The Sunday Digest 015
Rock climbing, Lake Como, and Things I've Consumed.
Welcome to The Sunday Digest — a free Sunday newsletter featuring long (and some short) reads, original columns, things I’ve saved over the last week, relaxing playlists, episodes releases, exclusive product drops, and more. Yes, you can reply to this email. I’d love to hear from you. Or, if podcasts are more your speed on Sundays, we’ve got that too.
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Sunday Read: Nicole McLaughlin’s Personal Rock Climbing Wall Helps Her Stay Grounded
by Audrey Lee for Architectural Digest
Nicole McLaughlin is someone I truly admire. Finding her a couple years ago on Instagram, watching her real-time rise to fame has been an absolute pleasure. Repurposing anything from vintage Arc’Teryx pieces to literal loaves of bread, she has such a creative mind that I often kick myself wishing mine worked in a similar fashion.
Whenever she’s involved with something, it’s worth a look. So when I saw Architectural Digest snooping around her studio (and her new rock climbing wall), I knew it would be a read worth my five minutes.
An excerpt:
You’d have difficulty finding anything in Nicole’s possession that doesn’t have an explicit purpose or ulterior use. Case in point: The designer’s fully-functioning rock climbing wall operates as both an unconventional art piece and part-time stress reliever. “I liked the idea of having something that I could exercise on, but I also love the aesthetic and the way they look,” Nicole says of her attraction to the piece.
Suspended by a secured pulley system that’s accommodated by the studio’s high ceilings, the ten-foot-tall wall made by Utah-based rock climbing wall company Grasshopper acts as the ideal creative getaway whenever Nicole, an avid climber, needs a moment to clear her head or is craving a quick workout session.
Read in full here.
The Sunday Haiku
I’m resting my eyes
just for a couple minutes,
Damn, it’s been two hours.
Your Moment of Zen: Riccardo Capotosti
After last week’s discussion on digital rest stops, I thought I’d replace this week’s Things I Saved This Week with something a little different — some calming reels from Italian creator Riccardo Capotosti. While the three reels here are enough to do the job, his entire feed is essentially a long weekend at Clooney’s house on Lake Como.
To follow him, look no further.
New Episode: Heart-Stopping Sunday Moments, Destructive Self-Care, and Worth The Splurge
This Sunday's episode includes five heart-stopping moments that will temporarily ruin your Sunday, a new segment of 'Worth The Splurge' that looks at body washes from Le Labo, and why 'self-care' doesn't always mean being healthy.
Shop today’s episode: Le Labo Shower Gels
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and anywhere else podcasts are found.
15 Things I Consumed This Week
A segment stolen from Haley Nahman’s newsletter, Maybe Baby, that you should subscribe to.
There Will Be Blood — I was suggested an interview with Daniel Day-Lewis on YouTube late one night. About ten minutes into the interview (which was completely about There Will Be Blood), I realized I should probably just re-watch it. It was a great decision.
Air Fryer Salmon — I have no idea how to actually work our air fryer, so a massive tip of the cap to my wife who stole her recipe from Devin Brugman. It was Big Salad Monday in our household, and the salmon only made it that much more of an occasion. Here’s a random recipe for it.
The 16-ounce Two Day Hangover Candle — We recently burned through a scented candle on our living room coffee table, so it was time to let the big dog eat. And yes, I trimmed the wick before the first burn.
The Harbor Light Newspaper — I read my hometown newspaper (almost) every week. I say “almost” because I’m pretty sure they just save my copies and mail them all at once a couple times a month, but I appreciate the gesture nonetheless. Because it’s only released on Wednesdays, it’s a nice treat whenever it arrives two weeks after its release date.
“Among The Thugs” by Bill Buford — A book I read in high school about Manchester soccer hooligans, I decided to pick it up again. Not to brag, but yeah, I’ve got a library card now so my brain feels huge.
Trader Joe's Gone Bananas! — Bite-sized chocolate-covered bananas. Dangerous if you’re trying to get your body summer-ready (I am not).
Matches we got from a restaurant — Why does lighting a scented candle with matches from a restaurant feel different than using a lighter? Additionally, why does it always feel like you’re doing something bad when take the matches they have at the host stand for you? Like, they’re there to be taken but I feel like I’m on Punk’d or something.
r/neverbrokeabone — Caution: Do not click if you do not want to see a lot of x-rays of broken bones. But weirdly enough, that’s not what this subreddit is really about. To join, you have to have never broken a bone. Once you do break a bone, you post it in the subreddit and everyone ridicules you / kicks you out. It’s absolutely ruthless but the comments are good for a cheap laugh.
Weleda Skin Food — When the temperature rises, so does my affinity for slathering Weleda Skin Food all over my face. Whether its #GlazedDonutSeason or not, Austin temperatures reaching the 90s this week had me feeling like getting some much-needed sun. Skin Food? The perfect chaser.
The Dropout on Hulu — Not to sound super basic but I think The Dropout is my favorite show since Succession ended. As a relative greenhorn when it comes to Amanda Seyfried, her performance in it is absolutely outrageous. In a good way. I think.
Vanilla Custard Pie Nespresso Pods — I don’t know why we bought these but it’s been my change-of-pace cup of joe over the last week or so. While I don’t see myself mashing that “Buy Again” button any time soon, at least I now know they’re not terrible if vanilla custard pie is your thing.
The Masters — The most zen sporting event of the year next to the Wimbledon finals and early Tour de France stages.
This ‘Lazy Lobster’ Recipe — No, I didn’t actually eat lobster this week because that would make my mercury levels hella high, but I did window-shop this recipe in preparation for Memorial Day. Updates to come if I actually follow through.
This Is Dead & Company Spotify Playlist — Due to the fact that Dead & Co. isn’t planning on making any pitstops in Texas this year, I had to hit the road. I’ve kicked myself for missing them over the past few years so I made a huge move and bought tickets to their first show of the run at Dodger Stadium in June. See you guys there.
The Zara Kids Section — Absolute heat. We got these plush tie dye shorts for my son, Fritz, and I’d pretty much pay anything to have a pair of my own. If you have any leads, you know how to find me.
See everyone next week.
Will
What are the chances you can get John Duda to bring back the Saturday Morning Breakfast Blog on this newsletter?