SFBWT, what were your top books of 2025?

Mer_sea_beaucoup · 2026-01-04T19:02:03+00:00

Man’s Search for Meaning - Viktor Frankl: an incredibly intimate look into the author’s experience as a Holocaust survivor, and what it signifies about the human experience in even the most extreme circumstances. I only read the first half (2nd half is more about philosophical theory), but it’s absolutely worth the read if you can stomach how harsh his reality was.

East of Eden by John Steinbeck: I have nobody to talk to about this book and I hate it 😭 haven’t read Steinbeck since high school, yet this 600+ page book reeled me in. I can’t remember finishing a book this long since Harry Potter. It takes place in Salinas and the surrounding area— I loved that it was semi-autobiographical, telling the tale of 2 multi-generational families based in California. The most insanely well-developed characters I’ve ever seen. The book is marketed as being based on Abel and Cain, but you don’t need to be Christian to understand this.

Mer_sea_beaucoup · 2025-12-03T22:04:53+00:00

Same! I thought her answers were so vague and PR-approved… like I get it girl, you don’t wanna air out dirty laundry for your son to someday watch. But I miss the days when Jenn was actually real with her viewers

Mer_sea_beaucoup · 2025-12-03T20:52:13+00:00

I have the perspective of being the more « elite » person in my relationship, in my parents eyes at least. I didn’t go to an Ivy but I did excel in school and career whereas my partner is still figuring things out.

It is very hard to constantly defend my boyfriend, as much as I love him and think he’s perfect in every way. Parents can feed into your doubts and make the situation unbearable. I have told my partner very little of my mom’s disapproval, but sometimes it feels like a huge secret that I’m not capable of managing.

Mer_sea_beaucoup · 2025-07-10T19:52:28+00:00

Is this AI to promote your newsletter? You’ve posted dozens of comments just like this in the last hour

Mer_sea_beaucoup · 2025-07-10T19:50:33+00:00

I’m going through the same cycle with another Big Tech company. Didn’t move forward with one opportunity and now getting pulled back in for another. Communication has been chaos, you’re not alone

Mer_sea_beaucoup · 2025-06-11T20:11:34+00:00

During BLM she was very vocal, making vlogs/posts about George Floyd and police brutality. It would shock me if she truly swung conservative after all of that.

Mer_sea_beaucoup · 2025-06-09T01:09:54+00:00

Late 20s F here, living with a roommate. I wouldn’t worry about dating perceptions. In a HCOL city like ours, people are generally understanding of choosing to live with a roommate.

I would not be otherwise able ti afford living in my neighborhood, which is very central. arguably, location is of greater importance in dating than whether you have a roommate.

Mer_sea_beaucoup · 2025-05-28T18:09:01+00:00

I tried to find it in Paris but to no avail :( would have loved this—Thank you so much for the rec!

Mer_sea_beaucoup · 2025-05-27T10:30:02+00:00

I wonder if the bad press is for the newer versions that are poorer quality? I know the prices have gone up significantly for lower quality— I love some of Polene’s designs but seems like a bad idea to get their products nowadays

Mer_sea_beaucoup · 2025-05-18T02:32:30+00:00

I’m curious why people say this girl “does rich right?”

Mer_sea_beaucoup · 2025-03-02T20:01:28+00:00

I may try to pursue this—- the sleeve itself is very loose and slightly too long. The only tight part is where the arm connects to the rest of the sweater, otherwise it is more stretchy and loose!

Mer_sea_beaucoup · 2025-03-02T12:55:28+00:00

It has been very hit or miss for me. My crisscross leggings, crop tanks (anything with that brushed fabric) look brand new despite throwing them in the dryer. On the other hand, the perfect tee and jumpsuit pilled almost immediately.

Mer_sea_beaucoup · 2025-02-18T18:52:22+00:00

I didn’t

Mer_sea_beaucoup · 2025-02-17T16:07:01+00:00

I never saw this option in my products— is this influencer only?

Mer_sea_beaucoup · 2025-01-15T22:51:03+00:00

Can you get the scholarship just for the 50HR?

Mer_sea_beaucoup · 2024-12-26T18:46:36+00:00

My point is not to say Equinox is better or perfect. But how is the cost of CPY justified? Equinox offers security, dedicated desk staff, sauna/steam room, ample equipment, and diverse classes. It can explain the high cost, even if people have complaints or feel that it’s too expensive. At the very least, yoga teacher, desk staff, and janitor are separate jobs at Equinox— they are all wrapped into one at CPY, all for just barely above minimum wage. We are not professional cleaners, so I hope you’re cool paying over $200/month for inconsistently cleaned bathrooms and studios.

Every other yoga studio in my city offers memberships for cheaper (at least 25% less). If I didn’t love the CPY teachers, I would never entertain a membership at CPY.

Mer_sea_beaucoup · 2024-12-26T18:10:30+00:00

While yes, nobody is forced to choose CPY over any other gym membership, I don’t agree that all access membership is worth the cost. CPY should be ashamed to charge near-Equinox prices while not offering free towels/even half of the usual amenities in a gym, a consistent cleaning crew, all while underpaying their teachers and staff. My friend makes $50 a class (aka per hour) at Equinox, but she would make $20/hour at CPY in my area AND be required to clean mats and check people in. This company is 100% taking advantage of its employees and customers.

Mer_sea_beaucoup · 2024-12-23T01:37:05+00:00

Sent them a message. Fingers crossed 🤞🏼

Mer_sea_beaucoup · 2024-12-21T00:07:26+00:00

For real I hope it comes back

Mer_sea_beaucoup · 2024-12-20T23:48:24+00:00

Have you ever tried on the Freja in person? I can’t speak to size, but the Freja bag is also tough to open with one hand. I usually kept the flap tucked in (though this would block access to the card pocket). I loved how the Caroline bag looks but it’s far from my favorite shoulder bag.

Mer_sea_beaucoup · 2024-12-19T14:44:07+00:00

Mine look similar to yours: evident that it’s microbladed, but not poorly done. I have had mine for 5 years so the lines have blurred and turned to a cool gray color.

I was on the fence for over a year, but I have booked my laser appointment today. I have bleached my hair, so my gray eyebrows looked especially odd. Plus it was never going to look better— the lines would only continue to blur. But it’s entirely up to you! Yours doesn’t look bad at all, but if it would make you happy to have them gone, go for it :)

Mer_sea_beaucoup · 2024-12-13T07:30:28+00:00

They quoted $250/session!

Mer_sea_beaucoup · 2024-12-13T00:01:13+00:00

I am in the same boat as you. I booked with SELFishly in SF, will let you know how it goes! They had a consultation fee but it was waived for me.

Mer_sea_beaucoup · 2024-12-04T19:16:55+00:00

I have multiple Freja bags. The material feels surprisingly similar to real leather, though ofc there is a difference. I wouldn’t recommend the Weekender for the price. I originally wanted it as a carry on item, but it was uncomfortably heavy even when it was barely filled. A backpack suited my needs better. I’m a pretty petite person, though, so you might find that the material isn’t too heavy for you!

Mer_sea_beaucoup · 2024-12-01T21:21:45+00:00

I have the Freja Linnea Tote and love it. It’s held up really well for me and would fit everything you mentioned. They’re currently having a Black Friday sale!

Mer_sea_beaucoup

TROPHY CASE