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Jenna O'Brien's avatar

GROUP PROJECT:

1. Does anyone have any recommendations for spring/summer dinners? Anything flavorful and seasonal hitting your table?

2. Seeking opinions on how to pick fictional books for yourself. I’ve picked up some I thought I’d really like, but they fall flat. Anyone have a great curation process for knowing they will love a book without spoiling it with online reviews ?

Karen E.'s avatar

I love the podcast ‘Zero to Well-Read’. Also, as someone else said, your local librarian - that’s their actual job, to help you find a book you will love! 💕

Megan Alexander's avatar

1. I have many many herbs growing on my front porch this summer so I'm excited to use those in different recipes! Roasted potatoes with rosemary and chives, fresh iced mint tea (a favorite growing up), garden salsa once the tomatoes come in, and herby mayo to use in chicken salad and blts. :)

2. Definitely feeling this!! I've been mainly relying on chatgpt during trips to the library. I'll pick up a book that catches my eye and run it through my filters of what I like and don't like in books. I'm getting kind of picky—I don't like fantasy, am tired of WWII historical fiction, can't stand a lot of adult content unless it really feels like it's there for a good reason, am not at all into devastating endings, etc etc. Anywho, that method works out pretty well, but I'd love to find a way to do it without chatgpt. :)

Jenna O'Brien's avatar

Garden salsa sounds amazing. How fun that you grow your own stuff! Also a good chicken salad and blt are the sandwiches of the summer! Yum.

And that’s smart the condense your personal preferences that way. Would be helpful for the hunt!

Rebecca Rocket's avatar

Megan, do you have a recipe for this mint tea? It's my first year with fresh mint in the garden and I am ready to experiment! 🤓 Especially on any recipes that bring people summer nostalgia.

Megan Alexander's avatar

I don't have an exact recipe, but if you start with this and modify it to your preferences of strength and sweetness, you should end up with something tasty! :)

1 handful of mint leaves

shy 2/3 cup sugar

Boil water, then remove from heat and add mint leaves. Steep for 5+ minutes, then strain into a gallon pitcher. Dissolve sugar in the tea, add enough ice to make it cold, and fill the remaining gallon with water! You can also just keep the tea+sugar concentrate in the freezer for later.

Rebecca Rocket's avatar

Thank you! This came out amazing!

Megan Alexander's avatar

Ooh yay, that makes me happy!

Anna's avatar

1. I love love love "smitten kitchen" for dinner Inspiration and she's got many good recipes for the warmer months😍

2. You could...

....go to the library and chose by cover.

...ask a friend which book he/she would recommend.

3. describe some books you liked and ask your community in the chat😉

Jenna O'Brien's avatar

The Feeling! Chat is so competent, I could probably outsource most things to them, haha. You are so right!

Julia's avatar

I "quote check" books aka just type in the title of the book and the word quotes and then the internet takes you to the books goodreads page with a handful of quotes and I try to gauge writing style and content based on that. It usually works!

Jenna O'Brien's avatar

Ahh this is so smart!

unpostedtoughts's avatar

Hi Jenna,

I'm not from NYC nor am I in the creative field but I started reading your magazine because I've been on a path to be happier and more present. I'm trying to use creativity and creative hobbies as a tool to do so. I just can't explain it but reading you makes me feel happy, whole, and smiley. I just thought you should know that your art has that effect

Jenna O'Brien's avatar

Thank you so much! My intention is always to make things that leave you better than you found them. Your encouragement, and taking time to comment, means more than you know! Thank you so much for reading.

Olivia Wickstrom's avatar

So excited to watch Feeling! Press come to life :)

Jenna O'Brien's avatar

A journey ahead!

✩⁺₊✩☽⋆ 𝖍𝖆𝖟𝖊𝖆𝖗𝖊𝖑𝖑𝖆 ⋆☾✩⁺₊✩'s avatar

Your number 3 item caught my eye. It reminds me of those over the top gel pens in the 90's that always felt so cool to write with. I miss those. Why have they gone away lol.

Sarah Hof's avatar

I loved every word of this! I truly love to see women who create businesses out of thin air from nothing but passion and the will to bring a dream into reality. I will absolutely be taking you up on your biggest & only sale ever, and I'm excited to follow along! Thanks for sharing the BTS!

Jenna O'Brien's avatar

Thank you, Sarah! This is so kind!

kayla's avatar

Hi! Congrats on deciding to elevate and evolve your business and creative passions! As someone who is wanting to someday create a business of my own, what is some advice you have on turning your ideas into a tangible outcome? Im not sure if it’s imposter syndrome or something else, but I struggle to make any of my ideas a reality

Rebecca Rocket's avatar

1. The fresh basil is on its way! I grow Thai and Sweet/Italian. So Vietnamese-inspired food and Italian staples like caprese and pesto.

2. This is going to read so millennial... but I usually download the sample chapter to my Kindle. If the writing style of the first few pages doesn't work for me, it doesn't matter how great the concept/plot sounds. If I'm at a book store/library, I just read the first few pages in person. My time is precious to me, and my reading time is scant, I really have to jive with something to make the investment. I'm still shocked I recently made it through a Dickens novel -- it's the length of 5 books! But I was really enjoying it.

Jenna O'Brien's avatar

Okay YUM fresh basil!

And yes — sample chapters are a saving grace!

Cindy Rodriguez's avatar

Hey Jenna! I feel I might've missed something because I just went to switch from monthly to annual subscription and was charged $50. Didn't see the $25 price. Thanks!

Jenna O'Brien's avatar

I believe you have to hit the specific link in this post to activate the sale! If it gives you more trouble, send me a DM and I will help investigate!

@claredaly from home by eleven's avatar

hi jenna!! i’m also in nyc and have experience in shipping & fulfillment for the arts. i’d love to help out if you ever need anything- excited to see this come to life!! creativity takes a village 🫶🏼

Jenna O'Brien's avatar

Oh this is so kind and helpful! I certainly will! The apartment will work for a start, but hoping to outgrow it ;) Your friends/community are so lucky to have you.

Daniela Araya's avatar

Ahhh so exciting Jenna! I can't wait to see what you do

Jenna O'Brien's avatar

Thank you, Daniela!

Henry's avatar

Will the matchmarking card service also be available to the people who pay monthly? Or will it only be for the annual subscribers?

Jenna O'Brien's avatar

Yes! Available to all paid subscribers!

Karen E.'s avatar

My Swedish fish postcard in pink rose and pollen yellow was absolutely killer - fresh, modern stationery. Sent it to beloved friends in S Florida, thought you’d appreciate!

Jenna O'Brien's avatar

Oh, I'm so happy to hear you liked it. This is the best!

Lauren's avatar

This is so exciting. Congratulations!

Jenna O'Brien's avatar

Thank you, Lauren! Excited to share more updates soon!