Happy Friday...and Australia Day!
Happy Friday...and Australia Day!
plus: a stylish whodunnit; parenting inspo from a proven winner; and your duvet problems, solved
Happy Friday everyone, and a very happy Australia Day to my Aussie friends and readers!
Australia Day brings an annual tradition my kids dread: my teary, full-throated rendition of the unofficial Australian national anthem, I Still Call Australia Home, which I like to play at full volume, on repeat. I feel like Peter Allen wrote it for me (I’ve lived in New York and old London town!) and that’s part of its enduring genius: every Australian who’s ever left the country, whether on a short or long trip, can relate to its sentiment because no matter how far or wide we roam, our hearts lie waiting in the sunburnt, isolated, marvelous country we call home. There’s a lump in my throat as I type.
Another reason for that lump is my gratitude to everyone who filled out the Some Happy Scribbles Reader Survey. It’s still open if you’d like to add your thoughts!
The least surprising thing I learned from your survey responses? Scribbles readers are a curious, thoughtful, wise bunch. I’m honored you’re here with me each week! I received wonderful book recs, and you gave me great ideas for future issues, including advice on making friends in a new city, how to help loved ones going through different times, and what it’s like to live in the country.
The most surprising thing I learned? Most of you were unaware that my culture and entertainment recommendations are always available on my website! I created searchable lists for Books, TV Shows, and Movies to provide something I wanted: independently curated and vetted recommendations. From now on, I’ll put prominent links in each issue (plus I’m working on a more elegantly searchable solution) and I hope you’ll bookmark these pages so that next time you’re ready to snuggle up on the sofa to watch a show, or in need of a good book to read, you can find ideas!
Another thing your feedback gave me was the confidence to make a change I’ve been pondering: separating my essays and how-to’s from culture and entertainment recommendations. Starting today, you’ll receive recommendations every Friday, and essays in a separate message, probably every other week.
This way, you’ll receive shorter and more focused emails; I’ll have more time to improve my writing (a goal of mine!); and the content on my website will be better organized, which makes my inner perfectionist pirouette with delight!
📺 Death and Other Details: Mandy Patinkin stars as a private eye formerly known as “The World’s Greatest Detective” in this classic locked-room mystery. The action takes place on a luxury yacht populated by wealthy and powerful movers and shakers, who, of course, all have something to hide. The 50s-inspired fashion and interiors are to die for, amateur sleuth Violett Beane is adorable, and Mandy Patinkin’s apparently British accent is delightful!
🎞️ The Castle: in honor of Australia Day, I give you the 90s Aussie movie that is consistently voted every Australian's favorite. With a heartwarming message that family, home, and friendship are the most important things in life and delivered with typically dry Aussie humor this movie is guaranteed to make you laugh and cry. It’s the vibe of it…
🗞️ Corner Office, How to Win More Games Than Anyone: a fascinating interview with Tara VanDerveer, the coach of Stanford’s women’s basketball team, and now the college basketball coach (man or woman) with the most wins of all time. Known as an exceptional leader, her approach was informed by her parents: “They emphasized the common good. We were five kids. They supported us all differently. I was sent to private school. My sister was given a car. They didn’t keep score. They just understood what each child needed. I am that way, trying to understand what each player needs, and the needs are different.”
👓Looking for something else? You’ll find many more ideas here…
📆 January 2024 Recs // 📖 Books // 📺 TV Shows // 🍿 Movies
In Case You Missed It: GOOP’s Valentines Day Gift Guides, bonkers as ever // The “Thomas Edison of Bedding” solves a pressing issue // An illuminating piece on young adult POVs on screentime best practices from
// Solidarity for everyone who “talked too much” at school // The movie all the “kids” are watching // It’s the year of the dinner party // A series with the inside scoop on people’s financial lives from // And because it’s Australia Day, two of my all-time faves: Up There Cazaly, a football anthem from the late 70s; and the nutty music video of Down Under by Men at Work.Thank you for reading!
I have a question for you on a newsletter topic I’m working on: how do you add fun, play, and laughter to your life? It’s on my Happiness Checklist but I know I could do better! Let me know in the comments below, by replying to this email, or anonymously here.
Up next: an essay with my thoughts on Dry January.
xo Amelia
Have a wonderful weekend! ❤️If you liked this newsletter, clicking the ❤️ button at the top or bottom helps more people discover it! Thank you!
Happy Aussie Day, Amelia! Miss you guys!
I've been watching Death and Other Details. A total joy!