Weekend Reads for the Start of October

Weekend Reads

Why No One Wants to Date Tech Bros. (Wired)

A Long Read About Living in a World Where Men Publicly Bond over Women’s Humiliation and Pain. (Unmanned via Substack)

Winter is coming and I am preparing by buying another tube of this fantastic hand cream.

Women Clearly Haven’t Ruined Enough Things Yet. (The Noösphere via Substack)

Beck’s 2002 album Sea Change was inspired by a breakup. For his ex-partner, it was the story of how the church took over his life. (Vulture)

Classic knee-high boots available in wide widths and wide calves? Yes please!

As doctors stopped prescribing hormone replacement during menopause, an uptick in fatal UTIs began. Why did FDA warnings against estrogen persist for decades? (USA Today)

I have a feeling these tops are going to be the “thing” this winter into spring. Wear over activewear, over dresses, over tanks and jeans.

Owing the payday loan apps. (Baffler)

OMG Fly By Jing has an advent calendar!

On Not Being a Homeowner. (The New Yorker)

Everything is Fake. (Merritt K on Patreon)

I'm kinda obsessed with this plaid tote.

ICE Has Been Dumping Protester Photos Into a Palantir Database. (Wired)

I blame TikTok for wanting this scarf.

Reflections on a lifetime of dental drama. (The American Scholar)

Style Inspo & Sale Report

Style Inspo

I love making a mini capsule wardrobe; just a couple of quite simple pieces that mix and match without any effort. I saw this jacket at J. Crew Factory and thought it so cute and versatile, it inspired this collection.

I could also see this jacket over a sheath dress, or a denim skirt and ribbed turtleneck, or a graphic tee and wide-leg jeans. It's really cute and the plaid is so subtle it can go with most prints.

Sale Alert

Jenny Bird is having its Friends and Family Sale through 10/4 with 25% off sitewide. I have been a Jenny Bird jewelry fan for years and have pieces that have become signatures for me as they're cool, quality, and easy to wear. Lately the items on repeat that are still available are this ring, these earrings, and this adjustable pendant necklace. I also have been wearing this anklet consistently since July in showers, pools, oceans, and it still looks great.

See/Hear/Read

I finished Cherry Baby: A Novel by Rainbow Rowell. This continued being a comforting read with a happy ending one would never expect in the first half of the book. A lot of discussion about weight, body image, and GLP-1s so be aware if you plan to read this. Even with so much discussion, there is no real shame in being in a larger body, and the women in larger bodies are seen as beautiful and sexy and fun and cool and so much more than their size. I found the discussion as comforting as the life of Cherry.

We finished The Gentlemen (Netflix), and wow did it get violent, but it was still an enjoyable watch. Lots of people and fashion and homes fun to look at. That being said, Karl kind of ruined it by saying that Theo James (Eddie) looks like our couples therapist. I would have never seen the comparison, but then watching the show it's all I could see. We're down to once monthly so we don't see the therapist any time soon, but I wonder if I'll still see the similarity when we meet. Anyway, the show really set itself up for Season 3.

We began watching Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story (Netflix). Another Ryan Murphy production, this is done in a way that feels occasionally trippy, occasionally over the top, occasionally like an art film, and often quite beautiful (even the blood). I think the acting is great, except for Charlie Hunnam, who overplays his role and IMO I think is miscast.

This is totally not accurate or factual. Sooooo many liberties were taken; if I were related to any of the individuals in this story I would be furious. But if you take it as a dramatic, slightly campy, typical Ryan Murphy production, Monster is a bloody good time (har har). And considering how much it is different from the real story, you can't assume what will happen next.