Welcome to Aprils monthly digest! If you’ve been here a while, you know this space started as a cozy corner purely for book reviews. But as a journalist and visual storyteller, I’ve been craving a place to share the rest of my world with you, too.

Going forward, this monthly letter will be a digital scrapbook of everything inspiring me right now: the books I can’t put down, Films I have seen, the moments I’ve captured through my lens, and the places I'm wandering. Grab something warm to drink, and let's dive in.

I have been on a long skincare journey. I have dry skin, and whenever I did my makeup, it would look patchy. Throughout the past year, I started to do my own research to find affordable yet effective skincare products on Amazon. I was used to using whatever my dermatologist told me to get, but I could never really use them for more than a month because of how expensive they were.

Anyway, here is an updated list of my skincare products and the order in which I use them:

Daytime Skincare:

I usually do my skin care in the morning and eventually around mid day I do my makeup. Before I put it on, I apply: Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum Propolis and Niacinamide Hydrating Facial. That is for an extra Glow only in the days I need it.

Nighttime Skincare:

I have had braces during different periods of my life. At first, it was because my teeth were crooked, but as I grew, my jaw also started to give me issues. Later, I had braces for over a year, but I didn't finish the process. I was exhausted, about to graduate college, and meeting my now partner there was NO way I was going through those big life moments with braces on!

Years passed with no issues, but eventually, at the end of 2025, I noticed my teeth were moving and hurting, so I decided to get an X-ray. It turns out my jaw is better, but it still needs work. I am focusing on one side of my jaw right now, which is shifting all my teeth.

So, I have braces again! I didn't ask how long I’ll have them; I feel like if I knew the exact timeline, I would get anxious. I just want to get the full procedure done once and for all. For now, bear with me because I won't be smiling much in my pictures just a subtle smile, no teeth showing!

My top recommendations from this month's reading stack.

1. Between two fires

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️

The Vibe: hectic crazy medieval horror bible

Thoughts: This isn't just historical fiction… it is theological horror. It feels like a medieval nightmare, also a lot like Dante’s Inferno. Imagine a world where the plague isn't just a disease, but a symptom of a literal war between Heaven and Hell.

This book is incredibly descriptive. You will feel the death, the smell, and the fear. The author captures the "end of the world" feeling of the 14th century perfectly, where people truly believed the apocalypse was unfolding around them.There are creatures and demons encountered that are truly unsettling. they aren't your typical movie monsters; they are surreal, biblical nightmares that feel ancient and terrifying.Despite the gore, the heart of the book is a redemption story. The bond that forms between the violent knight and the young girl provides a necessary flicker of light in an otherwise very dark world.

2. Days at the Torunka cafe

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Vibe: Low Stakes, High Emotion

Thoughts: This book feels like a rainy afternoon spent in a library. It is quiet, introspective, and atmospheric. This book is about the "smallness" of life and how significant those small moments can feel when you’re grieving or lost. The story explores how changing your environment specifically moving to a place filled with history and stories can shift your perspective. The "Slow Life" Philosophy: It challenges the modern hustle, suggesting that taking a "sabbatical" from your own expectations is sometimes the only way to move forward.

3. Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuk

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Vibe: Cozy & Uplifting

Thoughts: The book is told through interconnected stories. We meet different characters that are in different stages of their lives but who are all somehow connected to each other. Unlike other cafe books that focus on the conversation characters have, this one leans heavily into Astrology. The baristas use birth charts to explain why the characters feel "stuck." At its heart, the book is about timing. It explores the idea that we aren't necessarily "failing" at life; we might just be in a specific "season" that requires patience and self-reflection.

My favorite cinematic escape from this month.

The Drama (Directed by Kristoffer Borgli)

The Vibe: [Morally gray, ethical issues, think-piece]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Why I Loved It: This is a film that makes you think; it is not only very weird but also captivating. The problem we are presented with is inconceivable for many people, but in this movie, the character helps provide a different perspective on the topic. This film is intoxicating and feels claustrophobic. Definitely not a love story.

The Perfect Pairing: Of course, I got my usual: big popcorn, a Jet chocolate bar, and a BIG soda… the anxiety this film gives you makes you want to eat!

Thrash (Directed by Tommy Wirkola)

The Vibe: [Life or death, Thalassophobia, Claustrophobia]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Why I Loved It: This was a very crazy film. I love "end of the world" type movies, and even though this one isn't necessarily that, it had the same vibes. My thalassophobia was through the roof! It was a hard thing to experience, but the way the characters dealt with the issues at hand made it worth watching. Is it the best film ever? Nah, but it is a good, entertaining movie!

The Perfect Pairing: Cheeto Puffs with Coke Zero!!!

Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen (Produced by the Duffer Brothers)

The Vibe: [Scary, paranormal, cursed]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Why I Loved It: Even though this is not a movie, it was an incredible series that came out on Netflix. Oh god, did this feel terrifying and eerie! The vibes were so dark and mysterious that it constantly had me on edge. I felt like I was being watched—like I was cursed, too. What an awful feeling… I had a great time watching the plot evolve. It has a CRAZY twist, and to be honest, the ending was super satisfying!! I need more series like this in my life. I’m glad that man-child got what he deserved! Jude and Nelly are my favorites.

The Perfect Pairing: Chips and cookies!! This whole show is a nail-biter!!

A mini photo-essay from this month's camera roll.

During April, Colombia celebrates Semana Santa (Holy Week) a time when everyone takes a brake to pray, reconnect with family, fast, or simply travel. My family and I decided on a road trip along the coast, hopping through small towns to admire their stunning colonial churches. These photos capture the beauty of that journey... plus a bomb sushi crab salad I’m still thinking about!

Did you do anything fun this month? Let me know in the comments!!

Until next time, Pawxpi