Weekend Reads #69

School resumed this week in the state of Maryland, my daughter is officially a 5th grader!  The return of school means the return of a schedule, which was really lacking and affecting my performance as a writer. It's hard to get on a creative streak when there are kids running through the house, husbands asking for help, and distractions surrounding me. This week I was able to hunker down and accomplish so much… but most of it was administrative tasks. Things I have been putting off because they require concentration, things that are essential but virtually invisible to you the reader. But by taking care of these tasks, it frees up the coming weeks to create some really good stuff so hang in there!

If you haven't already done so, I'd love your thoughts on plus size fashion.  I'll be sharing the survey results in an upcoming blog post!

Sale Alert

• Gap: Take an extra 25% off your entire purchase with promo code FRESH.  On top of that, there are thousands of new items up to 40% off at this link. 
• Lands' End: Get 30% off your entire order with promo code MELON. While this is awesome, it's especially awesome that it's on sale merchandise.  They have an amazing selection right now, you can see it all at this link.
• LOFT: They have up to 50% off almost everything today. 50% off jeans, 40% off tops, pants, and sweaters, and 30% off accessories.
  • I'm digging the fabric, the details, the length, and the shape of this skirt.  This is the kind of skirt you wear now with flats or low heels and pair with boots in the winter (yes you can mix suede and leather, in fact that's a very on-trend concept for this season!).
  • I believe in the value of a long-sleeved maxi dress like this one.  It's a way to stay warm while looking festive.  It's my go-to for a night out, a party, brunch, a day wedding, dinner with friends, and much more.  Now, wear with booties or flats, come winter add fleece-lined tights, a thermal cami, and tall boots!
  • Y'all know I love a good pantsuit, especially when the pieces are super versatile on their own.  This suit is a perfect example – here is the link for the blazer and here is the link for the pants. 
  • I also love ponte, which looks polished but feels like athleisure.  These pants are brilliant.  Wear to the office with boots and a sweater, wear on the weekend with sneakers and a denim jacket. 
  • A great price on a bag that looks far more expensive thanks to the Saffiano leather-inspired finish and gold chain.  Especially in black, this is the perfect bag to go with everything that isn't quite right with your big day purse but doesn't warrant a beaded clutch.
• Madewell: So many of you asked about a Labor Day sale for Madewell and they didn't really have one… but they have one now! Get 15% off… but only if you're an Insider.  Not an Insider?  Click here to sign up for free and enjoy the sale.  Madewell goes up to a 24 or 3XL and many items come in lengths. 
  • If you're going to buy one bootie this season, I recommend one just like this which is chic with bare legs or tights and skirts, with skinny jeans, wide jeans, cropped wide leg pants and jeans, leggings, and more.
  • I love the color and the fabric of this little crossbody which will be perfect for date night, brunch, and times you want to leave the big daily bag at home but don't want to get all precious with a clutch or dressy bag.
  • My dream closet will have this jacket in Burnt Sienna.
  • I'm loving this jacket. Throw over a tee, jeans, and sneakers or boots on the weekend.  Style with cropped wide-leg pants and a shell.  Style with a cami, skinny dark jeans and pointed flats and fabulous statement earrings. Wear with work pants and a turtleneck in the middle of the winter. 
• Nordstrom: They're having a sale this weekend with 40% off some great brands like Eileen Fisher, The North Face, and Madewell.  You can access all the items part of the sale at this link.  I went through and while a lot is summer and trendy pieces that may not be in style next year, I found some goodies:
  • If you want a sneaker that isn't too trendy but still feels chic no matter your age, you can't go wrong with the “Stan Smith” from Adidas.  Nordstrom has one version on sale.
  • Blondo makes stylish shoes that are also waterproof – great for wet and snowy climates, city commuters, and anyone who doesn't want to have to baby their footwear.  This bootie is classic, highly rated, and comes in a bunch of great colors.
  • Speaking of chic waterproof shoes, these tall boots from Aquatalia are gorgeous, come in two colors, and this price is amazing for this brand's quality.
  • Not waterproof, but available in wide calf… a gorgeous classic tall boot from Naturalizer in two great colors.
  • I love Nordstrom's cashmere scarves.  Great weight and size and color choices… and on sale!  I have this scarf in two colors and it's a favorite (and big enough to be a shawl or your blanket on a plane).  Halogen is one of Nordstrom's in-house brands and this super thick lofty cashmere wrap looks divine.
  • Nordstrom also makes fantastic leather goods, I've never been disappointed with a purchase of their bags.  This croc-embossed tote is perfect for the office or a weekend of shopping. And this leather bag is the everyday purse you'll rock from fall into early summer; it's under $100 and comes in three of the hottest colors of the season.
  • Chantelle makes fabulous intimates, and I love their seamless underwear, which is part of this sale.  This is the link for their retro thong, which is high-waisted, comfy, and completely invisible. This is the link for their high-waist briefs, this is the link for their French cut briefs, and this is the link for their boyshorts.
  • I had this wrap dress in last year's pattern, it's a great basic, you can see me wear it in this post.
  • There are a few great coats in this sale, I of course was drawn to this fabulous faux fur in several colors and prints, and this raincoat that is begging to go on a trip to Europe, or Seattle, or maybe to my nearby Starbucks the next rainy Saturday morning.
• Old Navy: Up to 50% off pants, dresses, jeans, and tops.  All the items part of the promotion are available at this link.

Weekend Reads

Someone had been eating my protein bars and it wasn't me! This happened several years ago – thanks to living backed up to woods we're prone to mice sneaking into our pantry and having a feast. I swear by these humane traps – they're effective, they're big enough that a mouse can fit and move around (and there are plenty of air holes), and they're easy to put in your car, take to a field or woods far away from your home, pop open and let the mouse run free. No mess, no need to touch the mouse, and you can hose off and use again. Not fashion related, but I shared our experience on Instagram Stories last weekend and got so many questions about the trap.  As for bait, we used a Girl Scout cookie (the Do-Si-Dos which are peanut butter sandwiches, we removed the top cookie) but peanut butter on a cracker is also a great choice. 

Have you read the book Hyper Focus? To be honest, books like that usually make me anxious, but after reading this piece I'm tempted to order it.  I'd love to hear your thoughts. (Vox)

In department store news (which seems to be happening every week), Nordstrom is accepting in-store returns… for Macy's and Kohl's! (Bloomberg)

If you follow me on Instagram Stories, you may have already seen me share this documentary about the truth behind many of your favorite Instagram accounts.  This article has links to the film on IG Stories as well as YouTube and is worth a look if you use Instagram. (Hyperallergic)

“The music of the mid-aughts to early-teens is largely gone, lost down a new-millennium memory hole. There is a moment that whizzed right past us with no cassettes, discs, or Shazam queries through which to remember it. These are the Deleted Years, and we need to start honoring this period, right now, before we forget it forever.” Woah, this really hit home for me.  In the early aughts, I worked retail and new music came from the monthly soundtracks they sent us to play over the speakers and anything a “cool” person on MySpace had in their bio.  In 2005 I started a new job and had a colleague who was really into new music.  He shared his favorites, I got on iTunes and bought my first iPod.  I went down a rabbit hole of free downloads from some Russian site (think it was gomusic.ru?) and LimeWire. When we remodeled our home at the end of 2008, the desktop I had connected to the TV and stereo system got sawdust in it and I lost my entire music collection.  Somewhere I still have my little green iPod, that square one you clip to your clothes, but I doubt I still have a charger cord.  Anyway, read and take a walk down music memory lane. (Esquire)

The easiest way to save the planet? Shop less. (The Guardian)

I have used Maybelline's Line Stiletto liquid liner for over a decade (here's me raving about it in 2017).  In Blackish Brown it wasn't too intense for everyday, and the felt tip was easy for me to create a thin line right along the lash line.  No cat eye, just the appearance of thicker lashes.  Well, they discontinued the Blackish Brown and I've had the hardest time finding a replacement that isn't too warm or light in color, too shiny, too transparent, too messy.  Until Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liner.  The waterproof feature worried me; I like being able to dissolve all my makeup with my cleansing balm and not needing a second step but it comes off easily while also staying all day through sweat and tears.  It comes in 10 colors, Dark Brown being exactly the color I desired.  And dare I say I like the tip and the formula BETTER than Maybelline? 

Two of my favorite things – the Nation's Capital and Dolly in one story! One million free children’s books have been mailed to D.C. families since the city partnered with famed country singer Dolly Parton three-and-a-half years ago on her national initiative to promote early literacy. (WAMU)

Another love – Bill Cunningham.  I gobbled up this piece about him.  I adored “Fashion Climbing” and ordered the latest book this week. (NYT)

European fashion brands who buy readymade garments from Bangladesh agreed on Tuesday to hand over responsibility for issues like worker safety to a new body called the Readymade Sustainability Council (RSC). This includes H&M which is good to hear since I do not promote that brand for many reasons, mostly because of this.  Click to learn more. (Business of Fashion)

I love Knix underwear and their boyshorts are a fave, but they're sometimes too low rise for an outfit.  I am so psyched they not only came out with a high-rise version, they also came out with a high-rise leakproof version!

For four years, the woman whose Stanford University sexual assault case caused a public outcry, has been known only as “Emily Doe.” In her new memoir, “Know My Name,” which charts her life since then, she reveals her real name: Chanel Miller.  (NYT)

And if there's one link I recommend you read, it's this one about Prince by the man tapped to help him write his memoir. The beauty of this piece is why I didn't have a blog post ready Thursday, I was too engrossed and then too busy emailing and texting it to friends.  Enjoy.  (The New Yorker)

For Your Entertainment

There are some songs that shouldn't be remade.  They're done and it not only sucks, it ruins your memories around the original.  And then there are other covers that give the original respect without trying to be a copy.  Give it a new life, reminding you of the good times with the original and a way to enjoy a new version.  I gotta say I'm not mad at Lana Del Rey's cover of Sublime (which is a loose cover of Gershwin's “Summertime”).  She gave it a fresh yet retro spin that makes it a perfect way to send off the Summer of 2019.