VOLUME 3 - ISSUE 7: April 21, 2025

I was thrilled and honored when Mikala invited me to be a guest in this week's newsletter. Then I immediately remembered that two big facets of my identity revolve around things that people do NOT like to talk about: climate change and cancer.

After my older sister's own breast cancer diagnosis in late 2021, I was diagnosed 4 months later at age 33. Just 19 months later, I received a second cancer diagnosis & then had confirmed progression to Stage IV, joining the 30% of early-stage survivors who face metastasis.  

Having incurable cancer is a trash experience. While it throws life into absolute chaos, you learn to quickly prioritize what matters. I find I'm more confident and outspoken, and have been leaning into patient advocacy. I recently spoke about my experience as a young patient at a conference attended by policymakers and was invited to go to Capitol Hill in June to speak to my representatives about disparities in healthcare.

As for the other C (cc?), I've worked at an environmental non-profit for the past 10 years. I cannot express how wacky (/understatement) the past few months have been in the climate space in what is inarguably Earth's Flop Era.

But at work, one of my special assignments explores the intersectionality of disability and climate. Disabled people are often disproportionately impacted by climate catastrophes (as recently seen during LA's wildfires). As the globe continues to warm and storms become more volatile, there is a significant risk of reduced quality of life and increased harm during climate emergencies.

Because it’s Earth Month, I’m sure you have a lot of resources around environmental advocacy and sustainable actions in your own life, so I won’t include them here. But It's probably no surprise that when things in my life feel unpredictable or overwhelming, I feel better focusing on what is within my power to control and taking care of myself and my community.

These are some of my favorite things that make me feel better and/or help support my small business community:

• Normal Gossip is back, baby! After a peaceful transition of power from previous host Kelsey McKinney to new host Rachelle Hampton, this podcast delivers deliciously juicy and banal gossip from friends of friends.

• Bare Hands Cuticle Oil Duo: Cancer treatments (and the early menopause that came with mine) turned my nails into paper, so thank goodness for this little brush pen that helps strengthen my nails and cuticles. I carry one with me and share the other with a friend <3

• Na Nin's Sage & Eucalyptus Essential Oil Hand Wash: Chris Zou's post and his hedonic treadmill of hand soaps resonate strongly with me. I love this soap, and I cannot go back to anything else.

• The Everyday Oil Mainstay Blend: I mix this with my lotion when I get out of the shower and it keeps me moisturized all day. And I swear it keeps mosquitoes at bay in the summertime!

• Bounce Curl's Curly Trial & Travel Kit: My hair grew back curly after chemo! I barely knew how to take care of my hair prior to diagnosis, and it was time to learn. I've been loving my newly defined curls, and this set is coming with me on my upcoming trip to Rome.  

• Paix's Wilton Benitez Decaf Columbian Coffee Beans: My husband and I love going to Paix in Richmond when visiting friends. Their decaf is as flavorful as their caffeinated counterparts and is perfect for nighttime affogatos.

• The Studio: Maybe "comfort" isn't the right word for this fast-paced, frenetic comedy about a new studio executive and his team at a legacy Hollywood movie studio striving to survive in a world where it is increasingly difficult for art and business to live together. But it's a fun show to watch and makes me feel closer to my LA pals.

Get screened, know your risks, know your body, feel it on the first!

xo

Barbara

Culver City, CA

• Mayura

• Pasta Sisters

• Butterfly

• Laurel Grill

West Hollywood, CA - Sushi Park

Los Angeles, CA

• Chulita

• Lasita

• Oriel

• Little Sister

Recommendations I’ll Share 

ASIA

Seoul, KR - Big Lights

Seoul, KR - Korean Bistro Mr.Ahn's Makgeolli

Palawan, PH - Sandbreeze Restobar

USA

New York, NY - Monsieur

New York, NY - Seoul Bap

Washington, DC - Ala

If you haven’t seen Bad Bunny’s Tiny Desk concert yet, what have you been doing? This month in music hasn’t had too may songs that have caught my eye but I have noticed that ‘recession’ music is ‘back’. Some of artists who thrived during the early 2000s recession have returned to music and/or music festivals i.e. Skrillex at Ultra and new music by Calvin Harris coming out recently have made people think this.

I AM MUSIC by Playboy Carti - Within the first 30 seconds of the first track, I was like this is an album for the hype beast/streetwear crowd but also great to blast when you want to get a wind of energy between places late at night snd reset the mood. At the same time there’s a lot of throwaway songs that I personally feel like could of been left off but I am probably not his target audience either so there’s that

Songs

Dandelion by Ariana Grande - This reminds of 7 rings in the best way. I was happy to see this song be included in the deluxe version/re-release of her last album. It’s catchy and I love the trombone solo at the beginning. Reminds me how I’m well overdue on a return to New Orleans.

Headphones On by Addison Rae - I like this and it reminds me of an early 2000s song during the night out scenes where they are having a girls night drinking cosmos whether its in London NY LA etc. Addison surprises me with her music in the best way usually.

Articles

National Geographic - Everything to know about tourist visas—and where you can go without one (US citizens only)

Hollywood Reporter - The 2023-24 TV Season Had 1,300 Fewer Writer Jobs

Financial Times - Trump’s trade war shatters hopes of 2025 luxury revival

The New York Times - To Escape the Grind, Young People Turn to ‘Mini-Retirements’

Are You the Only One Who’s Broke? Or Is It ‘Money Dysmorphia’?

BGR - ‘Killing’ the iPhone is reportedly Tim Cook’s top priority

The Cut - Are We All Just Living Beyond Our Means Now?

Grubstreet - Restaurants Are Leaving Resy for OpenTable

AV Club - Ryan Coogler's Sinners deal is reportedly freaking some studio executives out

FYI in case you didn’t know use archive.org if you need help reading

I’m in the midst of watching like four others shows that I’m not done with yet or still ‘airing’ so this category is a bit light but also didn’t want to wait to share my thoughts either

Movies 

The Amateur (In Theaters)   - I enjoyed this and think this is the type of movies studios should be making more of. Think Enemy of the State, or Salt; where you know what to expect but still find yourself engaged and enjoying what you are watching. Pacing for the movie is nice for the most part and will admit it’s a slight bit of a slow burn movie

TV

Adolescence (Netflix) - It was a tiny bit overhyped for me, I did enjoy it though. I blame that on people’s reactions but overall it was very insightful on the 360 perspective that the show provides from the accused, police, and family experience of a crime this magnitude. Authenticity in the emotions being displayed by everyone both in big and small ways is impactful in this series. It’s a highlight from a teens POV on the toxic world we live in and how it can be so much harder to grow up to societal pressures plus social media/bullying 

Sephora sale has ended and here are some new products I’ve finally purchased that I’ve been enjoying so far along with a mini review:

• INNBEAUTY Project - Extreme Cream — This is the more affordable version of the Augustinus Bader cream I love. It’s not going to give you the same exact results but my skin feels pretty close and similar when using this product. So far, I’m a big fan

• L'Occitane - Cleansing and Softening Shower Oil  — For my friends who don’t remember to use lotion this product is perfect for you as you won’t come out the shower as ashy/dry :). Also, a little can go a long way. Personally, I use this after my normal body washing routine and find my skin even more soft and moisturized before I use my body care products ie lotion/body balm plus body oil

• LYS Beauty - Triple Fix Blurring and Hydrating Skin Tint Foundation — For more coverage this foundation works well while not feeling too cakey and the price is great too at $22. I haven’t used it too much but I think it will be my new go to for ‘full coverage’ days

• Danessa Myricks - Yummy Skin Glow Serum — I love how glowy and moisturized this product makes your skin and best used after your skincare routine but before you apply foundation or concealer

• Lancôme - Monsieur Big Mascara — I noticed this first on a coworker and to me it works great when you want really long lashes with no effort put in. When I’m not being lazy in the morning, or evening, I plan on trying in combination with an eyelash curler to see how even more dramatic it can make my lashes so stay tuned!

Contrary to popular belief you could have, I actually cook more than I eat out. I would say on average I’m either 90/10 or 80/20 on my ratio to cooking at home and ordering out/going to dinners on average. Sometimes more or less depending on the week. Here are some of the meals I’ve made recently and enjoyed. Don’t ask me for measurements as I don’t measure I just stop when my ancestors tell me to do so and that works out 98% of the time 🙂 

Breakfast

• Veggie-Packed Egg Muffins

  Ingredients: Eggs, spinach, bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, and a bit of feta or goat cheese.

• Overnight Oats with Almond Butter & Berries

  Ingredients: Oats, almond milk, chia seeds, almond butter, berries.

• Green Detox Smoothie

  Ingredients: Spinach, cucumber, ginger, lemon, protein powder, almond milk.

Lunch/Dinner

• Apple and Kale Salad

  Ingredients: Chopped kale massaged with lemon juice and olive oil, diced apples, toasted walnuts, and crumbled feta cheese. ** you can add your protein of choice if you want to

• Lentil & Veggie Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing

  Ingredients: Cooked lentils, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, red onion, arugula, parsley, and lemon-tahini dressing (lemon juice, tahini, garlic, olive oil).

• Mediterranean Bowl with Grilled Chicken

  Ingredients: Chicken breast, hummus, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, olives, quinoa, feta.

• Chicken Fajita Bowls

  Ingredients: Chicken breast, bell peppers, onions, avocado, salsa.

• Shrimp Stir-Fry with Cauliflower Rice

  Ingredients: Shrimp, broccoli, bell peppers, cauliflower rice, soy sauce, garlic.