got a sec to chat?
This is what stems from my love of giving product recommendations, telling you where my outfit is from or helping you find an outfit for a special occasion, over sharing, and chit chatting any chance I get. I figured why not start scoop by soph, a little weekly note that embodies a text from me on what I’m loving, cooking, wearing, who I’m dating, etc. etc. are you ready? read below ;)
volume 5
it’s the mid jan report! 1/15
storytime scoop
Happy New Year and scoop volume 5! We’re about two weeks into 2024 and we have a lot to chat about. I have a great feeling about this year, and it may be because I have this creative outlet or because I’m entering the year fully confident with the people surrounding me. I’ve had recent moments that may have been anxiety triggers a year ago, but my motto for the year is to let go and trust in the timing of things.
This one’s a full scoop ahead!
Here are a few personal 24 picks that I’m bringing into the new year:
What’s moved me recently: My mom showed me this influencer Hattie’s NYE post. Hattie wrote about going through a breakup and how she felt like the universe would send her love in the most unexpected way (that’s how I feel). She found love through her task rabbit who happened to be a resort chain heir. I’m such a believer in signs, invisible string theory, and the magic of the universe and this gave me chills.
Dry: I have been dabbling in the sleepy girl mocktail lately and have sipped on this every night since I’ve been back in LA. I mix 1/3 of my cup tart cherry juice, 1/3 cherry lime poppi or strawberry lemon poppi, 1/3 pelligrino, 1 tsp of Moon Juice magnesi-om + lots of ice! Sometimes I psyche myself out and get anxious about not being able to sleep or I have racing thoughts - this has been able to calm me down.
Wet: January became wet as of this past weekend and I ordered Spicy Margaritas. A classic what can I say.
Night In Takeout: Indian for comfort or goop kitchen healthy comfort - ideally something so yummy that you cannot make it at home.
Workout Class: studio mdr, found these ruffle Pilates socks in my stocking!
Pilates Princess set: I’ve gone back to Lululemon after maybe a 5+ year hiatus and my aunt gifted me a chocolate set for Christmas. Lululemon is cool again!
Shoes: I’ve been wearing fake Birkenstocks constantly from Amazon (sue me!) and they’re great.
January outfits: besides my Anine Bing sweatshirt, I’m into thrifting luxury and quality pieces. I am taking a few vintage cashmere pieces from my mom in the 00s, my sister gave me a Ralph Lauren sweater for Christmas, and I found a suede jacket from Haight Ashbury that I’ve been manifesting to prevent me from buying the $300 Sezane suede jacket.
Skincare: Acids! Currently using Herbivore’s Milky Way to exfoliate my skin and glow during winter.
Nails: OPI bubble bath for a reset - quick lore about me is that my nails are my own (no tips!). I keep them strong with collagen.
Makeup: I want my going-out makeup to look like I am walking the VS fashion show:
Eyeshadow: Hoola bronzer, Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Quad
Blush: Nars liquid orgasm and Dior Backstage Rosy Glow Blush are viral for a reason - these two are my go-to for date makeup, weddings, and photos.
Complexion: Tula skin tint is an underrated gem for everyday.
Lip: a revolving door really - but I’m liking a baby pink glossy lip lately Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk liner + tarte maracuja in cherry blossom are the picks of the week.
Hair: a good gel for slick back, I just use this Tresemme one. I’ve been using Olaplex No 9 Bond Protecting Serum as a leave-in and pre-blowout heat protectant.
Comfort restaurant in LA: Wurstkuche, gossip + sausages + truffle fries will never get old for me.
Comfort small town: Burlingame, CA getting deeper the il Fornaio or Alana’s cafe here
Comfort restaurant in SF: Balboa Cafe - the obvious choice for me.
On TV: finish Gilmore girls - I’m mid-way through Season 6
TV Crush: I’m a Logan girl when it comes to Gilmore Girls - does that track? Conrad from The Summer I Turned Pretty makes me blush, Prince Eric in the live-action Little Mermaid does too (I watched this movie in theaters twice because of him) I think my last crush was simply because he resembled him.
Movie: Just watched Anyone But You - I love a Rom Com based on a Shakespeare novel. English was my best subject causing me to major in English during college. I love a good Shakespeare story.
On my nightstand: 5-minute journal (I cheat a bit and do the entire page every night - I scribble all over the page my thoughts!), Zyrtec, Osea Vagus Nerve Pillow Spray, Malin+Goetz mojito lip balm
Advice I stand by: Something that’s meant to be shouldn’t be forced. If it’s meant to be, it will come back to me.
the scoop on what i’m loving
My 24 picks are filled above are with what I’ve been loving, so I’m dedicating this section to highlight a San Francisco scoop after two weeks in my hometown and lots of back and forth. San Francisco gets such bad PR, but if you know the spots and pop into the neighborhoods, you’ll see how fun it is as a local.
Arsicault: I’m pretty sure that this croissant is the #1 in the country and found in my hometown. I regularly come in at odd hours to avoid the line and I make sure to take a few croissants back to LA to last throughout the week.
Cheese Plus: My favorite specialty market in San Francisco on Polk Street. All of their cheeses have the best descriptions on them - their copywriter isn’t playing around. I love this spot for picking up all accouterments (Pimento Cheese, Chili Crisp), natural wine, or one of their sandwiches from the deli window.
Isalis: there’s a rumor going around that my mom is the owner of Isalis. She’s not and we love the current owners. My family is very local to this store and my sister works there during her breaks from school. This is my favorite spot in SF to shop instead of ordering online, my favorite pieces are from their own line because it is on trend, great quality, and prices are under $100.
Balboa Cafe: When I’m meeting a friend for drinks or taking an occasional San Francisco date, Balboa is always the spot. I’m a dedicated Balbs fan and own two pieces of their merchandise. Bestie Emily and I are always here when I’m up in the city, our signature order is the chimichurri fries, two dirty martinis, and the sundae. Balboa is also open very late (2 am) and if I’m here on a night out, I love getting their signature Espresso martini and sitting out in the tini garden.
the scoop on what i’m cooking
Romanticizing Breakfast -My ingredient of the month has been ricotta. I love whisking ricotta into my eggs pre-scramble and adding it on scrambled eggs post-scramble, along with a dollop of caviar + chives for the best breakfast when staying in. See above for the breakfast I made on January 1st.
I will be the first to say that I am a much better cook vs. baker, but the one thing that I can bake well is an Olive Oil cake. I make this only 2-3 times a year and it’s such a hit around the house. My key here is really good olive oil. I have only used NYT’s recipe.
Cooking Lore - A lot of you wonder how I learned how to cook, and I can say that for two summers and after school, I went to a few cooking class sessions between 2005-2008. Maybe I was a chef in a past life, but it’s something that I really love. My mom kept one of my old recipe books from camp - I’ve included this above.
the scoop on who I'm dating
Keeping my dating life mysterious is something I’m keeping for 2024 compared to last year when I literally went on a podcast and went into a deep dive. However, this category will continue to remain fun. IOne of my top celebrity crushes happens to be a Venice boy, and I keep seeing him when I’m out (recent sighting was last Friday). This year I need to find a way to weasel my way into his contacts.
A year ago, I was unfortunately dumped on this day - MLK Day. The funny story is that I opened Hinge recently, and the first person that came up was the boy who fully wrecked me a year ago. Not to be dramatic, but I needed to get a grip in January 2023. I was too lost in the fantasy that I built from us having so much in common that I became so anxiously attached I didn’t recognize myself. Now I’m glad that I can finally look at his photo with a different lens - he’s just a boy who didn’t live up to what I made him up to be in my head and this is one of my favorite ways to recognize my personal growth. After all, I have him to thank for shaking up my world a bit last year. I ended up finding a hobby of hot yoga and then Pilates to help with my mental health, I prioritized my overall health, and I decentered boys making dating so much better after him. He did end up getting the dog that he was hoping to get last year and I am happy for him- we can only wish him the best!
THE SCOOP ON WHAT I’M GRATEFUL FOR
I am grateful for my life here in LA. I’ve lived here for over ten years now (!!) and am thankful to be living in a place that I wanted to live in ever since I was a little girl. In 2003, I marched down Beverly Hills playing the part that I was an LA local - wearing a head-to-toe Gap Kids set (baby blue track pants with a matching rhinestoned baby blue halter + matching headband). See above (look how happy I look)! LA is a tough city to live in mentally, but I am thankful that this is the place that is shaping my twenties. My story here continues!
Always thankful for your eyes - catch you in a few weeks!
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All photos are my own.