Weekend Reads for the End of August

Weekend Reads

Do you need rich parents to get ahead? (Your Brain on Money, via Substack)

New Studies Link Menopause Hormone Therapy to Lower Alzheimer’s Risk. (New York Times – gift link)

If I didn't already own my cuff, I'd totally get this one.

‘Ted Lasso' drives 5,000% jump in searches for Kansas City's Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. (KMBC)

Mothers Aren't Failing They're Being Failed. (Airplane Mode, via Substack)

Oh my gosh, I so want this jacket!

‘Polyester’ is Gen Z’s newest viral insult. Here’s what it means. (USA Today)

The mainstream is disintegrating. What’s a frustrated pop star to do? (The Atlantic – gift link)

I love these; I love seaglass, and this is a practical and pretty version. Plus code ALISON20 gets you 20% off sitewide.

This liner truly stays, prevents bleeding, and makes me actually be able to subtly overline and not look messy, just fuller.

Let’s take a look at the retro tech making a comeback. (TechCrunch)

How The New York Times Crossword Puzzle Saved My Life. (Oldster, via Substack)

How Residencies Took Over the Music Industry. (New York Times – gift link)

I recently received a Handker bandana as a gift and it's beautiful. They're all hand-designed by the artist an great quality. And I mention wild rags and oversized bandanas below; Handker also has those in 100% cotton lawn.

I got my first tattoo at 50… and it fell off. (Allure)

Inside the Weird New World of Peptide Tanning. (GQ)

I have one, K has one, and we just got E one since her old toothbrush died. Love how much more sustainable these are, the long battery life, the biodegradable heads, and that code ALISON10 gets you 10% off!

How Teen ‘After-Prom’ Kings in LA Monetized the High School Rager. (Wired)

Washington Post Ordered to Rehire Fired Columnist. (New York Times – gift link)

I think my feet are too high volume for these loafers, which sucks because I am in love.

Come for the Orgy, Stay for the Personal Growth. (Geezer, via Substack)

Years Late, Billions Over Budget: California’s High-Speed Rail Hasn’t Laid a Track. (Wall Street Journal – gift link)

The pouch trend is big this fall; this is the version of it I can't get out of my mind.

Love at First Prompt: How AI Appointed Itself Your Wingman. (Sh*t You Should Care About, via Substack)

The Single English County Saying No to Palantir. (Wired)

For my boat tote friends who also are heading to a sporting event or concert.

Why Women in China Are Saying ‘No Thanks' to Marriage and Children. (The Persistent)

Style Inspo & Sale Alert

Style Inspo

Bandana prints have been hot for over a year, but right now the trend is an elevated bandana. Higher-end trendy brands like Guest in Residence have come out with cashmere oversized bandanas, Gap has a bandana-print belted cardigan that is really hot right now, and you can find oversized silk bandanas at Madewell and J. Crew. I have had this 53″ square 100% cotton one from The Great bookmarked for a year and this one would be a great travel wrap after the trend has died down.

one | two | three | four (XS-XL) | five (XS-XL) | six (XS/S-M/L) | seven | eight | nine | ten | eleven

There are plenty of colors available but I'm seeing navy the top color followed by brown and then soft black, dark rusty red, and shades of blue denim. Unless this is hardcore your vibe, I'd stick to a silk or lightweight cotton bandana of whatever size makes the most sense for you. The oversized ones you can wrap around your neck just like we did with blanket scarves, or get creative and tie it into a halter top or fold and make it into a cummerbund-like belt over a dress or with a tucked-in top and pants with some volume.

Smaller bandanas of silky or cotton fabrics can be tied “cowboy” style, twisted around the neck and tied in front, or I like this elevated version of a classic front knot. This is also a time you can pull out your scarf rings or use a regular ring. I also encourage you to look up how cowgirls, cowboys, and ranch workers tie wild rags, which are essentially the original version of this oversized silky bandana trend.

blazer (00-16) | shirt (XS-XXL; I own: bust-friendly & no-iron) | glasses | earrings | lip blush (I own) | jeans (23-34 & petite) | bag (ALISON12 for 12% off) | oversized silk scarf | loafers (N, M, W)

Styling these elevated bandanas or wild rags with a more elevated look (tweed blazer, cashmere cableknit sweater or twinset, crisp white shirt) is a great look for all ages. Scarves and bandanas are a trend I always support because they always come back in fashion, take up little space for storage or travel, and are a combination of style and function (a silk scarf is surprisingly warm on an unexpectedly chilly day).

Sale Alert

Attention, attention! NARS is having its Summer Send-Off Event with 20% off sitewide (newness included!) + 40% off Last Chance. This is pretty fantastic. My personal favorites from NARS: this tinted SPF (great for grown-woman skin), this mini concealer (great for travel, your purse, or if you don't use concealer often), this blush (I'm actually wearing Orgasm again and loving it again), and this bronzer applied with a big fluffy brush is impossible to mess up, looks natural, and gives you the summer glow through fall and winter.

Our Place is having its End of Summer Sale where you can save up to 45% off sitewide. We have this and love it; it's a great gift for a new homeowner or someone trying to downsize their kitchen. Our airfryer/toaster combo is starting to act up so I've been admiring this and the sale price.

Through August 30, SPANX is offering 25% off all full-priced AirEssentials with code AE25. This jumpsuit is genius (and looks great layered over turtlenecks and long-sleeved tees come fall) and hello AirEssentials with pockets!

See/Hear/Read

See

We are continuing to watch The Shards (Hulu). I don't know… I kind of hate it but kind of love it. It's horror for sure and truly makes me grossed out by the minds of who created The Trawler but also beautiful people and beautiful clothes and beautiful scenes and utter ridiculousness.

My favorite is Hayes Warner who plays Debbie. Runner up is Steven, who is played by Jordan Roth who I positively love and have been following on Instagram for years.