Welcome to my Quarterly Playlist—a seasonal breakdown of my favorite books, podcasts, meals, fashion finds, and more! I’ve seen people do these monthly recaps, but let’s be honest, I take my time with things. So, a quarterly update just makes sense. Let’s dive in!
What I’ve Been Reading
I kicked off the year with a book about time called “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry.” I checked it out from the library, made it halfway through before returning it, and yet…it still made a huge impact. It opened my eyes to how much time I waste on my phone—so much so that I turned off my Apple Watch! It also helped me prioritize real rest. I will be finishing it soon.
Next, I read You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero. If you’re stepping into your dream girl era, this book is a must. It’s packed with mindset shifts, affirmations, money tips, and social media detox advice. I’ve taken so many notes, and it’s the perfect mix of motivation and real talk.
I’m also easing into audiobooks on Spotify. Right now, I’m listening to Dream Big by Bob Goff. I’ve owned the physical book for years but never read it, so I figured an audiobook would be a great way to finally get through it. I’ll update you next quarter on how this experiment goes!
Podcasts I’m Loving
I’ve been obsessed with The Life You Love Podcast by Grace Lemire and Erin Confortini. Even though they’re 25 and single while I’m 27, married, and a mom, I still learn so much from them. They talk about social media growth, paying off debt, creating routines—so many things I wish I knew in my early 20s. If you want to start building a life you love, add this to your playlist ASAP.
What I’ve Been Eating
I recently found Mikayla Thomas Fitness on Instagram, and her meal ideas have been a game changer. Her recipes are easy, high-protein, and actually delicious. They’re meant to be single-serve, but I’ve been adapting them for my family. I just splurged and got her newest cookbook!
Favorite Home & Tech Items
- Air Fryer – My most-used kitchen gadget, hands down.
- Glass Meal Prep Containers – Makes meal prep so much easier – Get the ones that are oven safe!
- iPad Pro – I got this at the end of last year and use it daily!
Fashion Finds
- Free People Short-Sleeve Striped Pullover – A summer staple. I had the Amazon dupe last year, but when Free People dropped a short-sleeve version, I had to get it.
- Free People Linen Pants – I realized last fall that linen pants are way better than denim, especially postpartum. They’re comfortable, stylish, and work for casual or dressy outfits.
What I’ve Been Observing
Lately, I’ve been noticing the ongoing debate about dupes vs. originals. I love a good deal, but sometimes it makes me feel torn—especially when I see Amazon copying Free People designs. Then there’s the Popflex controversy, where bigger brands are straight-up stealing Casey Ho’s designs instead of working with her. As a small business owner, that just doesn’t sit right with me.
That’s a wrap on my 1st Quarter Playlist! I’ll be doing these every season as a fun way to track what I’m loving. Hopefully, you found something new to check out!
Let me know in the comments—what’s been on your playlist this season?
