A Week of Heat, No Reads, and a Lot of Substack Love
My Weekly R.E.P.O.R.T. — Life Lately from 7/14 to 7/18
Reading
Unfortunately, I haven’t been reading anything lately. Last week, I DNF’ed my first book ever (still wild to me), and since then, I haven’t picked up anything new. This weekend, I aim to finally dive into a new read—specifically, a summer romance perfect for poolside or tanning moments. I’ll be at my lake house all weekend, so the vibe calls for something light, romantic, and easy to get lost in under the sun.
Eating
My boyfriend took me to Rezdôra for our six-month anniversary on Monday night. Tucked beneath a brick-lined building, this spot is all about fresh, handmade pasta and fine Italian flavors. The moment you step inside, it feels like classic New York-meets-Italy. For a Monday in the middle of July, it was buzzing—every single table packed, the sounds of clinking wine glasses, servers gliding through the room in sync, and that lively hum of happy diners.
I loved the ambiance: sitting across from my boyfriend, sipping wine, deep in conversation and laughter. But the food? I didn’t love it—and that’s okay! No shade to Rezdôra at all, it just wasn’t quite my thing.
Playing
Lately, I’ve been obsessed with Pagode, a genre of Brazilian music. I might’ve mentioned it in a recent post, but here’s the real story: while I’ve known about Pagode forever, I only truly started listening to it this month. It began over Fourth of July weekend when my boyfriend played it while we made Brazilian barbecue up at my lake house—and it’s been on repeat ever since.
I’ve also been vibing to my “Lowkey” playlist—a mix of chill, soulful tracks that lean R&B but branch into a few other genres too. It’s the kind of music you play while winding down, journaling, or just existing softly.
Obsessing
Substack. I’ve been so obsessed. This platform has reignited a creative spark I didn’t realize I’d been missing. I’m writing more, connecting with (and being inspired by) other writers, discovering incredible pieces—it’s been such a fulfilling return to my writing roots. I know I’m just getting started, but it already feels so good.
So, to everyone who reads, comments, or even just pops by: thank you. The support and connection truly mean the world to me.
Recommending
Promoting yourself is hard. Lately, I’ve been trying to recommend—or gently suggest—my Substack to people I meet or know. Telling them to check it out, maybe subscribe if it speaks to them. It’s not always easy to put yourself out there, but I’m trying to push past the awkwardness and own what I’m building.
Treating
It’s hot. Like, New York City in July hot. The kind of heat where everything smells weird, tempers are short, and every subway platform feels like a punishment. So, I’ve been treating myself to ice cream because… why not? A little ice cream never hurt anyone. My recent favorite is The Upside on Spring Street in SoHo. It’s pricey, but worth the occasional splurge—especially when the city feels like it’s melting.
That’s my week! If you’ve read this far, I appreciate you. Tell me what you’re reading or listening to lately—I’m always looking for recs.
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Until next time,
Luiza