Weekend Reads for the Start of 2026
Welcome back, folks! I spent a few days in Deep Creek Lake, Maryland where it got cold enough to freeze the lake and the day we left there was almost a foot of snow. So glad we have a Subaru and left before the snow had a chance to melt and refreeze as it was smooth sailing for the drive home. We went with another family who we've known for years and it was great to just R&R, keep it lowkey with people we love.
2025 was a lot, and it felt like I blinked and January was here. I don't really have a lot of goals or resolutions for the new year, just to end this year at least a little better than the previous. When my husband asked what my goals were for the year, I blurted out the first thing I thought of, “better grip strength.”
Honestly, the most valuable thing any of us can do in 2026 is do something to honor our bodies. Strength, mobility, comfort, care… we are an age where it matters more than ever and we're grown enough to know health is wealth and our clothing size doesn't determine anything but where we can shop.
Speaking of which, I do plan to be more mindful with my shopping. My daughter and I have a plan to thrift more often, and I am enjoying the Gem app where I can search multiple resale sites at once. Last month, I did a deep cleaning of my closet and wardrobe as a whole, and it inspired me to play more with what I have before I add even more to the collection. I want to know my current closet's potential so any additions make sense.
I know that this year there will be a change to how I run this business. No, Wardrobe Oxygen isn't going anywhere, but I changed over the past 20 years, you have changed, the world has changed, and how we consume information and use the internet has changed. I don't know what this change will be yet, but I am open, receptive, and curious and that's the best way to find one's path.
So, maybe I do have some goals and resolutions. I just am not putting pressure on myself. It's not an easy or stable time we live in, there's no value in creating additional stress. But I do think each day, I can make tiny decisions to make life a little better for me and or the world around me and want to do what I can so I can have the space and clarity to see those chances for small change.
Weekend Reads
What Happens When Fashion Only Serves the Rich. (Back Row on Substack)
The cultural works becoming public domain in 2026, from Betty Boop to Nancy Drew. (NPR)
How plus-size influencers are faring in a GLP-1 world. (Vulture)
I think I have a new favorite everyday bra.
How Kraft Heinz Lost Its Lock on Mac and Cheese—and American Shoppers. (The Wall Street Journal – gift link)
For my fellow Peloton folk: “Deep Dive” with Denis Morton Peloton Signature Class Series (First Up: ATLiens by OutKast). (PeloBuddy)
The Unshakeable Allure of Snow Globes. (The Souvenirist on Substack)
The 38 Most Anticipated Movies of 2026. (Time)
They Want to Influence You to Do … Nothing. (New York Times – gift link)
It's not too late to order Girl Scout cookies!
What to Wear at Midnight and the Morning After (If You’re the First Lady of New York). (Brain Matter on Substack)
Are these hideous or awesome? I hear they're super comfy…
What Stranger Things gets right about wormholes. (NPR)
Reading Is a Vice. (The Atlantic – gift link)
Lots of questions on IG: this is the weighted vest I have (it's big boob friendly).
Open the Sears Christmas Catalog, and Eyeball the New Met Gala Theme. (Drinks with Broads on Substack)
Style Inspo and Sale Alert
The Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale is here and I went through the offerings and pared down what I think is worth you checking out:
coat | bracelet | earrings | sunglasses | tote | multiple calf size leather boots | dress purse | flannel pants | belt | suede flats | sweater
earrings | flats | necklace | sweater | dress | sneakers | silk scarf | boots | wallet | faux fur jacket
denim jacket | sunglasses | earrings | dress sandals in widths | purse | jeans | silk scarf | leather bag | belt | wool & cashmere coat | leather jacket
crossbody | earrings | embellished cardigan | sneakers | dress | silk scarf | coat | slippers | jeans | purse
I was so glad to have my 3-in-1 Squall for our Deep Creek Lake trip. It's a buy once, wear for decades coat. I know, because this year I bought it to replace my orange classic Squall I got in 2002. I liked the customization of the new version (and a more timeless color), and my old one was still in such good condition that I donated it to a coat drive. But the lining alone is chic, the exterior alone is great for cold but not frigid days, and the length, details, and quality means I'm dry, warm, comfortable, and not looking like the Michelin Man. For reference, I got Large Petite and it's roomy enough to fit a thick sweater underneath.
When I shared why I really liked ShopMy as an alternative to Instagram or TikTok for style inspo, I had a few of you ask for a list of the Midlife curators I follow on ShopMy. By playing with ShopMy, I found I could share my circles: here is the link to my Circle for Curators in Midlife. It's not always easy to find folks on ShopMy… yet.
The platform is constantly evolving but for now I find if I put the Instagram/TikTok/Blog name or individual's name in a search engine along with ShopMy, either their account or some collection they made on ShopMy will show up. Here's a link to follow me on ShopMy. And if you know any midlife curators on ShopMy I haven't linked to, let me know so I can add them and keep this a useful resource for all!
See/Hear/Read
The latest audiobook I completed was one I requested on Libby months ago. My sister shared she was reading These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean so I put in a hold so I too could read it and we could discuss it. It ended up taking so long it was hard to discuss. She picked the novel because she knew the author as a Regency romance novelist and was intrigued by her modern-day story. I knew nothing of the author nor the plot. For instance, I thought this was a summer beach read, not that it was a dramatic story about a family with the last name Storm.
No matter, I really enjoyed These Summer Storms. It's kind of the idea that Steve Jobs died and his adult children were left to deal with the tasks for the inheritance along with any trauma they had from their upbringing. It also has been compared to Succession but the characters aren't quite as horrible. Throw in some sex scenes and an estate on a private island in Rhode Island, and this was not just a great read but would make a great Netflix limited series.
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I have a shorter Land’s End 3-in-1 squall jacket that is roughly 30 years old and still going strong! It’s a dark eggplant purple color that doesn’t really clash with anything. I also have a long wool coat I think from Limited or Express around 1987 when they offered semi-custom wool coats – pick color & maybe a collar or button style and it was made to your choices. Anyone remember that?
Happy New Year, Alison!!
Always enjoy the Weekend Reads posts.
I agree, how did January get here so quickly? I’m definitely not ready to return to work on Monday & even less ready for my son to go back to college next weekend. But, it’s been a wonderful break so I’m thankful for that.
The fashion industry article and the one about plus-size fashion & influencers declining is sad & depressing. Seems to go right along with the terrible things happening in our country—all the lawlessness, the fake outrage, the fake looks, the ridiculous amount of money going to the top 1 percenters, etc. I sure hope we can get past this. Related directly to the use of GLP-1’s, I don’t know how to feel about it all. I certainly think those medications are a huge benefit to people with various health issues. But I worry about how many people are using them to become incredibly thin—& how that has put us right back into that unhealthy climate of “thin” being all that’s acceptable. My words are probably not conveying this well at all, but I preferred it when there was more acceptance for different people.
My family finished watching Stranger Things on New Year’s Eve. We started it when our son was 9 or 10 & now he’s in college! We have loved & enjoyed the show & we’re happy to always watch it together. I’m so happy the last episodes coincided with his holiday breaks!
I think your words are great! my partner is taking a GLP and one benefit for him has been being able to stop his RA med. That said, I hate the idea that these are “lifelong” medications, and the cynic in me wonders if that’s a “feature”. I’m also weary of the current consumption-focused, narcissist-forward society we are currently in.
I grew up in Grantsville! Don’t EVER get stuck up there in the dead of winter; the last year I was in high school, we missed all but ONE day of school in January because we couldn’t get to school…
Happy New Year!
Janice
Sorry, my second sentence reads poorly. It should be “Both articles just made me mad, and the way things are going, will only get worse.”
I read the article about Fashion for the Rich Only and the way designers are steering away from Plus Size Fashion. Both just made me mad, and the way things are going. I just received a copy of “These Summer Storms,” and I look forward to reading it.
I thought of you when I saw an article in WSJ about Trader Joe’s canvas bags being seen as “cool.” in London and Sydney!
Love the clothing you showed from Nordstrom, although that embellished sweater is only available in small and medium right now.
That’s a gloomy piece of artwork to start the year! Unfortunately, it speaks to me. I’m looking forward to what you have coming up for 2026.
Love all the outfits from Nordstrom. You have such an eye for color.