March Coffee Chat
Solo travel in France, spontaneous piercings, salted banana bread, and trying very hard to remain calm about turning 40.
Welcome back to my monthly coffee chat! This is where I share my life in a personal, unfiltered way that you don’t get on my primary recipe site Well Plated, or even on Instagram. No ads, no algorithms, no AI. It’s just me, your friend Erin. Let’s catch up!
Recent Whereabouts
Bordeaux and Paris, France
I spent 10 days solo, taking immersive French courses in Bordeaux, France, then ended with a whirlwind weekend in Paris.
It’s the longest trip I’ve ever taken by myself by a long shot, and I did it in a foreign country, where I don’t speak the language fluently. I had a BLAST! And I learned a lot.
I shared about my trip in a lot of detail in this post. I won’t rehash it here, but it’s worth a read, for the inspiring comments if nothing else!
Park City, UT
Starting next week, I’m essentially traveling nonstop until the end of June for a mix of work trips, family visits, someone’s 40th birthday (me, it’s mine, eek!), and an annual girls trip.
It’s going to be definitely fun and probably exhausting.
So, before I launch into the chaos, I’m doing my best to make the most of the brief downtime at home:
Baking the world’s best banana bread and topping it with a generous smear of Kerrygold butter (worth it) and a big pinch of flaky salt.
Cleaning and waterproofing my shoes. I swear by THIS magical cleaner for white sneakers and this for keeping my suede boots looking their best (I waterproof 2x per year).
Dinner and a movie. I can’t remember the last time Ben and I went to the cinema for a blockbuster movie night. We had a Mexican feast, then saw Project Hail Mary. The cinematography is fantastic, and Ryan Gosling is my boyfriend excellent. Of course the book is better, but I think they did a super nice job.
Finding the perfect oversized white button down. I think I tried on 8 or 9 different styles and finally landed on THE ONE. It’s oversized without drowining, and the arms are fitted enough to feel feminine. It has a pretty back pleat and pointy collar. Love!
Taking advantage of local events, like the Range Rover House, a wild multi-day event in which you can shop for a six-figure car, drink cocktails, and get an IV under one roof. WILD. (No six-figure car was, or will be, purchased.)
Ordering my cappuccinos with whole milk. Really, there should be no other way.
Things I Tried and Liked
Pizza Dough Flavoring. Exceeded expectations! It made my favorite easy homemade pizza dough taste like a true pizza parlour crust.
Root Touch Up Kit. Haircuts and color in Utah are so expensive. Rather than shell out $300 every eight weeks (my grays really bug me), I finally took the plunge and colored my own roots. An experienced friend referred me to this brand. I couldn’t believe how fast and easy it was! Zero mess. I used shade 5N.
Strawberry Sleep Gummies (EARLY ACCESS!). My favorite brand just came out with a new strawberry flavor (not to hate on grape, but this is an upgrade). They don’t launch until Monday, but you can shop early with this link, plus get 15% off with WELLPLATED.
Unexpectedly Awesome Blush. I’ve switched over to cream blushes, because I find they give a much more natural color that makes it look like you’re glowing from within, vs. the color just sitting on top of your skin. Merit makes my fave (I use color Bespoke; it looks dark but is so pretty on). I apply it to this $5 brush, then use the brush to blend it into my skin.
An Elegant Insulated Coffee Mug. After one too many spills, I now only drink my coffee out of a cup with a lid (per my husband’s request). My gripe with other insulated mugs is that 1) I felt the coffee cooled too quickly, and 2) I didn’t like how wide and bulky most are (it’s the little things!). This one is more tall and thin, vs. wide, so it’s nice to hold and it keeps the coffee HOT. Plus, the see through lid for some reason makes the experience of sipping coffee better. 20% off with code SHOPMY20.
Chic Black Booties You Can Walk for Miles In (Literally, I did it). I purchased these Aerosoles before my trip to France, and I was so impressed! I walked for two to three miles in them at a time without achy feet the next day. The heel isn’t too high, and they’re actually supportive.
Cutest, Most Comfortable Sweater Set. The perfect transitional weight for spring, and it’s ridiculously comfortable. I am already questioning if I need a second colorway.
An Everyday Diamond Necklace. Quince has done it again with a high-quality piece at an excellent price. I haven’t taken this dainty necklace off since I got it (literally, I sleep and shower in it).
New LED Redlight Mask on the Market. Of everything I do for my skin, a red light mask makes the most consistent impact. I’m a huge fan of PMD’s products. I have the microderm skin pen (makes my skin so soft) and face-slimming band (it works). They came out with an LED mask that’s a lower price point than others. I haven’t tried it but if it’s anything like their other products, it’s good. 25% off with WELLPLATED. (This is the mask I have, also great! 10% off with WELLPLATED.)
Confessional
I turn 40 in a month and am trying very hard to remain calm, which basically means thinking about it as little as possible.
I love my life. I am proud of the business I’ve built and the relationships I’ve nurtured. Say what you will about Millennials, but I do think we’re rewriting what 40 looks like. (Interesting article on that idea here.)
I don’t *think* I’m going to have a midlife crisis, because 1) I can’t wrap my head around being at the midpoint of my life, and 2) I still have so many things I want to do and see.
But yesterday, I got my second spontaneous cartilage piercing in the same month (sorry, Mom!). Could I be subconsciously freaking out? Time will tell.
A Few Weekend Sales + Discount Codes
Amazon Big Spring Sale. I think a lot of Amazon’s “sales” are a sham, but there are a few real deals to be had, like this viral chopper, which saves me so much time when I’m making soups. I also stock up on basics like aluminum foil and garbage disposal, dishwasher, and washing machine cleaner. You can see all of my picks here.
Splendid: 30% Off Site Wide + an extra $15 off 150. Score deals on the most comfy cashmere joggers and super cute spring dresses. (Use codes FAMLOVE + SPECIAL15).
Bonus Serum. I’ve mentioned this ridiculously hydrating and lightweight moisturizer before (truly love). I’m mentioning it again because, through the weekend, you can get a bonus serum with any purchase from Calecium’s website. 15% off with WELLPLATED15.
Easy, Natural-Looking Self Tanner. This is a dream to apply and looks very subtle. 10% off with WELLPLATED.
In Case You Missed It
10 Commandments of a Dinner Party Recipe
A byproduct of posting your life on the internet is people feel like they can ask you anything, however personal.Well, Actually...from Erin Clarke of Well Plated is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Lasagna Bagels & My Favorite Solo Dinners
The years when Ben worked 80 hours a week at a law firm, a core part of what makes me feel most alive—sitting down to dinner together—often went by the wayside.
Pizza Mac and Cheese
We ate a fair amount of boxed dinners growing up, and none was more beloved than mac and cheese. My mom didn’t splurge for name brands often, but if I batted my eyes just right at the grocery store, she’d buy my sisters and my holy grail of fancy dinners:
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Honestly, the forties are GREAT! Fifties too!
Not me, surreptitiously checking flights to Paris...