Black Cake - So Good!

I recently finished reading Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson, and it was SUCH a powerful journey. Lately, I have been nose-deep in smut, and this was a refreshing break. The story is well paced, and switches back and forth, with each chapter focusing on a different perspective in the main characters' paths. I found myself trying to guess what was coming next, as if I were watching a suspense movie. Speaking of which, I haven't yet seen the miniseries on Hulu, but I've been reading good things about it on Threads. I wanted to read the book before watching, so now I can officially add it to my "To Watch" list!

The Sun Finally Came Out!

After what has felt like the longest winter ever, the sun finally came out in Atlanta! It has been mostly cloudy for weeks, and although it wasn’t really cold, it was miserable and grueling. Small wins, but today was glorious!

Wishing you sunshine and warmth on your face,

Beans

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde

To be clear, this is not a book review blog. However, this book was excellent. I have been a long-time follower/fan of Tia Williams since her Shake Your Beauty blog days, and this is her best book yet. As a self-proclaimed weirdo who is finding her way in the world (at a big age), this book was a joyous escape that affirmed me in my decisions to almost always go against the tide. 

Ricki is a lovable character, and the integration of the historical/current Harlem vignettes made me (almost!) want to pack up my bags and move back to my old stomping grounds on W 121st St.

I definitely recommend this one if you want glamour, magical realism, and a bit of spice.

Wishing you a magical love of your own,

Beans

Welcome!

I spend too much time on Instagram, lamenting the demise of long-form blogging. I miss the days of following a blogger and feeling like there were other people interested in similar things, feeling like I was "getting to know" an internet stranger, and learning new things through exposure. This led to me starting this blog. Long-form may be a stretch, but I wanted to have a small piece of the world where I can share things that bring me joy and make me happy. Since the Panini, life has felt off-kilter, muted, heavy and diaphanous at the same time. Nothing is as it was, but it seems like we're trying to get back to "The Before." It ain't coming back. In the spirit of cultivating the things that matter, joy is on the top of my list. Join me as I share what makes me happy, from the profound, to the daily minutiae.

Wishing you love, peace, and moments of unbridled glee,

Beans