The new song that's such a teenaged throwback for me, the coolest custom cards, and the sheet mask that feels like a cloud on your face... Plus, each 5 Things post on Galbraith will now feature a lovely guest contributor who shares one thing they're obsessed with this month. Today it's Long Island–based illustrator Jen Gerena, who talks about her love for a certain type of dish. Here, this month's favorites.
1. The Instagram account It's the Insta profile for the introvert in all of us. (via @litupshow)
2. The face masks I've fallen in love with these sheet masks from superfun South Korean brand TonyMoly (thanks to my sister for introducing them to me)—and I buy them by the batch now. They're cooling and a little gooey, in the best way possible, and the feeling after you take them off? Ahhhh! So. Good.
3. The custom cards Jen Gerena (she's today's guest contributor!)—an awesome illustrator—just started a line of cards and I'm obsessed with the colors, the quotes...
4. The song I love Michelle Branch's albums and was obsessed with her in high school and college. She just came out with a new single (and a new album hits in April, hooray!). Have you heard the song? (P.S. Her black-and-white striped top and edgy eye makeup in the music video are everything 👌🏼.)
5. The sea salt hair spray This always gives my curls that perfect shape, the bottle is simply the prettiest, and the scent? Heavenly.
Guest Contributor
Jen Gerena
Jen is the founder and illustrator behind Be a Pineapple Co. (see number 3 above!). She also works from home as the director of experience design & marketing content for a web publishing company (she creates small-business websites, social media content, and marketing materials). The 35-year-old lives on Long Island with her husband, Brandon, and 6-year-old son, Owen, and their dog, Penny.
"I've always loved stationary and I've mailed cards or notes to friends for as long as I can remember. This past Christmas, I sent a few girlfriends tote bags with the Be A Pineapple mission statement on them: 'Stand tall, wear a crown and be sweet inside.' I thought, What a powerful statement; that you can be strong, firm in your beliefs, and be kind. I decided to blend the two and that's how Be A Pineapple Co. started."
What Jen's loving this month
"I really love creating ramen noodle recipes. I've always been a fan of ramen, but this month I've started creating my own recipes. The different flavors and combinations are endless. My must-have ingredients: bok choy, sesame oil, black sesame seeds, scallions, and tons of ramen. I like to look at Ivan Orkin's Instagram and Momofuku Noodle Bar's Instagram for ideas. I kinda just wing it with whatever ingredients I have in the house. The broth is usually a combination of chicken and/or vegetable stock, soy sauce, scallions, garlic, ginger, and miso paste.
I’ve always wanted to travel to Japan and try authentic ramen. I'd love to visit Takashimaya Nihombashi. Apparently it's this amazing food center inside a shopping area, which has been in business since 1933."
Follow Jen and Be A Pineapple Co. on Instagram at @beapineappleco and see her cards here.
Thank you so much, Jen, for sharing your ramen love!
Photographs, courtesy of Jen Gerena.