Gorgeous Dopamine Boosts No. 02

The five things that got me through April

Welcome back to Gorgeous Dopamine Boosts, a recurring series where we discuss objects and products that make life worth living. Last week we talked about how I’ve been getting my fix at the thrift store and this week we are talking about the aesthetic antidepressants i’ve been clinging to all month.

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April was...complex. Mentally, I've kept it together, but only by creating a bubble around myself. Kris Jenner works hard, but my PTSD works harder—so I'm treating myself with kid gloves, carefully choosing who and what gets into my space right now.

I've cut out probably 90% of my media consumption, news, socials, really anything that spikes my cortisol. In this protective state, I'd happily never see any of it again. But media consumption is such a deep part of who I am, so complete avoidance was never going to work. I’m happy to say I’ve finally moved from mourning to discovering and revisiting forms of media and other activities that are actually beneficial to me.

Before sharing the good stuff, I should say that Substack and all of you deserve a spot on this list too. Thank you for being here. It means more than you know.

And now...

April's Gorgeous Dopamine Boosts:

1. Vintage Architectural Digests

I've always been a magazine girl, from Highlights and American Girl to Nylon and Artforum. Magazines once covered my walls and, at one point, were a legitimate line item in my (very tiny) budget. In recent years I've drifted away as my media consumption moved exclusively online. But, we're back, baby!

I’m currently working my way through four Architectural Digests from 1979 (1988 is next) and savoring every moment. They truly don’t make things like they used to. The nostalgia feels comforting, certain, and safe. And honestly, when the future feels uncertain, looking to the past makes sense as everything is cyclical. I've probably just never had the time and space to really lean into that before? But I’ve got nothing but time right now so lean in we shall.

Here are a few important images I need you to see:

Cher’s Malibu Bedroom

Cher’s Malibu Dining Room

Candice Bergen’s Manhattan Living Room

If you too want to reject reality (and honestly, who doesn't?), I highly recommend purchasing from this seller I can vouch for on eBay, though I'm sure there are many great ones.

2. Ambiance TV

This is not a new obsession but it continues to become more pronounced.

Are you alone with your thoughts all the time? Are you neurospicy and need an elite background vibe to get anything done? Do you need some peace in your home? Let me talk to you about ambiance TV on YouTube. It's a lifestyle.

I'm not ashamed to say that throughout my day I curate my visual and sound experience on my TV based on my mood, time of day, weather, etc. Let me walk you through an example day:

Morning: Relaxing jazz at the sunny lakeside cafe
Afternoon: Bossa nova and crashing waves in Positano
Night: Ambient nordic living room under the northern lights with fireplace ASMR

Are you getting it now? It takes anything you're doing and elevates it—and that is all I care about. Because otherwise the nervous system is not happy. And if the nervous system isn't happy, no one is happy.

Try it.

3. Adding color to my apartment

Not revolutionary but I'm really embracing spring this year and it's been good for my attitude. I’ve added a few colorful accents to my apartment that are really helping things feel light and renewed.

For the past five years, I've only wanted neutrals in my apartment so embracing color has been a nice change. This target tablecloth is adorable and only $20. It brings so much life to my kitchen area and ties in another colorful project that I'm sharing this weekend (stay tuned!!). My balcony floor is normally chipped painted grey concrete so, as you can imagine, anything is an improvement but I've never had anything this colorful out here! Love.

4. Butter Yellow

Speaking of color!

Two weeks ago we talked about tomato’s influence on culture and here again we see the simplest of foods, butter, elevated to high fashion. Personally, I love this creamy, warm color and it looks great on me, so I'm in.

Loved for its inherent positivity, we started seeing the color pop up on runways in 2022 and now butter yellow is the KitchenAid color of the year. But let’s be real, the reference point that lives rent-free in everyone’s mind? Andie Anderson’s backless yellow dress in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.

If you’re looking for a buttery moment, I love this cozy transitional sweater, this bag that I can only dream about, and this adorable spring wedding guest dress.

5. Caramel-Colored Nails

To close the loop on the food aesthetics conversation, my newest obsession is carmel nails. Most certainly meant to be a fall color, you can get this look with korean jelly polish. The rich yet light amber color is a fun transition to lighter spring tones and will be a go to in September. This is the closest color match I could find to what I got.

Honorable Mention:

Tiny Taper Candles

I’ve discovered these tiny taper candles that are basically like really long birthday candles or prayer candles. They burn for 75 minutes and make the chicest timer! Perfect for focused work, cleaning, etc. This pack comes with a holder and you can get other holders here. They are adorable, don’t drip or make a mess, and create lovely contrast when mixed in with my other candles.

Thanks for joining me on our first month of dopamine hunting. Hope something here sparked joy for you too. Until next time, I’ll keep the light on.