Weekend Reads for May 17th

Weekend Reads

I didn't even know about this article until it showed up in my Google Alert for my name: “Midsize” at 50, she shares her inspiring looks! (MSN)

I Found All the Vibrators in Dying for Sex. (The Strategist)

Has the internet changed how women sound? (New York Times – gift link)

Spiritual haircut. (Womancake)

Our family are Who Gives a Crap fans; even more a fan of their partnership with Parks Project. The collaboration couldn't come at a better time; the causes supported by both of these certified B Corps are threatened by the funding cuts from the current US administration. Both companies are great examples of how voting with your dollar makes an impact; they've donated more than $12.5M and $2.7M to their respective causes. 

Welcome to slop world: how the hostile internet is driving us crazy. (Financial Times, but free through Archive)

More alternatives to knee replacement surgery are emerging. (Washington Post – gift link)

My brain finally broke. (The New Yorker)

Ready or not, thin is back in—and people have no qualms talking about it. (Air Mail)

I haven't worn non-black mascara in years but Thrive Causemetics sent me their awesome tubing mascara in ‘Elena,' a berry brown, and I'm a convert. It makes my brown eyes pop and offers as much definition as my usual daytime mascara!

The hidden impact of iron deficiency in perimenopausal women. (The Vajenda)

Porn culture did a number on millennial women. It’s time we talked about it. (Slate)

We study fascism, and we're leaving the U.S. (New York Times – gift link)

This is truly boat tote summer. Personally, I went budget friendly with this one in the same color, added monogram and this Maryland-appropriate charm.

When the way ahead isn’t clear, the solution, sometimes, is to eat. (Bitter Southerner)

What interior designers really think about Nancy Meyers. (You've Got Mail)

My journey from Etsy seller to leading a lawsuit against the president's trade policies. (Emily Ley)

Each time I head to my community swap or take clothes to donate, folks are asking me where I got my bag. A couple of years ago, swayed by social media ads, I got a Hulken, and I don't regret it. I have the largest size, it's so handy and folds down to nothing. I've heard since getting mine the wheels have improved and now there's a lid/cover but mine is still like new after plenty of time of hard work!

And for my local yokels… I would go to this if I weren't working on a local election! The Suited for Change 33rd Annual Gala — “Suited to Celebrate” — takes place on May 28th at the stunning District Winery Navy Yard. You can purchase tickets at this link.

For over three decades, Suited for Change has transformed the lives of low-income women across the DC area by providing professional attire, personalized coaching, and ongoing support as they journey toward economic independence. This gala celebrates not just the organization's legacy, but the remarkable strength and determination of the women it serves.

Sale Alert & Style Inspo

American Hat Makers has 25% off sitewide through 5/28. I am a fan of AHM. They make all their quality hats here in the U.S. and have been in business since the 1970s. My current sunhat for gardening and the beach is the Johvan, which has a brim big enough to cover my chest and shoulders but I can still sit in my car and walk through the garden center without taking up the whole aisle.

Through 5/29, Boll & Branch is offering 20% off $200+ with code WARDROBEOXYGEN. This is better than their upcoming Memorial Day sale, which is only on select bundles.

J.Jill has 30% off full priced pants and skirts through Sunday, 5/18. I am partial to the Wearever Knit Jeans (XS-4X w/ petite & tall), which are a perfect pant/jean hybrid, look polished, don't stretch out, and are super comfy. The white is opaque and perfect for this time of year!

Honeylove's Memorial Day Sale starts today! I have no idea what it entails as I am writing this Thursday and got no info other than this, but I know many of you are fans and it's worth checking out for the deal. I have the SoftForm bra and with the side boning, it's a great alternative to Evelyn & Bobbie bras if you deal with E&B rolling up.

Top row, from left to right: one (cups D-GG) | two (4-16) | three (2-26W & petite) | four (cup sizes C-H) | five (2-26W w/ cup size, petite, & long torso)
Bottom row, from left to right: one (S-XL) | two (cup sizes E-L) | three (cup sizes D-H) | four (12-26) | five (2-24W w/ cup size, petite, & long torso)

Swimsuit season is right around the corner and now is the time to shop for the best selection of size, color, and style. This year I'm seeing a lot of color, fun with print, and stylish options with more coverage that don't look like you're trying to hide something. Blue and white are a hot trend, but I'm also seeing a lot of shades of red and pink, jewel tones like emerald and amethyst, and of course black is always chic.

Madewell is having a sale only on LTK with 20% off. I prepared by pulling together some looks and mini capsules, you can find them all here; I'll be sharing my looks through the 19th and if you shop through LTK, you'll get the discount!

See/Hear/Read

I don't listen to many podcasts now that I work from home. Podcasts were great for my work commute, but I don't really have the time or desire for such in any other situation. However, when I heard about the Hulu series Dying for Sex, I knew it… because I had listened to the podcast. And the podcast came out in 2020. I can even recall myself in the car at a certain intersection in my city when I finished the last episode.

I knew this was a series I wanted to watch, but knew I'd have to watch it without my husband (he had cancer in his late 20s and understandably doesn't like shows about the topic). I didn't get a chance to finish the series until last weekend.

Michelle Williams plays Molly, a woman whose cancer returned and it is terminal. She is married, no kids, and has a best friend (Nikki, played by Jenny Slate). She ends up leaving her husband and goes on a journey to have her first orgasm while also slowly dying from cancer.

This may sound really odd and morbid, but the story is sweet and insightful and funny and powerful. Michelle Williams played the role beautifully. I am not a fan of Jenny Slate as an actress, and she pretty much played the same character she always plays, but for this show, it worked. And Rob Delaney plays Molly's neighbor, and I thought he really made the character endearing and human.

There is no happy ending. Molly dies in real life, and Molly does not make a miraculous recovery in the series. But her journey to find herself through her sexuality was really well done. Even if you're no way, no how the kind of person to pee on a man in a dog costume, I think women in midlife can still relate a lot to Molly and enjoy this series.

Jut finished the book Careless People. Wynn-Williams is prevented from talking about or promoting this book in any way, so the only way to get the word out is in this manner. This is a book by a high-powered person who worked at Facebook and all the horrible things and horrible people she experienced while there. Highly recommend, especially if you are a faithful user of Meta products and if you let your kids use Meta products (Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads).

For Your Entertainment

I’m not sorry
For the way that I love
Or the heart that I have
No I’m not sorry
For the dreams that I dream
Or the life that I live
Coz it all belongs to me
& that’s all that I can say

Kali Uchis fifth album, Sincerely, was released earlier this month. Inspired by the death of her mother and the birth of her first child, this is a dreamy and beautiful album. Her latest video is for the single, “All I Can Say,” which has a retro sound with modern lyrics.