Weekend Reads #163

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In 2021, everyone can be an influencer. Share a cute photo of yourself with a recent purchase, tag the brand, and you may end up on the brand's social media feed or even their website.

Some brands will leave a comment on your post, “We love your look! Reply with #lovethisbrandyesido if it's okay for us to share it. Read T&C at bit.li/fineprint” and it's so thrilling. Wow, this brand that I love, and millions of others love, love me! You agree, your photo is on their website, in their feed, their stories, heck, maybe even on a billboard in Times Square. So cool, right?

Wrong. Brands like that pay for models, photographers, studios, photo editors to get those ads and website shots that have helped them create millions of fans. If they have money for that, they have money for you. Don't sell yourself short; a pretty Photoshopped pro model image looks nice on a website, but customer photos and influencer posts can really sell the product. Looks good on the size 2 22-year-old, but if it also looks good on the size 22 42-year-old, then it's truly a great item.

Whether you are an influencer or a “normal person” who enjoys social media, you deserve to be paid for your photo if a brand is using it to sell their product. You bought the product, and that brand is going to sell thousands of that product thanks to you looking so good in it/with it. This isn't being greedy; this is making the whole social media world fairer for all. Every person deserves to be paid a fair rate for their work and there are no standards in online content creation and marketing.

This week I launched a project I have been working on for weeks; you can see it at this link. I was invited to try a product from a brand I love. I proposed to her that instead, individuals who read Wardrobe Oxygen receive the free product and provide their thoughts. I took the fee that I received for the post and split it amongst the reviewers so they could all receive $100 along with their gifted product. Not feeling the group was diverse enough, I paid out of pocket $400 to have four more individuals participate. I'm really proud of the result and hope to do more projects like this in the future.

While the individuals who participated got paid, it was not enough of a rate to also use their images individually on social media or online boutiques. I promised them that the brand and I would only use their photos in collages on social media, and I specifically made the images lower resolution so they wouldn't be useful to anyone else. If the brand wanted to use any photos for marketing, the brand would have to pay the reader a fair price on top of what they were already paid.

Your image is worth a lot, whether you have hundreds of thousands of followers, or just like to take pictures of your cat and share with your friends. It is why the influencer industry keeps growing. Brands understand the power of a “real person” promoting their product, and brands realize that it's a lot cheaper than traditional methods of advertising. Just because you don't have a bunch of followers or consider social media a side hustle or career doesn't mean your content isn't valuable.

And for my fellow microinfluencers, this also is for you. As someone who has been doing this for 16 years, I have NEVER had an “exposure” opportunity change my life. I may get a few more followers, maybe some more gifted opportunities, but it has never caused me to level up my business. That being said, I regularly do unpaid work for small businesses that I know can't afford a rate, will respect my content, and make products I believe in.

By you saying no, or asking for payment for usage, you're not only respecting your image and work, you're making the job that I and other content creators have, fairer and more equitable.

Weekend Reads

Consider it the ultimate hypocrisy. As Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka exit the Olympic stage, we only have ourselves to blame. (Elle)

The latest Eid fashion trend? Sustainability. (MPR News)

A pro cyclist rode almost 500 miles of the Tour de France course in Birkenstocks. (Gear Patrol)

And in case you liked that story, I liked the photo of Morton with a baguette in his one of his cycling jersey pockets in this article. (Cycling Tips)

3 rules for middle-age happiness. (The Atlantic)

As virus cases rise, another contagion spreads among the vaccinated: anger. (New York Times)

After the passing of our dog Cindy, we needed time to grieve but then began looking to adopt a new dog. We had certain breeds in mind and applied to many rescues and were denied by all of them. We see it as a good thing because it brought us to Oscar but this article resonated with me and also helped me empathize with those who denied us. (The Cut)

Investigation shows scale of big food corporations' market dominance and political power. (The Guardian)

Who am I supposed to be now? (The Riveter)

Oksana Chusovitina, a gymnast competing for Uzbekistan, just performed at age 46, her eighth Olympics. (New York Times)

I've admired STAUD clothing at retailers like Shopbop and Nordstrom, but the size range is limited. Come to find out, the brand offers up to size 24/26 and 3X, it's just that these stores have chosen not to sell them.

“I see my work as talking back”: how critical race theory mastermind Kimberlรฉ Crenshaw is weathering the culture wars. (Vanity Fair)

This week I was bit by something while I was sleeping. It wasn't a mosquito, living in Maryland I know mosquito bites very well and have had all sorts of reactions to them. Checking Dr. Google it looked like a spider bite. Based on where I live and that I wasn't having any reactions other than a red welt and intense itching, I figured. it was a wolf spider. I shared my experience on Instagram Stories and a reader in the DC area DMed and sent me this article. In case you too live in the area or somewhere with cicadas and have experienced unusual bites I figured I'd share here.

Nothing matters, so stop putting shit on your face. (Medium)

The economy is stronger. These 4 things will determine what happens next. (NPR)

Policing womenโ€™s bodies via dress code is nothing new in sports. The difference is now women are doing something about it. (New York Times)

So yesterday in the Friday Shop I shared this dress as an alternative for my Christopher John Rogers for Target dress that is no longer available. I shared that I felt once the lining was removed it would have more give in the bust. Last night being super smart, I began to remove the black cotton lining from the black cotton dress. Even better I did it in dim lighting. Well, don't try removing the lining as the lining is sewn to the front of the dress along the arm and neck holes. I now have raggedy edges and will have to whip out the sewing machine to sew them down so I don't look like Fred Flinstone. I still think this is a good dress, but better for those without a large bust.

The battle sigh of the old mom. (Gloria)

The death of the woman he loved was too much to bear. Could a mysterious website allow him to speak with her once more? (San Francisco Chronicle)

The majority of Americans lack a college degree. Why do so many employers require one? (The Washington Post)

What does it mean to think about cancer as a battle? (Cup of Jo)

Hear/See/Read

the white lotus

Our obsession this week has been The White Lotus, which is a limited series on HBO Max. We've seen only three episodes so far (they're spaced out through mid-August) and I HAVE to know what happens next. The first episode peeks into the future after. theweek at this luxury resort and it will be on your mind the entire time.

You will also be opening IMDB over and over because the actors will look so familiar. Sure, you know Connie Briton and Jennifer Coolidge and Seve Zahn, but there is that guy from the remake of High Fidelity, there is that actress who was in that show Star that came on after Empire, and that woman from Insecure and hey, that guy was in Tales from the City. The actors are SO GOOD you want to know more about them. This Buzzfeed article also is a quick guide.

jennifer coolidge the white lotus

Jennifer Coolidge is a treasure and the way she plays her character is sooo good and sooo weird and you don't know what she will say or do next. That is NOT an easy role to play and I think most would overplay it, make it a caricature. But Coolidge… you wonder if that's what she's like IRL! And Fred Hechinger is amazing; I can't wait to see how his career progresses. The subtle facial expressions, especially when he's sitting at the bar with his dad… so good.

In the words of my tween, this show is “super cringey” but in a really smart and fresh way. Such subtle details (check out all the books the characters are reading in comparison to how they act with the staff and with each other). It is such an example of ignorant privilege and will make you look back on any cruises or all-inclusive vacations you may have taken over the years and “cringe.” And if you have ever worked in the service industry, you will know these characters all too well.

bo burnham inside

My husband was listening to a podcast that discussed Bo Burnham, and was sharing it with me. Our daughter came into the room and said, โ€œWait you know who Bo Burnham is?โ€ and began singing a song about Jeff Bezos. We decided to watch his newest Netflix special, INSIDE, to get to know this comic/songwriter that is being discussed everywhere from fitness podcasts to the FaceTimes of 12-year-olds.

Okay, Burnham is hella talented. If you havenโ€™t heard of him, he writes these songsโ€ฆ I wouldnโ€™t call them parodies because theyโ€™re his songs, his lyrics, his everything. Yes, he has a song about Jeff Bezos, and one about sexting, FaceTiming with parents, and even one mocking Instagram trends favored by white women. His special, INSIDE, was written, directed, and filmed by him in โ€œthis one roomโ€ which is his guest house on his property. He did have some production assistance, but really, itโ€™s a one-man show; more accurately, a white privileged 30-year-old manโ€™s show.

Bo Burnham regularly sings about, and discusses in this special, how he is white and privileged and male and wonders if his voice even needs to be heard. He discusses anxiety and depression in a way many would be able to relate to. His song, How the World Works is graphic and honest (and lowkey Marxist) and the sock puppet was genius. But then you realize, itโ€™s a wealthy white man being paid by Netflix to sing about how capitalism is ruining society. Hey, I guess that really is how the world works.

Bo Burnham Inside 00 47 01 19.0

Thereโ€™s no denying Burnham is talented. He is a singer, a published poet, a songwriter, a musician who can play multiple instruments and produce his own music. He wrote and directed the film, Eighth Grade and acted in the film, Promising Young Woman. He has directed and written and had a hand in so many things you probably have seen and listened to. And to think he has been at this for over 15 years and created so much incredible stuff over lockdown is impressive.

As a creative in that same year, I was often hit with writerโ€™s block, questioning my words, wondering my purpose. But as they say, if we could only have the confidence of a mediocre white man. Burnham is in no way mediocre, but letโ€™s face it, he skyrocketed to stardom before many others and had doors opened for because he is, as he sings about, a Straight White Male. And is recognizing your privilege and faults enough? Because that seems to be as far as Burnham is willing to go.

What Burnham discusses in INSIDE is what many of us experienced this year of lockdown. And Burnham gets raw, discussing his anxiety and panic attacks, and his guest house is a second actor in his special. At the end, when he is metaphorically on a stage begging to get inside while the audience laughs, it was both clichรฉ and poetic, but by then I was too exhausted by this man to really care.

For your Entertainment

I had a completely different video in this section. I finished Weekend Reads, closed my blog dashboard, and was closing tabs to enjoy the evening when I saw on Twitter that Silk Sonic dropped a new video for their song, “Skate.” If you aren't familiar with Silk Sonic, it's a group created by Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak and their songs are so damn catchy and .Paak's smile is so infectious and the visuals for their songs are so damn good… I had. to log back in and share! Add this to your summer playlist!


A woman with curly hair wearing a plaid blazer holds a green fur coat over her shoulder on a city street.

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17 Comments

  1. My husband and I have no children, own a home with a fenced in yard, adore our dogs, and I’m working almost entirely from home for the near future WITH my mom 2 blocks away who would puppysit for us when I do have to go to the office and we’ve been rejected from almost every rescue. (The one who did call us for a preliminary interview called the day after we decided to suspend our search because our older dog is starting to fade and we don’t want to disrupt him now.) It was so frustrating.

  2. Old Moms. Oh, I feel this so much. No one ever said I had a geriatric pregnancy, but I had my son at 43. The 15 months of no sleep almost killed me, and now the guilt for when I’m too tired to run after him, or need to encourage him to play by himself is so hard. But I see times where my age benefits him so much–I can mentally step back when he’s done something frustrating (dripping day-glo paint on the floor and walking through it to come to me asking for help this week), and I feel like my experience gives me the strength to handle that gracefully and calmly, rather than with screaming and yelling.

    But now I want a nap.

    1. You’re a rockstar and a badass. I hope you know this, mama. I’m glad you see the benefits. My dad was around your age when I was born and while he wasn’t as active as younger dads, I wouldn’t trade the experience I had with him – the patience and understanding and conversations and how I think he “got” me better than younger parents – it benefitted me then and still benefits me today! <3

      1. Now I have all the warm feels <3

        I thought of how kickass you are when I saw this article yesterday–it speaks so much to what you did with the Miami Fitwear swimsuits, how you shared your spotlight, and how you're so willing to share your life and your efforts behind your blog.
        It vanished from the main page pretty quickly, so not sure if you got the chance to see it. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/02/technology/fypm-creators-app-pay.html?searchResultPosition=1

        1. I had NOT seen this, thank you! Interesting Fohr mention; I used to swear by them but in the past two years it has changed drastically and I do not feel, even with them bringing on Brittany Hennessey, that they are on the side of influencers. I am going to download this app as soon as my kid finishes using my phone for FaceTime piano lessons!

  3. Totally agree about companies using testimonial selfies without compensation. I’m one of those people who removes auto dealer license plate frames because “if they ‘aint paying me to advertise for them…..” ; D

  4. I love your project with real womenโ€™s bodies! Kudos! I was recently in a Cabi store and saw you in a beautiful photo/poster! I told the sales lady โ€œthatโ€™s Alison! I love her blog!โ€ Great article about our athletes as well. Thank you for being real and all you share. So glad I found your blog!

  5. Nora Ephron. Sigh. What a great essay. And the AI story is, well, creepy but somehow satisfying. Your Weekend Reads are always so good. Thanks!

  6. Love the Silk Sonic song & video!! They are so talented & FUN! Theyโ€™ve got that throwback sound; oh so good.

    The White Lotusโ€”cringey is such a good word for it. I actually decided to watch because Iโ€™d read it was filmed on Maui. Iโ€™ll keep watching because Iโ€™m definitely curious as to where itโ€™s going but, itโ€™s a bit difficult to watch, ya know? Your comments about the people vs. the books they are reading are spot on. Jennifer Coolidge is something else in this roleโ€”wow! Iโ€™ll admit, Iโ€™m so curious about her โ€œlook.โ€ Did they use makeup to give her that overly-botoxed, overly-filled look? Itโ€™s so over the top & fits well with her character. I recognized the journalist/newlywed wife from the Percy Jackson movies! And her husband was on the last bit of The Office. And Fred H seemed familiar tooโ€”heโ€™s in Woman in the Window on Netflix & heโ€™s very good in that too! Definitely fun seeing where I recognize them from!

  7. I’m so glad to hear someone my age share their experience watching Inside. I had heard about it from a mom friend and tried watching it with my own mother. After 45 minutes and offering twice to watch something else, we both communicated how much we disliked it. I thought she was enjoying it and she thought I was enjoying it. I felt out of touch because I didn’t “get it” but your description helps me realize why I didn’t get it and how I am totally ok with that. Thank you!!

    1. LOL I thought Karl was enjoying it and he thought I was, but then I went to the bathroom and he went to get a drink and we dawdled in the kitchen not wanting to go back, but we did it so we could confirm we didn’t like it. ๐Ÿ˜€

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