of birthday candles — Honestly, running to Target or Walgreens to get candles at the last minute when I’ve forgotten them for our family dinner, usually with whichever of my kids is not having the birthday! I really do have multiple memories based around my forgetting the candles for someone’s birthday, including my own. One day I will get my act together!
+If you could anonymously email your boss right now, what would you say? — My boss is one of those people who is extremely direct and typically crystal-clear in his intentions, so I would focus more on asking information about the financial health of our company (!) which has undergone some changes lately.
+Who would be the first celebrity guest if you had your own talk show? — Oooh, good question. I am tempted to say Brian Eno … I am such a fan and I know we’ll have a lot to discuss once I see the film about him soon. Also to consider: Parker Posey, Solange, Conan O’Brien …
xx
OMG, love your celebrity guest lineup. Conan is such an enigma to me – always performing, always masked! I don’t feel like I really know him. Did you see him on “The Hot Ones”? It’s a series where a guy interviews celebs (like, top tier ones) while they eat progressively hot chicken wings. He somehow kept his composure all the way up to the end – so fascinating to me. Parker Posey is also a HUGE source of interest for me!
Need to try these Ellenos yogurts! Have seen but never tried!
xx
OMG OF COURSE — love Hot Ones (and Sean!) and Conan’s episode had us in absolute stitches. We died when he said something along the lines of “I’m Irish so I was 52 before I tasted any spice” … that is 100% my parents. lol!
I fully agree that Conan is an enigma, but for me his Hot Ones ep really proved that he is simply the consummate showman! I completely understand how people might tire of his shtick, but if you let yourself be amused, he can really be quite funny! We’ve seen a few episodes of Conan O’Brien Must Go (his deliberately-stupid travel show that is a little bit like his parody of a No Reservations-type show, though not only focused on food) — some are ehhh (his bits drag on purposely and sometimes I just want to get to the next part) — but the episode where they go to Thailand is WONDERFUL, mainly because of the Thai grandmas that steal the show! It seriously made me want to visit just to experience their lightness of being, warmth, and humor.
xx
Such a great plug! I’ve been curious about that show. And I completely admire/appreciate his showmanship! Incredible!! I think he even talks about it on that episode — about acting like he’s having a great time even if he’s not / never letting the audience know something is a flop. He takes his role as entertainer seriously!
xx
Oh and you must try the Ellenos yogurts! They are rich, creamy, and decadent … kind of like Greek yogurt consistency, but with a sweeter/creamier taste rather than leading with a tangy flavor. Fage 5% will always be my standard GOAT when it comes to yogurt, but the Ellenos are really fun for a switch-up!
xx
Oh my gosh YES to the Ellenos! They’re made here in Seattle so we are spoiled to find them at all the stores…the best!
Yum!!
+Your SSB.* – probably how I would loatheee doing the dishes when I lived alone and let them pile up.. eek
+Your current hyper-fixation meal. – been trying to master the French omelette! It’s perfect with chives.
+Name something you secretly want to do. Why haven’t you done it yet? -start a baking business on the side. I just get scared of putting myself out there.
+Your house catches fire. After ensuring all loved ones and pets are safe, you have time to safely save one final item. What is it? – my ikea basket of journals that I’ve kept since 2nd grade.
+First time you remember getting in trouble. – I actually don’t recall the FIRST time but a very distinct time was in 5th grade when I convinced half the class to join me on a chat room after school. Needless to say the principal found out and my parents thought I was putting them in danger.. lol oops.
+Food kink. – I have a sweet tooth and will sometimes just eat a handful of Ghirardelli milk chocolate chips when it’s all we have in the house!
+First kiss? – verrrrry late bloomer (Catholic school ok) drunk at a team party freshman year of college first semester. Slight regret on that one because I just wanted to get it over with!
+First thing that comes to mind: the smell of birthday candles. – big family birthday parties.
+If you could anonymously email your boss right now, what would you say? – please hire a bookkeeper, I am not a good accountant.
+Who would be the first celebrity guest if you had your own talk show? – I am also a Swiftie and of course we all have this thought that we would be friends in real life (kind of like how people think their therapists would be friends with them too). So many things I would love to ask her!
Love these, especially the chat room in fifth grade situation!! Hilarious, and so telling of the time…
Adore the fact that you’d rescue your journals! Former versions of yourself need to be handled with care!!
xx
Here to co-sign the niche milk choc ghiradelli chips call-out. I have a small bowlful next to me right now – they’re the perfect afternoon pick me up! blue bag forever.
Yum – also a milk choc girl!
+Your SSB.*- Turning up all the cringy monster ballads, pop, and soft rock songs that I adore (but don’t want anyone to know I know every word…..even the backup lyrics with full inflection) while I draw or paint.
+Your current hyper-fixation meal. Pickled shrimp. I follow a recipe from Bon Appetit and it is incredible with fennel and jalapeno slivers. I can’t get enough on salad, on crunchy bread, on a fork……drooling,
+Name something you secretly want to do. Why haven’t you done it yet? Spend a week away completely on my own. I spend so much time devoted to my husband, my kids, my job, my parents, add infinite other things…..that I honestly crave a week just to myself to direct my own show for the first time in forever. I haven’t done it partly out of the guilt of wanting time all to myself and partly because of the herculean task of ensuring all ducks are in a row before I leave. I am undoubtedly the administrator and executor of our daily life and it’s a huge task.
+Your house catches fire. After ensuring all loved ones and pets are safe, you have time to safely save one final item. What is it? My photo albums. A visual history of my family that predates digital and is invaluable.
+First time you remember getting in trouble. I was maybe 7 and my brother convinced me to cut my Barbie’s hair off so she’d look like Madonna in her vogue era….unfortunately she looked not at all like Madonna and a WHOLE lot like Kate McKinnon as Weird barbie when I was done and my parents were ticked that I made a mess and ruined a toy.
+Food kink. Lemon. If it has lemon I’m into it.
+First kiss? Mike M, the best friend of my girlfriend’s older brother, in a private moment playing hide and seek in the sticky Maryland summer of my youth. I was 13 and I was totally smitten and he was adorable.
+First thing that comes to mind: the smell of birthday candles. Crying. When I was little, maybe from 3-6 years old, the overwhelming feeling of being the center of attention when my family sang me happy birthday always sparked tears. I still don’t love being the center of attention, introvert for life.
+If you could anonymously email your boss right now, what would you say? In lean times with staffing shortages, it is so important to focus on workplace culture and workplace satisfaction. Stop sharing volume data and take the time to find out what would make people feel mor satisfied. Never utter the words pizza party. People want to feel valued and a greasy slice will never ever cut it.
+Who would be the first celebrity guest if you had your own talk show? Dolly Parton. She is a national treasure and always appears to be teeming with wit, wisdom and kindness. I can’t think of better qualities to explore in a human.
These were such a delight to read — LOVE you belting out those monster pop songs (are we talking Dua Lipa or, like, Whitney? Either way, love) while painting, and really and truly hope you find a way to get that week by yourself. My SIL has found ways to visit with friends / travel on her own a handful of times, without my brother and their two kids, and I am always SO happy she’s done it and live vicariously through her.
And your kiss with Mike M while playing hide and seek! Actually perfect. Must be written into a cute love story.
Finally, great insights on culture in the workplace!!
xx
Like even worse……as I look back at the last few on my playlist it’s Mr Big To Be with You, Phil Collins Something Happened on the Way to Heaven, and Michael Bolton How Can We Be lovers. Like truly shameful, but what can I say…..the heart wants what it wants and sometimes you just need to indulge what you love in the privacy of your own SSB.
NOT shameful, love this!!!
+Your SSB.* Watching truly guilty pleasure reality TV that I don’t even want to admit watching to my husband (who watches Vanderpump, Summer House, Below Deck, and most Housewives with me in exchange for my committed viewing of any/all basketball games) – I’m talking Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders or, when I was on one maternity leave, Teen Mom. And if dinner is involved, I eat an entire bagged salad out of a mixing bowl or saltines with cream cheese.
+Your current hyper-fixation meal. Roberts’ chicken salad (a local market in Wrightsville Beach, NC that blessedly sells it packaged in my local Harris Teeter) on almond flour tortillas and an insane amount of finely chopped lettuce.
+Your house catches fire. After ensuring all loved ones and pets are safe, you have time to safely save one final item. What is it? My children’s heirloom portraits.
+First time you remember getting in trouble. Not the first time, but one memorable time I got in trouble for talking back to my parents – I must have been 8 or so? My punishment was that I wasn’t allowed to read my Baby-Sitters Club books for a day. I hid one under the sofa cushions and read it while we had a babysitter (the irony!)
+Food kink. Given my SSB and my deep love for crab rangoon (I get my own order when my family gets Chinese takeout), maybe it’s cream cheese?
+First kiss? With my sixth-grade boyfriend in my friend’s basement at her 12th birthday party.
+First thing that comes to mind: the smell of birthday candles. Currently, cookie cake or donuts because my almost-10-year-old doesn’t like cake. His little sister even elected to have donuts instead of cupcakes at her birthday party last month, which was super sweet of her.
+If you could anonymously email your boss right now, what would you say? Please consider using a notebook in addition to your Outlook calendar so you can remember important things later!
+Who would be the first celebrity guest if you had your own talk show? So hard to choose! Top contenders would be Ina Garten, Emily Blunt, and Barack Obama.
Obsessed with the no BSC punishment — hilarious! What a cute and revealing detail about you and your parents that “the worst punishment” was taking away a book!
xx
These are always so fun, Jen!
+Your SSB.* Making steak with a glass of red wine (my husband just isn’t really into steak) and staying up until 4am watching You’ve Got Mail with popcorn in bed.
+Your current hyper-fixation meal. Cast-iron pan chicken quarters served with fattoush. We just got black cast iron pans and they’re life-changing!
+Name something you secretly want to do. Why haven’t you done it yet? I really want to write my first novel then option it for film adaptation. Crazy big but there it is.
+Your house catches fire. After ensuring all loved ones and pets are safe, you have time to safely save one final item. What is it? All of my jewellery — it’s the strongest physical connection I have to loved ones.
+First time you remember getting in trouble. My brother convinced me to go down to the farming lake on our family property alone which we were strictly forbidden doing. Real punishment ensued, Lesson learned!
+Food kink. Too many to name! But the shortlist is eggs, baklava, sesame in a savoury capacity, pomegranates, figs, broccoli, pecorino, NDUJA!!!
+First kiss? In a van with an older boy the summer that I turned 16. I was a real late bloomer…
+First thing that comes to mind: the smell of birthday candles. The warm glow of showing people love.
+If you could anonymously email your boss right now, what would you say? *also my own boss* I’m sorry, I can’t, don’t hate me. Also: you will get back in the swing of things, you’re doing great.
+Who would be the first celebrity guest if you had your own talk show? Taylor Swift. She barely talks about her creative process and inspiration on a granular level. I want her reading list, I want a deep-dive on the visual storytelling of the last five albums, I want to know which of The National songs are her favourites, I want to hear how she writes for albums versus how she cultivates creativity in her life, and her holistic life routines (everything from spirituality and self-care to exercise, cooking, and sleep). Basically the myriad things I talk about with my best friends + creative besties.
Love your novel-to-film vision (cheering you on!!!) and amen to cast iron pans. The absolute best.
Your line of inquiry for Taylor Swift was so riveting! I need to know all these answers, and now.
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Thank you! I really want to write/adapt this particular story for so many reasons. Gotta dig deep! Re: the pans, please join our appreciation society!!! My newest thing is making Dutch baby blueberry and lemon pancakes in them but adding a scoop of protein powder to the better for an extra post-workout boost, And lastly, please help me manifest getting these details from TS!!!
YUM!! Sounds like the dreamiest breakfast. Manifesting all the things with you – novel, its optioning, its adaptation, and all the deep answers from TS.
+Your SSB.*: To preface, I rarely watch reality tv (no shade to anyone it just is not my cup of tea) but when friends convince me as is the case with the current drop of Love is Blind UK I fast forward through some parts which is terrible TV behavior and vaguely shameful to admit. You really can’t do it with other people around!
+Your current hyper-fixation meal.: Smoothies! I went down a rabbit hole of Love & Lemons smoothie recipes and they are all I want. The avocado one is so good, but I really love the cold brew one for an extra kick in the morning, I add some protein powder so it has some staying power.
+Name something you secretly want to do. Why haven’t you done it yet?: I want to do a trip up and down the Nile. I find Egyptian history so fascinating and sailing up and down the Nile with jaunts off the boat sounds incredible. At this point I don’t have the vacation time or funds to do the trip that way I would like but hopefully some day!
+Your house catches fire. After ensuring all loved ones and pets are safe, you have time to safely save one final item. What is it? Old pictures of my grandparents, and my grandmother as a child. I have them framed on my desk.
+First time you remember getting in trouble.: It’s so funny I know I got in trouble as a child but I can’t remember any of the specifics beyond the punishment of being sent to my room.
+Food kink.: Peanut butter, why is it so good.
+First kiss?: My first “boyfriend” in middle school post school dance on my parents front porch. I remember being so mortified, what if my parents were behind the door-haha.
+First thing that comes to mind: the smell of birthday candles.: Too sugary whipped frosting that was all the rage in 1990-2000’s grocery store cakes.
+If you could anonymously email your boss right now, what would you say?: Please retire, we are begging.
+Who would be the first celebrity guest if you had your own talk show?: That’s a hard one, I would probably also say Glen Powell after seeing Twisters this weekend he’s definitely top of mind. I also really enjoy Deborah Harkness’s writing and she has an interesting background so that would be fun.
I LOVE these and need that smoothie book STAT! We need to mix up the recipe now that we’ve been drinking the same green smoothie for months on end now! Love the first boyfriend kiss memory — HA! In the shadow of your parents finding out! So classic.
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My SSB is watching reruns of the original Twister at least once a year, followed by watching reruns of Newsroom, Madame Secretary, and Suits. BTW, I think romantic comedies are fantastic. No guilt there.
Current meal fixation: all things simple, no hype. Fresh tomatoes with Maldon Salt and a drizzle of balsamic, corn on cob with butter, some okra, maybe barbecue chicken, but all very simple. Absolutely no recipes required.
Food fixation: Bread and butter pickles
Secret desire: become a professional artist
House afire: No idea
In trouble: I was probably in third grade and I put my mom’s lipstick on before going to school. My dad was taking me and when I went to get in the car, he flipped out and made me go in the house and take it off.
First kiss:7th grade, Dick D. by my friends pool. I had on a really pretty neew blue bathing suit. I can still remember exactly what the suit looked like!I don’t remember the kiss, but Dick was cute.
Birthday candles: My 4th birthday when I had a madame alexander cake, where the cake was her beautifully decorated skirt!
George Clooney
OMG! Love the detail about your blue swimsuit in 7th grade! So cute that you remember that. I have a few memories that are “stapled” to the outfit I wore — such interesting texture.
Very into your “simple, no hype” food right now!
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Your SSB: 10pm popcorn with LOTS of ballpark salt – if you’re in the market Amish Country Popcorn makes the best one! (my wonderful husband very much knows about this behavior haha)
Your current hyper-fixation meal: homemade maple granola and Kirkland Brand Greek yogurt with local Texas honey.
Name something you secretly want to do. Why haven’t you done it yet?: learn ballet as an adult. Being a resident physician, I have little to no control over my schedule, and it’s been hard to find a class that works!
Your house catches fire. After ensuring all loved ones and pets are safe, you have time to safely save one final item. What is it: my engagement and wedding rings.
First kiss: onstage in a high school production of You Can’t Take It With You, I was a freshman, he was a senior, and thankfully he was very kind and warm and lovely. And had a very nice girlfriend, which made the whole thing easier, actually!
First thing that comes to mind: the smell of birthday candles: my mom’s family tradition of turning off the lights to sing Happy Birthday – something I didn’t realize not all families do!
If you could anonymously email your boss right now, what would you say: I am a resident in a huge, well-regarded hospital in Dallas, and I often wish they realized how much of this hospital is run by 25-35 year old physicians who are underpaid and overworked. We keep this place turning!!
Who would be the first celebrity guest if you had your own talk show: Stephen Colbert. I just love him – so warm, funny, and a fellow “normal” Catholic!
The 10 pm popcorn! I’m going to borrow that one myself. YUM. Love it —
And so fascinated that your first kiss was onstage! High stakes, but also maybe made your next one feel…easier? Ha!
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Can you help? Need recommendations for formal wedding in Palm Desert late Oct. (with sleeves and I’m 71),
Look forward to your blog every day!
Thank you.
Thank you so much for your readership, Kathryn! Got your question and will answer in an upcoming Ask Magpie!
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