03: Moments of rest, one page at a time
What to expect in this newsletter
I’m sipping classic drinks and reading a wild story. Also… when’s the last time you took a nap so good you woke up and forgot where you were?
Hey y'all,
Lately, I’ve been thinking about the ways we choose rest. Not the kind that looks good in pictures or checks off another box on a wellness list, but the kind that actually slows your heartbeat, quiets the mind, and reminds you to breathe again.
For me, that often looks like a book.
Not because it’s productive or because I’ve joined another book club (though I really enjoy those too), but because reading gives me a way back to myself gently and without urgency. It offers pause, perspective, and peace.
Sometimes, I reach for something comforting and familiar like Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston or Seven Days in June by Tia Williams. Other times, it’s a story that stretches me like Attached by Amir Levine and Rachel Heller, that reminds me that I need to be in touch with myself in more ways than one. But no matter what’s on the page, the act of sitting down to read with my phone tucked away and a drink nearby is one of the most loving ways I can choose rest for me right now.
In case you’ve been craving that kind of stillness too, I shared a few thoughts in this recently published blog post:
👉🏾 Choosing Rest Doesn’t Mean Life Is Always Easy
It’s a reflection on what it means to slow down, not just when life is light and easy, but especially when it isn’t.
My Recent Book & Drink Pairing
Book: Sky Full of Elephants by Cebo Campbell
A short description — One day, all white people decide to walk into water and drown themselves. Every. Single. One. So now what’s next? In a world without them, how does everyone else navigate their lives?
Drink: Aloe + Rose Gin and Tonic from Melrose Houston — bold, classic, yet modern
I usually don’t lean on Gin and Tonics, but I recently had a session with my dietician about how I’m drinking my sugar and decided to opt for a cocktail that doesn’t have as much as the espresso martinis or margaritas I usually get. I saw this Aloe + Rose Gin and Tonic on the menu and thought it sounded refreshing. After the first sip, I was right. This drink is delicious and the flavor profile has me leaning to order this type of drink more often.
When’s the last time you explored something outside of your norm?
Tell me, what are you reading lately?
I’d love to hear what’s keeping you company.
With warmth,
Rachael S.
P.S.
Want more book and drink pairings? Reply and let me know! I’m thinking about making it a series.
You’re receiving this email because you’ve subscribed to Fresh x Espresso, an editorial newsletter that shares the personal stories and creative journey of Houston-based storyteller Rachael S. A native Texan with a love for food and drinks, romance, and city adventures, she channels her creativity with an explorative, passionate, and present approach.