This post is meant to inspire you to try something new, expose you to a new perspective, and/or simply feed your explorative nature. If you’re looking for things to do and ways to get inspired, look no further!
Do you ever feel stuck looking at the same sort of content or going to the same places or making the same meals? While finding comfort in certain things can be, well, comforting, it can also be nice to be exposed to and inspired by other perspectives!
Throughout college and as a recent graduate, I have struggled to figure out what my “passions” are. It seems like everyone knows what they’re doing, and even if they don’t, they’re able to fake it!
But my mom wisely told me, passions don’t necessarily have to be some big, elaborate thing, and further, they don’t have to mean the same thing to everyone.
While the dictionary and society paint “finding your passion” as an intense emotion and the ultimate goal, perhaps we can redefine it, or at least release the pressure from its implications and connotation. Sometimes passion might mean finding your life’s purpose, but other times it might mean simply finding joy or inspiration in a bunch of (or a few!) little things.
That being said, welcome to the first blog of my monthly series where I round up a list of things you can indulge in. This includes everything from food to products to media, and it may be really specific or really generic! There is so much out there to find “passion” in, and the goal here is to share some of my favorites that inspire me, hoping that it may inspire you, as well!
8 August Favorites
1. Controversial Pizzas with @chefsully
In no particular order, I’ll start off with Chef Sully on Tiktok (@chefsully_) who has a series titled, “Putting toppings on pizza more controversial than pineapple.” Firstly, I love pizza, and Chef Sully makes all of his creations look divine. Secondly, I am fairly open-minded when it comes to food combinations. I can’t say I love pineapple on pizza, but it’s not the end of the world. However, the one ingredient Chef Sully uses that really caught my eye is green grapes. Yes, grapes. But hear me (and Chef!) out – complemented with the feta, pecorino, pepper, prosciutto, mozzarella, olive oil, mint, AND the Neapolitan style crust? Game changer. Truly a genius mix of savory, sweet, and tangy. Perhaps this will inspire you to try a new food combination or simply eat a pizza!
2. Good Will Hunting
I know this is a classic, but I recently watched this for the first time and I understand why it’s a classic. This movie is heart-wrenching in a frustrating yet inspiring way and brilliantly touches on relationships, adversity, growth, and love. It is star-studded and certainly worth a watch.
3. Netflix NFL Documentary: Quarterback
I am certainly not the BIGGEST fan of football. I enjoy watching every now and then, and definitely take part in Superbowl parties. I can name most of the NFL teams, but probably only a handful of players. However, I love a good documentary where I can learn the behind-the-scenes of what’s going on. Even if you’re not a football fan, or a sports fan for that matter, I’m sure Patrick Mahomes is a household name, and it’s interesting to learn about the lives of NFL players. This series might even inspire you to follow along with the upcoming football season.
4. Abercrombie & Fitch
This may show up on multiple, if not all, of my monthly lists. As much of the fashion internet knows, Abercrombie has made a comeback and I LOVE it. As a petite gal myself, the size and length inclusivity is truly a game changer. Hemming is something that honestly irks me sometimes, and perhaps that is a bad attitude, but I would simply love some perfect fitting clothing. Anyway, I now own at least five pairs of their denim in various washes, and they continuously come out with new items, including the cutest blouses, dresses, and sweaters, as well as the best basics. Especially as Fall is nearing, I would keep an eye out for new drops! Their clothes have been inspiring me to up my style lately.
If you’re looking for more Abercrombie fashion inspo, check out this post: 25+ Things Every Girl Needs to Add to Their Wishlist
5. Pickled Cabbage + Pickled Onions
THESE have been my obsession. I make a huge batch at a time because I go through it so quickly. These pickled items can truly complement and elevate any meal – from tacos to sandwiches to avocado toast, you NEED to add this as a staple in your household.
Pickled Cabbage Recipe: Juggling With Julia
Pickled Onion Recipe: Love and Lemons
6. Homemade Sandwiches
I am a sandwich lover, and I have been specifically obsessed with this sandwich (and variations of it): I use ciabatta, turkey breast, and brie cheese (all from Costco), smash avocado on one side with a drizzle of chipotle aioli or pesto, add a pinch of salt and pepper, then finish it off with pickled onions and pickled cabbage (a necessity). If you’re feeling funky, add a drizzle of honey for a touch of sweetness. This is your sign to make this sandwich, or any sandwich for that matter, because I want people to be as obsessed with sandwiches as I am.
7. Bozu Restaurant Hawaii
This is a Japanese restaurant in Hawaii that I’ve been going to with my family and the food is so yummy! If I had to pick one cuisine as my favorite, it’d probably be Japanese food. Hawaii is abundant in Japanese food, so there is certainly competition. But this place does it right! My favorites include the ikura, Chef’s special toro takuan roll with shiso, french fries with anchovy & butter, and the skewered meats.
8. Baby Tees
I’ve realized that I have many, many tank tops, which I am not mad about! However I simultaneously realized that I don’t constantly want the sun touching my shoulders, but I don’t really have any blouses or T-shirts to wear that aren’t from high school. Thus, I have been on the hunt for baby tees, which you can wear with pretty much anything! I’ve found great baby tees at American Eagle, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Uniqlo.
This list is certainly diverse, but I hope at least one of them resonates with you. There are always new things to do and more to explore! Taking the time to think about what inspires you can be re-energizing, and I’m learning to work on that more, as well.
[…] out this post for more Abercrombie […]