Is it just me or is time moving extra fast? Every time I turn around, I feel like it’s time to do another monthly favorites post. But I’m not complaining. I really do enjoy doing these posts not only for myself to look back on but for the people who look forward to them as well.
Life Updates
Thanksgiving was last week, and it made me realize how disgusting and unwell people can be. I saw videos of people mixing mac and cheese with their bare hands (Chrisean Rock & Christina Millian), washing greens in their bathtubs (it was definitely giving “booty greens” instead of collard greens), and cooking chicken in their washing machines. Like what’s really going on? At this point if you invite me over for dinner, I need to be there to watch you prepare the food from beginning to end. But anyways, my Thanksgiving was great this year. We all gathered at my grandma’s house again and my low vibrational plate was everything (IYKYK).
Random question: What time do you and your family eat Thanksgiving dinner? It’s 2:00pm for me and mine. I feel like 2:00pm is very early in my opinion but at least it gives us time to eat seconds, thirds, and dessert before 7:00pm.
On Black Friday, I went shopping and got some great deals. Online shopping will always be my thing. I always do 90% of my Christmas shopping online. I mean really, what’s better than skipping the crowds and the long lines? Also, it’s truly a great feeling to be able to afford gifts for my loved ones this year while still having enough to splurge on myself. Starting my Christmas shopping early was the best idea cause now I don’t have to rush or stress at the last minute. I can’t wait to show you all the goodies I bought for myself. I love buying myself gifts, wrapping them up, and opening them on Christmas day.
Next, I’ve been thinking a lot about the future of this blog and content creation. I’m considering venturing into YouTube, creating audio versions of my blog posts to challenge myself to be more verbally expressive, and starting a second blog where people can share their own posts and write about whatever they want (as long as it’s appropriate). It’ll be like an open diary from different perspectives. A place to just vent as well. So yes, I have a lot of creative ideas on my mind right now.
I’m also discovering my personal style and I think I found my aesthetic when it comes to fashion. I’ll give you a hint- Mona Thorne. Right now, I’m still in the process of slowly building a basic capsule wardrobe before I begin buying staple items to fit my aesthetic.
Entertainment
I’m still not over the fact that ‘The Walking Dead’ has officially ended. I can’t believe it’s been on air since my junior year of high school, wow! It is and was an amazing show and I’m sad to see it go. I’m mostly satisfied with the way it ended but I think part of me really wanted to see a reunion between Rick, Michonne, and the rest of the group.
Not only did this final season bring all the suspense/drama but the walkers (zombies) really showed out. When they started being able to climb buildings and open doors- whew chile, I was shooked! I wish Rosita would’ve made it (sorry for the spoiler). Lastly, I must say Carol really grew on me throughout this series because I truly didn’t think she would make it pass the first season and of course Darryl became a favorite.
T.V. Shows:
- Killer Sally – Watch Now on Netflix. “Interviews with friends, family and Sally McNeil herself chart a bodybuilding couple’s rocky marriage — and it’s shocking end in a Valentine’s Day murder.”
- Manifest (Season 4)- Watch Now on Netflix. “Amid loss and misfortune, the Stone family and the Flight 828 passengers search for the true meaning behind their Callings as ominous signs linger.” This show is so good! I love it. I have not one complaint. This season, I never hoped a character would die more than Angelina. She got on my whole nerves, haha. But I truly felt drawn to Zeke’s character most of all because he was an extreme empath and I loved how he was able to use his abilities to help others.
- Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinets of Curiosities- Netflix. “Bizarre nightmares unfold in eight tales of terror in this visually stunning, spine-tingling horror collection curated by Guillermo del Toro.” I haven’t finished all of the episodes yet because they’re each like an hour long so it’s taking me some time. So far, episode 4- ‘The Outside’ is my favorite followed by episode 1- ‘Lot 36’.
- Vatican Girl: The Disappearance of Emanuela Orlandi- Netflix. “Rome, 1983. After leaving a music lesson, 15-year-old Emanuela Orlandi vanishes — embroiling the Vatican in a decades-long mystery.” This docuseries really had me upset. The way this young innocent girl’s kidnapping and murder was covered up by the British government and the pope is despicable. It really makes me sad when a family doesn’t get justice.
- The Walking Dead (Season 11 “The Final Season”) – Watch on Prime Video. “The final season finds Daryl, Maggie, and our heroes on a fraught mission with Negan to confront the mysterious Reapers. Meanwhile, Eugene’s group must assimilate to the Commonwealth, in order to get aid for Alexandria.”
- Wednesday- Netflix. “Smart, sarcastic and a little dead inside, Wednesday Addams investigates a murder spree while making new friends — and foes — at Nevermore Academy.” I am Wednesday and Wednesday is ME. She is so moody, witty, and sarcastic. Jenna Ortega did a great job portraying Wednesday and I loved seeing Christina Ricci in it too. Catherina Zeta-Jones was perfect as Morticia. If you loved the Addams Family, you would love this show. I can’t wait to see what next season brings.
- From Scratch- Netflix. “An artist finds romance with a chef in Italy and embarks on a life-changing journey of love, loss, resilience and hope across cultures and continents.” Unfortunately, I saw spoilers before I started watching this series, so the shock value was low since I knew what to expect. It’s an okay show, romance series aren’t really my thing.
- Shows on my to-watch list: Keep Breathing, Earthstorm, Drink Masters, Street Food USA, Echoes, Resident Evil, and Blood & Water (Season 3).
- Shows that I need to catch up on are ‘All American’ so that I can start the spin off series ‘Homecoming’, ‘Charmed (Season 3 and 4) and maybe ‘Good Girls and ‘Dead to Me.
Movies + Films:
- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. “In this sequel, the leaders of Wakanda fight to protect their nation in the wake of King T’Challa’s death.” (Seen in theaters). **PLEASE GO SEE THIS MOVIE! RUN, DON’T WALK- it was INCREDIBLE. I honestly liked it more than the first one. Check out the soundtrack too!
- The Good Nurse. “An overburdened ICU nurse leans on her selfless new colleague at work and at home — until a patient’s unexpected death casts him in a suspicious light.” (Netflix).
- Boys On The Side. “Three women head west to begin a new life, only to come up short in Arizona when one becomes deathly ill.” (STARZ).
- Asking for It “Vanessa Hudgens, Kiersey Clemons, and Alexandra Shipp lead a no-mercy all-femme gang in this edgy thriller.” (Hulu).
- The Devil You Know. “After a lifetime of trouble, a man has the chance to turn things around with the love and support of his family. As he tries to do right, he finds himself spiraling back into the dark place he overcame.” (Hulu).
- I Am Vanessa Guillen. “Vanessa Guillen was 20 years old when she was found murdered at a US Army base. Rather than submit to silence, her family fought for justice and change.” (Netflix).
- Movies on my to-watch list: Entergalactic, Descendant (docufilm), Trees of Peace, Girl in the Picture (docufilm), I Came By, Where the Crawdads Sing, and All Quiet on the Western Front.
Music Favorites:
My favorite artist picks of the month are Sault, Scribez Riley, and Zilo. They are all underrated as hell but their music really makes me feel seen (most specifically Sault and Zilo). I would love to see Sault perform live. Sault’s mysterious-ness draws me in because I have no idea how they look, nor do I know a lot about them in general. Are they a family? a friend group? Who knows but I love it that way. ‘Masterpiece’ by Sault is my favorite song by them. In 2022, Sault released 5 beautiful albums, 4 of them were just released in the month of November 2022 and I’m currently listening to them all back n forth. One album is an instrumental, one is gospel inspired, and the others are alternative.
My inner child jumped for joy when I saw that Paramore is going on a North American tour next year. I would love to go to their DC show in June 2023. I’m so ecstatic for this tour cause their music was such a big part of my young pre/teen life.
Currently, I’ve been loving the chopped/slowed album versions to Phabo’s ‘Soulquarius’ and Ambre’s ‘3000’. It sounds so sexy.
And lastly, as I’m listening to Kaash Paige’s ‘S2ML’ album, I had a revelation. I really want today’s artists to be released from the shackles of using auto-tune cause it does not sound good all the time. I think auto-tune is lazy and it really hides true talent. Like, can you sing or not?
Favorite New Albums
- WizKid- More Money, Less Ego. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- BROCKHAMPTON- The Family. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- BROCKHAMPTON- TM. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Sault- 11. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Sault- Earth. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Sault- Today & Tomorrow. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Sault- Untitled (God). ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- DESTIN CONRAD- SATIN. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Drake & 21 Savage- Her Loss. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- GloRilla- Anyways, Life’s Great. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Various Artists- ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ The Soundtrack. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- DVSN- Working on My Karma. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Flwr Chyld- Luv n Chaos. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Kwaku Asante- Wanderlust. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Joji- SMITHEREENS. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Ayra Starr- 19 & Dangerous (Deluxe). ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Pip Millett- When Everything Is Better, I’ll Let You Know. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Dylan Sinclair- No Longer in the Suburbs (Deluxe). ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Zilo- Kinda Happy, Kinda Sad. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- DRAM- What Had Happened Was… ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Foushee- softCORE. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Favorite New EPs
- Louis VI, Durand Bernarr & Bluestaeb- Ecocide. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- RAYE- Escapism. / The Thrill is Gone. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Sonder- Too Late to Die Young. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Leven Kali- Let It Rain. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Allyn- After Hours, Pt. 2. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 2022 – Playlist
(Apple Music Link to Playlist)
Also, I made a new playlist this month called: ‘songs that make me feel‘ which can be found inside my ‘I have never been so much in love’ post. The playlist includes a lot of my favorite R&B tunes.
(Link to Apple Music Playlist)
Podcast Episodes:
This past month, I started watching DCMWG aka ‘Don’t call me white girl’ podcast after seeing so many funny IG reels of her. Her name is Mona and I love the way she interviews her guest in a way that feels like a casual conversation amongst lifelong friends. You never know what she’s going to say. It’s raunchy, fun, and downright hilarious. Check out one of her recent episodes featuring JessHilarious (of course I had to pick this one because I’m from Baltimore too!)
and with YouTuber- K’Hood:
New Book Alert:
About Book:
“Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi is a generational novel about two families, from 1775 to the beginning of the 21st century, and how their lives were were impacted by the Atlantic slave trade. The author’s belief is that history is storytelling, and storytelling is always a political act.”– GoodReads.
Locs & Beauty
Latest Nail Sets:
My nail theme for November was “specks of gold”. Each design had gold foil incorporated within. I love darker moody colors this time of year most specifically burnt orange, brown, red, green, or all things nude.
11-Month Loc Update:
I absolutely love my locs but I really want to do some crochet maintenance on them to help with the loose hairs. But I’m hesitant cause I don’t want to do anything that might weaken or damage my locs just because I want them to look more uniformed. If I do decide to crochet the loose hairs, I would only do it one time within a year.
But other than that- my loc journey is still going very strong and my confidence is growing more and more each day. I go for my eight week re-twist appointment on December 1st and my one year loc-a-versary is on the 10th of December.
This is the longest I’ve ever kept ONE hairstyle in my entire 29 years of life! I never got bored with my locs and I never had an ugly stage. I truly love the fact that I’m inspiring so many people to start their own loc journeys and to embrace their natural selves.
My favorite go-to lip combo:
Liner: NYX Lip Pencil in Espresso.
Butter Gloss: NYX Praline.
Home Decor
Wildberry Incense- “America’s Best Incense”.
I got some of these incense sticks from a dispensary in Ocean City. They had a very cheap deal going on for like 10 sticks for $5.00, 20 for $10, etc. I was a little skeptical at first cause of how thin and short they are, but they pack a powerful punch. Which means- the fragrances are strong but not overbearing. I don’t remember all the ones I got but the scents that stuck out to me the most are- Voodoo and Awapuhi.
(Purchase Wildberry Incense- HERE)
Pink Himalayan Salt Lamp.
I had a salt lamp for years now, but I started using it more often within the past month. I like using it as a night light when I’m trying to relax or sleep, when I’m meditating, and when I’m taking a bath or shower. It’s way better than using that ugly fluorescent white lighting. Having warm lighting or salt and sunset lamps in your room/home can be very beneficial to combating seasonal depression because it mimics natural lighting aka the sun. Salt lamps can improve mood and promote better sleep while also purifying the air. And since it’s pitch black by 5:00pm this time of year, these lamps are in popular demand.
My lamp is about 8-9inches tall and it’s pretty heavy. Pink Himalayan salt is natural and unique so, it’s impossible to have the same exact lamp so if you happen to buy one it will truly be one of a kind.
(Link to Purchase Salt Lamp; $25.00)
Food Favorites
Fries w/ old bay + mambo sauce from ‘America’s Best Wings’.
I’m not really a fan of the crinkly french fries but the mambo sauce really did these things justice. The mambo sauce added a sweet tanginess to it. I’ll give it a 3/5.
That’s all for now!
Happy Birthday to all the wild and adventurous Sagiterrorists I mean, Sagittarius out there and I hope all the Scorpios enjoyed their birthdays!
Till next time,
Tiffany’s Diary 