Days race by so fast that we’ve turned to this segment to dissect the best parts of the week we’ve just had. There’s just something about the things you’ve come to love that you keep coming back for—whether it’s a cup of coffee, an old sitcom favorite, or a taste of nostalgia you can’t seem to forget about.
We’re chronic Netflix bingers with weekly kitchen experiments and cravings we can’t seem to get rid of, and these are our Weekly Faves for the second week of August:
Janice’s picks
I came to know and love Lazy Oaf because of their playful streetwear. I've been stalking their Instagram account for updates on statement pieces that I always add to cart but never actually buy just because I don't want to pay the full price.
When the lockdown started, they posted some random Instagram stories relating to people's general reactions on working from home, social distancing or just going crazy in isolation. It kept coming and their Social Distancing Care Package is now a compilation of 100 (thanks to the Story highlight limit) Tiktok videos and IG stories reminding people the importance of staying inside, while showing how some people have chosen to entertain themselves indoors.
Some videos have deviated a bit from the theme since the first Instagram story was posted 22 weeks ago, but every single one is still, sometimes even more, as entertaining than the previous. It has been my go-to place for a quick pick-me-up.
Another pick-me-up of mine has to be carbs. It’s in my genetic DNA as an Asian. Since moving to Sydney, I have always struggled to find good, reasonably-priced bread. I’ve always felt guilty buying those $8 to $10 sourdoughs—my grandmother's voice would always be in my head complaining how expensive they are and that there must be places selling the same thing, some with even better quality, for a “better,” much lower price.
The need for bread doesn’t go away with my reluctance to pay the (carbo) loaded price tag, so I tried making my own pandesal. It was the very first time I baked anything and it showed! The recipe I followed promised “soft, airy, and light” bread rolls that are a bit more sweet than salty (the best match for coffee), but I ended up with mini sourdough breads.
I won’t fully acknowledge it but I may have left them in the oven five minutes too long. The inside was denser and a bit dryer with a tougher outer layer—more of a heavy lunch item paired with warm soup rather than an easy morning starter.
They were decent but definitely not the best. When having them, I don't look forward to the taste, but its reminder of simpler days: summers I spent at the province with my cousins. Here, I always wake up to the smell of coffee inviting me to join my grandmother and aunt at the dining table—both of whom have already finished with their early morning chores, dipping pandesal into their mugs.
Vinny’s picks
I spent the past week watching American sitcoms as I try to move on from 2020’s greatest gift: TvN’s “It’s Okay To Not Be Okay.” As soon as I reached the credits scene of the K-drama, the Bandersnatch version of “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” welcomed me back to the Netflix home page.
Programmed for you to choose your own adventure, the film-length special features an engaged Kimmy (to an English prince played by Daniel Radcliffe, no less) who gets distracted from her last leg of wedding preparations as the possibility of more trapped mole women come to light.
Kimmy then sets out to Indiana to get the truth out of the reverend. Whether she gets married in the end or the reverend dies in prison, it’s all up to the choices you make. If any of the characters are dissatisfied with the narrative you end up making, they break the fourth wall and give you a chance for a do-over (which makes it all the more entertaining).
I’ve gone through this interactive film a couple of times now. On my first try, I stuck with what each character was more likely to choose based on their personality. I ended up in a plane crash. For the second round, I waited for the seconds to run by and made Netflix choose for me instead—the story ended so quickly and so badly that it was ultimately a waste of minutes. Moral of the story: Take control.
My week was all about figuring out new combinations and approaches to my “Kimmy vs. The Reverend” viewing parties, just to see if I get to unlock different scenes, lines, and endings in the process. I’m a romantic so I like the ones where they end up on the altar.
Word of advice: choose wisely and don’t forget to skip the intro.
Christine’s picks
Philz Coffee has been one of my go-to spots since moving to San Diego. I’ve always loved walking into their shop which is usually filled with students and creatives sipping their coffee while studying or working on their laptops. I would usually order a sweet and creamy medium iced Mint Mojito (their specialty drink) with oat milk on my many trips to Philz over the last two years.
Last week, I decided to order a different drink though— the Iced Coffee Rosé, a medium roast iced coffee topped with rose cream. I’d only gotten this drink once before, and didn’t particularly love it that time. I don’t really know why I decided to try it again but I’m so glad I did! I ended up going to Philz everyday this week and coming out with this drink in hand. I think I’m obsessed! Philz’ Iced Coffee Rosé, extra sweet with oat milk, will be my go-to drink for the unforeseeable future.
This week I’ve also been watching Netflix’s “Instant Hotel,” an Australian reality show where contestants take turns opening up their homestay accommodations in different locations around Australia. Each team of two—there were couples, a pair of friends, a mother-daughter duo— invites the other contestants to stay at their “instant hotel” for one night. The other teams as well as a pair of expert judges are in charge of giving a score for each place. The criteria for each stay is based on four categories: design and feel of the place itself, location and attractions, quality of night’s sleep, and value for money.
I didn’t know that a show like this (essentially an interior design competition) could actually contain so much drama! I definitely recommend watching this show if you’re into interior design, sabotage, Australian accents, snarky commentary, and lighthearted reality show drama.
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