Post-Election Weekend Reads
With 8.5 days of early voting, a weekend to catch up, and then 1.5 days of Election Day work, I feel as though I have been away from Wardrobe Oxygen for a month! But it was for a good cause! In Maryland we had record levels of voters come out, with my county having the highest numbers more than doubling the last midterm election. And across this country we saw you all show up and speak up with your vote.
Thank you to those who participated: canvassing, phone banking, postcard writing, working at the polls and for campaigns, and those who donated to my Giving Circle with the States Project. The States Project as a whole donated over $100 million to support state legislative efforts in 21 states.
30 Democratic governors, including the first Black woman governor and first Native American woman governor. Speaking of firsts, this election also brought the first Native American woman senator, first Muslim senator, first openly gay senator, first state (Illinois) with two women of color senators. This election sent a very clear message from sea to shining sea: one of hope, one of inclusion, and one that makes me feel as though what America really is hasn't been completely destroyed by the current administration.
I'm inspired, and I am glad to be back back here to chat fashion and beauty and life and all the good things. Thank you for sticking around, I look forward to reconnecting with you!
Weekend Reads
Why Satire Is No Laughing Matter. (Time)
A friend told me about these shoes, how comfy and light they are. On the brand website, they even come in wide widths!
Cindy Sherman: ‘My photographs make me come to terms with my body changing.’ (The Financial Times)
If you have a friend with a golden, a doodle, or a beagle I found the perfect gift for them!
Sermorelin: The Peptide Promise Outruns the Evidence. (The Vajenda via Substack)
I just got this sweater for me, my sister, and my daughter. I couldn't resist!
‘I perfected deception’: My secret life as a relapsed alcoholic. (The Guardian)
This brooch is badass
Nobody Benefits When You Overgive – Here’s How To Stop. (The Good Trade)
Did you see the collab between Madewell and the New York Public Library? I'm digging this graphic tee.
The brain injury that made Edward Freytag a musical genius. (New York Times Magazine – gift link)
This bottle is genius for your wellness warriors.
Maryland artist creates Black maternal health flag out of hospital baby blankets. (NBC Washington)
The ‘Blue Wave’ Is Really a Black Tsunami. (The Cut – gift link)
These pants with a chunky cream turtleneck and clogs, or a burgundy silk blouse and kitten heel mules, or a teal velvet blazer and sleek black boots that slip up under the pant hem, or a favorite graphic t-shirt and a quilted jacket and some calfhair print sneakers.
Billy Corgan Is the Cherry on the Shit Sundae That Is the Middle-Aged Man Crisis. (Jenny)
Do I need this? No. Do I want it? Yessssss.
What Would Happen If You Had Sex With a Wicker Dick? (Vulture)
If you follow me on Instagram Stories you know the whole family is obsessed with these in Australian Sandalwood. Super effective, and a subtle yet gorgeous scent.
Marissa Mayer Ran Yahoo. She’s Back With A.I. She Thinks Women Will Love. (New York Times – gift link)
This jacket and these pants with a gray t-shirt, a burgundy cashmere crew, a white button-down, a tan silk shirt, a black turtleneck, the jacket with jeans, the pants with a silk blouse…
What If a Crisis Pregnancy Center Was Pro-Choice? (The Cut – gift link)
Why Do We Hate to See Ourselves Age? (Gloria)
Style Inspo & Sale Alert
Style Inspo
‘Tis the season to begin thinking about holiday outfits. My recommendation is stick to staples already in your closet and add accessories and statement pieces that will elevate it while also being easy to rewear again and again. I am a big fan of a dressy jacket: slip over a button-down, t-shirt, or tank with jeans. Wear over a cashmere turtleneck and trousers. Glam up a not-so-little black dress. Pair with a silky cami and pencil skirt or cigarette trousers. It's something you can pull out each year and wear with joy and in a completely different (or completely the same signature) way.
Top row, left to right: black tie-front (XS-XXL) | tux jacket (00-22) | red tweed & velvet (XXS-XXL) | silver fringe (XXS-XL)
Middle row: black brocade (XXS-XXL) | red shimmer tweed (0/2-20/22) | brown sequin (XXS-XXL & petite) | sheer beaded (14/16-30/32)
Bottom row: sequin with velvet bow (XXS-3X) | faux fur with removable brooch (XS-XL) | green velvet (2-16) | cropped tux jacket (00-40)
For this year I got this brown sequin jacket, which is a soft knit inside. I liked that it wasn't black, but still festive and evening. Some ways I see myself wearing it:
- With a crisp white shirt and brown tweed trousers
- With a sheer black turtleneck and black pants
- With a simple white t-shirt tucked into dark jeans
- Over my navy shantung ball dress
- With a brown silk cami and pants or maxi skirt
Sale Alert
Soma has its $30 bra sale again! I recently got this bra and am impressed by how supportive it is even for large breasts while also being so pretty. These hipsters make for a luxe matching set. And if you like my favorite Soma wireless bra but want something that offers a bit more shaping, this newer wireless bra is pretty fantastic.
Naturalizer has 20% off at this link. Naturalizer does on trend styles well, merging chic with comfort (and wide widths and wide calves). These boots are high enough to slip under ankle pants and cropped jeans; tuck pants into them for a flight suit effect. These loafers are on my wish list. And these flats in leopard are so chic.
See/Hear/Read
No surprise, I haven't been able to absorb much in regard to reading, movies, or TV. No internet while at the polls, and once I got home I was too exhausted to do much more than shower and go to bed.
I'm caught up on MobLand, saw the first episode of The Diplomat Season 4 and most of the first episode of the latest season of The Gilded Age (I fell asleep).
Started an audiobook that came off my hold list: The Thoroughbreds, the second in the series Elin Hilderbrand wrote with her daughter Shelby Cunningham about students at a New England prep school. This is fun because the students are now seniors like my daughter and there is a lot about the college application process and schools they are applying to and a few are the same ones my senior has applied to!
Speaking of which, she applied to several schools that offer Early Admission, has two more schools that don't offer it to finish the supplemental essays for, and we're working on college-specific scholarship applications. We hope to have the rest of this stuff finished by the 21st so we can enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday (we will be spending it with out of town family). This has been a major endeavor; I see you fellow parents of college-bound kids! It's like a second job for the first part of their last year!
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Alison, what a FANTASTIC election! I’m still riding our country’s blue wave high, even though my state kept our R Senator, US Reps, Gov, etc. However, in my state, there was some good news. We elected enough Dems in our state legislature to finally break the Republican super majority. That is something to celebrate and hopefully, it means we have a little blue trickle that will grow.
Such a great week for democracy & it’s been nice to wake up each day without the usual dread. Thanks for all you did with your election work! Have a wonderful weekend!
Hi Alison. My first thought when I saw the election results was that the administration in DC can’t hurt anyone anymore. This administration kills Americans and immigrants with impunity. Perhaps that reality has finally sunk in with Americans.