Happy last Friday in April! (Crazy, right?)
I have a super fun weekend ahead, starting strong with a Radiobirds show at The Garage tonight. For those unfamiliar with Radiobirds, they’re an awesome Atlanta-based rock band (or, as they describe their sound on their site, “Plain-Old Rock and Roll Music with a distinctly hairy touch”), and Kevin’s younger brother, Justin, is the frontman. (So yes, I’m biased, but they’re also amazing. It’s true.) Winston friends: Please come out and join us if you can! The guys always put on a great show.
Other agenda items this weekend include lots of Pure Barre practice, quality time planned with friends, and dinner at The Porch on Sunday with some of our favorite folks.
Okay, now on to the links. (That’s what we’re here for, right?) As per Friday tradition, here are some things I’ve been loving this past week:
- A new non-dairy milk option that’s launching soon. I’m SO interested to try this pea-based milk that’s more environmentally friendly to produce than almond or soy milk and supposedly tastes a whole like like dairy milk. It launches at Whole Foods next week, according to the article. I’ll be on the lookout at Whole Foods Winston-Salem!
- Dyson venturing into the haircare space. Speaking of new products, this Dyson hair dryer — launching in September with the hefty price tag of $400 — seems interesting. It’s pricey — as all the brand’s products are — but they claim its unique airflow leaves hair healthier than other dryers (and it’s supposed to be incredibly quiet, too). Hmm…
- Anna Quindlen has a new book out! I somehow missed this news earlier this month, but thanks to Anna’s appearance on the podcast Nerdette this week I learned about her latest novel, Miller’s Valley. (I’m a huuuuuge fan of Anna’s — both as a writer and a person — and can’t wait to read her latest work!)
- There’s a new restaurant launching in Winston next week! The city’s been excited about the transformation of the former Reynolds Building (a.k.a. Miniature Empire State Building) into a boutique Kimpton hotel, but I’m especially pumped about the French-meets-Southern restaurant that comes with these renovations. The Katharine Brasserie & Bar, named for the community-minded Katharine Smith Reynolds, is slated to open its doors on May 2, and with a menu like this I can’t wait to try it. (Date night next week, Kevin?)
- This article by the talented Kate Kiefer Lee about what work means — and can mean — is well worth a read. She touches on finding meaning at work by being as engaged as possible, the reality that some people can’t afford to drop everything and follow their dreams, the truth that not everyone has a singular passion and that’s okay, and more. Seriously — you should read it.
- Please watch this X-Box video. (Those are words I never thought I’d type!) This story is wonderful, though. Per Inspire More: “Youtuber user 00WARTHERAPY00 left a comment on a video entitled ‘Can Video Games Be A Spiritual Experience.’ He wanted to definitively answer it based on his own stunning experience.When he was only 4 years old, his dad bought the original Xbox console. The two had unending hours of fun together playing the game system together, but when his father died two years later he put the Xbox away and didn’t touch it for 10 years. But at that 10 yr mark, he stumbled upon the gaming console tucked away in the basement. The 16 yr old found a secret left by his dad so many years ago. Youtube user John Wikstrom saw the comment and made his own video to tell this young man’s powerful story. It’s beautiful.”
Happy Friday, lovely readers!