Welcome to Late Bloomer, a newsletter and community for teen girls.
Late Bloomer publishes in collaboration with The Conversationalist, a nonprofit feminist media outlet that amplifies global perspectives with original reporting and commentary. From a beginner’s guide to reproductive justice to navigating changes in adult friendships, join The Conversationalist community for thoughtful stories that are led with nuance and empathy.
Bloomer in the Spotlight 🌼
Meet Zoe, a voracious reader, Wes Anderson fan, and unofficial Most Likely To Beat Your Duolingo Streak title holder.
The 16-year-old hails from Houston, Texas, where she enjoys driving around with friends and eating at the local IHOP. In a truly delightful conversation, we chatted about why she thinks Stanley water bottles are overrated, her favorite makeup products, Shaquille O’Neal, and much more.
How’s junior year going?
I really like junior year. It’s somewhat stressful, but I’ve made a good group of friends, and I’ve found a lot of hobbies and activities that are meaningful to me. They keep me grounded.
What types of hobbies and activities are you into?
So I’m pretty active in my school. I’m on the student council, and I’m a historian, which I really like. It involves making social media posts, and I decorate the bulletin board for my school. That’s really fun because it’s gotten me closer to students and teachers outside of school. I’m like the PR person [laughs]. I go a little above and beyond. I make posts for other holidays, and I like to interview students and get feedback on what they want on the bulletin board.
I also do a lot of reading. I have three cats at home and a dog so it’s like a zoo [laughs]. I do 5-Ks. I’m gonna do my first real one at the Rodeo Run, which I’m really excited about. I go to museums a lot, too. I have a membership at the MFA [Museum of Fine Arts], which is the biggest museum in Houston. I go there a lot, especially ‘cause it’s free on Thursdays.
What do you and your friends like to do together?
Sometimes it’s just studying. But I like to have sleepovers with my friends who go to different schools. Almost every Friday, one of my best friends and I have a sleepover, and my parents take us out to eat. It’s a lot of fun going to basketball games at my school and taking her to IHOP. I take her to IHOP a lot. I love IHOP.
When I was in high school, my go-to place was Olive Garden.
There’s no Olive Garden near my school. But now that I can drive, it’s much easier to see my friends. So during football season for one of my other friends, I would go to her football games ‘cause she’s in the band. I would just watch and scream, I know her!
Have you lived in Houston your whole life?
Basically. I was born in San Antonio and moved here when I was four. Until I was eight, I said I was from San Antonio [laughs]. I’m from Houston. I’m H-Town ‘till I drown. I like to say I know the city like the back of my hand, but that is not true. I use Google Maps way too much.
How would you describe Houston?
I would say it’s a very urban place. If your parents can’t drive you or your friends’ parents can’t drive you, it’s a lot of biking and walking and METROing around. That’s the public transportation we have here. And I don’t think the weather’s that bad, honestly. There’s a lot of Texas pride, especially in Houston, because we have Megan thee Stallion and Beyoncé.
I’d say that Texans have a very different culture from other states. I mean, I’m sure every state is different. We do say “y’all” all the time. It’s even in my essays, or I’m saying it in my presentations.
Speaking of Meg thee Stallion and Beyoncé, what kind of music are you into these days?
Well, I listen to a lot of music. My brother got me into some really weird music. I like Mac DeMarco a lot. I listen to him when I study. I’m looking through my playlist. I like Frank Ocean quite a bit. I like Nicki Minaj quite a bit [laughs]. I dabbled in Korean music and Japanese music ‘cause, in middle school, I learned Chinese. So I know a little bit of that. I listen to a lot of Outkast and a lot of Mariah Carey.
Another thing from Houston that I like is Wes Anderson. I really like his films. He’s one of my favorite directors.
Do you have a favorite Wes Anderson film?
I would say Fantastic Mr. Fox. But I really like The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. It has Bill Murray in it and Owen Wilson. I love it so much. My mom does not like Wes Anderson, and I don’t understand how you couldn’t [laughs].
How are you thinking about post-high school plans?
I’m definitely gonna go to college. If I could go out of state, that’d be great. I would just only want to go if it’s a really good school that I was passionate about going to. So far, there’s not one of those. I want to go into either education and become a teacher or go into psychology and become a therapist. My mom has a private practice, and I could learn the ropes from her. I’d probably go on to pursue higher education, like a master’s or PhD, but that would depend if I go into education or psychology.
Do you and your friends find yourselves stressed about school? What’s the temperature check?
Personally, I don’t let myself get caught up in my feelings about grades or school. I kind of separate it, and I think that’s one of the reasons why I’m so happy. I take classes that I know I can succeed in and work as hard as I can, but I want to have free time, and I prioritize.
I’d also say I’m a hard worker, so I’m not super stressed, but I know there’s a lot of kids at my school who are, especially with some kids having differences in learning. I have dyslexia and ADHD, and that’s made it a little bit harder. But I’ve learned not to let it get the best of me. I know that grades aren’t a personal attack on me; they’re just numbers [laughs]. That kind of mindset has helped, especially as I’ve gotten older, it’s been easier to stay confident and stay separate from school. But I mean, I still care about it a lot, obviously.
I love your attitude. It took me many years to figure that out, so it’s pretty amazing that you’ve figured out that balance at 16.
It’s something each person has to learn on their own.
I know you’re a big reader. What are you reading right now?
Ooh, I was just about to take a picture of the book and post it on Instagram. It’s called How to Not Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie Cruz.
I’m trying to read more and watch less TV. Are you watching anything right now?
Grey’s Anatomy [laughs]. I just finished season one.
What are your most-used apps?
I honestly go through my camera roll a lot. I take a lot of pictures, and then when I’m bored, I delete them. Instead of favoriting pictures that I like, I favorite picture I’m going to delete. That system has confused a lot of people, but it works for me. So I do that to clear up storage.
I go on TikTok and Instagram a lot more since I’m on it for actual work. I use YouTube a lot on my computer, and I watch a lot of TED-Ed videos. I love TED-Ed videos.
I also use Duolingo a lot when I’m bored, but I also have a long streak, and that’s why I love it. I’ve beat my dad. My dad’s trying to catch up to me. He’s a 92 Duolingo streak, and I’m, like, 190-something.
What language are you learning?
Chinese, Dutch, and sometimes French.
What’s something that’s bringing you joy right now?
I have this Nalgene water bottle my parents got me for Christmas. They got me a little blue one. I lost one of my Nalgenes, and a snap broke on another one.
Another thing is my cat, who I had for eight years, died last year. She’s a calico––orange, black, and white. I have all these things that look like her. My friend made me this Lego cat that looks like her, and there’s this porcelain cat that looks like her. It makes me happy ‘cause I really, really like that cat. So I don’t wanna forget about her, you know?
Of course.
Recently, I was given this Mario Badescu facial spray that I had seen other girls use, and I was like, Oh, that’s just colored water. It won’t work. But it actually does, which is really nice.
Oh, one thing that’s making me really happy is I am a huge perfume girl. I love nice perfumes. For the longest time, I’ve been using a knock-off of a really nice one. But my mom got me a full-sized bottle of the real version. It’s My Way by Armani Beauty. I feel like Cleopatra.
I love it. I also love that you have a Nalgene because everyone is obsessed with Stanley.
I hate those.
Tell me why. I want your hot take.
Basically, they’re insulated cups, but why? Nalgenes are industrial grade. It took years for any of them to break. Also, if they do break, you can send them back, and there’s a guarantee you can get another one for free. Stanleys seem heavy, and holding it by the handle… like, sure, that’s great, but why not hold it by the actual cup? Like, what?
I’m with you.
I get straws. Like you know those Owala ones? Those are cool. Those are great. But I’ve heard they cause bacteria, and I kind of don’t want to get poisoned and killed. So I’d rather stick with my microplastics. No offense, Nalgene. I’m sure microplastics get in my water.
Also, I just think it’s crazy that people will go buying overpriced mug-like cups [sighs deeply]. Hot take.
I have a Takeya, and I’m good with that. Stanley’s just look so bulky and heavy. But I won’t hate! I don’t want to yuck anyone’s yum.
Beyond the Mario Badescu spray, do you have any can’t-live-without makeup or skincare products?
So I recently got a refill of the Skinfix barrier+ face cream. It’s a triple lipid peptide cream, and it actually works really well.
I use the IT Cosmetics CC+ Lightweight Foundation + Glow Serum in Nude Glow, and OK; I know they’re expensive, and I just found out that e.l.f. has a dupe. Because I have freckles, if I wear a foundation that’s too heavy, it looks weird because everyone knows that I have freckles. When they’re covered up, it looks like I’m a dying Victorian child [laughs]. But if it’s too sheer, it doesn’t cover my acne. So this one works really well because it blends nicely. And I don’t want to get melanoma, so I wear that one all the time.
Makeup-wise, I really, really like Rare Beauty. I also just support Selena Gomez in general, especially with her lupus. I have the eyeliner and the mascara. I have the lip oil. I don’t have the blush––kind of want it, kind of don’t. I have the concealer, too. They work really great, and they’re decently priced, which I appreciate.
I also have a Mario Badescu Drying Lotion. I had a sleepover with my friend, and she let me use her lotion, and it worked so well. I also love Benefit’s highlighter. I have it in Cookie ‘cause I’m white as a ghost [laughs].
What is your most-used emoji?
I bet it’s gonna be the crying one, but sometimes it’s the lobster. Lobsters are my favorite animals besides my cats [laughs]. [Checks phone] Yep, it’s the crying emoji.
I also use, sarcastically, the guy with stars in his eyes a lot. And then my third one is the man hiding in the cloud like he’s taking a shower or something. I use it if I want to respond to something but don’t know what tone to say it, but only in happy moods. If someone told me their mom died, I would not use that face.
Right [laughs]. If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be?
Hmm. Owen Wilson. Or I really like Ryan Gosling. But I also really like Margot Robbie. There’s one more person… oh, Shaquille O’Neal. I love Shaquille O’Neal. I think he’s so funny.
Tell me more about Shaquille O’Neal because I was not expecting that.
When I was younger, I thought he played for the Spurs. I found out he did not play for the Spurs, but he’s in this episode of Fresh Off the Boat. It’s a really funny episode. I don’t want to spoil it; it’s so good. And one time, I found him on a Frosted Flakes cereal box with Tony the Tiger. I was like, Oh my gosh, that is such a good collab.
What do you spend the most money on?
Clothes or makeup. I would say [mainly] clothes because I’ve found ways to get cheap, good-quality makeup and skincare.
My body type is kind of weird ‘cause I’m too tall to wear short things, and I don’t like exposing my legs much. I like to look cool and trendy, but I don’t care to show skin because I get cold really easily, you know?
That’s fair.
So I spend a lot of money at thrift shops, honestly. I’m wearing a shirt that says “Irish Girls Rock.” I like funny shirts.
I’d also say accessories. I’ve gotten more into purses and jewelry. I really want and am saving up for a Tiffany’s necklace. They’re so expensive.
They are. I think I got one for my 16th birthday. Even the cheapest thing is still insanely expensive [laughs].
It’s kind of horrible. And I know I shouldn’t feed into the capitalistic stereotype, but I’m a teenage girl, so I can.
You absolutely can [laughs]. If you had a plane ticket and could go anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go?
Either the Netherlands or Japan. In the Netherlands, there’s this bunny named Miffy, or her Dutch name is “Nijntje.” She’s not very popular in America. She’s very popular in Japan.
I’ve never heard of Miffy!
She’s a little Dutch rabbit. She’s kind of like Hello Kitty. She has two eyes and an “x” for a mouth. She was made by this guy named Dick Bruna in the 1950s and is just an icon for the Netherlands. My dad travels a lot and when I was younger, he would get me stuffed animals of her when he would go to the Netherlands. It’s kind of like a childhood memory. I’ve collected quite a bit of her. I love her to death.
She’s like Snoopy but better. Don’t tell anyone I said that; I’ll get canceled.
I know. I won’t tell anyone. Snoopy is really having a moment.
I know. And I think he’s great. But he’s a dog [laughs]. I’m not a Dog Person.
Cat Person, right?
Cat Person. Or sometimes Lobster Person.
Beyond the Algorithm 🔮
In which Zoe shares a few of her favorite things:
1. My Casio watch. This watch was a gift from a very close family friend, so it’s very dear to my heart. Not only is it practical, but it’s also so cute and has become one of my staple accessories!
2. Car rides while driving others home. I’m always offering to drive people home because it’s the best time to get to know someone more and spend quality time together. I keep my car full of things to make my passengers comfortable, like blankets, candy, and extra water bottles. I love getting seemingly mundane but meaningful information from my friends. Hearing about their day or just jamming out to music, it’s just always a treat to have those moments.
3. Trader Joe’s tote bags. I am always lugging around random things with me all day, every day, and Trader Joe’s bags are super cute, durable, and spacious! The bags are so easy to clean, and because they can hold so much, I can use them for everything.
4. Calendars. I feel like people don’t use wall calendars as much anymore, but I have three of them. I love Papier’s calendars.
5. Baths. They are the place where I get the best alone time! Getting to relax and rewind is really important to me, so take baths very seriously. My time in the tub feels central to taking care of myself. Adding a bath bomb or face mask always is a great pick-me-up after a rough day! For bath bombs, I love all of Lush’s products. For face masks, I really like TONYMOLY or Dr.Jart+.
6. Reading. I love a good book. When I was younger, reading was something I did because I was so bored and needed to find a way to pass the time. But now that I’ve gotten older, it feels more like a luxury. I’m always writing in them, underlining phrases I like, writing the definitions of words I don’t know, and drawing faces of my reactions! I also always write the day I start the book and the day I finish, which is something I haven’t seen other people do, but I love getting to know how long it took me to read something.
tysm, Zoe! 🌼
In the meantime…
Here are some things I have recently bought and/or consumed:
1. The best grapes of my life. Karl (le fiancé) and I took a trip to Boston at the beginning of the month and stayed at The Langham, which had A) *the* most charming Paddington Bear collab and B) the best grapes of our lives. They were juicy and jammy and elicited “OMG” as we ate them. We popped them into our mouths like Skittles. They were so good that when we checked out, I asked for more information so we could buy them. While we’re still investigating the exact type of grape, my hunch is that they are Candy Dreams or Black Seedless. I will keep you updated on our Grape Mystery Journey. 🍇
2. OPI Bubble Bath. OPI’s Big Apple Red has been my go-to since high school (it is the perfect shade of red, IMO), but I was ready to switch it up to something more natural. While I’ve used OPI’s Bubble Bath before when getting the occasional French manicure, I opted to go for the color again, but this time, with three coats. Three coats of Bubble Bath is the magic number, resulting in a soft, subtle pink that doesn’t look completely neutral.
3. Lovers Only candle by Mar Mar. BFF Michelle sweetly gifted this to us for our engagement, and I’ve been savoring it so it lasts as long as possible. It makes our apartment smell like an expensive store. The candle was originally created for two friends on their wedding day––isn’t that cute?
4. Stationery by Papier. I love sending a handwritten note and decided to treat myself to some beautiful personalized stationery. I ended up choosing this Antique Blue notecard set and am very pleased with the quality.
And here’s a song to get ya through the week:
P.S. I wanna hear from you! 🐌
Want to nominate a friend (or yourself!) for “Bloomer in the Spotlight”? Got a brilliant recommendation for “Beyond the Algorithm” or just wanna say hey?
Get in touch at latebloomernewsletter@gmail.com 💘