Sunday Spotlight 05 - Meet Kesler!
If you’ve been around for a while, you have heard Kesler’s name without a doubt! We met at Ole Miss where we both studied Accounting, and if you know nothing about that world, recruiting plays a heavy role during your junior or senior years of college. On a whim we both decided to recruit together for internships in Dallas, and 10 years later we’re still there living just a few miles apart. (She also starred in a video a few years ago, and fair warning, it’s an EARLY one — watch at your own risk.)
I’m exactly one day older than Kes, and I LOVE that we get to celebrate those milestones together since our birthdays are situated in the depressing, cold month of February. She’s a friend that truly loves unconditionally, who doesn’t blink an eye if you pop over to her house on a whim, who literally comes running when you go through a breakup (true story), who gives you the freedom and support to do what’s best for you, and who encourages you endlessly.
About Kesler
Hi, I’m Kesler!
I grew up in Arkansas, went to college at Ole Miss, and now live in Dallas, TX. My husband and I have been married for 7 years, and we had our first baby, Parker, last November. We have two dogs — Lucy, a three-legged lab mix, and Sawyer, an almost 100 lb golden retriever. I watch a lot of TV, I like crafting, I know nothing about beauty products, I rarely ever buy anything at full price, I’m extremely competitive, and I’m a huge Ole Miss fan. I’m also a forensic accountant, which is not as cool as it sounds, I promise!
I am lucky enough to have Mags as my best friend and “Aunt Maggie” to my human child and fur children. As much as Maggie and I are alike (for instance, our birthdays are one day apart, and one year we even got each other the same gift), we are equally different. She’s the yin to my yang in all the best ways, and I couldn’t live life without her. (Maggie here: You’ll see these differences highlighted in the sections below - starting with anything to do with murder. lol)
Reading Recommendations
Favorite Genres
Psychological Thrillers, Murder Mysteries, Chick-Lit/RomComs
Currently Reading
I have always been a huge reader, but once my baby came along, reading took a back seat. For perspective, I read 43 books in 2021, and I've only read 8 in 2022.
I currently have several library books on airplane mode on my Kindle that I am trying to work through. Right now, I am reading All of Us Villains by Amanda Foody, and it’s supposed to be like a Hunger Games but with magic. I have the newest Ruth Ware book queued up next!
Top 3 Favorite Books
This is a tough one. I honestly don’t know if I have a favorite book of all time because I’m a very tough critic. Books rarely receive 5 stars from me on Goodreads, and I’ve been known to sit on my ratings for a week afterward and change them if I think it’s warranted. A few books that have received the coveted 5 stars in the past few years are:
Where’d You Go, Bernadette - This is a book I regularly recommend to others. “A misanthropic matriarch leaves her eccentric family in crisis when she mysteriously disappears in this "whip-smart and divinely funny" novel that inspired the movie starring Cate Blanchett.” (New York Times)
The Woman in Cabin 10 - I like Ruth Ware books in general, but this one is definitely my favorite of her’s. “Ware’s follow up to her best selling debut, In a Dark, Dark Wood, is a gripping maritime psychological thriller that will keep readers spellbound. The intense final chapters just might induce heart palpitations.” (Library Journal, Starred Review)
The Office: The Untold Story of the Greatest Sitcom of the 2000s: An Oral History - If you are a fan of The Office, this is a must read. It has SO much information from top executives at the network all the way down to assistants on set.
Reader Beware
There is also a series I definitely don’t recommend — the Hannah Swensen mystery series by Joanne Fluke. The books in this series are what I call “cute little Hallmark murder” books because Hallmark actually makes movies based on them. The series started great. They had good stories, likable characters, and great recipes at the end of every chapter; they were just charming, easy reads! However, I am now 28 (!!!) books in and, WOOF, they are becoming a struggle. At this point, I’m in too deep. After investing time into 28 books, I can’t give up now even though I am basically to the point of skimming them just to get through the new one each year. Save yourself time, and do not start this journey. Just watch the Hallmark movies and move along with your day.
TV Show and Movie Recommendations
Favorite Genres
I was raised on Murder She Wrote, Matlock, and Columbo, so I was destined to love murder mystery shows and movies. Hallmark Murders & Mysteries is almost always on our TV during the day. We say that our ~10-month-old is probably the only child in the world that can recognize the Monk theme song, and he will stop what he’s doing and dance to it every time.
I also watch my fair share of reality television, specifically Survivor, DWTS, Bachelor franchise, and baking competition shows.
I do NOT prefer shows or movies whose only purpose appears to be to make you sad or cry or those that stress you out the entire time like war and horror movies.
Favorite Shows
Survivor — I have watched every single season since the premiere 22 years ago, and it is my biggest dream to be on the show one day. If anyone happens to have a hookup, let me know! I would be indebted to you forever.
Psych — If you have never watched it, watch it. It’s so funny and just the best. “When a novice sleuth convinces the police he has psychic powers, he and his reluctant best friend are hired on as consultants to help solve complicated cases.” (IMDb)
Favorite Movies
Favorite Movie of all time: Crazy, Stupid, Love - easy. I would pay some $$$ to be able to watch this one again for the first time.
Favorite Movies Lately: We’re big Marvel people, so I’ll have to say the newest Thor movie, Thor: Love and Thunder. This is also the only movie we have seen in theaters since before the Co-Co (COVID).
Food Recommendations
Favorite Recipes
Chicken Spaghetti — This is a big comfort food for me and is also my go-to meal to make for others. It’s so easy to whip up a big batch in a disposable pan and take to a friend’s house with ready-to-bake garlic bread.
Taco Ring — So unbelievably easy and yummy.
Tortellini Soup — A soup my husband will actually eat! Hearty and delicious.
Favorite Food Blogger
We’re big Defined Dish fans! We have both of her cookbooks and cook from those or her blogs almost every week.
Favorite Restaurants in Dallas
Rodeo Goat — best burgers in Dallas, in my opinion.
Any Tex-Mex with good margaritas (Maggie here: I’d say Meso Maya, Mi Cocina, and Torchy’s Tacos fit the bill.)
Cava — great spot for a healthier weeknight meal if you’re craving a bowl, salad, or wrap.
Go-To Lazy Meal
Any frozen meal from Trader Joes! My favorite is the Vegetable Fried Rice with added sauteed shrimp. You also can’t go wrong with pasta and quick garlic bread — sliced bread with butter and garlic salt on top. Just broil it in the oven until toasted.
Podcast & Music Recommendations
Podcasts
I only listen to podcasts during the day while I am working, and they’re mostly true crime podcasts with the exception of a few. My favorites are:
The Oxford Exxon Podcast, for any Ole Miss fans out there.
Additional Podcast Thoughts and Recommendations
The first true crime podcast I always recommend is Season 1 of To Live and Die in LA. I think season 1 is one of the best true crime podcasts start to finish — I was enthralled the entire time.
I also love listening to Smartless for a change of pace. I think the hosts Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Sean Hayes are hilarious, and I feel like I laugh out loud almost every episode. I can’t point to a specific episode I’d recommend, since they have such a wide range of guests. Pick any episode with a guest you’re interested in hearing from — they’re all great!
10 Favorite Things - 5 for Kesler, 5 for Baby
Kesler’s Favorites
Ember Mug — I am a very slow coffee drinker, and this has been amazing. Microwaving coffee just never felt right to me, and now I can take my sweet time drinking my coffee and it stays at the same 135 degrees until the mug dies.
Libby App — I am a library-er until I die-er. I honestly could not tell you the last time I bought a book, so the Libby App is clearly my jam. I also can’t go without mentioning my Kindle!
Sharpie Pens — I will die on this hill. No other pens compare. The felt (OG) sharpie pens are great for any writing that you want to stand out on the page - addressing envelopes, writing letters, or sending thank you cards, for example. The new Sharpie S-Gel pens are also a must. Perfect for everyday use at work, writing yourself notes, etc.
Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant — This is a Maggie special. Maggie gifted this to me for Christmas one year, and now here it is on this list. This stuff is magic, and honestly, it’s one of the things I missed the most while I was pregnant. My face was just not the same without it. (Maggie here: I like the gel better than the liquid for ease of use!)
I was struggling with these, so I had to ask Maggie what I can’t live without and her answer was: “Literally any sweater or sweatshirt that comes in a blue varietal.” She’s not wrong. Yo girl loves a comfy sweater, and it will likely be a shade of blue (NEVER red). Our house temp is kept chilly enough for me to live in a sweater or sweatshirt year round. One of my favorite places to buy sweaters/sweatshirts is Aerie. They are always perfectly oversized, quality materials, comfy cozy, and great prices (you can always catch some type of sale).
Parker’s Favorites
Doona — When I was pregnant, we went to Buy Buy Baby to look at baby items for the first time, and a dad pushing a Doona looked at us and said, “Don’t ask questions, just buy it. It is worth every penny.” He was right! I honestly can’t imagine not having it. Parker has always been a massive baby (9lbs, 9oz at birth - yikes), and I am so thankful I’ve never had to lug a carseat around.
Dagne Dover Indi Diaper Backpack — I love this bag. It holds everything, has a ton of pockets to keep it all organized, and it looks good. With kids, things getting dirty is inevitable, so the fact that the bag is also washable is a huge plus.
Baby Stroller Fan — I took this fan to use in the delivery room (after 3 hours of pushing it was definitely needed), and we have used it almost every day since. We use it on daily walks, it came with us to the beach…basically any time we think Parker could get hot, we throw it in the bag to use.
Ollie Swaddle — This was by far our favorite swaddle. The velcro makes it so easy to get a tight, snug fit and keeps baby happy.
Electric Baby Nail File — I can’t imagine trying to use actual nail clippers to trim Parker’s nails after discovering this. You don’t have to worry about clipping the nail too short or cutting little fingers when they are being wiggly. Parker has never minded getting his nails trimmed with this, and it gives me so much peace of mind.