To all the boys I've loved before

thank u, next. But this is about Emily in Paris ... and furniture

I rarely binge shows, out of lack of time and effort.

But also because my time is valuable and if I'm going to devote brainspace to anything then it better be one or all of the following: entertaining, amusing, useful, or educational.

I want fresh! Fun! And original!

My “will I stick with this show-o-meter” generally wavers between 2 distinct time thresholds: the first 15 minutes, or the first 3 episodes. 

Within the first 15 minutes, I’ll know if I’m sticking around to the end of that pilot episode. 

If I’ve made it to the end of that first episode, then I’ll usually make it to the third. 

And if I’ve made it through the third episode, then there’s a high probability I’ll see it to the end. 

Content entrepreneur | Agency Founder & CEO | Bestselling author Featured in Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Business Insider, Bankrate, Cheddar TV, and HuffPost | Join more than 5,460 people who follow my unconventional lifestyle, travel, money, and career advice:

Fun fact: in college, I was an Arts & Entertainment writer for The Daily Tar Heel. 

Back then, I also took Film Criticism 101. 

So my critical bar is high and skews a bit snobby. (I can’t help it! I’m sorry 😜)

I feel much of new streaming TV is some over-the-top melodrama, bland pandering, or feels contrived; formulaic. 

I want fresh, fun, and original!

It’s also funny to me that I have watched neither of the shows that just cleaned up at the Emmy’s.

Instead, last weekend, I had the rare opportunity to practice self-care, which included binge-watching the remaining episodes of the newest season (4) of Netflix’s Emily in Paris. 

This season was particularly delicious and wonderful. 

I mean, it’s not rocket science and it borders on campy, but I appreciate when writers know exactly what their audiences want, and serve it.

There aren’t any spoilers here, but if you’re not a fan of the show, then in short:

Emily goes to Paris for work, but also finds love. But then, love gets complicated. And while there are many distractions along the way, there’s still that age old, burning “what if” for a certain person that likely won’t get resolved until the show ends. Until then, she’ll be “in search of…” Will she, can she, move on?

An interesting twist this season is Emily’s new romance with an Italian man. 

He may very well be the one who steals her heart away from a complicated and emotional French man, Gabriel, who holds her heart and has already interfered with her relationship with a British man, Alfie. 

Lucky in work, unlucky in love

This line from season 4 sums up her life, and is highly relatable for many career-driven women who know how to do “work,” but fail at “love.”

Perhaps one thing I love about this show is how it doesn’t shy away from pointing out Emily’s gauche-ness, naïveté, and flaws.

Her French is bad and overly American-accented—that’s on purpose. 

Despite her mistakes, and while all of the love drama unfolds, Emily is maturing, going through life, and killing it career-wise, but also stumbling along the way.

All of these city scenes and European lovers got me thinking about the men I’ve loved before, and what they’ve taught me. 

In the spirit of Ariana Grande’s song “thank u, next” I think about the wonderful takeaways from my most significant relationships:

• The Dane: From a Danish ex-husband, I learned about furniture design, Copenhagen, the outskirts of Copenhagen and Denmark, and Scandinavian aesthetic.

  One of his prized possessions was a navy blue B&B Italia Charles sectional sofa. He even got a matching navy blue dog bed to match, for our beloved Staffordshire Terrier. He also had the LC4 Chaise Lounge.
  Thanks to him, I also learned the basics about piloting small planes.
  And, between Scandinavian names like, for example, Eriksen vs. Erikson, if the name ends “-sen” then it’s Danish; if it ends “-son” then it’s Swedish. Oh, there was also the tennis and the golf, and that was all fun.

  

  Me and my proud poppa 🥹 (I sold this gorgeous Monique Lhullier ensemble on eBay)

• The Brit: From a British partner, I learned all about fashion, European tastes and sensibilities, social and membership clubs, and entrée into hot spots and places, in London and around Europe. I was definitely a better dresser after, that’s for sure. Missoni throw pillows, Fendi Bibendum barstools, Ligne Roset Pumpkin, I mean, what a scattered hodgepodge!

• The American: From a simple American, I learned how to combat FOMO. When he said, “There will always be another party,” after hearing how I so desperately wanted to go to a random club night, he helped me realize it wasn’t that big of a deal after all.

• The Italian: Books, art, antiquities, rugs, cooking, international travel, being a polyglot and triathlon spectator, and making far-off destinations feel like home. I helped him pick out the most gorgeous, buttery leather blue Cassina Cube chair. There was also the van der Rohe Barcelona chair, among other specialties like the Saarinen dining table.

Before I get too carried away, should I do a more in-depth analysis of how furniture design reflects personalities, and/or would you like to see my personal collection? Lol.

Tell me, what shows are you watching lately and how do they take you back to reminisce in moments of time, places, and loves in your life?

I’d love to know! Reply or comment below!

**

Until next time,
Shindy
On Instagram + TikTok

***

Like it

Did you enjoy this newsletter?

Please like it by clicking on the ❤️ at the very top or bottom of this post. This really helps get this newsletter recommended to SubStack’s recommended shortlists.

Referral Rewards

When you share my newsletter with someone you think would find value in it, that is the greatest gift. 🙏

ICYMI: Latest issues at shindy.substack.com:

My mantra for staying the course...or not

Rituals: How I consume content and maintain a healthy media diet

How to be good at money