high heels and bare nails, things i like rn

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• Emma Chamberlain is currently embracing unexpected style shifts, including a newfound appreciation for wearing high-heeled shoes despite past discomfort and taking a break from her long-standing habit of wearing nail polish.  Copied to clipboard!
• Her current interests reflect a shift towards natural simplicity (bare nails) juxtaposed with elements of structured elegance (heels), and a renewed enjoyment of activities like cooking and makeup application once she gained proficiency.  Copied to clipboard!
• The host is actively curating her daily life for comfort and chicness, evidenced by her perfected all-black athleisure work uniform and her enjoyment of early dinner times and creative mocktails as a sober individual.  Copied to clipboard!

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Introduction to Current Joys

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(00:00:00)

• Key Takeaway: The ‘anything goes’ series shares recently added items or routines that bring joy, serving to keep the host’s structured life exciting through swaps.
• Summary: This recurring series shares a list of things currently bringing joy or recently added to the host’s routine. The host maintains structure by swapping out elements within her routine, such as trying new fashion or food ideas. This method keeps her life feeling exciting.

Embracing High-Heeled Shoes

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(00:01:22)

• Key Takeaway: Despite historically experiencing extreme pain from heels due to perceived incompatible foot anatomy, the host is currently craving the feeling of elegance and strength derived from wearing comfortable heels.
• Summary: The host, who previously avoided heels due to severe pain, is now actively seeking out comfortable heights that still offer the visual strength of a heel. She associates wearing heels with feeling elegant, chic, and standing straighter, even if they remain slightly uncomfortable. She is even pushing herself to wear more painful pairs because the feeling they evoke is so desirable lately.

Rediscovering Bare Nails

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(00:06:00)

• Key Takeaway: After years of obsessive nail maintenance, including long nails and nail art, the host is currently enjoying the low-maintenance look and feel of natural, groomed nails.
• Summary: The host has gone without polish for about a month, finding the natural nail cute and enjoying the break from harsh products and maintenance. She previously had an Instagram dedicated to elaborate nail art, including cheetah print and sunset ombres. She stopped getting long nails to try playing guitar but continued with short nails because they were less of a chore.

Mastering Waterline Eyeliner

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(00:10:45)

• Key Takeaway: The host has finally mastered applying eyeliner to her waterline/tight line, solving a long-standing issue where her eye makeup never felt complete or strong enough.
• Summary: She previously avoided eyeliner, especially winged liner, because it was difficult to master and she disliked how winged liner looked on her. She found success with waterline application recently, possibly due to improved eyeshadow skills, which makes her entire makeup look cohesive. Her preferred waterline colors are black, maroon, and brown, fitting her preference for a moodier makeup aesthetic.

The Return of Chokers

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(00:17:03)

• Key Takeaway: The host has recently purchased and is enjoying wearing 2010-era chokers (leather and lace), finding they add necessary flow to outfits without feeling like traditional jewelry.
• Summary: Chokers, once a staple of Tumblr aesthetics, had become cringe, but the host felt a recurring need for something around her neck to complete outfits. She acquired fabric-based chokers (lace and faux leather) which she feels act more like an extension of the outfit, similar to a scarf. She acknowledges this might be a temporary phase.

Perfecting the Work Uniform

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(00:19:36)

• Key Takeaway: Following a self-experiment on dressing up while working alone, the host settled on an all-black athleisure uniform paired with black running shoes as the perfect balance of chic and comfort for home and commuting to workouts.
• Summary: The host found wearing normal clothes at home while working on the couch or treadmill felt weird, leading her to seek a comfortable yet chic middle ground. Her uniform consists of soft, straight-legged black sweatpants, a simple black top, and all-black Brooks running shoes worn like slippers. She favors the brand Blue Salt for these athleisure pieces, noting that an all-black outfit always feels sharp and cohesive.

Advocating for Early Dinner

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(00:25:42)

• Key Takeaway: Eating dinner early (around (5:00)-(6:00) PM) is preferred because it allows for better digestion before sleep, prevents unnecessary late-evening snacking, and allows for more spontaneous dining reservations in Los Angeles.
• Summary: The host questions the social norm of (8:00) PM dinner reservations, especially on weekends when time is abundant. Eating earlier prevents the discomfort of going to bed full, which can cause acid reflux. In Los Angeles, booking spontaneous tables is easier outside the (7:00) PM to (8:30) PM peak window.

Frozen Yogurt Obsession

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(00:28:34)

• Key Takeaway: Frozen yogurt has made a passionate comeback in the host’s routine, primarily because the self-serving experience offers complete autonomy over flavor mixing and portion size, unlike traditional ice cream scoops.
• Summary: The host is obsessed with frozen yogurt, linking its return to the 2010s trend revival alongside chokers. She enjoys the process of self-serving, mixing flavors like tart, berry, and honey, and adding toppings like fruit and granola. This control over quantity and mixing is superior to the ‘weak scoops’ often received when buying pre-scooped ice cream.

Enjoying Creative Mocktails

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(00:34:42)

• Key Takeaway: Since becoming sober, the host has become obsessed with ordering creative mocktails at restaurants, discovering they offer complex, non-juice experiences that add excitement to social outings.
• Summary: Initially, the host avoided mocktails, viewing them as overpriced juice with a garnish, but she has since found creative, non-alcoholic alternatives on menus. These drinks often involve herbal elixirs, vinegar, or bitters, providing an astringent or sharp flavor profile similar to alcohol. Ordering a fun, custom drink makes social events more exciting, even if the specific drink isn’t always liked.

Crushing Croutons for Texture

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(00:41:05)

• Key Takeaway: To maximize textural complexity in meals, the host crushes croutons using a mortar and pestle into fine, crispy breadcrumbs to sprinkle over salads and pasta dishes.
• Summary: The host enjoys foods with complex textures and sought a way to evenly distribute crunch throughout her meals. She prefers crushed croutons over standard breadcrumbs because croutons maintain a superior crispiness. This technique allows for more frequent enjoyment of the ‘crunch bread yumminess’ in every bite.

The Appeal of Hiking Trips

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(00:42:50)

• Key Takeaway: The host has discovered the fulfillment derived from dedicated ‘hiking trips’—weekend road trips centered around active exploration—as a grounding alternative to shopping-focused vacations.
• Summary: Hiking trips, like the one taken to Zion National Park, provide a sense of discipline and fulfillment by completing physical activity. These trips involve waking up early to hike 7-10 miles, followed by relaxing activities like eating and swimming. This active vacation style is preferred over shopping trips, which can become tedious without the dopamine hit of purchasing items.

Pillow Under Legs for Sleep

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(00:45:46)

• Key Takeaway: Sleeping with a pillow placed under the legs to elevate the knees alleviates the host’s lower back discomfort, which she suspects is related to past competitive cheerleading and current prolonged sitting.
• Summary: Elevating the legs promotes better circulation, reduces swelling, and alleviates pressure on the spine, which is beneficial for those who sit or stand for long periods. The host notes this practice helps her sciatica, possibly stemming from years of intense flexibility training as a cheerleader. She is enjoying the comfort but suspects she may also need a new mattress.