Cozy Fantasy and Summer Sandals

It's only Tuesday but it has already been a long week. Winter decided to make a last stand so instead of accepting reality and dressing warmly I'm daydreaming about sandals and beaches. On the bright side, the show that I've been watching is definitely the kind of cozy show that feels like it belongs in winter so at least that doesn't feel out of place.

in this issue:

🧝‍♀️ Frieren

🩴 Waraji Sandals

🗺️ Maurice Moves

🧝‍♀️ Frieren: Beyond Journey's End

I have been having my own little anime renaissance this year. I was one of those Toonami kids who would watch Dragon Ball Z, YuYu Hakusho, and all of the other amazing shows Cartoon Network introduced me to, but after high school I fell off pretty hard. I'll still play a Ghibli film here and there but that's about it. I decided to subscribe to Crunchyroll a few months ago and have been slowly working my way through a catalog of "must-see TV" like Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen. But one anime that took me completely by surprise is Frieren.

I was not expecting to love this show as much as I do. I'm only a few episodes into the first season but the characters, the art, the writing, and just the general vibe is something I can't stop thinking about. Like a good book, it's a feeling that I take with me throughout the day even after I'm done watching it. I'm sure there is more to the plot that I haven't got to yet, but as far as I can tell this show is about an elf mage dealing with being immortal. It's already dealt with grief in such a nuanced way, and I'm only a few episodes in. The best way I can describe it is cozy gaming meets fantasy in anime form and I can't recommend Frieren enough.

🩴 Waraji Sandals

For the last few years, it really seems like big chunky sandals are having a moment. And for the record, I'm 100% a Birkenstock boi. I have two pairs that I wish I could wear year-round. But sometimes it's fun to zig when everyone is zagging. So for the last two or three summers, I've been on the lookout for a slim pair of sandals that I could wear. I want a pair of sandals that are not exactly flip-flops and not exactly gladiator sandals, but not NOT either of those things either. And I think I finally found them (kind of).

The Waraji sandal by Tokyo Sandals is exactly what I've been looking for. These have a sporty bottom for walking around, but you can secure them to your foot with the leather ropes (straps?). My favorite feature is a large padded piece of leather that hugs the back of your ankle. This is key because if it were just the rope, I feel like it would be uncomfortable and tear up the back of your foot. The problem is these are sold out everywhere and even if they weren't, they're super expensive. But at least now I know exactly what to look for in a sandal this summer. So I'm on the lookout for anything that resembles these, preferably for a fraction of the price.

🗺️ Maurice Moves

Maurice Moves is quickly becoming one of my favorite YouTubers. And not because he has an insanely quirky personality or anything (I'm sure he's a lovely person), but because every time I watch his videos, I come away with a little life hack. He mostly focuses on EDC gear and small gadgets, but hidden in his videos are some gems for traveling and living intentionally.

Lately, he's been doing a series where he lands in a place and builds out an entirely new EDC from local shops and makers. He travels a lot for his work, so in his videos he's not just telling you about the places he recommends but actually taking you to them. As a viewer, it seems like you're getting insider knowledge. Be warned: you will want to travel after watching a few of his videos.