10 Things - Dispatch #002
10 things I've read, loved, watched, wish listed, consumed, etc etc etc
Happy Friday! Let’s get into it.
The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue - I panic bought this book at the airport after unexpectedly finishing the book I packed on the flight to California (The Lemon - it was meh.) and it absolutely exceeded my expectations. I’m beginning to realize there’s this mini sub genre I like to call “women fumbling through life and making questionable decisions” that really seems to resonate with me (see: Big Swiss, Sorrow and Bliss, Ghosts, and Writers and Lovers.) The writing feels Dolly Alderton-esque in the best way and O’Donoghue’s character development was so good I really felt like I was watching a movie in my head.
While I stray from participating in overly viral trends (read: indecisive, usually cringe heavily when looking back) I did very much appreciate Jenna Lyon’s customized L.L. Bean tote that says “Old Céline” (referencing Phoebe Philo’s era at Céline before Hedi Slimane entered and ditched the accent aigu.) Anyone else counting down the days until the new era of RHONY premieres? As someone who floated in the J.Crew/Madewell atmosphere for years, I am very eager to see how Lyons as a housewife reshapes my thoughts and feelings about her.
Comfort shows are a staple in our house with Parks and Rec, Friends, and New Girl on syndication the evenings we want to be phone gremlins and scroll aimlessly on the couch. New Girl is the flavor of the month and this end credit line dancing scene gets me every time. Damon Wayans is a comedy genius and his grapevine head bob is perfect. No notes.
I spent 48 hours in California over the holiday weekend to attend Mike’s high school BFF’s wedding in Merced, a fairly smallish town about an hour and a half from Yosemite National Park. I did, in my short time there, manage to find a thrift store where I bought an absolutely delightful lightweight fringe jacket. Here’s a chaotic dirty mirror picture of it in my messy bedroom and wrinkly boxer shorts.
Sometimes my brain hurts when I think about how many humans are floating around this planet and how social media has built a bridge across the globe to connect us to so many strangers. I am constantly bewildered at the fact you can be wildly unaware of someone’s existence even though they have millions of fans and followers and significant fame in some part of the world. While deep in an internet hole last week I came across this Italian-mega-pop-indie-star, Levante. I spent roughly a half hour scrolling through her Instagram, screenshotting her impeccable style along the way — because if there’s one thing I love more than a pop star, it’s a pop star who knows how to dress.
We’re back to looking at our next potential city/home/big move and I’ve been depressing myself on Zillow all week. While I usually stick to strict filters to avoid looking at homes we can’t afford, I couldn’t help but look around our old stomping grounds and see what’s for sale. If anyone has about $1m to gift me, that would be great. Specifically for this mid century gem in Aptos. The potential!!
the fact it’s built into the hill and on stilts somehow does not sway me from obsessing over it. This Tiktok about John Casey and his rubber stamp store in New York City. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the struggle of brick and mortar/small businesses/things of the “eat the rich” variety and I was charmed to see such a niche store still going strong/the strange eccentric charm of Mr. Casey. You can shop his stamps on Etsy here - I have no use for this one but I sure do want it. This is your reminder to go support a local small business!
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Summer means eating all the cherries. I am not embarrassed to admit I ate basically an entire pint of VanLeeuwen Black Cherry Chip in one (and a half) sittings two weeks ago. I’ve been resisting the urge to buy more, but ice cream ranks in my top favorite food groups of all time, so I’m sure I won’t last long. Also, from a design standpoint, the red they chose for the packaging is literally perfect.
Lewis Hamilton in this Wales Bonner suit. Literal perfection/it’s nice to see how clothes relax and wear on humans, especially linen. I’m upset no one has hired Grace to take over for any prestigious house yet, she’s far more deserving than a lot of other people in the industry, with an incredible eye for craftsmanship and detail. Would highly recommend flipping through her Fall 2023 Menswear collection.
I’ve been deep in my “is it too late to become a screenwriter/director/cinematographer” era and therefore compiling a playlist of songs I would one day like to put in a semi autobiographical short film, if I am ever so lucky to make one. This song will be in it. Florence Pugh will be playing me. Obviously.
And thus concludes this week’s dispatch of open tabs. Let me know your thoughts, feelings, emotions, etc in the comments or reply to this email. Thank you for reading! Please consider sharing this with someone you think might enjoy it!
Until next week,
G