Weekend Reads #42

Annie Spratt

My family and I have been battling some sort of cold for what feels to be all winter long. It hit me Friday. I woke up all congested and achy but thanks to some motivating texts from my sister I got dressed and ready for the gym. But when I went downstairs I started getting woozy and getting myself going only made myself feel even more achy and miserable. Our daughter that night had a nightmare and came into our bed (THIS is why we upgraded to a king-sized bed) and I went back upstairs, changed back into my pajamas and joined her and my husband who was still asleep. They got up with the alarm, I slept right through it until around 9:30 when I forced myself up to get work done.  With my day job, I could call out sick, use some PTO, crash on the couch watching Russian Doll (OMG I started the series this week with K and it's awesome), occasionally checking email to make sure nothing falls through the cracks. But now, the show must go on.  I have deliverables and contracts signed and due dates and I can't hack away behind my keyboard but glam it up and look happy and healthy for the camera. Thank goodness for Cicapair which when put on under foundation makes my skin look flawless and Becca's undereye brightener that does wonders for dark circles. That and some red lipstick and I'm ready for the camera!

Sale Alerts

• Nordstrom is having their Winter Sale with things up to 40% off.  This goes on through the 24th.  I shared my picks when the sale started last month but they always add new items.  I decided to scan their bags and accessories and they have some great options at great prices:
  • I found some great bags that can go from work to weekend.  This carryall from OAD in pebbled leather comes in three not-boring neutrals; Sole Society makes some of the best looking faux leather bags and this chic tote is no different (and under $42!); this red leather crossbody from Nordstrom is classic enough for work but still plenty of fun for times outside the office (and less than $80); I'm obsessed with this Botkier satchel and I'd love to justify buying it (especially since it's only a hair over $100); this tote also from Botkier is so chic and such a great price.
  • Thinking about gifts for a grad this spring? How about a gift card in this chic Tory Burch card case?  For the minimalist, how about this one from ALLSAINTS?  And this one from J. Crew is less than $20 and comes in a variety of colors.
  • Need a dressy purse but hate carrying a clutch? I've got you with this Topshop bag that comes in four options and is less than $33. This is another item I seriously want but can't justify right now so buy it and let me live vicariously through you.  This beaded drawstring bag is also a great alternative.  I also love this vintage-inspired bag.
  • Usually, I don't buy jewelry during such sales because they are on sale because they're a passing trend. But during this sale I found some goodies: this necklace of cut crystals is gorgeous; I own these resin earrings in red and they look chic and always garner compliments; this resin bangle is a piece you can rock for decades; this long pendant necklace is the perfect addition to balance a tunic or monochromatic ensemble; and I have and love these earrings from Jenny Bird.
• Ann Taylor has an extra 40% off sale styles.
  • They have some good scores such as this perfect ankle pant (here's the link for the curvy version), this classic blazer, this work-perfection cardigan, and these ponte leggings.
  • They also have plenty to stock up on now to be ready for next winter's holiday season.  Things like this sequined elbow-sleeve top, this pave bracelet, this sequin lace sleeved shift, this shell with pearls around the neck, and this shimmery ankle pant.
  • Plenty of winter must-haves like these classic riding boots (here's the link for the extended calf version), these suede tall boots, and this belted coat.
  • Ann Taylor does leopard print well.  These calf hair booties remind me of the pair I have. This bow blouse is chic under a blazer or badass with dark jeans, and this faux fur stole will add glam to your winter coats.
• J. Crew is sale-ing it up again this weekend with 30% off your order and 40% off if you spend over $200.
  • I *JUST* received in the mail these jeans, this top, and this dress and haven't even had a chance to try them on but they look really beautiful still wrapped up in plastic. 
  • I adore this colorful striped knit top from their new arrivals; I already have this shirt in navy and white and it's a classic and a perfect weight. These leopard calfhair slides will go with ankle pants, full-length pants, dresses, skirts, and even shorts. Cotton shirtdresses are my jam in the summer and I love how this one has horn buttons to tone down the twee of gingham. And I'm trying to justify purchasing these amazing pants that I would wear all summer long with graphic tees and white Birks or gold sandals and silk tanks.
• Bare Necessities is offering buy one bra get the second 50% off and free shipping with promo code FREESHIP.  Shop from this link of included styles.
• Dermstore is a fave for beauty brands often at better deals than Sephora (and carries more skincare brands than Sephora or Ulta). Right now save up to 20% off selected brands with promo code DSREFRESH. Click here for what is included; we're talking brands like NuFACE, R+CO, Sunday Riley, Tarte, Dermalogica and more! 
• Not a sale but a WOAH – did you know you can now shop J. Crew at Zappos? 

Weekend Reads

I hate to start Weekend Reads on a really depressing note, but this piece from Gizmodo is a must read.  How Google, Microsoft, and Big Tech are automating the climate crisis. 

If you've been around a kid between the ages of 4 and 14 there's a good chance you've seen them do a quick little dance when excited or hearing their favorite song.  Maybe it's the “Floss” or the “Orange Justice.”  Those dances came from the video game Fortnite but even if that kid has never played the game the dances have become famous across American playgrounds.  My daughter does the dances and didn't know until recently they were from the game. An interesting dive into where those Fortnite dances originated from and a trip down memory lane with gybergoths dancing to Thomas the Tank Engine. (Intelligencer)

A powerful piece by my friend Val, If Gucci and Prada Are Serious About Creating an Intentional Pathway for Black Children in America, Fashion Scholarships and Diversity Trainings Won’t Cut It. Here is Why.

Oh dang, this piece is my must read of the week. There are so many quotable parts I've pasted, deleted, and pasted again in this space 4 different times. Discussing race and restaurants from a black woman food critic. Seriously, please read this, especially if you are not black nor ever going to eat a $1,000 meal in a restaurant. (Eater)

Anthropologie has let us know this spring they will launch plus sizes. A former plus-sized Anthro manager shares her experience with the brand and what she wishes the new collection will include. (Rosey Beeme)

As a small-potatoes influencer and one who believes in transparency, I am LOVING the new Hulu campaign.  Celebs get paid for their endorsements; Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello aren't chatting about the streaming service on a plane for the heck of it. And we bloggers are paid but often try to hide the fact because sponsored content receives less engagement and more eyerolls from all of you. But if it's a smart partnership, if it's done well, I don't see the problem.  No one is rolling their eyes at Sofia and Joe laughing on a plane even though with that ad they're laughing their way to the bank. And to be honest, wouldn't you prefer to know when something is an ad versus being disguised as yet another “so obsessed my favorite” item? More on this subject via the Wall Street Journal. I'd love to read your thoughts on the subject!

When I was a kid, I dreamed of owning a Harley. I wanted to be a badass riding down Route 66, pulling off my helmet and my highlighted tresses blowing in the breeze, skin weathered from the sun, strutting into some honky tonk and ordering a beer with my ride or die (it always varied between a best friend and a boyfriend). Now I am the age and financial stability where I could fit a Harley into my life and have no desire (nor a desire for skin damage or drinking draft beer). This piece discusses how Harley Davidson as a brand is struggling and what they're doing to try to get the attention of millenials. (Quartz)

This week Karl Lagerfeld passed away. He was an asshole, he was terrible to the plus community, he was a racist, and a bigot. I am not here to celebrate the man, and I don't believe in excusing bad behavior for good art. But Lagerfeld did change the fashion game and what it means to be a fashion designer.  Again, I link to Robin Givhan for The Washington Post who writes about Lagerfeld better than I ever could. And in the piece Givhan shares a quote by Lagerfeld that is a good reminder to all of us, whether it's for fashion, for relationships, for politics, or for life in general:

“Don’t compare your life to what happened before. Every day has to be different. Don’t compare. Don’t compete. Don’t think it was better before, because it was better before only if you think it was.”

For Your Entertainment

I love Robyn, have loved her from back when she sang “Show Me Love” (and I swear she performed it at the Peach Pit After Dark but cannot find video proof anywhere). I saw her in concert a couple years ago and she is such a phenomenal performer we all enjoyed watching her bounce on an exercize ball for almost an entire song (way better than it sounds).  Her music can make you rock out, want to punch something, want to make love, make you want to run a marathon, and sometimes her songs are perfect for making a cup of coffee and scrolling through Twitter or reading a magazine or as I did earlier, edit photos for a blog post. Enjoy.