Enjoy an audio recording of this piece, or scroll to keep reading. Sorry, I got a call at the end of that and didn’t feel like editing it out. Don’t forget to smash that like button if you enjoy this post.
Current Location: Ahh, home sweet home in Danville. For those who are new here, I may be a Philly queen, but I hail from the 570 (rural northeast/central Pennsylvania). I’m staying at my parents’ for the week to spend time with my nephews and to run a race over the weekend. It’s already been a typical visit… I arrive and my food options are a slice of American cheese and my dad’s leftover Chinese. My luxurious shower consists of Head & Shoulders 2-in-1 and some Bath & Body Works shower gel in a Christmas-y scent from like, three years ago. I wake up stiff from a miserable night’s sleep, head out for a pumpkin spice iced coffee from Dunkin’ and a peaceful stroll around Wal-Mart, where I’m trolling for some non-Birkenstock clogs to buck the trend machine (keep reading for more on that). Some call it regression. I call it material for the ongoing bit that is my life.
Just Watched: A lot of shit, actually. Let’s review…
That documentary on Victoria’s Secret and Les Wexner. I mean, I love any peek into the sinister industry of beauty and bodies. And Epstein content is a non-negotiable.
The Bear. I have a deep affinity for the restaurant industry (and worked in it myself for various stints), so I was happy to see it in the spotlight. But I was indifferent toward the show; I didn’t even finish it.
Dr. No. The first film in the James Bond series, this was great. I’ve been wanting to get into James Bond for a while, so I figured I’d start with the first. TBH I’m mostly in it for the beloved Bond girls. Vintage vixens forever.
The Northman. If you, too, love movies that are at once gripping and a little dumb, this is for you! No, but seriously I really enjoyed this. Historical Viking epics are somehow up my alley.
Excited for: I signed up for my first marathon this fall. Wow. It never gets any less terrifying, no matter how many training sessions I document on social media. This is a huge deal for me, though. For years, I sold myself stories of personal inadequacy, padded by a contrived attitude that “our bodies were NOT meant to run 26.2 miles straight!” And maybe there’s truth to that, but I’d like to find out for myself. I’ve joined the Team Philly training group for extra motivation, injury prevention, and camaraderie. I also signed up for two half marathons in between to keep the momentum going. So here’s to the next few months of grinding! Prayers up for wine and cigs at the finish line.
Thinking: 1.) I’m planning a “no spend September.” In the spirit of my week as a high maintenance baddie a couple months ago, I want to live beneath my means for a month. This is going to be way harder than pampering myself without restraint for a week. I mean, fucking obviously there wasn’t a ton of discipline that went into getting expensive facials and eating steak tartare alone. If I end up shaving my head and WWOOFing after this, at least art led me to my fate.
2.) Speaking of spending, let’s talk fall trends! Clogs and Sambas? You mean my high school favorites? Yes, please. I love how normcore never goes out, it just shapeshifts. Participants walk a fine line between “being that bitch” and “having no personality,” but then again, I’m faithful to New Balance 990s and thus, am biased toward the former. It’s just nice that cozy/functional has become a hallmark of chicness. I see a girl rocking Birks and biker shorts with a structured blazer and I think, “she either listens to Throwing Fits or considers Princess Diana among her style icons,” and that’s cute either way. Other fall trends I’m liking:
The Miu Miu ballet flats. It’s well-documented that I’m a proponent of ballet-inspired pieces, so this soothes my tight-bun-and-wrap-shirt-wearing soul.
A return to boho! I’ve been saying for months that if we could give indie sleaze a rest and look to some iconic Olsen twins looks to get us back on track aesthetically, this nation might be saved. Good thing I just got an ornamental wrist tattoo and a gorgeous kimono—stars aligned.
Just Booked: A trip to Rome in October. We’ll call it an engagementmoon. Ya’ll, I cannot wait to not be in the US. Italy wasn’t my first choice because I have an internal obligation to visit places I haven’t been. But like, imagine complaining in earnest about going to Rome. Devo andare a ROMA? Che palle!
Working on: 1.) A piece for the new Yowie hotel blog on Subsurface, my friends’ production company that throws warehouse parties, brought Boiler Room to Philly, etc. I’m really excited to spotlight the great work they’re doing in putting Philly on the global dance music scene, and to be a part of Shannon’s new venture, whose design influence is seen far and wide. Stay tuned for that!
2.) My second podcast episode, which explores the differences between mainstream self-care and actually taking care of yourself. I’ll be talking about my experience with anti-depressants, so if that’s a topic of interest, maybe tune in. The pod (or glorified voice memo, as I prefer to call it) is only for paid subscribers right now. Keeping things intimate. Last week’s episode is on honoring the differences between you and your partner (or people you meet on the dating scene), uncovered in moments of solo exploration.
Listening to: Van Halen’s version of “You Really Got Me.” I’ve had a lot of Van Halen and the like in rotation lately (Boston, Foreigner, Styx, etc.). It’s always interesting to hear the music people grew up on because I spent my childhood in a dive bar, sweeping the floors to dad rock. I’m pretty sure my first words were, “Oh mama, I'm in fear for my life from the long arm of the law…”
Currently Reading: I don’t know what made me think I could balance three books at once, but I am. Well, I was, and now I’m forcing myself to finish them one at a time. First up is The Coddling of the American Mind by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt. I have 79 browser tabs open on my phone (seriously) and the first one is this book, which means I’ve been wanting to read it for a while and am just now getting around to it. I’ve followed some of Jonathan Haidt’s research for a couple years now on our culture of safety. He’s one of those thinkers like Camille Paglia with whom I agree on a lot, but also find some of their theories misguided, even dangerous. Nonetheless, it’s a good read, but not the book for you if you don’t believe there’s nuance to the concepts of trigger warnings, safe spaces, etc. Anyway, here’s a quote that demonstrates the general essence:
“A culture that allows the concept of “safety” to creep so far that it equates emotional discomfort with physical danger is a culture that encourages people to systematically protect one another from the very experiences embedded in daily life that they need in order to become strong and healthy.”
Just Cooked: I never follow recipes, but the past couple months I’ve been digging Ambitious Kitchen heavy. Her Creamy Sweet Corn & Brown Butter Ricotta Pasta was one of the best dishes I’ve ever made. Like, I’m devastated I didn’t think of it myself. Consider this the perfect excuse to throw a late summer dinner party and impress your friends.