It’s the first Grab a Slice newsletter… a space for basically anything that’s going on in my mind - one might say, it’s my coping mechanism? In all honesty, though I’ve been wanting to create a newsletter for a while. I deleted my big ol’ blog which I had built up over 7-8 years for a variety of complicated reasons, but it did leave a gap, my outlet, a way to get the creative juices flowing. This week has been fucking wild with a new lockdown in New Zealand and confirmed Delta cases rising ~ I’ve been so stressed and anxious so why not throw a brand new random AF newsletter into the mix as well?
Right? Someone, please tell me this is a great idea?
Anyways, this isn’t really concrete or set in stone and I have a VERY rough idea about what I want this to be each week… I literally woke up this morning and was like cool, starting a newsletter today. My main reason for this is to share all the cool/interesting/weird shit that I consume on a weekly basis.
I spend so much of my life writing, reading and watching so why not share my learnings and the good stuff I find along the way?
So let’s fucking launch right into it 👇
What I’ve been reading:
I’ve been absolutely throwing myself into anything and everything relating to the ‘that girl’ trend lately and I have no idea where this obsession has come from. Probably the fact that I spend way too much time on TikTok where this trend has gone off and I’m seeing quite a bit of ‘that girl’ style content on Instagram too. Is it healthy? Maybe… Is it obtainable? Sometimes… Does it make me feel bad about my life? Occasionally.
This piece from Rina Nkula about Immaterial Girls is also super interesting and I’ve gone down a freakin’ rabbit hole guys.
I’m also reading a book called The Imposter Cure which has been SO interesting and I had a bloody enlightening convo which got emosh with one of my best friends last week about it. I’m so picky when it comes to ‘self-help’ books, and this kinda doesn’t feel that bad? Does that make sense? It’s just not super cheesy. Anyways, I don’t want to give a whole heap of stuff away in case you’re wanting to dive in ~ but I have learnt so much about myself and the way I work / productivity levels. Game changer for me!
What I’ve been listening to:
A national treasure, David Farriers ‘Armchaired and Dangerous’ series with Dax Shepherd and Monica Padman is high on the list of things I love. I’ve followed fellow cat lover David for a long time now and adore this series which is all about conspiracy theories. I’ve been learning more about the fucked up world of Qanon (which I also find morbidly fascinating).
Okay, so I’m absolutely obsessed and have only just started listening to Culture Club and wishing I had found it sooner. I really loved the episode about fashion trends and our obsession with having the newest thing! Bloody great listen, and honestly, Maggie Zhou is one of my favourite creators/writers. A gem I tell you.
If you’re interested in how fucked up dieting culture is and the lengths people will go to, to have their perceived ideal of the ‘perfect body’ then go listen to the podcast series ‘One Click’. I will definitely say that this will need a massive trigger warning for some so please consider this before diving in. It’s co-created and narrated by Elle Fanning, and her voice is a total dream. Disclaimer, I actually finished listening to this about a week ago, but after posting about it on an Instagram story there were a few people who asked about it. It’s shocking and really well researched.
I attended Bold Conversations By Veuve Clicquot last week which was a speaker panel in Hotel Britomart. I absolutely loved every moment even though I went alone and was initially extremely anxious because everyone seemed to have brought their best gal pals. I ate delish food (literally was the only person eating the event, always am) and filled up on all the ‘Verve’ my tum could handle. I didn’t get drunk I promise.
Hearing from these incredible NZ entrepreneurial women was the best part though. Topics covered were the gender wage gap, balancing life and work shit, and basically just smashing life with all its little setbacks and hurdles. If you’re interested in some of the stats that were covered you can check out the entrepreneurship barometer for a deeper dive.
What I’ve been watching:
The new series on TVNZ ‘The Panthers’ is absolutely heartbreaking, but also I really want to learn more about this hideous part of Aotearoa’s history. Go watch it (and the incredibly costuming by the amazing stylist Sammy Salsa) but be prepared to maybe cry. It comes at very good timing after Jacinda Arderns recent apology for the Dawn Raids which happened during the late 1970s.
It’s a six-part series starring Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi as Polynesian Panther Party co-founder Will 'Ilolahia (spoiler* he is absolutely AMAZING). The show is based on the story of the rise of the Polynesian Panthers in Auckland during the 70s. I’ve been on the edge of my damn seat.
Binge-worthy shit I tell ya!
Weird shit I learnt:
Bigfoot erotica is totally a thing, and it’s nasty. Don’t worry <—— that link is not Bigfoot porn.
I really don’t like ASMR, I’ve tried so many different types of it. I kinda went into a dark hole of ASMR research and actually found some really weird shit. I don’t get the ‘tingling’ feeling everyone talks about. But honestly, it’s just not for me and I’ve seen enough finger fluttering to get me through the rest of my life.
Elon Musk is planning on putting advertising billboards in space…. SPACE.
Another thing I learnt/remembered this week (after I got my 1st vaxxy done) was that I fucking love science and I felt extremely thankful and privileged after I walked out of the ‘stabby device room’. I had no idea I would feel such an overwhelming sense of relief afterwards. As @yemagz says, I’m on the road to ‘Vaxxed Girl Summer’.
That’s it from me this week my friends, I hope everyone is being kind to themselves and others. Let’s take it a day at a time (hard I know, when it feels like the world is hot demon garbage right now). Find something wholesome each day, I guess is what I’m saying.
Sending love from little ol’ me in Aotearoa,
Stay safe, Charlotte 🤍 xx
Hot Demon Garbage Week | Issue: 1
We should make a cocktail called that and I'll drink it during our livestream 😂
Just imagine:
"What are you drinking?"
"Oh just hot demon garbage"