Recently Enjoyed Things | May 17, 2024
A few things I enjoyed recently and maybe you will too.
My seven-year-old has been coming home with some new phrases from school and asking what they mean. TBH it’s been largely entertaining, and occasionally thought provoking as I try to explain idioms that don’t actually make sense. Some charming examples include “dick”, “YOLO” and “say it with your eyes.”
“But eyes can’t talk!” he exclaims.
“It’s a figure of speech,” I reply. “Now tell me who said ‘dick’ at school?”
This remains a mystery, but in the meantime, how fun to really dig into language. This is something I really enjoy! My son doesn’t know that I spent my four years in college earning an English degree, so as he is learning parts speech, he recently asked me unironically if I know what a noun and a verb are.
It got me thinking! How well do we know our own parents? I’m embarrassed to admit that when I really think of it, I imagine my parents as an extension of me, rather than as independent individuals who had full lives before I came along, and all the while since. I laughed when my son asked about verbs - as in, buddy I spent a lot of $$$ to know everything there is to know about verbs - and yet, what are my own parents passionate about?
I once asked my mother if she could help me hem some curtains. I know she worked as a seamstress and tailor in a wedding dress store, but all that was so peripheral to me when I was growing up - just mom’s job - and I wasn’t thoughtful of how intricate her work is. How very skilled she truly is. Effectively, I asked my mom if she knows what a verb is.
Before we get carried away, some housekeeping: there’s some affiliate links in here. But aren't they everywhere? Anyway, if you click on something and buy it, I might earn a commission at no cost to you.
Recently Enjoyed
Reading
Astor: The Rise and Fall of an American Fortune - Anderson Cooper and Katherine Howe // I am finally into a book and it is wonderful! I pulled out the big guns after DNR-ing yet another book last week. I enjoy Anderson Cooper’s narrative writing style and I deeeeeply enjoy reading about fucked up rich people. The Astors have delivered particularly well on that genre of person and so this book on the family’s financial rise and inevitable fall has been very engaging.
Salad Freak - Jess Damuck // Does one read a cookbook? I’d argue yes, when it’s a delightful as this one is. I went page by page, folding down corners and I am feeling so inspired to eat a big beautiful salad this weekend.
⭐ The Art of Friday Night Dinner - Eleanor Steafel // Not currently reading, but very much currently wanting.
Listening
Heidi Klum on Armchair Expert // I’m doing some podcast catch up, after dedicating the last several months to my Bad on Paper obsession, so I’m late to this AE episode, but GD what a ray of light Heidi Klum is! She sparkles like Poppy from the Trolls franchise. I can feel the glitter in my eardrums, I swear. Okay, I don’t obviously, but some people are just proof that X Factor is a real thing.
Buying
Linen Midi-Sun Dress // Target - $30: I love that linen is on trend this summer. It’s so classic and even on a $30 dress, looks really elevated. I tried it on here and I’d recommend going down a size. If I were a bride, I’d wear this all summer long for all of my bridal events. But I’m not, so I’ll be pairing it with tan sandals and pretending I’m on a European summer vacation instead.
elf Dewy Setting Spray // Target - $10: Well this was a surprise. I’ve been test driving setting sprays since, maybe November-ish, and guys, I started with some of the high end brands with cult followings. I found every single one of them to be just okay, which when a couple of ounces goes for $40+, just okay isn’t enough. I started using this elf version a few weeks ago and was stunned to see that it really holds up and delivers on the dewy finish promise. I still want to try to the Urban Decay variety, because All Night is a big promise, but I’ll be perfectly satisfied keeping elf in my arsenal.
Sunglasses // J. Crew Factory - 2 for $30: cheap sunglasses in fun and trendy shapes/colors. Good for a summer stock-up if you are as perpetually not precious with your eyewear as I am. I like this tortoise pair (and pink!) and these dusty taupe specs.
⭐ My kind of viral drinking vessel. PS remember Nalgene!?
Recent Saves
3 Things
Inspired by Jen Shoop’s post earlier this year about green flags. What immediately endears you to someone? What are your green flags? I’ll go first.
People who greet you with a smile. Effervescent positivity. It rubs some people the wrong way, but I love a happy person with contagious joy.
⭐ “I saved this for you” - a seat, a book, the last bite. Any variation that says “I was thinking of you.”
Suggesting we eat or drink outside. If you are a patio person, we already have enough in common to be friends.
Sending You on Your Way (interesting things I found on the internet this week)
Aptly named museum exhibit: Ice Cold.
Something interesting to think about: why don’t we bat an eye when a son is named for his father, but it’s totally taboo for a daughter to be her mothers “junior”?
⭐ Haha “Clutch Your Pearls, Millennials. People are Calling Forever 21 ‘Vintage’ Now.”
But before you go
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That dress is adorable! And I love using ELF products! They have my favorite primer
“It’s a figure of speech” is regularly used in our household these days as well. So funny! Also, thanks for the Astor recommendation—I didn’t realize Anderson had written another one. Excited for it!