From My Notes App, Vol 4
Tender rage, Target dupes and therapy breakthroughs
I almost didn’t write this one. Not because I didn’t have anything to say—because I had too much clutter in my head.
So instead of trying to wrap it up in a bow, I’m just letting it be what it is: a snapshot. Of all that’s been sitting with me. Of what I’ve been noticing. Of what I’m learning to name out loud.
This is From My Notes App, Vol. 4. Let’s see where it goes.
🎧 What I’m Listening To Watching
Skipping the usual podcast picks this week because I’ve been deep into two new streaming favorites that are too good not to share:
The Better Sister (Prime Video) is a sharp thriller starring Jessica Biel and Elizabeth Banks as estranged sisters whose lives collide after a violent crime shakes their family. Biel plays the polished, high-powered editor-in-chief living a picture-perfect life in Manhattan, while Banks plays the messy, unpredictable sister she left behind. When the man connecting them—Biel’s husband, Banks’ ex—is found murdered, the past resurfaces in ways neither is prepared for. It has everything from quiet power plays to big secrets to moral ambiguity.
Call Her Alex (Hulu) is a raw, intimate two-part documentary about Alex Cooper, host of the chart-topping Call Her Daddy podcast. For the first time, she opens up publicly about the trauma she experienced as a Division I soccer player at Boston University. Directed by Ry Russo-Young, the film is both a personal reckoning and a behind-the-scenes look at how Alex built a media empire while learning to trust her voice. It’s emotional, empowering, and refreshingly unfiltered.
Add both to your queue if you’re in the mood for bold women, complex stories, and a little binge-worthy escape.
🛒 What I’m Buying
We’ve officially hit the point in summer where I can justify a purchase for every occasion: the Fourth of July, a spray tan, a night out, a cold snap, a bucket hat moment for Murray—you get it.
The Swim Edit: This navy one-piece and this red, white & blue suit are in the lineup for the Fourth. I was served this black and white bikini on Instagram and bought it instantly, which then led me to this inverse Target dupe... too much? Or perfectly reasonable summer logic?
Beauty Lately: The Rhode blush in Sprinkle is the best and is now available as a full set with matching gloss and lip liner (dangerous). I’m also eyeing this bold pink Saie lip combo and I want the Refy serum primer purely because it looks fun to roll on your face. And this Santal-scented body lotion? Smells expensive. Feels like a little treat.
Shoes & Staples: I grabbed these Madewell sandals in light blue and red because the tiny heel feels sophisticated. In terms of sneakers, I’m still obsessed with my Kiziks—especially with a baby and dog in the mix. No laces, no hands, no problem. I wear the slate grey pair daily, but I’ve got the Monaco version in my cart for a big trip next month.
Which leads me to… packing for Alaska (!!): Heading there in July with my mom to celebrate her retirement. Naturally, I’ve been in full “layer up” mode. I’ve got my eye on this ivory Jenni Kayne sweater, the Polo Ralph Lauren fleece crewneck sweatshirt in pale blue and black, this AYR striped long sleeve tee and a nautical sweater from Gap. Pants-wise: I’m leaning into these Abercrombie white jeans, Banana Republic cargo pull-ons, Vince drawstring leisure pants and a pair of Old Navy barrel-leg joggers.
Going Out Tops (Remember those?): Currently into this Modern Citizen sleeveless blouse and this tie-front cotton top—both pair perfectly with AGolde cutoffs or Quince’s linen high-waisted shorts (which are basically giving “European summer without the Euro exchange rate”).
Dresses + Dreaming: I just added this lavender satin midi dress to my cart—it works for weddings, showers and date nights. Also romanticizing a weekend in Newport in this green poplin number or a nautical shirtdress, preferably with a palm hat and espresso belt.
Baby Fits I Can’t Handle: Murray will be coming in hot this season with this bucket hat, striped onesie, fishy button up and mini knit set.
Also: I’m officially on ShopMy (in addition to LTK)—where I’m curating edits, summer picks, and all the stuff I’m crushing on. Go peek, browse, judge, or copy-paste into your own cart. I won’t tell.
👣 What I’m Doing
I’ve officially had it with the weather. This is the 12th (maybe 13th?) weekend in a row where rain is in the Saturday forecast, and at this point I’m considering emotional support sunlamps.
Despite the grey skies, the energy feels very school’s out for the summer. My in-laws are in town for Murray’s baptism later this month (and have been a huge help with the baby!), and this weekend we’re celebrating Danny’s first Father’s Day. He’s hoping to golf and we’re planning a family cookout.
Between family time, I’m craving small moments of quiet—some poolside reading (weather permitting), strength classes at B/SPOKE (obsessed), and a borderline concerning peanut butter ice cream kick I have no plans to quit.
Soft launch summer is here. Bring on the slower pace, the SPF, and hopefully... the sun.
📚 What I’m Reading
Two very different reads this week—one for escapism, one that hits a little too close to home.
First up: The Rose Hill series by Elsie Silver. If you love small-town romance with emotionally intelligent cowboys, slow burns, and just the right amount of spice—this is your moment. I’ve read every book (some more than once), and I’m currently rereading them because sunshine + swoony dialogue = peak summer joy. Even better? Amazon is developing the series for TV, so now’s the perfect time to fall in love with the Rose Hill universe.
And for something with more bite: Exit Interview by Kristi Coulter is a corporate memoir-meets-burnout confessional that chronicles her 12 years working at Amazon—and what it cost her. It’s sharp, absurd, wickedly funny, and painfully relatable for anyone who’s chased success a little too hard. This isn’t just an inside look at Amazon’s grind culture—it’s a mirror for anyone who's ever traded sanity for a shot at visibility.
🌀 Spiral of the Week: I Don’t Want to Show My Face
I’ve been dodging video content. Specifically creating video content for my social channels outside of my podcast. Not because I don’t believe in what I’m building—but because showing up as myself on camera feels weirdly vulnerable in a way that writing never does. I keep telling myself I’ll film something when I have more energy, when I’m less puffy, when the words come out perfectly.
Spoiler: they never do.
I know that talking openly about how Grey Areas came to be could actually help people. I know that someone out there needs to hear it. But the second the camera’s on, I spiral.
So I brought it to therapy. And my therapist said something that hit me sideways: Risk isn’t reckless. It’s required. Playing it safe isn’t noble. It’s just quiet self-protection.
She asked: what are you actually afraid of? And the answer wasn’t visibility—it was being misunderstood. Being seen in a moment that isn’t perfectly packaged. Saying something real and having it fall flat.
But she reminded me: the point isn’t to perform. It’s to connect. To go back to my why.
Why am I doing this? Because I want people to feel seen.
I want to say the thing out loud that you’ve only thought in your head.
I want to make the stuff we’re all navigating feel a little less isolating.
So here’s the takeaway, in case you’re spiraling too: If you have something to say—say it. Even if your voice shakes. Even if your face looks tired. Start before you’re comfortable. That’s where the good stuff is.
Now excuse me while I go take my own advice—and hit record.🤞
👀 Who I’m Following
🧺 Chelsea Jane (@cheseajanie) — If you crave calm in your feed, Chelsea is that rare creator who makes the internet feel softer. Her content is like a warm morning light—slow, cozy, and full of intention. Think: coffee rituals, ambient music, soft clinks of a spoon. Nothing is forced or flashy. Just quiet beauty in the everyday. She doesn’t sell you a lifestyle—she reminds you to enjoy the one you already have. Following her feels like permission to slow down, breathe deep, and let your life be enough. She’s on the clock app, too.
💼 Emma Grede (@emmagrede) — If you’re ambitious, entrepreneurial, or just obsessed with women who walk into boardrooms like they own the place—Emma Grede is a must-follow. She’s smart, sharp, and entirely unbothered by fluff. Her presence is pure power, but it’s never performative—just rooted, intentional, and values-led. Whether she’s breaking down what it means to build a billion-dollar brand or advocating for real equity in fashion, she makes success look not just possible, but purposeful. She’s the kind of leader who makes you want to sit up straighter—and start plotting your own empire. I also LOVE her cooking content around the holidays.
💬 The Group Chat Says: Staying Soft in a Hard World
I couldn’t write this newsletter without acknowledging the heaviness in our country. It feels like we’re living through a compassion crisis—where the loudest voices are often the harshest, and cruelty is mistaken for strength. Empathy has been pushed to the sidelines, as if care is something we have to justify. And yet, I believe most people are craving connection, even if they don’t know how to ask for it. Softness isn’t weakness. It’s what makes us human.
It’s not just the policies or politics that are unsettling—it’s the callousness behind them. The way basic human rights get reduced to debate fodder. The way people in pain are met with indifference, or worse, mockery. I don’t have perfect language for this moment, but I do know this: we can’t afford to shut down. We have to stay soft, stay awake, and stay connected to what’s right—not just what’s strategic.
Take a moment today to share something hopeful, amplify a voice that matters, and remember: the world doesn’t change through noise alone. It changes through care, action, and intention.
✌️ That’s A Wrap
That’s all for now — from one overthinking tab-switcher to another. Whether you found a new thought or just the relief of “okay, it’s not just me”—I’m grateful you’re here.
Forward it. Bookmark it. Spiral with it. I won’t tell.
See you Monday morning.
xo,
Kelsey