May
It’s hard to believe we’ve nearly arrived at summer. This May, I got to soak up some really sweet moments with my family’s dogs; I took a trip with my little sister where we wandered through a familiar west coast rain; and I also packed in some deeply unserious fun at a Mario-themed drag show, followed by an emo night that left my voice shot somewhere between “Sugar, We’re Goin Down” and “Welcome to the Black Parade” (seriously, I only came off vocal rest yesterday). All of that, and I’ve been packing up my life for a new chapter in a great neighbourhood.
The best part of the month was spending time with one of my dearest friends Karen, someone I knew for just one university semester at 17 and then quickly became a steady, golden thread through my formative years. We swap voice notes nearly every day about everything under the sun, and it’s become a ritual that keeps me looking forward. In a season when so many people I love are navigating change — moving overseas, buying homes, and reshaping relationships — her care has been an anchor, for the last 15 years and especially now. It’s just for my small corner of the internet, but this month’s post is dedicated to her.
Substack Recommendation: The Molehill by Viv Chen
I keep coming back to Viv Chen's fashion writing, because it feels like talking with a friend who really sees the humanity in others. Her posts on The Molehill are full of warmth and curiosity, not just about clothes, but about the people in them. In her most recent post about Raymond, an 80-year-old Bay Area style icon, she showcases the gentleman with such tenderness. A detail that really stayed with me was the dissection of Raymond’s journal, a simple notebook almost turned scrapbook of ticket stubs, restaurant menus, and street style moments. It’s such a quiet and lovely act of self-regard — not for an audience, just a personal ritual of care and attention.
Perhaps this is exactly what draws me to Viv’s writing. She has a way of recognizing the small, beautiful choices that people make to stay connected to themselves. Her fashion writing never feels like it's about trends, but about people, and that, to me, is so much more enduring. It’s fashion writing that’s deeply approachable while always staying a little bit fun.
Honourable mentions: The Yearning by Meg & Ali, The Nutrition Tea by Shana Spence, oh eight by Gabby Whiten
Movie Recommendation: Palm Springs by Max Barbakow
This is a story about Nyles and Sarah, who meet at a Palm Springs wedding — and then things get weirder than you might ever expect. The two find themselves caught in a time loop, reliving that same wedding day over and over. What could have easily been a gimmick turns into something much deeper, with the movie exploring themes of connection, self-acceptance, and a search for meaning when life quite literally feels stuck. Andy Samberg shines here (though I’m biased, because he was one of my very first and most consistent crushes), and Cristin Milioti is a star in everything she is part of. When the two come together, they have a genuinely realistic chemistry. Palm Springs is funny, heartfelt, and a little bit weird; exactly the kind of movie that stays with you long after the credits roll.
Honourable mentions: 28 Days Later by Danny Boyle, Mickey 17 by Bong Joon Ho, One of Them Days by Lawrence Lamont
Music Recommendation: Malibu by Anderson .Paak
I got to see Anderson .Paak live in 2019 with one of my best friends — third row! — and it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. This was before he blew up as part of Silk Sonic, though it was already certain that we were watching a star. His joy was infectious, and it was the kind of show that makes you remember why live music matters.
There’s something about his breakout album Malibu that feels very complete. With standout singles like “Am I Wrong” and “Come Down”, and breezy album closers in “Celebrate” and “The Dreamers”, the record wraps you in what’s now known as a signature .Paak blend of funk, soul, and sunshine. When I think about soundtracks for sunny days or nights with the people I love, this one’s always on the list.
Honourable mentions: 13 Months of Sunshine by Amine, We Live in a Society by Flume and JPEGMAFIA, I’m in Love by Freak Slug
Other Favourites:
Seeing Peter Cat Recording Co in concert, a band based in Delhi who I wrote about in March — truly a once in a lifetime concert for me!
One of my favourite Met Gala themes to date, with standout looks from Colman Domingo, Diljit Dosanjh, and Doechii
The start of a Girls rewatch, a somewhat controversial but incredibly apt picture of the early 2010s — messy, self-absorbed, and painfully honest
Bus drivers and their unspoken waves to each other
My most recent Brooklyn 99 binge, where I always look forward to rewatching one of my favourite Captain Holt moments
Watching ice cream trucks come around, which I always forget exist until I see kids bike up to them with coins in hand — one of the purest sights I could ever think of
To sunnier days ahead,
Sab