Warm & imaginative films for the season, a word search, jelly shoes that are bubblegum scented, and a pigeon-filled work of fiction to read before bed.
Before Sunrise AND Totoro on the same list—love!!! 10/10. Thank you so much for this. Never heard of Perfect Days before, def going to watch this week!
Summer is a fresh, juicy peach from The Peach Truck (a Nashville staple if you’re ever here in June) and the scent of chlorine mixed with coconut sunscreen and jumping in a literal lake. It’s slightly sunburnt arms and sitting on the porch while the sun goes down. It’s the feeling of late May that is born in childhood that lingers into adulthood, even in jobs that don’t get a summer break: the freedom of the summer beginning, with all of the best parts of it ahead of you. It’s ice cream cones in the car on the way home from the pool. And it is lots and lots of reading.
I would add Miss Congeniality (because of April 25, the perfect date)!
My favorite spring/summer activity is always a picnic. Pack your food find a good tree to sit under, bring a camera, card game and/or a book. Makes for a lovely time. I have the luxury of living in DC which has an abundance of parks and the best of all The National Mall.
Occasionally, my great-aunt will visit from out-of-state during the summer for a week. When she comes, we typically have a family cookout/pool party. Those never fail to feel like summer.
Hot dogs, burgers, bratwursts, and watermelons feel like the official foods of summer!
I recently started using Hawaiian Tropic sunscreen, and oh my gosh! It smells just like summer. It also feels like a dream!
As far as spring movies go, I would say Ponyo. That film is so happy and refreshing, and it focuses on the beauty of friendship. Sometimes it’s nice to revisit such a simple concept! Not to mention, Studio Ghibli is excellent at cultivating feelings of light and warmth.
Creeks/streams/small rivers feel like underrated summer activities/places. Whether you're wading, looking at wildflowers, or sitting on a rock in the middle while you watch tiny fish under the surface dare to nibble your toes, it's the perfect mix of taking in + participating in nature. :) Bonus points if you take a picnic or at least some fun drinks!
Ah, brilliant. Yes. Such a major focus is on the beach, but rivers and lakes are underrated. I did went tubing two summers ago and both laughed and rested so hard. Pure magic to float down a river. I love your descriptions, they’ve just gotten me ready for summer.
Connor's movie picks are perfect!! And the way you described why you started Feeling! Magazine hit me. Creative work as a balm to panic, hope as a muscle to strengthen. That's exactly it :) This publication really does feel like fresh air.
jenna! your newsletter and everything else you write is always such a bright spot in my day/week. i love love love your emphasis on colour, joy, and good ol'-fashioned fun - gone are the days of beige & minimalism. and i am officially joining the comment section!
1. okkkkk summer when the air starts to sit heavier and you can taste it, like rainy days, if you live near the ocean. it says the world is becoming less frozen.🌧️ you can TASTE the air, the beginning of summer. humidity has returned. (i’m a maine girl)
I missed out on the color dot calendar this year which is a huge bummer but can’t wait until next year! Such a fun, unique, joyful idea. Thanks for sharing! Hoping one day you go to print because it would just be magical🦋.
elite film pics! love seeing so many films by asian people and about asian people. also that second photo of genevieve looks like she's standing upright in a brown trenchcoat hahaha
Okay, making a first venture into the comments section on a promise it'll be great: I'm about to graduate college and feeling like my entire world is crumbling around me and that I might never recover. Feeling! has been a reprieve and a light, and as a film major (super employable!), I LOVED this list and have some new gems to watch. P.S. Any tips on navigating major life change like this without exploding?
Hi Lucy!! So glad you enjoyed the list! Congratulations on graduate school! I feel like every major life change comes with that very wave of feeling you are describing — a mix of loss, anticipation, and unknowns.
I'd love to remind you that you are likely doing better than you think you are. And I bet you will adapt quicker to your new pace than you think. Hold fast to rhythms you love and make you feel like you — maybe it's a certain playlist, weekly dinner out, or something you LOVE to do. Use the familiar as pillars in your new landscape. Write out your feelings on paper often so they don't rattle around in your head. Be nice to you. Believe something unexpectedly good may happen — and act like it.
Hopeful some older, wiser Feeling! readers will chime in with ideas too!
Before Sunrise AND Totoro on the same list—love!!! 10/10. Thank you so much for this. Never heard of Perfect Days before, def going to watch this week!
Glad you found a new watch!!
Totoro IS absolutely fabulous! Perfect Days looked particularly interesting to me as well 😁
GROUP PROJECT:
1. Seeking (early) activities and moments that make summer FEEL like summer to you! Places, foods, scents, etc. Be vivid, please!
2. Do you have a spring movie pick to add to the list?
Summer is a fresh, juicy peach from The Peach Truck (a Nashville staple if you’re ever here in June) and the scent of chlorine mixed with coconut sunscreen and jumping in a literal lake. It’s slightly sunburnt arms and sitting on the porch while the sun goes down. It’s the feeling of late May that is born in childhood that lingers into adulthood, even in jobs that don’t get a summer break: the freedom of the summer beginning, with all of the best parts of it ahead of you. It’s ice cream cones in the car on the way home from the pool. And it is lots and lots of reading.
I would add Miss Congeniality (because of April 25, the perfect date)!
I want to both frame this description on my walls and live inside of it!
My favorite spring/summer activity is always a picnic. Pack your food find a good tree to sit under, bring a camera, card game and/or a book. Makes for a lovely time. I have the luxury of living in DC which has an abundance of parks and the best of all The National Mall.
Oh yes! Picnic season is coming. Will you be there for the cherry blossoms this year?
Yes I will be! I live in the area. One of my favorite parts of the season and of DC
My current spring movie picks:
-La La Land
-Marie Antoinette
-Pride and prejudice (2005, duh!)
-The secret garden (just watched for the first time this year, it was marvelous)
-Tangled
-Roman Holiday
-Sense and sensibility
-Devil Wears Prada
-13 Going on 30
-Ferris Buellers Day Off
- Pretty in Pink
- 10 things I hate about you
- Father of the Bride
-Ratatouille (maybe it’s just the Paris vibe)
-Cinderella, live action bc Lily James is spectacular
-Any Nancy Meyers movie excluding the Holiday because that’s strictly to watch beginning in November!!
Enjoy ✨✨
Occasionally, my great-aunt will visit from out-of-state during the summer for a week. When she comes, we typically have a family cookout/pool party. Those never fail to feel like summer.
Hot dogs, burgers, bratwursts, and watermelons feel like the official foods of summer!
I recently started using Hawaiian Tropic sunscreen, and oh my gosh! It smells just like summer. It also feels like a dream!
As far as spring movies go, I would say Ponyo. That film is so happy and refreshing, and it focuses on the beauty of friendship. Sometimes it’s nice to revisit such a simple concept! Not to mention, Studio Ghibli is excellent at cultivating feelings of light and warmth.
Also, the bubble gum shoes are so cute!
I do love the smell of sunscreen, pool water, and a firing grill. Love this picture you painted.
Also! The first fireflies and the smell of sunscreen for the first time always fill me with summer-is-finally-here glee.
Creeks/streams/small rivers feel like underrated summer activities/places. Whether you're wading, looking at wildflowers, or sitting on a rock in the middle while you watch tiny fish under the surface dare to nibble your toes, it's the perfect mix of taking in + participating in nature. :) Bonus points if you take a picnic or at least some fun drinks!
Ah, brilliant. Yes. Such a major focus is on the beach, but rivers and lakes are underrated. I did went tubing two summers ago and both laughed and rested so hard. Pure magic to float down a river. I love your descriptions, they’ve just gotten me ready for summer.
I'm so grateful I stumbled across this post today!
Oh yay! I’m glad you did too!
The rental family was on my list! I adored the trailer.
It was very sweet!
Connor's movie picks are perfect!! And the way you described why you started Feeling! Magazine hit me. Creative work as a balm to panic, hope as a muscle to strengthen. That's exactly it :) This publication really does feel like fresh air.
Thank you, sweet Olivia!
jenna! your newsletter and everything else you write is always such a bright spot in my day/week. i love love love your emphasis on colour, joy, and good ol'-fashioned fun - gone are the days of beige & minimalism. and i am officially joining the comment section!
Aliiiiiceee we, the comment section, already love you!!
I just want to say Rose & Genevieve’s story was such a delight to read, we need more of these 🥰
Ahh thank you so much for reading. Devon brought my vision to life! It was so fun to dream up.
Unfortunately I do want—no, need—a pair of bubblegum-scented jelly sandals now.
I’m serious when I say they are amazing.
1. Watching the afternoon thunderstorm come across the field. (Alabama girl)
2. When I think of spring movies I think of the classics so I would add "Emma" and "Pride and Prejudice"- the one with Collin Firth.
Ahhh summer thunderstorms in the South! When the air gets all humid and grey. Magic.
Lovely picks — when the sun starts shining I too begin to think of Jane Austen.
Love that I've just found you, want a great post!
Aw hi! Welcome to Feeling!
my group project submission!!
1. okkkkk summer when the air starts to sit heavier and you can taste it, like rainy days, if you live near the ocean. it says the world is becoming less frozen.🌧️ you can TASTE the air, the beginning of summer. humidity has returned. (i’m a maine girl)
2. LOVE this list. perfect days is a gem.
i would also add: frances ha
spring feels so black + white hopeful movie time🎥
Frances Ha is a great edition. Love it.
Enamored by your summer description and somehow need to make it to Maine now.
PLS!! maine would love u and u would love maine
I yearn for a sailboat excursion!
i love the way you write!!! you bring that bubbly “buoyancy” in every post. 🫧
Thank you, Bri! This is so kind.
I missed out on the color dot calendar this year which is a huge bummer but can’t wait until next year! Such a fun, unique, joyful idea. Thanks for sharing! Hoping one day you go to print because it would just be magical🦋.
Next year, I have a crazy big secret about the calendar!! Excited to share more soon!
And thank you for the encouragement, print is the dream!
elite film pics! love seeing so many films by asian people and about asian people. also that second photo of genevieve looks like she's standing upright in a brown trenchcoat hahaha
Chunking Express is a standout for me! And yes, she does haha! Maybe she will wear a coat in the next story.
Okay, making a first venture into the comments section on a promise it'll be great: I'm about to graduate college and feeling like my entire world is crumbling around me and that I might never recover. Feeling! has been a reprieve and a light, and as a film major (super employable!), I LOVED this list and have some new gems to watch. P.S. Any tips on navigating major life change like this without exploding?
Hi Lucy!! So glad you enjoyed the list! Congratulations on graduate school! I feel like every major life change comes with that very wave of feeling you are describing — a mix of loss, anticipation, and unknowns.
I'd love to remind you that you are likely doing better than you think you are. And I bet you will adapt quicker to your new pace than you think. Hold fast to rhythms you love and make you feel like you — maybe it's a certain playlist, weekly dinner out, or something you LOVE to do. Use the familiar as pillars in your new landscape. Write out your feelings on paper often so they don't rattle around in your head. Be nice to you. Believe something unexpectedly good may happen — and act like it.
Hopeful some older, wiser Feeling! readers will chime in with ideas too!