Picket lines, CatCon 😻, & an affordable beauty haul [Like You Know Whatever]

Hi friends!

How are you doing? I’m hanging in there. The temperatures have cooled a little bit in L.A. this week, to a high of mid-80s, so I’ve been going on more of my stupid little health walks. It was just so damn hot that I had to put them on pause for a while. My neighbor who always sits on his porch and smokes weed while his dog barks at me even noticed. We always say good morning to each other. A few weeks back, I was on my way to grab coffee with a friend and he said, “No walking today?” (I was wearing a dress instead of my usual bike shorts and fanny pack.) I said it’s too hot!! (I know, what a riveting story of urban life.)

Funemployment is weird. This is the third bout of no-job-ness I’ve had since moving to Los Angeles (the first upon moving here with no job and the second upon being laid off from CollegeHumor), and it’s funny how each round feels unique. I have many, often contradictory feelings about it that I am working through. Relief at not having to go into an office anymore. Gratitude for the free time to write and create. Worry and stress over money and the future. Guilt over taking any of this time to enjoy myself.

I don’t think I fully realized how burnt out I’ve been until I was forced to just… stop. It’s hard for me not to fill all my new free time with projects. In theory, I know it’s so important to take time to just catch up on sleep and reset a few times a year, although most Americans do not have the paid time off benefits that allow for it.

There is this toxic idea I’m working on getting out of my brain that because I’m unemployed, I should somehow be twice as productive as I normally am, be Superwoman, writing and applying to jobs for eight hours a day straight and taking no time to stop and smell the flowers or, god forbid, enjoy my free time or rest. I should be a super housewife, too, cleaning and running errands all day and baking fresh bread, even though we hire a monthly cleaning service and I’ve never made bread before in my life. You see, my self-worth has to be tied to “productivity,” because it can’t be tied to money or a job. Capitalism, man, it’s a wild ride!!

The thing is, I have been productive, at least writing-wise. I don’t know why or how, but this year has been great for my writing. I wouldn’t say I have a routine or anything, but I do some writing or writing-related business (research, pitching, etc.) almost every day. I feel very happy about that. I was always a person who wrote in random streaks, and then would go months without creating anything (except for these newsletters). Of course, this streak, too, may end eventually, and I’ll have to be okay with that, but for now, I’ve been busy.

Here’s what all I’ve been up to:

• Querying agents regarding representation for Vanity High, my YA novel about a diverse group of teenagers fighting to be prom queen (this does not go against WGA strike rules, FYI, please don’t put an inflatable rat outside my apartment)

• Drafting essays for my memoir Painfully Employed, a humorous journey through my many weird day jobs

• Receiving notes and feedback on Reunion, my comedy screenplay about a 10-year college reunion

• Writing a proposal and curriculum for a workshop called “Starting an Email Newsletter for Writers”

• Doing research and writing an outline for [redacted], my unauthorized jukebox musical based on a ‘90s rock album

• Writing this email newsletter three times a month @ 2500+ words

Wow, now that I wrote that all out, that’s kind of a lot, isn’t it?

I went to a WGA picket outside of Paramount Studios last week with a writer friend of mine. It was the first time I’ve been able to go, since they picket during normal business hours and I’ve always been working before. It felt nice to be part of a collective action. SAG-AFTRA is there, now, too, and my friend swears she saw Gillian Jacobs. We picked up picket signs (mine said “Don’t pee on my leg and tell me it’s streaming;” I liked the Judge Judy reference) and walked all the way around Paramount, which is very big, as it turns out! Years ago, I went on a studio tour there with my parents and got to see highlights like the bench from Forrest Gump and a “street” on the lot named after Michael Bay (he obviously made them a ton of money). Honestly, it didn’t feel unlike touring a college campus. The biggest highlight was getting to see the Grace & Frankie set, which was a full-ass beach house that they built inside a studio, super cool. Anyway, being there to picket was obviously a different vibe.

I hope it makes a difference. I hope the studios come to their senses. In many ways, this strike feels like a last stand for writers and actors before AI takes over completely. I keep seeing job listings for writers and editors to “train” AI to write better. I can’t imagine how desperate you would have to be in order to take a job training your replacement like that. I think AI can be a fun tool, but it’s hard to imagine it writing anything with grit or substance or true humanity. Also, like, I’m going to keep writing anyway, so fuck you. I don’t write because the world has a need for “content,” I write because I can’t not. I know a lot of other writers are the same.

Alright, enough of that, let’s get into some things:

- I wanted to follow up on the poll from my last newsletter about which premium content you all would like to see in the future! Here are the results:

The people have spoken! Early next week, I will be emailing paid subscribers ONLY to share the following goodies:

• A script outline template

• A script bible template

• The completed outline for my script Dangerous Admissions, a “Lifetime movie” about the college admissions scandal featuring Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin (I thought it would be nice to have a completed sample)

• The completed draft of Dangerous Admissions!

PLUS, in addition to that, I will also be sending out this month’s special paid newsletter at the end of next week. If you want in, make sure to subscribe at any paid level!

Thanks a million to those of you who are already paid subscribers, you are truly my angels!

- Maui Rapid Response. Please, please donate to this mutual aid fund if you can to help the victims of the wildfires in Hawai’i. The photos of the damage are so devastating. Not that this is about me AT ALL, but I’ll share that Maui is one of the most beautiful places on Earth that I’ve ever been. My husband and I stayed in Lahaina for half of our honeymoon, and we didn’t want to leave, it was so stunning and everyone was so lovely. There were rainbows every day, it was magical. To see it all blackened and burnt to a crisp now makes me feel sick, honestly. Please consider a donation, mutual aid is usually the best way to get resources directly to the people.

- Now for an abrupt change of tone: let’s talk CatCon! A friend hooked me and my husband Ross up with two tickets to CatCon, the convention celebrating all things feline, and since we both love cats, duh, last Saturday, we drove out to Pasadena to see what it was all about. I have to be honest, I was expecting it to be kind of… well, dinky? I certainly did not expect that we would have to circle as long as we did looking for parking, and then wait in a line to get in that wrapped three-quarters of the way around the block! It was crazy! Everyone was wearing their finest cat gear, from cat ears to cat t-shirts to full-on cat cosplay. (I wore a green sundress and pink eyeshadow with cat-eye eyeliner, because it was too damn hot.) Once we were inside, it was so crowded, we could barely make our way around. They will definitely need a bigger venue next year.

The vendors were everyone from Litter Robots to cat toy makers to lots of cat-themed artists, and there was a whole kitten adoption center in the back that we didn’t even try to get into. The line was longer for that than it was to get into Tao when we were in Las Vegas! The one disappointment, however, was that we didn’t get to meet or even see a lot of cats. I mean, I get it, people were told not to bring their cats outside of a few presenters, and it takes a very special (borderline sedated) kind of cat who would thrive being in a convention center with hundreds of people. My friend has a very famous cat who hosted a meet and greet, so we got to chill with him afterwards a little bit, although he was still being mobbed by fans in a way that I personally have never seen before. That’s CatCon for you, baby!! We left with a catnip banana that got our cat, Zadie, incredibly stoned, and a non-intoxicating CatCon t-shirt for Ross. Overall, a success!

- Cooking. I decided to make pork chops this week, because I was thinking about it and I don’t recall ever making them before. I have had not-great pork chops before that were as hard and tough as a dog’s chew toy, but surely that comes down to the cook, no? They’re pretty inexpensive, and it’s the kind of dish that’s always on steakhouse menus as an alternative to steak, so maybe they’re really good?? I decided on this recipe, in which you pan-sear the chops and smother them in a balsamic and caramelized onion sauce. The thing is, the sauce actually sounded overly complicated to me, when caramelized onions are so beautiful and flavorful on their own. Also, it’s summer, and I’m lazy. I decided to just add a little balsamic vinegar to the onions and skip step 4 altogether.

They were delicious!! I don’t know about being “weeknight friendly,” as this recipe claims. I served them with a rosemary potato mash, sauteed baby spinach, and a kale salad, and by the time I was done making all of that, it felt like a much bigger project that it had appeared at the start. So, be forewarned. But pork chops in general? I will definitely be returning to them.

- This tank top from JCPenney, of all places, has been my Lord and savior this summer. Unfortunately, it only comes in sizes XS - XXL, but if you fit anywhere in that range, it is always on sale and extremely soft and comfy. I’m a pretty busty gal, and finding tank tops that are work appropriate (i.e., no cleavage) is very difficult, but these work for me! They also come in a bunch of different colors and several ugly prints (seriously, avoid the prints), are a decent length, and are not clingy. I think I have like six of them now. Okay, maybe more. I’ll never tell! I’m taking it to my grave!

- Happy Place by Emily Henry. I have been tearing through romance novels left, right, and center lately, and I finally got around to this, the newest one from Emily Henry. To be honest, I was kind of saving it, expecting it would be a good one. I have now read all of Emily Henry’s books: adored Beach Read, loved Book Lovers, didn’t care for People We Meet On Vacation, and then there’s this one. Y’all… it was just pain for me. It’s a second chance romance about a couple who’s broken up but pretending to still be together so they don’t fuck up the vibes on a vacation with their old college friend group. I was expecting a lot of flirting and teasing and will-they-or-won’t-they, but instead, it was mostly devastation and heartbreak. Maaaybe it hit a little close to home, because I also met my husband in college and consider our college friends found family in much the same way the characters in the book do? But I genuinely don’t think that’s why I disliked this. I think it was just a fucking bummer, man. Pining is one thing, but repeatedly stabbing a wounded heart is another. If you read the book, what did you think?

- Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge (HGTV, Max). Have you had enough of Barbie yet? No? Then check out this delightful home renovation show, where HGTV stars compete to transform a house in Encino or Van Nuys or somewhere in the ‘burbs into a literal life-size Barbie Dreamhouse. This isn’t like your typical HGTV show where the designs have to be practical and add resale value, there are some seriously whimsical and creative features on display here. (Except for the flamingos. Those will haunt my nightmares. You’ll see.) You can stream the first episode for free online here, and watch the rest on Max if you have a subscription.

- The Real Housewives of New York City, season 14 (Bravo, Peacock). I didn’t want to make a snap decision on this season or this all-new cast, because Housewives seasons almost always start off a little slow. But now we’re four episodes in, and I have to say, I am boreddd, y’all! Where is the drama? Where are the complicated frenemy dynamics? Where are the eccentric, solidly middle-aged women?! I don’t know. Jenna Lyons is definitely the most famous person on the cast, but she’s so normal, mature, and conflict-averse, she has no place here. Erin has potential, but she needs to be way more unhinged. Brynn is a spitfire, and literally the only one who even comes close to getting what this show is supposed to be, but she’s surrounded by snoozers, so her best efforts never amount to much drama. Jessel is whiny, Ubah seems more like a Real Housewives of Dubai cast member (glamorous and dull), and Sai has an interesting story, but is a “content creator.” And is there anything more boring than watching someone take a million photos for their Instagram? I live in L.A., so I can conclude: no, there is not. I will probably keep watching for now, hoping it gets better, but, as Jill Zarin’s mom would say, mother’s not happy!!

- Moira Cosmetics. This makeup and skincare indie brand is one of the most affordable, high quality brands I’ve tried all year, and for a small brand, they have an impressively large product range. Best of all, they are cruelty-free! I did a big haul during their Fourth of July sale and have been testing out the products since then. Here are some of my favorites:

• Starshow Shadow Pot ($7.50) – These cream-to-powder eyeshadow singles are soo sparkly and gorgeous!! They are glittery without being dangerous to your eyes or having fallout. They also have real lasting power and do NOT crease on me, even though I have hooded eyes. (I do recommend using an eyeshadow primer–I personally love the one from Too Faced.) I like blending a matte transition shade into my crease and then tapping one of these onto my lid with my finger for an easy but polished look.

• Lucent Cream Shadow ($7.50) – I only grabbed one of these cream shadows, in “Aurora,” a neon chartreuse, and it is so gorgeous. It is sparklier than I expected it to be, but also a little less opaque than I expected, which is kind of nice? It seems very buildable. I def might pick up a few more in the future.

• Diamond Daze Liquid Shadow ($8.50) – I wore this liquid shadow in “Regal,” a fuchsia to peach duochrome with blue sparkles, to the Barbie movie, and it was SO pretty, if I do say so myself! I had the best results applying it directly to my lid with the applicator and then lightly blending out the edges with a small brush. And again, no creasing!

• Sun Glow Face & Body Highlighter ($14) – Okay, first of all, this highlighter is HUGE, like the size of my hand, so it is really ideal for use on the body as well. It is also very sparkly, and best of all, it smells like coconut!! To be honest, it’s a little much for daily use for me, but on days when I want to sparkle in the sun like a Twilight vampire, hell yeah, this is where it’s at.

• Loveheat Cream Blush ($8.50) – People have said these cream blushes are dupes for the Tower 28 ones, which I personally haven’t tried, but those are $20 each, so I thought I’d try these first. Wowee, are these pigmented!! I highly recommend using a sponge to blend this product out. For a cream product, these are very long-lasting, even in the summer heat, and they come in a really lovely range of colors, from more neutral shades to some very bold ones.

• Precision Brow Pencil ($6) – All I have to say is: fucking finally. My natural hair color is a dark brown that’s almost black but not quite, and it has been a long, long journey to find an eyebrow pencil that actually matches my brows. Even the dark brown shades are almost always too light for me… until I tried this Moira pencil in “Espresso.” Angels sang, rainbows streaked across the sky, families with loud young children were seated far away from couples having date nights. Okay, well, maybe that last part is just a personal fantasy of mine, but: this eyebrow pencil is perfect. That’s all.

• Aloe Vera Boost Toner Mist ($9) – Biiiitch, you know I love a facial mist! After I burned the shit out of myself at the beach, this aloe vera spritz became my best friend. I really think it helped, and even if it didn’t, it still feels and smells great (like cucumber). I am definitely interested in trying some of their other mists, like maybe the blueberry one with witch hazel in it? Oooh.

Alright friends, that’s about it for now!

Don’t forget to like, comment, and share this newsletter if you’d like–you can use the buttons at the bottom or the top. You can also upgrade to a paid subscription if you want more content–there’s a special button for you at the bottom of this email!

Until next time—stop trying to be Superwoman.

Love,LizXOXO