Rat's Nest Week 35

Hey Rats!!

Last week I saw a TikTok (yes I am still on that godforsaken app. It takes a while to break an addiction, don’t come for me) and saw a video about ‘climbing cringe mountain’. 

I know you’re not reading Rat’s Nest for a motivational speech but hang with me!!!

Erica Mallet, the creator of the video, says that you have to ‘climb cringe mountain’ to get anywhere worthwhile. The process of getting to your goals can be a little cringe sometimes, but if you stick it out and climb your ‘cringe mountain’, you end up in the ‘Land of Cool’.

The point is that you have to be willing to feel a little awkward, a little vulnerable, maybe even a little embarrassed before you get to where you want to be.

Even though Erica’s video is referring to content creators, it’s a really cool concept that gives me the words to describe what I’ve felt, not just with writing this newsletter but with plenty of other things.

It doesn’t have to be something cringe- it can be something you’re scared of. What is your cringe mountain, and what is your Land of Cool? Think about it!! We all need to get to the LoC!

Okay, this is the part where I go back to being me- I’m currently on cringe mountain and would be eternally grateful if you referred your friends to subscribe to Rat’s Nest so I can end up in the Land of Cool! See you there!

• In case you missed it, that bitch ass groundhog saw his shadow so we’re getting 6 more weeks of winter. In the off-chance that little asshole is correct, here are some of my dry winter skin faves:

  • Naturium Body Lotion- This lotion rocks. I’m sure another kind is more moisturizing or whatever but what makes this the best is it absorbs SO FAST and isn’t greasy at all.

  • Prequel Skin Utility Ointment- A way lighter version of Vaseline. I put this on my knuckles (winter weather makes my hands turn into sandpaper) to form a little protective layer and lock in the moisture from lotion under it. Also good for “slugging” if you’re into that.

    • If semi-greasy tecture is a no-go for you, I also love Avene Cicalfate+.

  • Softwear by Experiment- literally the best lip balm i’ve ever used. It’s not sticky at all and has a soft cushiony feel to it. I have one in my purse and one on my nightstand. It also has light ✨exfoliating✨ acids in it to help prevent dry skin build up.

  • A humidifier- I currently have a Levoit humidifier and it really helps with dry winter skin + and coughing I get from dry air. It also has an auto-setting on it, so it registers the air humidity level and only turns on when it needs to.

    • I also have my eyes on the Canopy Humidifier because you can put every piece in the dishwasher!!! Which is awesome because these things can be little mold factories if they aren’t cleaned right.

• Jam of the week- Cruising into the week with LIE DOWN by Saya Gray

• Stavvy Gets Ripped on YouTube- he may not be your cup of tea, but I love Stavvy Halkias, a comedian who’s been posting about his “weight-loss” journey to YouTube in short-form (less than 10 minutes) episodes. He describes it as “the only fitness show where you can watch somebody get fatter each season.” I’m hootin and hollerin every time I watch it

• Unlocking the potential of migraine medications for endometriosis treatment- the study is still in it’s infancy, but if the hypothesis is correct, it would be a huge win in managing endometriosis

• Rodents apparently gnaw through dense ‘rat-proof’ trash bin mandated by NYC

• Forget 50 Cent vs P Diddy, or Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake- we’ve moved on to Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds vs. Justin Baldoni. TL;DR: Blake Lively has accused Justin of sexual harassment (and it’s gotten real messy real fast). So how did Justin respond? By making an ENTIRE website dedicated to proving his innocence. Obviously only time will tell what the real story is, but it’s looking bleak for Blake and Ryan. I read the website for an amount of time that i will not disclose _{(2 hours)}, and it’s all so wild. I would DIE if the public could read all of my texts like that. Summary on the whole thing from NY Post here.

• I’m a true maximalist and loved Schiaparelli’s Spring/Summer show from last week- think classic colors but exaggerated hips, necklines, etc. My ONLY beef with the whole show was that they cast Kendall Jenner. I know i have no room to speak because i don’t even know how to pose for a photo (remember last week’s post..), but she has the lamest catwalk.

Signing off from the base summit of cringe mountain,

Kate

P.S. If you enjoyed this, send it to your sister, aunt, cousin, fun coworker, favorite barista, and workout class coach. If you didn’t, send it to Ryan Reynolds.