July Modern Mixtape
Wearing, Wanting, Watching, Reading, Listening
Like a good mixtape, this post is a little bit of everything I have going on. Rather than list off everything single book I’ve read or post a bunch of outfits (though I still might do that), I’m going to mix it all together and give you my top picks. I'm going a little out of order this month but you'll see why:
Listening
I’m currently listening to Famesick by Lena Dunham via Audible and it is SO GOOD. Being a memoir, it’s obviously told from the writer’s perspective, but I am struck by what an excellent writer she is and how much I relate to her anxiety. She’s a controversial figure1 but I have so much empathy because I can’t imagine being given so much responsibility and attention (both positive and brutally negative) at the very young age of 24. She gets criticized a lot (sometimes fairly) and has owned up to mistakes she’s made and I can only be glad that some of my biggest mistakes were not public knowledge because I don’t think I would’ve survived it. Add in her debilitating health problems and it’s wild that she made it out alive.
Famesick is deliciously gossipy and jaw-dropping but also delightful and hilarious. When describing a conversation about her ex with Bruce Springsteen, Lena writes that she could have chosen one of two options: “normal behavior” or “psycho stuff.” And after a brief pause, she chose the latter. Cue me hee-hawing in my car as I commute to my new job (DAY FOUR OMG OMG) because who among us hasn’t chosen “psycho stuff” once or twice?
Wearing
Which brings us to the Wearing portion of this newsletter. Recently when I was in a TSA line at O’Hare, I became enamored with the pretty white embroidered blouse worn by a complete stranger in line a few people ahead of me. Did I go for normal behavior and mind my own business? No. Did I go for normal behavior and tell her I liked it, hoping she’d tell me the brand? Also no. Did I opt instead for psycho stuff by surreptitiously taking her photo to later run through Google image? Hell yeah, I did. But it worked and I didn’t have to talk to a stranger in a TSA line.
I did crop this so as not to be a complete psycho but it’s still probably creepy which I’m fully owning. Creepy or not, it worked and Google knew exactly what I was looking for and now I’ve been introduced to Molly Bracken, a French brand I’d never heard of. I ordered it (yay for 15% off my first order) and it arrived quickly! It’s beautiful (see above but also):
It’s not a very ME thing but I love that it’s super pretty without being too puffy sleeved or be-ruffled. I did size up after a little research which told me the brand tends to run small. I probably could’ve worn my regular size but didn’t want it to be too cropped or tight across the chest. Is it a keeper? Let me know what you think.
Wanting
I’m still on the hunt for a work tote bag and have really done quite an extensive search online- everything from this one at Madewell to the Cuyana System Tote (which I’d probably buy secondhand if I went that way.) Nothing seemed quite right and I wasn’t sure exactly what I’d need until I actually started my job. I’m glad I waited because I’d forgotten my need for both a travel coffee mug and an Owala water bottle and that I’d also be carrying a lunch bag, a laptop, etc. Honestly, I need function more than style. I’ve been using my Portland travel backpack which is great for travel, but kind of a clunker for schlepping stuff from the parking lot to my office. Most recently I found this Dagne Dover Noa tote which has space for a laptop, a bottle holder, and it’s in a color I find pleasing. The issue? It’s a sold-out seasonal color. Oh, and it’s also sold out in the other two colors. It is however, oddly, available at Dick’s Sporting Goods so I might order it and see if it’s worth the price.
Watching
We finished the last episode of The Bear last night and I’m bereft. This show wasn’t always perfect but it was pretty damn close. Ritchie’s arc was by far my favorite, but I loved most of the characters, flaws and all, and wouldn’t change much. (Maybe slightly less from the Fak brothers.) I don’t think I’ve ever seen family disfunction so perfectly highlighted on TV and it made me feel seen in a weird way. Overall, I absolutely loved The Bear and can’t wait to eventually rewatch it from start to finish. Also, thanks to a comment from Alice, we watched all of Widow’s Bay in a week and really enjoyed it. Just the perfect amount of hilarious and creepy.
Reading
Like a good little Internet follower, I’m reading Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke and, while I’m generally not into books with intentionally unlikeable main characters, this one has me hooked. It’s the story of a tradwife influencer who wakes up one morning to find herself living in an actual 1855 pioneer homestead. Time travel? Coma-induced delusion? No idea! I’m halfway through and have no clue how this is going to end but I’m riveted by the premise. I also recently finished The Heir Apparent by Rebecca Armitage which was a lot of fun and very interesting if you’re curious about the inner workings of the British Royal Family.
That’s it! I’ve been taking RTO outfit pics all week and will post them soon. (I’M SO TIRED.) Please let me know what you’ve been listening to, reading, wearing etc. lately!
which I get, she’s a lot but has also been targeted hard by the right-wing media
Speaking as someone who's too big for that brand, KEEP IT AND WEAR IT FOR THOSE OF US WHO CAN'T! It's very cute without being twee.
I love a cool, white shirt in summer and I think it looks great on you, so I say keep it. Thanks for the heads up about this brand, too! The most functional work tote I've had was a Lo & Sons bag that I bought off Poshmark. It had two interior bottle holders, a place for my laptop and ostensibly a place for a pair of shoes, though I never used that function and frankly didn't see how it would really work. Can't wait to hear about your first week!