Feel the Pep.
Scary movies, lock picking, and chicken pot pie....oh my!
Thank you all for your readership! And thank you for the kind words and positive engagement with my first newsletter. It makes writing this even more fun knowing that my friends and friends of friends are actually opening it!
If you’re new, check out my first newsletter for a full introduction, but basically I put together these peppy picks to pizazzify your week. Hope you can find something you like!
Now huddle up, it’s time for a PEP TALK.
OPINION PIECE
Horror Movies for Non-Horror Movie People
Can we all just pretend that the red stuff is just paint?
I like horror movies and married a dude who loves them, so I have watched quite a few over the years. I made this list because there are some real stand out horror movies that I think even non-horror movie people could like, if they can get past a bit of spook.
These movies might not be for you, but you can peruse my thoughts and feelings on 5 horror movies and why I think they’re worth the watch. Spoiler alert 3 of the 5 are horror comedies, my favorite genre.
Check out my suggestions on Horror Movies for Non-Horror Movie People
SHOULD I TRY THIS HOBBY?
Lock Picking
Pretty badass skill and pretty easy to try it out!
Back in my single days, I was trying and dropping hobbies like crazy as a way to fill my time and spice up my dating profile. I thought lock picking sounded cool, provided a badass skill, and would keep me busy. After a very short stint with the hobby, it turns out it’s not for me! BUT it is a pretty easy hobby to pick up and a badass skill, so ask yourself, Should I try this hobby?
Cost of entry: $15-$50 depending the kit you want to start with
Supplies: Lock picks, training lock (optional), old padlocks to practice
Accessibility to resources: pretty accessible to general tools and tutorials
Pros: Useful * few supplies to get started * similar to a fidget toy
Cons: Can be boring/repetitive for impatient people (me) * can break locks if you practice on real locks before adept
Starter Kits : Most basic kit | Nicer Basic Kit
Tutorials: How a lock works | Visual PDF | MIT Ebook
EARRINGS OF THE DAY
Gum Basket
Back in 2018 I had a conundrum. I wanted to bring treats into the office to lure friendship and fun to my desk, but everyone was being healthy! Thus, born was the gum basket. A basket I filled with a variety of gum and mints that satisfied those with a need for fresh breath and those who needed something nice in their life on a hard day. Bubbalicious blue raspberry? Bazooka with comics? Altoids? My basket is there for you.
In honor of the gum basket, the lovely Nicole gifted me these delightful gum earrings. Cheers to the gum basket.
ONE OF MY FAVES
Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher
0 calories, 0 alcohol, 100% delicious
If you’ve hung out with me anytime in the past six months, I have probably brought up how much I love hop water. I made a prezzie for a girl’s weekend on some of my favorite brands to try, but if you’re going to try one, it has got to be Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher.
Hoppy Refresher is fundamentally sparkling water infused with hops and with a bit of a citrus finish. It is incredibly refreshing and since it is flavored with hops (one of the main ingredients of beer) it still gives you the feel of an alcoholic beverage!
I have been cutting back on alcohol, but still love the ritual of having a drink or two in the evenings. I’ve found that hop water fulfills my desire for a bevy and is actually hydrating. It also makes a great in-between drink or night cap!
Even if you aren’t a big fan of beer, give Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher a try. Big beer drinker? Try Hoplark Hoptea - The Citra Bomb One (Caffeinated).
Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher is available for purchase at a bunch of bars and grocery stores as well as most Whole Foods and Total Wines.
RECIPE ROUNDUP
Kelly’s Chicken Pot Pie
It’s like an edible hug from your mom.
This is one of my favorite recipes to make in the winter because it is hearty, warm, and really is just an A+ every time! I also love gifting Chicken Pot Pie because it freezes well if you can't eat it right away, the leftovers are stellar, and it is a full meal in one food!
This recipe primarily requires chopping and sautéing! This would be a great recipe for a beginner or to do with kids interested in cooking.
This recipe includes gluten, dairy, and meat and I would not consider it healthy, but, hey, everything in moderation!
Full recipe can be found here!
LOOPING YOU INTO TIKTOK
Monday Motivation from Marc Rebillet
Pep, pep, peppy!
Volume up! It’s time to pep it up with these Marc Rebillet motivational anthems. If you need something to get you out of your rut and moving, these little song snacks are the protein bites you need!
Marc creates his music from scratch, all in one take and these Tik Tok snippets are just the tip of his creative iceberg. Marc is a talented musician currently on tour and his full length music is on Spotify.
You do not need an account and you can watch in a web browser! Warning: both contain expletives. Wake Up Motivation | General Motivation
CREATURE FEATURE
Sriracha “ChaCha” Sieben!
ChaCha is our spunky, sweet, little neurotic pup! She is 3.5 years old and a super mutt with a bit of Chihuahua and Boston Terrier. She loves playing fetch, licking faces, barking at anyone and anything that moves, and is obsessed with her Dad.
Our permanent-pup clocks in at 20 lbs and has delicate little paws that hate the snow and an extra long tongue for booger mining. She dressed as Weird ChaCha Barkovich for Halloween. She has two sisters (cats Buffy and Cinder) that she tolerates.
Would you like to have your pet featured? Respond to this email with a few pictures and details on your critter!
TODAY’S FUN FACT
Woodpeckers’ tongues wrap around their brain to cushion them from a concussion during high-speed pecking.
Whoa you made it all the way to the bottom! You’re my new favorite. Thanks for perusing my newsletter and I hope you got some pep. Please feel free to share or if this isn’t your thing, unsubscribe.
Love,
Kelly
Lagunitas Hop Water is at Costco now! In the soda / sparkling water aisle
I’ve been lucky enough to receive one of these chicken pot pies and it really was like a much needed hug…