Happy Friday! This week passed quickly but felt fulfilling. I reconnected with an old friend, which reminded me how important it is to cherish and nurture the meaningful people in our lives. I hope you’ve had some quality time with friends or family lately — after the holidays it’s easy to slip back into a busy routine, so small moments matter.
Here are five little things I loved this week:
1. Bok Choy
I’ve been on a bok choy kick — it’s an effortless way to add more greens to meals. I enjoy tossing bok choy into Instant Pot short rib ramen, stirring it into a creamy bok choy risotto with coconut milk and pan-seared shrimp, or folding it into vegetarian pancit bihon with rice noodles and veggies. Bok choy cooks quickly and picks up flavors beautifully, whether you steam, sauté, or braise it. What’s your favorite way to prepare bok choy?
2. Kimono Wedding Dresses
I’m captivated by how traditional kimonos are being reimagined as modern wedding dresses. The blend of classic textiles, refined silhouettes, and contemporary tailoring creates gowns that honor heritage while feeling fresh and personal. Seeing artisans transform rich fabrics and motifs into bridal statements is inspiring.
3. Inspiring Cotton
This week I discovered Liziqi and her stunning videos that document traditional crafts and rural life. Her piece showing how cotton is grown, harvested, and processed is particularly mesmerizing — a beautiful reminder of the time, care, and craft behind everyday materials.
4. Optimism is the Secret
Betty White celebrated her 98th birthday this year, and her outlook is a lovely lesson in resilience and joy. Her warmth and humor remind us that a positive attitude and a sense of play can brighten everyday life.
5. Delicious Movies
Cold days are perfect for curling up on the couch with a big bowl of popcorn and a favorite film. I’m enjoying revisiting classic movie food scenes and appreciating the small details filmmakers use to make those moments feel delicious and cozy. Do you have a go-to movie snack or a memorable food scene that sticks with you?
Wishing you a cozy, restorative weekend — enjoy the little things.