Weekend Reads for the end of April

How is it already the end of April? January and February felt years long, but this spring is whizzing by. I thought it was just me, and maybe my age, but my daughter also mentioned she feels time is moving super fast. Not too long and it will be summer vacation!

I am writing this from the patio of my friend's house in Ocean City, Maryland, where I escaped for a few days. A change of scenery is a great way to press pause and collect yourself. It's not like I'm really vacationing right now (we're both working full days at our respective jobs from our respective laptops), but already, I feel myself slowing down.

Weekend Reads

She told the president that the Smithsonian needs changing. He’s ordered her to do it. (Washington Post – gift link)

Baby bonuses and menstrual cycle classes are among the ideas pitched to try boosting the U.S. birthrate. (New York Times – gift link)

Despite his wife’s protests and his friends’ many jokes, the writer Isaac Fitzgerald spent three days in London shopping for a hat straight out of Peaky Blinders. Here’s what it taught him about personal style. (GQ)

Birkenstocks for the girly girl.

Brace yourselves, the Ice Bucket Challenge is back. (The Guardian)

Libido is a myth. (Mad Woman)

I spent five days at sea on the maiden voyage of the 90s Cruise. I’ll never recover. (Esquire)

How the world of professional wrestling influenced the presidency. (The 19th)

Lake & Skye sent me a rollerball of their fragrance 11:11 and it is like The Body Shop's White Musk all grown up in a very cool way. Use ALISON15 for 15% off.

How Donni — “it’s like Martha Stewart meets The Row” — reinvented the preschool-pickup uniform. (The Cut)

Should I do something to my face? (Gloria)

No-iron linen in a gorgeous cobalt blue? Yes, please!

ICE is reversing termination of legal status for international students in Maryland and around US, lawyer says. (The Baltimore Banner)

How Gen Z became the most gullible generation. (Politico)

The administration is setting its sights on ActBlue. (Shero)

How cute are these overalls? Sustainable brand, available up to 4X.

The far-right agenda behind the facial recognition tech used by ICE and the FBI. (Mother Jones)

I'm intrigued by this survey and can't wait to read the results: How Do You Know When You Can Really Trust Someone Online? (The Editing Spectrum)

I know y'all can relate to calling someone a friend yet you have never met them in person. The internet is a weird place, but you end up connected to some cool people you get to know and the only term that makes sense is “friend.” And one of these virtual friends of mine is Jess Morales Rocketto, Latina feminist badass and an enjoyable Instagram follow. Honoring the life of Pope Fracis, Jess shared this poem: “To be of use” by Marge Piercey and I just had to share it with all of you, my virtual friends.

Sale Alert & Style Inspo

The tariffs are already impacting retailers. The past two weeks, my inbox has been full of brands stating they're raising their prices, charging for shipping and returns, and canceling sales and promo codes. Now is the time to really assess what you actually need versus what looks cute or gives a dopamine hit when you press “buy.”

Universal Standard brought back the Mystery Box promotion in a way to clean out inventory, as they are one of the brands raising prices and being affected by the tariffs. The Mystery Boxes are a serious gamble; been those in the Universal Standard B/S/T group on Facebook who research SKUs to figure out what are in boxes get surprised and often disappointed by what they get.

Universal Standard offered to send me a free mystery box, and I asked for linen, as that sounded like the safest bet. Being petite, I risk getting a box full of things too long for my body, but the linen over the years has done me well.

I have a code for 10% off sitewide at Universal Standard valid through 5/31/25, however, it is only for new customers: INFS-ALISON10OFF also works on the Mystery Boxes, so if you do take the gamble, it will reduce the price a bit more.

A few things for summer US has that I personally own and love:

• I have the Dawn linen tunic and Juniper linen shorts in the green beach grass print, both in XS and I love it. It's so breezy, doesn't wrinkle easily, and is a “look” while feeling like pajamas. I wore the set this week with a wood and wicker bag and my ecru big buckle Birkenstock Arizona sandals and felt very cute. I've also worn the shirt with white linen pants, my Madewell Harlows in “Harvest Moon,” and the shorts with a slouchy cream cotton cableknit sweater.
• I have and adore the Promenade linen jumpsuit; again I have XS. It's a hint too long for me but doable with the right shoes. This summer I think I'll get it hemmed an inch. Cute with or without the self belt and the straps cover most standard bras. The color I have is out of stock; if I didn't have mine I'd get it in Ultramarine.
• I ordered the Henning X US Madison shirt in the pink stripe and it is AWESOME. It looks expensive, the details are awesome, and no bust gaping. But I already have a pink stripe oxford so couldn't justify keeping it.
• I also have the Elbe Classic Fit shirt in the lavender stripe and it's fantastic. Not as many elevated details as the Madison, but a great button-down in a great opaque stretchy crisp fabric (and also no bust gaping). I have XS.
• The Belle Breton continues to be one of my favorite striped knit tops. I own two; the navy and red, and the black with white and want the deep sea. I sized up to S for them.

See/Hear/Read

Two intense, thought-provoking pieces I consumed this week:

My friend Sylvia highly recommended Adolescence, a limited series on Netflix. The premise sounded too heavy and dark for me, but Sylvia has never led me wrong and said while it is heavy, it's powerful and as a parent, she felt it was necessary. I have to agree.

A 13-year-old boy is arrested for murder and the story isn't about a murder per se, but the boy and how/why it happened. It goes into social media bullying, men's rights, online communities, and what “good on paper” kids may be doing all quiet in their bedrooms.

I sobbed at the end of Adolescence. I can't stop thinking about it. My husband wasn't as moved, wishing there was more aboutthe murder and how it affected others. I felt there was power in changing the narrative in this manner. Have you seen it? Thoughts?

In my latest pick based off the cover Libby book pick, I read The Wedding People by Alison Espach. After finishing I Who Have Never Known Men, I wanted something lighter. The Wedding People is funny and enjoyable, but it's not fluff. This book really made me think a lot about my life and how I am using it.

The Wedding People has some care warnings: unsuccessful IVF, suicide ideation, dead parents… but it's done well and is necessary for the story. I listened to the audiobook, finishing it as I drove into Ocean City the other night, and unfortunately it had a typical chic lit narrator with that cynical tone that I can't stand (it made me swear off Emily Henry books because I hate that narrator so much). I'd recommend reading instead of listening, but even so it's a wonderful book.

And for those who have The Wedding People… sounds as though it may turn into a film. (Deadline) To me, it was written in such a manner I could see the movie playing out in my head. I'd be curious how it would be adapted (and who would play the bride).

For Your Entertainment

Lorde is back. It has been four years since her last album, but she has still been making music, collaborating with a lot of folks.

When asked about her latest single, “What Was That,” Lorde stated, “Late 2023. Back in New York. Deep breakup. Stopping birth control. Every meal a battle. Flashbacks and waves. Feeling grief’s vortex and letting it take me. Opening my mouth and recording what fell out…The sound of my rebirth.” The video shows the artist in NYC, culminating with an impromptu concert in Washington Square Park. (AV Club)