the may calendar

I saw zero "it's gonna be may" memes, JT is officially over

Happy May, my friends!

Hope you are enjoying some spring sunshine — in LA, we’re in that May gray (soon-to-be June gloom) funk.

Earlier this year, I saw lots of talk about “soap nails” and, ever since, it has been bouncing around my empty noggin.

Collage by Sarah Olivieri

The article linked in the photo caption above quotes celebrity manicurist Lily Nguyen, who says, “While milky nails are more opaque and creamy, soap nails look more dewy, with a barely there tint that gives off a classic, clean vibe.” (Now I’m not the only one who lost a few brain cells reading that.)

Last fall, it was “Moscow Mule nails.” (They were copper!)

Last summer, “blueberry milk nails.” (Light blue!)

In 2023, “lip gloss nails” were in — just how are they different than “soap nails”?!

We are obsessed with branding every trend so that it sounds so unique, so special, so different than the light pink or nude mani you get five times a year already.

So different that you need new polish. You need new cuticle oil. You need new hand lotion.

Let’s embrace using the products that are collecting dust in the bathroom, pantry, supply closet, what have you.

And I will attempt to be unbothered when “leftover cereal milk nails” really hit next fall.

Some April Highlights

• Everybody's Live with John Mulaney aired their best episode to date, Episode 8: "Can Major Surgery Be Fun?"

• I warmed to Étoile throughout the season, but the finale made it all worth it. Looking forward to the second season.

• The second episode of The Rehearsal season two was everything. The information the pilot was divulging about being banned from dating apps! His inappropriate conversation with the lovable co-pilot, Mara'D! Nathan giving the most heartfelt speech of his life, only to get rated a six out of ten (or was it?!) The takedown of Paramount+ for their censorship of the Summit Ice episode of Nathan for You. The brief mention that The Curse could possibly be picked up for a season two (after that finale)!

The May Calendar

Here are some new releases I may check out this month.

Books

• 5/6: My Friends from Beartown and A Man Called Ove author Fredrik Backman

• 5/20: The Doorman by Chris Pavone

  • Two Nights in Lisbon is a favorite, so I’m excited to try this one out.

• 5/20: The Last Ferry Out by Andrea Bartz

  • Haven’t truly loved her previous books, but have read them all, so something keeps me coming back. (We Were Never Here, The Lost Night, The Spare Room, The Herd)

Movies

• 5/1: Another Simple Favor

  • I got about twenty minutes into this and gave up! Blake Lively is lovely to look at, and Anna Kendrick is so charming, but I was very lost and mostly bored.

• 5/9: Friendship

  • If Tim Robinson is there, so am I!

• 5/9: Summer of 69

  • Jillian Bell’s directorial debut starring Chloe Fineman

• 5/23: Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning

  • Let’s fucking go!

• 5/23: Fountain of Youth

  • New Guy Ritchie movie starring John Krasinski, Natalie Portman, and more on Apple TV+

• 5/31: The Phoenician Scheme

Music

• 5/30: Miley Cyrus’ Something Beautiful

  • Miley says Pink Floyd’s The Wall inspired her ninth album, so I’m intrigued. It will be accompanied by a film out on June 6th.

TV

*An asterisk means a returning series I watch and recommend*

• 5/1: The Four Seasons

  • I’ve already finished this and enjoyed it! Especially Colman Domingo’s costumes and his character’s husband, both delightful!

• 5/8: Poker Face Season Two *

  • Three episodes drop on the eighth, but I feel like this show plays better week-to-week and not binged.

• 5/8: Forever

  • A new adaptation of Judy Blume’s classic.

• 5/13: Bad Thoughts

  • Tom Segura’s new Netflix show.

• 5/15: Overcompensating

  • I’ve seen the clip of Charlie XCX playing herself. That’s all I know!

• 5/15: Duster

  • A new crime thriller series from J.J. Abrams and LaToya Morgan (Shameless, Parenthood, The Walking Dead)

• 5/16: Murderbot

  • I was reminded of Alexander Skarsgård’s official IMDB picture while looking into Murderbot, and now you will be too.

Oh how he yearns to be a little freak, but looks like Prince Charming.

• 5/20: Motorheads

  • It’s got Ryan Phillipe and not a lot else!

• 5/22: Sirens

  • This one I’m really looking forward to. The cast speaks for itself: Julianne Moore, Meghann Fahy, Milly Alcock, Kevin Bacon, Glenn Howerton, Josh Segarra!!!

  • Written by Molly Smith Metzler, who created the incredible series Maid, also on Netflix.

• 5/23: Big Mouth Season Eight (Final Season) *

• 5/28: Adults

  • I’ll check out any FX comedy. Fill the You’re the Worst-sized hole in my heart!

• 5/29: … And Just Like That Season Three *

• 5/29: The Better Sister

  • Starring Jessica Biel and Elizabeth Banks. I do think Jessica Biel has a talent for attaching herself to some fun thrillers!

What are you most looking forward to?