Weekend Reads #310

Weekend Reads #310

Looking for a job over 40 is the worst. (Gloria)

Indigenous peoples, impacted by climate change, raise alarm about the planet at COP29. (AP)

Rising minorities in big cities are increasingly concerned about order and security. Political parties need to pay attention. (Governing)

Has menopause made you ache all over? There's a name for that. (New York Times – gift link)

As I've shared before in my Maya fragrance review, I'm picky about fragrances and often if I like it, my family does not. But we're all in agreement about Merit's new fragrance, Retrospect. It's sexy and warm but also clean. The fragrance lasts but it's subtle. One spritz lasts all day. I feel elegant, expensive, and sultry with it, and I find myself wearing Retrospect on days I'm dressing up and Maya for every day.

Speaking of which, Maya Fragrance is having a 30% off early Black Friday sale! Discount will be in your cart; use code ALISON15 for an extra 15% off!

More investors are putting their money in women’s sports teams. A new study finds it could ‘unlock billions’ in value. (Fortune)

The cochlear question. (Aeon)

What the men of the internet are trying to prove. (The Atlantic – gift link)

I saw this lip product shared in a Facebook group and HAD to share it with you. Quite the gift for the beauty lover, maybe a gift for a married-to-be, or a luxe yet cheeky self gift!

Why is Earth's magnetic North Pole moving eastwards across the globe? (IFL Science)

From The Substance to sensory marketing and Margiela’s Tabis, the sexy grotesque aesthetic is trending. (Vogue Business)

So many of the cozy loungers I see are in weird beige and dusty pastels or wacky brights and prints. But this one, which comes in sizes S (4/6) to XXL (20) in black and pewter is cute enough to wear around relatives visiting for the holidays. Reviews say the quality is good, the fit is slightly generous, and right now, it's less than $30!

They married at 98 and 96: ‘Who doesn’t love a great love story?’ (Washington Post – gift link)

Enough. (New York Times – gift link)

OpenAI releases a teacher’s guide to ChatGPT, but some educators are skeptical. (TechCrunch)

New tyrannies. (Los Angeles Review of Books)

While it may not accomplish anything, I felt compelled to add my name to this petition: Cis Gender Women Against Trans Bathroom Bans (Action Network)

Style Minute

What goes with everything? Croco embossing! It looks more elevated than faux leather or suede. Mix it with other colors, leather, suede, and patent, and it looks chic three seasons of the year.

Shop the Collage:
black jacket and matching skirt | red tote | black belt w/ gold | brown boot | brown belt | blue loafers | gold bag | blue wallet | green bag | camel belt | brown wedge | black belt | burgundy bag | silver boot | pink bag | green loafers | black satchel | dark red wallet | red bag | burgundy skirt

Sale Alert

Soma is having its annual $29 bra event now through November 26th, and Soma also a bunch of other early Black Friday deals:

• When it comes to $29 bras, this is the most reliable strapless bra I've even tried for my large bust, this is my favorite wireless bra for large busts, and this bra is sexy while still supporting a large bust.
• Panties at this link are 5/$39. As a petite woman with a tummy and bum, I love the Soma Modern Brief. These disappear under clothing, and these are a great everyday undie for jeans and loungewear.
• Robes are on sale $49+ and IMO, Soma makes beautiful comfortable, and long-lasting robes. Cool Nights, cotton, satin, plush, short, long, and midi and even lounging cardigans in sizes S/M – XXL.
• Pajama sets at this link are on sale $39+. Cool Nights are great for those in warm climates who sleeping hot or dealing with perimenopausal hot flashes and 3am overheating. Embraceable is heavier but still comfortable and soft and feels more luxe than typical knit PJs.

For those looking to update their closet, Universal Standard is having a sitewide sale and I have codes to get up to 15% additional off these discounted prices! Through December 4th these codes are valid:

• 15% off for new customers to Universal Standard: INFS-WARDROBE15
• 10% off for existing customers: INFS-HOLIDAY-ALISON

I personally went shopping at Universal Standard this week; I ordered this shirt in Ocean Plaid (and there may be an upcoming post about how to style it), this and this in Navy with Shoreline Sunset/Black Stripe, another pair of these in Black/Peonia/Sanguinello in a smaller size since they're on clearance (my current pair is well loved and more casual a fit), and this in Navy/Red Stripe (I have it in XS and wish for a more relaxed fit).

The Hill House Home annual sale is going on with 30% off sitewide with code EVERYTHING30. Known for its dresses and sleepwear, Hill House is a woman-founded and run company here in the U.S.; my picks are The Hotel Robe (2XS-3X), The Tulle Ellie Nap Dress (3S-4XL), and the adorable Ruffle Eye Mask.

Through November 30th, use code wardrobeoxygen at Equilibria and not only get 15% off your order, but also get a free pouch. There are 30% off deals sitewide, and my code works for new and existing customers AND codes are stackable! Check out my Equilibria CBD review. My personal favorites right now at Equilibria are:

• The Tipsy Gummies: Very low-dose THC/CBD combo, no artificial colors or flavors or sweetners and organic ingredients and one gummy gives about the level of buzz as a glass of wine so it's easy to manage your experience. A nice alternative for the holiday season to destress, party without a hangover, and get deeper sleep. These would be a fun self-care gift for a friend if you know this may be their jam.
• The Relief Balm: This stuff is stellar. Super moisturizing and pain relieving, I love putting this on before wearing heels or less comfortable shoes and then reapplying one I get home. Also good on cuticles, bruises, and even cramps.
• The Nightly Sleep Gummies: Before HRT, I'd take two of these almost every night to stay asleep and wake up free of grogginess. Now, I keep them for the days I drink caffeine too late in the day or a glass or two of wine as it will keep me asleep when I'd usually be wide awake at 3am.

If you love Jenni Kayne but can't stomach the price, will 25% off help? The entire site is on sale 25% off, no code needed and furniture is included!

I know many of you love M.M.LaFleur but not the pricetag. Well, through the end of the month, save an extra 20% on full-price and clearance styles at M.M.LaFleur with code SAVEBIG.

My sister (my beauty guru) is OBSESSED with Dieux skincare, and I am thrilled the brand has provided the Wardrobe Oxygen community with a promo code! Use code ALISON10 for 10% off your order! Last Christmas, I got my sister these forever eye masks and she got them for me too! We both love them and it's a great gift. Also pick up one or two of these as stocking stuffers for loved ones to get the absolute most from their tubes of toothpaste, skincare, handcream, and more.

Speaking of new promo codes for the Wardrobe Oxygen Community, ABLE Clothing is offering 40% off sitewide with code OXHOLIDAY. This code works through December 3, 2024. May not be combined with other promotions or Impact points. Not applicable on previous purchases, collaboration items, or hardmarked sale items.

See/Hear/Read

Have you watched Martha, the documentary about Martha Stewart? It is currently available on Netflix and I find it to be a must-watch, not just for you but the men in your life. It's a good way to see how all of us were under the spell of the patriarchy at that point in time, and it's a super clear example of how there are different rules for women than for men.

I can recall not liking Martha Stewart. Late-night talkshow hosts and gossip mags reminded me regularly that she was not nice. Watching this reminded me of how easily I was swayed by the media and how easy it is to be swayed by opinions online, even if they are wrong.

Martha Stewart is a brilliant badass who refused to compromise. As a man, she'd be praised for her business acumen and drive. But as a woman, she was seen as a bully, a b*tch, a felon. But Stewart kept figuring out how to reinvent herself without shrinking herself.

As you can tell from the “For Your Entertainment” part of my Weekend Reads, I like keeping abreast of new music. Like Martha, I think it's important to learn something new every day, and new music keeps me up with current trends, what's going on with younger generations, and makes the commute driving my teen to and from high school more enjoyable.

If you don't have a teen in your house who loves sharing their Spotify playlists and would like to know about new music that doesn't sound like noise, may I suggest the Substack New Bands for Old Heads?

I found Gabbie when I was using TikTok and appreciated her suggestions. Now, on Substack, Gabbie is sharing her Best Albums of 2024, and I appreciate that with each recommendation, she shares a “sounds like” or “if you like” comparison to bands from the 80s and 90s. You can listen to the songs right in the Substack post before you move on to your favorite music streaming platform.

Yellowstone is back, and we're back to watching it. The beginning was a hot mess, trying to kill off a character no longer with the show. Also, some of the characters feel like caricatures of their past season selves, and there is so much “cowboy p*rn” of riding horses at sunset in slow-mo and meaningful moments between characters that feel like an afterschool special… but I'm still in.

For Your Entertainment

If David Damiano looks or sounds familiar, it may be because he was the lead singer of  Måneskin, the band that won the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest and became a regular on U.S. pop radio with their cover of the Four Seasons' “Beggin'.” This year, the 25-year-old Italian singer went solo, and “Born With a Broken Heart” is his second single for 2024. While the song is nice, I felt may of you would really also enjoy the video. The choreography, the sets, the way he feels like a modern-day Italian Gene Kelly… it's fun to watch!