002. Forever Obsessed | OCT 2024
the winter arc is clocked in...
Welcome to my monthly magazine-esque entry of Forever Obsessed. A collection of thoughts, reviews, trends, and obsessions that took over my month.
October has been my favorite month for as long as I can remember. The seasons are changing, things become more colorful and cozy, and the festivities are about to roll in. Many of my favorite people around me are Libras, so when October kicks off, it’s always a very social month for me. This month was filled with a bunch of adventures, ripping, and running.
My Winter Arc..
October was all about wellness and tapping back in…making my winter arc in full effect. I kicked off the month at a new spa that opened in the suburbs of Dallas, and it was that girl. A lot of things open up around the city, and it’s hyped, but World Springs Spa really deserved all its 10s. I know that the trend right now is having a “winter arc,” and I’m fully immersing myself in this. First off, I love a wellness challenge because I feel like it’s an easy way to be better and also have fun. With my 30th only 61 days away, my winter arc is about nutrition and being active.
Winter Arc:
Stairmaster 4 times a week
Strength training 4 times a week
1 pilates class a week
10k steps a day
Going to bed early
Low carb, high protein diet
I can honestly say I’ve been following this routine loosely, but it’s time to ramp it up and kick it into high gear because a bitch means big business. If you would like an accountability partner, I am here for you. Let’s do it because I refuse to let the holidays catch up with me like they do every year. Can I get an amen?
My consumerism got the best of me…
Because I’m chronically online, I have to admit that I always have a link or screenshot of a product I’ve convinced myself I need. This month, it was Sephora—it’s always Sephora. The new products that I’ve purchased this month literally have me in a chokehold. One thing that I stand on is if the product isn’t living up to the hype, I will take it back. I had no takebacks. The best products I tried were the Haus Labs foundation, the One Size primer, and the One Size setting spray with the Charlotte Tilbury combo. Now, Tiktok lies about many things, but it didn’t lie about that. These products are my latest obsession; the makeup has been eating.
As a bubbly mamí, I grabbed a couple of new black women-owned bottles from the shelves. Tabitha Brown’s wines surprised me because who knew she even drank wine and came out with her line?! I think I missed that announcement. The red was a bottle I would add to the cart again and bring it over to wow my friends. I’m no sommelier, nor have my taste buds matured to have a favorite red wine, but it was great, in my opinion. Issa Rae also dropped a new rosé. I am a Viarae stan, and I can not wait to be an official ambassador (manifesting). I love the original prosecco because I’m that type of girl, but if you’re more into rosé, it’s worth the try.
See more of my obsessions here. (I’ll be updating this continuously)
Rediscovering my love
Earlier this month, I was walking in my community and stumbled on my local newspaper, which reignited a flame inside me. It was a newspaper filled with many events and information about what was happening in my neighborhood. When I tell you it was something about holding paper and reading, it gave me so much comfort. It gave me a throwback feeling of being a newspaper editor in college. I don’t know how to describe the feeling, but it made me feel alive…kind of like it when I write here. It's crazy how something so simple triggers your passions. Talking to my therapist about this made me realize this is my passion. I truly feel like my life is a huge passion project, and I’m meant to frolic, write, and just share my adventures with the world. My goal is to write a book. One day. November, my goal is to recommit myself to my projects.
The Substance
Last month, I said the movies were getting good, and baby…The Substance was like the cherry on top. It was sci-fi horror that turned very dark very quickly. The movie's premise is about a woman who works in the media industry who is 50 and is set to be replaced by someone younger. That’s until she learns about The Substance, which is a younger and more enhanced version of herself. The film turns very gory and bizarre but feels like a cautionary tale. Without giving away too much of the movie, it touches on the inner monster we all have when wanting to be perfect. It also sheds light on ageism and especially all the ebbs and flows women have to deal with from outside influences. The pressure to be perfect…the pressure to look good. One thing that I noticed was that no matter the age, the type of woman, the class of the woman, and all of the other things…we all deal with these unrealistic beauty standards, and sometimes it feels like it gets harder every year. If you haven’t seen this movie, I recommend it.
Homecoming Mourning
For some reason, I wasn’t excited for homecoming. It was something in the air. But of course, before I knew it, I logged out of my 9-5 and headed down 45 to my HBCU. 36 hours before that, I was sure that I wasn’t even interested until one of my best friends said, “You never regret homecoming. You only regret not going,” and I said this girl is right. I love homecoming, but the downside is that nobody talks about the high you’re on for a weekend, and it quickly ends. I frequently deal with mourning my undergrad life, which is why homecoming is so special. For the next 48 hours, you get to be that young and free again; you’re near your best friends, you’re back at a place you called home, and nothing else matters in that moment. It’s so bittersweet because I’m always yearning for those moments to be with my friends again, but it doesn't last long. We’re all grown and have shit to do. It’s one of the things I hate about being an adult.
On Repeat…
Summer Walker is bringing back real R&B, as she always does. When Heart of a Woman came out, it stayed on repeat. With no shame I will admit that when I drove back home on my three-and-a-half-hour drive, I listened to it for two hours straight. One thing about Summer is that her music always hits, and the lyrics are always relatable. On top of everything else, the music video that featured Love Island winners Serena and Kordell put the cherry on top!
Megan Thee Stallion also dropped Megan Act II, which is so much better than the first act. Anytime Megan incorporates her Texas roots into a song, it’s instantly a hit. I may be biased, but ‘Bigger In Texas’ is an MF hit, and I’m obsessed.
An album that surprised me was GloRilla’s Glorious. She really covered the range of twerking at red lights to expressing self-worth for women. I was so happy to hear her rap about telling women to stop having these dudes’ babies for no reason. She took us from the church to the streets and I was completely surprised about how much substance it had.
Be Obsessed.
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Here’s what you can catch up on from me this month…
I celebrated one year in my apartment, which was huge for me.
Since last month, I shared that I tried Facebook dating; I would like to update you that I also hopped off there. I experienced something that pissed me off, and any little thing makes me hop off a dating app. I also tried a new video style where I just talk, leave a comment, and tell me your thoughts.
Journaling is my love language, and I plan on talking about it more, so from now on, I'm incorporating prompts for you! Answer it in the comments, and let’s chat, or let me know if you will journal about it privately. :)
Journal Prompts:
How can you show yourself more love this month?
Write about a dream you’ve had for your future self.
What does a perfect first date look like for you?
Leave a comment if you liked something in this monthly post!
mwah 💋,
— India Monee’
the winter arc playlist is definitely giving “IM STANDING ON BUSINESS”